Process for getting a wheelchair/GAC at MK

[global_mom]

Hi everyone: this is my first post in this forum but I hope that I have come to the right place to find my answers.......

We will be going to WDW on June 10th for 3 days and are taking my parents who have not been to WDW since 1981. They always loved the MK and took us many times when we were children. This trip will be very different and I am not exactly sure to handle these details.

My father sufferd a massive stroke 18 months ago but it is doing really well. Tons of PT and OT has helped but he has very limited mobility and sight. He is also extremely sensitive to noise and he has a very hard time speaking, words dont always come out in the correct order. He does not use a wheelchair at home b/c he avoids all places that would limit his independant mobility (in other words he does not like to go out too much) but he will need to use one at WDW. Since he has such limited vision his equilibrium is out of whack and he can not walk in a straight line thus he could not function in a crowd on his own 2 feet, he would be knocked down instantly.

I have read the sticky for getting him a GAC which he will definately need. While he can stand and walk for short periods (he will have no trouble transferring from the wheelchair to a ride) he will need assistance to do both. Can you tell me how I should plan the process of getting the chair and the GAC?

We will arrive at MK about 8am as we have an 8:50 character breakfast and I dont want us to be rushed since dad goes slow.

1. Will that be enough time to get what we need, should we arrive ealier?
2. Will we get the wheelchair outside of the main entrance and then get the GAC inside at Town Hall?
3. Do the wheelchairs have any type of cup holders or pockets for beverages?
4. Should we follow a certain attraction plan that is easier for someone who will tire quickly?

Thank you for any help with my plan. I really want this to be a highlight for him and he has never been able to see his grandchildren enjoying WDW. This will be a really special trip and I just want to be super organized so that our plans run smoothly.

Thank you so much!!

 

[wdwmickey]

I can't help much as I know nothing about GAC but, when we went to WDW in December we bought me a wheelchair on ebay (it was less than the rental fee for 9 days). We realized that I would need the W/C at the airport and the resort as well as in the parks, also there is usually a long walk from the parking area to the front entrance (where the rentals are located). There is also a sticky about renting W/C offsite so you might find more info there. Hope you have a great trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

i would rent a wheelchair from one of the offsite places that are listed in the disABILITIES FAQs thread for him. It really sounds like he will need one all the time, not just in the parks. Keep in mind that getting from where ever you park/ride to the park turnstiles is not going to be a short distance. And, he would have a much better time in the resort if he has a wheelchair to get from place to place. The distances, even in the resort, are much more than he is used to in his 'regular' life.
For the GAC, explain his needs as you did here. In some cases, the GAC won't be able to help (some attractions do have loud noises no matter if you have a GAC or not), but explain what his needs are.
For transferring to ride cars, you or someone else in your party will need to help him transfer. It will be helpful to get as much info as you can about those 'must transfer' rides. Some will not be much problem (like Soarin') some (like Pirates) may be too difficult for him to transfer into because the boat is very low.
If there are any special attractions you have questions about, post them here and we will try to answer.

 

[global_mom]

I had not even thought about getting him a wheelchair for the entire time including the resort etc. Since we will be at AKL there will be a good bit of walking in the halls and then time waiting for the bus.

Of course, he says that we are being ridiculous to put him in a chair but he greatly underestimates the amount of mobility that will be needed.

Thank you for the off-site rental suggestions!

 

[Mrsjvb]

I double the recommendation to rent offsite. the walk alone to AK from the main drop off area was enough to ruin the entire day for me.

It's usually a mad crush at the gates with people rushing hither and yon to get to rope drop or their fav FP rides. not to mention the lovely ones who STOP suddenly to whip out their map.

 

[mechurchlady]

I was just watching youtube and there was a picture of the line to rent strollers, very long. IF you make the hike to the bus then you have to survive the hike to the stroller rental area then wait in a line that can be very very long at times. Even if dad is parked in the shade someone will have to stand in the line to rent one.

It is much cheaper to buy one locally though. The airlines will providehim with a wheelchair or other transportation to your gate from the entrance. I have been escorted in a golf cart once in the midwest. His chair would be free and shipped as luggage. After your vacation is over you can then get a tax write-off by donating the wheelchair to charity. Or sell it. Read FAQs, etc for more info on airports and transporting your own wheelchair.

Most rides allow a person in a regular wheelchair to roll right up to the ride vehicle and in some cases actually take the wheelchair onto the ride. He can lay down in the Nurse's Station if need be.

Arriving at 8 for an 8:50 breakfast should be ample time, methinks. You should on the first day get a GAC for the whole length of stay just in case he prefers walking onto a ride or into a show.

 

[zumbergc]

My father sufferd a massive stroke 18 months ago but it is doing really well. Tons of PT and OT has helped but he has very limited mobility and sight. He is also extremely sensitive to noise and he has a very hard time speaking, words dont always come out in the correct order. He does not use a

About the loud noise problems. Can you purchase some diferent types of ear plugs, or head phones that cancel out noise to help him out? It gets very loud, and if he had ear lugs he liked, and thought were comfortable w/ him, he may be more likely to use them in the parks.

Sounds like a wheel chair would be better than a scooter given his recent stroke, an ecv gives the person more independance, but maybe something that isn't appropriate for your dad. Definitely an offsite rental would be a great choice because depending on where your room is, its a long trek to the restraunts, mara, pool and bus stop.

Limited vision issues, someone else could comment on what assistance they give.

