Worried about GACs

[*NikkiBell*]

So I just listened to the brief discussion of the Guest Assistance Cards on this week's show. I am very nervous about this as my parents were planning on using it for the first time in early December.

I sent an email into the podcast about the logistics of the card and just read the DISabilities FAQs thread. I'm concerned that the GAC will not really "assist" my parents who have trouble standing for long periods of time in lines. My mother also has RA and AS and can have significant back problems. She will refuse a wheelchair and would rather hobble than sit in one. My father is a disabled vet but does not require a wheelchair or ECV.

Will the GAC help them at all? I know the FAQs thread said they'll need to describe the type of assistance they'll need, but I'm not sure as to what they should say to the CM so they really get the right kind of help.

Anyone have experience with the GAC cards and can reassure me?

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

Your mom needs a chair not a gac card so mch, and if I was you I"D just put my foot down, rent a chair anyway and push it empty if you have to.

She will give in , if only in lines. the more she uses it the better your vacation will be.

 

[Redheaded Sunshine]

The PP is right about putting your foot down about the chair for your mother's sake. Your mother will be happy to have it later in the afternoon.

For the past 3 years when I've gone to Disney I've gotten a GAC for my son who has HFA. Obviously not an apples and apples situation, but he CANNOT stand in long lines. He completely loses it. So using the GAC allows us to go through the FP lane most of the time or use a handicapped or rear entrance. If the line is short we don't use it b/c we don't want to ever take advantage. Anyway, long story long , I've never had anything but a positive experience using the GAC and never encountered anything negative from CMs or guests alike. Good luck!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I'm not going on this trip with them so I really don't have much control over the chair issue. I guess we will see what happens.

 

[Madi100]

So I just listened to the brief discussion of the Guest Assistance Cards on this week's show. I am very nervous about this as my parents were planning on using it for the first time in early December.

I sent an email into the podcast about the logistics of the card and just read the DISabilities FAQs thread. I'm concerned that the GAC will not really "assist" my parents who have trouble standing for long periods of time in lines. My mother also has RA and AS and can have significant back problems. She will refuse a wheelchair and would rather hobble than sit in one. My father is a disabled vet but does not require a wheelchair or ECV.

Will the GAC help them at all? I know the FAQs thread said they'll need to describe the type of assistance they'll need, but I'm not sure as to what they should say to the CM so they really get the right kind of help.

Anyone have experience with the GAC cards and can reassure me?

I have a friend whose child used this for the same purpose. But, because she can not stand for long periods of time, she had to sit. Because she could not stand, with her GAC she was allowed to use her stroller as a wheelchair and take it into lines that would not normally allow strollers. I think that in your mother's case the only way the GAC will help her is if she is willing to work with it. Good luck with it.

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

With the back problems, standing in the lines will be the least of her troubles. Walking all day on the concrete will make her miserable.


Sounds to me you'll just have to with them.

 

[SueM in MN]

You are correct that a GAC would not really help them much.

They have what WDW calls "stamina or endurance" concerns and they suggest a wheelchair or ECV since the distance walked in lines is much less than the amount walked outside of lines.

In most cases, the distance walked in line will be the same, GAC or not.
As was mentoined, the walking and standing in line are only a small part of a day in the park.
And, many attractions include a long stand in the preshow area(s) that can't be avoided unless you bring something to sit with you.

One thing that some people have reported worked at convincing their loved ones to use a wheelchair or ECV is to find a place they know well that is about 2 miles from your home. Ask if they could walk there. If they say they could, ask if they could walk back home. In most cases, they will realize they could not. At that point, you can point out to them that 4 miles a day is a very small amount compared to what they will walk in a day at WDW. Just to go around World Showcase is over a mile!
I don't have time right now to get a link to maps, but knowing that WS is over a mile is helpful in showing them how big the parks are.
And, the walks in line in attractions can be very long too. Someone measured the line for Soaring from entry to boarding and it was 1/4 mile. So, some of the attraction waiting lines can be very difficult.