Is it worth it to get a GAC for DH?

[camper06]

My DH has severe back issues (along with many other medical issues). He does not have a problem walking (we take plenty of breaks throughout the day and an afternoon break at the resort) but if he stands for long periods of time his leg goes numb and the pressure gives him severe back pain.

My question is, would it be worth it to get a GAC for him? Is there many rides where he could sit and wait for us to get to the front of the line and then join us? I have never seen any "sitting" spots so I am not sure if it would be of any help in our situation.

As a side note, due to his condition, he does not ride any of the thrill rides (which generally have the longest lines ), but I am talking about rides like POTC or Peter Pan or Haunted Mansion.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[rewardsinlife]

GAC would help you out on haunted mansion if it fits what he needs. It doesn't hurt to get one if you even think that you might need one. If you don't need it, don't use it! But if you are in a pinch, and need it, you have it!

Remember to describe the issues, not the disability. For example, he has a hard time standing for long periods of time. But, also be aware that CMs will most likely tell you to get a Wheelchair for endurance issues. If he has problems with stairs or moving walkways, the GAC would be beneficial in letting CMs know.

 

[ttintagel]

Spaceship Earth is the only ride I've seen with seating in a waiting area.

 

[clanmcculloch]

There really aren't sitting areas in the queues. His best bet is to use a wheelchair or walker with a seat and push it while walking and sit in the queues and waiting for shows, parades, etc. A good touring plan will also help to really avoid waits.

 

[camper06]

There really aren't sitting areas in the queues. His best bet is to use a wheelchair or walker with a seat and push it while walking and sit in the queues and waiting for shows, parades, etc. A good touring plan will also help to really avoid waits.

Thats pretty much what I was thinking. I don't remember ever seeing people sitting and then joining their family toward the front of the line.

He will not use a walker. He does not have problems walking (actually his doctor says it is good for him to walk since he cannot do many other forms of exercise). Its just standing in one position for any length of time is hard on him.

We have never used a GAC before -actually did not know about them. We do try to go when it is not too crowded and try to stick with the parks that are low attendance for that day. And as I said, we take frequent breaks in the parks.

Thanks to all for the replies. Very much appreciated.

 

[Piper]

There is no waiting area with seats---I am not sure how the poster thinks it could help at Haunted Mansion......they are mainstreamed and people now go through the regular line and stretching room. It might avoid stairs--but it wouldn't help him to go through the line at all. The GAC isn't a "front of the line pass" or a "sit and wait while your party goes through the line pass." I have a lot of problems with my back and I just don't think it is safe to do some of the rides......so I just wait for my party either in a shaded area or in the shop that is at the exit. I use an ECV on a daily basis, so I have it in WDW, too.

 

[camper06]

There is no waiting area with seats---I am not sure how the poster thinks it could help at Haunted Mansion......they are mainstreamed and people now go through the regular line and stretching room. It might avoid stairs--but it wouldn't help him to go through the line at all. The GAC isn't a "front of the line pass" or a "sit and wait while your party goes through the line pass." I have a lot of problems with my back and I just don't think it is safe to do some of the rides......so I just wait for my party either in a shaded area or in the shop that is at the exit. I use an ECV on a daily basis, so I have it in WDW, too.

In doing some reading on these boards, it sounded like there may be a "sit and wait while your party goes through the line pass". I know some folks stated that there are sometimes "quiet places" to wait for those with children with autism and I was thinking maybe there would be seating in those areas.

Sometimes the haunted mansion line is out to the riverboat area, so my thinking was if there was a place for him to enter and sit to wait for us to get up to the stretching room, that would help.

I am aware that it is not a "front of the line pass". My DH does not use an ECV or wheelchair or walker or cane. His problem is not with walking (although he has another medical issue that requires us to make frequent rest stops). I agree that some rides are not safe to do with a back issue, however, I don't count pirates, haunted mansion and peter pan among them. Not in his case, anyway.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[rewardsinlife]

I now see that you are from NY so you are probably going to Disney World, not Disneyland. DL has areas for people to sit and wait for their party. Haunted Mansion is one of them, Space Mountain, and Splash Mountain as well. That is why I said what I did for HM for my previous comment.

