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Actually this "might" not be true. I was in a private motorized ECV and they told me I "had" to have a GAC to enter Buzz in any "special needs" capacity.
I'd get one just in case so your friend does not have additional stress on her. Someone with low self-esteem issues will be upset to be told they can't enter just because they are in a wheelchair.
....and this highlights one of the problems that Disney has with their policies towards special needs guests. While MOST Cast Members are a dream to deal with, and that really make my experiences special, I have had a couple of CM's that have left...let's say less than a positive memory with me. Disney policy is that if you are in a wheelchair/ECV, you don't need a GAC....but the actual application of that rule is, of course, open to human interpretation. I have actually been told by a CM that I shouldn't have a GAC, and have no right to special attraction access, because handicapped means a wheelchair. "See, it even shows that on the sign". A very obtuse person for sure, and surely not indicitive of the usual CM experience...but can really deflate a trip for sure.
I have a son with Asperger's Syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism. We got a GAC but luckily never had to use it. When we went most recently, none of the lines were over 30 minutes or so, and I had things to entertain him in line.
Here's a tip for waiting, if your son is anything like mine: I got the Disney version of Trivial Pursuit and took the cards with us to Disney. Each card has a picture from a movie on it, and all the questions on that card are from that movie so it was easy to pull out just the movies my kids knew well. Like most Aspie kids, Sammy has memorized most of his favorite movies, and he thought it was great fun to answer trivia questions or even to read them to the rest of us. Although I packed a few other things for line entertainment also, those trivia cards ended up being the best thing to distract him and keep him happy during waits!
__________________
DD and DS, May 2008
"I am purple today; Bright and happy like a butterfly in the air." -Kira Willey
Oh, another suggestion if your little boy is like mine at all: Sammy loves all the transportation at WDW. I learned that the drivers of the buses, monorails, and ferries sometimes have collectible cards about their type of transportation, and each has trivia and a little hidden Mickey game. We had Sammy ask each driver for a card (when it was possible to do so), so it was also good practice in social skills! (Of course, we had to model it the first couple of times, but he caught on quickly!)
__________________
DD and DS, May 2008
"I am purple today; Bright and happy like a butterfly in the air." -Kira Willey
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There are several issues I want to address here. . .
First, DO NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK! They DO NOT know what your situation is, and therefore, they do not have a stake in YOUR vacation. Enjoy your vacation without worrying about what others think.
Secondly, GET A GAC CARD! It makes all the difference, and takes the "discretion" that a CM may have, out of play. On our last trip, just a few weeks ago, we had THREE different Disabilities between the five of us on the trip. I was in an ECV, my grandson is ADHD and Aspergers, and our son (11 years old) has several issues. . .although to the naked eye, my son and grandson do not look like they have a disability.
I got TWO GAC's, one for my Grandson, and one for me. My Grandson's GAC was actually different than mine, and the one that we used when we approached a ride. No one asked who it was for, and we almost ALWAYS used the FP line. On the rare occasion when we didn't, we entered through an exit. ALL FIVE OF US stayed together, and it went well.
Here is a thought. . . just go to any Guest Services Desk, and get the GAC for your friend. Then, if you have a problem at a line (even though she is in an ECV, just take out the GAC) you will have a solution that is instant and easy to use.
You can request the GAC for your friend, and all will go well.
I would tell ANYONE with a disability to access the GAC system. It makes all the difference in the world, and helps you with whatever your issue is. After all, this is your VACATION. Don't let a disability, or what someone else may say, think, or look like, keep you from having a "Magical Experience".
Here is a thought. . . just go to any Guest Services Desk, and get the GAC for your friend. Then, if you have a problem at a line (even though she is in an ECV, just take out the GAC) you will have a solution that is instant and easy to use.
You can request the GAC for your friend, and all will go well.!
Just for clarification........
Your friend will need to go to Guest Services to request a GAC. You can't do it for her; she needs to explain her needs to Guest Services herself.
