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My question is for my mom. She had a torn miniscus in both her knees and had surgery 3 years ago. Well, it's acting up again and may need surgery again, but not before our trip in March. Her biggest issue is standing in one place for a long time - such as the lines for rides! She has a heck of a time walking, and this is not even to mention her breathing issues. She also has really bad asthma after 20% of her lung was removed 5 years ago (benign growth, thank god, and she's not a smoker). So breathing can also be quite a chore for her, therefore walking long distances is twice as hard.
We're renting a scooter from Walker Mobility since she will clearly be needing it at the resort, DTD, and parking lots (we always rent a car). Since she's also overweight, I'm guessing most CM's would assume that's the reason for her scooter. Although it doesn't help her knee and breathing problems, being overweight has never stopped her from doing anything in the past.
I'm wondering if we will need a GAC card, and if so, how exactly does it work anyway? Since she can't really stand in a line for longer than, say, 10 minutes due to her knee, can she just sit and wait at the front for the rest of us to wait in the line? I've only read about the GAC a little bit here and there on these boards but really don't know anything about it. Is it a length of stay thing? Is it available at every park? And just - how does it help her? Lots of questions, I know, but now that my Mom is starting to have some issues, I really want to make it as easy as possible for her. She always says she's happy to just sit and people watch, but I don't believe it! TIA everyone!
__________________
Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
She should not need a GAC to get the ECV to be used in a line. I have been using my wheelchair and powerchair in lines for a long time...
If a CM tells her she cannot take the ECV into the line, she needs to say "I must remain in the ECV until I board." If it is a line where the ECV does not fit (and there are a few) they should have a manual chair there for her to transfer into... There was just another thread about which lines she will not be able to bring the ECV into... (some fantasyland rides, RnR, ToT, and a few others). She will not be able to bring her ECV or any other wheelchair into Haunted Mansion - Everyone must be able to walk from the turnstiles into the stretching room and then in the interior line. She can keep the ECV up to right before the turnstiles. She could also skip the stretching room and go through the exit after going through most of hte regular line.
I never got a GAC to use my wheels in a line... I just told anyone who asked that I MUST remain in my chair as long as possible.
I would get a GAC anyway. Have it explain that she would need to use an alternate entrance if available or that she would need to wait in a seating area if she is not allowed to take the ECV through the line. Although, honestly, there are not any rides that I can think of where they will make her get out of the ECV to wait for the ride.
DD was in a wheelchair for this past trip and we got her a GAC. Her's was stamped with "Use alternate entrance where available." Most of the time we did not have to use her GAC as they automatically sent us the alternate entrances when they saw her chair. However, at Toy Story Midway Mania, in particular, we had to show the card to be able to use the alternate entrance. They were going to send us through the regular line since it is disability accessible.
I would get a GAC anyway. Have it explain that she would need to use an alternate entrance if available or that she would need to wait in a seating area if she is not allowed to take the ECV through the line. Although, honestly, there are not any rides that I can think of where they will make her get out of the ECV to wait for the ride.
DD was in a wheelchair for this past trip and we got her a GAC. Her's was stamped with "Use alternate entrance where available." Most of the time we did not have to use her GAC as they automatically sent us the alternate entrances when they saw her chair. However, at Toy Story Midway Mania, in particular, we had to show the card to be able to use the alternate entrance. They were going to send us through the regular line since it is disability accessible.
Alternate Entrance is a stamp to be used if a person's need's are not met by using the wheelchair. almost all lines are accessible and a person with an ECV who has no other needs other than the ECV should NOT need this stamp, and should always go through the mainstream line if that is accessible... a wheelchair or ECV does not automatically mean that a person goes into the fastpass line, and the CMs were right to ask for one for you to go through the fastpass line.
this is not to say that your DD did not need the stamp, (I need both a wc and a GAC), but that it sounds like the OPs family member will not need anything other than to take the ECV in a line... which does not require the GAC. The OP should NOT expect to automatically go into the fastpass line or exit - I have used a wc several times in WDW and i almost always wait in the normal mainstream standby line...
Alternate Entrance is a stamp to be used if a person's need's are not met by using the wheelchair. almost all lines are accessible and a person with an ECV who has no other needs other than the ECV should NOT need this stamp, and should always go through the mainstream line if that is accessible... a wheelchair or ECV does not automatically mean that a person goes into the fastpass line, and the CMs were right to ask for one for you to go through the fastpass line.
this is not to say that your DD did not need the stamp, (I need both a wc and a GAC), but that it sounds like the OPs family member will not need anything other than to take the ECV in a line... which does not require the GAC. The OP should NOT expect to automatically go into the fastpass line or exit - I have used a wc several times in WDW and i almost always wait in the normal mainstream standby line...
