New member-Question about guest assistance

[Gill66]

I'd first like to say hello to everyone,
i've visited this site before and found it useful, a month before my last trip to WDW (4yrs ago). I was diagnosed with Parkinsons, although we had a great time I did find it hard going, needless to say things have got worse I still try to carry on as usual for my 3 kids but I know this time it will be a struggle,I have walking difficulties and balance problems, if I stand, sit or walk for to long I am in pain, I have been reading about G A and wondered if I would be able to get this or does it only apply to children, any advice would be great.( by the way i'm not a moaner really!)
Gill

[thebuckys]

Hi Gill

Not sure I can be a great deal of assistance but would just like to say welcome to The Dibb & have a wonderful time on your next trip (where are you staying?)

I am sure other members can answer your query in more detail but for my part are you aware that there is a 'sticky' thread on Guest Assistance at:
http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=89187

Also I have found the following link on the Disneyworld web site:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/common/Plain?id=PlainMobilityDPage

Hope one of these is of some use to you.

Kind regards,
Steve

[Gill66]

Thanks Steve,
we're all excited planning our trip we've booked a villa at Crescent Lakes. we stayed at the Laguna Bay last time in a condo, before we had the kids in 92 we stayed in a small hotel on the 192.
I've had a look at the threads and things look a bit clearer.I just don't want to appear to be a queue jumper we travel abroad every year and I never ask for special treatment even though I am in pain and discomfort, because I'm only 41 and propably at first glance I don't look disabled. I dont want to draw attention to myself or my family, or be put in awkward situations like sometimes when I park in the disabled car parks and people ask me do I have a badge,I get upset and angry, they don't know what I go through, so I'm unsure what to do on one hand a little help with the queue's would be great but would I get stressed out at people thinking I was queue jumping, I suppose I could enquire and see how I go, maybe all the excitment will help and the smiles on the kids faces will help also, I'm looking forward to going no matter what.
Thanks again, Gill.

[TinkTatoo]

Hi Gill and welcome to the Dibb :wavey:

I am sure if you go to guest relations in the first park you visit and explain your situation they will be able to do something to help you. I'd bring a doctors note - you don't have to produce one but I find that with non apparent disabilities it's often useful to have.

The thing about the guest assistance card is it doesn't give you immediate access to the rides and there is often quite await even with one. You might want to plan your days so that you hit the parks at opening (if that's possible) so that you can do as many rides as possible before it's gets too crowded and use fastpass as often as you can.

I know that you said siting, walking or standing for a long time is a problem but it might be worth hiring a wheelchair, you could walk when you're able but have it for a back up when the walking or standing in line gets too much.

If you like reading guide books you might find The Passporter Guide for special needs (http://www.passporter.com/wdw/specialneeds/guidebook.htm) useful.

Hope it helps

[loadsapixiedust]

Guest Assistance Card is available to anyone with any kind of special need you don't need to use a wheelchair or be a child to use one. Go to Guest Relations and explain the difficulties you have and they will issue you with the appropriate pass.

At WDW the GAC is valid for your whole stay, at Universal you need to renew it each day you visit.

[Gill66]

Thanks TinkTattoo and Lynn,
We always make sure that we are at the parks early and I remember the fast passes from last time, I'm sure that with a bit of planning we'll get by and I dont go on the fast rides which seem to have the longer queue's. As for the wheelchair I could probably do with one sometimes but I'm not ready to give in to it just yet. Just another question do you need a doctors note to carry medication or will a prescription do, I take 21tabs a day and use a throat spray for swallowing problems so there will be a lot to carry with me.
Thanks again, Gill.

[lausan]

My Niece is a wheelchair user shes 25 and we have used Guest Assistance cards for years now....it makes it so much easier as she cannot wait in queues

Have a magical time

[Sheeps68]

Gill, I understand where you are coming from with hidden disabilities and not wanting to give in. I'm in a similar situaton to you but have to say next time I will seek the GAC.

A doctors letter seems to be vital these days if carrying liquis and tablets on a plane although some do use the repeat section of a prescription. The other bit is to ensure all tablets etc are in the packing from pharmacy and not the little dossett boxes just in case anyone asks at security. As for the letter I have discovered hospital doctors and specialist nurses from there dont charge for the letter where most GP's do.

[Gill66]

I know I'll try to manage without a wheelchair, but I wont rule out the possibility of using one, as I've only been on relaxing holidays since my last disney trip so I've never really been tested to how many days I can keep up with all the hustle and bustle. But I'm going to give it a good try!
THANKS. Gill

[Gill66]

I will be visiting my neuro specialist in Feb so I could ask him for a letter. Thanks. GILL

[jcjcjc]

They are excellent at both disney and universal, you will be given a guest assisant card at disney for your complete stay which is like a fast pass and in universal you will get given a gap pass which is like a fast pass but you have to renew the gap pass on each visit to universal or ioa but all you do is show your last gap pass.

a blue badge is good enough proof or something showing your disability but again they are very trusting and i am sure they will listen to you and take your word without proof.

[keith&carol]

Hi,
I have "hidden" disabilities. On a good day you can't see anything wrong with me and on a bad day I can't even get out of bed. I've fought for ages not to use a wheelchair, partly because DD4 is quadriplegic so more than one of us in a chair becomes a problem.
However I finally gave in and took my chair with us and I've been so glad I did. I can't sit or stand for long so I have to keep getting in and out of it but it saved me so much energy that I was able to stay in the Parks longer and that helped the whole family enjoy it more.
I don't bother with a GAC for me because I can't go on most of the rides anyway but we always get one for DD. She has a spinal curvature and has to wear a thick support jacket so she overheats very easily and can't sit in the sun for more than a few minutes. The GAC doesn't really get her on the rides any quicker but it does mean we can wait in the shade until it is our turn and she goes to the front if characters are out in the sun for photos. It's a bit embarassing to do this but it's the only way she'd get photos with them.
Give some thought to using a wheelchair even if it's just for queues. I'm glad I did.
Carol :wavey: