Hi all, just returned last night from our first trip using a GAC for my daughter; Sally is 19 and has a very rare genetic metabolic disorder that in the last few years has caused her to begin having bizarre fainting spells (well, we think that's the cause - investigating the fainting is how we actually discovered that she had this very unusual metabolic disorder.) Anyway, this was a 5-day stay, just Sally and myself. We figured with just the two of us we could go at our own pace and just do what we could - not feel pressure to keep up with a group. The heat and humidity were just incredible, and I really had underestimated how that would impact her (and me too) but that also forced us to take it slow, rest very frequently, stay well hydrated, and stay out of the sun as much as possible.
We started at MK and had no trouble at all obtaining the GAC; her dr. had written a letter and the cast member reviewed it and cheerfully issued the card. That was about 9:00 a.m. and by around 12:30 we had done the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Buzz Lightyear, Pooh's ride, Peter Pan, Snow White, PhilHarmagic, plus (what's the other ride across from Small World???) and Small World. The GAC did give us the help we needed. About this time it started to rain and we ducked into the Columbia House to get something to eat. I had accidentally gone in the exit and cut into line, but when I realized I had done that I chose to stay in line because I knew Sally REALLY needed to eat quickly - she had been snacking during the morning, but evidently not enough. While we were standing there waiting, she passed out cold. Immediately a very nice man who was a respiratory therapist assisted us, and the cast members had 3 EMT's there within 3 or 4 minutes. They were wonderful; I explained about her disorder and that we typically would not transport to the hospital. They were fine with that and offered us a van ride back to our resort (Caribbean Beach.) We decided to do that and they pushed her in a wheelchair out a back entrance; they gave us both bottles of water and gave Sally a teddy bear pin - so sweet. The restaurant manager, Johnny, was so courteous and such a huge help. A guest svcs cast member picked us up in a Suburban and drove us back; she was very sweet, told us stories about doing celebrity tours. It was soooo strange to walk out a back gate and see Fantasyland's "rear-end"!!!!! WEIRD.
Next day, we returned to MK and did the Tiki Birds and rode Pirates several times before our lunch at Crystal Palace. Walked thru the shops on our way out and returned to our hotel. Even with just that limited activity, we had to stop many times and she had to lay on a bench for a while at one point. Lots of snacks and drink breaks. That evening, Epcot had EMH, and she talked me into going over there. Let me just mention that riding the Disney resort buses sounds like a wonderful idea, but realize that the bus stops can be a loooong walk from the actual park entrances - MK and Epcot were the worst, AK was not quite as far, and DHS was very close. Anyway, at Epcot, we rode the Spaceship Earth ride (which has been updated), then we went immediately to the Seas and did the Nemo ride, Turtle Talk with Crush (which was AMAZING!!!), and then did Soarin (also amazing!!) By that time, I realized that I had a little stomach virus and was feeling really bad, so we went home.
Wednesday, we took a break from the parks and rested all day. Thursday, we went to DHS. Went straight to RocknRollerCoaster, our favorite ride, then started toward Toy Story Mania. We went thru the Prince Caspian thing, which was a dud, then did TSM - it was lots of fun. Walking over to the Animation exhibit to try to see the UP characters, Sally got very woozy and needed to lay down on a bench. I stopped a cast member on trash duty and asked where I could get her a cold drink. Left Sally on the bench and went off in search of the drink. When I returned, the cast member had quickly gone somewhere and gotten her water and was waiting with her til I got back! We kept running into her the rest of the day and she was so nice and helpful. The line for the UP characters was extremely long, and I knew Sally couldn't stand that long, plus we would miss our lunch reservation, so I inquired of the cast member who was controlling the line if there was a possibility that Sally could duck into line between parties and just get a quick photo with the characters, and she very kindly let us go right in and get autographs and photos - let me tell you, that MADE the trip for Sally - that was a real highlight and something we certainly didn't expect the cast member to let us do! Had lunch at 50's PrimeTime and that was fun, then went back to hotel.
