Guest Assistance Cards

[OttawaMum]

Originally Posted by bpaquette

you can not look at someone and say they don't need the GAC.

This is one of the most important things for people to remember.

It's also important to remember that any portion of a conversation you overhear does not include all of the information.

When we went to WDW with my FIL he used an ECV for the first time in his life. I remember several conversations in which he said something along the lines of "this was a really great idea because it has really saved my feet". I've seen plenty of people post that they heard conversations along those lines and interpreted them as meaning that the person could have walked, but, was just being lazy.

But, my FIL has the same genetic skin problem that OttawaWendy has. It's not possible for either of them to walk at WDW -- OW tried it once and after 4 hours she was moving more slowly than OttawaBoy does now at 14 months and she spent the remaining portion of the trip essentially unable to walk. (Well, she tried it a 2nd time a few years later, but, was smarter and gave in faster, so, the experience was a bit less memorable.)

Both of them function in regular life without needing an ECV and both of them can get up out of the wheelchair/ECV and board the bus looking normal. But, 10 min of heated friction causes the layers of their skin to separate (I'm not talking normal blistering). The place this happens most frequently is to their feet, so, they often refer to their issues as "my feet" even though it's a bigger challenge than that.

So, in the past, I would push OW in a wheelchair. But, with OB, I can't do that. So, she's using an ECV and I have full responsibilities for pushing/carrying OB which is why it would have been nice to take a brief break and leave him to be pushed by OW's mom once or twice.

I suspect that the fact that she looks fine and is overweight while using the ECV is the main reason that the CM thought we were trying to scam the system. Never assume that you can tell someone's medical history from the way they look.

[suecait]

Originally Posted by lakeariel

Yes, people who abuse ruin things for people who need services. I used to watch people cut lines in wheelchairs etc (especially at the buses) then just about dance onto the bus. I have heard people brag about cutting. A former friend pretended her son had ADHD and brought her huge family right on rides. For one thing, that is not a cause so these policies do need to be tweaked. I find myself disabled now after battling lung cancer for 3 years. I don't have enough lung capacity (mostly from radiation) to walk more then 20 ft. Looking at me you wouldn't know there was anything wrong with me sitting on that scooter! I would be glad to show my ID from Memorial Sloan Kettering or some other evidence to get the card. I should have to. The same form I needed to get a handicap tag for my car. I will be going in August and hope I don't have an issue.

ADHD would qualify for a GAC? I don't have any clue on what does and does not qualify for a GAC.

I do agree you can't tell by looking at someone & judging whether they need a GAC or ECV but sometimes it get difficult like when I saw some young 20 yr olds swapping out using the ECV.

[Pennsygander]

I have posted on previous threads on this subject and feel again that I have to comment. We have a daughter with special needs who uses a wheelchair. She has some behavioral issues and has hypotonia in her muscles. These conditions combined with a feeding tube regimen do not allow her to spend extended periods of time in the parks. She wilts easily from any strenuous activity and must leave the parks after only four or so hours to rest and recover. She is 15 years old (16 on our next trip). When we first went to WDW (when she was 7) I too felt guilty about using a GAC, always feeling the eyes of those who stood patiently in line. Since our first visit my skin has gotten a little thicker. I can say that I now feel absolutely no guilt when using the GAC for her. We try to fit in as much as we can with the little time she has. When we are gone everyone else is still there enjoying the parks without us "inconveniencing" them. They only notice our presence, not our absence. I'm not jeolous of them. I just don't have a problem with jumping to the front of the line ahead of them. Do not worry about what others think. They don't know the whole story and nobody is under any obligation to explain themselves to them.

[Dizzney]

I've used an ECV on our last several trips due to knee issues, I replaced one partially two years ago and tomorrow (uggg) I am having a full replacement done on the other.

There is no way I will be able to walk the parks when my DD13 and I are there in July, and much to my dismay the ECV is the only way I can do it. I rent mine in advance from Walker so that I have it 24/7 and can get around outside the parks. Disney staff and people in the resortst ehmselves are great, its in the parks and on the buses that people give you that look.

Maybe if so many didnt abuse it, people wouldnt be so upset. At least this year I will have a fresh pink 12 inch scar they can see and maybe I wont get the looks that I have in the past?

[rmt32481]

Does anyone know when the new rules will be out? We are going again in October. My son is 4 and has autism and SPD. We use the GAC because if I can't keep him moving or in the stroller he will run away or have a meltdown and start hitting and biting everyone. It is difficult and he totally looks normal so we do get a lot of looks as if we are abusing the system, even from the Disney ride operators who sometimes roll their eyes at us (probably because they see a physically healthy boy saying "ride, ride, ride" and pulling us down the queue.

