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[Family Loves Disney]

Originally Posted by natalie

I never said that I was angry. Both of my children have a non apparent disablility (autism), though my son is flagged as disabled fairly quickly after watching his behavior. I have learned (the VERY hard way) that one should NEVER judge someone else because you have no idea what is going on behind the scenes.
Wheelchairs are expensive and if you can save a few pennies by sharing I think that's Great!!!!!

AMEN!!!! We have received a lot of stares and a few comments on why we get to "break" in line when we go somewhere similar to WDW. I remember reading someone from another board saying to a person in line that she would love to trade places with him, after that comment, he shout up.

Just because our children do not look physically handicapped does not mean they are not. Just my 2 cents.

[TinkerBellK]

I will be bringing my own chair to disney this trip. will i be given a hard time about bringing it into lines (provided they are mainstream) without a GAC? do i need a GAC to "prove" i need the wheelchair in line? thanks

[stonewall]

Technically, you do not need a GAC if you use a wheelchair, but I have always found that a GAC makes things run smoother, if only because it helps the CMs know what type of accomodations you need. Really, few people are going to go to the hassle of getting a wheelchair just to utilize a different entrance, etc, but I know that many of us have seen groups of rowdy teens( I have 2 of my own in that age group, so I'm not picking on anyone ) racing through the parks pushing the chair and the next time you see them, one iof the other kids is sitting in it and the one that was riding is now running- I think that was a lot more common in the past than it is now since the introduction of GACs. Some people are mobile enough to be able to stand/walk onto a ride and there is a special place to park your wheelchair- so a GAC would help the CM know that you need to use the FastPass line or to have accomodations in the regular line- something they would not know if they didn't see you in your wheelchair.
I've done it both ways and wouldn't attempt to tour the parks without a GAC any more- your health and comfort come first and if getting a GAC can save you any aggravation then it's well worth the few minutes that it takes to stop at Guest Services and get one.
Enjoy your trip!!

[Tig&Poo]

I am 56 yr old grandma with mobility issues due to arthritic knees, hips and feet. I also have traveled to WDW with my Autistic grandson since he was 2yrs old . In the past I have toured with four adults who were cognitivly challenged. We will be going again this May and are including family memebers for a Grand Gathering which will include two children ages 2 1/2yrs and 5yrs old with Autism. One family member who has MS. Part of my budget is to include in my vacation is a rental of a scooter. I have used Scooterama and have had wonderful service from them. My scooter is at the hotel when I arrive and available as I step off the bus. I have had no issues with Disney transportation if you cannot back it up the drivers are very accomadating. I have rented in the park however the walk from the gate to the bus was more than I could do renting takes care of that issue. We will use strollers and wheel chairs for other members in our party. My grandson has used the GAC and CM's have been nothing but incredible to us. His GAC also states that his stroller is considered a wheelchair so it can be wheeled into attractions which was blessing for us. We tried to be respectful of others and went once through lines on each ride we are able to handle. We have on several occassions been offered a second ride right away. Most WDW CM's are so kind. Thanks to wonderful websites we are able to plan our days out which include when and where to take rest breaks. How to go into the parks early in the am and comeback for afternoon pool or nap times and return to the park with the extra magic hours. All of our plans are flexible to include maybe a day at the resort just to relax. We are even able to plan our dining needs wiht one member having severe food allergies. How cool is that! I have traveled to Disney over 25 times, I would not be able to enjoy a WDW vacation if it were not for the way WDW has provisions for individuals with disabilities. we are so looking forward to our next adventure i would encourage anyone who would like ot enjoy WDW to just do a little pre-planning to meet your individual needs, be flexable and enjoy.

[w-steele]

My DW and I are both disabled but you would be hard pressed to see our disabilities. Instead of a note from a family doctor, would a 'state issued' disability I.D. card be accepted? When California issues a "disability placard", it comes with an I.D. form that must be carried everytime one uses the placard. We have also got state issued disability license plates so we always have a copy of this form with us.

[stonewall]

Yes, technically now, they can't even require an MD's note, it's just that many of us find it easier to have it annotated so we don't have to launch into a long conversation at Guest Services. You should be fine with what you mentioned but be sure to make a note (mental or on paper!) of the accomodations that you are going to request so that you don't wait in iine, forget something and then have to start all over again!
When is your trip?