P.S. From what I hear DW does not have as many...if any...sitting areas. Your other choice as well is for him to go as long as possible without anything...and if he does get tired later in the day to rent a wheelchair.

 

[lanejudy]

In doing some reading on these boards, it sounded like there may be a "sit and wait while your party goes through the line pass". I know some folks stated that there are sometimes "quiet places" to wait for those with children with autism and I was thinking maybe there would be seating in those areas.

The areas people mention where to sit with children with autism are not in line or waiting for the line. It's a relatively quiet/non-busy place where they can take a break away from all the stimulation of crowds and lines.

Unfortunately, as others have indicated, there really isn't a way to have someone sit elsewhere and join the line when their party gets near the front. They would have to push through all the others in line after their party, which is generally not well received by the guests in line. Disney's standard response to someone who cannot stand for long is to use a wheelchair or ECV - as another poster indicated, he could push a wheelchair or walker when not using it and use it to sit in lines. That is really the only option for a place to sit in line.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[camper06]

I now see that you are from NY so you are probably going to Disney World, not Disneyland. DL has areas for people to sit and wait for their party. Haunted Mansion is one of them, Space Mountain, and Splash Mountain as well. That is why I said what I did for HM for my previous comment.

P.S. From what I hear DW does not have as many...if any...sitting areas. Your other choice as well is for him to go as long as possible without anything...and if he does get tired later in the day to rent a wheelchair.

Sorry about the confusion. Yes, we are going to WDW. It sounds like it would not be worth it if there aren't any sitting areas to wait in.

So, we will continue doing it as we have always done. If the lines are too long, DH will find a sitting area outside the ride and wait for us. It is not supposed to be a busy time when we are there (Nov 10-17th), but with the free dining lately, it sounds like it has been busier than expected.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[camper06]

The areas people mention where to sit with children with autism are not in line or waiting for the line. It's a relatively quiet/non-busy place where they can take a break away from all the stimulation of crowds and lines.

Unfortunately, as others have indicated, there really isn't a way to have someone sit elsewhere and join the line when their party gets near the front. They would have to push through all the others in line after their party, which is generally not well received by the guests in line. Disney's standard response to someone who cannot stand for long is to use a wheelchair or ECV - as another poster indicated, he could push a wheelchair or walker when not using it and use it to sit in lines. That is really the only option for a place to sit in line.

Enjoy your vacation!

I guess I misunderstood about the quiet areas. Thanks for clarifying.

If a person doesn't need a wheelchair or ECV to get around, it seems their standard response should not be to tell us to get one. Especially since they run out of them for folks who need them. We were there in May of this year and my DIL's grandmother (age 90) needed an ECV to get around. She generally uses a walker at home, but we knew it was way too much walking and also didn't feel it was safe with the crowds so we had decided to get her an ECV. They would not let us reserve ahead of time, and our first day at MK, they were out of them when we got there. They did still have wheelchairs left, so that is what we used. But it did take away from her independence - and she is VERY independent!! So if they are going to push people into using them, they should be sure to have enough available. (I have since found these boards, and see that you can rent them off property, but didn't know that at the time).

Thanks for the well wishes!

 

[Schmeck]

I guess I misunderstood about the quiet areas. Thanks for clarifying.

If a person doesn't need a wheelchair or ECV to get around, it seems their standard response should not be to tell us to get one. Especially since they run out of them for folks who need them. We were there in May of this year and my DIL's grandmother (age 90) needed an ECV to get around. She generally uses a walker at home, but we knew it was way too much walking and also didn't feel it was safe with the crowds so we had decided to get her an ECV. They would not let us reserve ahead of time, and our first day at MK, they were out of them when we got there. They did still have wheelchairs left, so that is what we used. But it did take away from her independence - and she is VERY independent!! So if they are going to push people into using them, they should be sure to have enough available. (I have since found these boards, and see that you can rent them off property, but didn't know that at the time).

Thanks for the well wishes!

If there are stamina issues, then yes, people do need to get a wheelchair/ECV, and plan ahead for it too. (Standing is part of stamina, IMO) I can't see how that is WDW's responsibility?

There is actually very little complete standing still in line - the line may move forward at a snail's pace, but it does move. You could make a small buffer zone between party members so your husband can move around a bit in the queues as well.

