Question about gacs

[jedspad]

We are planning a trip in June with our 3 grandkids and 3 of their friends and my DH and myself. DH is legally blind, has so little peripheral vision that it can't be measured any more and no night vision. The past 2 trips we have got a GAC card for him at a cast member's suggestion that allowed him to go thru the shorter lines so less trouble manuvering thru the lines. This time since we will be traveling with 6 kids I didn't know how that would work. I know the card is usually limited to 5 guest and the person who the card is for but we can't separate from the kids. Will they allow more than 6 people in this situation? Thanks for any info you can give.

 

[stitchlovestink]

We are planning a trip in June with our 3 grandkids and 3 of their friends and my DH and myself. DH is legally blind, has so little peripheral vision that it can't be measured any more and no night vision. The past 2 trips we have got a GAC card for him at a cast member's suggestion that allowed him to go thru the shorter lines so less trouble manuvering thru the lines. This time since we will be traveling with 6 kids I didn't know how that would work. I know the card is usually limited to 5 guest and the person who the card is for but we can't separate from the kids. Will they allow more than 6 people in this situation? Thanks for any info you can give.

You could certainly ask at GS. As my thought is you never get what you don't ask for....
However, that said, I would say that the chances are very slim that they will bend by 2 add'l people on that rule. They may...but I wouldn't hold my breath. I wish you luck figuring out a way to make your situation workable. That is a tough one.

 

[christymarie]

Oh yeah, this is totally doable. You just get fast passes for the extra kids and have them go in with you. You have to stick with the fastpass times but that is not that hard. That way you can all go together.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Oh yeah, this is totally doable. You just get fast passes for the extra kids and have them go in with you. You have to stick with the fastpass times but that is not that hard. That way you can all go together.

But if they are getting FP's for the extra kids, they might as well just get them for everyone...what would be the difference? I don't understand?

 

[Tinkerpeas hubby]

If its children that are with you and not adults then they have been known to hand write on the GAC that there is extra children!

We did this when we took others with us we had children and they said it was no problem as the children had to come with us due to there age,and so they just allowed us to use the pass with the extra kids added into it.

I would just explain this to them and that the extra people with you are kids, if you don't ask you don't get

 

[Schmeck]

Just realize that not many ride vehicles seat 8 - so you will be expecting some of the kids to ride unattended. You don't state the age, so I'm hoping they are all old enough to ride without an adult present.

 

[ttintagel]

Two Guest Services CM's told me in December that it was completely up to the ride CM's discretion whether to allow use of an alternate entrance for the visually impaired. So if you're counting on that, be prepared to go through several CM's who tell you no first.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Two Guest Services CM's told me in December that it was completely up to the ride CM's discretion whether to allow use of an alternate entrance for the visually impaired. So if you're counting on that, be prepared to go through several CM's who tell you no first.

Wow! That doesn't seem fair! If GS has seen it fit to give you a particular stamp to use a particular entrance then it doesn't seem right that a CM should be able to arbitrarily deny you use of that entrance just because you are 'visually impaired'. That's discrimantory. Now if they are turning you & others away for other reasons...well...but if it were for that sole reason alone, I would be asking to speak to that CM's supervisor. Otherwise, what is the point in having said stamp on your GAC?? That is the issue I would be discussing with that supervisor.

 

[jedspad]

We have not had any problems in the past, they have let us use the shorter entrance if there is one. And yes the kids are old enough to ride alone but I wouldn't want them off in another line without us. We have 2 that are a little older than the other 4 so we will just send them thru first and then the other 4 then us. Thanks for the info.

 

[lanejudy]

Wow! That doesn't seem fair! If GS has seen it fit to give you a particular stamp to use a particular entrance then it doesn't seem right that a CM should be able to arbitrarily deny you use of that entrance just because you are 'visually impaired'. That's discrimantory. Now if they are turning you & others away for other reasons...well...but if it were for that sole reason alone, I would be asking to speak to that CM's supervisor. Otherwise, what is the point in having said stamp on your GAC?? That is the issue I would be discussing with that supervisor.

Actually, it is up to the CMs at each attraction as to how/if a particular GAC accommodation will be handled at that attraction at that time, and it might be different if you return at a different time or different day. That's regardless of the need, not just visually impaired.

 

[ttintagel]

Wow! That doesn't seem fair! If GS has seen it fit to give you a particular stamp to use a particular entrance then it doesn't seem right that a CM should be able to arbitrarily deny you use of that entrance just because you are 'visually impaired'. That's discrimantory. Now if they are turning you & others away for other reasons...well...but if it were for that sole reason alone, I would be asking to speak to that CM's supervisor. Otherwise, what is the point in having said stamp on your GAC?? That is the issue I would be discussing with that supervisor.