[w-steele]

Originally Posted by stonewall

Yes, technically now, they can't even require an MD's note, it's just that many of us find it easier to have it annotated so we don't have to launch into a long conversation at Guest Services. You should be fine with what you mentioned but be sure to make a note (mental or on paper!) of the accomodations that you are going to request so that you don't wait in iine, forget something and then have to start all over again!
When is your trip?

Our trip isn't until Sept, the 9th thru the 19th. I suffer from C.O.P.D., arthritis of the left foot and a heart problem while my DW suffers from arthritis of the lower back and left hip and has had a stroke so neither of us can walk any great distance without the need to stop and rest. Standing for long periods of time is also a problem for us.

[stonewall]

Your definitely need to get a GAC, W-Steele! It will make the trip so much more enjoyable and much easier on both of you. Just be sure to ask for what you need, such as a place to sit while waiting, alternate boarding arrangements, etc. I hope that both of you are going to have EVCs for your stay- they are really the only way to go if you have trouble getting from place to place. It will also be hot and humid in early Sept. so you might want to consider taking 2 of the Brita water bottles that filter the water for you (put them in your room's fridge over-night) since bottled water gets expensive, and also look for those insulated bottles that chill water and then mist it whereever you spray (every time I use mine folks seem to come from everywhere and beg to be "spritzed"! Even my DD, who always wants to look her very best will take a bandana, hold it in cold water and then either wrap it around her head or around her throat to keep cool- she knows where every water fountain is in each park!!

[w-steele]

As fr the EVC's, I will be flying back with mine and we will rent one back there for her. I just hope that my EVC and us don't end up going in different directions, if you know what I mean? I'd hate to have to rent two of them and then chew out the airlines. Hahaha. We do, however, have flight/travel insurance so that should cover the cost of the second EVC if it comes to that. I HOPE! Hahaha

[Tim Sullivan]

By all means, anyone who is even considering getting a GAC, don't consider it, just get it.

firstly, you don't have to "apply" for the pass, simply visit Guest Relations and ask for a GAC. They'll ask what you need it for...they're not questioning the validity of your concern, but rather, what assistance you will require. When I got my last one a few weeks ago, I just barely started to tell the CM what I needed it for and he was already pulling out the appropriate GAC. The Guest Relations CMs are all pretty good, and they've probably heard it all before so will probably be able to steer you towards the correct GAC that you need.

One I had it, I'd say 8 out of 10 times the CM would see me holding the red card in my hand, and before I had a chance to say hello was greeting me and pointing me in the right direction. I had one fabulous CM at the Snow White ride describing to me exactly what I SHOULD be seeing (I'm mostly blind), what the cars I'm riding in look like, what is in the ride and who's mine car we were riding in (he had us wait for Dopey, as that was his fave, and it was coming up). I didn't have the heart to tell the guy we had been several times before, he seemed to have such a good time helping us

Those times when the CMs actually read the GAC, they saw what help I needed and then were able to point me in the right direction. I've only once had a bad experience with having a GAC, and that was with a CM at the head of the Maelstrom ride in Norway tell me the GAC I had wasn't the one I needed, as the one I had was to get me in the wheelchair entrance, and since I didn't have a wheelchair, it was the wrong one. I was tired and didn't feel like explaining to the CM that the GAC was specifically for people NOT in wheelchairs/ECVs...but he was young, probably new, the last attraction we were going to, so I let it slide.

At any rate, GACs make life so much easier, definatly go and get one!

Tim

[stonewall]

Originally Posted by w-steele

As fr the EVC's, I will be flying back with mine and we will rent one back there for her. I just hope that my EVC and us don't end up going in different directions, if you know what I mean? I'd hate to have to rent two of them and then chew out the airlines. Hahaha. We do, however, have flight/travel insurance so that should cover the cost of the second EVC if it comes to that. I HOPE! Hahaha

Great idea about the trip insurance! Having a disablity and a chronic illness has taught me never to go anywhere without it (I forgot last summer and now have a ticket I don't want to use)
I've never had my ECV lost, but I have had it damaged. Of course, the planed arrived back home after 10 PM so I had to hunt down and wake up an airling employee to get the paperwork (NEVER leave the airport with a damaged scooter/wheelchair as they will never belive that YOU didn't go out and beat it with an iron pipe yourself), but after that, it only took about a week and the voucher for the repairs arrived- but it was in the shop for a month after that!!
Please let us know about your rental experience and have a wonderful vacation!