My DD is not able to walk and/or stand for extremely long periods of time without it aggravating her disability. If it had just been the two of us, we would have waited out the 180+ minute waits to ride TSMM, but we also had DBF with us. He has Severe Social Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The SSA alone is enough to keep us from even attempting long wait lines. He also had a GAC with the same stamp for alternate entrances. We just used DD's that day because she was the first to get hers out. This was at the end of our 2nd day at DHS when we finally thought to try using the GAC after seeing the 180+ minute wait time for the 5th time that day.
I agree that everyone that needs a GAC should have it tailored to their specific needs as much as possible. In our case the closest accomodation that Disney could give either my DDD or my DBF was the alternate entrance. This was usually the FastPass line. We often still had 20 - 30 minute waits for some rides (TSMM being one of them), but the wait was much more tolerable.
My DD is not able to walk and/or stand for extremely long periods of time without it aggravating her disability. If it had just been the two of us, we would have waited out the 180+ minute waits to ride TSMM, but we also had DBF with us. He has Severe Social Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The SSA alone is enough to keep us from even attempting long wait lines. He also had a GAC with the same stamp for alternate entrances. We just used DD's that day because she was the first to get hers out. This was at the end of our 2nd day at DHS when we finally thought to try using the GAC after seeing the 180+ minute wait time for the 5th time that day.
I agree that everyone that needs a GAC should have it tailored to their specific needs as much as possible. In our case the closest accomodation that Disney could give either my DDD or my DBF was the alternate entrance. This was usually the FastPass line. We often still had 20 - 30 minute waits for some rides (TSMM being one of them), but the wait was much more tolerable.
Again, not saying you did not need it! Too many people, however, think that a wc or ECv automatically means the fastpass line... I just didnt want the OP or anyone else planning for that, then getting confused in WDW.
I, too, cannot walk or stand for more than a few moments, and have social anxiety problems - the GAC was a lifesaver on the last trip!!
Again, not saying you did not need it! Too many people, however, think that a wc or ECv automatically means the fastpass line... I just didnt want the OP or anyone else planning for that, then getting confused in WDW.
I, too, cannot walk or stand for more than a few moments, and have social anxiety problems - the GAC was a lifesaver on the last trip!!
Yes, I understand not wanting to confuse the OP. However, with many of the older rides, the FastPass or other alternate entrance is the only way for a person in a chair or ECV to be able to get into the ride. As Disney does refurbs and updates or adds new rides, they are including handicap accessibility to all entrances as they are able to. (Some times the original structuring will not allow this and to change it would mean tearing the entire ride down to rebuild it.)
I suspect that with the Fantasyland expansion any and all new rides will be entirely accessible through all lines, like TSMM. Those that need the alternate entrance for reasons other than mobility will probably continue to be sent through the FastPass lines for the new rides.
I'm wondering if we will need a GAC card, and if so, how exactly does it work anyway? Since she can't really stand in a line for longer than, say, 10 minutes due to her knee, can she just sit and wait at the front for the rest of us to wait in the line? I've only read about the GAC a little bit here and there on these boards but really don't know anything about it. Is it a length of stay thing? Is it available at every park? And just - how does it help her? Lots of questions, I know, but now that my Mom is starting to have some issues, I really want to make it as easy as possible for her. She always says she's happy to just sit and people watch, but I don't believe it! TIA everyone!
Going back to the OP. Yes, get a GAC. It is a length of stay kind of thing. You get them from Guest Relations at each of the parks. The first park you go to, go to the GR window and explain that you need a Guest Assistance Card for your mother. Explain that she is using a ECv or chair and that she has some mobility that would allow her to walk short distances. However, she will not be able to walk long distances and that she may need a place to sit and rest if she is required to leave her ECV behind to enter a ride. (HM and POTC come to mind for me since they asked DD if she could walk a certain distance and if so, could she please park her chair at the queue entrance. They then sent us through the FastPass or alternate entrance and we never had to show a GAC.) Most CMs will be attentive enough to direct where you need to go as soon as they see the ECV or chair, but sometimes you do need to ask.
Once you have gotten the GAC from one park, it can be used at all the parks. There is no need to get a separate GAC for each park. (Although, if you are going to a waterpark, you might want to check with them to see if there are other accommodations that can be made for their specific types of parks.) You will also be told that if you see that the accommodations stamp they have put on the card is not adequate for your needs then you can return to any GR and explain what else needs to be done and they will make the necessary modifications to the GAC.
A doctor's note is not necessary, but it can be helpful. In our case it helped us by giving us a better starting point to explain what DBF needed. The note does not need to specify the disability, but it should include what would be helpful to your mother for her enjoyment of the parks. (i.e. "This guest would benefit by having a place to rest while waiting in a line." or "This guest would benefit from having a quiet place to wait.")
