My first GAC problem...

[DIS-NH]

Maynard,

We've made 9 trips "home" with my boys. I get the GAC at the start of each trip, and like many others try to use it only when necessary. For my youngest son, that may be more often than others with the same good intentions.

Yes...We have had many possitive experiences with the GAC. Trips to Disney would have been nealry impossible without it.

I share the frustration of others who see people abuse the GAC card. During an earlier trip I actually witnessed a family arguing about "who's turn it was" to sit in the wheel chair. Apparently the received a GAC under the guise of one of them having a difficulty walking. All of the Kids were apparently tired of being "pushed around"

 

[Selket]

During an earlier trip I actually witnessed a family arguing about "who's turn it was" to sit in the wheel chair. Apparently the received a GAC under the guise of one of them having a difficulty walking. All of the Kids were apparently tired of being "pushed around"

I don't think they generally give a GAC for a wheelchair user unless that person has other issues - than mobility as most lines are mainstreamed. So I wonder what good that did them? Some people are

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't think they generally give a GAC for a wheelchair user unless that person has other issues - than mobility as most lines are mainstreamed. So I wonder what good that did them? Some people are

 

[DaisyD]

My mom gets a GAC and has never been issued anything telling us to come back later. We are immediately allowed in the FP line or handicapped entrance.

 

[DaisyD]

I don't think they generally give a GAC for a wheelchair user unless that person has other issues - than mobility as most lines are mainstreamed. So I wonder what good that did them? Some people are

My mom has an ECV and also gets aGAC. She likes to be able to park the ECV and walk some. We generally park the ECV near a Fantasyland attraction and she will walk to all the attractions within Fantasyland albeit slowly. This allows her some exercise without overdoing it. She uses the ECV to get to all the lands and of course to use everywhere if she gets tired. The GAC is used so that she doesn't have to stand in long lines once she gets to the ride. Everytime she gets a GAC she explains to the CMs that she has an ECV but likes to walk too. Apparant;y none of the 20 or so CMs she has gotten the GAC have any problem with that.

 

[ducklite]

My mom gets a GAC and has never been issued anything telling us to come back later. We are immediately allowed in the FP line or handicapped entrance.

The only time you are issued a "Come Back Later" FP is if the line is very long and the person with the GAC has a difficult time with lines. It allows that person to come back at a time when the line is shorter, even if it's out of the range of the original FP.

Anne

 

[SueM in MN]

The only time you are issued a "Come Back Later" FP is if the line is very long and the person with the GAC has a difficult time with lines. It allows that person to come back at a time when the line is shorter, even if it's out of the range of the original FP.

Anne

or, if you have a GAC that allows use of the Fastpass line as an alternate.

I have also seen them issue 'come back cards' (note: that is not an official name - it's just what we are calling them) if the standby line is very long and is accessible so the person could be waiting there, if the attraction already has a large number of people with special needs in it or if the CMs are not prepared for some reason at that time to handle a party with special needs.
There are fire codes regarding how many people who would need to be evacuated in case of emergency can be in each attraction at any time. If the number has been reached, they will often issue a card to come back later.

For people who have never gotten one, it's not something you ask for, the CM issues it if it's needed. (I suppose you might get one if you have a GAC and ask if there is a quieter place to wait).
Also, if you are going when the crowds are low, the lines may be short enough that they never need to issue you one (and there are times, especially in late afternoon when the standby lines are short even during busy times like Easter). If the regular standby line has a short wait, but is not accessible, they will bring you right into the Fastpass line (all of them are accessible) since you are not able to go in the standby line.

I don't think they generally give a GAC for a wheelchair user unless that person has other issues - than mobility as most lines are mainstreamed. So I wonder what good that did them? Some people are

My mom has an ECV and also gets aGAC. She likes to be able to park the ECV and walk some. We generally park the ECV near a Fantasyland attraction and she will walk to all the attractions within Fantasyland albeit slowly. This allows her some exercise without overdoing it. She uses the ECV to get to all the lands and of course to use everywhere if she gets tired. The GAC is used so that she doesn't have to stand in long lines once she gets to the ride. Everytime she gets a GAC she explains to the CMs that she has an ECV but likes to walk too. Apparant;y none of the 20 or so CMs she has gotten the GAC have any problem with that.

Selket is correct. They usually don't issue GACs for people who are using ECVs.
Once you've had one though (like your mom), it is easier to get another.
Here's what WDW says on their website about lines:
"Stamina or Endurance Concerns

Some Guests may be concerned that they do not have the stamina to wait in our queues. We strongly suggest these Guests consider using a wheelchair, personal scooter or Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV), as the distance between our attractions is much greater than the length of our queues."
This is what people asking about a GAC to avoid standing in lines are usually told. People with ECVs or wheelchairs who ask for GACs are usually given a copy of the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for each park and assured that the queues/attractions are mostly accessible.
So, getting a GAC if you have a wheelchair or ECV is the exception rather than the rule.

 

[maynard]

thanks, DIS-NH. GAC seems worth it, but i'll be prepared to encounter resistance.

 

[Poohnatic]

We have had the experience at PoTC on several occasions now, where we've been sent down the left side queue and loaded from the other side of the boat. This did not require a CM to take us through the backdoor (have yet to experience that). It's not standard training for the CMs to do this, as we've been sent through the regular queue with a 45 minute wait. Not a fun experience for us OR the people around us

TT has not sent us through the back way in a few years, we've always been funnelled through the FP line. At first, the way the Land loaded handed out a handwritten return pass bothered us, but now it's preferred. It's far easier to show my DS when we can return.

