Is my mother eligible for a GAC?

[MyPrinceWillCome]

My brother and I are taking my mother for a special birthday trip next week. She had a very rough year. Last summer she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a lumpectomy. She also underwent chemotherapy and radiation and thankfully she's doing great! She completed the radiation about two weeks ago. As a side effect, she is frequently fatigued and requires frequent breaks/naps. However, she is so excited about this upcoming trip, especially since my brother and I splurged and we're staying at the GF for the first (and probably last) time. She calls it her "bucket list hotel."

I mentioned the possibility of getting a wheelchair, which she said she would consider but didn't seem all that thrilled about. (Mobility isn't an issue.) It didn't occur to me today to think about getting a GAC.

Is this something that they would consider giving a GAC pass for? If issued one, is it preferable to use Fast Pass when we can? Basically, I want to to minimize the time she spends standing around so we can get as much done as possible between her need to sit/rest. I am not looking to take advantage of the system, so if DIS doesn't think this is a legit use, or we'd be eligible, I won't even ask.

Thanks for any help/input!

 

[clanmcculloch]

It's not about eligibility. There is nothing a GAC can do for fatigue. Distances can't be shortened. There are no areas to sit in queues. GACs state right on them that they don't shorten wait times. CMs will tell you that she needs a mobility aid if she'll need to sit. Using a wheelchair or ECV will allow her to conserve her energy. Please try to convince her to use one.

Using a touring plan service like easywdw.com or touringplans will help her as well because they can help you to avoid lines and waits.

 

[MyPrinceWillCome]

It's not about eligibility. There is nothing a GAC can do for fatigue. Distances can't be shortened. There are no areas to sit in queues. GACs state right on them that they don't shorten wait times. CMs will tell you that she needs a mobility aid if she'll need to sit. Using a wheelchair or ECV will allow her to conserve her energy. Please try to convince her to use one.

Using a touring plan service like easywdw.com or touringplans will help her as well because they can help you to avoid lines and waits.

Ok, thank you!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

First of all, I fully agree with ClanMcCulloch's statement.

Second, the official and normal response from Guest Relations for mobility and/or stamina situations is the recommendation that the Guest rent a wheelchair or ECV.

And, third, please ask her the following questions. Here are the suggested answers to go with them.

1. Are you disabled (even temporarily)? Yes.

2. Do the people you are traveling with, such as your family, know you are disabled? Yes.

3. Do you expect to meet anyone you know during this trip who may not know you are disabled. Probably No!

4. Do you expect to meet a bunch of people who you will probably never meet again in your life? Probably yes!

5. Is there any reason at all that you should care what these people think about you? Absolutely No!!

6. Will using a wheelchair or ECV make for a better vacation for you and your family? Absolutely YES!

 

[jdb in AZ]

Some people don't like wheel chairs because they don't want to "impose" on family/friends to push them. If your mom rents an ECV, she can maintain her independence, plus they're kinda fun to drive.

The Grand Floridian is huge -- just walking from the main bldg to our room in one of the out-lying bldgs was a work-out, so it was really nice to have the ECV's, rented off-site so we didn't have to go rent one every morning then leave it behind in the parks at the end of the day. We were told to just park them in the hall and plug in the battery chargers over night. One of the "perks" of being on a monorail hotel is that your mom can drive an ECV from the hotel right onto the monorail. Much simpler than parallel-parking on a bus.

If she wants to stand in line (preferably a fast-pass line!) or walk around a bit, she can just park the ECV by the strollers and take the key.

 

[Sunnywho]

On the other hand, ECVs can be tiring if you get mentally fatigued. They require attention on the part of the driver. They're a good choice for people who get physically fatigued but mental fatigue it's better to get a wheelchair. If a wheelchair or ECV would solve the problem, then a GAC is typically not issued.

WONDERFUL choice of hotel btw. Monorail hotels are the best for someone with fatigue. Otherwise it's easy to end up exhausted just by all the transport before you even get to MK.

 

[pbrim]

It may help to point out that she doesn't have to stay in the WC at all times. If she wants to walk for a while or wants to go into a crowded store, you can park the WC in stroller parking. If she needs a little extra support, she can use the WC as a walker when she walks. And when she is too tired to walk, people can take turns pushing her.

If she tires easily, also keep First Aid stations in mind. She can check in and get a comfy cot is a cool dark place to rest for a while while others in the party can go ride rides she isn't interested in, without taking the time to go all the way back to the hotel. I have a friend who suffers from migraines, and several times being able to go lay down for 30-45 min until her meds kicked in saved the day.

 

[PetiteSirene]

Some people don't like wheel chairs because they don't want to "impose" on family/friends to push them. If your mom rents an ECV, she can maintain her independence, plus they're kinda fun to drive.

This is something I experienced with my trip to DLP in Feb. I didn't want to be a burden on my family, I didn't want my husband to be stuck wheeling me around all week in the crowds. DLP doesn't have ECV's to rent so that was never an option.

It was a huge mistake, I ended up in the wheelchair and just even more stressed because I had tried and failed. This trip to WDW I have rented an ECV, it took me a while to get used to the idea, but better I get an ECV and have a great worry free time than try and deal with the issues and suffer.

