SWW and joining in Que - Page 2 - The DIS Discussion Forums

Jeanieblue114 · 11-04-2009, 10:06 PM

You might get some more detailed info on the DisAbilities board. They have some very knowledgeable and helpful people there.

You might want to look into getting a GAC at Guest Services. It is a card that you can get for the special needs issue that can say things like "can't wait in line, avoid steps, etc." for when there is no obvious to the eyes disability. It can help you avoid having to explain things 10 million times.
You do not need a doctor's note for this. It is to help guests enjoy the parks as best they can with special needs.

(on a side note, if you have a wheelchair or some obvious limitation the card isn't necessary to receive special assistance. )

I don't know if the Guest Assistance Cards are helpful for character meet and greets, but those on the disability board would surely know.

enjoy your trip!

amzking · 11-04-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeanieblue114

I don't know if the Guest Assistance Cards are helpful for character meet and greets, but those on the disability board would surely know.

enjoy your trip!

We have used our GAC on "formal" character lines - the fairies, the characters in Innoventions in Epcot, etc. The GAC they give us has a stamp that says "may use alternate entrance, if available". Most of the time this means the fastpass line if there is one but for the "formal" character meet and greets they will have you wait a short period of time in a separate area then take you in through the back.

The GAC will not work for "informal" character lines like those at SWW.

I have learned to ignore looks from other people for our ASD son. Two weeks ago while heading to the tram from parking the car I was looking back over my right shoulder to keep track of my DD while holding my DS's hand with my left hand. Well he must have bumped into this grouchy lady, she said "EXCUSE ME", I apologised and she spent the next few minutes walking right in front of me explaining to her son how some people are so rude and do not keep control of their children. I thought about telling her about DS's ASD but I am sure it would have been no use!

I have learned to ignore any funny looks and just enjoy myself. Now with ASD being about 1 in 100 most people at least know someone with it.

livndisney · 11-04-2009, 11:08 PM

GAC's are for attractions only and not intended for characters.

As far as the characters at SWW. If you want a pic with a star of the movie, you will need a fastpass. People line up HOURS before the park opens for those fastpasses.

For the characters in the park, I have seen CMs refuse to let people join into the line, I have seen people "fuss" at people joining family in line (some of the characters are out for a short time and then they switch).

MinnieVanMom · 11-05-2009, 03:30 PM

We do use the GAC when needed but try to use the FP system when we can. We don't want to see the actors but CM's dressed as SW characters. I guess we shall just use the line holder plan and also make sure the CM knows why.

It is a long way off and we shall just be there a rope drop and do what we can. Who knows, DS may have total melt down that day.

bwilcox · 11-05-2009, 05:08 PM

I would also suggest that you try to do SWW on a Sun. or Fri. and stay away from Saturdays. That might help with lines a little.

MinnieVanMom · 11-05-2009, 07:06 PM

I was just thrilled to read it was also Friday! I thought the weekend being Sat/Sun and we would only get 1 day but now Friday is our day with most locals at work and then Sat we can pick up what we missed.

Again, we will have done the rides earlier in the week, we just want to meet storm troopers, the princess, chewy, etc.

jworkkul · 11-06-2009, 10:46 AM

Also, if you want to get pics and autographs from some of the well-known actors (ie. Warwick Davis, Ray Parke, Jr, etc) you must get in the fast pass line really, really early.

Let me set an example---two years ago Ray Parke, Jr was going to be one of the guest "stars" during one weekend. My daughter loves his character (Darth Maul) and wanted to get his pic and autograph. Luckily for us, we were staying on property and made a trip over to DHS at (ready for this-------------) 4 a.m.

Already in his line were over 100 people.

They did not let us get into the park until around 8:45 a.m. and then the CM proceeded to lead us to the FP machines.

Still, we couldn't get a FP for that particular "star" until 9 a.m. They have "sessions" where they give autographs and pics. Now--being that we got there around 4 a.m. when it was our turn for the FP we had a return time of 1:00 p.m. (session #2). After that we went back to the hotel and took a nap.

My daughter likes to dress up and we headed back over to DHS around 11:00. We got some great pics with Ray Parke and he even liked the costume my daughter had on (she dresses like a Sith).

