Spec. Needs Stroller and GAC

[teachallday]

In another thread one of the moderators (SueM in MN) said:

If you are using one of the larger special needs strollers for your DD, you should not need a GAC or stamp that says the stroller can be used as a wheelchair. Those are more to help the CMs identify the 'regular' strollers or smaller strollers that can be easily confused with a 'regular' stroller.

I know that Disney says that you don't need a GAC just because you have a wheelchair. If you have a stroller you can get a Stoller as Wheelchair stamp on the GAC and sticker for the stroller to use it as a wheelchair.

Now the statement from SueM in MN, would indicate that if you have Special Needs Stroller you shouldn't need the GAC stamp. Now I am looking at renting one from Orlando Stroller Rental during my trip. Would a stroller like this (http://www.orlandostrollerrentals.com/baby-jogger-libery-push-chair.html) be enough different to immediately be identifiable by Cast Members as a Wheelchair type device?

Okay group, what are your experiences? If you have a Special Needs Stroller do you need the GAC to state Stroller as Wheelchair?

 

[SueM in MN]

The reason I said you may not need a GAC to use one of the larger special needs strollers as a wheelchair is that they are much bigger than a regular stroller. That is especially true with the Maclaren Major Special Needs strollers. They look like giant umbrella strollers and are generally different enough. Especially when the child riding in the stroller is over the age/size of child that is more commonly using a stroller. People in the past with those older children in those special needs strollers have often said the CM didn't look to see if they had a GAC or sticker.
CMs have posted in the past that they could easily recognize those strollers too.

The people who specifically have posted having problems with their special needs strollers not being identified had smaller children in the 5 and under age group. Things that make it hard to tell are that many kids that age would often be in a stroller and the special needs stroller manufacturers have designed their strollers to blend in and 'regular' strollers gave gotten bigger and more expensive.

I've read a couple of threads just in the past few days on different boards where people have 'discovered' the special needs strollers for rent and are thinking of renting them for their older child (age 6-8). These are people who posted that their child did not have a disability.
That was not something I had thought of before and may change the need for a stroller as wheelchair card or sticker. *

*those of us who have to push an older child around can see how difficult it can be and can't always quite understand why anyone would choose to do it.

 

[GrumpyMom25]

On our last trip to Disney our son was 9 years old but not much bigger then our 5 year old. He rode the entire trip in a Convaid Special Needs Stroller. We did stop and pick up at GAC at Guest Services on our way into the parks on our first day. It only takes a couple of minutes and was well worth it. We did have to show the card quite a few times. Some of the cast members just aren't familiar with special needs strollers. We did have someone training a group of new cast members point to Charlie's stroller on our way into one of the attractions and tell them what it was.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We actually use to have the UK equivelant of a Maclaren Major for our autistic son.
Have used this purely around the parks on past holidays because he cannot walk long distances, we have always had a GAC, though use it only when we have to.
There has never been any official stickers on the stroller, though we always have a disabled badge showing.
We now have a children's wheelchair.

I completely agree with Lynn.
From our experience and comments made by CMs in the past, I don't think some of them recognise the difference between a special needs stroller or a child using a stroller who has no disabilities. The fact that it is larger than a standard stroller doesn't make much difference.
I suppose technically speaking Joshua can walk, so it's a grey area really - our opinion as parents is that he cannot walk the miles & miles around the WDW and Universal theme parks.

One CM actually said to us "that child is too big for that stroller" when we just walking in one of the stores at Magic Kingdom, which was kind of prompted by the fact our son was asleep at the time.
I cannot post in this forum what my response was .

 

[mechurchlady]

I think the best thing to do is check in with guest services. They might offer the stroller as wheelchair tag. Tell them the kid's limitations if any and check with them. Parks have been to change rules and procedures on a whim.

JohnnySharp2
How come I am thinking of a Johnny Paycheck song right now?

