Mobility GAC??

[2prettyprincesses]

Hi! I'm new here so I am sorry if I am asking a common question! My DD13 is going in for abdominal surgery in San Jose and since we are driving from Phoenix, she begged if we could stop by Dland. We are also traveling with my other DD15 for 3 days. My DD13 has an illness that is NOT disabilty but puts her is disablaling pain. She also has fatigue issue and even though she is an advid runner, her legs have been bothering her nonstop.

Can we get a GAC? She doesnt want a wheelchair since she doesn't like people looking at her. I might make her but she IS 13 so it would be difficult.

If we did get a GAC do you have any suggestions on what to recommend?

She looks perfectly fine on the outside so would we need to bring papers certifying what she has along with the surgery papers? Last time we went, we got a front of the line pass for Peter Pan and when we went to enter through the exit, people we terribly RUDE! They were giving us rude stares and multiple people stated in a rude voice we would have to wait behind them. DH and I didn't know what to do so we ended up going to the back of the line.

Unfortunately, this is not our first surgery but we are hoping for better results. Thank you in advance!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Read the disABILITIES FAQ for information about GACs - but Disney's general response to mobility issues is that the guest should use a wheelchair (or ECV, if old enough).

 

[WheelieBigDisFan]

If you go to Guest Relations and tell them that your DD has debilitating pain that keeps her from standing/walking at times for a period of time or distance they are going to recommend that you rent a wheelchair for her. In DLR a wheelchair comes with "perks" (people, please don't flame me for that, I don't see using a wheelchair as a perk...I have a Spinal Cord Injury so I live with one everyday). Many (if not most) of the rides in DLR are not accessible through the main entrance, so you enter through the exit as you did last year with Peter Pan. My guess is that what happened with PP last year is that they can only have one party waiting for wheelchair access to the ride at a time. Once the guest with a wheelchair gets off the ride, another guest can get on (this is fire rules). If there were several groups waiting for wheelchair/GAC access outside the exit, they probably thought you were also trying to use a GAC instead of a special pass for that one ride. One way to respond to that is to say OK, I just need to speak with the cast member really quick. Go in, show the CM your FotL pass and then do what they say (hopefully bring the rest of your party in). I don't think there is anything to be sorry about as you did nothing wrong.
I would say that your best bet for this trip would be to rent a WC when you enter the park. Tell your DD that she doesn't have to use it all the time, but if she has pain, gets fatigued, etc it is there for her to rest in. Since there are not usually seating areas in the regular ques, having a chair to sit in when needed will be a good thing. Even in HC lines you can have a good wait (think the line at pirates or space mountain), and rides such as Buzz Lightyear that have accessible lines you wait standby (or get a FP and return later).
Good luck on the upcoming surgery, and have fun at your trip to D-Land on your way!
Mandy

 

[2prettyprincesses]

Thank you for your help! I have read as much as I can about a GAC and I think I'm just going to ask a CM when we get there. Since my DD13 has a very weak immune system, I also wanted a GAC for that reason too. Usually, this isn't a problem but since she's going in for surgery, they won't operate if she has a cold. I'm sacred about renting a wheelchair too since we are going on such a busy weekend. Do people usually breech out of the way or push in front of you?? I don't want her to be in pain anymore then she already is.

 

[WheelieBigDisFan]

From what you posted above I would recommend renting a wheelchair and also getting a GAC. Here is my reasoning:
1. Visiting DL on a busy day when they are very crowded (possibly near or at capacity?) means that there are crowds EVERYWHERE. If your DD13 is having issues with her legs, she might not do well if bumped into by people in a hurry, not paying attention, etc. Also, a long day in the parks will cause even completely healthy people to be tired and sore. Since she already has immune issues, abdominal pain and leg pain, I think a full day in the park with no back up plan is going to be a challenge. Again, she doesn't have to be in the chair all day, but if in a really large crowd, her legs or abdomen start hurting, she gets fatigued from the sun/heat, walking, etc. she can sit in the chair and rest for a bit during the day.
2. DL=crowds=germs! In order to minimize exposure to germs that could possibly cause in infection so close to her surgery, you need to be proactive about keeping her out of crowds when possible. This means getting a GAC to bypass lines (crowds) when possible (it may not be possible at every ride). Also, if you rent a wheelchair that will provide a "bubble" of protection from people touching her, sneezing/coughing in her face, etc. I would take copious amounts of hand sanitizer, but also take baby wipes, clorox wipes, etc to wipe down things that DD is going to touch (wipe down the wheelchair before she sits in it including push rims on the wheels, arm rests, seat cushion, etc.) Make sure she is washing her hands with soap and water when possible, and applying hand sanitizer FREQUENTLY.
Remember that the more fatigued DD gets, the easier it will be for her to get an infection b/c of a weakened immune system. She needs to save her energy to keep a strong immune system, but also to help her heal after surgery.

As far as people breaching out of the way or pushing in front of you in a wheelchair? I don't see much difference than if you were walking. In a crowded place such as DL, with people staring in awe at the sights, rushing to get to their next ride, etc they are just generally not paying attention. It is common to get bumped into or have someone walk past you only to cut right in front of you, walking or in a wheelchair. Yes, it does happen in a wheelchair, but I think it happens more when I am alone in my chair than when I have someone with me b/c another person helps the wheelchair to stand out. Plus, (this sounds bad I know) if someone cuts me off I am not the one that gets hurt by it. I am always very cautious at DL not to hit kids in the back of the legs/ankles, but sometimes accidents happen. When a person cuts off a wheelchair they are more likely to apologize than if they cut off an able bodied person.
Please feel free to ask any questions you have. I have a DL AP and go very frequently.
Again have fun! Your DD deserves a bit of fun before her recovery from surgery.
Mandy

 

[2prettyprincesses]

We don't even know if DD can make it to D-land but she would diff be more comfortable if we got a GAC. She doesn't want one because she feels like compared to the other children, she is a lucky child. ( I mean no dissrescept to any parent) Yes, her disease is not terminal but it is also chronic and very painful. Plus DD is treated like she has a disabilty, like she has a 504 plan

Does a wheelchair jerk around much? Her stomach is very sensitive to motion.