PotC has a rather good sized drop at the beginning, and the seat backs are hard, so I'd re-evaluate if that's a safe choice?

Also, many of the shows in World Showcase are standing only, and long! There are rails to lean on though, if that would help.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

He will not use a walker. He does not have problems walking (actually his doctor says it is good for him to walk since he cannot do many other forms of exercise). Its just standing in one position for any length of time is hard on him.

You will find it very beneficial to not think in black and white but with creativity and focus on what is possible going from there, so to say.

Walkers, rollators etc. are not coming with a "only allowed to use when having difficulty walking" nor do they reduce once capacity of walking, make it less active unless need be etc. They can very well be used, just walking around. Does not make him make use of what he can do any less, but DOES give him a 24/7 at hand spot to sit down whenever need be.

Same thing with lines. Obviously just MHO, but not standing in one position for length of time is not a biggie at. Am very familiar with it, but it is something that one can tackle themselves very easily when keeping an eye out for it. Most lines will not stand still but be slowly moving to begin with. Those that are not or for instance those moments where you wait in the regular line because a group of fastpassers are moved ahead first; simply move around! One step forward, one back. When travelling with others, simply having someone behind is enough. The individual that benefits from keeping moving simply keeps enough distance between them and guest in front to be able to take one or 2 steps forwards. Travel companion behind does the same to allow a bit of space for movement. Individual goes into "walking in spot" et voilà; tackled. Travelling solo? One minute spent talking to the guest behind one in line tends to be enough to not move in too close so there is no more space to move around.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I also have back issues so avoid all the thrill rides. I personally am okay on POTC, my biggest issue is getting out of the boat.

If you get to the park at opening you will have hardly any waits, you can get a fast pass for Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh, etc., so I'd expect your dh to be able to go on most if not all rides with you. I leave attractions like Philharmagic, Country Bears Jamboree, etc., for peak times during the day.

 

[camper06]

If there are stamina issues, then yes, people do need to get a wheelchair/ECV, and plan ahead for it too. (Standing is part of stamina, IMO) I can't see how that is WDW's responsibility?

There is actually very little complete standing still in line - the line may move forward at a snail's pace, but it does move. You could make a small buffer zone between party members so your husband can move around a bit in the queues as well.

PotC has a rather good sized drop at the beginning, and the seat backs are hard, so I'd re-evaluate if that's a safe choice?

Also, many of the shows in World Showcase are standing only, and long! There are rails to lean on though, if that would help.

I did not mean to say that my husband's issues were in any way "WDW's responsibility" . I merely asked if there were places for guests to sit while others in their party wait in the line, and then join them toward the front of the line. I see from previous answers that this is not the case at WDW, but there are a few spots like this in DL.

I do not agree that it is a stamina issue. It is not that he can't stand in line or doesn't have the energy to stand in line, its just sometimes it causes great pain being in the same position putting pressure on the same spot. Your suggestion that we form a buffer for him to get some movement is a good one and is something we have done in the past.

So far, he has not had any problems with the drop on POTC. I guess he knows it is coming and braces himself. He no longer does any of the "mountains" or RnR or ToT and has never done Everest, but they seem to toss you around quite a bit more.

We will be fine. We have been going to WDW for 30 years, the last 10 my DH
has had his medical issues. We have adjusted our way of doing the parks, and will continue to do it the same way.

 

[camper06]

I also have back issues so avoid all the thrill rides. I personally am okay on POTC, my biggest issue is getting out of the boat.

If you get to the park at opening you will have hardly any waits, you can get a fast pass for Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh, etc., so I'd expect your dh to be able to go on most if not all rides with you. I leave attractions like Philharmagic, Country Bears Jamboree, etc., for peak times during the day.

Sounds like you have a good plan!

We usually do not get there at opening, but around 10am. We take it slow but try to get quite a few rides done before we go back to the resort between 2-3. We use fastpasses when we can and that helps alot. Then we usually go back to the park between 5-6 and stay till closing.

I am hoping that the crowds are light for the week we are there. They are supposed to be, but who knows anymore.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[SueM in MN]

In doing some reading on these boards, it sounded like there may be a "sit and wait while your party goes through the line pass". I know some folks stated that there are sometimes "quiet places" to wait for those with children with autism and I was thinking maybe there would be seating in those areas.