That's just it - they didn't put the stamp on. The two CM's at Guest Relations said that since letting me use an alternate entrance was at the full discretion of the ride CM, they couldn't use that stamp for people with visual impairments. I knew I would have a person with normal vision to help me most of the time,so it seemed like a waste of time to ask to speak to yet another person when the first two had given me the same story. So, I wanted the OP to be prepared to fight for this accommodation if they really need it, because it there are CM's who don't think we should have it.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Actually, it is up to the CMs at each attraction as to how/if a particular GAC accommodation will be handled at that attraction at that time, and it might be different if you return at a different time or different day. That's regardless of the need, not just visually impaired.

While I understand what you are saying, there are certain stamps that are VERY specific. I understand that there are times that one may need to wait for accomodation, but if they aren't going to do what is on the stamp, well then there is NO point in my even bothering with that attraction and they should say so upfront. Thank Goodness, I have never encountered issues with CMs not honoring what is stamped on my GAC. I guess I will thank my Lucky Stars that I have gotten 'good' or 'well trained' CMs!!
And I get the difference in how your accomodation can be handled. I experienced that as a solo traveler on my trip this past January. But one of my stamps, when it comes to many attractions, there is only one way to honor it. So you either do, or you don't. Luckily, I have had wonderful well trained CMs and have not had any issues with it being honored!

 

[ttintagel]

While I understand what you are saying, there are certain stamps that are VERY specific. I understand that there are times that one may need to wait for accomodation, but if they aren't going to do what is on the stamp, well then there is NO point in my even bothering with that attraction and they should say so upfront. Thank Goodness, I have never encountered issues with CMs not honoring what is stamped on my GAC.

The issue wasn't CM's refusing to honor a stamp, it was CM's refusing to give the stamp in the first place.

 

[SueM in MN]

Actually, it is up to the CMs at each attraction as to how/if a particular GAC accommodation will be handled at that attraction at that time, and it might be different if you return at a different time or different day. That's regardless of the need, not just visually impaired.

That is true and should be explained o people when the GAC is issued in the first place.

While I understand what you are saying, there are certain stamps that are VERY specific. I understand that there are times that one may need to wait for accomodation, but if they aren't going to do what is on the stamp, well then there is NO point in my even bothering with that attraction and they should say so upfront. Thank Goodness, I have never encountered issues with CMs not honoring what is stamped on my GAC. I guess I will thank my Lucky Stars that I have gotten 'good' or 'well trained' CMs!!
And I get the difference in how your accomodation can be handled. I experienced that as a solo traveler on my trip this past January. But one of my stamps, when it comes to many attractions, there is only one way to honor it. So you either do, or you don't. Luckily, I have had wonderful well trained CMs and have not had any issues with it being honored!

'good' or 'well trained' do not necessarily have anything to do with it.

There are 2 words printed on the front of every GAC - "where applicable"
And 2 words printed on the back - "operational considerations"

And the stamp itself has 2 additional words - "where available".

Available can mean "does it exist", but can also mean "it exists, but is not available for use right now".
There are attractions, specifically in the past year, where GACs are not being used if the regular line is 15 minutes or less. People have posted about it, specifically for Pirates and we have seen it on Aladdin and many other attractions.
There are quite a few posts on this board where people were told that GACs were not being used at the attraction at that time when the wait in the regular line was short.

There was one particular thread where a woman posted that she was denied use of a specific way of entering Pirates and felt the CMs were "wrong" and "poorly trained" because she knew about that entrance and had used it in the past.
As it turned out, she posted enough that a CM who was working Pirates at the time sent me a PM because she did not feel comfortable posting on the thread.
The entrance the woman was talking about was "not available" because a guest had a medical emergency that entrance was being used for at the time.

The woman had been told to use the regular queue, left side if they wanted to ride because the wait was short.

I also have un-official confirmation (because WDW does not publicize anything official about GACs) that the information in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is complete and accurate, specifically this part:

Is it treated exactly the same each time and/or at each attraction?
No. Even on the same attraction, the GAC is not always handled the same each time.
Exactly what happens depends on how busy it is, how many other people with special needs are there at the time and staffing.
Some times you may be sent thru the regular standby line, ocassionally another access; Occasionally the person with the GAC and a member of their party will be given an alternate place to wait while the rest of the party goes thru the standby line - and then meet up with them when they get to the front. Sometimes you might be given a slip and told you can come back at the time written on the slip (usually equal to the standby time); very ocassionally, you might be taken right in. It depends on what they call "attraction considerations" (which is basically the things I listed in the second sentence).

What happens will also depend on the stamps on your GAC. For example, if the GAC is for a place to out of the sun, you will be routed to the regular line if the sun is not a problem when you arrive at the attraction.