DD also has a bad back and how would a wheelchair affect that?

Again thank you. We are hoping to be able to make it but taking it one day at a time. It we get to Anehaim and she feels great, we'll go. It we get to the parks and she is in too much pain, we're out

 

[WheelieBigDisFan]

Knowing how I was at your DD's age, If I was in Anaheim and given the chance to go to DL, no matter how horrible I was feeling, I would LIE to get the chance for some Disney magic.
As far as wheelchairs jerking around much, that all depends on the driver. If you are pushing and not really paying attention, and decide to make a last minute turn, or stop on a dime b/c you are about to run into a wall, then yes there will be some jerking. As long as you are paying attention and not making sudden maneuvers, you should be fine. As for back issues, I find a chair very helpful. Just make sure you are using curb cuts, etc and not "bumping" her down a curb.
I used to rent wheelchairs at DL (before my spinal cord injury, when I "just" had severe scoliosis) because I couldn't walk for long periods of time without excruciating back and leg pain. I don't feel bad for renting it b/c I needed to do it for my health, and it allowed me to enjoy the parks like a "normal" person would who didn't have a disability/illness. Without the chair I would not have been able to visit many attractions, and definitely couldn't do a whole day in the park. I would have to leave after just a few hours, so the chair was great for saving energy and walking only when I had to.

 

[Piper]

Depending on her size, she will probably need a pediatric wheelchair. They would fit her better and be much more comfortable and supportive. The ones at the parks are not very comfortable and she would probably slide around in them.

You may want to rent or borrow one at home and bring it with you. There is also a lot of walking at the airports. If you are flying, it can be checked on the plane at no charge and can be taken right up to the door of the plane.

 

[2prettyprincesses]

DD is 5"2 so would we need a pediatric wc? In her school, that's is considered short. We are leaving tomorrow morning so there's not much time to do anything. Plus the way she is now, DL isnt in the equation. I'm praying that once she sees DL she'll be to happy to think about the pain. One can hope right?
Thank you for all your answers. They've helped much.

 

[TeddiBarra]

Many (if not most) of the rides in DLR are not accessible through the main entrance, so you enter through the exit as you did last year with Peter Pan. My guess is that what happened with PP last year is that they can only have one party waiting for wheelchair access to the ride at a time. Once the guest with a wheelchair gets off the ride, another guest can get on (this is fire rules). If there were several groups waiting for wheelchair/GAC access outside the exit, they probably thought you were also trying to use a GAC instead of a special pass for that one ride

I have noticed that people with the FOTL passes sometimes do get more "stares". I try not to be like that, BUT, there is a reason. Usually (and I say this because I've seen it many times) those folks have their pass, but aren't the usual folks accessing disabled access lines(exits) and so they are honestly just ignorant or unaware of how the queueing works (hey, there's a learning curve so I hope it doesn't sound like I'm saying this negatively). So sometimes, unaware, they tend to come up quickly in groups and almost trample or walk right in front of disabled groups already waiting. I had that happen three times in our last trip. I try to be polite, and just let them know, hey, we're in line, we're waiting, and this is how we line up for this attraction. Also, almost all the mild FL rides can ONLY have one access group in the loading area/inside the attraction line. So you have to wait outside in a line before going in. (Dumbo and Peter Pan are the most prone to backed lines). Alice does have enough space in their access line for a few groups to wait leading up to the loading area at a time.

Like the PP metioned re: Peter Pan- they can ONLY have one group in the access loading and they have a HOLD line where you are to WAIT (a yellow line) until you are told to come up. If you've never gone in that way, you'd have no idea how it works. So most likely the guests were really just trying to tell you where to wait, because it's really tight in there and has to be managed well. Maybe they gave you a little "eyes" or something, but just let that go. Oh well. Sometimes people are curious to, just if they don't see any obvious reason you are in the access line/area- humans can be curious. And they may have seen you holding that FOTL pass and wondered what it was. It's only natural. I've seen folks staring at the GAC I'm holding and wondering what it was.

Let them know your daught is immuno-compromised, but think about how you phrase her upcoming surgery. The park may advise you that she not ride if your words convey to the CM that she's not medically stable- there are some folks and some rides that for medical/liabilty purposes some folks just should not ride and the park does have a certain need to protect all parties involved.

 

[2prettyprincesses]

We ended up just getting a wheelchair without a GAC. We were only there a few hours a day since DD was in pain. We did have a wonderful time though. The only complaint I have is that we were waiting in line for the new little mermaid ride and they choose us to divert the line onto the woc balcony. My other DD pushing her sister got blisters from pushing the wheelchair through that! The CMs shouldve picked the group behind us since we were only a party of 3. We still had a good time before the surgery and that's what mattered the most. The surgeon found a lot of things and worked an extra 2 hours on her which sent our family into a panic! So it's good we went because she will def just be resting for the rest of the summer. Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions and well wishes.