GAC gotchas at DL

[KPeveler]

Unfortunately, the way things worked out we're going in June. Not ideal, but the planning involves grandparents and work schedules and a few things wen't wrong so we couldn't go at a quieter time... :sigh: Not ideal and I'm a little nervous. The good news is we're going for 5 days, so there's no rush to cram everything in and I can take breaks in quiet places (or the hotel) as needed. Also, we're staying across the street, so I can take my klonopin and not worry about driving.

*Ideally* we will ride Star Tours on a day that I'm feeling relaxed and at a time that the line is low. It's one of my son's two favorite rides, though, and since the other is down all year, I really want to be able to join him at least once or twice.

You're right, the GAC is of limited use for a lot of anxiety issues. Mostly we are relying on a good plan, enough time to be relaxed and pacing ourselves.

If you have a FP for Star Tours, that cuts out the vast majority of the line. If you tell the CM that you have a FP but the interior line is too difficult for you, then MAY direct you to the elevator, which avoids the interior switchbacks. So if you get a FP for Star Tours, you should actually do okay with this ride.

Definitely speak to Guest Services about a GAC. It may not help with many of the lines, but some of them may be better - for instance, I find that the accessible line for Jungle Cruise, which is through the exit, has a walled off area. If it is not crowded, then I have no problem waiting there - If you go to Jungle Cruise during Fantasmic - there is NO ONE there! I always roll right on.

You will definitely be able to do Star Tours, especially if you have a FP.

Fastpass times are not enforced in Disneyland, just like WDW. This means that if you have a FP for lines you find more difficult, you will know exactly when you will be riding it, and you can plan to take it easy right before and after that time. For example, if you know you are going to ride Star Tours at 4:30-5:30, then perhaps you go wander around Innoventions or ride the Railroad before that, and plan on ice cream or a quiet break right after.

I find balancing between the higher stress rides and the quieter rides helps me get through the day.

BTW, unlike WDW, you cannot skip the Stretching Room at HM. It is a literal elevator that takes you under the train tracks into the show building. I suggest either skipping this one, or bringing ear plugs or a tiny LED light or whatever you need to handle it.

I find Tom Sawyer Island a great place to relax during the day. There is room for the kids to run, bathrooms on the Island, and benches spread all over the Island. It closes at dusk, but it really is a great place to go let the kids run and find a place to sit quietly.

 

[Mama Who]

DL is our home park- we've actually not made it to Florida yet. We have several quiet corners we like for relaxing. The far end of Critter Country

We skip Haunted Mansion for the most part. None of the big people in the party are huge fans and the little one is young enough that it may be too scary.

The problem with Star Tours has been that the problem area is that interior switchback where it gets tight. The rest of the line is okay, it's the combination of the tight quarters and being indoors, I think. It doesn't help that I'm short and it's really easy to feel trapped in a crowd. We may simply skip ST on high anxiety days. The good news is there's generally some warning.

 

[Mousequake]

BTW, unlike WDW, you cannot skip the Stretching Room at HM. It is a literal elevator that takes you under the train tracks into the show building. I suggest either skipping this one, or bringing ear plugs or a tiny LED light or whatever you need to handle it.

It is possible to skip the Stretching Room at DL, if you find the right cast member. On our last trip, i explained my daughter's issues with crowds and darkness to the cm at the entrance, and he found a cast member to take us past the stretching room straight to the Doom Buggies. We had to wait about ten minutes for the cm to be available, but My daughter ended up chickening out at the last minute so we didn't actually go thought with it. It is possible, though.

 

[KPeveler]

It is possible to skip the Stretching Room at DL, if you find the right cast member. On our last trip, i explained my daughter's issues with crowds and darkness to the cm at the entrance, and he found a cast member to take us past the stretching room straight to the Doom Buggies. We had to wait about ten minutes for the cm to be available, but My daughter ended up chickening out at the last minute so we didn't actually go thought with it. It is possible, though.

I have never heard of this. Obviously some kind of elevator is involved? Or id it stairs? I use a wheelchair full time so a lot of the time workarounds like these dont work for me...

 

[dawnball]

I'm kind of slowly working my way through attractions and documenting what seem to be the best strategies...

What about nighttime shows? WOC? Fantasmic? Short of booking a VIP tour (I don't want to see them -that- much) what are my best options for having a little breathing room?

It sounds like the first show of WOC is packed in like sardines - skip it and go to a later show? Are the handicapped viewing areas any better? I think I'll need a bench or wheelchair for the show, and my parents would have a better time if they had the same, but it isn't strictly required. A park wheelchair seems like it would ensure a little bit of personal space. With a party of 9, should we expect to split up if I need to be in a wheelchair for the show?

