is it me?

[mamaloya]

Something that I wanted to point out is that while some may make it through the normal daily life OK, WDW is by far NOT a normal daily thing.

I, for example can get around my house fine (most of the time). If I am outside with the kids I find that I have to sit rather than stand. The other moms are standing and chatting and I am either seated on the ground or someone will bring me a chair. To go to the grocery store, I try to be quick because if it is more than an hour or 2 I am in a great deal of pain. When I go to walmart, I try to get an ECV if I know it will be a long trip. At the mall, I sit a lot.

Now, at WDW, we are talking above and beyond any grocery trip or outing at the mall. Not only are you walking, but waiting. It is like about 15 trips to the grocery store in 1 day. At home I can pace myself and space out my errands and events. On March 15, I overscheduled myself and was in so much pain a neighber came over to get my medicine for me. My friends and neighbors had warned me about that day and I said, "I will rest between events." It was too much.

This last trip was the first time at WDW since my disease progressed (it is RA btw). This board was indispensible. I was one on here going "do I need a gac, what do I do to not be on my feet so much." The advice was to get a chair. They also told me to talk to my doc about my insurance covering the rental and about getting a hc tag for my car. That was the best advice ever. My insurance rented my chair so I could have it with me at the resort and everywhere. I know I could not have made it to the bus, boat or car at the end of the day w/o it.

I am just trying to point out that while some "minor ailments" are no more than inconvenient in normal everyday life, at WDW they can become major. W/o this board, I would not have been able to do it this trip. I have to say though that I HATED being in a chair and returned home with the fire to kick RAs butt and do whatever I can to never be in a chair again.

No, I did not get, nor need a GAC. I also think that I was treated with more understanding because my chair was not a disney rental and looked like I owned it.

 

[Disneylover 2]

Disneylover, you might encounter some longer waits, depending on what your needs are (with or without GAC). For instance, if you need an accessible vehicle, you'll probably wait longer for that. Last september for instance, the sillyjungleboatride (can't remember name right now) was walking on, I waited for about 10 minutes for a boat I could ride my powerchair onto. It's a small world; same thing. Nemo-ride; same thing. BuzzLightyearride; same thing. The worst (and has this reputation on the DIS) was the Kalimanjaro Safari, where I waited an additional 25 minutes for the accessible vehicle after waiting in the regular line. There were a LOT of people lining up for the accessible vehicles and only so much fit into one.

On the other hand, at shows I might have a shorter wait. I just rolled upto the Lion King show and could procede within 3 minutes to enter, before everyone else was allowed to. Same experience with Beauty and the Beast. But then again, I happened to have a timing that I ran into the show, noticed it was about to start soon and decided 'I want to do this anyway, why not now?'.

Oh. Okay.

 

[scojos]

as a fellow brit can i join in?
i too have "invisible" childrem, ADHD and ASD, and I confess i use my GAC all the time.
we pay TGM if the wait is more than 10-15 mins i use the card.
Yes we still wait the signed time but somewhere quiet and cool (generally), we are out of the park by 1, leaving room for others.
if this is abusing, then I abuse...
as an aside, i have ordered some REALLY cool t shirts " i have autism, my brother has autism whats your problem, and the best "parenting advice is only welcome if you too have a child with autism"

i could not, like many, consider WDW without the GAC - well we did the 1st trip and it was a disaster the gac saved my life last year.

i think that these fakers could come and live my (or joshs) life for a few days they would soon understand.

Tracy

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Our DS has autsim also and we get the stares and rude remarks while at WDW and just in life. It makes me tired! It makes me sad! and it makes me angry!

We use our GAC while at WDW. Just because everything looks fine on the outside doesn't mean it is. We use our GAC to help our DS enjoy the rides, not to have him screaming in the lines. Yes, we have tried it. The looks we got!!!! He likes to touch people and at his height he touches in not appropriate spots. The GAC not only make our trip better for our DS but people don't realize, we are also making their trip better because we may sit in a different area and wait so we are not in line.

