Getting a GAC for Pregnancy?

[mousefan215]

A friend of mine that I am going to Disney with in 3 weeks just found out she has a pregnancy induced heart condition...basically what happens is when she stands still for too long, she gets faint. Walking, she's fine. It's just the standing still. So my question is this...is it possible to get a GAC and bring a small folding stool to sit on just while waiting for attractions? We will have a baby stroller to store it under when not in use. Any thoughts?

 

[bookwormde]

There is a lot of information in the "sticky" posts at the top which will help. If you can find a simple accommodation yourselves you may not need a GAC, but yes if she needs one then get one.

bookwormde

 

[WheeledTraveler]

A small folding stool will not be allowed even with a GAC. There are also no places to sit and wait or a way for her to join you in line.

I'd suggest she look into either renting a wheelchair or ECV or a rollator with a seat. That way she has something she can sit on while queuing. I don't know how many weeks pregnant she will be when you're at WDW, but she may find that having an ECV also helps her conserve her energy with all the walking she does since people on average do 6+ miles a day and that level of walking may in fact been too much for her compared to what she does at home.

 

[aubriee]

Disney's standard response for something like this is to get an ECV or wheelchair.

 

[mousefan215]

Ok...she may just have to rent a wheelchair...she just doesn't want one. Thinks it'll be a waste cause she only needs it when standing still for too long. Thanks for the replys. Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[bookwormde]

While it is WDWs standard accomidation for mobility issues to use a wheel chair if it does not meet her needs for equal accomodations then for many attractions it is possible to wait in an alternate (although often informal area) with the persons companion(s). Since the exercise and walking may be an important component from both a health and equal acommodation it is not possible for WDW to mandate the use of a wheel chair when other reasonable more appropriate accomidations are possible.

The folding seat would be a good example of this since it takes no more effort to store and retrieve the seat than it would a wheel chair. I realise that chairs are generally not allowed at WDW, but if part of a disability accomodation they must be allowed in specific situations.

bookwormde

 

[livndisney]

While it is WDWs standard accomidation for mobility issues to use a wheel chair if it does not meet her needs for equal accomodations then for many attractions it is possible to wait in an alternate (although often informal area) with the persons companion(s). Since the exercise and walking may be an important component from both a health and equal acommodation it is not possible for WDW to mandate the use of a wheel chair when other reasonable more appropriate accomidations are possible.

The folding seat would be a good example of this since it takes no more effort to store and retrieve the seat than it would a wheel chair. I realise that chairs are generally not allowed at WDW, but if part of a disability accomodation they must be allowed in specific situations.

bookwormde

The ADA allows for equal not better. Since folding chairs are not allowed per Disney policy, bringing a folding chair would not be "equal". Disney has several accomodations in place to assist. Accomodations are not always exactly what we want.

To the OP, if the issue is standing in line, the best thing to do is to not stand in line. Make use of Fastpass and a good touring plan. I hope you and your friend have a great trip!

 

[KPeveler]

The ADA allows for equal not better. Since folding chairs are not allowed per Disney policy, bringing a folding chair would not be "equal". Disney has several accomodations in place to assist. Accomodations are not always exactly what we want.

To the OP, if the issue is standing in line, the best thing to do is to not stand in line. Make use of Fastpass and a good touring plan. I hope you and your friend have a great trip!

Exactly. No one, regardless of disability, is allowed to bring a folding seat into Disney.

Also, if the person needs to be able to walk some, as Bookwormde pointed out, the best idea would be to put all the stuff we seem to need in the parks into a wheelchair and push it until she needs to sit, such as while waiting for a show, parade, or fireworks.

I have also discovered that any "informal" or "alternate" waiting areas require standing in one place, often in full sunlight. The slow walking of queues would be easier.

She can just rent a wheelchair in the parks each day (they rarely run out unless you are going at a peak time) and only use it when she needs it.

Also, a GAC would not help with shows (have to wait for hte next show regardless), parades, character lines, fireworks, restaurants, buses, stores, or anything outside of the parks. And, honestly, these seem like the places where the most standing is required, especially waiting for fireworks, parades, and Fantasmic.

Just because she rents a wheelchair doesnt mean she needs to sit in it all day, only when she needs it. Most people walk 6-10 miles a day in Disney, so she may be grateful for a place to sit at times!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Most of the lines at Walt Disney World are pretty much constantly moving. The exceptions are when you get close to the boarding area, or preshows, or when a ride is down, or actual shows.

If she doesn't want to rent a wheelchair and 'take it away from someone' - and WDW has plenty, as do the offsite companies - she could buy a rollator from Walgreens for under $100 on sale. It's a walker with a seat. These ARE allowed in the lines, so when the lines stop moving, she could sit.