I think my questions for Fantasmic are generally the same, with the addition of questions about the fantasmic dessert package. If we do the dessert package, is the viewing "better" than the wheelchair area? Can we swap a couple of the folding chairs for wheelchairs? Do we need to guard seats in the wheelchair area for hours in advance?

 

[Mousequake]

I have never heard of this. Obviously some kind of elevator is involved? Or id it stairs? I use a wheelchair full time so a lot of the time workarounds like these dont work for me...

Not sure if it's another elevator or stairs; sorry. Since we backed out at the last minute, I never got to find out which it was.

 

[cmwade77]

I'm kind of slowly working my way through attractions and documenting what seem to be the best strategies...

What about nighttime shows? WOC? Fantasmic? Short of booking a VIP tour (I don't want to see them -that- much) what are my best options for having a little breathing room?

It sounds like the first show of WOC is packed in like sardines - skip it and go to a later show? Are the handicapped viewing areas any better? I think I'll need a bench or wheelchair for the show, and my parents would have a better time if they had the same, but it isn't strictly required. A park wheelchair seems like it would ensure a little bit of personal space. With a party of 9, should we expect to split up if I need to be in a wheelchair for the show?

I think my questions for Fantasmic are generally the same, with the addition of questions about the fantasmic dessert package. If we do the dessert package, is the viewing "better" than the wheelchair area? Can we swap a couple of the folding chairs for wheelchairs? Do we need to guard seats in the wheelchair area for hours in advance?

For Fantasmic! The dessert viewing area is slightly better than the wheelchair viewing area, but neither are great. If you have the time, it is best to get there early and put your wheelchair in the back of the section directly in front of the middle light tower (the one where the sound board and all is). This area is seating only; however, wheelchairs are allowed in the back of it since they won't block anyone's view and will easily be able to see over the people in front of them. This provides the best view of the entire show.

WOC, the options are try to get a FP for the yellow section, it has the best wheel chair viewing area and allows you to not need to get there quite as early. If you really want to save time, get a dining package (especially eating at Carthay Circle), they will do everything possible to accommodate you. But really, the yellow section's wheelchair viewing area is the best, as you end up with no one in front of you. The way to ensure that you get yellow is to prepay for a picnic lunch. The dining area's wheelchair viewing area is still good, just not quite as good, especially if someone puts kids on their shoulder in front of you.

Also, WOC is one the shows that does accept GACs, just ask a CM where to go, as it will vary based on your GAC. It is best to get a GAC for each person that needs to use the bench, as the CMs do try to make sure that the people using the limited bench seating are those who truly need to use it.

 

[dawnball]

For Fantasmic! The dessert viewing area is slightly better than the wheelchair viewing area, but neither are great. If you have the time, it is best to get there early and put your wheelchair in the back of the section directly in front of the middle light tower (the one where the sound board and all is). This area is seating only; however, wheelchairs are allowed in the back of it since they won't block anyone's view and will easily be able to see over the people in front of them. This provides the best view of the entire show.

Just to clarify, this would be an extra-early stakeout, right? Like idling there all afternoon? I can do that, and the group can trade off. I might consider hiring one of the Fantasmic stake-out services, too.

Also, WOC is one the shows that does accept GACs, just ask a CM where to go, as it will vary based on your GAC. It is best to get a GAC for each person that needs to use the bench, as the CMs do try to make sure that the people using the limited bench seating are those who truly need to use it.

GAC, plus a FP, right?

 

[cmwade77]

Just to clarify, this would be an extra-early stakeout, right? Like idling there all afternoon? I can do that, and the group can trade off. I might consider hiring one of the Fantasmic stake-out services, too.

Also, WOC is one the shows that does accept GACs, just ask a CM where to go, as it will vary based on your GAC. It is best to get a GAC for each person that needs to use the bench, as the CMs do try to make sure that the people using the limited bench seating are those who truly need to use it.[/QUOTE]

GAC, plus a FP, right?[/QUOTE]

Correct on both accounts. For WOC, you must have a FP, with very few exceptions in the very back. For Fantasmic! I would say as long as you are there by about 4, you should be able to get a decent spot in the back of that front section since people tend to fill from front to back.

 

[dawnball]

Also, WOC is one the shows that does accept GACs, just ask a CM where to go, as it will vary based on your GAC. It is best to get a GAC for each person that needs to use the bench, as the CMs do try to make sure that the people using the limited bench seating are those who truly need to use it.

GAC, plus a FP, right?[/QUOTE]

Correct on both accounts. For WOC, you must have a FP, with very few exceptions in the very back. For Fantasmic! I would say as long as you are there by about 4, you should be able to get a decent spot in the back of that front section since people tend to fill from front to back.[/QUOTE]

Great! Thanks so much! I'm feeling much more confident about the trip as I do more specific planning, so I really appreciate all the help.