Will I have a problem getting a GAC?

[doombuggy]

I am going down with Grama on May 15. She has Parkinson's and I got a great deal on a scooter from Walker. I would like to get a GAC for her, as she tires easily (we will probably got back to the hotel for 2-3 hours each afternoon), and I wanted to make sure she has a spot for any parades we see. I know attractions like the Haunted Mansion (my fav, so you know we'll be riding that one! ) and its a small world, have entrances for teh p/d guests. Won't I need a GAC to be able to use those for Grama?

She refuses to get a note from the dr (which scares me more so just in case she needs medical attention) - will this be a problem?

Any and all advice is appreciated. I have gotten some great help from you guys!

 

[magicmaker]

doombuggy-

It is no nice you are taking your Grama to Walt Disney World!

In regards to the Guest Assistance Card (GAC), they are actually designed for those guests who have nonapparent disabilities. The cards have special instructions for attractions Cast Members to follow in order to better assist the Guest. Because your Grama will be touring the parks using a Scooter, you will not need a Guest Assistance Card.

By virtue of travelling in the scooter, your Grama will have access to parade viewing areas for Guests with Disabilities as well as entrances designed for Guests with Disabilities at certain attractions. Keep in mind that the majority of attractions have mainstream access which means your Grama will be able to bring her scooter into the queue with you while she waits. At "it's a small world" there is an alternate entrance you will need to use.

My advice is to stop by City Hall on Main Street U.S.A. or any of the Guest Relations locations to pick up a Guide Book for Guest With Disabilities which will explain which attractions have mainstream access, which require your Grama to transfer from her scooter into a standard wheelchair (provided at the attractions), etc.

In addition, you can always ask the greeter Cast Member outside of any attraction whether the attraction has mainstream access or whether you will need to use an entrance designed for Guests with Disabilities.

I hope your Walt Disney World Vacation is truly magical. If you have any other questions, or if any of my response was confusing let me know!

 

[SueM in MN]

magicmaker explained things very well, so I will only give you some links.
Here's a link to the DIS page about touring with mobility disabilities. which lists all the rides/attractions which she will be able to stay on the ecv for the wait in line and the whole attraction. It also gives a list of rides where someone with an ecv or wheelchair needs to transfer to a ride vehicle.
And here's a link to the official Disney site. They have links to download a copy of each park's Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities. That will help you to plan your trip. For example, some rides, like Pirates require a long step down into the boat. If she can't do that, you would be able to skip that ride. Small World and the boat ride in Mexico have boats with ramps that a wheelchair can drive down. This might be easier for her to board than stepping down into the boat.
Some of the rides (like HM) have moving walkways to board. The Guidebooks mention these in the description of the ride. For those rides, guests wheelchair or ecvs board at the exit. This allows a little extra time to board, allows the ecv to be brought to the boarding area and also allows the CM to slow or even stop the moving walkway (exept Peter Pan - that can only be stopped in emergency). Be ready to tell the CM at boarding what would be helpful - do you need the walkway totally stopped or not, can she walk 15 or 20 feet or only a few steps.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I carry a "medical emergency" card in my wallet. It is about the size of a business card. It gives my name, the name of my HMO, their 24/7 emergency contact number and my medical record number, my major problems and tendencies. It then lists each medication I take daily, both simple and complex name, doseage, and when I take them. It is done in about 7 point type, printed on both side (exactly the same) a bright sheet of paper and protected with clear tape.

I would suggest you try to get the information about your grandmother in one place just in the event there is some sort of problem. This does not have to be a note from a doctor; you don't need that for either an ECV rental or a GAC, but just in case of any problem which might develop.

 

[doombuggy]

Thanks for your help and advice!

I have tried printing the guidebooks from the site, but they come out funny (and unreadable). I e-mailed a request to have them sent to me in mid-January and I am still waiting (after 2 more e-mails & a phone call). I sent a letter to Mr. Weiss on April 3. Maybe he can mail them to me!

Thanks again!

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm sorry about the guidebooks. You might want to try getting a (free) copy of Acrobat Reader at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/main.html

It may not be readable if you have an old version of Acrobat Reader and it won't work at all without that program. I'm not sure if you can print them out directly from the site. I think you have to download them first and then print them from your computer instead of from Disney's server. Good luck.

PS. If it doesn't work and you don't get copies in the mail (I would not hold my breath), you can pcik up copies at Guest Services at any of the parks. It's nice to have them ahead of time fro planning, but if you can't. you can easily get them at WDW. They might also have copies at your hotel.

 

[doombuggy]

I got a message on my answering machine last ngiht from Mr. Weiss's office. They are going to Fed Ex the guide books to me. Since Grama gets tired out so easily, I wanted to plan ahead as to what we could possibly do (ie more time at this park and less at that one).

Will let you know if I ever get these things!

PS: When I try to print them using the Adobe on my work computer, it only prints 1/2 of the page. The machine is from 2000, so the Adobe is that old.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sounds like you'll be getting them one way or another anyway.
Good luck on your soon-to-be trip.