Friday, we decided to try driving to AK rather than riding the bus, so we arrived about an hour before the park opened. We were close to the front of the lot, but it was still a long walk for Sally, so we asked the parking attendant if there was a tram. She said no, but there would be one when we left. We sat and ate our breakfast we had brought with us; one of the parking ladies pecked on our window and chatted with us - she was originally from near our town, had seen a magnet on our car. She told us when we finished eating, to come find her - they were going to give us a golf-cart ride to the front! The lady who drove us also gave us "honorary citizen" buttons and a little certificate - I was so touched at how sweet they were when we had not even asked for special consideration - they just really went above and beyond. When we got in the park, we went over to the new Nemo musical, but the first show was still an hour away, so we went on to Expedition Everest and rode that twice - AWESOME ride!!! Went back and watched Nemo - wonderful show, nice cool resting place! Back to Everest and rode again, on to Tusker House for lunch, then rode the Safaris. By now, we had figured out how frequently Sally needed to rest, snack, drink, etc.! On the way out, she wanted to do Tough to be a Bug - which I hate!! - so a cast member helped her go in on her own, and gave her another of those little certificates - they really watched out for her. Made it out to our car and we were just D.O.N.E. with the parks and the heat.
At the end of the day, we really did not get to see/do all that much - but we saw all or most of the new stuff that we hadn't seen before, and managed to do most of our favorite attractions. We had gotten free DDP with our package, so that was a nice bonus, we did have good meals and the free snacks helped too. But most of all, if we had not gotten the GAC, the trip would have been a total washout - it enabled to do the things that were most important and do them comfortably. Cast members repeatedly went above and beyond in helping us, they were courteous and cheerful - very rarely did we even get a "really, and why do YOU need a GAC?" look or attitude from anyone. Bus transportation was convenient, but did have its drawbacks. We had requested a room near the food court.....we were placed fairly close, but not in the closest building, but it was fine.
I guess my "lessons learned" would be to ask for assistance if/when you need it; I think if they are asked appropriately (rather than something be demanded of them) the cast members are very willing to assist. And also to do your research and know what to expect - I was definitely surprised at the long walks to bus stops, which was a problem for us - more research specifically on that would have helped us!!
I'll be glad to answer questions if anyone has any!!
Libby
We started at MK and had no trouble at all obtaining the GAC; her dr. had written a letter and the cast member reviewed it and cheerfully issued the card. That was about 9:00 a.m. and by around 12:30 we had done the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Buzz Lightyear, Pooh's ride, Peter Pan, Snow White, PhilHarmagic, plus (what's the other ride across from Small World???) and Small World. The GAC did give us the help we needed. About this time it started to rain and we ducked into the Columbia House to get something to eat. I had accidentally gone in the exit and cut into line, but when I realized I had done that I chose to stay in line because I knew Sally REALLY needed to eat quickly - she had been snacking during the morning, but evidently not enough. While we were standing there waiting, she passed out cold. Immediately a very nice man who was a respiratory therapist assisted us, and the cast members had 3 EMT's there within 3 or 4 minutes. They were wonderful; I explained about her disorder and that we typically would not transport to the hospital. They were fine with that and offered us a van ride back to our resort (Caribbean Beach.) We decided to do that and they pushed her in a wheelchair out a back entrance; they gave us both bottles of water and gave Sally a teddy bear pin - so sweet. The restaurant manager, Johnny, was so courteous and such a huge help. A guest svcs cast member picked us up in a Suburban and drove us back; she was very sweet, told us stories about doing celebrity tours. It was soooo strange to walk out a back gate and see Fantasyland's "rear-end"!!!!! WEIRD.
