Guest Assistance pass

[Tiffer]

CAn anyone tell me what EXCATLY they are and how they work and how convenient they make life? I have amom who is not legally classified as Disabled, but struggles with several medical medical issues that make is extremely difficult for her to enjoy that parks as she would like.

Any info on obtaining them and what they do would be helpful.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

First of all, welcome to disABILTIES!

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. The fourth item down is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information; the part that deal with Guest Assistance Cards is post#6.

 

[Tiffer]

Thank you so very much.

 

[Tiffer]

I have read the sticky on FAQ re: GAC. What are the GAC really good for. My mother not only had mobility issues, but she has bowel issues. She can't always wait to long in line.

What would a GAC do for her then? Wouldn't a fast pas work equally? I guess, I don't understand, even after reading the sticky on what a GAC actually does? What is the benefit of obtaining one?

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

Here's the problem with online discussions about GAC's:

1-Not all GAC's are the same because...
2-Not all disabilities need the same accomodations.
3-There are dishonest people in the world who would pretend to have a disability.
4-Not all rides handle the same GAC the same way.
5-Not all CM's at the same ride will handle a GAC the same way.

These all contribute to the vague answers people get and give here on the DISboards.

It is not a super helpful answer but it is one of the only ones I can give.

To post a detailed "The GAC did _____ at the Buzz Lightyear ride and it did ______at the Dumbo ride." could lead to abuse of the system by non-disabled persons. The end result of that is that the GAC program could disappear.

For detailed answers consider contacting Disney's Guest Services and asking them your specific questions. I don't guarantee that they will give details but it might be worth a try.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have read the sticky on FAQ re: GAC. What are the GAC really good for. My mother not only had mobility issues, but she has bowel issues. She can't always wait to long in line.

What would a GAC do for her then? Wouldn't a fast pas work equally? I guess, I don't understand, even after reading the sticky on what a GAC actually does? What is the benefit of obtaining one?

Just wanted to note:
There is no such thing as a Guest Assistance PASS. WDW did away with those around 1999 because people thought something called a Pass meant automatic access. What they do provide is a Guest Assistance CARD, which is a tool to let Cast Members (CMs) know what sort of assistance or accomidation is needed because of a disability.

In many cases, using FastPass would work equally well. With a Fastpass, you pretty much know that when you enter the line, you will be boarding within 10-15 minutes or less.
If you are going at a non-peak time (like mid-September is not usually a busy time), your waits in line will likely be very short.
Also, if you are able to get to the parks early (like when they open), you will find short waits, even during busy times. We've been to WDW during Spring break and have found that's true even then. If you get to MK at opening, you should be able to go on most of the rides with very short waits. I can't get my youngest DD going early enough to do that, but my DH found he and other members of our party could go on a lot of the Fantasyland rides pretty much as fast as they could walk. They even went on a few of them more than once.
Epcot and AK also have quieter times later in the day. If you try to go on Spaceship Earth, for example, early in the day, there will be a long wait. By late afternoon-early evening, you can pretty much walk onto that. Most of the attractions at AK are the same.

 

[Tiffer]

Thank you all for your answers. I get the alternatives, i.e fastpass, etc...just still puzzeled as to what the GAC itself does?

It sounds like crap shoot.

I also understand that there is abuse..but ther is abuse of EVERYTHING. For those who really need it, it would be nice to know a bit more.

 

[SueM in MN]

To post a detailed "The GAC did _____ at the Buzz Lightyear ride and it did ______at the Dumbo ride." could lead to abuse of the system by non-disabled persons. The end result of that is that the GAC program could disappear.

For detailed answers consider contacting Disney's Guest Services and asking them your specific questions. I don't guarantee that they will give details but it might be worth a try.

Even if we did give super detailed answers, it may not work that way.
Even going to the same attraction on the same trip with the same GAC, we have sometimes been handled differently.
Maybe the first time we went on, there was no one else with a special need waiting and the CM was able to take us right away. That might mean a short wait. Maybe we came again and the standby line was a short wait of 15 minutes, so the CM might take us right away (we'd probably wait that long anyway. Then, if we came back a 4th time, maybe there would already be several people with special needs waiting, so the CM would give us a hand written fastpass. So, there could be 4 different ways that the same GAC would be handled.