Yet, DS can ski, swim, ride a bike, play. We demand good manners and make him use words. This is our "normal" life that does continue after Disney. But the autism will alway be with us.

Do people abuse the GAC...I guess they do but as parents of SN children we have enoug to worry about. Also, there are people that post just to attack and hurt others. We need to life up each other rather than tear down.

 

[BroganMc]

your reply has upset me in that i am saddened that i cannot express my unhapppiness without it being seen as negative

It seems to me that the trouble with these discussions is the gray area defining "abuser" vs "ignorant observer".

I remember my first experience going to Disney and feeling like somehow I was magically treated special due to my wheelchair. But now that I think about it, it wasn't really magical or out of the ordinary.

I was in the line for the Great Movie Ride when the CM spotted my chair and ushered down to the front in the movie theater portion. While everyone was still watching the movie clips, another CM ushered me inside the ride loading area so I could board the back row. Somehow the CMs got their signals mixed up and failed to open the doors for the other guests in the movie theater in time. The vehicles are on a timed queue with another one coming in to unload so they had to send our car along. My family ended up getting a "private" show all by our lonesomes in the back row.

Having done it many times over since I know realize (a) I was in the wrong line to begin with, wheelchairs are always directed to that front row in the movie theater regardless of whether you have a GAC, FastPass or know Mickey Mouse's middle name; (b) Wheelchair guests are always let into the boarding area first to allow time for them to transfer or park their chairs without holding everyone up; (c) the "private ride" was a fluke that coulda happened to anyone caused simply by one CM not knowing what the other was doing. I've had similar experiences when I went for EMH near park close when the crowds dwindle and the CMs get very tired.

I doubt there are really as many abusers as people think or special treatment (or lack thereof) really goes on. The GAC just clarifies needs for CMs who may not be well versed in snap judgements and/or for those with hidden disabilities who lack the blatant mark of an adaptive device. Since I've never had the joy of going through life unmarked I just assumed every CM could tell onsite what my needs were. (I do not look like I can walk.) The truth is some do and some don't.

Or maybe the problem is we all just take things a bit too seriously.

 

[alizesmom]

Before my son, I was blissfully unaware of GACs. I didn't even think of how the disable were accomodated at Disney. Shamefully, I didn't worry about it. That being said, I also didn't worry that maybe they somehow got special attention. It's too bad that it even has to be a concern, I'll happily settle for all the concessions Disney has made. If my diverted line waits a little longer then so be it. If someone wants to cheat and share my wait with me then it's better for me to ignore the fact then to get myself upset over the issue. If I get angry the only ones hurt are my family and myself.

 

[DevilDuckie]

I think it can be a hard call for some people who are "borderline" and that a lot of people will tend toward taking the benefit just in case. Personally I lean the other way- being stubborn about not needing any special treatment. This contributed to the panic attack in the middle of the Hub at DL and having to be escorted from the park through a backstage route. I had spent too long crowded by too many people and using a GAC for a quieter place to wait in line might well have made the difference.

I am probably going to get a GAC next time I go, but use it only if I have to. I cannot see using it when everything is fine and I think the best compromise is probably to have it but only to use it during times of high stress and sensory overload. For me that means probably using it to dodge crowds a couple hours a day but not using it the rest of the time.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that not all disabilities have a consistent level of impact. Some of us only need the relief part of the time but during that time the need is still very real.

 

[sneezy1956]

Something that I wanted to point out is that while some may make it through the normal daily life OK, WDW is by far NOT a normal daily thing.

I, for example can get around my house fine (most of the time). If I am outside with the kids I find that I have to sit rather than stand. The other moms are standing and chatting and I am either seated on the ground or someone will bring me a chair. To go to the grocery store, I try to be quick because if it is more than an hour or 2 I am in a great deal of pain. When I go to walmart, I try to get an ECV if I know it will be a long trip. At the mall, I sit a lot.

