Question concerning Green Light GAC

[Happy Dreams1]

Hey, we're going to DLR around Memorial Day weekend and will be staying in California for 2 weeks. We'll be visiting both Disney parks quite often and the questions/doubts in regards to what type of GAC would be provided for me and my family.

Have you guys ever seen someone with a Green Light A.K.A. Stop Light GAC at DLR/DCA? It's not a rarity at WDW, but I've never witnessed one in California.
We will be a group of four and I am a (recent) former Make-A-Wish child (my trip was in August 2011). I still find myself in the same conditions. The GAC at WDW had stampped on it a green stop light which allowed me easy access to the rides and definitely aided me with stamina issues and heat sensitivity. I do not use a wheelchair ( as keeping myself active is, believe it or not, better for me) and it is not in our budget to rent one either. Botom line, if we show the CM at City Hall our WDW GAC, CAN they provide us with the Green Light stamped GAC? Or is it breaking the rules or something?

Anyone with any experience?

 

[disneychrista]

GAC are based on your needs. I have never heard of a "green light" which sounds, from your post, to be skippng the line. If you can not stand in long lines due to stamina, then you can likely get a GAC that will allow you easier access to the rides, but they will direct you to get a wheelchair. I am sure someone else has more information than I do.

 

[Malcon10t]

Hi, I know you keep asking looking for different answers, but I doubt you are going to find them. Again, the Green Light is the MAW stamp. Since you do have stamina issues, the wheelchair will be recommended. Go ahead and take your older GAC, it can't hurt to ask.

 

[CamoMama]

When we were there with a friend who had mobility issues (had just had knee surgery, in a wheelchair) she received a GAC that allowed her to enter many rides through a separate entrance. Usually the wait was much shorter than the standby line. If you explain that you cannot stand in the heat for long periods of time you will likely either be allowed entry through that side or allowed to wait in a shaded area.

 

[sonnyjane]

Hi, I know you keep asking looking for different answers, but I doubt you are going to find them. Again, the Green Light is the MAW stamp. Since you do have stamina issues, the wheelchair will be recommended. Go ahead and take your older GAC, it can't hurt to ask.

This. We answered your question in your previous thread. You can get a regular GAC which will help you on your trip, but you are not going to get anything more than that. Your Make-A-Wish trip was a one-time event at WDW.

 

[Happy Dreams1]

First off, thank you for the replies that supplied me with examples and insight.

Second, I did post this a while ago, actually a month ago. I did not get many replies and so I figured that I would leave the topic alone and then re-post it weeks later just to get more feedback. There's no harm in just making two threads about it over a course of a month, so need to get snappy.

But, thanks.

 

[californiamomof4grls]

GAC's are given by a case by case bases. So it all depends on what you need and you really wont know anything until you get there and you tell them your restrictions. Then they'll accommodate you the best that they can.
There is a DISability side of the message boards that may be very helpful to you. I would say the more information about your condition and limitations that you feel comfortable revealing to them, would be the best way to get the help you need while you are in the park rather then how WDW handled it. Hope that helps you out.

 

[sonnyjane]

First off, thank you for the replies that supplied me with examples and insight.

Second, I did post this a while ago, actually a month ago. I did not get many replies and so I figured that I would leave the topic alone and then re-post it weeks later just to get more feedback. There's no harm in just making two threads about it over a course of a month, so need to get snappy.

But, thanks.

Was one of your other threads on this topic deleted? I did a search and only found the one that skiingfast responded to, but I know you posted more than once about the Green Light GAC and you got several helpful responses that time.

 

[Malcon10t]

Was one of your other threads on this topic deleted? I did a search and only found the one that skiingfast responded to, but I know you posted more than once about the Green Light GAC and you got several helpful responses that time.

I know I responded to one of them also.

 

[Geemo]

Was one of your other threads on this topic deleted? I did a search and only found the one that skiingfast responded to, but I know you posted more than once about the Green Light GAC and you got several helpful responses that time.

This might be the thread you are referring too.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2888634

HD1 - Since you do not plan to use a wheel chair to aid your stamina, it's good you'll be there a couple of weeks.
You can use google earth to map out the parks. Google earth gives a better idea of distances between attractions. As well as distance from parks to your hotel.
Once you are at the parks and know the GAC you'll be offered, take it one day at a time and enjoy the trip.

 

[LittleBlackRaincloud]

If money is so tight that you can't get a wheelchair to help you with your stamina, perhaps you could cut your trip shorter by a day or two in order to afford one? A two week vacation is not inexpensive, so I'm sure you'd have plenty to get the wheelchair just by sacrificing one day. Then the days you are there will be more enjoyable for you.

