Should I get a GAC?

[ThePhantomsGirl]

First, please let me start off with saying that I do NOT expect a GAC to shorten my wait times.

Part of my problem having been hale and hearty most of my life is somehow I feel funny about asking for help.

I use a rollator. Some of my issues are mobility, but the larger problem for me is balance. I had brain surgery six months ago. (they did find a brain in there so that was good ) Certain building types and crowds exacerbate my balance issues, but that is what the rollator helps with. I've also lost a lot of hearing and the same conditions make it worse. I can deal with all of this, after all many people have issues far worse.

There are many attractions I wouldn't do as I know they'd be too much. However, some of my favorites - such as Haunted Mansion and Spaceship Earth - although milder - have loading issues. I don't think I'd be able to do that moving walkway. Are there other options? Anything with stairs would be a problem.

I am learning ASL (sign language) as it may become totally necessary in the future. Would a GAC help me be able to sit in sections where there are interpreters when it's available?

The monorail and the buses also worry me. With the sensory conditions I'd not be in shape to be able to fold up the rollator and walk up stairs, and I'd have to be able to sit down.

I am so excited about being able to go to WDW again! it's been two years or so since I've gone due to surgeries and stuff. I live reasonably local so I'm going to get an AP again. I'll just avoid going really crowded times. Although I am going next week as my grandkids will be here. I'll just plan on not going on attractions as it'll be over-the-top busy and I'll only do one park.

For the rest of the year though - it would be nice to be able to do a few things.

 

[SueM in MN]

First, please let me start off with saying that I do NOT expect a GAC to shorten my wait times.

Part of my problem having been hale and hearty most of my life is somehow I feel funny about asking for help.

I use a rollator. Some of my issues are mobility, but the larger problem for me is balance. I had brain surgery six months ago. (they did find a brain in there so that was good ) Certain building types and crowds exacerbate my balance issues, but that is what the rollator helps with. I've also lost a lot of hearing and the same conditions make it worse. I can deal with all of this, after all many people have issues far worse.

There are many attractions I wouldn't do as I know they'd be too much. However, some of my favorites - such as Haunted Mansion and Spaceship Earth - although milder - have loading issues. I don't think I'd be able to do that moving walkway. Are there other options? Anything with stairs would be a problem.

Congratulations on being well enough to plan a WDW trip.

With the rollator, you would be handled the same as if you were using a wheelchair. Most attractions have wheelchair accessible lines and with a wheelchair or rollator, you would be using the accessible boarding areas, which avoid stairs and let you board in an area where moving walkways can be stopped or slowed (except for Peter Pan and Tomorrowland Transit Authority, where the moving walkway can’t be stopped or slowed except emergency).

In post #11 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is accessibility information about the WDW parks. This includes the “Mobility Entrances” listed in the special maps for guests with disabilities. The maps are available at the entrances of all the parks with the other park maps (except MK for some reason). These “Mobility Entances” are the designated entrances for people with wheelchairs or other mobility equipment and you don’t need a GAC to use those. Occassionally, a cast member may not understand this and will ask for a GAC, even though the guest has a very visible device like a rollator or wheelchair. When this happens, showing the CM the map is usually enough to take care of the problem - if that doesn’t work, don’t hesitate to ask for a manager/supervisor. Correcting it then and there will help you and other guests.
In most cases, they will slow moving walkways for guests with mobility or other special needs because they assume you may need more time. If that is still too fast or you need a total stop, you will need to make your needs known at the time. GACs give general information, not specific things like “I need a moving walkway stopped” - those things are up to you to communicate at each attraction.

I am learning ASL (sign language) as it may become totally necessary in the future. Would a GAC help me be able to sit in sections where there are interpreters when it's available?

There is one frequent poster who uses both ASL and a wheelchair who will probably post with more information. The basic information would be that there are limited numbers (sometimes one or 2) spots where someone can both use a mobility device and be in position for the ASL interpreters. I don’t believe a GAC would help with that, but the frequent poster will be able to give a better idea of whether it would be helpful or not. My guess is that you would tell the greeter CM that you need both and he/she would seat you in the appropriate area.
There is more information about services for guests with Hearing Impairment in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Check near the top of post 3 and also scroll down to the “Conditions or Concerns”. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature to get there.

The monorail and the buses also worry me. With the sensory conditions I'd not be in shape to be able to fold up the rollator and walk up stairs, and I'd have to be able to sit down.

The monorail will not be a problem - there is a specific boarding car for guests with disabilities. The greeting CM should direct you there or look for the wheelchair symbol. They have a ramp that can be put out if you need it and you will not need to fold your rollator on the monorail. You can even sit in it on the monorail if you want. Post 8 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has info about monorails, including some pictures.

For the buses, you will be loaded thru the back door with the ramp or lift the same as if you were using a wheelchair. On a lift, it is important for safety to face the outside (so your back will be to the bus). Once on, you can transfer to a bus seat and then fold your rollator. There is more information about buses in post #4 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

I am so excited about being able to go to WDW again! it's been two years or so since I've gone due to surgeries and stuff. I live reasonably local so I'm going to get an AP again. I'll just avoid going really crowded times. Although I am going next week as my grandkids will be here. I'll just plan on not going on attractions as it'll be over-the-top busy and I'll only do one park.

For the rest of the year though - it would be nice to be able to do a few things.

You may want to check into one of the tour planning websites, like TourGuide Mike to find which park and which areas will be most busy. We just got back from WDW on Friday (4/15). Even though it was very busy, by knowing where NOT to be, we avoided the busiest parks and found short waits - 10-15 minutes for many things like the Fantasyland rides, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain and Big THunder Railroad (just a few of the shorter waits - but we did much better at all parks than we expected).