Guest Assistance Cards Are NOT Fastpasses!!!

[ifoundnemo]

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.

And Peter Pan usually has a very long wait! The CM was clearly on top of their game and clearly went out of their way to help you guys out!

[Zazu]

Questions:
Q1. A rollator, walker with seat and wheels, would be considered similar to a wheelchair and EVC and would not need a GAC?

Depends, but I'd recommend you get one for other reasons you mention.

Guests with wheelchairs don't need a GAC if their only issue is being in a wheelchair. Even pretty stupid CMs can identify wheelchairs and direct that party to a wheelchair entrance. There is no special entrance or ride vehicles for rollators, so there's nothing to be done because of them. OTOH, if she isn't able to fold it up and carry it up stairs, she needs a GAC that permits her to use the wheelchair entrance. Tell Guest Relations that she can't climb stairs to get the right GAC stamp.

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

Yes. This is actually a pretty common GAC stamp. Generally, part of the group will wait in line while the sun-sensitive and perhaps other members of the group will be directed to wait in the shade until they can be put together for boarding.

You will want to get a GAC for this reason alone.

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

No, but there's nothing CMs can do about that. The only time we make groups break up is when they're too large for the ride vehicle or using a "Single Rider Line". As all vehicles take at least two guests, there shouldn't be a problem for you, and I can't imagine how a GAC could help in any event.

I guess I did not have as many questions as I thought. I know I had more before I started, but common sense is kicked in. I feel like if I am going to have a stupid guest moment, then I would rather have one here were it can be pointed out than in the park and not have the opportunity to apologize once I realize what I did.

Worrying about being a Stupid Guest is by itself an indicator that you're not likely to become one.

I tried to explain to her that the rollator would probably be enough to not need a GAC, but she did not agree as she said she had other issues.

No, a rollator certainly won't indicate that she has sun sensitivity, and it won't indicate if she can carry it up stairs or not. She'll definitely need a GAC to get help with those issues.

Your family can deal with separation issues by sticking with her.

As for the rollator itself, you will likely be asked to fold it and place it on the floor just like it was a stroller. Know that this is a safety rule that we don't get any leeway on. If that's going to be a cause of stress for her, make sure you review that point before the visit so she's not surprised by it. Have all the family members practice folding it, as sometimes the latches aren't entirely obvious (especially to the mechanically declined).

Some models of rollator don't fold up -- you may be unable to take these on some attractions, including parking lot trams.

Good questions! Ask more.

[Tobi]

Thank you Zazu.

She does have a rollator that folds up so that will work out well. My dad or I could probably carry it up some stairs as long as we did not get stopped on them, but I do not think I want to chance it as my dad has hip problems and I am a known klutz with stairs when I have nothing in my hands and am holding a rail.

Side question: Parking Trams. It is likely we will be driving to DHS and AK, if we cannot get her to use the buses. I thought I read that handicap parking at DHS was closer than the bus drop off, which if I remember was actually quite close to the entrance. Is this correct?

[CptnSkippy]

I think it's quicker to walk from the closer parking lots than from the tram stop. If a small walk is not out of the way, it may speed up with security checks, too. I have never had anyone waiting in front of me at the single security host from the sidewalk as opposed to the crowd that rode the tram.

[Shorty82]

Thank you Zazu.

She does have a rollator that folds up so that will work out well. My dad or I could probably carry it up some stairs as long as we did not get stopped on them, but I do not think I want to chance it as my dad has hip problems and I am a known klutz with stairs when I have nothing in my hands and am holding a rail.

Then you will want a GAC for no stairs. In all of the attractions I can think of with stairs you stop on them as they are in the main queue.

Side question: Parking Trams. It is likely we will be driving to DHS and AK, if we cannot get her to use the buses. I thought I read that handicap parking at DHS was closer than the bus drop off, which if I remember was actually quite close to the entrance. Is this correct?

I'm not sure if handicapped parking is closer than the bus area at Studios but it's not much farther if it isn't. At Epcot and DAK it is about the same distance IIRC (I honestly don't pay a lot of attention to the handicapped parking) and at the MK (TTC actually) it is a lot further than tram or park bus drop off. Resort buses drop off right by the park itself so that is by far the closest.

[Tobi]

I'm not sure if handicapped parking is closer than the bus area at Studios but it's not much farther if it isn't. At Epcot and DAK it is about the same distance IIRC (I honestly don't pay a lot of attention to the handicapped parking) and at the MK (TTC actually) it is a lot further than tram or park bus drop off. Resort buses drop off right by the park itself so that is by far the closest.

Thanks, I have used the buses quite extensively, but it has been awhile. Also, like you, I never paid attention to where the handicap spots were located. We will take a boat to MK (staying at cabins in FW) or to Contemporary and then monorail. My parents love the monorails so we will likely take the boat to the Contemporary and then monorail over to TTC and then to EPCOT.

[Cranbiz]

At Studios, the handicapped parking IS IN the bus area.The bus stops form a large "C" and the handicapped parking is in the middle of the "C".

[Shorty82]

At Studios, the handicapped parking IS IN the bus area.The bus stops form a large "C" and the handicapped parking is in the middle of the "C".

That's why I was having a hard time picturing handicapped parking at Studios. I could picture the general layout of the bus area but couldn't figure out where they had stuck handicapped parking, I wasn't thinking that they had put it in the middle of the bus area. I knew that general parking goes up pretty close to the park and that handicapped section had to be even closer.

[Moonliner]

Thanks for posting answers to my GR questions about the GACs. This information is helpful in providing a great guest experience, not only for those with the GAC but those in the regular queue as well.

I had a fellow ask me in front of Mickey's Judges Tent if we had fastpasses, which I answered no. As he turned to his family I saw he had an artificial leg, so I asked if he had a red assistance card, which he did. Turned out he was a vet staying at Shades of Green. He told me he had been doing lines, but was getting tired and did not want his family to have to push him in a chair. I showed him through our bypass and made sure he was the next guest to see Mickey. I think the difference was this was something I wanted to do to thank him and make his visit more pleasurable, rather than having it demanded of me. That is what DragonFox found. When you see a need, you respond. In this case, the GAC was better than a Fastpass!

[xliath]

The big problem I get at the subs is getting, groups with the arrows coming up the exit right in front of the handicap line, and people with the wheelchair stamp start having a fuss because you let the others in front when, it is your job and they already are on a reduced wait unless the line is long and they choose to wait that time.

Many rides at California Adventure and Disneyland are now handicap accessible and everyone waits in the regular lines except for arrows, green lights, or make a wish people.