Social Anxiety and GAC About This Page:

[PamelaK]

I am going to WDW with my DD and DBF in November. She will be in her wheelchair and I have already planned to get a GAC for her. However, DBF is diagnosed with severe social anxiety and OCD.I know he and I will be able to get on rides with DD using her GAC, but if there are rides that she does not want to get on or if there is a ride he wants to get on and we don't then I am thining he will need a GAC of his own so that he can wait in a less crowded area. Can we have 2 GAC's in one party?

He does take meds and he sees a counselor on a weekly basis to deal with his anxiety. His meds WILL travel with us to the parks so that he has them if he needs them. I am just concerned with him having to wait with large crowds if DD or I are not with him. He has told me that we help him to stay calm just by being with him.

[SueM loves WDW]

Originally Posted by PamelaK

I am going to WDW with my DD and DBF in November. She will be in her wheelchair and I have already planned to get a GAC for her...................I am thining he will need a GAC of his own so that he can wait in a less crowded area. Can we have 2 GAC's in one party?
...........................I am just concerned with him having to wait with large crowds if DD or I are not with him. He has told me that we help him to stay calm just by being with him.

Depending on what your DD's needs are, she may not need a GAC.
If her major need is to have a wheelchair accessible entrance, you don't need a GAC for that if you have a wheelchair. The CMs will direct you to the correct place just by seeing the wheelchair.

So, I would look at what her needs besides an accessible entrance are compared to his needs. It may work better to have him get a GAC rather than her. I doubt that they would give 2 GACs to a party of 3, but you can always explain the needs of both and see what they say. If he is with you and your DD whenever she is riding, his GAC would handle the needs other than accessibility and her wheelchair would handle accessibility.

If the things he is planning on going on are attractions with Fastpass, I would suggest that is a good way to avoid crowds - he can get a Fastpass for those attractions and will usually have a 10 minute or less wait. Many attractions don't have a quieter place to wait, so he will not know what accommodations are available for him until he gets to the attraction.
Another way to avoid crowds would be to use a touring plan, like Passporters Touring plans. That will put you in places where it is not so busy.

Another way to think about things is the 'cost' in potential anxiety to him. He will need to decide whether the 'cost' of an attraction is worth the benefit of going on the attraction. He also will need to think about how he might handle anxiety in an attraction if you are not there with him. Depending on his situation, some people become anxious in attractions because of things that are part of the attraction (i.e. low ceilings that make the space feel claustrophobic to some people). There are also attractions where people sit right next to each other (for example, Star Tours is a moving simulator in a theater - like setting; Soarin' has rows of seats). As a single rider, he may also have people sitting next to him in attractions like Test Track where each row in the ride car holds several people. I'd suggest looking at the Open Mouse Book for more information about attractions. (There is a link to more information about Open Mouse in a sticky thread near the top of this board).

[PamelaK]

Thank you for the advice. I have the Open Mouse so I will reread it and see what would be a good plan for him. I have already decided to build in time for him to go to the arcades since that helps to calm him too. (He's going to college to be a game designer.) Once he is on the rides, I don't think it will be too bad for him, since the number of people per ride is rather limited. The Backlot Tour at DHS is the one "ride" with the largest number of people I can think of. And if we go on that one, we can ride at the back of the tram to help him not feel so overwhelmed. As for shows like It's Tough to be a Bug, once the lights go down, he can ignore the crowds. We try to do things together as a "family" so that DD and I can see what his triggers are and know how we need to respond to help him, and so he can build up his tolerance to such situations. (His words, not mine.)

I will look into the Touring Plans. DD and I are more of the "go with the flow" group, so we didn't really plan much beyond our MUST DO's for our last trip. But the touring plans sound like it might be a better way for us to do things with DBF.

[TinkerBellK]

i am very interested to see the responses to your question. I have been having a relapse of my old social anxiety problems (i have been largely homebound recently, so its hard getting back out), and i am concerned about my next trip to disney. I have done disney many times, and use a wheelchair, so i know about accessible entrances (i don't need a GAC, or never did before, so your DD may be fine without one), but i always wondered what disney could do for people with social anxiety problems.

mine are made worse by teh fact that i am only 3.5 ft tall in my chair, so i am constantly surrounded by people MUCH taller than me.

let me know if you get any great tips! i am very interested, and hopefully everything works out for you!

[sdc71]

We recently returned from our Spring Break trip to Disney. My 3 year old son has CP. We got a GAC for him and also the red sticker for his stroller to be used as a wheelchair. Actually we only asked for the sticker but they gave us the GAC as well.