I would have said yes he is too big for the stroller but he is too small for a wheelchair. Lay some guilt on them. If you really want to to psyche them out then say "Yes but he won't live long enough to get his own wheelchair." and yes I am mean and yes I know that was a lie but they would not know.

Big hugs and chocolates everyone.

 

[stampin_fool]

We were just there a couple of weeks ago and rented from Orlando Stroller Rental and we did get the GAC and the tag for the stroller. At every ride they asked to see the GAC even with the special needs stroller. Some of them commented on what a heavy duty stroller it was but none of them seemed to realize it was a special needs stroller. Maybe because while we were there is was during the college program transition and there were lots of new CM's working/being trained.

Hope this helps.

Ronda

 

[JohnnySharp2]

JohnnySharp2
How come I am thinking of a Johnny Paycheck song right now?

Hi,

I don't know - who is Johnny Paycheck?

(edited, just put his name on Google, ex Country and Western singer)....sorry never heard of him.

 

[mechurchlady]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knetbVx5A-Q
I forgot you were in England, lol.
Substitute stroller for the job lol. I got some lyrics to that lol that you could use.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knetbVx5A-Q
I forgot you were in England, lol.
Substitute stroller for the job lol. I got some lyrics to that lol that you could use.

Thanks.

 

[disneyobessed]

My son has convaid stroller and is a larger one.. he is a 55 lb 9 year so its obvious he isnt a toddler... We always get a GAC Card and are usually asked to see it. At Epcot in 06 at the Figment ride... the worker wasnt going to let us take the stroller on as a wheelchair b/c it wasnt marked on the card as wheelchair... I pretty much told him in the past 4x we have been to Disney World he was the only person to ever question whether or not it was being used as a wheelchair... After that i always get it marked as wheelchair... just so you dont run into problems that are just irritating.

 

[Mike Bartenhagen]

I am suprised at how many of you commented that you were asked on many occasions to see your GAC. We have taken our son to WDW three times with his Convaid chair. We have always gotten a GAC because it only took a few minutes and we would have it if we needed it but I can only remeber being asked to see it once or twice in 20 trips to the park. Maybe it is because we usually travel in October when the crowds are light.

Mike

 

[disneyobessed]

we are asked quite often.. and we only have 4 in our party... you see some with many more in their parties that are asked..more often. at least that is what I notice..

 

[SueM in MN]

We have been to WDW many times and have seen people with special needs strollers many times without the person showing a GAC or sticker saying the stroller can be used as a wheelchair (disclaimer: this applies only to larger children - I would say 8 and up, not smaller children). That was what I was basing my 'you don't need one' advice on.

So, I guess the consensus opinion of people who have posted is that while you should not need one, you may be asked for it, so it will probably save time to get one.
I will edit my advice on the other thread to reflect that.

 

[Napria]

*those of us who have to push an older child around can see how difficult it can be and can't always quite understand why anyone would choose to do it.

Amen to THAT!

My son is 120 lbs. and it's a workout by the end of a few hours! Kind of makes it all right to head back for a rest (but then DS never wants to go back to the park!)

Hey, why can't we buy half day tickets? That would work best for us!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hey, why can't we buy half day tickets? That would work best for us!

There are partial day tickets available to conventioneers. However, an "After 2:00" ticket is $53 plus tax and an "After 4:00" is $40 plus tax. And these are single day tickets.

Once you have reached a four day ticket (adult or child) each additional day is only $3.20 (including tax); so look at the daily cost per ticket. If you have a seven day ticket it is only $32.67 per day (adult) or $27.67 (child).

And, don't forget, you can go in the morning, leave around 1:00 (after being in the park 4 hours) and come back several hours later for a few more hours in the park.

 

[teachallday]

So, I guess the consensus opinion of people who have posted is that while you should not need one, you may be asked for it, so it will probably save time to get one.
I will edit my advice on the other thread to reflect that.

The day is not worth living unless you learn something new

I also love groups like this. You can throw a single question or thought out and get a group view on it - You have to love having the "experts" available to you with just a few taps at the keys.