Has this happened to you at the Land?

[tjmw2727]

In defense of the OP it seems that she honestly didn't realize the significance of the GAC.

We had to skip attractions or rearrange our plans during our December trip when my neice was sleeping. We just did other things while baby was sleeping, most of the other counterserve places did have stroller access or outside eating areas.

I feel that the CM at the land made the first mistake in suggesting the GAC and the CM who issued it made the second mistake. I agree that the OP should not have been able to get one, but I don't think its her fault that she ended up with it.

To the OP's question:

snip

So my ? for all my dis families........has this happened to you before? I go to the parks numerous times a week, and this is the 1st time this has happended to me. Will I need a GAC card EVERY time I enter EPCOT until my dd can walk, just in case I want to go to the Land?

Curious to hear the responses! Thanks!

el

Yes, we have been denied access to many places with a stroller, its a fire hazard in most instances. Since you are returning I would plan differently and or try a sling or snugly like others mentioned (my sil LOVES hers). A sling is also very helpful for lines and attractions.

As to "will I need a GAC" my answer is a definate no -and you probbaly won't get one either. You didn't realize it but the GAC you got was "permission to use your stroller as a wheelchair". While this was a convenience for you it is a necessity for others.

TJ

 

[meandtheguys2]

I find it difficult to believe that someone who worked for years at the Dolphin doesn't have a clue about what a GAC is and appropriate usage. My vote is troll.

 

[lynetteSC]

IN defense of the OP, the CM told them to go get a GAC - so they did what they were told to do. I don't think they intended to abuse the system, just wanted to eat dinner without having to hold a sleeping baby. It would be a lot easier for parents of non-walking baby's if there were some kind of sleeping-high chair-car-seat carrier type thing to use when you were eating in places where they won't let you take your stroller.

I know I have skipped over the Land pavillion many times because I didn't want to wake up my sleeping child, and I have been turned away at sit down resturants because I wouldn't move him out of his stroller when told I would have to. But those are choices I made. I valued his rare sleep over eating/seeing the sights.


My DS is now 4 and I have debated the whole stroller as wheelchair things because of his Appergers and SID - massive inability to handle people getting near him in lines, but so far I haven't done it because I would rather wait until he is a little older and try to make it in the lines. I know if we start using the stroller in lines he will always expect to do it, that rigidness, you know !

The ideas of baby carriers are great, if you happen to have one and are accustomed to using one. But, it seems that this wasn't a time where one was available. I just want everyone to think about what they are typing, there are other peopel with feelings on the other sied of the screen who may be hurt by being called abusers.

Alicia

ditto! This same thing happened to us in May. DH waited outside while the rest of the party went in. He met up with us as soon as baby was awake. VERY hard to understand since you can easily take stroller all over The Living Seas.

I was hoping they would have changed that when they refurbished the Land.

 

[alohacousin]

That is what is required for those in wheelchairs and we have to do this for all parks. its only fair

Renae
mom to 6
Angelman syndrome

 

[Kerlynne]

I find it difficult to believe that someone who worked for years at the Dolphin doesn't have a clue about what a GAC is and appropriate usage. My vote is troll.

really not necessary!




I feel we are now better educated for the better. Never knew this GAC card was there, for families that need it. And now the OP will see how important these cards are, and how unnecessary of usage it was for her to obtain.

 

[meandtheguys2]

She worked at the Dolphin for years! Front desk per her posts. Her Dh still works there. She goes to WDW several times a week, and has stayed in most of the resorts. I still think this was posted to stir the pot.

 

[all4fun]

I never got the impression from the OP that she didn't know what a GAC card was. It is believable though that someone may not know how inappropriate use of something could have a negative impact on those that really need it. That kind of thing happens all the time, I'm sure. I'm NOT saying this is the case with the OP because I don't know her, but sometimes people know and just don't care, unfortunately.

Back on topic...We were at WDW in April when they did the AP/DVC preview of Soarin' and I was dissappointed they didn't allow us to bring in our stroller, and a little irritated that they wouldn't allow any strollers to be parked near the doors, just down below. (I do agree with the "Stroller Nazi" description, LOL - those CM's weren't messing around). I can understand why they don't allow strollers in but I couldn't understand the stroller parking issue. I remember in the past they allowed strollers to be parked near the doors to The Land. I am wondering if this was because of the preview that was going on and maybe they wanted to keep the outside as neat and orderly as possible for some executive tour that was about to happen or if that is still what people are being told?

It was also not very fun to try and entertain a rambunctious toddler (at the time the only thing open in the Land was Soarin') while waiting around for dh to get off the ride. But hopefully now that the whole pavilian has been reopened that will be a little easier in the future. I remember thinking it would be nice if they had a small play area in there for the Toddler age kids (like outside Splash Mtn for example) because all my ds wanted to do was climb that steep staircase and then go down the escalator. We must have done that 50 times. Good thing I brought the harness because it was handy to grab a hold to help keep him steady (not the leash part, the actual harness). Thankfully because it was a limited opening the lines weren't too terribly long otherwise I don't think we would have been able to do it.

