I need an honest opinion from CM's on the GAC for my daughter.

[Milesia]

I tried posting on another enthusiast board, but they seem to be so preoccupied with abuse of the GAC that they really don't answer questions and I honestly have no idea what to do/expect.

Background: My 6 year old was granted a Make a Wish trip to WDW last year. We stayed at GKTW and had all the perks that go with that as far as the GAC that they gave us and so forth. We did not ever expect that we would ever be able to go take her to Disney. It was our first trip and we assumed our last because of financial reasons among others. We were able to spend a day and a half at MK, her favorite. This year, we will be traveling to FL for a family reunion, and my husband's uncle has offered to get us tickets for another day at MK. We will not be staying at any resort, or anything, just driving up for the day from where our family will be. We have zero Disney experience beyond her wish trip last year and it truly is, even on our second trip like dream come true. But, I'm not sure how to deal with the GAC this time.

My daughter is in a wheelchair, however beyond mobility needs, she has a feeding tube and will be on continuous feeds which will need to remain cold and may alarm/cause issues at anytime. She is intellectually completely normal and would probably be mortified if we had to leave a line for something like that. Because of her condition, her autonomic system does not function properly and heat/sun is an issue that magnifies everything. She also has a great deal of anxiety when it crowded areas that might not move for any period of time. We went on haunted mansion twice, and the first time we were escorted to the exit and taken in the back way when we showed the cm our GAC. She LOVED the ride so asked to go back the second day we were there. That time however, we were sent through the regular line, and had to go through the stretching room and she lost her ever lovin' mind. It was awful for her to be packed with everyone and the line was difficult on her as well. It was really the only time we had to go through much of a line, so it gave us a glimpse of what it might be for her. She's always very afraid that somebody will catch one of her tubes as they walk by and pull it out not to mention she just generally has a lot of social anxiety.

So, I honestly have no idea what a standard issue GAC could do for us. I don't want to be one of those people that just go in and say "oh my kid can't wait in line" and expect everybody to fall all over us. It was awkward for us to even present the one we had with the GAC. It just felt like we were cheating or something, even though it is solely what made it possible for her to hve so much fun. We have to rest more between rides, and duck into a/c often so the wait time on rides on top of that, would probably make it not nearly as enjoyable. She is still small enough for us to be able to get her on and off any ride easily and she rode everything she was tall enough for.

I guess I'm just stressing out about the whole process of even and going and asking for it. I feel like, since she's already in a chair, we should just try and make due and skip things if we have to because of her other issues.

What are the cm's thoughts on our situation? Should we go for a GAC on top of the fact she has the chair? Thanks for any input y'all can give. :) I really want to make sure we can make the most of it since it's only one day, you know?

[hobie16]

Milesia!!

There's gonna be a few WDW cast members along in a couple of minutes that will help you and your daughter have an excellent day at the park.

[Teddykeiko86]

Hello, When you get to the park, I think you should tell the CM at city hall everything you told us here. Tell her/him about the stretch room exprience etc. All though it is not required, some documentation may back up your case if need be. Like you said, you aren't looking to bypass the line, just for a quiet less hectic waiting spot. I don't issue GACs and as a new CM know little about them, but I think if you are honest with the city hall CM and open to their suggestions, you will have no problem getting a GAC. As for standard issue vs. MAW issue GACs, I don't know much about how "higher order" GACs are issued. Hopefully someone else can shed light on this.
As for the Haunted Mansion, just ask the greeter if you can skip the stretch room, if they say no, ask for a lead. If you did it before, you should be able to do it again.

[BRWombat]

Glad you're here, Milesia! There are a lot of friendly and knowledgeable regulars here who should be able to get you the information you need! In the meantime,

:sgthello:
:D: :D: :D:

You will also be visited by the beverage committee and a dragon. Flame-retardant clothing is recommended. :)

[Darksin]

Welcome! :D:

Well a good question is what time of the year are you going to be visiting? I'm going to guess it's probably pretty soon though so odds are the parks will be fairly busy.

Simply go to City Hall and explain your situation, with just the details you've given us I can't see any reason why would be denied a GAC since it sounds to me like you need it in order for your daughter to enjoy her visit.
If you still have concerns, you can also call down to Disney World (If you have free long distance, I'd suggest 407-WDW-INFO) and ask for Guest Services. Explain to them your story and concerns, I'm positive they will advise you of the same exact thing and perhaps even better tips then some of us here can give you!
Most cast members are understanding that not everyone handles enclosed spaces or tightly crowded areas very well, I don't blame your daughter one bit for being concerned about her tubes being disturbed as that can surely ruin a great vacation! I don't believe asking to skip the stretching room would be an issue at all.

[Shorty82]

Just to chime in here myself, I agree with the above posters, explain to the Guest Relations Cast Member what you've told us and I'm sure they will give you a GAC that suits your daughter's needs. I also agree with calling Guest Services and seeing what they have to say.

Skipping the Stretching Room shouldn't be a problem, especially since AFAIK the wheelchair entrance bypasses normally anyway as the main queue isn't fully accessible.

I believe First Aid has refrigerators for keeping medicines, feeding solutions and the like cold. Naturally you should keep some with you but extra can be stored there. The also have quiet rooms where you can cool off and get away from the crowds if it gets to be to much for her.

