Guest Assistance Card or Cards

[texasmousketeer]

I was wondering if any of you have ever had two people in your party with disabilities. Did you get one card for the group, or a card for each person who is disabled in case you split up? I feel bad enough when we just use the one for my son, but my doctor has suggested I get one for myself this time. What do you think?

 

[peemagg]

It would probably be best that you get one for each of you. Especially since you both probably don't have the same needs. If you issues are for moblilty or stamina though, Disney will recommend a wheelchair or ECV.

 

[bidnow5]

many times two in our group needed one we combined the issues it worked fine we had 3 once again we added all the issues together no problem if the issues are completely different then you might want to get 2 but if they are similar in the past It worked fine for us

 

[dclfun]

I find it odd that your Dr. would recommend a GAC. Unfortunately many Dr.'s don't understand what it's for. That said, maybe yours does and I don't know what your challenges are. Each person with a disability should have their own card as your issues may be different. As the other poster mentioned though, if your concerns are related to stamina and mobility, you will be advised to get a w/c or ECV as there is more walking/standing between attractions and the card does not diminish wait times.---Kathy

 

[maroo]

The doctor I work for is very familiar with them, as she has to use one for her child - so there may be a few drs out there that understand the cards like a DISer!

 

[carrollchristoph]

Yes, even doctors can have children with "issues"!

 

[Sunnywho]

One year we had two GACs: one for me and one for my son to use his stroller as a wheelchair. No issues getting them and we didn't end up having to use the stroller-as-wheelchair option after all.

 

[dclfun]

Yes, as I mentioned, perhaps the OP's Dr. does know about the cards. Unfortunately I can recall a time on this board when many guests were saying that their Dr's were writing a prescription for "front of the line" or "guest cannot wait in line" which we all know isn't an accommodation.---Kathy

 

[tinkerpea]

Hi Last time I went i needed a Gac card and so did my son but the onlyt reasonb they combined them was because i have 3 little boys one who neede the card my husband my mum and my In-laws as it was our wedding and honeymoon and they all stayed with us other wise we could have all gone on one and it would not have mattered.
have greta time and make sure you tell Disney CM what your needs are for example distressed childif in the middle of a que for too long or srtong meds that if you had to que normally then you would not get on much before it was med time and you would have to go lie down for the afternoon etc hope this helps

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes, as I mentioned, perhaps the OP's Dr. does know about the cards. Unfortunately I can recall a time on this board when many guests were saying that their Dr's were writing a prescription for "front of the line" or "guest cannot wait in line" which we all know isn't an accommodation.---Kathy

I have even been in Guest Relations waiting behind someone who had one of those notes - that was kind of interesting. The guest said "My doctor wrote a prescription, so you have to do what he wrote." Neither the doctor or the guest seemed to understand that prescriptions just don't work outside of medical facilities.

For the OP - if you think that you will stay together and have similar needs, one Guest Assistance Card might do just fine. If you plan to split up or your needs are much different than your son, then you may need 2.

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 to get there.

If you are not sure whether you need a GAC or what your needs are, you can always request one later in your trip. Some people find that they do well without one and never do request one. Other people find that a few days in the parks makes it more clear what their needs are. There is not 'rule' that GACs have to be requested the first day, so you don't need to feel rushed to ask.

 

[PinkyGeekyDo]

We've always gotten two, one for each of my DDs. Their issues are very similar but there are times that we split up which doesn't make the other ones issues magically disappear - unfortunately!

This coming trip I'm going to need one, so we'll probably get one for me and then for DD with the more extensive health issues. I'm hoping since we're going during a quieter time we won't have to use it, but it's always nice to have to fall back on.