Gac Pass

[disneyobessed]

We will be getting a GAC pass for my son this week down in disney. Does he have to be with me to get it or could i bring his placard for the car?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The disabled person must be present to get the GAC.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you are using the handicapped parking area, it's important to leave his handicapped parking hangtag in the car (they do sometimes ticket cars that don't have tags).
He (or you), need to be able to explain his needs to the CMs in Guest Services.
I can't tell from your post whether or not he has had a GAC before, but here is a little summary of info about GACs:
Here's a summary of information about GACs:

• Have your son go to Guest Services in any of the parks with you and talk to the CM there about his problems and needs. The diagnosis is not really that important because people with the same diagnosis can have very different needs. The GAC is not given based on diagnosis at all (for example, there is not a "list" of appropriate diagnosis for a GAC); the GAC is given based on needs and the accomidations that meet those needs. Having a handicapped parking permit doesn't necessarily mean the person needs a GAC; it depends on what the needs are.
  The GAC is usually given for up to 6 people (5 plus the perrson with a disability) and is valid at all the parks for your length of stay (you don't need to get a new one at each theme park).
  A few other things
• the GAC is not meant to be a pass that gives immediate access. In fact, about 6 years ago, they renamed it to Card because when it was called a Pass, people thought it mean front of the line access. It says right on the card that it is not meant to shorten or eliminate waits in line.
• it is meant as a tool to tell the CMs what the person's needs are so that they can provide appropriate accomidation for the person it was issued to. Some examples of accomidations might be a quieter place to wait, a place out of the sun (for those times when the line is in the sun for a prolonged period of time).
• because what is stamped on the GAC is based on needs, not all GACs say the same thing.
• think of the GAC like an insurance card, not necessarily needed or used all the time, but there for when you need it.
• even on the same attraction, the GAC is not always handled the same each time. Exactly what happens depends on how busy it is, how many other people with special needs are there at the time and staffing. Some times you may be sent thru the regular standby line, occassionally the fastpass line; sometimes the person with the GAC and a member of their party will be given an alternate place to wait while the rest of the party goes thru the standby line - and then meet up with them when they get to the front. Sometimes you might be given a slip and told you can come back at the time written on the slip (usually equal to the standby time); very occassionally, you might be taken right in. It depends on what they call "attraction considerations" (which is basically the things I listed in the second sentence) and exactly what your GAC says.
• Fastpass is a good way to avoid waits in line. You don't have to be present to get a fastpass, you can send one member of your party ahead with all the park passes to get fastpasses. When you report back to the ride at your fastpass return time, your wait will be 15 minutes or less.
  Another advantage is that using Fastpass, you know what will happen when you get to the attraction and present your Fastpass. Using a GAC, you have no control of what will occur; it depends on factors outside of your control.
• I'd strongly suggest he consider renting a motorized scooter (also called ecv) or a wheelchair. (The user must be 18 or over to rent an ecv). The distance and time spent going around the parks is much greater than the time and distance spent in line. With an ecv or wheelchair, he will always have a place to sit and can conserve her energy for fun, instead of just getting around. There is information about ecvs in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the disABILITIES Board. Most lines are wheelchair/ecv accessible.
• If the person's needs are what WDW calls "Endurance Concerns", a wheelchair or ecv will be suggested. That makes sense because waiting in line is only a small part of the walking/standing involved in a WDW trip.
• If he has had a GAC before, showing his old GAC to the CM when requesting a new one is usually helpful.

 

[disneyobessed]

If you are using the handicapped parking area, it's important to leave his handicapped parking hangtag in the car (they do sometimes ticket cars that don't have tags).
He (or you), need to be able to explain his needs to the CMs in Guest Services.
I can't tell from your post whether or not he has had a GAC before, but here is a little summary of info about GACs:
Here's a summary of information about GACs:

• Have your son go to Guest Services in any of the parks with you and talk to the CM there about his problems and needs. The diagnosis is not really that important because people with the same diagnosis can have very different needs. The GAC is not given based on diagnosis at all (for example, there is not a "list" of appropriate diagnosis for a GAC); the GAC is given based on needs and the accomidations that meet those needs. Having a handicapped parking permit doesn't necessarily mean the person needs a GAC; it depends on what the needs are.
  The GAC is usually given for up to 6 people (5 plus the perrson with a disability) and is valid at all the parks for your length of stay (you don't need to get a new one at each theme park).
  A few other things
• the GAC is not meant to be a pass that gives immediate access. In fact, about 6 years ago, they renamed it to Card because when it was called a Pass, people thought it mean front of the line access. It says right on the card that it is not meant to shorten or eliminate waits in line.
• it is meant as a tool to tell the CMs what the person's needs are so that they can provide appropriate accomidation for the person it was issued to. Some examples of accomidations might be a quieter place to wait, a place out of the sun (for those times when the line is in the sun for a prolonged period of time).
• because what is stamped on the GAC is based on needs, not all GACs say the same thing.
• think of the GAC like an insurance card, not necessarily needed or used all the time, but there for when you need it.
• even on the same attraction, the GAC is not always handled the same each time. Exactly what happens depends on how busy it is, how many other people with special needs are there at the time and staffing. Some times you may be sent thru the regular standby line, occassionally the fastpass line; sometimes the person with the GAC and a member of their party will be given an alternate place to wait while the rest of the party goes thru the standby line - and then meet up with them when they get to the front. Sometimes you might be given a slip and told you can come back at the time written on the slip (usually equal to the standby time); very occassionally, you might be taken right in. It depends on what they call "attraction considerations" (which is basically the things I listed in the second sentence) and exactly what your GAC says.
• Fastpass is a good way to avoid waits in line. You don't have to be present to get a fastpass, you can send one member of your party ahead with all the park passes to get fastpasses. When you report back to the ride at your fastpass return time, your wait will be 15 minutes or less.
  Another advantage is that using Fastpass, you know what will happen when you get to the attraction and present your Fastpass. Using a GAC, you have no control of what will occur; it depends on factors outside of your control.
• I'd strongly suggest he consider renting a motorized scooter (also called ecv) or a wheelchair. (The user must be 18 or over to rent an ecv). The distance and time spent going around the parks is much greater than the time and distance spent in line. With an ecv or wheelchair, he will always have a place to sit and can conserve her energy for fun, instead of just getting around. There is information about ecvs in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the disABILITIES Board. Most lines are wheelchair/ecv accessible.
• If the person's needs are what WDW calls "Endurance Concerns", a wheelchair or ecv will be suggested. That makes sense because waiting in line is only a small part of the walking/standing involved in a WDW trip.
• If he has had a GAC before, showing his old GAC to the CM when requesting a new one is usually helpful.

He was able to get a GAC pass last year. He is 5 years old and unable to walk without assistance. He is in a handicapped stroller a Convaid Cruiser but is able to stand inline with assistance for short periods before needing to be carried. This GAC card was designed for people just like him. ITs great. Whats even better his stroller can go on many rides and straps down like a wheelchair.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!