[Question] Another question about GAC, sorry!

[Stormy]

I've read the threads existing & haven't found an answer to my questions.

First, I swear by all that is Disney that I will NOT abuse the privilege of a GAC and only use it if/when needed!! I understand that it is NOT a 'go to the head of the line' card.

We're going in Sept. I am recovering from an ankle broken in 3 places and as a result cannot stand for long periods and stairs are almost impossibly slow-going. I can walk pretty well now and don't need or want to rent a wheelchair.

OK, assuming that I can get a GAC for stairs/standing, here is my question. It will be just hubby and I. Will they make him stand in queue by himself while I wait in a (hopefully) seated area alone? Can we request to wait together then take our turn when the time is right? Most of the posts about this seem to address groups where a few wait in line while the GAC guest waits with other members of their group, which isn't so bad, at least everyone has someone with them. How do CMs determine when it is time? Do they give you something to show the boarding area CM what the standby wait time was when you entered the handicapped access so they know how long you should wait?

Sorry if this has been addressed before.

[DL Lover in LA]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

You will be able to wait together. You will either be taken in immediately through the handicap accessible entrance or you will be given a pass with a return time on it (the wait time will be the same time you would have waited in line).

In the 7 years since my hip injury, I've never been split up from my group when waiting for a ride.

[Stormy]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

Thank you for the response. Our youngest just flew the nest & this is trip will be the honeymoon we never had (after 29 yrs!). With wait times what they are, we were bummed to think we might spend more time in the park apart, waiting, than we'd spend together, riding. LOL

[DCACM]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

They will assist you in avoiding stairs. As far as standing goes, they will suggest a wheelchair.

[CMinParadise]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

Without going into all the details of GAC procedures (you won't cheat the system, but other readers could), Disney policy does not involve splitting parties up. The only exception would be children who dont meet height requirements, because they're not allowed to enter the line. But GAC policies dont involve splitting up your party. So no need to worry about that.

[Jayce]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

Also stop kicking your husband so you don't hurt your leg

[Dillamond]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

I would rent a wheelchair for this visit. But don't worry, you'll be fine! Disney is the best when it comes to making their parks and attractions handicap accessible. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me and I can answer any questions you might have. :D Enjoy the trip!

[bayouguy]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

The CMs for most attractions will direct you and your party to the proper place to access the attractions. The most asked question is whether you have trouble with stairs, if stairs are part of the queue. Enjoy your honeymoon.

[Stormy]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

Thanks Guys. I may end up having to rent a wheelchair, but want to try to walk it & if I just can't, then I'll rent one. It's funny, I can walk pretty well, but standing hurts. I'm going to try to queue when I can & use the pass only if needed.

Well, Jayce, if he would just do what I TELL him, I wouldn't have to kick him! LOL. Seriously, I did it on the ice on the Geyser hill at Yellowstone this past winter. Don't even have a good exciting story to tell. Stupid ice. Told hubby we should have gone to Disneyland!!! Next time he'll listen (naw, he won't, God love him).

[HiddenMickeyBook]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

My hubby has to use a mobility scooter that we bring with us. We've never gotten a GAC and automatically go to the handicapp entrances in Disneyland. The only line I can think of right off hand that we got a "FastPass" type of return time is for Star Tours. And then we still go to the exit to show the pass and wait outside the exit of the starspeeders.


We have always had wonderful experiences with the cast members since his injury. We just realize we have to slow down in the Park (well, I have to speed up when he has it set on Bunny Speed) lol. We know we have to be more tolerant and just expect everything to take a little longer than how we used to do it.

Have a great time and enjoy your special day!

[SoCalSHO]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

I am right there with you. I have three blown discs in my back. I can walk, but I can't stand for longer than 10 minutes without pain. As long as I can lean on a rail in line, I am usually pretty good. But I have never even inquired about the GAC. I have no idea how they work. If they are those blue cards, I have seen them.