EDIT:
Here is WDW's webpage for Guests with Disabilities which includes a link to the Guide for Guests with Disabilities and a phone number to call for information, (407) 824-4321.

[Milesia]

Welcome! :D:

Well a good question is what time of the year are you going to be visiting? I'm going to guess it's probably pretty soon though so odds are the parks will be fairly busy.

Simply go to City Hall and explain your situation, with just the details you've given us I can't see any reason why would be denied a GAC since it sounds to me like you need it in order for your daughter to enjoy her visit.
If you still have concerns, you can also call down to Disney World (If you have free long distance, I'd suggest 407-WDW-INFO) and ask for Guest Services. Explain to them your story and concerns, I'm positive they will advise you of the same exact thing and perhaps even better tips then some of us here can give you!
Most cast members are understanding that not everyone handles enclosed spaces or tightly crowded areas very well, I don't blame your daughter one bit for being concerned about her tubes being disturbed as that can surely ruin a great vacation! I don't believe asking to skip the stretching room would be an issue at all.

We are actually going the end of next month...probably on the 26th if schedules work out with all of the family stuff going on. But that's our goal. We had a traumatic pull once before, and she's been super stressed about that. Trying to avoid TMI, but the type of tube she has has a double port, one for her stomach and one that feeds past her stomach. We drain her stomach as it doesn't move on it's own and feed past her stomach with the other port. When she's particularly at risk for over heating, like in FL, we take her back pack that her pump is carried in and hang it on the back of her chair. That keeps her cooler, but leaves both tubes hanging to the side. If it gets yanked and gets dislodged, we'd have to leave the park and find an ER because it has to be replaced using a special x-ray. She's a very difficult placement and she can't be sedated unless it's done with the whole shabang-vent, OR..etc. So it's ordeal for all of us. So the lines were pretty upsetting for her because of that fear. We don't mind the wait, but if they could give us an alternate place to wait, that would be fabulous. I know that with HM, the one time with the stretching room, we were with the regular line until we exited the room, then they took us out a different way because the traditional way from that point was not accessible. All of the rest of the rides and so forth took us immediately on, through fast pass. That also happened the first day with the haunted mansion. Just not the second.

But, like I said, I don't expect to just go right on and so forth. We just need an alternate area to wait our turn, you know? Particularly somewhere with shade and a/c or at least circulating air whenever possible. I understand some rides don't have that at all though.

[Milesia]

Just to chime in here myself, I agree with the above posters, explain to the Guest Relations Cast Member what you've told us and I'm sure they will give you a GAC that suits your daughter's needs. I also agree with calling Guest Services and seeing what they have to say.

Skipping the Stretching Room shouldn't be a problem, especially since AFAIK the wheelchair entrance bypasses normally anyway as the main queue isn't fully accessible.

I believe First Aid has refrigerators for keeping medicines, feeding solutions and the like cold. Naturally you should keep some with you but extra can be stored there. The also have quiet rooms where you can cool off and get away from the crowds if it gets to be to much for her.

EDIT:
Here is WDW's webpage for Guests with Disabilities which includes a link to the Guide for Guests with Disabilities and a phone number to call for information, (407) 824-4321.

Thank you! I did remember that from our wish trip. There was a wish lounge in one of the first aid areas that we could rest in last year and we took full advantage of that, and did meds and re-fills etc. So there are other places like that not specific to wish kids then? That's wonderful. We did a lot of store plundering too, lol. Just to give her the chance to cool off and we recharged her cooling vest often as well. I'll give them a call too, just to hear what they have to say for a little more reassurance. Thanks to you all for your replies. I have to admit, I was feeling a little concerned after reading some of the posts on the other board I spoke about. They tend to come off a little accusatory right off the bat and like it's some big huge hush hush thing. I can understand on one level not putting out details of things to give those who would abuse or fake or however you manage that ideas, but still...I had posted on the board last year and they new that she had been granted a wish trip. So I hoped they would have been a little more forth coming with something helpful. Instead I got a lot of canned, generic "Most people with wheelchairs do not need a GAC, but if you think you have other needs that a GAC might help you can see guest services." Oh well, you guys have helped a ton and I'm feeling more confident that my kiddo would need the extra assistance beyond just wheelchair accessibility.

[darph nader]

On behalf of the BDoSGT,,,,Welcome Milesia.
The choice is your's. :coke: :pepper: :pepsi:

[Shorty82]

It is for people like your daughter that the GAC is intended for, to help insure that she has a good time and that her needs are accommodated as best as possible.

Explain to GR your daughter's needs and your concerns and they'll give you the type of GAC she needs. If you find the GAC GR has given you isn't accommodating her needs appropriately return there to get the issue straightened out.

How are you getting to the park? If driving be sure to show your disabled parking permit (assuming you have one) to the toll plaza and parking attendants so you get directed to disabled parking. I believe quite a few of the disabled spots are van accessible if you need that.

No matter how you arrive at the Transportation and Ticket Center (where MK's parking, taxi stand, etc. are located) you'll need to take either the Monorail or the Ferry over to the MK. Both are accessible to wheelchairs.