 

[crabmeal]

What about moms whose back and neck can't carry the weight of a baby sleeping or not? I think attacking the OP and the CM for geting a GAC is out of line. The LAnd is an Epcot attraction and as part of the admission all have the right to access it. If it is too small to accomodate a sleeping baby's stroller, then maybe all wheelchairs and ECV's should be banned from there as well as strollers. You think when they redesigned it they could have put in an accessible people mover somehow instead of one small elevator.
I had to play Devil's Advocate on that one!

 

[welovedis]

What about moms whose back and neck can't carry the weight of a baby sleeping or not? I think attacking the OP and the CM for geting a GAC is out of line. The LAnd is an Epcot attraction and as part of the admission all have the right to access it. If it is too small to accomodate a sleeping baby's stroller, then maybe all wheelchairs and ECV's should be banned from there as well as strollers

If the moms/dads have a disability that is invisible, then should be requesting a GAC based on a medical issue. If that is not the case, then they should be visiting appropriate areas for their family. Not every guest is allowed/able to experience every ride/attraction in every park.


Your statement about all WCs and ECVs being banned from there is absolutely distasteful-there is a big difference between someone who cannot navigate the parks without their WC or ECV and a parent who chooses not to carry their child (sleeping or otherwise) into an attraction. I hope and pray you or your family members are not wheelchair bound at any point in their lives as it is not a fun prospect or one that you would chose.

 

[grlpwrd]

A couple of weeks ago, my sis was visiting and we and my then 4 1/2 month old dd went to Epcot for the day. We had reservations for dinner in Mexico and decided to go to the Land for lunch.

My dd was sleeping in her stroller and I was not about to carry 13+ pounds of "sleeping baby" around the pavillion while I attempted to eat lunch. So I starting walking through the doors w/ my stroller. Well, the greeter at the doors practically jumped through my skin and told me NO STROLLERS!!! I calmly asked what a person was to do who had a baby that could not walk. There was no way I could hold my dd the whole time we were inside.

The CM thought about it and told me I had to go to Guest Relations and get a GAC card and then I would be able to bring in my stroller. So we "schlepped" all the way over to Guest RElations and I explained what had just happened to the CM there and she very politely told me, that I actually didn't need a GAC card, but that she would give it to me anyway.

So we go back to the Land, where another Door Nazi CM says NO STROLLERS!!!!!!!!!! I whip out my GAC card , and he says Oh.....go ahead. Later on in the afternoon we returned to the Land to use our FP for Soarin and another Door Nazi CM AGAIN says NO STROLLERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, once again I whip out my GAC card , and she says Oh......ok.

So my ? for all my dis families........has this happened to you before? I go to the parks numerous times a week, and this is the 1st time this has happended to me. Will I need a GAC card EVERY time I enter EPCOT until my dd can walk, just in case I want to go to the Land?

Curious to hear the responses! Thanks!

el

I don't think she's a troll. Just because she used to work at the Dolphin from 95 to 02 and her dh still works there or something, I believe, doesn't mean she knows everything . I went back to read some of her old posts and it seems like she had questions about Epcot before.

Even so I've learned from this thread, too, as I was unaware of the GAC before reading it on the disabilities forum, too. Thank you....

 

[Emmaline Lola]

I am the original poster here and I most DEFINATELY did not mean to ruffle any feathers! I am the person who moves shopping carts out of the wheelchair accessible spots in parking lots--I would NEVER abuse the GAC system!

I am a new mom, and do not know the ins and outs of what is and is not acceptable in terms of where a stroller/baby can and cannot be at WDW. I definately am aware of a GAC card, but only from here on these boards. During my work at the Dolphin I never came in contact w/ obtaining a GAC card for a guest or even knew they existed until I starting reading these boards in detail daily. I assisted in getting a guest a complimentary town car to the parks if they were delayed in waiting for a bus that could accomodate their wheelchair, but once they were in the parks, I could not assist them any further.

I honestly, asked a question as to if this was an everyday occurance at the Land and if this was acceptable. I DID NOT abuse the GAC at all, and only used it the 2 times going into the Land, so I did not have to carry my baby. I thank God everyday, that I have a healthy baby and truly respect others that live with family members, children, themselves that have huge obstacles to overcome daily. I would NEVER do such a thing. I do have a heart condition that I have been living w/ since 1996/1997, but I do not ask for any sympathy--so yes it would be hard for me to hold my dd for a long period of time. But looking at me, you would never know.