[Tay*uh]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

I have almost the exact same issue- I had reconstructive foot and ankle surgery earlier in the year to help repair an injury from a few years ago. I didn't walk for 6 months, had my surgery, and then didn't walk for another 2 months. I'm walking now (with a hefty brace) but stairs are really difficult, and ramps are impossible- my ankle doesn't have that range of motion anymore. I can't stand for more than 10 or so minutes without fatigue, and anything more than 20 minutes and it's just downright painful.

I booked a vacation (also for my anniversary )because I was told my foot would be better by now, but due to complications not so much. And I was supposed to be done with physical therapy by now, but because of the complications I'm not.

I'll be getting a GAC, but will likely not need it until later in the day. I can tolerate it until a certain point, and I'm sure we can utilize fastpass in such a way that I can limit needing to use the GAC. I know I'll need it for stand up shows though ... I definitely cannot stand that long after a full day of walking.

My trip is from July 31-August 8, so just shortly before your trip. I'll let you know the full details of my trip when I get back. It will be me and my fiance, so I can let you know how they handled me having an additional person also.

[Stormy]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

Thanks, Tay*uh. I'll look forward to your report. I was no weight bearing for 9 weeks & couldn't believe how wasted my muscles were. I can't imagine 8 mos! Physical Therapy is saving my life! And luckily, my PT is a Disney-phile so we're really going 'great guns' to try to build my strength and stamina for September. BTW-If you have the same big blue plastic boot that I had, I hated that thing!!! I was so glad when the Dr said get rid of it.

I'm kinda figuring the same. Early in the day I'll probably be ok (except w/stairs), but later on I'm sure I'll be not so ok. It'll be hard to force myself to sit a spell and rest while at DL, but I guess I'll have to!

[Westsider]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

Not to pick on the OP, who is most likely being honest with us, but...

Just curious, but what does someone who can't wait in line at Disneyland do at the airport on their way to Disneyland? When you have to go through the long TSA lines, and perhaps be pulled out for additional screening where you would need to stand for extended periods of time, how will you do that? What about baggage claim? The line for a car at Hertz? Or the massive crowds and lines for shuttle buses at LAX outside of baggage claim?

As a CM who interacts with literally hundreds of GAC Guests per day, it seems odd to me that folks are unable to stand in a constantly moving 15 minute line for Pirates, but somehow get through the rest of society by waiting in lines for Airport TSA, the bank, Starbucks, grocery stores, Target, DMV, the pharmacy, etc., etc.

Only because Disneyland offers a No Waiting Pass (GAC) do people suddenly need this important service in their life. And the rumors going around the Attractions world in the last week are that top Anaheim executives who have been out in the parks a LOT since June 15th are fed up with the GAC culture, and that BIG CHANGES are coming to the GAC process later this year. Buh-bye GAC???

[JMazz]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

Not to pick on the OP, who is most likely being honest with us, but...

Just curious, but what does someone who can't wait in line at Disneyland do at the airport on their way to Disneyland? When you have to go through the long TSA lines, and perhaps be pulled out for additional screening where you would need to stand for extended periods of time, how will you do that? What about baggage claim? The line for a car at Hertz? Or the massive crowds and lines for shuttle buses at LAX outside of baggage claim?

Dealing with my partners mother, I know that it is a valid issue.
However, she never goes to Disney parks and usually sits on the sidelines at Knott's.

I hardly think that outside the berm, she would be waiting in repeated lines over the course of several hours. TSA is once or twice in a day leaving and coming home. A starbucks line that lasts as long as the Matterhorn? Forget it! Baggage claim? I dunno what primative airport you use, but the one @ LAS has benches and seat... many of them. In a pinch, the edge of the carosel becomes a place to sit... same for waiting at a rental place or an airport shuttle.

I hate when ppl abuse the GAC, but I really don't like when ppl scrutinize others for needing it.

[Dillamond]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

I hate when ppl abuse the GAC, but I really don't like when ppl scrutinize others for needing it.

