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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.
We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. You made it all happen.
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
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
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.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
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.
And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.
That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!
If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
To post messages and ask questions, join our FREE community today and you'll get access to tools and resources not available to guests, such as our vacation countown timers, "living" avatars, private messaging system, database searches, downloads, and a special PassPorter discount code. Registration is fast, simple, and completely free. Just click the Join Our Community link.
If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
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.
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
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
If you get the GAC, they will ask how many people are in your party and write that number on the card. Then everyone in the party can go through the alternate entrance if needed.
As someone else said, there is no way for one of you to wait for the others to catch up.
She will need to be able to keep her ECV with her throughout the lines. Even if you are able to use an alternate entrance, you still need to keep the ECV because there is still quite a distance or it may be rather steep. (RnRC comes to mind here.)
About This Page: 
Like
Thank
Pixie Dust
Linear Mode
