Stroller as wheelchair at MK warning! Get the TAG + GAC

[ArielRae]

Hey everyone my family and I just got back from taking our 2yr old autistic son to WDW for the first time and wanted to warn everyone planning to use the Guest Assistantance Card for the the first time at the MK.

I did alot of research about the GAC and making our stroller his wheelchair before we left and new I had to stop buy the Guest Services desk of the first park we went to to get it. Well I planned for AK to be our first park so my son had a slower paced park to get used to the whole park going thing and I also figured it was a good park to get the GAC as it is a slower park and I was right about everything. We had no problem getting the card (short wait) and DS did enjoy the slower pace of AK for our first day.

Now we had no problem using the card at that park and Hollywood Studios the next day. Just showed the card and we walked into attractions and characters lines with the stroller. Now the problem was MK. I didn't want to waste anytime getting our GAC here as I knew there was so much we wanted to get done that is why I decided to get it at AK. So that morning we just made seeing the morning show and when they opened the gates I planned on going straight to get pictures with Mickey so we headed straight there. We get to the door, I show the CM our GAC and he says that we need a tag on our stroller says it is a wheelchair that we need to get it from Guest services. I told him I didn't know that since nothing was told to me when I got the card. He told me ok just go and get it after we meet Mickey. So ok thanks! On we went. We then meet another CM and apparently a supervisor. They tell us we need the tag and we tell them what the pervious CM said the the supervisors like NO you need the tag. I just look at him and after a good amount of time passes he says FINE GO with attitude. Come on I am thinking the park just opened I came right here maybe 10th in line. I believe the first CM was right in letting us go but informing us to go to get the tag right after which we did. It just put a very bad taste in my mouth to start our MK day with such an interaction. I did what I was supposed to do getting my GAC for length of trip. It dose not say anywhere on the card that the Magic Kingdom you'll need to get an additional tag.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I believe that is only if you NEED to take a stroller in. If you had carried him, they would not have asked. It happened years ago to us. She said we could t take the stroller without an additional card or something, basically if he couldn't walk. We just parked the stroller and carried him, still using the GAC. That's why they ask what you need when you go to guest services. If you needed him to stay in a stroller in line, you would have had to tell them that, and they would have given you the extra card.

 

[seashoreCM]

Did your Animal Kingdom guest assistance card have a stamp or icon for "stroller as a wheelchair"? I.e. do they handle "stroller as wheelchair" at AK without a tie on tag?

 

[Kellykins1218]

We've always gotten a stroller as a wheelchair tag when we've gotten our GAC but we also explained to them why it was what we needed. I'm confused. Was using the stroller one of the needs you communicated to GS when you went to get the GAC and they just forgot to give you the sticker?

 

[Kellykins1218]

Did your Animal Kingdom guest assistance card have a stamp or icon for "stroller as a wheelchair"? I.e. do they handle "stroller as wheelchair" at AK without a tie on tag?

No, we've gotten our sticker at AK.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I thought is was against the 'rules' to post 'actual' stamps on these forums. Another poster got 'reprimanded' for doing this recently...

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry about the issues you had.

If the only need is to use the stroller in line, people have sometimes posted that they only got the sticker for the stroller, which says it is being used as a wheelchair. It is very noticeable since it kind of looks like an airline baggage tag, but bright red with a wheelchair logo. AK should have given you that tag or both when they gave you the GAC for your child.

My guess is that it didn't make much difference at AK or the Studio because in my observations, there are less small children who look like they could be carried in lines there. So, once you got past the CM who looked at your GAC, the CMs further in would know it had been OK'd to be there. Both parks also have some lines where all guests can bring strollers to a certain point.
The general population of guests in those parks is also older, so less toddlers in strollers in general and most guests in line would assume there was a reason that your child's stroller was in line (or would assume all lines are stroller friendly).

MK is another situation entirely. There are lots of toddlers with strollers. whether they don't know that strollers are not usually allowed in lines or are trying to sneak one in, there are a lot of people trying to bring strollers in line at MK attractions.
The second CM was correct to look at what your GAC said, but would have been nice just to handle it the same as the first CM.
My guess is he saw stroller + child small enough to carry = every guest behind you with a stroller complaining when they saw your stroller in line and arguing they should be allowed to bring theirs in too.
Even with the sticker, posters have reported being yelled at by other guests in line who complained because they saw the stroller in line.

So, the 'cautionary message' here is to make sure Guest Relations also gives the sticker for the stroller, not just the GAC notation.

I am going to edit the title of this thread to reflect that it is about GAS for strollers as wheelchair and check the disABILITIES FAQs thread to make sure it is clear about needing the sticker.

Even if GAC cards go away and they move to putting the GAC information on an RFID card (this is a RUMOR), my guess is that they would probably continue to use the sticker on strollers being used as wheelchairs because the sticker is clearer to both CMs and other guests.

