My recent ECV / GAC Experience

[Eeyore's Tiara]

Thank you Sue for your answers!

We made a decision to try and get as many fastpasses as we could during the day since I was using an ecv and had 3 kids in tow. It really seemed to help the situation. But I'm wondering from what someone else said....if I didnt have a fastpass, would I have still gone through the fast pass line for w/c access? (I have to transfer to w/c because my body is very weak)

That kind of confused me. With the fastpasses we were able to ride with less complications, but if we would have been able to anyway, maybe we should have left the passes for someone else?

An example of what I'm asking would be Buzz Lightyear. Would we have gone through the fastpass line anyway if we didnt have passes? Or have we been doing it right by getting passes?

I hope this doesn't sound stupid, I'm just confused on this. And if you don't have to have a pass for Buzz, what other rides are like that? I have read the sticky's and I thought I understood, but maybe I missed something?

 

[Talking Hands]

Buzz Lightyear is a fully accesssible line so without fastpass or GAC you would go through the regular line. This is also true of Pooh and Small World (you get diverted).

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Hey Scrap. Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience, access wise. I hope it didn't ruin the entire trip for you.

You asked for other people's experiences, so I'll throw in some of my random observations. Last September was my first trip with my own chair, though certainly not my first trip in a chair (I don't think I've had a Disney holiday in the past 10 years that hasn't seen me on wheels for at least some of it). I haven't really had many problems with getting to the wheelchair access, but that may be because I've been using a manual chair, rather than an ECV. I don't know why, but a lot of people seem to attach the label 'faker' to anyone in an ECV (just to clarify, I know you're not a faker, and I understand that so many people here couldn't do Disney without an ECV). I think what it comes down to, is that there are one or two CMs out there who either think they know what is wrong with you, or have done the 'patter' for ECV users so many times that they've started not to bother any more.

The only times we've really had problems, are when there hasn't been a CM at the entrance to the line to direct us. As we tend to go during quieter times, we've had this happen to us a few times now. For instance, we wanted to ride Dumbo this September, but when we got there, we couldn't see any CMs about, so just got in line. I should have listened to the little voice in my head, telling me this wasn't a mainstream ride, as we got all the way to the front, only to find a turnstile . We then had to 'excuse me' our way all the way back through the line, to go to the exit to board. Thankfully, because we'd already waited in line, they didn't make us wait at the exit for long, as they often do for alternate boarding areas (understandably, of course).

The other issue we've had to stand our ground on, is transfering to a rental chair for Pirates. The first time we rode this in September, they persuaded my to swap to one of their chairs. The footplates on those things are ridiculously high, and by the end of the line I was in such a bad flare that I barely noticed the ride go by. From then on (yes, we rode Pirates a lot this last trip), I just insisted to stay in my own chair through the line. Most of the time, this wasn't an issue (they even forgot to ask me once of twice), but I did have a couple of CMs try really hard to get me to transfer. Needless to say, I stood my ground, as I didn't want another flare on my holiday.

Maybe those who are turned down for a GAC should ask the CM at the desk to write them a quick note (complete with a number to call) saying that their ECV or wheelchair entitles them to use the wheelchair entrance without presenting a GAC.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you Sue for your answers!

We made a decision to try and get as many fastpasses as we could during the day since I was using an ecv and had 3 kids in tow. It really seemed to help the situation. But I'm wondering from what someone else said....if I didnt have a fastpass, would I have still gone through the fast pass line for w/c access? (I have to transfer to w/c because my body is very weak)

That kind of confused me. With the fastpasses we were able to ride with less complications, but if we would have been able to anyway, maybe we should have left the passes for someone else?

An example of what I'm asking would be Buzz Lightyear. Would we have gone through the fastpass line anyway if we didnt have passes? Or have we been doing it right by getting passes?

I hope this doesn't sound stupid, I'm just confused on this. And if you don't have to have a pass for Buzz, what other rides are like that? I have read the sticky's and I thought I understood, but maybe I missed something?

No, the GAC is not a pass that allows you to bypass lines. And, what the stamp on the GAC says is what accomodation you get, so if your GAC says you can wait in a shaded place and the standby line is a shaded place or it is after dark, you will wait in the regular line. The card actually has printed on it that you should get Fastpasses if possible to avoid waits in line. Using Fastpasses as much as possible will give you the most consistent treatment at attractions. Don't worry about 'using up' a Fastpass and taking one out of 'circulation'; that's what they are for.

