Tweet
Good morning everyone!
I'm just about to start packing up the car for a trip down to DL and DCA. We'll be leaving just as soon as I can round-up the four little mouseketeers.
There's a lot of discussion on these threads about the GACs and their abuses. I thought I'd give those interested an insight to how/why those little gray cards make DLR possible for some.
I have a chronic illness, as well as painful stress deformities in my spine from years of gymnastics. The chronic illness results in a condition wherein the bottoms of my feet break out in very large, painful blisters on occasion. None of these issues are readily visible and, with the exception of this post, I rarely point them out to people. But, as you might imagine, my days at DL or DCA are painful and a little more constrained than most peoples'.
Our days look about like this...
I get the kids to the gate at opening. The walk from the tram or the hotel is usually okay because it's early and my pain is managed. I have the four kids, two teens and two small kids (5 and 7). We go through the gate and I spend about ten minutes just watching their faces light up as they see the characters waiting at the entrance. My five year old is enamoured with the trains, so there's a mandatory expenditure to wait for the train to go buy. Then it's off to Guest Services. This can take a while, but it's cool (GS seems to be some of the hardest working folks in the park and I wouldn't want that job). At GS, I present my paperwork (even though it's not required) and the card from my last trip, which they (90% of the time) stamp graciously and happily once I explain my needs. By this point, we've generally spent an hour just getting inside and the kids are ready for the obligatory, morning churru. Off to find a cart. Ride time.
I often send the older kids through the line (so they can enjoy the build-up and sights) while I go through the other entrance and stand at the loader to wait for them. This standing gets painful, but it's the only way they get the experience. While I'm waiting, I wonder..."Who are they talking to? Who's talking to them? Are they okay?" and it's always a relief to see them come up to the front. Our waiting time is the same as standby with this method. And, while that's fine and proper, after doing this six or seven times, I start to feel like I'm missing out on experiencing the park with the kids or being neglectful because I'm not with them and I don't know who's with them in my absense. There was a thread, a while back, about a guy masturbating in line and that's, truthfully, one of my fears every time I send my kids through the line.
By mid-day, I'm ready for lunch and a rest...but the kids aren't. So, we head to ToonTown (or Bug's Land, or the old boat, if we're in DCA) so that they can run while I rest and re-medicate. In the worst times, we head to First Aid so that I can lie down and regain composure from pain and exhaustion. If that's the case, I can keep them happy with coloring books or the DS I carry in my backpack. But, they'd rather be enjoying the park with everyone else.
After that, it's a crap shoot. If I use my GAC and keep the kids with my in the handicapable line,...we may get in a ride an hour (those lines aren't always the fastest). We try to make the best of the situation by chatting it up with cast members or playing "I spy". The "Hidden Mickey" book was a godsend! That'll kill time while I rest and they stay entertained.
I don't always take my wheelchair, but *if* I do...I deal with the crowds and trying not to run over anyone. Ever tried to hold a child on your lap and push your own wheelchair? Ever tried to watch over four other humans while you're at butt level with the crowd? Ever think about how tired your hands get going over the cobblestones and planking? If I don't take my chair, we're parking out for Fantasmic by six or seven. Not because I want the best seats, but because I'm spent!
And, I know I still have a responsibility and need to get everyone back to the car or hotel before I can call it a day.
What's my point: the point is, don't begrudge someone with the GAC. I realize some people abuse it and don't need it. I also know that there are some who you wouldn't think would need it, who couldn't go to the park without it. If you see them go in front of you on a ride, just think about how that might be the one ride they get in the space that you ride three or blaze across the park in good stride.
And, if you see a limping mom with four kids...say "hey!"
I'm just about to start packing up the car for a trip down to DL and DCA. We'll be leaving just as soon as I can round-up the four little mouseketeers.
There's a lot of discussion on these threads about the GACs and their abuses. I thought I'd give those interested an insight to how/why those little gray cards make DLR possible for some.
I have a chronic illness, as well as painful stress deformities in my spine from years of gymnastics. The chronic illness results in a condition wherein the bottoms of my feet break out in very large, painful blisters on occasion. None of these issues are readily visible and, with the exception of this post, I rarely point them out to people. But, as you might imagine, my days at DL or DCA are painful and a little more constrained than most peoples'.
Our days look about like this...
I get the kids to the gate at opening. The walk from the tram or the hotel is usually okay because it's early and my pain is managed. I have the four kids, two teens and two small kids (5 and 7). We go through the gate and I spend about ten minutes just watching their faces light up as they see the characters waiting at the entrance. My five year old is enamoured with the trains, so there's a mandatory expenditure to wait for the train to go buy. Then it's off to Guest Services. This can take a while, but it's cool (GS seems to be some of the hardest working folks in the park and I wouldn't want that job). At GS, I present my paperwork (even though it's not required) and the card from my last trip, which they (90% of the time) stamp graciously and happily once I explain my needs. By this point, we've generally spent an hour just getting inside and the kids are ready for the obligatory, morning churru. Off to find a cart. Ride time.
I often send the older kids through the line (so they can enjoy the build-up and sights) while I go through the other entrance and stand at the loader to wait for them. This standing gets painful, but it's the only way they get the experience. While I'm waiting, I wonder..."Who are they talking to? Who's talking to them? Are they okay?" and it's always a relief to see them come up to the front. Our waiting time is the same as standby with this method. And, while that's fine and proper, after doing this six or seven times, I start to feel like I'm missing out on experiencing the park with the kids or being neglectful because I'm not with them and I don't know who's with them in my absense. There was a thread, a while back, about a guy masturbating in line and that's, truthfully, one of my fears every time I send my kids through the line.
By mid-day, I'm ready for lunch and a rest...but the kids aren't. So, we head to ToonTown (or Bug's Land, or the old boat, if we're in DCA) so that they can run while I rest and re-medicate. In the worst times, we head to First Aid so that I can lie down and regain composure from pain and exhaustion. If that's the case, I can keep them happy with coloring books or the DS I carry in my backpack. But, they'd rather be enjoying the park with everyone else.
After that, it's a crap shoot. If I use my GAC and keep the kids with my in the handicapable line,...we may get in a ride an hour (those lines aren't always the fastest). We try to make the best of the situation by chatting it up with cast members or playing "I spy". The "Hidden Mickey" book was a godsend! That'll kill time while I rest and they stay entertained.
I don't always take my wheelchair, but *if* I do...I deal with the crowds and trying not to run over anyone. Ever tried to hold a child on your lap and push your own wheelchair? Ever tried to watch over four other humans while you're at butt level with the crowd? Ever think about how tired your hands get going over the cobblestones and planking? If I don't take my chair, we're parking out for Fantasmic by six or seven. Not because I want the best seats, but because I'm spent!
And, I know I still have a responsibility and need to get everyone back to the car or hotel before I can call it a day. What's my point: the point is, don't begrudge someone with the GAC. I realize some people abuse it and don't need it. I also know that there are some who you wouldn't think would need it, who couldn't go to the park without it. If you see them go in front of you on a ride, just think about how that might be the one ride they get in the space that you ride three or blaze across the park in good stride.
And, if you see a limping mom with four kids...say "hey!"
Comment