One of our visits prior to moving to FL, we encountered a CM who refused to board us from the wheelchair access for Aladdin. We did not have a wheelchair, therefore, we were not being allowed access-GAC be damned. We took a trip over to City Hall and asked them to review our GAC to ensure that it said what we thought it did, that alternate/wheelchair was to be allowed. This was before the stamps.

I find that we experience more help by CMs noticing the edges of the GAC in my lanyard and asking what assistance we need. Not a bad track record for an invisible disability.

Suzanne

 

[BillSears]

One of our visits prior to moving to FL, we encountered a CM who refused to board us from the wheelchair access for Aladdin. We did not have a wheelchair, therefore, we were not being allowed access-GAC be damned. We took a trip over to City Hall and asked them to review our GAC to ensure that it said what we thought it did, that alternate/wheelchair was to be allowed. This was before the stamps.

Please don't take this wrong I realize you were looking for an alternate entrance. But as far as I know the wheelchair access for Aladdin is the regular entrance. I rode Aladdin in September and used the normal entrance. Maybe he was thinking the same thing I was and that there isn't a seperate wheelchair entrance.

 

[DaisyD]

Please don't take this wrong I realize you were looking for an alternate entrance. But as far as I know the wheelchair access for Aladdin is the regular entrance. I rode Aladdin in September and used the normal entrance. Maybe he was thinking the same thing I was and that there isn't a seperate wheelchair entrance.

The wheelchair access for Aladdin is on the other side of the ride. We have boarded there numerous times ourselves using my mom's GAC. There is a gate that even has the wheelchair sign on it. The gate is right next to the CM that controls the ride.

 

[BillSears]

The wheelchair access for Aladdin is on the other side of the ride. We have boarded there numerous times ourselves using my mom's GAC. There is a gate that even has the wheelchair sign on it. The gate is right next to the CM that controls the ride.

I had no problems getting my wheelchair through the normal line and no CM directed me to a different line. But I also don't get a GAC because I don't "need" an alternate entrance and can use the normal entrance on most rides.

 

[DaisyD]

I had no problems getting my wheelchair through the normal line and no CM directed me to a different line. But I also don't get a GAC because I don't "need" an alternate entrance and can use the normal entrance on most rides.

I don't know why they have a seperate entrance but I see wheelchairs use that HC entrance all the time. Isn't there a turnstyle you go through before going to your assigned car number where you wait?

 

[SueM in MN]

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is listen in the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities as an attraction with Mainstream Access (which means it doesn't have a wheelchair entrance).
We DO use that alternate entrance because DD has a GAC that allows it and she would not do well in the regualr queue with all those people around her. I have to say that all I have noticed there is an exit sign, not a wheelchair sign (not that I'm saying it's not there, just that I have not noticed it). We also have to wait for the wheelchair car and usually end up waiting about as long as if she went thru the regular line. They usually have her wait at least a couple of ride cycles before boarding (so it is not faster boarding, just waiting in a spot with less people).

 

[BillSears]

I don't know why they have a seperate entrance but I see wheelchairs use that HC entrance all the time. Isn't there a turnstyle you go through before going to your assigned car number where you wait?

I'm pretty sure there is a turnstyle but right next to it is a gate for wheelchair users to go through.

Thanks Sue, I thought wheelchairs just used the normal entrance for this ride. Without the special needs covered by a GAC wheelchair users use the normal entrance.

 

[DaisyD]

I was telling what I've seen maybe 10 times on our trips. The wheelchair folks use that entrance. As I said, I don't know why but they used it. Maybe they are the few that have a wheelchair and a GAC? I do know that we too have had to wait for a few rides before getting on. No big deal though.

 

[SueM in MN]

I was telling what I've seen maybe 10 times on our trips. The wheelchair folks use that entrance. As I said, I don't know why but they used it. Maybe they are the few that have a wheelchair and a GAC? I do know that we too have had to wait for a few rides before getting on. No big deal though.

You and Bill are both right.

There are some who have a wheelchair and also use a GAC. My DD is one of those people.
There also might be times when the CMs at the rides route everyone using a wheelchair through that entrance. If you are going at a not very busy time, it's often easier for the CMs to just handle the wheelchair users thru that entrance as they come rather than route them thru the regular line.
Also, if someone has a WDW ECV or a larger wheelchair, the regular line is probably more of a tight fit, so the CMs might direct that person to the other entrance.

 

[DIS-NH]

The CM's at the Aladdin ride do things correctly.

We've noticed that they they use a single "carpet" for those entering with a GAC. (Carpet # 8 if I remember correctly !!). There is always a wait of a few rides before your turn, but it is much less intimidating for my son.

There is a turnstyle at the normal entrance. I've observed the CM's communicating about how many are entering through the alternate entrance.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, now I'm disappointed
The CM I asked didn't tell me there was an accessible carpet! I can't step up and down too far, so after looking in from near the exit and seeing the distance from ground to carpet, I figured I couldn't get into one. Phooey! Now I'll have to go back.

 

[OKWMom]

Well, now I'm disappointed
The CM I asked didn't tell me there was an accessible carpet! I can't step up and down too far, so after looking in from near the exit and seeing the distance from ground to carpet, I figured I couldn't get into one. Phooey! Now I'll have to go back.

If my daughter could tell you to go back and ride, she would. This and Soarin’ are her favorite two rides in all of WDW. We rode it at least 10 times, one right after another, on a non-busy day last December. I was beginning to get a little embarrassed as we were getting strange looks from the CMs, but she had an absolute blast. She laughed and flapped her hands and generally reminded me why I love Disney so very much.