A Wonderful Time - GAC

[my3apsons]

I have 3 boys on the autism spectrum and was super nervous to take the 4 kids to Disney. What a wonderful and accomodating experience. We did get a GAC and used it when needed but using the touring plans really helped.

The only thing that made the entire trip harder was my own fault. Not 15 mins into our first trip into MK, I stepped off the curb and hurt my foot. It swelled and was super painful. I walked regardless for the next 6 days. There was a point that my husband had to alter my shoe to deal with the swelling and each night I iced my foot. I really wanted a wheelchair but I also wanted to be walking to make everything easier on the kids. Hindsight, I should have rented the wheelchair.

The crowds were large but you'd never know. The busing system was ok from POP century there were a few times we decided to wait for the next bus. My second oldest son was having a real issue standing while the bus was in motion. We never waiting more then 10 mins for a bus. The longest we waited was after closing Epcot for the show. Even that wasn't horrible.

I would do the trip again in a heartbeat to see the smiles on my boys faces. We even had the one with the major eating issues trying new foods. He had meatloaf, and ate various foods at Ohanas. Even if the waiter (great by the way) brought him Chicken Nuggets anyway.

 

[SueM in MN]

Glad to hear you had a good time and everything worked out well, despite your mishap.
I know just how ‘sneaky’ pavement can be
Last Wednesday, I was ‘savagely attacked’ by a parking lot speed bump that snuck out and tripped me. (Caused 2 skinned knees, a scratched lens on my glasses and a black eye).
In retrospect, you probably would have been better off renting a wheelchair or an ECV, but you got thru the trip and had a good time, so that’s the important thing.

 

[my3apsons]

We just seemed to need the first aid stations more then normal. DD (8) feel on thee cobbled driveway at Beach Club when we went to Beaches and Cream for the Kitchen sink. Her elbow took a nasty scrape. Then in Germany she was walking with Daddy and he went straight and she decided to move left across her father and fell again. A security member ran over and asked if she needed help. He was wonderful and made her smile. She had a mickey shaped red mark on her knee. He knew exactly how to make a little girl feel better. Stickers and more stickers.

My daugther is obviously just like me.

 

[ppony]

I'm glad you got to feel the Disney love with your GAC for your autistic children like we did. My DH said his most favorite memories of all our Disney trips came out of that first trip where we knew about and were able to use the GAC for our youngest. It was a miracle. I actually started tearing up when they issued us the card that first day. It gave me hope. Hope that our trip wouldn't be the hell is had been the year before when I didn't know.

 

[LisaBi]

ppony - I so know how you feel. On our first ever trip we got a GAC (actually, I think it was called something different back then), for "stroller as wheelchair". However, we still had a number of issues thru the day at MK, including one CM who refused to allow the stroller in line. As we left, I wanted to stop at Guest Services - not really to complain, but to let them know there were a few CM's who weren't at all helpful and maybe needed to be educated on the whole "stroller as wheelchair" concept.

Well, while I was talking to the CM, DS was having a meltdown about having to wait for me. The CM saw this, and asked if had a "card". I showed it to her, and she proceeded to take it and disappear. She came back with a new card with different stuff on it. I WAS in tears when I realized what the differences were and what that was going to mean for us, and more importantly DS, being able to enjoy the trip.

 

[ppony]

ppony - I so know how you feel. On our first ever trip we got a GAC (actually, I think it was called something different back then), for "stroller as wheelchair". However, we still had a number of issues thru the day at MK, including one CM who refused to allow the stroller in line. As we left, I wanted to stop at Guest Services - not really to complain, but to let them know there were a few CM's who weren't at all helpful and maybe needed to be educated on the whole "stroller as wheelchair" concept.

Well, while I was talking to the CM, DS was having a meltdown about having to wait for me. The CM saw this, and asked if had a "card". I showed it to her, and she proceeded to take it and disappear. She came back with a new card with different stuff on it. I WAS in tears when I realized what the differences were and what that was going to mean for us, and more importantly DS, being able to enjoy the trip.

OMGosh! Thanks for posting!!! I had no idea myself! Daniel has always been trouble when he can't be kept "moving" and always bangs his head on things when he can't be in motion. Often bangs his head on the stroller or whips it back and forth if he's not moving. Even in the car. Stopping for lights, other cars or even stop signs, sends him over the edge. Always has an it's actually getting worse now. I'll be SURE to mention that part as well when I go. THANK YOU!!! And HUGS!!! I'm sorry you had the CM that needed the education. We had to remind a few of what the card meant but thankfully they remembered after we "reminded" them. sigh