So friends, let's get over this post and move on to happier things! I promise I will NEVER ask for a GAC again! I honestly thought I was following the proper protocol!

Let's be friends again, okay?

el

 

[lynetteSC]

I am a new mom, and do not know the ins and outs of what is and is not acceptable in terms of where a stroller/baby can and cannot be at WDW.

Let's be friends again, okay?

el

As a new mom who has also travelled to WDW plenty of times before bringing baby, I totally agree with you. I was tad frustrated in MK that while baby was sleeping there wasn't anywhere except shopping/eating to take baby. We had arrived right after breakfast and were meeting my parents elsewhere for lunch in about 2 hours, so we didn't need to eat and didn't have much time in the park. It was a VERY crowded day, so lines were long for one of us to do a adult rides. We just walked around and took in all the sites and theming we would otherwise had not noticed. No biggie, but we thought a family park would have plenty of things to do with strollers.

 

[Emmaline Lola]

They gave you a GAC so you wouldn't have to carry your baby?! That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Those are for people who NEED assistance. Not for mom's who just cant be bothered with carrying their children.

I am sorry, but I can't let this post go---meandtheguys2---why do you have to be so rude? I did not understand that I was doing any wrong in obtaining the GAC card, I wanted to bring my dd inside the pavillion in her stroller, asked the CM what to do, and did what she told me to do.

I take pride in caring for my dd! And am NEVER "bothered" by it! I am a proud mommy, don't judge me for asking a question!

Note to moderators: I just had to get that off my chest--please don't ban me from these boards!

el

 

[meandtheguys2]

I am tickled that I misjudged and you are not out to cause difficulties for GAC users, or encourage other mother's to assume they can get these passes. I do apologize.

Michelle

 

[crisi]

It is something that people traveling with small children need to be aware of. I never posted to the vent post about not being able to do anything with baby sleeping in the stroller. Just smiled each time I read it because it seemed so obvious to me that the stroller gets parked at WDW and then you carry or toddle or walk your children through attractions, through lines - and often through entire areas of the park. Its been so long since I was shocked at the distance between the stroller parking area and the loading area at PotC (the Safari, FotLK, the LONG standing wait that is waiting for ITTAB to start) that I'd simply forgotten it was ever an issue!

When doing Disney with small children, you do need to consider that they will be out of the stroller as much as they are in it. Are they up to walking or are you up to carrying them the distances required? Or will this be a "smell the flowers" trip of strolling around, seeing the things that can be seen while pushing a stroller (which isn't much)? The hassles of transportation need to be considered. How to wait in a 45 minute line for Dumbo with a child that has only learned to stand two months ago - and already weighs 26 lbs!?

 

[meandtheguys2]

Perhaps if you didn't talk of it as "schlepping around" with the baby I wouldn't have had that impression. And I am offended that they gave you a pass, and am still surprised you didn't look into what the pass was about.

 

[Emmaline Lola]

meandtheguys2: I accept your apology and can now go enjoy the rest of my day even though it is STILL raining here in Orlando! I need to get out of the house!

have a great weekend!

el

 

[Emmaline Lola]

Perhaps if you didn't talk of it as "schlepping around" with the baby I wouldn't have had that impression.

have you never heard of a little humor? it makes the world a little sunnier in my opinion!

meandtheguys2 have a MOST magical day!

 

[DZNYMGCFAM]

UM..she did say that she has a heart condition......Give her a break. I say good for her....been there with a sleeping baby and two small children trying to go into the Land to eat, what a pain and I have a healthy heart!!!

 

[Forevryoung]

What about moms whose back and neck can't carry the weight of a baby sleeping or not? I think attacking the OP and the CM for geting a GAC is out of line. The LAnd is an Epcot attraction and as part of the admission all have the right to access it. If it is too small to accomodate a sleeping baby's stroller, then maybe all wheelchairs and ECV's should be banned from there as well as strollers. You think when they redesigned it they could have put in an accessible people mover somehow instead of one small elevator.
I had to play Devil's Advocate on that one!

If all have the right then a person with a disability should be able to access the things to. Everyone does have the right to access it- it might mean that you have to carry your child then. There are plenty of times someone has to transfer out of their wheelchair to experience a ride. A stroller is a tool so that you dont have to carry your baby all day but a wheelchair makes it possible for someone to leave their house. It is not a tool but a necessity. I dont think you can place a wheelchair and a stroller in the same category (unless the baby/child in the stroller has special needs). I am offended that you suggest we wait outside an attraction because they dont allow your stroller. My sister who is 9 cant walk does that mean she isnt as good as a 9 year old who can? Or does that mean that it would be my responsibility to carry all 70lbs of her through an attraction so she can appreciate Disney too? I hope you are never in my shoes, she gets really heavy but I cant wait to take her to Disney for the first time on Sunday