Have you asked her about it? I know in my case I didn't tell very many people about my DS when he was first diagnosed. Not because of feeling inferior but more so b/c I'm a private person and I didn't think it was anyone's business. Only recently (3 yrs later) have I really begun to be open about my DS's dx. Comments are hurtful even though most times it comes from a place of ignorance. I hear comments a lot b/c DS's disability isn't visible. It seems like your friend just wants to fit in like we all do. Give her a hug and ask what you can do to help make her feel more comfortable. I hope you and your friend have a great trip!
Thanks for the concern. You are so sweet. I think when my friend realizes that once she is in WDW everyone is going to be having too good of a time to care why she looks "normal" but can't walk around like the rest of us.
Only recently (3 yrs later) have I really begun to be open about my DS's dx. Comments are hurtful even though most times it comes from a place of ignorance. I hear comments a lot b/c DS's disability isn't visible.
With three sons on the spectrum I've learned to be very outspoken about autism for a couple of reasons. A. I'm hoping that a few people along the way will remember us and be educated about what autism really is.
And B. because I'm constantly advocating for them. I've heard so many rude comments and I try to politely inform them of what the situation is. There have been a few times (and at WDW) where the person was just a complete idiot and I've told them off. I've also made comments to people about standing in line very similar to what your friend said. There are some people we'll never get through to but we can try!
Incidentally, with the GAC the only incidents that have been difficult for rides have been at Dumbo and the Teacups where you have to get the attention of a CM so he can let you in but it hasn't been a really big deal. You might get a dirty look from someone who doesn't realize what you're doing but you'll never see them again. We're going for Christmas this year so I'm concerned myself! Have a great trip!
i have also heard of people writing a short letter themselves clarifying their own needs, if they are uncomfortable speaking about them. I knew a woman who needed to cath her bladder every 30-45 minutes, and was unable to wait much longer than that in lines. however, she didnt want to discuss all of this with a CM with a line of people behind her. basically her urinary habits were not something she wished every other guest in City Hall to know.
this was NOT a letter from her dr and did NOT contain any medical information other than "i need to access a restroom every 45 minutes, please help."
this may also come in handy with teenagers with Austism/Aspergers, who are embarrassed by having to use a GAC. most 16 year old boys do not want to be in same state as their mother, much less have their mother tell what may be perceived as embarassing stories about them.
just a thought, if you/your kids are embarassed to have their medical needs talked about aloud...
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i have also heard of people writing a short letter themselves clarifying their own needs, if they are uncomfortable speaking about them. I knew a woman who needed to cath her bladder every 30-45 minutes, and was unable to wait much longer than that in lines. however, she didnt want to discuss all of this with a CM with a line of people behind her. basically her urinary habits were not something she wished every other guest in City Hall to know.
this was NOT a letter from her dr and did NOT contain any medical information other than "i need to access a restroom every 45 minutes, please help."
this may also come in handy with teenagers with Austism/Aspergers, who are embarrassed by having to use a GAC. most 16 year old boys do not want to be in same state as their mother, much less have their mother tell what may be perceived as embarassing stories about them.
just a thought, if you/your kids are embarassed to have their medical needs talked about aloud...
That's a great idea! I have Crohn's and don't always feel like discussing my needs. I have an "I can't wait." card from the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation that could come in handy. The last time I was fortunate enough to approach a CM who was familiar with Crohn's but that might not be the case next time.
Going to Disney World should be a magical time for everyone. I loved the post about others not having a stake in your vacation. It is yours and you should be able to enjoy it as much as anyone else. You paid for your tickets just like anybody else does.
By all means, do what you need to do. You're right people can be so rude. My grandson has Aspirgers so I understand what you're going through.
I'm all for giving people the oppourtunity to feel a little foolish when they make snide remarks. Some people just need to learn that they don't know it all.
There were many times that I had wished I said something and chose to take the so called "high road" and not say anything or felt I needed to apologize but not anymore. My family deserves a great vacation too and if we need a little extra help to make it happen so be it. In all honesty it usually ends up being a friendly exchange because the person has a chance to feel better about what they are seeing instead of being annoyed on their vacation.