[kayleighnik]

Last trip to WDW I took my crutches (they're red!) with me, just in case. I have a problem with my feet where I can't walk, or stand, for long on them and if I do then it gets to the point where I can't walk at all.

The first time at WDW in 2005 had been alright. My feet hurt, but I managed without a wheelchair or crutches, so I was expecting WDW 2007 to be similar. At home, I study from home and don't go out much, because of the problem I have. I'm also on a fair bit of medication (about 22 tablets a day) to manage the pain, so I thought it would cover it.

Second day at WDW, we went to Epcot. We headed straight to World Showcase and I made it, walking, to American Adventure before I couldn't walk anymore. My Mom and brother literally had to carry me back to our hotel (PO French Q).

The next day we decided to get a wheelchair. The thing is, that I *can* walk if I'm not on them for longer than 15 minutes at a time. If it's longer than that then it feels like my feet are covered in hundreds of bruises - agony. I also can't sit for longer than half an hour at a time, without my legs going numb. I got a few looks when I got out of the wheelchair and walked around perfectly fine, or when no one could see an obvious illness.

I've never been challenged about the wheelchair by any cast member - they've all been extremely helpful. But I usually take my crutches along too, for the rides where I really do have to get out of the wheelchair and walk a bit for...Because its not a physical injury in the way that you can see it all the time, next time I would think about getting a card, just in case...

Great thread, as I didnt know about them before ^-^

[Suzie]

My youngest DS tripped and fell when getting out of one of the buses. His knee was not damaged seriously but it was swollen and had a bruise and scrape. The Disney folks insisted on getting us a wheelchair so he rode around in it all day. But when we got to an attraction, I just parked the chair like you would a stroller and he walked (limped) in with us.
However, that evening at Fantastic, when we started up the slope to get in, the cast members put us in the wheelchair line. I kept telling them that he could walk, that it was a minor injury but they insisted that he stay in the chair and they made us sit in the handicapped area (really did MAKE us). I felt bad as people with much more obvious needs were seated around us. I still wonder if the Cast members had been told to take care of him since he had been injured on Disney property and they thought we might try to sue! Of course, I would never think do such a thing, it was just a kid tripping in his hurry to get going.
So anyone who saw us using a chair with a child that seemed perfectly alright, that was why.
Suzie

[Laughaholic]

Originally Posted by Tim Sullivan

firstly, you don't have to "apply" for the pass, simply visit Guest Relations and ask for a GAC. They'll ask what you need it for...they're not questioning the validity of your concern, but rather, what assistance you will require.

Great comments Tim.

I'm almost positive because of the ADA, they can't refuse to give it to you, nor question the disability.

I work at a theme park (non Disney) and that is part of our policy. If they need a special assistance wristband, we don't question them.

[SueM loves WDW]

Originally Posted by Laughaholic

Great comments Tim.

I'm almost positive because of the ADA, they can't refuse to give it to you, nor question the disability.

I work at a theme park (non Disney) and that is part of our policy. If they need a special assistance wristband, we don't question them.

Tim is correct.
Under the ADA, they are not allowed to ask for or require proof of a disability. But they can question you about what your needs are and what sorts of accomodations would meet those needs.
If the guest refuses to answer or is not able to explain their needs, there is no requirement under the ADA to meet the needs (you can't meet needs if you don't know what they are).
They are required to provide reasonable accomodations, not necessarily every accomodation that someone wants.
So, yes, they can refuse to give you a Guest Assistance Card under those kinds of circumstances.

Since the GACs at WDW say different things, based on the needs of the person, it is important for WDW to know what the person's needs are. Also, even if you have a GAC, that does not mean that all the accomodations are available at each attraction or that it will be handled exactly the same on each attraction.