Definitely on board with you here. I see a lot of people abusing GAC and the handicap accessible features at the resort, and I really do not enjoy when others scrutinize people for needing it, or complain when they see someone go to the front of the line because they are in the handicap line.

[Leviathan]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

[QUOTE=Westsider;1056804329]Only because Disneyland offers a No Waiting Pass (GAC) do people suddenly need this important service in their life. [/QUOTE

I am sorry but this is offensive to me. People don't need assistance just because Disneyland offers it. Disneyland offers it because some people need assistance.

[DL Lover in LA]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

Not to pick on the OP, who is most likely being honest with us, but...

Just curious, but what does someone who can't wait in line at Disneyland do at the airport on their way to Disneyland? When you have to go through the long TSA lines, and perhaps be pulled out for additional screening where you would need to stand for extended periods of time, how will you do that? What about baggage claim? The line for a car at Hertz? Or the massive crowds and lines for shuttle buses at LAX outside of baggage claim?

As a CM who interacts with literally hundreds of GAC Guests per day, it seems odd to me that folks are unable to stand in a constantly moving 15 minute line for Pirates, but somehow get through the rest of society by waiting in lines for Airport TSA, the bank, Starbucks, grocery stores, Target, DMV, the pharmacy, etc., etc.

Only because Disneyland offers a No Waiting Pass (GAC) do people suddenly need this important service in their life. And the rumors going around the Attractions world in the last week are that top Anaheim executives who have been out in the parks a LOT since June 15th are fed up with the GAC culture, and that BIG CHANGES are coming to the GAC process later this year. Buh-bye GAC???

I am the sort of person who can't wait in lines at Disneyland. Because of a birth defect and the surgery to correct it, standing still actually causes my hip bone and my femur to rub against each other.

How do I wait in other lines in my life? I don't.

At the bank and Starbucks, if the line is long, I sit down and wait for it to be short enough for me to stand still that long and not have pain. At the grocery store or Target, I will pace up and down in the area by the registers until a line is short enough. As long as I'm moving and not standing still, the pain won't come as quickly. I have learned tricks for myself to keep myself as pain-free as possible. And I also keep several prescription medications with me at all times in case I'm in an unavoidable situation with a long line (like TSA lines).

I will be living with this pain the rest of my life. If Disneyland wants to make something easier for me to enjoy the "happiest place on earth", I applaud them. I don't expect the world to deal with the issues I have, I work around them. But it sure is nice when I find a place that adapts to me and makes me feel like everyone else.

[SeptemberJoy]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

Many airlines also offer transfer assistance. Depending on the airport and situation this can include the golf carts or wheelchair meet (despite being able to walk), or having the person assisting be on the lookout for bags/waiting in line while the traveller waits to the side - as someone pointed out airports have seats everywhere.

OP - Good luck with your trip! Hope everything works out smoothly for you.

[Stormy]

Re: Another question about GAC, sorry!

Dear Westsider, 1) We drive to DL, so no airport lines. 2) If there is a 'constantly moving 15 min line' then I won't have to use the GAC for that attraction, in fact, I think I made clear that stairs are the main problem and it will be used when needed, not as a 'head of the line' ticket. 3) I used an appt (ie 'fastpass'?) at the DMV to get my temporary disabled placard. 4) The lines in everyday life do not equal DL lines, I've yet to see a 45 min line at Starbucks.

For someone who didn't want to pick on the OP (me) you sure did. I hope I've satisfied your requirements for a GAC. I hope you will treat me (and everyone else at DL) with courtesy if and/or when I am either in the regular line or using a GAC. I hope that the day never comes that you have to ask for special accommodations in your everyday life. I am ashamed to admit that at one time I had an attitude like yours, but now that I find myself on the 'other side of the fence', it has been a truly humbling experience. I thank God that my disability is (hopefully) temporary in nature.

Thank you to all who have answered my post without being judgmental or come to the defense of GACs for those who need them.