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 The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk.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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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.
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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!
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On both coasts the Disney policy is that guests must provide for their needs such as rollators, wheelchairs, and scooters. His best bet is a scooter and second is the wheelchair. The GAC would help him avoid stairs. He can sit in line with the family while sitting in his scooter. Disney is not giving him a GAC to avoid standing in line and will tell him that he needs a chair or scooter.
Legally speaking: Disney cannot ask for a doctor's note or specifics on a guest's needs usually. Just say he needs to avoid stairs and cannot stand for long periods of time. They do not care if it is from injuries, diabetes or genetic defects. They are only trying to find the best solution for a guest.
Most of the people posting here if not all have had medical conditions that affect their Disney trips. We speak from experience. I went to DLR with a friend who was sun sensitive, have gone with Mom who was diabetic and in a wheelchair, and have traveled across America using a scooter or wheelchair. Wheelchairs are very very hard on the people pushing the person. I have had to sit on the ground in line at DLR because I had no other way to get through the lines than wait like everyone else.
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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.
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On both coasts the Disney policy is that guests must provide for their needs such as rollators, wheelchairs, and scooters. His best bet is a scooter and second is the wheelchair. The GAC would help him avoid stairs. He can sit in line with the family while sitting in his scooter. Disney is not giving him a GAC to avoid standing in line and will tell him that he needs a chair or scooter.
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I'm confused, Are you saying that Disney will MAKE him get a wheelchair or scooter.. it's not his discretion?? that doesn't seem to make sense that they will tell him to get a scooter.. seems it should be up to the guest
No I think what she is trying to say is that just because he can't stand for long periods they would suggest a scooter because a GAC unless stamped "alternate entrance" you will still be required to go through normal lines. Most rides are wheelchair accessible so no need to wait at other entrance unless there is a health reason for it. If he had issues with being in a crowded group for too long of a period, or children with Autism etc, they may suggest he use different entrance then wait for your turn.
I get a GAC and use my scooter, I have many health issues including panic attacks and social anxiety disorder so I get the stamp and if I am having a "BAD" day I use it if not I wait in line. I never know from day to day. I have trouble standing and sitting for long periods as well and DH will drive scooter to let me stretch.
I'm confused, Are you saying that Disney will MAKE him get a wheelchair or scooter.. it's not his discretion?? that doesn't seem to make sense that they will tell him to get a scooter.. seems it should be up to the guest
Some Guests may be concerned that they do not have the stamina to wait in Walt Disney World attraction queues. We strongly suggest these Guests consider using a wheelchair, personal scooter or Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV), as the distance between the attractions is much greater than the length of the queues.
On both coasts that is what Disney says. Disney will try very hard to make rides accessible such as the line and special cars at Toy Story Mania and they let disabled guests use exits on old rides like Dumbo at Disneyland. However Disney expects guests to bring their own mobility device or rent one onsite if they cannot stand for a long period of time or walk long distances.
It is only a suggestion. Disney will not force a guest to use a walker or wheelchair.
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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.
As others have said, the GAC can be stamped with "use alternate entrance". Then you all stay together in the line. You do not need a doctors note. You just tell them what he needs. I would suggest getting the GAC regardless of whether or not you use it. Have it just in case. Then if he needs it it is there. It only takes a few minutes to get it and then you don't have to worry about it any more.
That wouldn't work as he couldn't push it with his rotator cuff ( at least the way it is present day) by April it should be better ( we hope) but I think he's still going to be having arm strength issues.
see, that's what we're unsure of.. will he really need to do that? I would think it will be helpful for him as standing still bothers his legs.. he needs to be constantly moving them or he'll freeze up..
Will we need to bring a note from his doctor or would any of the numerous medical forms/print outs (FMLA paper etc) stating his medical conditions he has work?.. We are currently without health insurance due to his employer not offering him cobra when he went on short term disability & thry let his benefits lapse without telling him. (they are working on getting the matter fixed as his employer dropped the ball BIG TIME~ long story) & I'd hate to pay out of pocket to get a note from the doctor just for a GAC.
His ortho doctor could probably write one up as Jim sees him monthly.
So sorry for sounding so dumb on this but we've never needed anything like this & I just want him to have a good pain free ( or at least not more painful) time & not have any set backs on getting back to work (In May, fingers crossed)
I'm just checking in quickly and I see lots of good advice here.
You and your family have been though SO much lately. I think you deserve a trip for some magic.
I'm rushing here, so I may have missed something but a question ... if it were a perfect world, what accommodation would be needed to help this trip? It sounds like the wheelchair has some problems. You could get the GAC that stamps the time that others are standing in line and return at that time, so he can keep walking around. Would that be more like it?
