Special Pass to not wait in lines?

[Mycutekitties]

I have been to Disneyland about 10 times in the past 4 years but have never needed this service.
I have a medical condition that causes me to faint when I am standing too long. Blood pools in my feet and down I go. I was diagnosed 2 years ago but have been ok but lately but I have been fainting again. The last few trips my family told me to get a Guest Assistance Pass but I was too embarassed to ask for one. I look totally healthy and I am in my 30's.
Do I need to bring anything from my Dr? What do I need? Is it embarrassing to ask for one? Will they deny them?
Can you guys tell me about them?

 

[MinnieVanMom]

It is the GAC Guest Assistance Card. We have them for both WDW and DL. I have read that DL is bit more demanding in obtaining the GAC because of all the fraud and abuse of the card.

We bring our previous GAC to the park and they can see what stamps are on the card. I also present our son so they can meet him. I have been told at DL it is required that the child be with you and present. Ok, try to get a 7 yr old with autism to wait in line and be good But we do our best.

State your condition, what accommodations you need to make the park the same experience for you that others have and they will try to do all they can to give you a pass that meets your needs.

I have brought a dr's note to DL just because of the abuse and I want to make sure they know. It is hard when the disability is not physically obvious. Don't be hesitant to ask for the GAC and use it if you need it.

 

[brenalexacamp]

you may not have a pass "not to wait in line"-what you can get is a wheelchair and use that entrance. It might look like some of us have a pass to cut-but we don't- it is a separate line you go to. As long as you are in the chair- they will let you use that entrance.

 

[Mycutekitties]

Thanks.
I don't need a wheelchair since I have no problems walking, it's standing that is bad! lol

 

[Disney Dreams]

You will want to go to City Hall. You will tell them that you cannot stand in line for extended periods of time without fainting, but if you are walking you are fine.

If they feel this warrants a GAC, you will be issued one.

You mentioned that you are fine walking. You actually walk (very slowly albeit) through the queues. Is this okay or considered standing from a medical perspective for you? (Not asking for an answer here, just trying to help you think through your needs.)

I think the reason the PP mentioned the wheelchair is that it would be an option to not have you standing in line.

You also want to know that sometimes with a GAC, you still have to wait - and it is generally waiting by standing in one place. A friend of ours has a GAC with the stamp on it that allows him (and his group) to bypass the line due to medical reasons. However, quite often we stand at the GAC loading spot for 15-20 minutes waiting board.. Standing in place, not moving at all. Just offering information.

- Dreams

 

[Mycutekitties]

Thanks for that info. I think even waiting with a pass would be a problem so I don't know what to do. I guess I could do what I usually do and hope it won't happen when I am there.
I have POTS and I don't get any warnings before I faint. It's embarrassing!

 

[Funball]

I have been to Disneyland about 10 times in the past 4 years but have never needed this service.
I have a medical condition that causes me to faint when I am standing too long. Blood pools in my feet and down I go. I was diagnosed 2 years ago but have been ok but lately but I have been fainting again. The last few trips my family told me to get a Guest Assistance Pass but I was too embarassed to ask for one. I look totally healthy and I am in my 30's.
Do I need to bring anything from my Dr? What do I need? Is it embarrassing to ask for one? Will they deny them?
Can you guys tell me about them?

oh honey you need the GAC< if your condition is that serious for long periods of wait time.. then to to customer service ask for the GAC-tell them a breif on your conditon and they will happly give you a GAC for a full week. you do not need a doctors note, just tell them your situation. don't be embarrased.... i am 30, i have stress anxiety, ADD and aspergers syndrome( high functioning autism) adn i get panic attacks and all sorts of stuff related to my disability and i was told i would be better off with one becuase of my disabitlies, and soo for the longest time i didn't get one, i just got one and i get it renewed every week and only use it when i need to and its a relief! so don't feel bad at all. and you don't wait more then 10 min max..soo i am sure this is what you need! and yes if you find spelling mistakes is cause that is part of my disabiltie--i cant spell and i don't know the difference between certain words!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Thanks for that info. I think even waiting with a pass would be a problem so I don't know what to do. I guess I could do what I usually do and hope it won't happen when I am there.
I have POTS and I don't get any warnings before I faint. It's embarrassing!

I'd go with a wheel chair or ECV so you can be sitting while you wait. Sorry about your POTS condition.

 

[Mycutekitties]

It's not that bad unless I have to stand in one spot. I don't even stand in church anymore. A few weeks ago I was in my daughters class volunteering and down I went in front of everyone. I'm only 35.
Thanks everyone.

 

[Funball]

It's not that bad unless I have to stand in one spot. I don't even stand in church anymore. A few weeks ago I was in my daughters class volunteering and down I went in front of everyone. I'm only 35.
Thanks everyone.

ohh don't feel bad, it's jus something that happens to you! you can't really help it, just like i can't help when i get stress attacks etc! but i agree also with the other poser, maybe one those motorized things will be better also!

 

[bumbershoot]

I definitely think that a chair with wheels (whether motorized or not) is going to be the answer. I think, from the knowledge I have gleaned from the Dis (you can also ask this question on the Disabilities forum here!), that the best answer is going to be the wheels. Because there's no way that you can be promised to have NO time waiting in a line, even if you go in a special entrance or area. So I feel the answer will be..."wait while sitting".

Don't feel embarrassed! My goodness, this sounds like a pain in the behind. I'm prone to fainting, usually when very sick, and it's NOT fun. If I knew I were going to do it without warning, I'd want to sit during times that it might happen (aka, while standing basically still in line).