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Funny thing happened to me while at Mousefest..
I have never used a GAC before, I use a ECV & have never had trouble at all using the handicap entrance.. Well this time was different........
I went to ride Nemo in EPCOT & was told I couldn't go in. I said Why? He had no answer other than I needed a GAC.. I said Why? I have always used this entrance because I have mobility issues & am using a ECV. He would not let me on..
I went all the way to the front of EPCOT to the Customer relations desk, Waited about 15 minutes in line, Told the girl what happened.. She said he was wrong.. Dahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! I said I wanted a GAC because I didn't want to go through this again & have to come all the way back up here & waist time again.. I got one, Went back & said "Here you go, & by the way, you are WRONG!"
So, I now think it is better to get a GAC & not need it, Than to not get one & need it & have to spend a hour or more of your time going all the way back to the entrance of the park to get one..
Live & learn..
Deb
Deb, all I can say is " You GO girl"!!! That happened to me several times on Buzz Lightyear and oh, did I want to tell that kid he was WRONG! Seriously, having done a trip during a time of year when you could melt those pressed pennies right on Main Street, doing WDW without a GAC, I can't imagine doing it without ever again. That trip was a misery, if it could go wrong it did go wrong and it was four days before we were due to leave for home that the Operations Manager at the WL clued me in about the GAC. Regulations were different then, and she was able to get one for me, Do I need to tell you that I wrote a glowing letter to Disney management about that wonderful woman?! I know that, technically, you are not required to present an MD's note in order to get your GAC, but it makes things sooo much easier just to have something written on your Doc's Rx pad- it doesn't even have to state your medical condition if you'd rather it not be disclosed, but just saying that "So and so is my patient and requires the following during the length of her stay: (list needs)", It can get you in and out of Guest Services much quicker- if your MD's writing is terrible, you could ask her/him to print clearly as someone who may be from another country might be trying to decipher the words! I have found that most people at WDW don't say a thing about someone getting onto a ride before them. I look far younger than my age and unless you see my knee brace you might not know that there was anything wrong with me, since my other severe injury is in my lumbar spine, and I have severe RA. No one has ever made a negative comment within my hearing when in any of the parks- but I do get nasty remarks when I use my handicapped tag to park closer to the door when I am home shopping at Target! Just relax, get the GAC and enjoy your trip- it's your vacation and you deserve it!
__________________
Suzanne, in Rochester,NY
Remember the Magic!
Picture is of DD,Pam, as Constance, in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Sorcerer
Funny thing happened to me while at Mousefest..
I have never used a GAC before, I use a ECV & have never had trouble at all using the handicap entrance.. Well this time was different........
I went to ride Nemo in EPCOT & was told I couldn't go in. I said Why? He had no answer other than I needed a GAC.. I said Why? I have always used this entrance because I have mobility issues & am using a ECV. He would not let me on..
I'm not understanding where you were trying to go in with the ECV.
Nemo in Epcot is listed as: Guests must transfer from motorized scooter or ECV to an available wheelchair to experience the attraction
in the Epcot Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities. Walt Disney World Resort - Detecting Browser Properties . . .
In the printed version (which is dated 7/07), it has the icon for transfer from an ECV to a wheelchair and then says :Enter through the standard queue.
Buzz Lightyear at MK is listed the same way.
Last edited by SueM loves WDW; 12-31-2008 at 08:07 PM..
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DD and DS, May 2008
Seriously, having done a trip during a time of year when you could melt those pressed pennies right on Main Street, doing WDW without a GAC, I can't imagine doing it without ever again. That trip was a misery, if it could go wrong it did go wrong and it was four days before we were due to leave for home that the Operations Manager at the WL clued me in about the GAC. Regulations were different then, and she was able to get one for me, Do I need to tell you that I wrote a glowing letter to Disney management about that wonderful woman?!
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