 

[bookwormde]

Not to be argumentitive but it is not considered "better" since the comparitve status is to someone who can stand without assitance, there has never been any standard as to comparing equal accommodation between individauls with disabilites, especially if it is simply accommodating a disability by a means that that the individual has or imparts significantly less burden on the individual, rather that one that has to be "purchased/rented" (potentitally from WDW) . This issues was well settled early in the ADA rulings and development and its part of why HC access is if practical is as close as standard access.

Poeple are not allowed to take strollers in lines but if it is an accomodation then it is allowed, same premise. In schools children are not allowed to use elevators and are not allowed to bring dogs to school unless it is an accomodation for their disability. Only a safety, practicality, or changing the nature of the "event" are limiting factors for these types of "rules". which would impeded reasonable accomodation.

While I understand and agree with the practical, strong recomondation that individuals with mobility or stamina issues us a wheelchair, I do not think it would stand as a hard "rule" in many situations to an OCR challenge.

bookwormde

 

[PatMcDuck]

I thought the same thing, most lines you are not still, you are shuffling along. Exception would be waiting for a show, or waiting while they pull in Fast Pass holders. Fast Pass will help her alot, obviously.

I find the hardest show to deal with is the Nemo show at AK...... waiting in that hot sun for so long, and it is such a SHAME, my son loves that show. (he is in a Convaid chair). Last time we got the lunch thing at Tuskers to avoid this, and it was a much better option for us.

 

[livndisney]

Not to be argumentitive but it is not considered "better" since the comparitve status is to someone who can stand without assitance, there has never been any standard as to comparing equal accommodation between individauls with disabilites, especially if it is simply accommodating a disability by a means that that the individual has or imparts significantly less burden on the individual, rather that one that has to be "purchased/rented" (potentitally from WDW) . This issues was well settled early in the ADA rulings and development and its part of why HC access is if practical is as close as standard access.

Poeple are not allowed to take strollers in lines but if it is an accomodation then it is allowed, same premise. In schools children are not allowed to use elevators and are not allowed to bring dogs to school unless it is an accomodation for their disability. Only a safety, practicality, or changing the nature of the "event" are limiting factors for these types of "rules". which would impeded reasonable accomodation.


While I understand and agree with the practical, strong recomondation that individuals with mobility or stamina issues us a wheelchair, I do not think it would stand as a hard "rule" in many situations to an OCR challenge.

bookwormde

I am not going to argue either, as you are comparing apples and oranges. This is an issue I live with. I have spoken with Disney at great lengths on this very subject.

Disney is not denying assistance. They offer assistance. While it would be nice if Disney could offer the specialized assistance you like to suggest. The simple truth is, it doesn't happen.

 

[KPeveler]

Actually I am fairly certain that one of the reasons folding chairs are not allowed into parks (and queues) IS for safety concerns. Having a stationary chair in a queue line could be a real safety concern. Wheelchairs are balanced carefully, folding chairs really are not, so a sloped queue could be dangerous. And I am sure there are others.

Plus, a folding chair is simply not practical. Queues are rarely stationary.

 

[mousefan215]

I understand that folding chairs are not permitted in the parks for obvious reasons, but I would think Disney would make exceptions for those who physically need them, besides wouldn't one less person in a wheelchair that doesn't "need" it be a good thing? Also, isn't there a different entrance for handicap or people with a GAC , although I know not shorter, but maybe an area to sit on the portable seat while waiting for the next attraction/show?

 

[KPeveler]

I understand that folding chairs are not permitted in the parks for obvious reasons, but I would think Disney would make exceptions for those who physically need them, besides wouldn't one less person in a wheelchair that doesn't "need" it be a good thing? Also, isn't there a different entrance for handicap or people with a GAC , although I know not shorter, but maybe an area to sit on the portable seat while waiting for the next attraction/show?

Actually, almost all lines are mainstreamed and there is no wheelchair entrance. If wheelchairs cannot use the main entrance, we generally wait through a large portion of the line and then get pulled off (such as HM).

In general the wheelchair area of a preshow is just the rear of a regular preshow area (like in Muppets and Philharmagic).

So pretty much everyone would be going in the same area.

Disney does this a lot, so there is likely a reason why portable chairs are not allowed. My understanding is that it is for safety and crowd control reasons. There are many things which are not allowed that may be helpful to certain people in certain situations. For example, wagons and wheeled shoes are not allowed either, no exceptions, and I can think of ways in which both could be helpful to people with disabilities.

