My guest assistance card didn't assist me much for some reason

[dvcnut]

As someone who has chronic knee pain due to multiple injuries/ surgeries and (at the time of our last visit) was suffering from a foot injury, I obtained a GAC card. Personally, I don't believe that there is any shame in obtaining one if your health warrants it.

I didn't encounter any problems using the card, but that may partially be due to me speaking up if necessary. If you have a GAC card it is for a reason...you should not hesitate to question the CM if they tell you to climb stairs when there are open seats available in a front row that would be more convenient for you. Please don't take that in the wrong way...I just don't like seeing people mistreated because of an inexperienced CM.

 

[mergatroid]

As someone who has chronic knee pain due to multiple injuries/ surgeries and (at the time of our last visit) was suffering from a foot injury, I obtained a GAC card. Personally, I don't believe that there is any shame in obtaining one if your health warrants it.

I didn't encounter any problems using the card, but that may partially be due to me speaking up if necessary. If you have a GAC card it is for a reason...you should not hesitate to question the CM if they tell you to climb stairs when there are open seats available in a front row that would be more convenient for you. Please don't take that in the wrong way...I just don't like seeing people mistreated because of an inexperienced CM.

Thanks for your advice and don't worry, I haven't taken it the wrong way. I try not to use it as I often think there are people a lot worse off than me, sometimes I challenge myself to do things as I don't like 'giving in to my dystonia'. If it's a bad day then you're right though, I should maybe speak up more. Hopefully this year things will run a little more smoothly and even if they don't, that won't stop me loving being in Disney.

 

[englanddg]

GAC for those who need it, no one minds. I have a co-worker, who has a seriously autistic child, and they wouldn't care to abuse the system.

However...



That's where the criticism (long term) comes from.

No one who talks about GAC abuse is saying, ever, that those who really need it shouldn't have it, and if they do, they should be disregarded.

It's merely that there are plenty of people who abuse it. Let those people go to Six Flags or Knotts Berry, and keep them out of Disney.

 

[kapeman]

I was told by CM's outside of test track you do not need a FP if you are in a wheel chair or scooter. Just go threw the FP line.

That is the problem. The application/enforcement of the rules for the GAC are inconsistent.
We were there last week and my wife has a broken ankle. We rented an ECV and ran across very inconsistent information from CMs and even out right hostility. We brought a note from my wife's doctor as well as a photocopy of the X-ray.

I think it also depends on who processes your card as well as to what type you get.

We were specifically told to use the regular line when we were at Test Track.

 

[mergatroid]

GAC for those who need it, no one minds. I have a co-worker, who has a seriously autistic child, and they wouldn't care to abuse the system.

However...



That's where the criticism (long term) comes from.

No one who talks about GAC abuse is saying, ever, that those who really need it shouldn't have it, and if they do, they should be disregarded.

It's merely that there are plenty of people who abuse it. Let those people go to Six Flags or Knotts Berry, and keep them out of Disney.

Wow that video is really appalling and gives people with disabilities a bad name, let's hope Disney takes their GAC's off them

 

[dvcnut]

That is the problem. The application/enforcement of the rules for the GAC are inconsistent.
We were there last week and my wife has a broken ankle. We rented an ECV and ran across very inconsistent information from CMs and even out right hostility. We brought a note from my wife's doctor as well as a photocopy of the X-ray.

Did you have a GAC or just a doctor's note?

 

[RandomPrincess]

That is the problem. The application/enforcement of the rules for the GAC are inconsistent.
We were there last week and my wife has a broken ankle. We rented an ECV and ran across very inconsistent information from CMs and even out right hostility. We brought a note from my wife's doctor as well as a photocopy of the X-ray.

I think it also depends on who processes your card as well as to what type you get.

We were specifically told to use the regular line when we were at Test Track.

Every ride has different rules which helps cause confusion. If there are no stairs and the rider is able to transfer from the wheelchair/scooter to the ride car then you are supposed to go through the regular line. They need a sign or list to tell guests and CMs the proper procedure at each ride.

 

[luv]

Wow that video is really appalling and gives people with disabilities a bad name, let's hope Disney takes their GAC's off them

Doesn't give the disabled a bad name. Just gives the cheaters using GACs a bad name, which they so richly deserve.

I wonder if these threads get the Magical Members who do this to think twice, but I seriously doubt it.

 

[kapeman]

Did you have a GAC or just a doctor's note?

Both.

We used the Dr. note to get the GAC.