quick GAC question

[123LuckyMom]

Do the Disney hotels issue GACs (we're staying at the Poly), or is there a way to get the GAC on the day we arrive midday, which is a day for which we do not have a park ticket? From what I've read, I assume we have to wait to enter a park to get the GAC. I just hate to have to use those precious early morning minutes to wait for a GAC. Any advice?

 

[SueM in MN]

Do the Disney hotels issue GACs (we're staying at the Poly), or is there a way to get the GAC on the day we arrive midday, which is a day for which we do not have a park ticket? From what I've read, I assume we have to wait to enter a park to get the GAC. I just hate to have to use those precious early morning minutes to wait for a GAC. Any advice?

No. The hotels do not issue GACs.

You have to actually be at a theme park.
Each park has a Guest Relations inside AND outside of the park. You would have to get to the park and go through the bag check to get to Guest Relations.

There is more information about GACs, including the location of the outside the park Guest Relations, in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

 

[stitchlovestink]

No. The hotels do not issue GACs.

You have to actually be at a theme park.
Each park has a Guest Relations inside AND outside of the park. You would have to get to the park and go through the bag check to get to Guest Relations.

There is more information about GACs, including the location of the outside the park Guest Relations, in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

As Sue stated there is a Guest Relations window outside of each theme park. While not convenient, you could visit that window ahead of time if you really want to save your valuable park time the next day! In MY experience the CMs at the window outside of MK could not have been any nicer, more efficient, or helpful!!! The ones working at Hollywood Studios...ehhh, not so much... they tend to be grouchy and not so helpful IMO. And they have even messed my GAC up. If it were me and I was going to invest the time to do this, I would go to the MK window, but that is based on my experiences. Good Luck and hope you have a great trip!

 

[LisaBi]

I've never asked for a GAC at an outside window, but one time on our first or second trip, I did stop at the outside GR window at MK to make a complaint. I wasn't asking for anything, just wanted them to know. The complaint was related to ride accessibility and CMs not being helpful. Anyway, while I was talking with the GR CM, she was observing my then-husband and my sons behind me...namely the ex trying to keep the kids in check while they waited for me. We walked away with a GAC (they were actually called something else back then) much better suited to our needs than the one we had been issued the day before I side Epcot. Like I said, I didn't ask for anything. But she asked me if we had a GAC, I said yes, and she asked to see it. She proceeded to take it, go to the back, and come back with new GAC. It definitely helped the rest of the trip go much smoother.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I've never asked for a GAC at an outside window, but one time on our first or second trip, I did stop at the outside GR window at MK to make a complaint. I wasn't asking for anything, just wanted them to know. The complaint was related to ride accessibility and CMs not being helpful. Anyway, while I was talking with the GR CM, she was observing my then-husband and my sons behind me...namely the ex trying to keep the kids in check while they waited for me. We walked away with a GAC (they were actually called something else back then) much better suited to our needs than the one we had been issued the day before I side Epcot. Like I said, I didn't ask for anything. But she asked me if we had a GAC, I said yes, and she asked to see it. She proceeded to take it, go to the back, and come back with new GAC. It definitely helped the rest of the trip go much smoother.

Wow! Glad to hear of another positive experience there!
I'm telling you, the ones I have had there....THEY NEED TO CLONE THOSE CMs!! They were helpful, efficient, pleasant!! It was such a positive experience!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Whether you go to Guest Relations inside or outside the park, or which park you go to doesnt really matter. The Guest Relations staff rotate between locations (according to Guest Relations staff who are DIS posters).

There are people who have reported wonderful or not so wonderful staff at each park. If you end up with a wonderful one - great. If your needs ar not met, you can always go back later and explain what issues you are having and see if there is anything they can do to help.

Some people prefer not to go to the outside of the park Guest Relations windows because they are little windows with glass and a small speaking area to talk through. Some people don't like that arrangement and would rather go into the park where they can talk to someone face to face.