Now, at WDW, we are talking above and beyond any grocery trip or outing at the mall. Not only are you walking, but waiting. It is like about 15 trips to the grocery store in 1 day. At home I can pace myself and space out my errands and events. On March 15, I overscheduled myself and was in so much pain a neighber came over to get my medicine for me. My friends and neighbors had warned me about that day and I said, "I will rest between events." It was too much.

This last trip was the first time at WDW since my disease progressed (it is RA btw). This board was indispensible. I was one on here going "do I need a gac, what do I do to not be on my feet so much." The advice was to get a chair. They also told me to talk to my doc about my insurance covering the rental and about getting a hc tag for my car. That was the best advice ever. My insurance rented my chair so I could have it with me at the resort and everywhere. I know I could not have made it to the bus, boat or car at the end of the day w/o it.

I am just trying to point out that while some "minor ailments" are no more than inconvenient in normal everyday life, at WDW they can become major. W/o this board, I would not have been able to do it this trip. I have to say though that I HATED being in a chair and returned home with the fire to kick RAs butt and do whatever I can to never be in a chair again.

No, I did not get, nor need a GAC. I also think that I was treated with more understanding because my chair was not a disney rental and looked like I owned it.

Sandra I have RA also and didn't know that my insurance might cover my ecv! Can you tell me how you went about it?

 

[DisOrBust]

The system is setup for abuse not just WDW but everywhere. The good part of that is people who REALLY need to use GAC and other aids get acess and its realitively easy. The bad part is the abuse at the same time can limit whats avialable,ie scooters. People have to live with themselves. I am a great believer in what goes around comes around.

 

[JESW]

It is too bad that it has to be an issue. I feel for Disney trying to do "the right thing" in helping those who need it but also dealing with those who are abusing the system.

So where does Disney draw the line in saying who needs/should have one and who doesn't? Should every child with any type of diagnose be eligble? There still seems to be a lot of grey area.

I think that more people are hearing about the GAC and believe that it is a front-of-the-line pass. When people think they can get one due to stomach or bladder or any other bodily function problems, then where will Disney draw the line? Don't we all have some sort of problem that would be made easier if we didn't have to wait in lines? How do you know the difference between who REALLY needs one - and who just wants an easy way out? I have absolutely NO problem with people using GACs who truly need them, but it's the ones who abuse it that tick me off... (And I'm the Mom of a ds13 with Asperger's, another one of those "hidden" problems so I know what it's like to get "the look" from people...)

Jill

 

[mamaloya]

Sandra I have RA also and didn't know that my insurance might cover my ecv! Can you tell me how you went about it?

My insurance did not cover an ECV. It covered a wheelchair rental. I just asked for it and she wrote out a prescription. I was told by the insurance company where to go to pick it up. I picked it up here in town before my trip and brought it with me. Now, I did not ask for an ECV. You can always just ask and see if your insurance will cover it. You may only be able to get a push chair, but you never know. Good luck.

 

[sneezy1956]

Thanks I can't us a wheelchair it's jut me So I'll pay for my ecv

 

[ckdipp]

Just a clarification; it's not the disability that entitles someone to a GAC.
The ADA says that it's the need for accomodation of needs connected to the disability that is protected. Not all people with disabilities have needs that are protected by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

Some people (like Bill) have a definite disability, but don't feel they have any needs that are not met by having a wheelchair accessible line and an attraction that is wheelchair accessible.

Some people (like my DD) have needs over and above what a wheelchair accessible line provides. Those are the people who benefit from/need a GAC.
And, has been pointed out here, not all those needs are visible (and some people with those types of needs will not be using a wheelchair or a GAC).
So, what the GAC mostly is, is a way to provide accomodation for needs.

I think there is a lot of misunderstanding about what the GAC is and isn't.
Many people think it's a Pass for anyone with a disability or for anyone with a wheelchair or ECV. Some of them think it's a 'perk' for people to 'make up' for having a disability. Some websites kind of lead thought in that direction.
That's why the disABILITIES FAQs thread has a section about GACs so that people can see what it is/what it can or can't provide.
I think a lot of people who post questions about GACs haven't read much or what they have read has not been complete. Or, they heard from friends that you get to the front of every line just because you are using a wheelchair - which is not true, but still gets posted.