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Disney does not require any "proof" for a GAC card, you just need to tell them what accommodations are necessary. When you go to guest services to get the card, just let them know what you need--if it means not standing in long lines, somewhere to sit while waiting in line, or something else just let them know and Disney will write you a GAC to fit your needs! Good luck
I'm just checking in quickly and I see lots of good advice here.
You and your family have been though SO much lately. I think you deserve a trip for some magic.
I'm rushing here, so I may have missed something but a question ... if it were a perfect world, what accommodation would be needed to help this trip? It sounds like the wheelchair has some problems. You could get the GAC that stamps the time that others are standing in line and return at that time, so he can keep walking around. Would that be more like it?
Yes, that would probably work the best.. It's the standing still that really flares the neuropathy up...
I'm of the opinion, we go to guest services & get a GAC as an 'in case' he needs it.. I know Jim & he will try to tough it out as long as possible but it would be nice to just have it in case he's got a problem.. especially later in the trip & closer to DS2 band marching... I want him to be able to enjoy watching Brendan & not be in more constant pain ... that & the fact that the more pain he's in the crabbier/moodier he gets so I want these 'accommodations' for me & DD as well..
Customer services is not allowed to ask you (or your DH) what your problem is. They can only ask what accommodations you need. Tell them what you've put here - he can't sit for long periods, and can't stand for long periods, that being in an alternative place he can pace may be better.
Yes, the resorts all have wheelchairs you can borrow. We've done that a few times and let me tell you - those are the WORST wheelchairs anywhere! And I did a lot of my clinicals at the county hospital (a real hole), where they still have wheelchairs I think are from the 30s! If you borrow or rent a wheelchair, be prepared for sore hands, blisters on your feet, and feeling exhausted. It's not easy pushing a person around WDW - it is NOT an even surfaced place! Think of the hills and rises in EPCOT and you'll get the idea.
Run the numbers for scooter rental, from both an off-site supplier and from WDW. Keep in mind: the WDW scooters are in park only, they are also first come, first serve - and they are S...L...O....W..... as all get out. Off site scooters - use everywhere, faster, more maneuverable, don't break down as often (in our experience), and frankly - better looking and easier to find in the "parking" areas.
I know Scootarama can get you a scooter pretty fast if you decide you need one, Bring the phone # to the scooter rental places just in case he decided to get one..
Better to be prepared
Yes, that would probably work the best.. It's the standing still that really flares the neuropathy up...
I'm of the opinion, we go to guest services & get a GAC as an 'in case' he needs it.. I know Jim & he will try to tough it out as long as possible but it would be nice to just have it in case he's got a problem.. especially later in the trip & closer to DS2 band marching... I want him to be able to enjoy watching Brendan & not be in more constant pain ... that & the fact that the more pain he's in the crabbier/moodier he gets so I want these 'accommodations' for me & DD as well..
So I would go with that. You can either wait in the alternate waiting area which should have a bench so he could sit or stand as he needs or you can walk around. Getting wheels and allowing him to stand and sit as needed would be a second solution you MIGHT want to consider if his legs could give out during distance, though. There is SO much to consider, but safety is first.
Many alternate areas do not have a place to sit (or if they do, there is no guarantee there don't be someone lready seated there).
A Guest Assistance Card won't usually shorten the distance walked, so if distance is a problem, a wheelchair, EVC or some other mobility device that lets him sit when he needs to will be your best bet.
There are also attractions that involve a period of standing for everyone unless they have brought a seat with them.
Examples would be shows, like Mickey's Philharmagic and Laugh Floor where guests stand in a series of holding areas waiting for the next show.
The other type of attractions where everyone stands for a while are rides that have a preshow. Examples of those would be Test Track and Soarin'. Guests are let into the preshow area in 'batches'. While the CMs are gathering another batch of guests, the waiting guests are standing.
Please allow me to give a piece of advice. I mean to help, not upset you.
I fought using a scooter for a few years. I needed one, but being TOUGH was much more important to me. Tough would show how strong I was!
I was WRONG - WRONG - WRONG!!! Once I finally "gave in" - I realized what a fool I had been. I could have saved myself a LOT of pain. I could have saved my family a LOT of grief. I could have ENJOYED Disney a LOT more if I had stopped being so bull-headed about scooter use.
Now - with my own scooter - I am able to do parades with my Drum Corps (mellophone bugle) and I can do EVERYTHING at Disney that I thought I couldn't do any longer.
I go for "walks" with my family - my favorite thing to do - but I'm on a scooter now. It sure beats sitting in the motel room WISHING I could be WITH THEM!
Please ask your DH to reconsider. Please. Thank you for reading this
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