MinnieVanMom · 11-06-2009, 11:44 AM

OMG, I am so grateful that DS is young and the actors mean nothing to him. 4 am, that is crazy

Good for you to get up that early to get your FP.

We just want to see characters, storm troopers, chewy, CM's in costume. DS is young enough that they are real to him...for now we have magic.

11-04-2009, 10:06 PM	#16
Jeanieblue114 DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 800	You might get some more detailed info on the DisAbilities board. They have some very knowledgeable and helpful people there. You might want to look into getting a GAC at Guest Services. It is a card that you can get for the special needs issue that can say things like "can't wait in line, avoid steps, etc." for when there is no obvious to the eyes disability. It can help you avoid having to explain things 10 million times. You do not need a doctor's note for this. It is to help guests enjoy the parks as best they can with special needs. (on a side note, if you have a wheelchair or some obvious limitation the card isn't necessary to receive special assistance. ) I don't know if the Guest Assistance Cards are helpful for character meet and greets, but those on the disability board would surely know. enjoy your trip! __________________ 1974-2002 Disneyworld Off-property annually 2003 Dolphin Resort 2003 Disney's Vero Beach Resort 2003 Disney's Hilton Head Resort 2004 Disneyworld Good Neighbor Hotel 2004 Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel 2005-2008 Disneyworld Good Neighbor Hotel Annually July 2009 3 Nights Disney Good Neighbor Sept-Oct 2009 5 Nights Disney's Old Key West

11-05-2009, 03:30 PM	#19
MinnieVanMom DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,797	We do use the GAC when needed but try to use the FP system when we can. We don't want to see the actors but CM's dressed as SW characters. I guess we shall just use the line holder plan and also make sure the CM knows why. It is a long way off and we shall just be there a rope drop and do what we can. Who knows, DS may have total melt down that day. __________________

11-05-2009, 07:06 PM	#21
MinnieVanMom DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,797	I was just thrilled to read it was also Friday! I thought the weekend being Sat/Sun and we would only get 1 day but now Friday is our day with most locals at work and then Sat we can pick up what we missed. Again, we will have done the rides earlier in the week, we just want to meet storm troopers, the princess, chewy, etc. __________________

11-06-2009, 10:46 AM	#22
jworkkul Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 165	Also, if you want to get pics and autographs from some of the well-known actors (ie. Warwick Davis, Ray Parke, Jr, etc) you must get in the fast pass line really, really early. Let me set an example---two years ago Ray Parke, Jr was going to be one of the guest "stars" during one weekend. My daughter loves his character (Darth Maul) and wanted to get his pic and autograph. Luckily for us, we were staying on property and made a trip over to DHS at (ready for this-------------) 4 a.m. Already in his line were over 100 people. They did not let us get into the park until around 8:45 a.m. and then the CM proceeded to lead us to the FP machines. Still, we couldn't get a FP for that particular "star" until 9 a.m. They have "sessions" where they give autographs and pics. Now--being that we got there around 4 a.m. when it was our turn for the FP we had a return time of 1:00 p.m. (session #2). After that we went back to the hotel and took a nap. My daughter likes to dress up and we headed back over to DHS around 11:00. We got some great pics with Ray Parke and he even liked the costume my daughter had on (she dresses like a Sith). __________________ URL=http://wdisneysecrets.com/forums][/url]

11-06-2009, 11:44 AM	#23
MinnieVanMom DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,797	OMG, I am so grateful that DS is young and the actors mean nothing to him. 4 am, that is crazy Good for you to get up that early to get your FP. We just want to see characters, storm troopers, chewy, CM's in costume. DS is young enough that they are real to him...for now we have magic. __________________

11-04-2009, 11:08 PM	#18
livndisney DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3,628	GAC's are for attractions only and not intended for characters. As far as the characters at SWW. If you want a pic with a star of the movie, you will need a fastpass. People line up HOURS before the park opens for those fastpasses. For the characters in the park, I have seen CMs refuse to let people join into the line, I have seen people "fuss" at people joining family in line (some of the characters are out for a short time and then they switch).

11-05-2009, 05:08 PM	#20
bwilcox Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 340	I would also suggest that you try to do SWW on a Sun. or Fri. and stay away from Saturdays. That might help with lines a little.

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