 

[mamaloya]

On the cupholder question... I bought a wheelchair cupholder at Walgreens for my trip. It clips onto the side of the wheelchair. Mine also came with a cane holder that attached to the back. That cupholder came in very handy. Not just for drinks, but maps and whatever else I though I might need to keep handy. It was only about $20 for the cupholder and cane holder set. Just go to the home health aids aisle and they should be there around where the canes are. I think I have seen them in Walmart as well. I loved my cupholder!!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

You should on the first day get a GAC for the whole length of stay just in case he prefers walking onto a ride or into a show.

One thing to keep in mind if he does get a GAC and walk in line rather than use the wheelchair; the distance walked in line is usually going to be the same, whether he uses a GAC or not.
I would advise staying in the wheelchair for the wait in line in most cases, especially since you mentioned that he is unsteady.
Many of the lines look much shorter that they actually are. In addition, even though a line may be only 5-10 minutes wait, some of them are a very long distance - Soarin' , Bug's Life and POC are 3 that come to mind.

 

[global_mom]

One thing to keep in mind if he does get a GAC and walk in line rather than use the wheelchair; the distance walked in line is usually going to be the same, whether he uses a GAC or not.
I would advise staying in the wheelchair for the wait in line in most cases, especially since you mentioned that he is unsteady.
Many of the lines look much shorter that they actually are. In addition, even though a line may be only 5-10 minutes wait, some of them are a very long distance - Soarin' , Bug's Life and POC are 3 that come to mind.

yes - he will need to stay in the chair for most lines. It is so hard to walk steady when you have no peripheral (sp?) vision! Some lines he will be able to stand in and he does plan to do space mountain and others that he will transfer onto. However, he would not be able to walk thru the entire Space Mountain line as it is sooooo far from the door to the ride.

This will be a really interesting trip for us and I have prepared the kids that we will go slow and concentrate only on the things that the granparents want to do. The kids will always have another trip but the grands might not get back down there again.

Thanks for the great suggestions!

 

[ireland_nicole]

I don't know in what way his vision is affected, but I know that the GAC can provide some assistance w/ seating, etc. for visual impairment. You might also want to get the guidebooks for guests with disabilities, if you call and ask they will send them.
Nicole

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't know in what way his vision is affected, but I know that the GAC can provide some assistance w/ seating, etc. for visual impairment. You might also want to get the guidebooks for guests with disabilities, if you call and ask they will send them.
Nicole

You can get a copy of the text of the Guidebooks on the internet. If you check post #3 in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there are links to the text.

 

[mamaloya]

he does plan to do space mountain and others that he will transfer onto.

I know nothing about his condition, but having had a stroke 18 months ago, should he be doing space mountain? It is quite jarring. I would discuss it with his doctor and read all of the warnings very thoroughly before riding. I would hate for something to happen to him. I have not gotten to ride SM in years and it used to be one of my favorite rides. I did TT last trip and it was very fatiguing on me, as well at BTMR.

Just something to think about.

 

[SueM in MN]

I know nothing about his condition, but having had a stroke 18 months ago, should he be doing space mountain? It is quite jarring. I would discuss it with his doctor and read all of the warnings very thoroughly before riding. I would hate for something to happen to him. I have not gotten to ride SM in years and it used to be one of my favorite rides. I did TT last trip and it was very fatiguing on me, as well at BTMR.

Just something to think about.

good point.
Even if the doctor says there is no reason not to ride them, it may take a lot to keep in position.
The Guidebook that I mentioned in an earlier post includes the rides with warnings.

 

[global_mom]

good point.
Even if the doctor says there is no reason not to ride them, it may take a lot to keep in position.
The Guidebook that I mentioned in an earlier post includes the rides with warnings.

These are great suggestions, I did not know about the guidebook. I also had not thought about seating assistance due to his vision. He only sees from his right eye and it is what we have nicknamed "hole vision". IOW, he only has some "straight ahead" vision and he feels like he is looking thru a small dark hole, he cant see anything to either side. He must turn his head (and body) completely to the side to see anything.

I agree about space mountain yet he is determined. He may well change his mind once we arrive or my mom may change it for him! He just hates the thought of missing his favorite ride. He had all of us on SM when we were very little kids (we were all tall so we met the requirements by the time we were 4yo) and it was his favorite ride ever. We would be stuck in Tomorrow land for hours while he used all of the "good" tickets in our books to ride SM repreatedly!

Thanks again!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I'm afraid I haven't read all the replies, so if someone has already said this, I apologise. If he needs help to convince him to use a wheelchair, there is a technique that a few people here have used in the past. Pick a place about two miles away from his house, that he knows reasonably well. Ask him if he could walk there; if he says yes, ask him if he could walk there AND back. Then ask him if he could walk there and back every day for the length of your stay. Chances are, he will look at you as if you're mad, but four miles is a fairly restrained and slow day at the parks.

HTH!

 

[global_mom]

I'm afraid I haven't read all the replies, so if someone has already said this, I apologise. If he needs help to convince him to use a wheelchair, there is a technique that a few people here have used in the past. Pick a place about two miles away from his house, that he knows reasonably well. Ask him if he could walk there; if he says yes, ask him if he could walk there AND back. Then ask him if he could walk there and back every day for the length of your stay. Chances are, he will look at you as if you're mad, but four miles is a fairly restrained and slow day at the parks.

HTH!

Super point! He is being really stubborn but he will just have to get over it. There are so many things that he must have help with so he likes to be independant when he can.

It is hard for us (our family) to remember that just 20 months ago this was a man who ran triathalons, had a resting heart rate of 48, worked 70 hours a week, and would run a marathon "for fun". Things can really change in an instant.

Hugs to everyong for their great suggestions!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Please ask him 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!

 

[global_mom]

Please ask him 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!

Ps - he would actually love to get his hands on an ECV but that would be dangerous for everyone else who might be near him!