Several days into our trip we visited Epcot and went to Soarin. Unfortunately, my son wasn't tall enough to ride so I told my daughters that we would just get fastpasses and come back. The CM at the entrance to Soarin overheard me and told us that we could go ahead and ride with his GAC. I was confused and told her that he wasn't tall enough to ride. She said that didn't matter. She told me that the GAC works like a fastpass (at rides that have fastpass lines) and that the group or an individual in the group can use it whether or not the person with the disability rides. So, with that advice, my mother and daughters rode and I stayed with my son and then I rode with my daughters while my mother waited. Both times we used the fastpass line. I personally thought this was just a fluke and that the CM was misinformed. However, I talked to CMs at two other rides and was told the same thing. The GAC was clearly marked "stroller as wheelchair" so it was obvious that we weren't the ones with the disability but we were never questioned - only waved through the fastpass line.

So I said all that to say this...you and your daughter's boyfriend should be able to ride using the GAC whether or not your daughter rides. I would double check when you get the GAC just to be sure but that's how it worked for us.

Also, I've heard conflicting accounts of whether or not you need a GAC with a wheelchair. I would definitely ask at the park.

Hope that helps!

[PamelaK]

I've never heard of that either Stephanie. Thanks for the info. I am thinking that we will get DD a GAC anyway, just to be on the safe side. As for DBF, I'm thinking it would be a good idea to get him one one too.

[CinderAbby]

My husband uses a scooter and my daughter is Autistic and the two times we've gone, they've written the GAC for the entire family - not just Lenny or Abby. On rides that Lenny didn't go on with us, we were never questioned why we had the pass or why we were using it but the CM's did ask to look at it to see what accomodation we needed. Even when he was with us they would look as Disney has now made their lines handicap accessible. Sometimes we were sent FP with Lenny, others the "true" alternate entrance (Peter Pan for example - there's 3 areas where you enter it - 1 for Standby, 1 for FP and 1 for wheelchair accesible -sometimes we did FP, sometimes wheelchair - it depended upon the CM). Without a GAC, you won't always go in a FP line (Buzz lightyear comes to mind) becasue both the FP and standby line are wide enough for wheelchairs and there's no obstacles (stairs for instance) to avoid. And yes, I have seen people in wheelchairs in the regular standby line (it was at Buzz actually and I think at Pooh too).

[PamelaK]

Thank you for all the information. This really helps my planning.

[SueM loves WDW]

Originally Posted by sdc71

The CM at the entrance to Soarin overheard me and told us that we could go ahead and ride with his GAC. I was confused and told her that he wasn't tall enough to ride. She said that didn't matter. She told me that the GAC works like a fastpass (at rides that have fastpass lines) and that the group or an individual in the group can use it whether or not the person with the disability rides. So, with that advice, my mother and daughters rode and I stayed with my son and then I rode with my daughters while my mother waited. Both times we used the fastpass line. I personally thought this was just a fluke and that the CM was misinformed. However, I talked to CMs at two other rides and was told the same thing. The GAC was clearly marked "stroller as wheelchair" so it was obvious that we weren't the ones with the disability but we were never questioned - only waved through the fastpass line.!

I saw this same information posted by someone else on a different board.
Since this is different than the past AND I have seen posts from people who tried to do this and were told they could not do this, I was curious.
I contacted a CM I know who works in Guest Relations at Epcot to see if anything had changed. She wrote back to me that it had not changed and that the Stamp that says "Stroller as a Wheelchair" or "May use wheelchair entrances" means the guest may use whatever entrance is listed in the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities as the accessible entrance.

We were just in WDW in March and I can tell you that our experience with a wheelchair and a GAC that allowed alternate entrances was different than yours. We go to WDW at least 2 times a year for up to 12 days each trip, so we have a lot of park time. My daughter uses a wheelchair and also has multiple disabilities that she needs accommodation for, so we do get a GAC for her and have been doing this since 1999.
The GAC is made out with my daughter's name. We were told on our last 2 trips that the GAC was for her use on attractions where she would be going on. When we used the GAC on Soarin, the CM did look the GAC over carefully before allowing us through. In past trips I have seen the CMs turn people away at the Fastpass line because the stamp on their GAC did not allow use of that entrance.

So, if you end up with a CM who says it is OK, go with it. But, be aware that this may not be allowed on all Fastpass lines or by all CMs at a different time at the same attraction.

[stonewall]

If someone in your party is really going to have problems with waiting in line with a lot of people around, definitely ASK to have the FastPass accomodation written right on the GAC. Also, if you think that there is a chance that you might let one person wait in a comfortable spot while others go on a ride, then it makes perfect sense to ask for 2 GACs, especially since the those members of the party do not share a last name or even a legal relation. If you are hesitant to ask for this at Guest Services, get one in one park and the other in a different park! I would definitely make sure that anyone with a WC or ECV has a GAC as I've found that not all CMs know about using the alternate entrances and with the turnover in park employees, who wants to spend their vacation time educating the staff!

[SueM loves WDW]

Originally Posted by sdc71

Also, I've heard conflicting accounts of whether or not you need a GAC with a wheelchair. I would definitely ask at the park.

Hope that helps!

It depends on the needs of the person using a wheelchair. If all they need is an accessible line without stairs or other 'roadblocks' to wheelchairs, they don't need a GAC.
If the person has other needs besides being able to use an accessible line, they would need a GAC. Just having a wheelchair or ECVdoesn't allow use of alternate entrances (not all attractions have alternate entrances and some of them involve being taken 'backstage' by a CM, so you may hae to come back when a CM is available).