If you come back later, you may be handled differently. Even on the same attraction on the same day. People sometimes think that means one of the CMs did something 'wrong'. What it usually means is that conditions were not the same both times.

 

[SueM in MN]

To answer the OP's question, CMs at Guest Relations normally issue a GAC for the guest with a disability and up to 5 additional people.

Thy CAN issue it for more, if there is a specific need for more people. There are still situations where you may need to split up into 2 parties, with one group of no more than 6. This is usually in places where there is limited room for waiting or limited numbers of sets in ride cars.

Since you have sighted guests with you, and some are older, you my find it gives you shorter waiting times and the most direct route by using Fastpass as much as possible. Avoiding stairs and boarding at the places where moving walkways can be slowed or stopped my be your most important needs (and may be a different stamp than the one you had previously).

 

[stitchlovestink]

That is true and should be explained o people when the GAC is issued in the first place.

'good' or 'well trained' do not necessarily have anything to do with it.

There are 2 words printed on the front of every GAC - "where applicable"
And 2 words printed on the back - "operational considerations"

And the stamp itself has 2 additional words - "where available".

Available can mean "does it exist", but can also mean "it exists, but is not available for use right now".
There are attractions, specifically in the past year, where GACs are not being used if the regular line is 15 minutes or less. People have posted about it, specifically for Pirates and we have seen it on Aladdin and many other attractions.
There are quite a few posts on this board where people were told that GACs were not being used at the attraction at that time when the wait in the regular line was short.

There was one particular thread where a woman posted that she was denied use of a specific way of entering Pirates and felt the CMs were "wrong" and "poorly trained" because she knew about that entrance and had used it in the past.
As it turned out, she posted enough that a CM who was working Pirates at the time sent me a PM because she did not feel comfortable posting on the thread.
The entrance the woman was talking about was "not available" because a guest had a medical emergency that entrance was being used for at the time.

The woman had been told to use the regular queue, left side if they wanted to ride because the wait was short.

I also have un-official confirmation (because WDW does not publicize anything official about GACs) that the information in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is complete and accurate, specifically this part:

Is it treated exactly the same each time and/or at each attraction?
No. Even on the same attraction, the GAC is not always handled the same each time.
Exactly what happens depends on how busy it is, how many other people with special needs are there at the time and staffing.
Some times you may be sent thru the regular standby line, ocassionally another access; Occasionally the person with the GAC and a member of their party will be given an alternate place to wait while the rest of the party goes thru the standby line - and then meet up with them when they get to the front. Sometimes you might be given a slip and told you can come back at the time written on the slip (usually equal to the standby time); very ocassionally, you might be taken right in. It depends on what they call "attraction considerations" (which is basically the things I listed in the second sentence).

What happens will also depend on the stamps on your GAC. For example, if the GAC is for a place to out of the sun, you will be routed to the regular line if the sun is not a problem when you arrive at the attraction.

If you come back later, you may be handled differently. Even on the same attraction on the same day. People sometimes think that means one of the CMs did something 'wrong'. What it usually means is that conditions were not the same both times.

My DD is a CM at WDW and had to take a self directed class about the GAC. Her instructor was surprised was at the amount knowledge she already had regarding one and inquired how she knew so much about one. She advised him that I (her mother) had utilized one for awhile now since 2003. I won't say I've never had a problem but most CMs handle them well. I get that circumstances change. But due to the rules of the board, I can't give the specifics of the situatuion because I'm not allowed to name stamps. My DD had a conversation with the instructor over these stamps and as I said...with this "one" particular stamp you either honor it or you don't. The accomodation is really pretty specific...
What was ironic was that the instructor was 'disappointed' to hear that people were not being accomodated 100% of the time. He was sad to hear that we didn't have 100% positive experiences. I guess my DD was recalling some experiences that I had forgotten or already blocked from my memory. But she did tell me about all she learned from the class!!

 

[Disneylvr]

I completely understand why specific stamps cannot be discussed on the DISboards. There are two that we always get on the GAC for our DD but I can't help but wonder if there are any others that might be helpful for some attractions, specifically the shows. I do have to say that the CM's we have encountered over the years have been wonderful and accommodating when they can. They have done everything possible to make sure our vacations are magical! And we in turn have been understanding that not all attractions can be made suitable and doable for our daughter and her needs.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Oh and the reason I used wonderful and well trained CMs in my other post is because I know some of the others are thoughtless & lazy! I have been around to hear the stories of how 'sick & tired' they get of GACs so they treat them they way they want to. And if they don't feel like being bothered anymore with them for awhile...they direct them off in a different way! Not really the way Disney intended it. It's an inside 'joke' to them. The guests just don't know about it. Does this happen a lot? I would hope not! But I heard the chatter amongst the CMs with my own ears, so I know it is going on...