 

[rowan1813]

I saw that you have heat sensitivity issues and wondered if you had considered getting a UV sunbrella? That might make some difference for you. It will more than likely be warm and sunny during your trip and having a little shade over you might make quite a bit of difference, especially if you are in some of the queues in the sun (Small World comes to mind). Just my two cents; I hope it helps.

 

[nikkislaght]

Hey there.. leaving today from Sunny Disneyland to go back to dreary WA.. BOOHOOO.

Anyway,, I have mobility issues also and cant do long lines.. I have a cane with a seat (although I was instructed that I was NOT allowed to use the seat, but dammit sorry Disney,, it was sit down or leave and not give you my money for the day)

I requested and received a GAC and on it they stamped - allowed to use the wheelchair exit..

There were times when I did use it. mainly when stairs where involved..
Autotopia etc.. It did not give me front of line access, but it did cut the line wait down...

Some of the newer rides are wheelchair accessible so you will have to use the main line .. the older rides that have the narrower entries you will use it on those..

In California Adventure they built most of the ride wheelchair accessible so you wont even use it there..

My advise is ,, get there early as the lines are not so crazy at park opening.. we walked straight onto Pirates, got off and went straight back on.. then hit Fantasyland and walked straight onto most of those too.. by afternoon it was crazy so we hit Frontier land to get away from the crowds.. had some lunch and relaxed while the kids ran around to get rid of some energy..

We hit C/A about 5pm and got some fast passes.. did bugs life and then ate again.. by that time the sun was setting and people were moving towards World of Color ( which we did not do ) so a lot of rides open up and have shorter lines and at 9.pm when we were leaving the kids wanted to do Rapid River Run,, theY walked on and stayed on for 5 trips round.. it was cold and no one was riding it..

Take your time round the parks,, get there early... use a cane ( $20. from a Walgreens).. and have FUN..

 

[Malcon10t]

If money is so tight that you can't get a wheelchair to help you with your stamina, perhaps you could cut your trip shorter by a day or two in order to afford one? A two week vacation is not inexpensive, so I'm sure you'd have plenty to get the wheelchair just by sacrificing one day. Then the days you are there will be more enjoyable for you.

She is a 16yo, and her parents are the ones arranging this. Perhaps they could look at an off site rental to rent a wheelchair. It is usually quite a bit cheaper.

 

[Mickey527]

I have a GAC for WDW and it allows me to go right into the fastpass line for all the rides that have fastpass. For those rides that don't have a fastpass I can go into the exit to get onto the ride without waiting.
I brought my GAC to DL when I went with my son last year and picked up a GAC from DL.
They are not the same at all. In DL I went to the fastpass line, got a card with the time for me to come back and went away from the ride and came back when it was my time to ride. The time was usually 30 min to 1 hour from the time I spoke to the CM, not as long as if I had gotten a fastpass but not like at WDW.
when I got my GAC at DL the CM asked what my disabilities were and I told her I couldn't stand for a long time (I have no problems walking but with my neuropathy if I stand still my legs go numb and I fall.) I also can't tolerate sun mainly because of chemo residual issues. I was told to rent a wheelchair and use sunscreen and a hat. I was a bit shocked to be told this by a CM when I am a nurse and well aware of what I need and she doesn't but I also felt this was a pat answer they were told to say. I do have a cane that I lean on when I am standing for a long time and I own a wheelchair but I didn't bring it to DL and was not going to pay the ridiculous price to rent one.
I have never heard of a green light pass and have never seen anyone with one.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Just so you know, having a GAC and/or wheelchair, does allow you at most attractions at DL (not necessarily DCA) to use the exit for ride entry. However, it does not mean that your wait time will be eliminated. In some rides, i.e. Pirates, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain, quite a line can form for handicapped access and your wait can still be quite long. Especially later in the day.

 

[starshine514]

You've been to DL before, so I'm confused about why you're questioning the type of accommodations are available. I mean, you went to Disneyland last July, right? What type of GAC did you get then? I would expect the same type of accommodations you've gotten during your other non-MAW trips.

 

[Happy Dreams1]

This. We answered your question in your previous thread. You can get a regular GAC which will help you on your trip, but you are not going to get anything more than that. Your Make-A-Wish trip was a one-time event at WDW.

This might be the thread you are referring too.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2888634

HD1 - Since you do not plan to use a wheel chair to aid your stamina, it's good you'll be there a couple of weeks.
You can use google earth to map out the parks. Google earth gives a better idea of distances between attractions. As well as distance from parks to your hotel.
Once you are at the parks and know the GAC you'll be offered, take it one day at a time and enjoy the trip.

How much time did it actually take you to dig up that old thread? I know I posted a while ago, jeez.

I'm sorry if I'm "clogging up" the DIS.


Thank you for your responses.

 

[Malcon10t]

I have never heard of a green light pass and have never seen anyone with one.

The "Green light" stamp on the GAC is given to Make A Wish children to bypass the line during their trip.

 

[perlster]