Getting GAC at MK

[alice99]

He can stay in the wheelchair at the rides. Most lines are mainstreamed (wheelchairs can go through the line). If the line is not mainstreamed, they will have a separate entrance that the wheelchair can get through. There is no need for a GAC to use these entrances (the wheelchair makes it obvious that it is needed!).

Even though my son is in a wheelchair this week we have been asked numerous times for the GAC.

He has 2 knees in some serious looking braces.... And an elbow in a jointed brace also. So, even with some obvious injuries.....

It wasn't that obvious, to some CM's anyway. It has been my personal experience that the GAC is needed (at times)even with a wheelchair.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Even though my son is in a wheelchair this week we have been asked numerous times for the GAC.

He has 2 knees in some serious looking braces.... And an elbow in a jointed brace also. So, even with some obvious injuries.....

It wasn't that obvious, to some CM's anyway. It has been my personal experience that the GAC is needed (at times)even with a wheelchair.

Did your son need some kind of accomodation beside the ability to go through the queue in his chair? If he needs something else then yes he'd need a GAC. If all he needed was to stay in his chair then the CMs should not have been requiring a GAC and this should really be reported to Guest Relations.

 

[lovethattink]

Even though my son is in a wheelchair this week we have been asked numerous times for the GAC.

He has 2 knees in some serious looking braces.... And an elbow in a jointed brace also. So, even with some obvious injuries.....

It wasn't that obvious, to some CM's anyway. It has been my personal experience that the GAC is needed (at times)even with a wheelchair.

Did your son need some kind of accomodation beside the ability to go through the queue in his chair? If he needs something else then yes he'd need a GAC. If all he needed was to stay in his chair then the CMs should not have been requiring a GAC and this should really be reported to Guest Relations.

Alot of the medical strollers and pediatric wheelchairs look like large strollers. We have had to show the GAC stamped with stroller as wheelchair with our Convaid Cruiser at The Land and a couple other places where strollers are not permitted.

 

[alice99]

Did your son need some kind of accomodation beside the ability to go through the queue in his chair? If he needs something else then yes he'd need a GAC. If all he needed was to stay in his chair then the CMs should not have been requiring a GAC and this should really be reported to Guest Relations.

He didn't need any other accommodation. He just cannot be on his feet for any extended period of time.

I was asked at Space Mountain.... Which has stairs, in the "regular line". So, it was odd that I was asked for the GAC at the one ride that he definitely couldn't take the wheelchair through.

My Personal opinion is that it is good practice to ask for a GAC even if a person has a wheelchair. I believe there's a lot of chairs rented solely for the purpose of line cutting.... I know families that rent a wheelchair just for this purpose.

 

[SueM in MN]

He didn't need any other accommodation. He just cannot be on his feet for any extended period of time.

I was asked at Space Mountain.... Which has stairs, in the "regular line". So, it was odd that I was asked for the GAC at the one ride that he definitely couldn't take the wheelchair through.

My Personal opinion is that it is good practice to ask for a GAC even if a person has a wheelchair. I believe there's a lot of chairs rented solely for the purpose of line cutting.... I know families that rent a wheelchair just for this purpose.

WDW's policy is that guests using wheelchairs and ECVs don't need a Guest Assistance Card to use the accessible entrance ( which they call 'Mobility Entrances' .

My first suggestion is to get a park map for Guests with Disabilities - there is one for each park and in most parks, you can find them along with the other maps.
You do not need a GAC to use those entrances with a wheelchair or ECV. That is why they made those maps. If you are told you need a GAC to bring the wheelchair in line, check the map first. If you are at the Mobility Entrance, showing the map usually takes care of the situation.
I actually had a CM ask for a GAC at Dumbo and as I went for the map, she said, "oh, wait. You don't need a GAC. I didn't notice the wheelchair".
The chair my DD uses is bright fuchsia and had a sparkly blue seat cover - so hard not to notice.
CMs do sometimes get on automatic pilot and ask automatically.