WDW has specific designated wheelchair accessible entrances for each attraction. Someone with a wheelchair or ECV doesn't need a GAC to use those entrances. A GAC with "May use Wheelchair Entrances" or "Stroller as a Wheelchair" GAC also allows use of those designated entrances.

The entrances used to be listed in the on-line Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities, but WDW recently updated their website and that information is missing. The new Guidemaps for Guests with Disabilities for each park do list the designated wheelchair/ECV entrance access information.
In many cases, guidemap says that guests with wheelchairs/ ECVs should use the "Mainstream Queue", which is the regular line that everyone uses. The lines were set up to be accessible for people with wheelchairs/ECVs. This is called Mainstream Access and is in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act which requires that people with disabilities be handled the same as other people, as much as possible.
Animal Kingdom and the Studio were built with Mainstream Access, so in most cases, the wheelchair entrance at those parks is the 'regular entrance'.
Magic Kingdom and Epcot are older and many of the attractions were not originally built with accessible lines. As renovations occurred or new attractions were added, they added Mainstream Access as much as possible, but some attractions were not able to be converted (for example, Dumbo and the Teacups). Those do have other specific wheelchair entrances listed in the Guidemap, so you can use those entrances without having a GAC.

In my experience and in talking/writing to others with mobility challenges, CMs are pretty good about steering people to the accessible entrance if they have an obvious visible need for an accessible entrance (like wheelchairs, ECVs, casts and crutches).
Not so good with things that may not be as obvious (like leg brace, cane, prosthetic leg). The GAC to use the wheelchair entrance or use a stroller as a wheelchair lets the CMs know that someone without an obvious need requires that entrance.

Some attractions have lines that are accessible to wheelchairs, but something about the queue makes them not accessible to many ECVs (primarily because of the many turns in the queue that are difficult for someone using an ECV to negotiate). The designated way most of these atractions deal with the inaccessibility for ECV users is to have wheelchairs at those attractions that the ECV user can transfer to.
Someone using an entrance that is not the one listed in the Guidemap as the wheelchair entrance would need a GAC because they are not using the 'designated' wheelchair entrance.
In all our times to WDW, we only have run into one problem; at Splash Mountain when we got to the gate marked with a wheelchair, the CM said she could not let us through because that would be "cutting the line". I pointed out to her that the main line at that point went up a flight of stairs and asked her how we were to get our daughter in her wheelchair up the steps. She still would not budge, so we asked for her manager, who of course let us go the way without stairs. (We actually ended up waiting there long enough that we saw some people exiting who had been in line not far ahead of us). Anyway, if a CM won't let you go the way you think is the accessible way/entrance, my first advice would be to check the Guidebook/Guidemap (are you actually trying to go in a way that is not a designated wheelchair entrance??). If you are in the right place, then ask to have a manager or supervisor.

[CinderAbby]

at Splash Mountain when we got to the gate marked with a wheelchair, the CM said she could not let us through because that would be "cutting the line". I pointed out to her that the main line at that point went up a flight of stairs and asked her how we were to get our daughter in her wheelchair up the steps. She still would not budge, s

Stupidity at it's absolute finest IMO. I'd like to know how she expected you to get your daughter up the stairs too.

[SueM loves WDW]

Originally Posted by CinderAbby

Stupidity at it's absolute finest IMO. I'd like to know how she expected you to get your daughter up the stairs too.

The funniest part was that when her manager came and told her to open the chain, she still didn't want to open it. As we crossed thru, she was arguing with the manager.

[CinderAbby]

The funniest part was that when her manager came and told her to open the chain, she still didn't want to open it. As we crossed thru, she was arguing with the manager.

Oh boy! I can only shake my head at that. Arguing with her manager? I definitely think she was many sandwiches short of a picnic. I don't think she even had the picnic basket or the ants.

[SueM loves WDW]

Originally Posted by CinderAbby

Oh boy! I can only shake my head at that. Arguing with her manager? I definitely think she was many sandwiches short of a picnic. I don't think she even had the picnic basket or the ants.

Yes, she was pretty clueless.
Before the manager came, some of the other guests were coming to our aid and pointing out that wheelchairs don't go up steps.
The conversation with the manager (CMM) went something like this:
CMM: What is the difficulty here?
CM: They are asking to come thru this gate, but I can't let them cut the line.
CMM: They have a wheelchair; they are supposed to go thru this gate.
CM: I can't let them cut the line.
CMM: They are not cutting the line. They can't go any farther in the regular line. There are steps.
CM: I can't let them cut the line.
CMM: They can't go up the steps. They need to go thru the gate. Now, move so they can go thru.

The manager apologized to us and the CM just kept saying, "But I can't let them cut the line".

I don't know what part of wheelchairs don't do stairs she didn't get, but it was pretty odd.