Some of the Stand-by lines are not wheelchair accessible, but in those attractions, the Fastpass lines are. In those attractions, you may be routed thru the Fastpass line with a wheelchair or ECV - just because that is the only line you can use. But, they are more likely to do that if the standby line is very short - if you would only be waiting in the standby line for 10 minutes anyway, you are not getting ahead in line at all if you are routed thru the Fastpass line.

 

[SueM in MN]

For instance, we wanted to ride Dumbo this September, but when we got there, we couldn't see any CMs about, so just got in line. I should have listened to the little voice in my head, telling me this wasn't a mainstream ride, as we got all the way to the front, only to find a turnstile .

If in doubt, consult the Guidebook; in this case, it would tell you to "Go to the ramp located on RIGHT". Even if you didn't see the ramp right away, it would clue you in to look around for one.
The Guidebook isn't really that complete, but keep repeating "The Guidebook is my Friend."
(Think of Bruce, the Shark in Where's Nemo?)

The other issue we've had to stand our ground on, is transfering to a rental chair for Pirates. The first time we rode this in September, they persuaded my to swap to one of their chairs. The footplates on those things are ridiculously high, and by the end of the line I was in such a bad flare that I barely noticed the ride go by. From then on (yes, we rode Pirates a lot this last trip), I just insisted to stay in my own chair through the line. Most of the time, this wasn't an issue (they even forgot to ask me once of twice), but I did have a couple of CMs try really hard to get me to transfer. Needless to say, I stood my ground, as I didn't want another flare on my holiday.

You do need to know what your needs are and advocate for yourself. Just be nice, but firm if you can't do what they are asking. But, they are asking because they don't know what you need; if people get mad at the CMs for asking or are not clear about their needs, needs won't be met.

When we were at POC recently, the greeter smiled and said "You want to come on my ride." I explained right away what DD needed and asked whether that would be available. She said it would and we had no problems. They are trying a new procedure for wheelchairs, which I'm sure helped.
But, they do want as much as possible for people to use the attraction wheelchairs because they don't have to transfer those to the exit. They can have another wheelchair at the exit that you can use and they won't leave anyone stranded waiting for their own wheelchair.
So, if people who are able to transfer to one of the attraction wheelchairs do, it helps free up staff to handle the wheelchairs of people who can't.

Maybe those who are turned down for a GAC should ask the CM at the desk to write them a quick note (complete with a number to call) saying that their ECV or wheelchair entitles them to use the wheelchair entrance without presenting a GAC.

IMHO, that would just make things worse. The policy is that people with wheelchairs, ECVs, canes, walkers are allowed into the accessible entrance. If the line is a Mainstream Line, that means the regular entrance is wheelchair accessible.
All the lines are wheelchair accessible, so there is no need for a GAC to use the wheelchair accessible lines. I think people with wheelchairs/ECV having GACs that say they can use the wheelchair line is part of the problem.
Let's say that you are Sally NewCM. You were oriented to your attraction and you were told that you are supposed to let people with wheelchairs go thru your line. But, the first 8 people with wheelchairs show you a GAC that says "May use wheelchair entrance" before they enter the line. When the 9th person shows up, what will you do?
Will you think, those other 8 people didn't need to show me a GAC to use their wheelchair in line. Or will you think, "I must have gotten it wrong. Those 8 people can't all have been doing it wrong, so I need to ask this 9th person for their GAC."
I think that is happening now. Some of the people without GACs are the "9th person".

SOME of the wheelchair accessible lines are not easily accessible for some people's personal wheelchairs, especially of they don't fold (POC is the only one I can think of that isn't). Having a GAC that says you can use the wheelchair accessible entrance will not make that line accessible to someone's personal wheelchair.
If someone needs to bring their wheelchair onto/into the boarding area to board, that is even possible, but unless you tell the CMs you need to do that, they assume you can manage without it. The CMs don't know and since most people don't need to bring their wheelchair right up to board, they will assume you don't.
We are pretty clear about what we need to the CMs and have had not problem - we bring her wheelchair right onto moving walkways and as much as possible on any ride, we bring the wheelchair right up to (even touching) the ride car.