If it doesn't, then ask for the supervisor. We had a situation once at Splash Mountain where we had waited in the line up to the point of the stairs. Despite the gate with a wheelchair sign and DD's wheelchair, the CM would not let us go on because "that would be cutting the line". She continued to argue with her supervisor , but did finally let us through ( complaining the whole time).

We also had a situation where we had Fastpasses for Pooh and the CM said we needed a GAC to come into Pooh. Another CM heard and corrected her.

I feel strongly that it's important to get these situations corrected by showing the map or getting a supervisor involved.
If people with a wheelchair or ECV and no othe needs 'present' a GAC that says they can use the wheelchair entrances, it just confirms to the CMs who are not following policy that they should not let anyone in line with mobility device unless they have a GAC.

Showing a GAC when one is not needed may help on that particular time going in, but Makes it more likely the next guest will be asked for one also.

 

[SueM in MN]

He didn't need any other accommodation. He just cannot be on his feet for any extended period of time.

I was asked at Space Mountain.... Which has stairs, in the "regular line". So, it was odd that I was asked for the GAC at the one ride that he definitely couldn't take the wheelchair through.

My Personal opinion is that it is good practice to ask for a GAC even if a person has a wheelchair. I believe there's a lot of chairs rented solely for the purpose of line cutting.... I know families that rent a wheelchair just for this purpose.

If they actually follow the Mobility Entrances listed on the Guide for Guests with Disabilities, there is very little 'advantage' to using a wheelchair. In most cases, the instruction says "enter through the Mainstream Line".
Anyone trying to enter in a different spot will be asked for a GAC.

There is a list of the entrances in a post in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[crashbb]

If they actually follow the Mobility Entrances listed on the Guide for Guests with Disabilities, there is very little 'advantage' to using a wheelchair. In most cases, the instruction says "enter through the Mainstream Line".
Anyone trying to enter in a different spot will be asked for a GAC.

There is a list of the entrances in a post in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

I'm also not sure how asking for a GAC would help. Anyone willing to rent a wheelchair "for the purpose of line cutting", would likely have no problem with stating that they need a GAC for the same purpose.

 

[1girln3boys]

I have never seen that happen...i have never seen them keep track of how many times you ride with the GAC ...unless maybe you go 5 times in a row....I always seen CMs be very nice and helpfull with people using a GAC.

We did Star Tours twice in a row and the CMs were very nice about it. One CM was telling my youngest he had to get get measured and another CM said that it was OK bc we were just on it.
When we got up to the loading area the CM said "take your usual spot you know what to do"

 

[LisaBi]

RE: Being asked for GAC even when in wheelchair at SpaceM. That has been our experience too. More often than not, they seem unwilling to allow a wheelchair thru the FP line without a GAC or FP. A little irritating, because I would be in the normal line if I could get the WC up the stairs! I've even had this happen when there was no stand-by line (like a rope drop). They still wanted FP or GAC.

RE: Riding twice. Just a warning to parents of children who thrive on repetition. On a few occasions, we have been allowed to ride something twice. Well, in my son's eyes, once something happens a certain way, it should always be that way. So the next time we rode, and were not offered a 2nd ride, he thru a fit. So, on the rare occasion it is offered, it is easier for me to decline the 2nd ride (and pray that DS doesn't hear the offer)! To this day, I have to fight him every time it is time to get off of Buzz Lightyear.

 

[SueM in MN]

For Space Mountain at MK, the Guide for Guests with Disabilities says:

Mobilty Access: Obtain Fastpass or see a host for options. If Fastpass is not available, enter through the queue on RIGHT.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Wait did I miss something? What TOT woman?

 

[englishrose47]

I have received GAC cards at DHS when travelling with a group of Developmentally Disabled !!They gave our group of 10 2 cards as only 6 are allowed per card ! We had absolutely no problems!
Next week I am travelling woth my daughter and 3 grandchildren , 1 has svere asthma ( inhaler , nebulizer ) The heat/ humidity is gonna be tough on her and my grandson has severe ADHD and IED , he takes many meds for it which make him very sun sensitive !I am going to ask for a GAC card for them ? Does anyone have any info on similar requesta ??