 

[SueM in MN]

I thought is was against the 'rules' to post 'actual' stamps on these forums. Another poster got 'reprimanded' for doing this recently...

Posters have been referred to post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which has a section on using a stroller as wheelchair. The stroller as wheelchair accommodation does not change from attraction to attraction or with time of going to an attraction.
Because all lines are wheelchair accessible to the point of boarding, guests using a wheelchair in line do not need a GAC or any special sticker. Because strollers being used as wheelchairs 'blend in ' with the other strollers, a special sticker is needed.

Posters are asked to not post things/names of stamps outside of what is in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, so the OP or others in this thread did not post anything that is not in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
An explanation is also given to people who post stamp names regarding why people are asked not to post specific names of stamps or exactly what accommodations were given.


The poster in question who was recently 'reprimanded' (to use your word) posted a stamp which is not mentioned in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread and that poster had already been asked not to post the name of the stamp.

Here is the 'why'

WDW can and does change the a guest Assistance Card from time to time. Sometimes it is what it or a specific stamp is called or looks like. Sometimes it is how it works.
And, things you may not be able to see can change how guests are handled.
This can include things like staffing at an attraction, how busy the park and that attraction are, time of day and time of year and how many other guests with special needs are waiting,
How a particular GAC is handled may not even be the same on the same attraction on the same day (even for the same guest).
This is why we ask people not to post the names or descriptions of stamps or exactly what accommodation they were given.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Posters have been referred to post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which has a section on using a stroller as wheelchair. The stroller as wheelchair accommodation does not change from attraction to attraction or with time of going to an attraction.
Because all lines are wheelchair accessible to the point of boarding, guests using a wheelchair in line do not need a GAC or any special sticker. Because strollers being used as wheelchairs 'blend in ' with the other strollers, a special sticker is needed.

Posters are asked to not post things/names of stamps outside of what is in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, so the OP or others in this thread did not post anything that is not in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
An explanation is also given to people who post stamp names regarding why people are asked not to post specific names of stamps or exactly what accommodations were given.


The poster in question who was recently 'reprimanded' (to use your word) posted a stamp which is not mentioned in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread and that poster had already been asked not to post the name of the stamp.

Here is the 'why'

WDW can and does change the a guest Assistance Card from time to time. Sometimes it is what it or a specific stamp is called or looks like. Sometimes it is how it works.
And, things you may not be able to see can change how guests are handled.
This can include things like staffing at an attraction, how busy the park and that attraction are, time of day and time of year and how many other guests with special needs are waiting,
How a particular GAC is handled may not even be the same on the same attraction on the same day (even for the same guest).
This is why we ask people not to post the names or descriptions of stamps or exactly what accommodation they were given.

I see what you are saying... as I found as a solo traveler I did experience that they didn't always handle 'me' the same way each time...almost but twice I was handled slightly different.
HOWEVER, I have all of my GAC's dated back to 2006 and the stamp 'name' is the same on each on of them. So as far as them changing the names of stamps, I 'guess' that could happen, but I haven't seen it. And I'm thinking that ONE of my stamps is the controversial or taboo stamp that is not to be discussed here on these boards. But it is easy enough to find out about if a person is smart enough to know how to use google on their computer.

 

[ArielRae]

OP here,

I went to Guest Servicess at AK. Told them I had an austistic son and needed to use his stroller as a wheelchair. That was the only thing we asked for. He said ok no problem left and came back with the card stamped with the appropriate stamp and then sent us on our way. He didn't ask us any questions on why or how we would need it and gave no additional info. So it came as a big surprise when we got to MK and was treated like we where trying to get by with something when I clearly had my GAC out on top of the stroller and pointed it out to the CMs as I walked thru the line. Wished somewhere on the card it gave more info about needing the sticker. Didn't even notice anything in the Disabilities park maps we grabbed.

So overall it sounds like we just got a terrible CM at AK that didn't fully do his job. So in affected our experience. At least I know for next trip to get the sticker and able to make sure others are aware of this for their trip for which we didn't.

 

[KPeveler]

I see what you are saying... as I found as a solo traveler I did experience that they didn't always handle 'me' the same way each time...almost but twice I was handled slightly different.
HOWEVER, I have all of my GAC's dated back to 2006 and the stamp 'name' is the same on each on of them. So as far as them changing the names of stamps, I 'guess' that could happen, but I haven't seen it. And I'm thinking that ONE of my stamps is the controversial or taboo stamp that is not to be discussed here on these boards. But it is easy enough to find out about if a person is smart enough to know how to use google on their computer.