Disney has complied with the ADA by making lines mainstreamed for wheelchairs, which provides a place to sit that can move with lines. I understand there is stigma and shame out there which prevent people from using wheelchairs when they may benefit from them. But if it is helpful, then why not use it?

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I actually have the same thing, or something similar that causes the same reaction. Is what she has called neurocardiogenic or vasovagal syncope? They're the same thing, just different names and that's what I have.

I wrote to Disney over this, because it's exactly the same where standing still too long will make me faint. They replied with the general suggestion of a wheelchair/ECV.

She'll probably find that heat will make her more sensitive. Really she's going to have to figure out how sensitive she is with it, how easily that reaction comes on. Moving around a bit, shifting her weight from foot to foot, squatting down for a bit, things like that, will help. If she finds that very short times of standing will bring it on, she's going to be best with a wheelchair/ECV. Preshow areas were hard for me unless I was by a wall where I could lean against it, but I didn't feel the need for a wheelchair. She may also ask her doctor if a small dose of beta blockers would be appropriate. That's what they put me on, and the purpose was so that my blood pressure never got high enough to trigger this reaction (again I'm assuming she has the same thing or something very similar to what I have). A GAC is not intended to reduce wait times, nor will it provide her with any sort of seating in line if she were to feel faint. It is against Disney rules to bring in any time of folding seat, but I believe a product called the Rollator is allowed (Sue and Kate feel free to correct me here). The Rollator is essentially a walker with a small bench type seat attached between the bars.

Since it's still early in the year, it shouldn't be extremely hot out so that should help. She'll obviously want to take lots of breaks and keep well hydrated but may find herself more fatigued than normal. There's ample places around that she can escape from the heat in, so if she finds the heat is making things worse she'll can take refuge inside.

Another tip that I find to work is to let her be first in the party in lines. That way she can let the line move up slightly and create a very small gap that she can move around in. I'm obviously not talking about a 10 foot gap in the line, but a good foot in a half in front of her should be enough where she's not standing stock still. Then the people who are with her can move up at a pace that would keep that small gap in place.

 

[livndisney]

I actually have the same thing, or something similar that causes the same reaction. Is what she has called neurocardiogenic or vasovagal syncope? They're the same thing, just different names and that's what I have.

I wrote to Disney over this, because it's exactly the same where standing still too long will make me faint. They replied with the general suggestion of a wheelchair/ECV.

She'll probably find that heat will make her more sensitive. Really she's going to have to figure out how sensitive she is with it, how easily that reaction comes on. Moving around a bit, shifting her weight from foot to foot, squatting down for a bit, things like that, will help. If she finds that very short times of standing will bring it on, she's going to be best with a wheelchair/ECV. Preshow areas were hard for me unless I was by a wall where I could lean against it, but I didn't feel the need for a wheelchair. She may also ask her doctor if a small dose of beta blockers would be appropriate. That's what they put me on, and the purpose was so that my blood pressure never got high enough to trigger this reaction (again I'm assuming she has the same thing or something very similar to what I have). A GAC is not intended to reduce wait times, nor will it provide her with any sort of seating in line if she were to feel faint. It is against Disney rules to bring in any time of folding seat, but I believe a product called the Rollator is allowed (Sue and Kate feel free to correct me here). The Rollator is essentially a walker with a small bench type seat attached between the bars.

Since it's still early in the year, it shouldn't be extremely hot out so that should help. She'll obviously want to take lots of breaks and keep well hydrated but may find herself more fatigued than normal. There's ample places around that she can escape from the heat in, so if she finds the heat is making things worse she'll can take refuge inside.

Another tip that I find to work is to let her be first in the party in lines. That way she can let the line move up slightly and create a very small gap that she can move around in. I'm obviously not talking about a 10 foot gap in the line, but a good foot in a half in front of her should be enough where she's not standing stock still. Then the people who are with her can move up at a pace that would keep that small gap in place.

Not Sue or Kate, but I can tell you Rollators are allowed in the parks. You can take it in lines and use it as a seat.

 

[KPeveler]

Not Sue or Kate, but I can tell you Rollators are allowed in the parks. You can take it in lines and use it as a seat.

Yep! You got to it before I could. Rollators are definitely allowed, and there may even be a local lending closet or something that can help. It sounds like she is going to need something for places other than Disney (grocery store, movie theatre, etc), so perhaps something like this could be helpful.

 

[mousefan215]

Thanks everyone for all your advice...I am going to pass this info along to her

 

[mousefan215]

Here's another question for all you veterans are walking canes allowed? Because they have walking canes with a pop out seat, just curious if those are allowed in attraction lines or for parades and such.