 

[SueM in MN]

I have received GAC cards at DHS when travelling with a group of Developmentally Disabled !!They gave our group of 10 2 cards as only 6 are allowed per card ! We had absolutely no problems!
Next week I am travelling woth my daughter and 3 grandchildren , 1 has svere asthma ( inhaler , nebulizer ) The heat/ humidity is gonna be tough on her and my grandson has severe ADHD and IED , he takes many meds for it which make him very sun sensitive !I am going to ask for a GAC card for them ? Does anyone have any info on similar requesta ??

Most lines are shaded, so the sun will be more of a problem going between things than when in lines waiting for things.

There is more information about Guest Assistance Cards in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

 

[lovethattink]

I have received GAC cards at DHS when travelling with a group of Developmentally Disabled !!They gave our group of 10 2 cards as only 6 are allowed per card ! We had absolutely no problems!
Next week I am travelling woth my daughter and 3 grandchildren , 1 has svere asthma ( inhaler , nebulizer ) The heat/ humidity is gonna be tough on her and my grandson has severe ADHD and IED , he takes many meds for it which make him very sun sensitive !I am going to ask for a GAC card for them ? Does anyone have any info on similar requesta ??

When you say sun sensitive from medication, what exactly do you mean? Does he sunburn easily? Or does the medication prevent him from sweating?

If it's requiring shade, most lines are shaded, but the walking between them can prove to be challenging.

Last summer my son was started on a medication for his Epilepsy that made him not sweat. We brought a cooler packed with frozen waters to try to keep him cool. When they melted too much, we had zip lock bags and were able to get ice in the parks.

We got an evaporation activated cooling vest, but in the Florida sun and humidity those vests only allow for a few minutes of cooling. Other vests like pump vests or ice pack vests would be more effective.

We spend alot of time cooling off in restaurants and stores. Pin trading has been a godsend for cool down times!!

Outside meet and greets are a huge challenge. There are no GACs for outside meet and greets. Either me or dh gets in line and the other takes him in an airconditioned building. We try to stick to the air conditioned M&Gs.

Epcot is the easiest park for us to tour because of all the air conditioned buildings. DHS and AK are the most difficult due to all the outdoor attractions and shows.

The most aggrevating thing for us at the parks, is when he is walking in the queue instead of using the medical stroller. People are so impatient and won't wait for him to navigate the queue, especially ones with steps. We end up having to block people from pushing through and knocking him over. I'm not sure what so many people's hurry is. If you made it to the preshow, you will make it into the attraction next, no need to push!!! No need to run from the attraction exit either!!

 

[castmemberb4]

Thanks for the help! I had read everything I could find, including the sticky which was very helpful. I had originally explained her needs and got the "wait in a shaded area" response which couldn't help our situation at all since I was the only adult in our group. I was just so flustered I didn't know what to do or say and I don't want to be in that position again.

So, I understand how to use a GAC. We use FP for all attractions that take them and always check with the CM first. But like I said, for some attractions (like Monster's Inc), being directed by the CM to the handicap waiting area was a life saver.

I was really just wondering if we should ask for a supervisor if we cant get what we need, or just wait until a different park/day/or time. I will bring her old GAC (she plays Disneyworld with it) and hope that whatever CM we get at MK can help us out!

Thanks again for the responses!

Absolutely ask for a Supervisor if the castmember is not giving you what you need.

 

[englishrose47]

Most lines are shaded, so the sun will be more of a problem going between things than when in lines waiting for things.

There is more information about Guest Assistance Cards in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

I read it and it mentions meds that affect sun sensitivity !! The other problem is when the meds wear off, he is SUPER Hyper Active !! I will just ask and see what they say ! I know a friend of mine received one in June she has lupus and the doctor gave her a note that she should not be in the sun or stand for long periods . They didn't even ask for the note .As for my grandaughter the problem is the humidity whicxh is way higher than she is used to !! All I can do is ask !!I am not going to get mad or anything . I just want to make this trip as comfortable as possible for both of them !!