As far as the GAC, there is a limit of 6 people allowed to go on the ride with it (including the child). If the line is less than about 15-20 minutes or has a fast moving line we don't use it.

[5DisneyFans]

Originally Posted by rmt32481

Does anyone know when the new rules will be out? We are going again in October. My son is 4 and has autism and SPD. We use the GAC because if I can't keep him moving or in the stroller he will run away or have a meltdown and start hitting and biting everyone. It is difficult and he totally looks normal so we do get a lot of looks as if we are abusing the system, even from the Disney ride operators who sometimes roll their eyes at us (probably because they see a physically healthy boy saying "ride, ride, ride" and pulling us down the queue.

As far as the GAC, there is a limit of 6 people allowed to go on the ride with it (including the child). If the line is less than about 15-20 minutes or has a fast moving line we don't use it.

I find this, and some of the other posts from people who feel guilty, so heartbreaking. I can't imagine what that must be like for you.

[avsheffi]

Originally Posted by rmt32481

Does anyone know when the new rules will be out? We are going again in October. My son is 4 and has autism and SPD. We use the GAC because if I can't keep him moving or in the stroller he will run away or have a meltdown and start hitting and biting everyone. It is difficult and he totally looks normal so we do get a lot of looks as if we are abusing the system, even from the Disney ride operators who sometimes roll their eyes at us (probably because they see a physically healthy boy saying "ride, ride, ride" and pulling us down the queue.

As far as the GAC, there is a limit of 6 people allowed to go on the ride with it (including the child). If the line is less than about 15-20 minutes or has a fast moving line we don't use it.

We have a similar situation with our DS11. He has autism and gets extremely anxious when in crowded lines or in loud areas. He is very tall and athletic looking and at first glance appears completely "normal." We get a lot of stares and glares when we use the GAC. What people don't understand is that he can become aggressive, hitting and biting (mostly himself) when he is under stress. He also has very loud vocalizations that can sometimes be inappropriate (e.g., yelling at people to shut up or putting his hands over his ears and screaming). These are all part of his disability and no amount of discipline can eliminate these behaviors (although, they are more manageable that they used to be now that we know the triggers.) As others on this thread have said, we try to use the regular lines whenever possible, but there are a lot of rides where we really need to use the GAC. I was so happy when Winnie the Pooh put in the interactive games because now I can wait in line while my son happily bangs away in the game area with his dad.

It angers me that people are taking advantage of the GAC because we try so hard to only use it when it is absolutely necessary. We could not go to Disney without it. I try not to pass judgment on others since I don't know their story and I've been harshly and unfairly judged myself. I just hope Disney errs on the side of the disabled population rather than punishing all of us for the sins of a few.

Angie

[chevl66]

Originally Posted by rmt32481

As far as the GAC, there is a limit of 6 people allowed to go on the ride with it (including the child). If the line is less than about 15-20 minutes or has a fast moving line we don't use it.

We have a family of 8, we have 2 children with disabilities (1 FASD/Bipolar w/ hallucinations & 1 FASD/ADHD) so if I only get a GAC for my child who can't be in crowds - our family has to split up? One of them can deal pretty well although the stress of the travel and parks/people may get to him. I'm just wondering why our family would have to split up to go on rides - not together because 1 child has severe disabilities. So we either split up or I get 2 GAC's? Although I may end up needing 2, it was my intention only to get 1 unless we are going to need 2 to all be together. Has anyone else ran into this?

[zgoodfella75]

we always get it as my mom in Disney needs a wheel chair, we rent the powered ones, as she just cannot stand or walk for long periods of time. She has a handicap pass for parking. Disney should have you show documentation from a doctor or your DOT (they issue the handicap parking passes) that shows you need the pass. I have heard people on the same line as us giggle at how easy it was to just get the pass and beat the lines......

[chevl66]

Originally Posted by zgoodfella75

we always get it as my mom in Disney needs a wheel chair, we rent the powered ones, as she just cannot stand or walk for long periods of time. She has a handicap pass for parking. Disney should have you show documentation from a doctor or your DOT (they issue the handicap parking passes) that shows you need the pass. I have heard people on the same line as us giggle at how easy it was to just get the pass and beat the lines......

I was planning on letters from my kids' doctors. I didn't realize these were optional!?! Amazing, no wonder it's abused.