As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
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To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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Well still not sure if I should get one or not. I can transfer onto and off of the ride vehicles so that's not an issue since my mom can help me if necessary but my biggest issue is getting up and down stairs. I can do it but not quickly, mainly because with the cast on, my ankle doesn't bend. I figure I'll head into City Hall the first day (MK is our first park) and talk to guest services and see what they say.
There are actually only a few attraction with stairs in the queue, so if stairs are your main concern, you may find you won't have as much problem as you are anticipating. And if you are using the ECV in those lines, you will be boarding in an area that avoids the stairs without needing a GAC. The CMs will see your ECV and route you to avoid the stairs.
Two that come to mind with stairs are Splash Mountain and Dinosaur. There are bypasses for those that can be used with a visible mobility problem or with a GAC. American Adventure has stairs to get to the 2nd floor entrance to the theater, but they also have escalators right beside the stairs. With the ECV, you will be sent to an elevator for both of those attractions.
One other thing to consider is the attractions with moving walkways in the load or unload areas. For those, a GAC allowing you to use the wheelchair accessible boarding areas will allow you to board where the moving walkway can be slowed or even stopped if you need. Make sure the CM at the entrance sess your GAC and knows you need to use those boarding areas. In most cases, you will wait in line with everyone else until close to boarding, then be sent to another area to board. There are 2 attractions where the moving walkway can't be stopped or slowed. They are Peter Pan and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. For those 2 attractions, there is not a way to bypass using the moving walkways, but for all the other attractions with moving walkways, the CMs will see your ECV and send you to the accessible boarding area that allows them to control the moving walkway. They usually will slow it for boarding and you will usually be standing to the side for a fee minutes. That will allow you to watch how people get in and out and plan what you will do. They usually slow the walkway, because that is all most people need. If you need it to be even slower or to be stopped, tell the CM. The message on the GAC is very general and they won't know your specific needs unless you tell them what you need.
Last edited by SueM loves WDW; 11-23-2009 at 07:41 AM..
There are 2 attractions where the moving walkway can't be stopped or slowed. They are Peter Pan and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.
Sue, does Haunted Mansion have a moving walkway? I think it can be slowed, though, which is why sometimes you get extra time to spend in a certain spot?
yes the Hm has 2 walkways, one at the exit and one on the loading area.. the GAC folks get sent to the exit to enter the ride itself, the bad thing is, they miss out on the awesome preshow so I don't use Gac and suck it up with the crowds.
I actually don't think I'll have any problems with moving walkways. I have no troubles getting on and off escalators here at home. It's mainly issues with going up and down stairs as I can't take them quickly. Here is a picture of the cast that I am wearing at the moment
I can bend my knee to climb stairs but the issue comes in that I can't bend at the ankle. I can get on and off escalators no problem so getting in and out of attractions with moving walkways shouldn't be an issue.
I still think you should go ahead & get a GAC. If you need it, you have it.. If you don't use it, No prob either. I think it's better to be prepared than have to walk all the way back to the park entrance because you find you did need it..
Sue, does Haunted Mansion have a moving walkway? I think it can be slowed, though, which is why sometimes you get extra time to spend in a certain spot?
If you board at the 'regular' boarding area, there is a moving walkway. The CMs there can't stop or slow it. Also keep in mind that the guests get let out of the stretching room into a very dim (almost total dark) area that leads to the boarding area. It starts out wide, but gradually narrows to a point where it is pretty much single file. Then you turn a corner to the right and get to the actual boarding area.
When boarding thru the exit, guests get pulled out of the line at the hearse, a little before the main line enters the building. You can bring an ECV or wheelchair into the line until thst point, then park it and take the 'servant's entrance' into the stretching room.
If you choose not to go on the stretching room (or like my daughter, can't stand for the walking room or regular boarding area) you will board at the exit. There is a moving walkway there, but the CMs have more control of the speed, you will have a little more time and more space for boarding. The CMs usually just slow it, but we ask for a full stop and actually park our daughter's wheelchair right next to the ride car to get her in. They do have a ride car with a bit larger opening to make transfers easier.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Laughaholic
I like Deb's suggestion as well, but do what you feel is the best! Just keep in mind you can only get them near park entrances (the GAC).
It is at Guest Relations, which is fairly near the entrance of each park (well marked on park maps).
Definitely get a GAC at Guest relations. We were able to get our right outside the gate at MK. The GAC for DBF became a real life saver for us and helped to dissuade his anxiety attacks.
If you board at the 'regular' boarding area, there is a moving walkway. The CMs there can't stop or slow it. Also keep in mind that the guests get let out of the stretching room into a very dim (almost total dark) area that leads to the boarding area. It starts out wide, but gradually narrows to a point where it is pretty much single file. Then you turn a corner to the right and get to the actual boarding area.
When boarding thru the exit, guests get pulled out of the line at the hearse, a little before the main line enters the building. You can bring an ECV or wheelchair into the line until thst point, then park it and take the 'servant's entrance' into the stretching room.
If you choose not to go on the stretching room (or like my daughter, can't stand for the walking room or regular boarding area) you will board at the exit. There is a moving walkway there, but the CMs have more control of the speed, you will have a little more time and more space for boarding. The CMs usually just slow it, but we ask for a full stop and actually park our daughter's wheelchair right next to the ride car to get her in. They do have a ride car with a bit larger opening to make transfers easier.
It is at Guest Relations, which is fairly near the entrance of each park (well marked on park maps).
Great info, Sue, and thanks for mentioning Guest Relations. I thought I wrote that in there too!
As for moving walkways you need to think twice if you have an air boot. Unless you can tap dance and do a jig then think twice. I had heavy hiking shoes on at a stadium and could not get my feet to quite make a stair because of the added weight. Go to a gym and try slowly walking on a treadmill if you do not believe me about how dangerous moving walkways can be. In fact once I read that Haunted Mansion had the most injuries reported.
__________________
Mom calls to check on me and reminded me to pay the gardener. I love her so much.
Disneyland was fun with flag retreat and pickles. I have a home here, thank you. GAC is NOT a "front of the line pass".
She is gone but keeping signature. Laundry is getting done. My purpose in life is to help poor people in FL. Farewell, will miss you.
Just wanted to let you all know that I'm home from my trip. Didn't really have many issues at all. Never got the GAC and never needed it. We just asked the CMs manning the lines what I needed to do and to let them know I had a cast on my foot. Only time I messed up was the first ride on Space Mountain. I usually ride in the back 2 seats of the cars as I have long legs and front seats are too short for me so I didn't think about the fact that the cast wouldn't fit up the side of the seat in front of me. That first ride on SM was rather uncomfortable. After that I made sure I spoke up and told the CMs that I had to sit in certain areas, like the front seat of Space Mountain or I needed an aisle seat on Tower of Terror.
Also I had no real issues with the moving walkways. In fact on Buzz Lightyear, they actually slowed it down for me.
Sometimes I went through the regular line, sometimes the wheelchair line, others the fastpass line. Sometimes they would write me a return pass, which is similar to a fastpass but it has the standby wait time on it, this happened the first day on Space Mountain. The standby time was 20 minutes so my return pass had a time of 20 minutes on it. We went and rode TTA and then rode Space Mountain.
If anyone ever needs tips or advice on travelling with or with someone with a cast on their foot, send them my way. I'll try to get a trip report of some type up soon.
Sometimes I went through the regular line, sometimes the wheelchair line, others the fastpass line. Sometimes they would write me a return pass, which is similar to a fastpass but it has the standby wait time on it, this happened the first day on Space Mountain. The standby time was 20 minutes so my return pass had a time of 20 minutes on it. We went and rode TTA and then rode Space Mountain.
If anyone ever needs tips or advice on travelling with or with someone with a cast on their foot, send them my way. I'll try to get a trip report of some type up soon.
Can't wait to read it!
VERY interesting about the return time. I have honestly never seen that before! It sounds like what we were discussing in a different thread. Did they do this for a lot of rides?
Sometimes they would write me a return pass, which is similar to a fastpass but it has the standby wait time on it, this happened the first day on Space Mountain. The standby time was 20 minutes so my return pass had a time of 20 minutes on it. We went and rode TTA and then rode Space Mountain.
If anyone ever needs tips or advice on travelling with or with someone with a cast on their foot, send them my way. I'll try to get a trip report of some type up soon.
That is very interesting about the return pass. That would be good for kids who have trouble standing in line, but would do fine if they could wander close by for a while.
Thanks for the offer to help. PLEASE stick around. I'm sure someone will take you up on it.
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