Whether or not you can work to find the stamp name elsewhere is irrelevant. On this board, we do whatever we can to prevent abuse. If people know the names of the stamps, it is easier for people who do not really need the GAC to abuse the system. There is no conspiracy to keep "controversial" or "taboo" stamps from anyone. The advice we give should be more than sufficient for a guest to go to GR, explain their needs, which is what we suggest, and tell the CMs their concerns with accessing the theme park (which is also what we suggest.)

I promise you, there is no great secret, just a simple request to keep the names of stamps off the boards, so that a) we can help prevent abuse on this board, and b) so we do not become one of those Google sites you mentioned.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

My son's stroller has been tagged as a wheelchair on our last 3 trips, and I've always been given both the GAC card, and the bright red sticker to attach to the stroller's handlebar. The CMs seem to look for the sticker, I was only asked once on two trips to show the card as well.

 

[jmartinez1895]

I was told by a CM that you need the card and the sticker. The reason being that the CM letting people into the line is supposed to check the card to make sure that you do in fact have one and that they accommodate you as you need. Once in the line the other CMs need to be able to see the sticker to make sure that you need the stroller. If they do not see the sticker then they assume that you are not to have it inside. Also on a side note, on one trip we had rent strollers from the parks and on our second day I showed the CM my GAC and asked for a new sticker. He then gave me 6 more stickers, one with each date of the rest of my stay on it so that we would not have to keep coming back. I don't know if they still would do this, but it is something to at least ask about if you are renting a stroller.

 

[ttintagel]

Sounds like maybe the original CM at AK didn't completely understand your needs.

 

[ArielRae]

So what is the purpose of just giving me the card with the stroller as a wheelchair stamp and not giving me the stroller tag. What dose the card only supposed to get you if not to take it thru the lines like a wheelchair? Which as I understand the stroller tag is supposed to do too? It is all just confusing to me. All I know is now to make sure the CM gives me the stroller tag too so there are no questions.

Someone please explain.

Using the GAC ONLY marking the stroller as wheelchair gets you?

BUT

Using the GAC WITH the stroller tag marking the stroller as a wheelchair gets you?

 

[Joanna71985]

I used to work in attractions, and to bring a stroller in the building it would have to have the red tag. Unfortunately the CM at AK was probably confused. I'm sorry you had a bad experience

 

[chloelovesdisney]

So what is the purpose of just giving me the card with the stroller as a wheelchair stamp and not giving me the stroller tag. What dose the card only supposed to get you if not to take it thru the lines like a wheelchair? Which as I understand the stroller tag is supposed to do too? It is all just confusing to me. All I know is now to make sure the CM gives me the stroller tag too so there are no questions.

Someone please explain.

Using the GAC ONLY marking the stroller as wheelchair gets you?

BUT

Using the GAC WITH the stroller tag marking the stroller as a wheelchair gets you?

It's been my understanding that I needed both, but 99% of the time the CMs were fine just seeing the sticker. Only a couple of times was I asked to show the card as well, not sure if they were looking for dates, party size, etc..

 

[SueM in MN]

I used to work in attractions, and to bring a stroller in the building it would have to have the red tag. Unfortunately the CM at AK was probably confused. I'm sorry you had a bad experience

I agree that the CM was probably confused.

As I mentioned earlier, at AK and the Studio, the CMs at attractions probably did not realize that that they should have seen both the GAC and the sticker because they don't see as many strollers being used as wheelchairs.

It's been my understanding that I needed both, but 99% of the time the CMs were fine just seeing the sticker. Only a couple of times was I asked to show the card as well, not sure if they were looking for dates, party size, etc..

The date is also on the sticker, but the GAC would have party size, plus whatever other needs there were. They all should have looked when you entered the line, but may not have if your party size was a total of 6 or less.

That is why they need both the sticker and the GAC.

 

[lanejudy]

...I did alot of research about the GAC and making our stroller his wheelchair before we left and new I had to stop buy the Guest Services desk of the first park we went to to get it. ...
Now we had no problem using the card at that park and Hollywood Studios the next day. Just showed the card and we walked into attractions and characters lines with the stroller.
...So that morning we just made seeing the morning show and when they opened the gates I planned on going straight to get pictures with Mickey so we headed straight there.

I agree with others that the CM at AK made a mistake in not giving you the red stroller tag along with the GAC; we've always received both.

However, part of the issue may be that you were trying to use a GAC at a character meet. While some CMs will allow them, GACs are technically not accepted at character meets. Last time we went that was stated clearly on the GAC. That said, a stroller should be allowed as wheelchair regardless, but that is why you also need the red tag making it clear as the CMs at a character meet may refuse to look at a GAC card.

I'm sorry your family had a bad interaction - I hope the rest of your trip was great!

 

[Jessicalynne]

That is frustrating... Hopefully this helps other people planning on wdw with a disability know what they need to do. Thanks for the heads up!