Disney_duke: I hope this answers your questions better.
Since the thread which lists which attractions are not ECV accessible and which have an entrance other than the 'regular' entrance, I thought it might be good to post a link to that thread here: http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...eelchairs.html
Other than a few at Magic Kingdom which have a different entrance, wheelchairs can go in every line to the boarding area. ECVs can go in many and those that they can't do have wheelchairs that the guest can switch to when going thru the line. Most attractions and queues actually don't have a place to sit unless you bring one with you (ECV or wheelchair).
Last edited by SueM loves WDW; 01-09-2010 at 06:15 PM..
Lots of answers from everyone, thank you so much. From what I understand, we will need to speak with the CM at the front of every ride line. And based on the wait time posted and what the CM says, that will determine whether or not my Mom waits with us or goes through an alternate entrance, is that about correct? She will be hugely embarrased to use her scooter in the line, I'm quite sure. I know she would much rather just park it next to my stroller and waddle with us. This is where I'm thinking the GAC card will come in handy, right? If there is an option for her to go ahead and sit and wait for us to meet her, she would be happy with that. But if there is no area for her to sit and wait, do we all go through the alternate entrance? I would feel kind of bad about that part, and I know she would too. But SueM said that's not readily available on most rides. (awesome link, BTW, thanks! I didn't find that when I searched earlier) Clearly I'll have to do more research on this..... thanks for listening to my thinking out loud here.....
__________________
Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
Lots of answers from everyone, thank you so much. From what I understand, we will need to speak with the CM at the front of every ride line. And based on the wait time posted and what the CM says, that will determine whether or not my Mom waits with us or goes through an alternate entrance, is that about correct? She will be hugely embarrased to use her scooter in the line, I'm quite sure. I know she would much rather just park it next to my stroller and waddle with us. This is where I'm thinking the GAC card will come in handy, right? If there is an option for her to go ahead and sit and wait for us to meet her, she would be happy with that. But if there is no area for her to sit and wait, do we all go through the alternate entrance? I would feel kind of bad about that part, and I know she would too. But SueM said that's not readily available on most rides. (awesome link, BTW, thanks! I didn't find that when I searched earlier) Clearly I'll have to do more research on this..... thanks for listening to my thinking out loud here.....
She is going to need to take her ECV into lines if she will be unable to stand in the lines.
There really is no way for her to join you after you wait in the line. There is no where to sit really other than in her ECV. A GAC may be helpful, but she will have to go through some line, even if it is a fastpass line. To give you an idea, it is a 1/4 mile into Soarin' from the entrance, even in hte fastpass line. It is also a 1/4 mile out. There is no way to avoid this distance. She really will find keeping the ECV with her is fairly easy!
Holy smokes, it's 1/4 mile?? I knew it was far but didn't realize it was that far! So here's a beginners question for you - if you take the ECV all the way to the front of the line (like Soarin') where do you go to pick it up again when the exit is in a different spot than the entrance? Do the CM's move it?
__________________
Tanya
Every click helps feed .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. Give a quick click every day and help animals in shelters! www.theanimalrescuesite.com
Holy smokes, it's 1/4 mile?? I knew it was far but didn't realize it was that far! So here's a beginners question for you - if you take the ECV all the way to the front of the line (like Soarin') where do you go to pick it up again when the exit is in a different spot than the entrance? Do the CM's move it?
The CMs will either move it to the exit, or they will direct you through to the exit after going through the regular line (like a buzz lightyear, where you go through the regular line and then go through to the exit, park it there, and then get on the ride)
They can slow down belts for continuously loading rides, too... just ask the CM
Holy smokes, it's 1/4 mile?? I knew it was far but didn't realize it was that far! So here's a beginners question for you - if you take the ECV all the way to the front of the line (like Soarin') where do you go to pick it up again when the exit is in a different spot than the entrance? Do the CM's move it?
Not only going in, but usually if going in is far, going out is a similar distance. It is for Soarin'.
And, the Fastpass line at Soarin' is the same distance as the regular line.
That's why I usually tell people to bring the ECV/wheelchair into the line unless you can see the whole line all the way to boarding from where you are entering the line or have been on it already and know the distance. For the few attractions that have alternate entrances, using them usually does not cut down that much on distance walked.
Most of the attractions are planned so that guests using wheelchairs and ECVs will board at the same place as they will unload. That way the wheelchair or ECV will be waiting for them when they get off. Some require the CM to move it while the guest is riding, but it will be there when you get off.
For Soarin' in particular, you come in one door with the ECV or wheelchair and then park it to the side while you are riding. When you get off, it will still be parked next to the Soarin' ride vehicle.
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