 

[123LuckyMom]

This is good news! Since it's just a brief monorail ride away from the Poly, I think I will go to the outside MK window on the day I arrive. If I'm looking for a GAC and a stroller as wheelchair sticker, I should be fine if only the baby and I go to the window with the stroller, right? If the monorail will let me keep the stroller open to make the trip, I should be able to do this by myself while everyone else settles into the hotel. If I have to fold the stroller, I'll just wait for another adult to be ready to come with me. Then I can get myself all set and be at the park at rope drop the next day ready to go! Thanks for the information!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

This is good news! Since it's just a brief monorail ride away from the Poly, I think I will go to the outside MK window on the day I arrive. If I'm looking for a GAC and a stroller as wheelchair sticker, I should be fine if only the baby and I go to the window with the stroller, right? If the monorail will let me keep the stroller open to make the trip, I should be able to do this by myself while everyone else settles into the hotel. If I have to fold the stroller, I'll just wait for another adult to be ready to come with me. Then I can get myself all set and be at the park at rope drop the next day ready to go! Thanks for the information!!!

Yes.
The person the GAC will be issued to/for need to be there and you would just wheel the stroller up to the window.

If you are going at a non-peak time, they will let you bring the stroller onto the monorail with the baby in it. If it is busy, they may ask you to fold it to make room. But, since you would not be on any time schedule for that trip to the outside of he park, you could talk o the CMs at the station and wait for the next monorail.

 

[jmartinez1895]

As Sue said, it does not matter when or where you get the GAC, the CMs ( in theory) are all trained the same and should all be able to assist you. I have found that GR outside of MK to be easy to get to and when we are getting the GAC without going to the parks this is the location that we use, but it is truly out of preference than any other reason.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Wow! Glad to hear of another positive experience there!
I'm telling you, the ones I have had there....THEY NEED TO CLONE THOSE CMs!! They were helpful, efficient, pleasant!! It was such a positive experience!!!

For the record, I have also had very positive experiences at GR inside MK as well...but was just sharing that MY best experiences were at the window outside MK. My DD was with me and even commented about well the CM treated me/us! There also was no line at the GR window outside the park when I went, but I'm sure that varies based on times/dates. I just usually find that there is almost always a significant line in GR inside the park....

 

[Betty Rohrer]

is the baby the one the GAC for? if not the child/ person will also need to be there.

 

[lanejudy]

is the baby the one the GAC for? if not the child/ person will also need to be there.

As per a prior thread, I believe the GAC is for the mom who has back problems and cannot carry the child, therefore needing to keep the child in the stroller in line.

OP, even though the GAC is for you and not the baby, you probably do need to have the baby with you to show your need. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[123LuckyMom]

Thank you all! Yes, the GAC is for me, because I cannot hold the baby in lines. I will bring myself, the baby, and the stroller to the window. I can't imagine they'll need to see anyone else to grant the GAC and the stroller as wheelchair. If someone out there thinks they might, please let me know!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

if GAC is for you and baby, you should be fine. even if you have to fold stroller for monorail as you see monorail approaching then fold then get on. but if that crowded you will probably have to stand even with the second adult.yes i have the bad back and knees so i know where yiou are coming from. where i see your problem possibily happening is on way back depending on how many are leaving when you are ready to leave. if a strom happens, you could be fine on your way over but have to fold way back. not sure if stroller as wheelchair tag will help you with monorail never done that but i think it is only for parks.

 

[joanchris]

We were at Disney Christmas week, rode the monorail several different times, and never saw anyone during that busy week, be asked to fold a stroller on the monorail, all just were able to push it on in. I think you'll be fine.

 

[disney david]

if GAC is for you and baby, you should be fine. even if you have to fold stroller for monorail as you see monorail approaching then fold then get on. but if that crowded you will probably have to stand even with the second adult.yes i have the bad back and knees so i know where yiou are coming from. where i see your problem possibily happening is on way back depending on how many are leaving when you are ready to leave. if a strom happens, you could be fine on your way over but have to fold way back. not sure if stroller as wheelchair tag will help you with monorail never done that but i think it is only for parks.

Gac are just for the parks they are not for any types of transportation with the monorail they will only ever ask if it busy and they are trying to get as many people as they can or if it the two middle cars which are the accessible cars if their a guest with a wheelchair or ECV waiting to board. Your be able to keep the kid in while your waiting and if they ask you to fold then you have to fold it at the door then enter and unfold as you exit.