Guest Assistance Cards Are NOT Fastpasses!!!

[Cheshire Figment]

Q1. Although I know this probably is a yes, I would just like confirmation. A rollator, walker with seat and wheels, would be considered similar to a wheelchair and EVC and would not need a GAC?

Normally any sort of mobility assistance device, from a cane upwards to a power chair, is an indication to a CM of mobility/stamina needs. At attractions with stairs, such as Splash, Big Thunder, or TSMM they will automatically ask the person if they can do stairs and if the answer is no send them to the alternate entrance.

Q2. If someone has trouble waiting in the sun, is there really anything that can be done for them?

If the queue is primarily not shaded, and there is an indication for sun avoidance on the GAC, usually there is an accommodation that can be made. Many times it is a special handwritten fastpass with a return time equal to the current wait time of the standby queue.

Q3. Has anyone ever seen something like anxiety about separation as a list on their GAC?

I don't see where lack of separation would be a need. The GAC will normally cover the person with the disability and up to five additional people. Under some circumstances, depending on both the number of adults and children in the group it may allow additional people. Again, this is on a case-by-case basis.

[BRWombat]

I have lurked on this site for a month or two now. ...

Hey, Tobi! Always glad to have a lurker join in the discussion.

:sgthello:

[Tobi]

Cheshire Figment, thank you. I think if I show my sister these answers, that will help with some of her fears.

BRWombat, thank you for the welcome.

[mapo]

She also has become very anxious lately about being lost or separated entirely from the people she is with. As long as she is with one of us, she will be fine.

On the separation anxiety:

• When you get to WDW, point out that if her family gets "lost" that any CM can find them! Show her how to spot a name tag and how that (the name tag) is definitely a CM.
• Make a small-ish card, bright colors seem to help, with a list of two or three CELL phone numbers of her "lost" family members. Also, if appropriate, list her meds or allergies on the back. This is really for her peace of mind; BUT just in case.
• KEEP your cell phones ON! Make it part of the family ritual to charge it together at night and check it in front of her before you leave the hotel.

Have a great trip

MAPO

[lady ulrike]

2) Do you explain the difference between a 'bypass' card an a 'green light' card? Do the guests sign for the card indicating they understand its use?

3) Do you explain that the wait for an 'alternative entrance' may be just as long as the regular queue, or that the family may be asked to split up so the GAC uses the alternate entrance while the rest of the family uses the queue?

Ok, not a GR CM, but I know these two, or at least, what we're told happens. The GR CM goes over the fine print and such on the GAC card and has the Guest initial that they've read and understand it. On the GAC it says that the wait may be as long as the regular queue. I do not know if they explain that the family may be split, they may do so when there groups that are much larger than the normal 6 that are allowed.

Most of the times we get people who come up and are outrage that they have to wait. Then you get the ones who come flashing the card and VERY LOUDLY saying how they have a GAC and they don't need to wait in line. If you are doing 10 other things and are forced to make them wait for any amount of time they come up the hallway reminding, rather rudely, how they are still waiting and to hurry up.

Yes, these are the people that bother me and the ones that I would feel completely confident to bet all my money that they do not actually need the use of the GAC card. I work an attraction that has wheelchair access directly on it and I've had people that have bad timing and have to wait 30+ min for the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle when the standard queue is 5 min and they are completely happy to wait. They are just happy and grateful to be able to get on the ride. And this applies to all who use the GAC and truly need it. For many, it is the only way they can possibly enjoy the parks, so they're just happy that we have a way for them to enjoy it.

[ifoundnemo]

I have guests still go ape when they have to wait. It's like after they review the fine print etc. It's as if they don't even remember a single thing told to them when they get to the attraction... or they don't think we have this information.

In our situation, we have to personally escort the guests and their parties to the alternate entrance which takes them through a backstage area. We can only take so many people at a time (about 15 people tops... 20+ with a second cast member escorting) and people get sooooo furious when we don't get them on the first trip... or when parties go "we were here first." I don't care if you were first or fifth. I'm checking the people immediately in front of me... first come first serve.

[Shorty82]

Sounds to me the abusers are forgetting the whole idea of the GAC and alternate entrances is to allow equal, not superior, access to attractions to those needing special assistance. Just because someone has some kind of special needs doesn't mean they can get out of waiting to get on an attraction like everyone else.

