question about the guest assistance card

[Disneydreamer23]

Hey every one i do believe that's the name of the card for.people who are physically unable to wait in lines i am currently pregnant when i go to Disney i will be 7.months i have sciatica which causes extreme Back pain if u stand or walk for a period of time, currently doing physical therapy i hoping t will go away but just in case.can some one tell me how this card works.?

 

[Poofiesdream]

Just go to Guest Services in the front of any park and tell them your needs and they will provide you with a GAC card good at all parks for your length of visit. They can explain how it works to you there. Have a magical time!

 

[Disneydreamer23]

Thank u!

 

[Tinkerbell 8]

I had to get a GAC for my bf on our last trip. It was the first time I had ever gotten one and I was unsure exactly how it worked. The cast member at City Hall at MK was very nice. She said to show the card to the CM standing at the entrance to the rides where alternate entrances are available for handicap. We did not need to use the card until the last 2 days when his back was really bothering him (he's had 3 back surgeries and besides a rather large scar on his spine you can't tell anything is wrong). We used the card at HS on TSMM, TOT and RNRC, and at MK we used it for BLSRS. We showed the CM at the fastpass entrance and they let us in. Standing still is what causes the most pain for him, which is why standing in line longer than a half hour caused shooting pain to go down his leg, he's much better when he keeps moving, thats why we didn't feel the need to rent a wheel chair.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

Thank u tinkerbell!

 

[amzgirl]

If you have extreme pain standing or walking then you should rent a wheelchair. Skipping the lines will not help you, because even with a GAC you could wait 20 minutes or more. Plus you will have all that walking between the rides. You really would be a lot more comfortable using a wheelchair if walking causes that much pain. You will walk MILES per day at Disney. As far as a GAC goes, my understanding of the policy is that wheelchair users do not need a GAC. Why?Because most of the lines are integrated with the regular lines, and for those that have separate entrances for wheelchair users, the wheelchair acts as a GAC without actually needing one (they can see you are using a wheelchair, they don't need another piece of paper.)

 

[luv]

If you cannot walk or stand, wheelchairs are available for rent inside the park and from multiple vendors in the Orlando area.

Most of the lines are wheelchair accessible. Some aren't. For those that aren't, there are alternate entrances. Sometimes the alternate entrance will be shorter, sometimes you'll wait longer than if you'd just gone through the regular entrance...just depends.

 

[eeyoremum]

DH walks with a cane. He will not use a scooter or wheelchair even though he should, everywhere not just Disney. We have never asked for a card mainly because we didn`t know he qualified. What we do is ask nicely if he can sit somewhere and wait while the we wait in line for our turn. The CMs have always accommodated us. Sometime he has to sit on the floor but usually they can get him a chair to sit on. Some rides have benches at the front so he can sit there.

Just because DH has a disability doesn`t mean we deserve special treatment.

 

[amzgirl]

People that have pain doing one thing like standing still does not mean that they will have pain when walking, so yes in some ways "skipping" the lines may in fact help.

Yes I realize that, but the OP had mentioned severe pain with both standing and walking, which is why I suggested the wheelchair.

 

[Tinkerbell 8]

While I normally would agree to allow people to decide for themselves just how much risk they should accept, what about the unborn baby that isn't given a choice, or the family with the self made dare devil, should they be there to wat mom or pop become a vegtible because the parent thought the risk was no big deal?

I agree about pregnant people, that is completely different than a person who is choosing it just for themselves. I've had 5 miscarriages and I would never take a risk while pregnant.

 

[WDWLOYAL1971]

First of all I agree with pregnant people not riding those rides, however, if people who have back pain choose to ride the rides even though they know the potential risk, thats up to them. My bf is a doctor and he knows his limits with his back and I would never make him do anything that would be an issue. We didn't scam the system, he has a medical condition that is not visible and the GAC is there to provide assistance to those who need it, we didn't use the card for every ride, like I said it was at the end of the trip because he was getting worn down.



People that have pain doing one thing like standing still does not mean that they will have pain when walking, so yes in some ways "skipping" the lines may in fact help. I have never had an issue waiting in line for rides, I've stood in line for TSMM for over 3 hours without complaining. If someone is physically able to walk, but has pain when standing or needs to take occasional breaks, they shouldn't be forced to use a wheelchair. And also, using a wheelchair would not be more comfortable in all situations, because some people with back issues have more pain sitting for extended periods of time so that would defeat the purpose of being in a wheelchair.


They list those medical warnings to avoid lawsuits, its to cover their a$$. If people were to follow all those guidelines, no one would be riding anything in Disney because a lot of people suffer from back pain, motion sickness, heart problems, etc. I know I wouldn't be able to ride anything because I have a back problem and knee problems from doing gymnastics for 16 years.

You don't have to justify yourself. The GAC helped him and that is ALL that matters. It did what it was designed to do, ASSIST!

 

[Disneydreamer23]

@ Andy and Thomas clearly I'm not going to stroll on tot while pregnant I'm not an idiot, i was talking about other rides in the park ex, gmr, pp, small w, pirates etc and if you don't know peoples situations why bother commenting i have a friend who looks healthy but had 6 severe back surgerys you don't know if people are hurting or not granite I'm sure people take advantage of the system but that person is not me so!

 

[Disneydreamer23]

@ every one else thank u!

 

[dreamfinder]

If you do get a GAC, make sure to check with the CM at each ride. Depending on the GAC type provided, and the ride in question, there may be a different policy or way for you to get on the ride. Some will board through the exit, others through FP, and there are times where you will wait in the normal line.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

If you do get a GAC, make sure to check with the CM at each ride. Depending on the GAC type provided, and the ride in question, there may be a different policy or way for you to get on the ride. Some will board through the exit, others through FP, and there are times where you will wait in the normal line.

i appreciate it thank u!

 

[hiptwinmama]

Wondering if we should get a GAC for my daughter. She just broker her leg on Sunday, a double spiral fracture of the tibia. She will get her cast of just about 2 weeks before our trip. It is usually very slow the week that we go to Disney, so most lines will be short enough that we wouldn't need it, but I doubt she will be able to stand longer lines.

 

[Britt]

Oh mama, def consider a wheelchair! I had the hardest time walking around the grocery store when I was pregnant, and I never made past 7 months with any of my pregnancies. And sooooooo much walking and standing, you will be in so much pain, especially if you're already dealing with issues!!

Good luck to you!!

 

[EOD K9]

Nine times outta ten, the wheelchair speaks for itself and you will not need a GAC.