My husband hurt his back and we leave next week...

[tabbycat7815]

We've been planning our week long vacation at Disneyland for several months, but lately my husband has been having some back problems. He's concerned that waiting in line will be hard on his back and I'm worried that he'll be in pain throughout our holiday. Is there a way for me to wait in line and him to join me part way through? Does anyone have any advice? We have purchased enhanced fast passes, but I know this only applies to certain rides.

Thanks!

Erin.

 

[darph nader]

You can get a SAP. The lines will the least of his worrys. imho.

 

[tabbycat7815]

What's an SAP???

 

[Rella Bella]

It's a "Special Assistance Pass". You get them at guest relations, but I'm not sure what the requirements are... maybe someone else can help.

As for him joining you in line... it just wouldn't work. The lines often twist around, he would be able to see you let a lone get to you.

How soon are you going? Hopefully he'll have time to get some improvement before you leave. Back trouble is the worst!!
Sending prayers & pixie dust!

 

[iceskatejen]

It's actually called a GAC (Guest Assistance Card). You might need a doctor's note to get the bypass one (this allow you to use either the Fastpass entrance to rides with FP or use the wheelchair entrance if the ride doesn't have FP). Another option would be to rent a wheelchair or ECV.

 

[GailT]

I wonder if people in general try to get this to bypass long lines? That is just a curiosity factor with me, people play on their illness/diease, I have seen it all to often not in Disney but in my life on a daily basis.

 

[samkj]

Obtaining a GAC at DL is not as easy as it sounds. Due to abuse they have greatly restricted the use of the GAC. For endurance issues it is recommended that you use a wheelchair or ECV. You don't want to spend the whole week worrying about your DH's back, so I urge you to look into renting a ECV, a wheelchair would be too exhausting for you to push all day. Here is a list of offsite companies that you could rent a EV from for the week for much less and more convienence than the Disney ones. http://pixiedustinn.com/disabilitiesfaq/RentalWheelchairsandECVs.html

BTW, the GAC does not allow you to bypass lines. Your wait can be just as long, if not longer (Pirates wheelchair accesible entrance wait is much, much longer )

 

[Judy from Boise]

The EVC, along with EFP might "just be the ticket"!

 

[darph nader]

If standing in line is going to be hard on him,most of the 'thrill' rides are go to make his condition worse.Or a least aggrivate the heck out of it.imho

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We were able to rent a wheelchair very easily for my brother. He is both mentally and physically handicapped. Walking and standing in line for any amount of time is hard on him. We were actually quite amazed at how easy it was, and could totally see how someone just faking something could get it also. My Mother just went in and started to explain his conditions, and the CM said "Oh, no need to explain." And gave it to us. Was nice for us, and he was really in need. But it seemed like anyone could do that. We were able to bypass all the lines and use the wheelchair areas (like someone said though, POTC line for that was long). Although when we were there this month they made someone go in the regular standby line with a wheelchair for Buzz. I didn't get that.

But that may be a good option if he's having a lot of back pain.

 

[tabbycat7815]

Thanks everyone for the advice. So far, his back isn't too too bad (and I don't think he'd want to rent a wheelchair). His pain is due to a degenerated disk (we think) and the pain flares up when he's standing in one spot. Otherwise, he seems to be okay. Even mowing the lawn doesn't bother him. It's very strange. We're going to go to his doctor tomorrow and hopefully get some advice from him.

Thanks again!

Erin.

 

[iceskatejen]

If the regular queue is wheelchair accessable, then the wheelchair must use it unless they have a Fastpass. Buzz is wheelchair accessable as are most of the queues in DCA.

 

[Disney Fans]

I wonder if people in general try to get this to bypass long lines? That is just a curiosity factor with me, people play on their illness/diease, I have seen it all to often not in Disney but in my life on a daily basis.

How do you know each and everyone of these people (that you roll your eyes at) that are so called playing on their illness or problem. Just because some one looks normal don't ASSUME ( you know the old saying) that they don't need the GAP they might be in alot of pain, or have certain conditions to where they need the pass. WDW and Disney don't just hand them out you need an offical doctors note, etc.

It is people like you that roll their eyes at families that might only have a short time left with a loved one and they don't need people like you trying to make them feel gulity for having a little more pleasent time.

I don't often get upset but reading your response made me sick to my stomach that they are still so many self centered people that don't have any compassion for others and jump to conclusions with out any just!!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Dont forget to pack some icy hot patches. Ice pack and meds for relief.

 

[nightowlky]

Thanks everyone for the advice. So far, his back isn't too too bad (and I don't think he'd want to rent a wheelchair). His pain is due to a degenerated disk (we think) and the pain flares up when he's standing in one spot. Otherwise, he seems to be okay. Even mowing the lawn doesn't bother him. It's very strange. We're going to go to his doctor tomorrow and hopefully get some advice from him.

Thanks again!

Erin.

Is this a general practitioner or someone like an orthopedic specialist or chiropractor?

The former will likely just prescribe some pain medication which won't do anything but mask the problem.

Back pain could be from degenerative disk issues or spinal misalignment (correctable via chiropractic care - they're helping me out a lot). My biggest problem now is the psoas muscle causing my low back pain. In my new job, I'm working longer hours and just sit at a keyboard all day coding away so I'm not up and about as I've been in the past and the psoas muscle was inflamed and was squeezing L5 thru T12 of the lower lumbar.

Simple stretches and some cold packs off and on (heat would only make it worse) and I'm just about back to normal (considering 3 weekends ago I could barely move the pain was so intense).

Hoping for the best for your DH!

 

[GailT]

How do you know each and everyone of these people (that you roll your eyes at) that are so called playing on their illness or problem. Just because some one looks normal don't ASSUME ( you know the old saying) that they don't need the GAP they might be in alot of pain, or have certain conditions to where they need the pass. WDW and Disney don't just hand them out you need an offical doctors note, etc.



It is people like you that roll their eyes at families that might only have a short time left with a loved one and they don't need people like you trying to make them feel gulity for having a little more pleasent time.

I don't often get upset but reading your response made me sick to my stomach that they are still so many self centered people that don't have any compassion for others and jump to conclusions with out any just!!!

I feel the need to explain for IGNORANT people that don't understand disabled people, YES, I am one of those disabled people but you wouldn't know that because you are sitting behind a computer ,I said what I said because looking from my perspective how others can take advantage of something .....I am lucky I still have the use of my limbs so maybe before you type you might be able to put yourself in a disabled state of mind and in the real world how many people cheat the systems we have, YES I love being an AMERICAN and I think people who need help should get it.

Oh BTW I just hit on something I thought was a sad face, not rolling eyes but that rolling of eyes is real fitting for this post