[Teddykeiko86]

I am so glad I found this article. At the park I worked at, we offered the standard to all disabled guests. Since not all lines are wheelchair accessible, the wheelchair will have to wait at the exit. But we were unable to accommodate groups larger than two at our exits, so we ask parties to split for the wait time only.

When guests come into to GR to rent a wheelchair we explained that they will still wait the same amount as the other guests.

Most people are okay with it. Others, especially those we got with sprained ankles and such, say that it is unfair. And then there are those that say "Well at Disneyland they just let us right on". I knew that sounded suspicious before I read this post. And know I know it is not true. They will come in asking for "the pass that gets them on the rides quicker".

If some one comes in saying they are disabled and can't wait or stand, we recommended wheelchairs, because seating at the boarding area doesn't exist per OSHA rules. If they are unwilling to rent a wheelchair ( expensive, we know), we can only offer them the wait at the exit for the rest of your party option. Too many this is unacceptable, and they demand immediate boarding or "fast pass" boarding, especially considering there were few or no places to sit.

Unfortunately, a reduced wait time is not available for people who are unable to stand, or anyone for that matter. Which is inconvenient for those who actually need it, but the only sure way to eliminate abuse. In circumstances we can accommodate extraneous needs. Like those with severe mental impairments who might harm themselves or others while waiting in line. And if an accommodation is made for that it only permits for the disabled person and a guardian to enter that way. Also, we don't spilt up parties if there are two or children under the age of ten with a single guardian. For example, if mom is in a wheelchair and has three kids, two of which are under ten years old, we don't split them up.

[Tobi]

On the separation anxiety:

• When you get to WDW, point out that if her family gets "lost" that any CM can find them! Show her how to spot a name tag and how that (the name tag) is definitely a CM.
• Make a small-ish card, bright colors seem to help, with a list of two or three CELL phone numbers of her "lost" family members. Also, if appropriate, list her meds or allergies on the back. This is really for her peace of mind; BUT just in case.
• KEEP your cell phones ON! Make it part of the family ritual to charge it together at night and check it in front of her before you leave the hotel.

Have a great trip

MAPO

Thank you. I think we have the cell phone issue handled as she has her own and uses it frequently. I had planned on making a list for her to put on the back of a lanyard I have for her just in case with the numbers. She understands the uniforms of the CMs and can read their name tags if she has need to find one. I will need to stress to my sister to keep her cell phone on as she is the one that tends to turn hers off where as mine never gets turned off unless it is manditory based on where I am.

I love the idea of putting her medicines on a card as I had not even thought of this. Although I hope we do not need to use it, I know it can be important. My sister about died on us last August when a doctor mis-prescribed medication. She had to be resusitated four times and spent a few days in ICU.

[DragonFox98]

Hey, all! Just thought I would post a little of my personal experience if it helps anyone (and a short story, too!).

My hubby suffers from severe anxiety...to the point where he has a panic attack and either (1) needs a trip to the hospital or (2) I completely medicate his rear end and he passes out. So, this past trip (late September/early Oct), I asked about getting him a GAC.....NOT to skip lines, but to allow us to sit near an exit door (in case he felt claustrophobic) or something along those lines. I will admit, I was worried about him standing in line, but his mom and our kids helped keep him focused and grounded. Basically, the GR CM told me just to have a quick chat with the CM of a particular attraction (like Mickey's Philharmagic) and ask if it would be okay to be seated near the door. It helped ease his anxiety a lot if he were within two strides of a door, let me tell you. Also, his mom was in a wheelchair (there was NO WAY she could walk through the parks everyday....her ankles would have been five times their normal size) and that helped us a bit with seating.

I will say this about moving to the front of the line....even though my MIL was in a wheelchair the entire time we were in the parks, we never went to the front of the line except in one instance (and it shocked me!). We left Small World and headed toward Peter Pan and were about to get in line with the wheelchair when a CM motioned us over towards the exit. He asked how many were in our party (six including the 2 year old) and said, "wait here one moment". Next thing I knew, we were being led onto the conveyor belt. I started to protest and said..."No, we can wait", but the CM wouldn't hear of it. I thought it was really nice, but we wouldn't have minded waiting, we did on everything else.

I agree...jerks who think front of the line access applies to them need to be shown the back of the line. I feel bad for the CMs that have to put up with that crap on a daily basis.