So, my MIL will need a GAC, right?

[disney-super-mom]

I'm a little confused about this, so here's my MIL's situation.

She's 66 years old and has terrible arthritis in her knees, so a lot of walking is out of the question.

She'll be getting an ECV each day at one of the parks (or a wheelchair if all the ECVs are gone, but hopefully that won't happen).

She'll only be using the ECV to get around the parks, but she plans to stand in the lines.

However, I'm worried about her on the continuously loading attractions (like Haunted Mansion, TTA, Peter Pan, Nemo, etc). I don't think she could get on/off the ride without them slowing down or stopping the ride for her.

So she would need a GAC for this, right?

And what exactly is a GAC? Is it a card? Can it fit in a lanyard with a KTTW card?

 

[merryweather20]

Don't let her park her ECV. The lines can be deceptively long, and even if you've visited the same attraction already, the configuration of the line can change and make for a much different wait. The lines can also have a dramatic change in elevation.

The other problem is the resorts themselves are huge (not sure if you're staying on-site)! Renting off-site will allow MIL to explore your hotel, or go shopping etc. not to mention getting back to the room after a long day at the parks. Other Dis'ers have reported that off-site ECV's are easier to drive.

Since you will probably still park you're ECV sometimes, the GAC will help you out with additional boarding time at certain attractions like Hanted Mansion. It won't help you at Peter Pan, I guess because of the way the ride is configured (someone else will have better info).

Make sure you take MIL with you to pick up the GAC.

Have a great trip

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. I would suggest starting by reading Post #6 which deals with the GAC and Post #2 which deals with renting wheelchairs and ECVs.

Or, if you want an easier route, click on the link in my signature.

A few things to consider right away. For any mobility and/or stamina situation the official recommendation is to rent a wheelchair or ECV.

Second is that lines can be very deceptive as to length; she would be much better off taking the chair or ECV all the way to the boarding area. If she wants to walk around she can park outside a store and walk in the store while shopping (or even just looking) as it is something that can be controlled.

 

[Mrsjvb]

as some one with severe arthritis( although I am only 40).. she will NOT want to stand in lines. she will want the ecv/wheelchair option. every ride I was asked as I got to the loading area if I could transfer or if I needed additional help. I didn't get a GAC.

Plus a lot of lines come with stairs in the main line and if she's anything like me.. narrow, steep steps in the dark aren't my idea of a lot of fun, especially when you have to navigate around stragglers, pushy types and kids.

Honestly for me the worst part is the lines. I need a chair.

 

[sherreis]

If you're considering spending a lot of time at the parks with her I highly recommend renting an ECV from an offsite company. It'll save you money and this way you're always sure that she'll have one. DH said he was quoted about $180-$200 for 6 days for our trip next month.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Thanks for all the great advice everyone.

Unfortunately she won't rent from an offsite company because she doesn't want to get an ECV on and off a bus, and she doesn't want it taking up space in her room. (I tried to talk her into it, and even told her how much money she would save, but she is a STUBBORN MIL! What's a daughter-in-law to do? )

She might consider taking the ECV or wheelchair into line if she doesn't miss any of the queue or preshows. If she has to use a seperate entrance which would make her miss out on something, she won't want to do that. The one ride I can think of where she'll need to stand in line and walk though the queue to the preshow is the Haunted Mansion (she won't want to miss the "stretching room"). Of course that's also one of the continuous loading rides that will need to be slowed down for her to enter/exit.

Is there any other rides/attractions that she'll want to stand/walk through instead of riding in an ECV?

 

[sherreis]

DH didn't feel like he missed any of the queue's with using the ECV.

You might want to take some of the phone numbers of ECV companies with you just in case. When we were at MK 2 yrs ago we ran into a woman who had wanted to rent an ECV and none was available and her family was pushing her in a wheelchair which was getting old quickly. She asked about DH's ECV and she used her cell phone to call the company and they brought her an ECV to MK within the hour.

 

[ireland_nicole]

As far as the HM goes, in your ECV you will be pulled out of the mainstream line and park your ECV at the exit then walk through a hallway, BUT: you will get into the stretching room from that hallway, so you are not actually missing anything, just not having to walk as far; the one time that I can think of where the queue is totally different is SSE in Epcot. But, there's not a particularly interesting queue anyway. You load through the exit, and have benches to sit on until your time comes up. In both of these instances as well as other times the ECV loads through a different entrance, your party (I believe up to 6 people) can ride with you, so you don't need to be seperated. I second the need to have her seriously do some research and consider renting from an outside company. The other benefit is that most of them are smaller, lighter, easier to maneuver- and they go faster; the WDW ones are stuck on "turtle" speed

 

[disney-super-mom]

DH didn't feel like he missed any of the queue's with using the ECV.

You might want to take some of the phone numbers of ECV companies with you just in case. When we were at MK 2 yrs ago we ran into a woman who had wanted to rent an ECV and none was available and her family was pushing her in a wheelchair which was getting old quickly. She asked about DH's ECV and she used her cell phone to call the company and they brought her an ECV to MK within the hour.

This is a really good idea. Thanks for this advice. I will definitely do this because my MIL might change her mind once we get there if no ECVs are available, or if she gets tired of waiting in the rental line everyday.

As far as the HM goes, in your ECV you will be pulled out of the mainstream line and park your ECV at the exit then walk through a hallway, BUT: you will get into the stretching room from that hallway, so you are not actually missing anything, just not having to walk as far; the one time that I can think of where the queue is totally different is SSE in Epcot. But, there's not a particularly interesting queue anyway. You load through the exit, and have benches to sit on until your time comes up. In both of these instances as well as other times the ECV loads through a different entrance, your party (I believe up to 6 people) can ride with you, so you don't need to be seperated. I second the need to have her seriously do some research and consider renting from an outside company. The other benefit is that most of them are smaller, lighter, easier to maneuver- and they go faster; the WDW ones are stuck on "turtle" speed

This info is good to know. Thanks so much. She'll be VERY HAPPY to hear that she won't miss out on anything if she wants to stay on her ECV in the attraction lines.

 

[bzzymom]

My mom uses an ecv at WDW, and she won't rent from off-site either. Mom has never had a gac. She asks the cm's what she should do when she gets to an attraction, and they direct her. It has worked out very nice for her.

I will tell you that you need to get to MK fairly early in the day if you want an ecv. On our last trip with mom, we made ressies for a character breakfast buffet at MK before the park opened, and she was able to get the ecv with absolutely no hassle.