Good luck and have fun on your trip!

 

[Eeee-va]

Don't feel embarrassed! I think a wheelchair sounds like the best idea too, but it sounds like that's not acceptable for you, and that's your choice--as long as you stay SAFE.

I wonder if your concern that you're afraid of what other people might think? I am sure that if your daughter had a condition like yours (God forbid), you would go to all lengths to help her have an enjoyable experience. You deserve to do the same for yourself.

I'm sorry if this sounds stupid, but if the problem is blood pooling in your feet, would it help you to, say, walk in place as you wait in line? This site says something along the lines of that support stockings and leg exercises might help people who faint because of blood pooling in the legs. (Also maybe salt, which may not be good for your health, but which is easy enough to find at Disneyland ).

(Personally, I think it might be a good idea to go to the doctor if at all possible to get a note (which I would guess isn't necessary, but you never know) and also to get clearance to go on all the rides. He/she just might have some other ideas to help you, too.)

Many (most? all?) of the queues in DCA are wheelchair accessible, so you shouldn't have many problems with using a chair in those lines, as I don't think it would help you "skip" lines, if that's what you're worried about. But in ANY line, you're a young person using a medical device. Don't feel bad!

 

[Disney Dreams]

It's not that bad unless I have to stand in one spot. I don't even stand in church anymore. A few weeks ago I was in my daughters class volunteering and down I went in front of everyone. I'm only 35.
Thanks everyone.

I would rent an ECV. Why not?

 

[toocherie]

I would like to dispel the misconception that people with GACs and mobility devices don't have to wait in lines. That is not true -- in some cases they wait LONGER than the rest of the public. Have you ever seen the disability line coming out of Pirates on a busy day? (from the exit). It can be an hour or more. Add to that that many rides have a limit on how many disabled people can be on the ride at one time (for example, on Haunted Mansion only two wheelchair users at a time if they actually can't walk into the attraction).

I will say that more often than not (in my experience) you will get on the Fantasyland dark rides faster--but that is a function of their age and that wheelchairs and scooters cannot go through the lines.

continuing the myth that the disabled get "faster" access exposes the disabled to the rancor of the public who think they are getting front of the line access, and encourages non-disabled people to rent a wheelchair for that purpose.

There are some rides--I'm thinking Toy Story--where if there is an anxiety or other similar issue (like the OPs) that they will give you a special pass to come back at a specified time rather than wait in line--but you don't get on immediately.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I also wanted to state again, this is not a pass to not wait. I would wait 100 days for a 100 hours to have a normal child and not have to use a GAC.

We often have to wait longer but in an area away from the crowds. The CM's sometimes forget we are waiting or they are busy. But having DS away from the crowds is worth it.

There is no front of the line pass, but the GAC helps make the parks available to those with issue.

 

[rmom]

"I also wanted to state again, this is not a pass to not wait. I would wait 100 days for a 100 hours to have a normal child and not have to use a GAC."

I agree! I would come close to selling my soul if it would make her normal. I'd love to be able to wait in the regular line with my younger daughter. Thankfully Disney has the GAC so we can visit.

OP - the only ones who get a front of line pass at Disney are the Make a Wish Kids. As others have stated, the rest of us with GAC get a seperate line. I'd get a wheel chair if I were you. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[jtown]

As others have said, nothing to be embarrassed about. And you won't get to just walk right on the rides so the card won't eliminate having to wait for the ride. At many rides, I've noticed a wheelchair tucked off to the side but I would definitely ask Disney if that is standard for GAC waiting areas. If you don't want to cruise around in a wheelchair or electric scooter (those scooters look mighty tempting after a full day or two), you should probably bring a light folding chair just in case. Something like the $20 "Folding Fish House Chair". That way you've always got something to sit on no matter where you are.

Although, now that I think about it, only "cane chairs" and "walker seats" are officially allowed. I don't know if they'd make an exception for a plain old chair. You could call Disney at 714-781-7290 and ask. The GAC might get you some leniency.

 

[SueM in MN]

As others have said, nothing to be embarrassed about. And you won't get to just walk right on the rides so the card won't eliminate having to wait for the ride. At many rides, I've noticed a wheelchair tucked off to the side but I would definitely ask Disney if that is standard for GAC waiting areas. If you don't want to cruise around in a wheelchair or electric scooter (those scooters look mighty tempting after a full day or two), you should probably bring a light folding chair just in case. Something like the $20 "Folding Fish House Chair". That way you've always got something to sit on no matter where you are.

Although, now that I think about it, only "cane chairs" and "walker seats" are officially allowed. I don't know if they'd make an exception for a plain old chair. You could call Disney at 714-781-7290 and ask. The GAC might get you some leniency.

They don’t allow chairs of any kind - although some people have used the “cane seats”.

Even if they did, it would not be practical - there would be no place to put the chair while you are riding and since many attractions have slowly moving lines, so you would just sit down and have to get up again.

There are attractions where even if there is not a long wait, you will still spend some time staining in one place. That would include any shows (because they group guests in a holding area for the next show while one show is going on), anything with a preshow (because the preshows are usually short, they are usually standing) and any attraction that boards a group of guests together at once (like Soarin’, which also has a preshow).
Some may have wheelchairs you could borrow, but unless you bring a seat, you would not be guaranteed one.

There is more information about GACs in post #6 of the disABILITIES BOard (there is a link to that board in my signature. The information about GACs was written about WDW specifically, but GACs work generally the same at DL as at WDW.