I think that Disney's Guest Services would be unlikely to give you any detailed answers by phone or email. They tend to not want to give out that kind of information wothout actually seeing the person. Even if they did, because of the things posted by Tinker*Shell*Bell and me, the exact answer may still vary.

 

[Poohnatic]

I have to agree with everyone else. What the GAC does depends on the person who has it-so giving a blanket answer is not going to happen. The accommodations my son gets for it is completely different from what SueMN's daughter gets, or Cheshire Figment. Just as each of us is unique, so is the GAC, to an extent.

Mobility issues have been addressed in many of the ride queues. For instance, my SIL and MIL use ECVs. At MK, they did not have need for the GAC and were able to enter many the queues with us. My son's issues are sensory and as a result, his GAC was used more frequently.

I've developed some mobility issues (cannot stand still due to severe heel pain) and I'll probably have to get my own GAC in the near future. Mine will be different from my son's.

I'm sorry I'm being vague, but there is no cookie cutter response to what the GAC does. For some, it means a waiting area that is covered. For others (like my son) it means waiting in a less crowded area, for others it may mean that their stroller should be recognized as a wheelchair.

One thing it is not: A 'go to the head of the line' pass. I've waited longer in a side area (Peter pan, for instance) than we would have in the normal queue.
The main purpose and the reason why we do this gladly is that if my son is not overstimulated by noise and crowds in the line, we'll prevent a lot of his meltdowns.

Hope this helps.

Suzanne

 

[Tiffer]

Thanks Poohnatic..that was actualy a great response. I realize ther was no cookie cutter answer. But I guess examples of your experiences are reaaly helpful.

 

[SAGE]

Took my autistic DS 18 and had a detailed doctor's letter which I shared with the CM. Given the GAC - no problems using the card.
The card allowed him to use the exit (or sometimes we were shown the FP entrance). I only used the card about 6 times. Thought the FP was better.
Used the card for some roller coasters since I was not riding those - the card allowed me to escort him right to the ride - once he was in a car, I left via an exit to wait for him. It was perfect.
We did use GAC to enter the Lion King show ( very hot and crowded) - he only lasted about 7 mins into the show - found it too overwhelming and noisy.
We quickly left ( along with 2 other mom's with toddlers) and me with my 18 year old - LOL.
I found disney to be the perfect vacation spot for him. We will return for sure!
Sage

 

[SueM in MN]

Took my autistic DS 18 and had a detailed doctor's letter which I shared with the CM. Given the GAC - no problems using the card.
The card allowed him to use the exit (or sometimes we were shown the FP entrance).

Thanks for your report.

I wanted to make some clarification though.
Many people think that a GAC (Guest Assistance Card) is a card that allows everyone to do what your GAC allowed (using the exit or the FastPass entrance). That is not correct.
What is stamped/written on the GAC depends on what needs the person has because of their disability. Most people don't have needs that require the use of the exit, so most GACs don't allow for that.

As you mentioned, getting and using FastPass works well for many people. It is more predicatable than the GAC.

Also, some people feel more confident having a doctor letter, but it is not required and the CM may not want to look at it. If someone does bring a doctor letter, it should talk about the specific needs the person has related to their disability (which it sounds like your did).

 

[Tiffer]

Took my autistic DS 18 and had a detailed doctor's letter which I shared with the CM. Given the GAC - no problems using the card.
The card allowed him to use the exit (or sometimes we were shown the FP entrance). I only used the card about 6 times. Thought the FP was better.
Used the card for some roller coasters since I was not riding those - the card allowed me to escort him right to the ride - once he was in a car, I left via an exit to wait for him. It was perfect.
We did use GAC to enter the Lion King show ( very hot and crowded) - he only lasted about 7 mins into the show - found it too overwhelming and noisy.
We quickly left ( along with 2 other mom's with toddlers) and me with my 18 year old - LOL.
I found disney to be the perfect vacation spot for him. We will return for sure!
Sage

So glad your trip was a success and he enjoyed it!

 

[I Love Pluto]

I have some issues which cannot be "answered" by a fastpass. Strobe lights, moving floor entrances and exits, are just some of the things that I cannot do. The GAC makes CMs aware of the problem. They will answer questions about their ride more readily with it. It is not a "go to the head of the line" pass by any means. It's more of a "help me out while I decide" card. We never use the GAC to cut in line. We use it to have questions answered.