Well stated!

 

[THE_Mom]

We didn't get a GAC card when we went with my dad. When we got to a place where it would be difficult for him to manuever the regular line with the ECV, we just went up to the CM and asked where he could wait for the rest of us. As my Dad is physically handicapped in an obvious way, we didn't have a problem - they went out of their way to help accomodate him. We did come across others in wheelchairs (young folks with other young folks) jump behind us and ask for the same consideration. They didn't get quite the enthusiastic response we did, nor did they all get the same outcome/treatment.

I guess if you have a disability that is truly disabling, you probably should get the GAC. It was our experience that those with an obvious disability didn't need a special card.

BTW... my dad has REFUSED to get a personal ECV to date. His experience at Disney finally convinced him to get one though. The cane just isn't cutting it anymore.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I have learned over the past few months that even the people who don't appear to need a GAC card may in all actuality have a true disability. (My mom has recently been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure but to look at her appears to be fine.) My heart goes out to each and every person who TRULY has a need for a GAC!!

 

[Cinders Mum]

I am just getting my head around the fact my child's health is not what it used to be, and that our carefree days are a dim and distant memory.

I am also now faced with trying to plan our family holiday to WDW, with a whole new set of considerations to take priority and not how many attractions we can do in a day, but what can we achieve with her, before she cannot cope anymore and needs to quit the park. In my case, it is ignorance to the services available to my child, which have brought me to this part of the board, and trying to find a way which will cause the minimum fuss, undue attention to or generally making her feel more different than she already does.
I hope I do not offend anyone here, or cause them to think I am a freeloader/scammer/cheat or whatever else. I have no clue at the moment how best to help my own child in the place she loves best and that is heartbreaking to me.

 

[ntsammy5]

To address OP's question, yes, I believe that many people believe that a GAC is a panacea and that they are entitled to it no matter what the level of disability.

I have never used one and hope I never need one. I think that eventually, due to abuses, that ADA will eventually be amended to include the requirement for some medical proof. JMO, but I can see it coming. Under current rules it's up to the individual to make the decision, not an impartial third party.

 

[alizesmom]

I am just getting my head around the fact my child's health is not what it used to be, and that our carefree days are a dim and distant memory.

I am also now faced with trying to plan our family holiday to WDW, with a whole new set of considerations to take priority and not how many attractions we can do in a day, but what can we achieve with her, before she cannot cope anymore and needs to quit the park. In my case, it is ignorance to the services available to my child, which have brought me to this part of the board, and trying to find a way which will cause the minimum fuss, undue attention to or generally making her feel more different than she already does.
I hope I do not offend anyone here, or cause them to think I am a freeloader/scammer/cheat or whatever else. I have no clue at the moment how best to help my own child in the place she loves best and that is heartbreaking to me.

No, you aren't a freeloader. You just want to optimize your daughter's holiday at WDW. There are many like you who come to help family members. I would rather help a true freeloader than leave someone like you feeling afraid to ask what you need. Please ask specific questions that concern your daughter's needs and people will answer. Karen

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

I don't know. I am always wary about what I post especially our needs because it can totally abused. We have a unique situation where the GAC is needed and helps a lot. BUT we don't use it to avoid the ques. So my asking for one may look like I am fishing since we technically don't always have mobility issues. So our's may look strange to you were to post it on the board. I give people the benefit of the doubt usually. Hopefully CMs know what to look out for as far as abuse.

 

[Cinders Mum]

Thanks karen.

It is bizarre to me that the "easy" option for my dd is for us to hire a wheelchair for her, but at 12 years old that is not something she wants to do unless necessary, so if a GAC where appropriate is enough to get by on, then surely that would be the way to go, and only using if she really really needs to. No one, adult or child wants to have to use a chair or a GAC, it is from necessity that requires it. At least that is my perspective on this.