Like the others said, take a deep breath and relax. You got some very good advice already, I'm just adding to that.
GAC is a Guest Assistance Card. It is a tool that is used by CMs to know what sort of assistance is needed by someone with an invisible disability. After telling the CM what needs you have, an icon is stamped onto the GAC that tells the CM (very basically) what is needed. Since it is an icon, the CM doesn't need to read it, just a glance usually tells what is needed. Some of the people who have reported problems had needs that are not well covered by GACs or were additional information besides what was stamped on the GAC (so can't be seen with just a glance).
And, you have to remember that most people (with any situation) are not as likely to say anything if things worked well. The people who say something are generally the ones who had problems. You don't usually hear from the people who don't have problems. (This is not in any way saying that the people who complain don't have valid complaints, just that they are more likely to speak up).
First of all, when are you going?
During the busy times of year, the CMs are spread pretty thin and are worried about getting the maximum number of people thru the line in the shortest amount of time. That gives less opportunity for rushed CMs to give personal attention.
During the slow times, waits in general are short and you will often be able to go right into rides without more than a few minutes wait (slow time is pretty much now until just before Thanksgiving, with a little busier time during Halloween). You probably won't need to use a GAC at all because it won't be busy enough.
Even during busy times, if you get to the parks early, you can go on a lot of rides/attractions without a long wait. My DH and I have done that in July and saw most of the rides in Fantasyland, plus Haunted Mansion and Pirates before 11 am. it was starting to get busy when we left. DH did the same thing during Spring break with oldest DD, niece and nephew.
My DD who is disabled is too slow to get up the morning, but even during Spring break, she has a GAC, but we don't usually need to use it more than 1 or 2 times a day because we pick up fastpasses when we can and realize that some of the attractions that are 1-2 hours wait in mid-morning are not busy later on. One of the guidebooks (like the Unofficial Guidebook) can help with timing or the CMs at the Information Station in each park can be helpful.
Can someone help me with what to tell the CM's when I go in for the GAC. Is a doctor's note going to help matters?
What you need to tell them is what the needs are that will be a problem while waiting in line or during attractions. Just explain those things (actually have your DH explain).
As was already mentioned, they can't ask for/require a doctors's note. Often, the CMs don't want to see a doctor's note because most of the time, the notes are not helpful in telling what your needs are (most just list the diagnosis, say the person will have a hard time waiting in line and ask for "consideration"). Even 3 people with the same basic diagnosis, don't always have the same needs.
Keep in mind that you don't have to get a GAC as soon as you get to the park. You can go to request one at any time during your trip (and doing that might give you a better idea of your needs).
Ladybugsy said:
My husband, my oldest daughter, 13, and my aunt are all insulin dependent diabetics. DH and DD are type 1. My husband has a hard time waiting in the heat for some reason since he has become a diabetic. He was diagnosed with type 1 at 34. He POURS sweat and can have a serious low pretty quickly. My daughter is pretty brittle, but overall she shouldn't have many problems.
You and your DH and children are likely to stay together, so your immediate family probably only needs one GAC. It sounds like your DH has more needs, so I'd choose him to get the GAC. Your DD will be with you all the time anyway and has less needs, so I don't think she needs a GAC. She should be able to get along with care.
Other things to think about are that if it's hot in line, he is also going to have problems in the park in general. The time you spend waiting outside in line is only a small portion of the time you in the parks. Actually, many of the lines are covered or even inside, in air conditioning (surprisingly, CMs have posted that even some of the outdoor lines -like Jungle Cruise- are air conditioned). You do need to think about ways to combat the heat.
Going during the cooler times might be very important to you.
Also, going early in the day, before it gets too hot and then leaving during the hottest time and coming back later in the day would help you to avoid the heat.
My aunt and my uncle will both be using
ECV's. My uncle is a quadrapalegic, and my aunt has numerous feet, ankle knee and hip problems. My uncle's speech is not very good since his accident, so the CM's probably won't be able to understand him. My aunt and uncle can both transfer themselves to any ride they need to, but my uncle will be pretty slow about it.
I saw you also listed that your aunt is a diabetic. Most diabetics don't need a GAC (the GAC is given based on
needs rather than diagnosis).
As Michigan mentioned, people using wheelchairs/
ECVs generally don't need a GAC unless they have needs that are not met by having an acessible line. The CM can see that the accessible line is needed and will send you there without a GAC.
Most lines are wheelchair and ecv accessible. There are icons on the park maps that tell which lines require a transfer from an ecv to a wheelchair and which are fully accessible.
If you haven't already, check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread. It includes a link to the official WDW Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities.
I saw your uncle is a quadraplegic, when most people think of quadraplegic, they picture someone like Christopher Reeve. Obviously that's not correct since you said he can transfer.
Can he transfer ALL by himself, just slowly, or does he need assistance? How much assistance? Keep in mind that CMs are allowed to do things like steady or move a wheelchair/ecv and offer a steadying hand, but can't lift, transfer or move anyone.
If he needs something (like the moving walkway stopped for a moving walkway line), he doesn't need to be the opne to say, but someone in your party has to speak up for him.
Since he is using an ecv, it will be assumed that he can and will transfer.
Another thing: You didn't mention if either your aunt or uncle have experience driving ecvs. If they don't, they should get some practice before they go. Large stores like Walmart, Target and grocery stores often have ecvs for their customers. These are much larger and harder to control than any at WDW. SO, if they can manage those, they should be OK. And once they get there, they should practice a bit before going out in the crowds. Epcot is the best park to practice since it's not as busy and has wide paths.
How will I know what to do when I walk up to a ride? where do I go? Will there be a CM outside every ride to help? I'm very non confrontational. I don't want to have to put up a fight, but I'm extremely worried about all of this. My aunt and uncle can both transfer themselves to any ride they need to, but my uncle will be pretty slow about it. I am having nightmares about holding up the line and people yelling at me...lol. Also about the fact that there are 7 of us, and I dream that I'm getting "the look" from the entire line of people waiting for the ride. There are so many horror stories on this board.
Someone tell me it's going to be alright
There is usually a CM outside each ride or somewhere around the entrance.
If it's a Fastpass ride with Fastpass in operation (sometimes it's not when it's not busy), there will be a CM at the Fastpass return.
Keep in mind that the horror stories are the exception, rather than the rule.
First of all, when you get to a ride, you may not need any special assistance (so may not need tto use a GAC at all):
Many lines are inside buildings (so no problem with heat).
If the standby (regular) line is 20 minutes or less, you probably don't need to use a GAC.
Most lines do have emergency exits in case you need to leave the line.
When in line, keep an eye out for wheelchair symbols. In some attractions, wheelchair/ecv users board at the exit. Usually you are directed there a little bit before people in the regular line get to the boarding area. So, you don't end up "holding up" a line of people waiting to get on.
There is a link to a thread about boarding in the disABILITIES FAQs thread that would be helpful to you.
Take a deep deep breath.
The people at guest services were nice and friendly (we were there in June) and the process took about 2 minutes.