I think you should discuss this with her, I was resistant at first with the idea too but from talking it through perhaps she will be more open to it.

(PS thanks to the lovely Disboarders who have made me feel welcome and comfortable with my first trip on an ECV )

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry to hear about your mom and glad to see you've gotten some good advice already. We took my mom during chemo a year ago and, although mobility was not an issue, stamina was.
She only planned to go to a park one day (Epcot) and did not want a wheelchair or ECV (although she agreed if my sister or I said she needed one, she was getting one). With frequent rest stops, my sister and/or I walking beside her and offering a supportive arm and a few long rests at a restaurant and seeing American Adventure, she made it through the park. But, that took all her energy for the day and she would not have been able to go to a park the next day, and spent the rest of the vacation around the resort.

People tend to think of a wheelchair or ECV as something to be avoided at all costs, but they are missing out. It is an assistive device that can help you to 'stretch' and conserve the energy you have so you are not wasting it just to get around.
People don't look at glasses the same way - needing to use them is not looked at as a weakness, but as just something that person needs. It would be better if everyone looked at mobility devices that way.

I don't think anyone has pointed you to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can follow the link in my signature or find it near the top of this board.

Post 6 is about GACs. If you have a wheelchair or ECV, you don't need a GAC to use it in lines.
Even the older attractions at MK have mostly been renovated so that the lines are wheelchair accessible. Those are called Mainstream Lines. Post 11 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread lists accessibility.
Some are not ECV accessible, but all lines are wheelchair accessible. Guests who can't stand in those lines should talk to the CM at the ride entrance before parking their ECV and ask for an attraction wheelchair.
You would not have to sit in the wheelchair all the time in line. Some people push it as a support.

There are attractions where everyone stands for a period, unless they have a Mobility device with them. These are mostly shows or attractions that board in groups. Examples would include Haunted Mansion, Laugh Floor, Soarin'
Post 22 on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread lists most of those attractions. Most have no or very limited places to sit in the waiting area (most have none).

Posts 18-21 on page 2 gives some information on boarding attraction - including the type of transfer, step in and out, etc.

Some lines can be a long distance. For example, Soarin' is about 1/4 mile from where you enter the line to where you get on. It is an equal distance to get back out and a GAC won't shorten the distance walked.
To alternate walking and riding, some people choose to use the ECV or wheelchair in lines, but park and walk in shops and restaurants. Since you can control how long, how far me when you walk in those places, it's easier to avoid walking or standing too long. Also, with all the people in shops, it is generally easier to navigate on foot than with an ECV.

 

[PatsMom]

I had used a wheelchair last year when I had a broken foot so I guess I had an easier time adapting to needing one for stamina issues than some. The surgeries and chemo have just wiped me out so much. And who knew that one of the side effects of a protein shortage from the cancer was leaky blood vessels that would cause massive swelling in the legs. At the end of this month I will finish my fourth wheelchair trip to the World. I don't ride all the time - sometimes we park and I walk a while just to stretch. When we had the kids in January I was post op from an abdominal hysterectomy and I was supposed to walk a mile or so a day. So I would save it for evening and we would put the kids in the chair for the walk out of the park at night. And then from the bus back to our villa at OKW. I got some nasty looks but it worked out for us.

Mom should get used to the idea of a wheel chair. That is what my daughter would tell her. My daughter tells me she would rather push me than see my struggle through the day and not really have a good time. She does get tired and then we take a break and I buy her something like a Mickey bar to restore her energy!

We are talking about trying an ECV this trip but I have no depth perception so we are kind of nervous about me running over things. She would have to drive it on the bus and park it which isn't a problem. But she also says she would rather push me and then have me splurge with the money I didn't spend on an ECV and take her to a nice restaurant or buy her a nice souvenir.

I never ran into a situation where I thought a GAC would help. My problems are mostly just stamina and the GAC doesn't help with that. The chair can be a real pain like at the Safari where you have to divert to the wheelchair area. You usually end up waiting longer than the regular line. There are a few other attractions like that. Not much you can do. this trip I may park the wheelchair outside the safari entrance and walk the entire line. It is usually early in the morning before I am too tired out!

 

[MyPrinceWillCome]

Thanks everyone! I will talk to my mother about the possibility of using a wheelchair. We can always see how the first day goes and then take it from there. I appreciate all the helpful tips and information.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

On the other hand, ECVs can be tiring if you get mentally fatigued. They require attention on the part of the driver. They're a good choice for people who get physically fatigued but mental fatigue it's better to get a wheelchair. If a wheelchair or ECV would solve the problem, then a GAC is typically not issued.

I have my own ecv and find it to be emotionally exhausting at WDW. The stress of driving through the crowds is overwhelming for me. I take my WC and my family takes turns pushing. It is far better than deciding to stay in the room and missing out. It not only made me feel bad but it made my family feel bad. If this could be an issue with your Mom then maybe a WC would be a better choice. As previous posters have stated she can always park the chair when she wants to walk. Good luck with whatever your family decides to do and have a wonderful trip.