Next day, we returned to MK and did the Tiki Birds and rode Pirates several times before our lunch at Crystal Palace. Walked thru the shops on our way out and returned to our hotel. Even with just that limited activity, we had to stop many times and she had to lay on a bench for a while at one point. Lots of snacks and drink breaks. That evening, Epcot had EMH, and she talked me into going over there. Let me just mention that riding the Disney resort buses sounds like a wonderful idea, but realize that the bus stops can be a loooong walk from the actual park entrances - MK and Epcot were the worst, AK was not quite as far, and DHS was very close. Anyway, at Epcot, we rode the Spaceship Earth ride (which has been updated), then we went immediately to the Seas and did the Nemo ride, Turtle Talk with Crush (which was AMAZING!!!), and then did Soarin (also amazing!!) By that time, I realized that I had a little stomach virus and was feeling really bad, so we went home.
Wednesday, we took a break from the parks and rested all day. Thursday, we went to DHS. Went straight to RocknRollerCoaster, our favorite ride, then started toward Toy Story Mania. We went thru the Prince Caspian thing, which was a dud, then did TSM - it was lots of fun. Walking over to the Animation exhibit to try to see the UP characters, Sally got very woozy and needed to lay down on a bench. I stopped a cast member on trash duty and asked where I could get her a cold drink. Left Sally on the bench and went off in search of the drink. When I returned, the cast member had quickly gone somewhere and gotten her water and was waiting with her til I got back! We kept running into her the rest of the day and she was so nice and helpful. The line for the UP characters was extremely long, and I knew Sally couldn't stand that long, plus we would miss our lunch reservation, so I inquired of the cast member who was controlling the line if there was a possibility that Sally could duck into line between parties and just get a quick photo with the characters, and she very kindly let us go right in and get autographs and photos - let me tell you, that MADE the trip for Sally - that was a real highlight and something we certainly didn't expect the cast member to let us do! Had lunch at 50's PrimeTime and that was fun, then went back to hotel.
Friday, we decided to try driving to AK rather than riding the bus, so we arrived about an hour before the park opened. We were close to the front of the lot, but it was still a long walk for Sally, so we asked the parking attendant if there was a tram. She said no, but there would be one when we left. We sat and ate our breakfast we had brought with us; one of the parking ladies pecked on our window and chatted with us - she was originally from near our town, had seen a magnet on our car. She told us when we finished eating, to come find her - they were going to give us a golf-cart ride to the front! The lady who drove us also gave us "honorary citizen" buttons and a little certificate - I was so touched at how sweet they were when we had not even asked for special consideration - they just really went above and beyond. When we got in the park, we went over to the new Nemo musical, but the first show was still an hour away, so we went on to Expedition Everest and rode that twice - AWESOME ride!!! Went back and watched Nemo - wonderful show, nice cool resting place! Back to Everest and rode again, on to Tusker House for lunch, then rode the Safaris. By now, we had figured out how frequently Sally needed to rest, snack, drink, etc.! On the way out, she wanted to do Tough to be a Bug - which I hate!! - so a cast member helped her go in on her own, and gave her another of those little certificates - they really watched out for her. Made it out to our car and we were just D.O.N.E. with the parks and the heat.
At the end of the day, we really did not get to see/do all that much - but we saw all or most of the new stuff that we hadn't seen before, and managed to do most of our favorite attractions. We had gotten free DDP with our package, so that was a nice bonus, we did have good meals and the free snacks helped too. But most of all, if we had not gotten the GAC, the trip would have been a total washout - it enabled to do the things that were most important and do them comfortably. Cast members repeatedly went above and beyond in helping us, they were courteous and cheerful - very rarely did we even get a "really, and why do YOU need a GAC?" look or attitude from anyone. Bus transportation was convenient, but did have its drawbacks. We had requested a room near the food court.....we were placed fairly close, but not in the closest building, but it was fine.
I guess my "lessons learned" would be to ask for assistance if/when you need it; I think if they are asked appropriately (rather than something be demanded of them) the cast members are very willing to assist. And also to do your research and know what to expect - I was definitely surprised at the long walks to bus stops, which was a problem for us - more research specifically on that would have helped us!!
I'll be glad to answer questions if anyone has any!!
Libby
