skiwee1 said:
Getting a GAC though almost ensures going through the fasspass line every time and therefore getting head of the line access. Yes, you are in the fasspass but that is still a huge difference then the regular line. My mom uses an
ECV and also got the GAC just in case she didn't want to drive the ECV through the line. She is paranoid that she will hit ankles. We told the CM at City Hall about her not wanting to drive her ECV through lines and they gave her a GAC that allowed her to go through fasspass lines. On attractions that had a larger then usual handicap entrance like Haunted Mansion and Small World, she just drove her ECV through the handicap entrance. At others, like Peter Pan, they told her to get out of the ECV and she walked through to the handicap entrance. At all the other rides she just parked the ECV and then went through fasspass and I have to admit it was great. No waits at all. No lines at all. Now she might be getting her knees repaired next month. If everything goes as planned, she may need no help next trip.
The GAC card is NOT supposed to be used by someone in WC/EVC unless they have another issue such as sun sensitivity due to medication or a disease.
Most of the lines are mainstreamed and are to be used by both able bodies and those in WC/EVC's . That is why at Test Track and other rides the queues are wide and have wide turns so they can handle WC/EVC's. I usually grab a Fast Pass whenever possible because you are correct that that line is shorter with fewer turns. So I use my Fast Pass to use those lines just like the able bodied guest does
Since you did bring up the GAC card I copied this info from the disABILITIES board:
GAC (Guest Assistance Card)
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Here's a summary of information about GACs (Guest Assistance Cards):
To request one, go to Guest Services in any of the parks and talk to the CM there about your problems and needs. You don't need a doctor's letter.
The diagnosis is not really that important because people with the same diagnosis can have very different needs. The GAC is not given based on diagnosis at all (for example, there is not a "list" of appropriate diagnosis for a GAC); the GAC is given based on needs and the accomidations that meet those needs.
The GAC is usually given for up to 6 people (5 plus the person with a disability) and is valid at all the parks for your length of stay (you don't need to get a new one at each theme park).
A few other things
the GAC is not meant to be a pass that gives immediate access. In fact, about 6 years ago, they renamed it to Card because when it was called a Pass, people thought it mean front of the line access. It says right on the card that it will not shorten or eliminate waits in line.it is meant as a tool to tell the CMs what the person's needs are so that they can provide appropriate accomidation for the person it was issued to. Some examples of accomidations might be a quieter place to wait, a place out of the sun (for those times when the line is in the sun for a prolonged period of time), using a stroller as a wheelchair, avoiding stairs.
even if you have a GAC, not all accomidations are available at each attraction (especially, some may not have a place to sit)
because what is stamped on the GAC is based on needs, not all GACs say the same thing.
think of the GAC like an insurance card, not necessarily needed or used all the time, but there for when you need it.
even on the same attraction, the GAC is not always handled the same each time.
Exactly what happens depends on how busy it is, how many other people with special needs are there at the time and staffing. Some times you may be sent thru the regular standby line, occassionally the fastpass line; sometimes the person with the GAC and a member of their party will be given an alternate place to wait while the rest of the party goes thru the standby line - and then meet up with them when they get to the front. Sometimes you might be given a slip and told you can come back at the time written on the slip (usually equal to the standby time); very occassionally, you might be taken right in. It depends on what they call "attraction considerations" (which is basically the things I listed in the second sentence).
Fastpass is a good way to avoid waits in line. You don't have to be present to get a fastpass, you can send one member of your party ahead with all the park passes to get fastpasses. When you report back to the ride at your fastpass return time, your wait will be 15 minutes or less.For people who are concerned about stamina or endurance, Disney suggests a wheelchair renting a motorized scooter (also called ecv; for over 18 yrs and up). The distance and time spent going around the parks is much greater than the time and distance spent in line. With an ecv or wheelchair, you will always have a place to sit and can conserve energy for fun, instead of just getting around. There is information about
ecvs/wheelchairs farther up in this disABILITIES FAQs. Most lines are wheelchair/ecv accessible.
If you get tired and needs to lie down in air conditioning for a while, there is a First Aid station in each park. They have cots in individual cubicles for resting.
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Since you brought up the GAC card I went to disABIL<TIES
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