Sometimes the haunted mansion line is out to the riverboat area, so my thinking was if there was a place for him to enter and sit to wait for us to get up to the stretching room, that would help.

I am aware that it is not a "front of the line pass". My DH does not use an ECV or wheelchair or walker or cane. His problem is not with walking (although he has another medical issue that requires us to make frequent rest stops). I agree that some rides are not safe to do with a back issue, however, I don't count pirates, haunted mansion and peter pan among them. Not in his case, anyway.

Thanks for the reply.

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Post 6 of that thread is about Guest Assistnce Cards.
Because most attractions do not have any place to sit while waiting, a GAC would not really be all that helpful in the situation you describe.

Most of the quieter waiting places are similar to this picture - just a separated off part of the line.

On page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is a post with a list of attractions with warnings. There is also a post which lists attractions where all guests will stand for a period unless they have a seat with them (wheelchair, ECV, Rollator, etc.).

Your best bet, as you posted is to get there early and use Fastpasses.

 

[stitchlovestink]

My DH has severe back issues (along with many other medical issues). He does not have a problem walking (we take plenty of breaks throughout the day and an afternoon break at the resort) but if he stands for long periods of time his leg goes numb and the pressure gives him severe back pain.

My question is, would it be worth it to get a GAC for him? Is there many rides where he could sit and wait for us to get to the front of the line and then join us? I have never seen any "sitting" spots so I am not sure if it would be of any help in our situation.

As a side note, due to his condition, he does not ride any of the thrill rides (which generally have the longest lines ), but I am talking about rides like POTC or Peter Pan or Haunted Mansion.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!

OP, if I were you, I would go to guest services and explain your situation to them and see what they can do to help you. None of us here on this board are qualified to determine whether your husband qualifies for a GAC or not, only they can decide that at WDW. So honestly, I think your best bet after reading thru the stickies that Sue (the mod) has referenced in her post I think your best bet is to talk to the 'professionals' at Guest Services and see what they have to say regarding your circumstances.

It is true that there is no GAC out there that will provide your husband with a place to rest while the rest of you are in line, but Guest services may have an alternate GAC stamp that may work for your situation. Then again they may not. In the meantime, it probably would be a good idea to work on a touring plan and look at some of the other tips in Sue's sticky notes. But again, I suggest Talking to Guest Services because they are the ones who decides who qualifies for a GAC and what type of accomodations each person qualifies for. Best of Luck finding a suitable way for your husband to tour WDW and enjoy your trip together.

 

[MinnieForMe]

I seem to remember the last time we were at WDW that there were rides that I needed to transfer from my scooter to a Disney wheelchair. Perhaps, you could ask to use a transfer wheelchair if the lines are long at certain rides. It was The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh that I had to transfer to a Disney wheelchair. I don't know if this is still the case but the castmembers are always so nice that before you have your husband wait something out I'd ask at the ride if they have a transfer wheelchair available for use in the line.

 

[clanmcculloch]

In doing some reading on these boards, it sounded like there may be a "sit and wait while your party goes through the line pass". I know some folks stated that there are sometimes "quiet places" to wait for those with children with autism and I was thinking maybe there would be seating in those areas.

These areas that you're thinking of, where they exist, are just empty spaces. There are no seats and typically not even much if any theming. This works well for autistic kids because they generally are over stimulated but for the rest of us it's kind of disappointing to miss all the wonderful theming that Disney does such a great job of putting in the queues. While the queues are moving slowly, those waiting in these areas are standing still and again, there's no seating. The entire group that will ride together will stand in this area together (if it's a big group then the group splits up and doesn't ride together). There's no way for somebody waiting in these areas to join up with the rest of their party until they leave the attraction.

I know I'm making these areas seem horrible, but they are exactly what kids with sensory and certain cognitive difficulties need. Unfortunately, they won't work well for somebody who needs to sit while waiting. That person would still need some kind of seat of his own which is why I was suggesting a rollator or wheelchair for him to push and then sit in as needed.

Using a good touring plan, we rarely stand still unless it's by choice, or we're in one of these waiting areas. He could REALLY benefit from a solid touring plan.