It's important for people to look at the guidebook/maps/signs and see whether it shows an icon of someone transferring from an ECV to a wheelchair. If it does, you need to talk to a CM to see what it means to you. It might mean that you are in a park ECV and will need to transfer to a wheelchair to even enter a line. If you are in a line that requires a transfer from an ECV to a wheelchair, having a GAC that allows you to use the wheelchair accessible access will not allow you to use your ECV - if the symbol is there, there is something about that attraction that makes it not accessible. If that is the case and you can't walk, there is supposed to be a wheelchair in the area - you may have to wait for it, but they are supposed to provide one. Again, if you have a problem, show the Guidebook, which says "Must transfer to an available wheelchair." It's not on each page, but is on the symbol description page of each guidebook.

If you are in a line that shows the wheelchair symbol (which means the line/attraction is accessible to both wheelchairs and ECVs) and the CM won't let you use the wheelchair/ECV in line, the appropriate way to deal with it is to get out the park map/guidebook and show the CM. If they still won't budge, ask for the supervisor. That will have 2 effects - it will get you the correct access and it will educate the CM who didn't know what to do.

Even though we have been traveling to WDW for almost 20 yrs with DD in a wheelchair (she was 2 when we started), we still get a new guidebook for each park each time just for those situtations.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Quite a few good points there, Sue. Thank you for correcting me on the note thing; you're right, it isn't good to 'train' CMs that GACs are needed for wheelchair access, in the same way as 'training' hotel staff to ask for proof that a dog is a SD. I guess I didn't notice that through the brain fog I'm in right now!

Also a good point about polite but firm advocacy. I've been using my chair in the 'real world' long enough now to have learnt to speak up for myself (calmly and politely, of course) when needed, but we all need a reminder sometimes.

I've never actually picked up a Disabilities Guidebook. I guess that's just my ego getting the better of me, telling me that I know everything I need to know about Disney. That'll teach me for getting cocky!

 

[Earstou]

I've never actually picked up a Disabilities Guidebook. I guess that's just my ego getting the better of me, telling me that I know everything I need to know about Disney. That'll teach me for getting cocky!

I'm the same way. I think I've learned everything just because I'm on the Dis.

Thanks Sue for mentioning that you always pick up the Disabilities Guidebook. A little education for me right there. I'll be sure to pick one up next time!

 

[Vemnox]

Most Guest Relations locations will now automatically hand you a guidebook when you receive a GAC. I think the two should always come as a pair.

 

[MarieS]

I often read that if you are in a wheelchair you don't need a GAC, but this wasn't the case for us at Epcot in November. A CM insisted we get one before he would let my boys into the character area. When we went to guest services they gave the boys a GAC that said " may use stroller as wheelchair" Also, we were asked to show our GAC at Nemo and Turtle Talk. No other parks asked to see it. So I agree it can be confusing when you are just trying to follow the rules. Most CMs saw the boys in their chairs and would automatically direct us to the right area.

 

[KPeveler]

if your boys chairs look like strollers, like some of the special needs ones can, then some of the CMs may have been confused... however, if not, then they are just confused...

 

[Vemnox]

I often read that if you are in a wheelchair you don't need a GAC, but this wasn't the case for us at Epcot in November. A CM insisted we get one before he would let my boys into the character area. When we went to guest services they gave the boys a GAC that said " may use stroller as wheelchair" Also, we were asked to show our GAC at Nemo and Turtle Talk. No other parks asked to see it. So I agree it can be confusing when you are just trying to follow the rules. Most CMs saw the boys in their chairs and would automatically direct us to the right area.

This is an individual CM fault and not a global issue. If you ever encounter this again, please ask to speak to a supervisor. The operating guidelines for all attractions states that if guests have a visible mobility disability such as wheelchair, crutches, ECV, cane, and so on, that they should automatically be directed to the proper accessible entrance. No one *has* to have a GAC.

 

[SueM in MN]

This is an individual CM fault and not a global issue. If you ever encounter this again, please ask to speak to a supervisor. The operating guidelines for all attractions states that if guests have a visible mobility disability such as wheelchair, crutches, ECV, cane, and so on, that they should automatically be directed to the proper accessible entrance. No one *has* to have a GAC.

If the children had wheelchairs that were readily identifiable as wheelchairs, then there should be no problem. There are some CMs who are less familiar with different types of special needs strollers and 'non-traditional looking' wheelchairs. If a child has one of those, the 'stroller as a wheelchair' sticker or GAC is really needed just to make sure CMs do recognize the wheelchair as a wheelchair.

