What is a GAC used for?

annie1995

<font color=FF0066>I have not used mine outside th
Joined
Aug 4, 2005
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Hello everyone! Can anyone tell me what a GAC does for you and what qualifies a person to have one? My DS had emergency surgery to remove his ruptured apendix on Monday. I am a little concerned that he will have some issues keeping up for our upcoming trip this August. Thanks so much!!!
 
Hi,

I had mine removed at age 14 and recovered pretty quickly. I have underlying metabolic disease but still recovered pretty quickly. I am old enough that they had to do the surgery open (vs endoscopically) and had a severe UTI at the time of the surgery. Your son should recover quickly unless he's got a severe infection.
 
Like Laura said; unless there is a complication (and even then it wont be a given), your son should be fine by august. Kids heal quickly and tend to run around like nothing has happened within days.

Have you read any of the info in the disABILITIES-stickies? I doubt it (since it would give you your answer ;) ); so here it goes;

GAC stands for Guest Assistance Card. It's nothing more or less than a card stating an individuals needs while at WDW, so each CM can take note of the needs and act accordingly.

What qualifies people? Unlike some people (most, it sometimes seems on the DIS) think it is not about diagnosis. It is all about needs. For instance, some people can't stay in the sun too long because of the meds they use. They'll get a GAC that will allow then (where possible!!!) to wait in a shaded area when the regular line isn't shaded. It doesn't give them front-of-the-line (nobody gets that except kids on their Make A Wish trip), it simply mitigates their needs. Or parents who use their young childs stroller as a wheelchair. With that type of GAC they will be allowed to take the stroller into lines and theatres where they would normally have to park it outside.

So what is the question to ask? Does your son have medical needs that WDW can reasonably mitigate? Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't think so. Who knows, let's be carefull and state he might not be up to the walking. In cases of mobility and/or stamina problems, WDW advices people to use a wheelchair or ECV and therefor not issue a GAC. Or who knows, he's still a bit tender in the belly, so can't do the rides with a lapbar that comes in contact with the belly. Well, that is something they can't help with. Of course safety comes first and you wouldn't want him to ride with that bar not in the exact right spot either.

But again; you'll probably be asking yourself why you ever even worried about this when August comes knocking. :) :cheer2: for a speedy recovery!!
 
PS: I had mine removed, ajusted and put back into another part of my belly about 8 weeks ago. (I got a appendicovesicostomy, or in normall words; they connected my appendix to my bladder and navel so I can self-cath without getting out of my wheelchair) I had major complications and was in a not too great of a shape to start out with. While still left with an increase of my chronic pain and even worse stamina, nothing that would need / could benefit from getting a GAC. The stamina would influence the way I would tour the parks at this moment, but other than that I would tour the parks exactly the same when the surgery wouldn't have happened.
 

You got the "Cliff Notes" version already, but if you want more information, you will find answers to all your questions in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board.
If you still have questions after reading that, please come back here and ask.

Hope you have a great trip.:banana:
 
Thanks everyone!!! I too am hoping he bounces back to his usual self in a week or two. Thanks for giving me the answers I needed!!!
 
I was almost 60 years old when I had to have my appendix out while at WDW. It came out on Wed. night at 10 pm and I went to Epcot Friday night.

Your son should be fine by August.
 
As everyone has said, he should hopefully be fine and dandy by your trip, but here's a couple of bits of information, just in case:

If he's having problems with stamina, or walking and standing for long periods of time, you might want to consider getting him a set of wheels. Which of your sons is it, who is having surgery? If it is your youngest son, you can get a GAC that allows you to use a stroller as a wheelchair, so you can take it into lines and pavilions. For either of the older two, they may be able to use a Disney stroller if they are small enough, or you might want to get a kid's wheelchair from an external supplier (see the FAQ thread for information on rental companies in the WDW area). Using a wheelchair in WDW is pretty easy, and most of the time you will just go through the same line as everyone else, to be pulled off at the last minute to board at an alternative boarding area.

If his stomach is still tender a bit before the trip, you might want to look at the AllEars ride car photo gallery, to see which rides have lap bars, so he knows what to avoid.

I hope he makes a speedy recovery, and that you don't need any of this information here at all! :goodvibes
 














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