When you’re dealing with health conditions at Walt Disney World, there’s something you can obtain that can make you’re life go much easier! It’s called a Guest Assistance Card and it’s referred to as a GAC. It allows guests with special needs to receive help from the Disney cast members (Disney’s name for their employees) in the four main Disney parks.  Here’s some of what it can do for you:

• It permits you to utilize a stroller as if it were a wheelchair.  This means that you’ll be able to use the wheelchair queues, entrances and paths with your stroller.  
• Those who are not in a wheelchair but still need to use the wheelchair entrances and exits will be permitted to do so.  You’ll also have the option of using any special waiting areas for attractions.
• Those with visual or auditory impairments will have the option of sitting up front where that is available. If you need to make use of this option, try to arrive as early as possible, because seats are not set aside.  If you arrive too late, they may not be able to provide you with seats close to the action, and you may need to wait for the next show. Of course if you do arrive in time and there are seats available, you’ll be given priority.
• If the regular queue is hot or sunny, and there is an alternative area for that attraction that’s air-conditioned or at least shaded, you’ll be permitted to wait there instead. Keep in mind that Disney does not always provide this type of alternative.
• You’ll be permitted to speak to the cast member at each attraction, and let them know about your particular needs.  If there’s any way for them to support you, they will do so. 

A GAC can make a big difference when you are dealing with invisible conditions such as ADD/ADHD, heat and sun sensitivity, autism, discomfort with crowds and various phobias.  The Disney employees can support you in a variety of ways. For example, they may allow you to enter the wheelchair queue rather than the main queue. The wheelchair queues are often much quieter and less crowded. You may have a shorter walk. For those with heat and sun sensitivity, whenever it’s available, they can bring you to a waiting area out of the sun. Those who are uncomfortable in crowds may be able to wait in a less crowded area.  

To get a GAC, go to Guest Relations at any one of the four parks. There’s one near the entrance of each park. One GAC is all you need for all four parks on the date(s) specified on the GAC.  They can issue you a card which will be valid for your full stay, so be sure to request this. If you’re an Annual Pass Member, you can get one card which will last up to three months. After three months you will need to get a new one. The GAC will usually allow the person that the card is for to bring as many as five companions along with them for each attraction. Be sure to let the Guest Relations representative know the exact number of people in your group.

There are several different types of GACs that are assigned based on your specific issues. Rather than informing the cast member about the particular diagnosis’s involved, you’ll be describing your needs to them.  For example, you can tell the cast member that you need to stay out of the sun.  They will then give you the most suitable GAC for your situation. Before you leave Guest Relations, be certain that you’ve got a full understanding of what support your GAC allows for.

When you go to Guest Relations, it’s important to have the person who needs the Guest Assistance Card with you. The cast member will want to make sure that they’re really at the park that day.

When requesting a GAC, it’s absolutely not required for you to bring proof the illness.  However we have found that it can make the process much easier if the illness is not visible, depending on the cast member. In fact, we have heard of people being denied a GAC because the condition was not visible. Unfortunately there are people who try to fake an illness to get a GAC because they think it will help them avoid lines and I'll talk about that below. However, for this reason, Disney has had to be careful.

Although the Disney policy is that no proof is needed, we’ve noticed that over the years it has become increasingly difficult to get a GAC, so we’ve brought proof.  However once my wife Sarah began using a wheelchair we’ve found that it has been very easy to get a GAC.  I suspect this is because they can see visible evidence of a health issue.  

There are a variety of things you can do. In the past, we’ve shown them a doctor’s note that was written for another reason. Once we even brought a photocopy of a legal document that confirmed my wife Sarah’s health problem.  A doctor’s note describing your specific needs can make things go smoothly. It’s not necessary to state a diagnosis.  Just have him focus on what kind of help and support you need.

Should you decide to bring a doctor’s note, the following is a sample of might be written on it.  Of course it must be signed and on her/his professional letterhead:

This note concerns __________.  She/he has difficulty [with crowds, sitting, standing, walking (describe your challenge)...]  This condition will make it difficult for her/him to stand in lines.  Whenever possible please provide an alternative so that the need for this will be reduced.  Also, she/he should avoid the sun and should stay in an air-conditioned environment whenever possible.  Please provide any support you can.

Regards,

Doctor XXXXX

Though it’s rare, we’ve happened upon a Guest Relations representative who was not familiar with GACs.  The best thing to do is to politely ask for a supervisor. Don’t spend a moment of your precious vacation time trying to explain or argue.  There should be someone else there who will be able to easily give you what you need.  

Those in wheelchairs or electric convenience vehicles (ECVs) may not really need to obtain a GAC. You’ll be allowed to utilize all of the park, ride and attraction wheelchair entrances and queues.  If an attraction allows wheelchairs on the ride car or in a theater, you’ll automatically be permitted to stay in your wheelchair. Yet if you have other needs, the cast members are not under any type of obligation to support you if you don’t have a GAC.  For example, if you’re in a wheelchair and want to stay out of the sun, the cast member may or may not help you without a GAC.  Though we find that some cast members will help wheelchair users with these special requests even when they don’t have a GAC, we recommend that you request one. It increases the likelihood that you’ll get what you need!

Those who need to use a stroller as a wheelchair will need to request a GAC. If you don’t have a GAC that states this, you will not be permitted to use the stroller in queues or on rides.  Also, you will not be permitted to use the wheelchair entrances unless you have a GAC.

Most people have the idea that a GAC will shorten their wait times while getting them to the head of the line.  While this does sometimes occur, for many attractions we’ve found that we’ve actually had a significantly longer wait time. More typically, we’ve waited about the same amount of time as those without GACs. 

Each attraction has different procedures, and the cast members will be able to support guests with GACs in various ways.  There’s usually a cast member at the front of each attraction.  Just show them your GAC, let them know what you need and they’ll usually let you know what the procedures are for that attraction. 

On the rare occasion that a cast member doesn’t help you as fully as you need, request to speak with a supervisor.  Now and then you’ll encounter a cast member who’s lacking in training, experience or perhaps even sensitivity.  A supervisor will almost always be able to take better care of you. 

Have a relaxing and wonderful time on your dream vacation!  

 

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