It used to be a lot easier to tell which children had mobility issues. When my children were little, the only children you saw over 3 years old in strollers had mobility problems. There was not much choice because there were no strollers for older children. When my DD was 2 1/2, she outgrew her stroller and had to either get a special needs stroller or a wheelchair.
On our recent trip, I saw many children who were 3, 4, 5 in strollers. Some of them had obvious special needs strollers or had a sticker for using a stroller as a wheelchair. But many did not have anything and whether they were children with mobility disabilities or just older children in strollers was pretty much up for guess. And, I would classify myself as pretty knowledgable about special needs strollers.

 

[LOLA2]

Is there a certain number of people that are allowed with wheelchair user? My brother is 14 in an electric wheelchair and must be tranferred to all rides using a transfer board. I hope they will let us all through because it will take all 3 adults to lift him at 200lbs of dead weight. Otherwise I guess we could just meet him at beginning of ride.

 

[KPeveler]

In general the rule is that 5 people can accompany the person in the wheelchair, for a total of six people in the party - this changes, of course, if there are more than 6 people and young children would not have an adult to go with them unless the party stayed together.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

For example, for HM, it says to see a host or hostess at the entrance for directions - when there is one there, they will tell you to stay and that the wheelchair 'gate' is on the right, at the hearse. That attraction is one where people have complained a lot about the "5 minutes" part. The stretching room is probably 5 minutes, plus then you have to walk in a slowly moving line in almost complete darkness to get to the boarding area. They also should tell you that boarding involves a moving walkway. If people knew that, they would probably not choose to board there.

Do they not stop the walkway/ride vehicles anymore? I'm pretty darn sure that HM last May stopped them for me (I didn't ask for it or need it) to load (at the exit) with my service dog. I remember thinking how totally weird it was being the person who made the ride come to a stop with the "temporary stop" loudspeaker messages playing . That's the only time a ride was ever stopped for me (and they didn't stop it when I was exiting that same ride, either).

For every ride we went on, there were CMs at the entrances to the lines. If the line wasn't mainstreamed (my friend was in a rented ECV due to her MS), they would automatically tell us where to go (or bring us/me, depending on the ride).

I also brought the PassPorter Special Needs book (the first edition of what is now called "Open Mouse") with me and kept it in my friend's ECV basket (along with a laminated copy of the PassPorter regular book map [with stickers I placed on it prior to lamination to indicate where the service dog potty spots were]). We didn't have to refer to the book much, though, because the CMs were always at the entrances and always helpful.

Oh - and the wheelchair/ECV seating for Monsters, Inc. isn't bad. It is in the middle of the theatre on the left side. Somebody who worked there (the guy had a mic in his hand) came up to me and asked if he could say hi to my service dog. He was fine when I said, "No, she's working," and went on his merry way. That was the only CM who ever asked me, as far as I can recall. But at least he asked and didn't do the drive-by petting!

For Buzz, we were directed to go to the exit. Where nobody noticed us, so we stayed there for quite a while until somebody finally asked if we were waiting to go on the ride.

 

[mechurchlady]

Is there a certain number of people that are allowed with wheelchair user? My brother is 14 in an electric wheelchair and must be tranferred to all rides using a transfer board. I hope they will let us all through because it will take all 3 adults to lift him at 200lbs of dead weight. Otherwise I guess we could just meet him at beginning of ride.

It is the disabled person and up to 5 guests so you should be fine. Sometimes a CM will allow more persons but expect them to limit the group to 6.

 

[Talking Hands]

Oh - and the wheelchair/ECV seating for Monsters, Inc. isn't bad. It is in the middle of the theatre on the left side.

I didn't say the Wheelcahir/ECV seating was bad, but it was not where I needed to be as I also use sign language and needed to see the sign language interpreters. Since it isn't an obvious need the CM was directing me to the wrong place for me as the interpreters are on the right hand side. Once it was clear I needed to be there all was fine. Often because my speech is excellent and I lip read extremely well as well as my loss being mild to moderate, people are completely unaware that I have a hearing problem and use the support of interpreters or specialized equipment as well as being a wheelchair user.

 

[kimsuenew]

Do they not stop the walkway/ride vehicles anymore? I'm pretty darn sure that HM last May stopped them for me (I didn't ask for it or need it) to load (at the exit) with my service dog. I remember thinking how totally weird it was being the person who made the ride come to a stop with the "temporary stop" loudspeaker messages playing . That's the only time a ride was ever stopped for me (and they didn't stop it when I was exiting that same ride, either).

For every ride we went on, there were CMs at the entrances to the lines. If the line wasn't mainstreamed (my friend was in a rented ECV due to her MS), they would automatically tell us where to go (or bring us/me, depending on the ride).

I also brought the PassPorter Special Needs book (the first edition of what is now called "Open Mouse") with me and kept it in my friend's ECV basket (along with a laminated copy of the PassPorter regular book map [with stickers I placed on it prior to lamination to indicate where the service dog potty spots were]). We didn't have to refer to the book much, though, because the CMs were always at the entrances and always helpful.

Oh - and the wheelchair/ECV seating for Monsters, Inc. isn't bad. It is in the middle of the theatre on the left side. Somebody who worked there (the guy had a mic in his hand) came up to me and asked if he could say hi to my service dog. He was fine when I said, "No, she's working," and went on his merry way. That was the only CM who ever asked me, as far as I can recall. But at least he asked and didn't do the drive-by petting!

For Buzz, we were directed to go to the exit. Where nobody noticed us, so we stayed there for quite a while until somebody finally asked if we were waiting to go on the ride.

In September 2007 they slowed the walkway for me (Buzz at MK) and everytime I entered/exited the Kali River Rapids at AK they stopped the rotating platform (I never ask at either place, it is obvious I have mobility issues and I am very slow and use a cane when I do walk) so I guess that is why this was done.

I was pleasantly surprised! Oh, and thankfully they did NOT make any announcement or anything, is was done very professionally and with dignity.

Truthfully, at KRR I would have been extremely challenged without them stopping it and would have tried it once and never, ever have went back because I do not think (having been there now) there is a chance I could have did it without the stopping. The CM's stopping it, and their waiting for my raft with my cane in hand, helped me to truly enjoy our trip to AK!

There were so few attractions/rides at the four parks I did due to the worry of "can I do it" or "will I be able to get up and down/in and out" (my knees are simply shot and both need replaced a long with other medical problems). After several KRR rides for the day I actually felt like I had experienced WDW fully!

 

[SueM in MN]

Do they not stop the walkway/ride vehicles anymore? I'm pretty darn sure that HM last May stopped them for me

I'm sorry if I confused you. We did have HM's moving walkway stopped in April for DD to board.
They will still either slow or stop the moving walkways, but you need to be boarding at the correct place for them to do that. In most cases, that means boarding at the exit (you usually wait in line and then are routed to the exit for boarding right before the 'regular' line gets to the regular boarding area.
I was talking about people at HM going thru the regular line and then finding out the walkway could not be stopped there.

I was pleasantly surprised! Oh, and thankfully they did NOT make any announcement or anything, is was done very professionally and with dignity.

Just to clarify....
They make an announcement on the rides that move continously whenever they stop it for any reason. They don't say why they are stopping it, just that they are. That prevents people on the ride from getting upset/panicked from thinking the ride is stopping unexpectedly.

Truthfully, at KRR I would have been extremely challenged without them stopping it and would have tried it once and never, ever have went back because I do not think (having been there now) there is a chance I could have did it without the stopping. The CM's stopping it, and their waiting for my raft with my cane in hand, helped me to truly enjoy our trip to AK!

For Kali River Rapids, there is a special boarding area that is usually used for guests traveling in wheelchairs/ECVs or with mobility problems.
The CMs actually 'trap' one of the boats at that boarding area so that it does not move at all. There is no moving walkway there, just a solid surface where people can transfer onto the boat without worrying about movement.
It's a much safer place to board for anyone with mobility/balance difficulties.
This is a picture of the accessible boarding area. The bar across the middle of the picture is what the CM uses to trap the boat into the circular area.

 

[MarieS]

if your boys chairs look like strollers, like some of the special needs ones can, then some of the CMs may have been confused... however, if not, then they are just confused...

No, they are Quickie Zippie wheelchairs and definitely look like wheelchairs. My boys are 10 and 16 and no longer fit into the McLaren special needs stroller we use to have for quick outings. It's just odd that we only had these issues at Epcot.