Autism and Disney

[pixiedust2012]

Hello! We are so excited to be planning our trip for October 2012. My DS6 is diagnosed with Autism. I am wondering if anyone could tell me if they still do the GAC for kids on the spectrum? We last went in 2008, and to be honest we had a terrible experience getting the card for him. He has tons of meltdowns, etc. I was worried about taking the trip with him, and had read here and several other places how wonderful Disney was about these situations. When I took him in to get the card, the CM was really rude about it and said they usually only give it to older kids. I ended up standing there in tears and she did eventually give it to us. To this day, it still bothers me. I really never even request things like this when we go places, but really wanted the trip to be magical for him! We did have a wonderful trip in the end, but I wish our first day wouldn't have started that way. Also, last time I had a note from our doctor and they said they could not look at it. Is this still the case? Thanks in advance

 

[tx2tn]

I believe that Guest Assistance cards are indeed available for those on the "Spectrum". Might I suggest that you listen to the July 27th issue of the DIS Unplugged. The team interviewed a young man with Asperger's Disease. I think you will find the episode enlightening.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Hello! We are so excited to be planning our trip for October 2012. My DS6 is diagnosed with Autism. I am wondering if anyone could tell me if they still do the GAC for kids on the spectrum? We last went in 2008, and to be honest we had a terrible experience getting the card for him. He has tons of meltdowns, etc. I was worried about taking the trip with him, and had read here and several other places how wonderful Disney was about these situations. When I took him in to get the card, the CM was really rude about it and said they usually only give it to older kids. I ended up standing there in tears and she did eventually give it to us. To this day, it still bothers me. I really never even request things like this when we go places, but really wanted the trip to be magical for him! We did have a wonderful trip in the end, but I wish our first day wouldn't have started that way. Also, last time I had a note from our doctor and they said they could not look at it. Is this still the case? Thanks in advance

Yes. I believe that they will not look at doctor's notes, nor can they ask you exactly what the disability is. They will ask what accommodations your son needs to be able to experience the parks. You don't have to say that he's on the spectrum. You just need to tell them exactly what accommodations he needs (such as an alternate waiting area, taking a stroller through the lines so he can stay seated, a shaded area to wait, etc.). When you show the GAC to the CMs at the entrances of the rides, they will look at the accommodations listed and direct you from there. There's a sticky thread at the top of this forum called disAbility FAQs that has a section on GACs. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

You can read all about Guest Assistance Cards (GAC) in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. That thread is near the top of this board or you can follow the link in my signature to get there.

You do need to bring the person with a disability to Guest Relations and be able to explain their needs a bit.
They don’t give a Guest Assistance Card for specific disabilities or a diagnosis because each person’s needs may be different, even if they have the same diagnosis. There are also not specific conditions that ‘qualify’ for a Guest Assistance Card.

Another thing to keep in mind is that a lot of people, specifically guests with people with ASD, find that a touring plan is even more helpful to them than a GAC. A touring plan can help you to be in the least busy part of the least busy park. GACs are only helpful in attractions and if that attraction has accommodations that will help you. Being in the quiet park can help you avoid general busy conditions in the park where a GAC will not help.
Many people have posted that they waited less than 20 minutes for all attractions, just by using a touring plan.
When we have gone to MK early in the morning, it is possible to ride everything in Fantasyland with less than 10 minute wait, even at busy times like Spring Break.
So, many people use a touring plan for their major strategy and use a GAC more like insurance - not needing to use it much.

 

[pixiedust2012]

I believe that Guest Assistance cards are indeed available for those on the "Spectrum". Might I suggest that you listen to the July 27th issue of the DIS Unplugged. The team interviewed a young man with Asperger's Disease. I think you will find the episode enlightening.

Thank you so much for sharing this! I REALLY enjoyed listening to it.

 

[pixiedust2012]

Thank you so much for the quick responses, and all of the very helpful information! I will definitely check out the disabilities FAQ, thank you for the link. I really appreciate the touring plan information, I have never heard of this before and will definitely be looking into that.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you so much for the quick responses, and all of the very helpful information! I will definitely check out the disabilities FAQ, thank you for the link. I really appreciate the touring plan information, I have never heard of this before and will definitely be looking into that.

Someone will probably post about the touring plans, but one of the popular ones is www.easywdw.com and another is www.touringplans.com

Even without using a specific plan, we found that using a smartphone app that helps with wait times was helpful.

 

[bookwormde]

I think you just his a "bad apple" last time, so try not to worry to much. If you do have an issues just keep going up the line until you find someone who understands, even if the takes a call to team at WDW that manages supports for individuals with disabilies (they are great folks who really care).

ADA that is the foudation for accomidations like GAC does not allow buisnesses to require or ask for doctors notes so most places do not want to even see them since it might be perceved as a violation of ADA. Just explain yuor childs special needs as it relates to the parks and you should be fine.

Bookwormde

 

[curemyreed]

Hi, pixiedust2012! I sent you a PM. I had the same thing happen to me one year and it was hard as I am not the most assertive person in the world....I was in tears, too! Please read my PM if you get a chance.

 

[anne thomas]

Everytime I went to get a GAC, the line was out the door down the steps and needed its own queue.... I stood there with my severely autistic child with mental retardation and epilepsy in shock, so I said no GAC and didn't miss it. I was amazed at how many needed the GAC, if you have the Doctor statement and take GAC need person with you there should not be such a big hang up. Keep the line moving!!!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Everytime I went to get a GAC, the line was out the door down the steps and needed its own queue.... I stood there with my severely autistic child with mental retardation and epilepsy in shock, so I said no GAC and didn't miss it. I was amazed at how many needed the GAC, if you have the Doctor statement and take GAC need person with you there should not be such a big hang up. Keep the line moving!!!!

1. There are a lot of reasons besides getting a GAC that people go to Guest Relations. For example:
Dining reservations
Upgrade tickets
Replace demagnetized tickets
Complaints or compliments
Buying Tables in Wonderland cards
Foreign Currency Exchange
Lost & Found

2. A doctor''s statement is not required, is not asked for, and generally the people in GR don't want to read one. There is no way to verify that the statement is real, and normally a doctor will give a diagnoses and what is necessary is to know the needs.

3. You are not the only one going to Guest Relations, and all of the people in front of you have reasons that they need to talk to someone there.

 

[livndisney]

Everytime I went to get a GAC, the line was out the door down the steps and needed its own queue.... I stood there with my severely autistic child with mental retardation and epilepsy in shock, so I said no GAC and didn't miss it. I was amazed at how many needed the GAC, if you have the Doctor statement and take GAC need person with you there should not be such a big hang up. Keep the line moving!!!!

I don't know where you got the idea everyone was there for a GAC. GS handles much more than just GAC. They handle birthday calls, first pins, ADRS, pin trading and ticket upgrades just to name a few.

 

[anne thomas]

1. There are a lot of reasons besides getting a GAC that people go to Guest Relations. For example:
Dining reservations
Upgrade tickets
Replace demagnetized tickets
Complaints or compliments
Buying Tables in Wonderland cards
Foreign Currency Exchange
Lost & Found

2. A doctor''s statement is not required, is not asked for, and generally the people in GR don't want to read one. There is no way to verify that the statement is real, and normally a doctor will give a diagnoses and what is necessary is to know the needs.

3. You are not the only one going to Guest Relations, and all of the people in front of you have reasons that they need to talk to someone there.

I asked the nice CM which of the lines was for GAC ....she pointed to the long line. Everything we did we didn't need the GAC and had a wonderful time.
It seemed as if all cast members went out of there way to help me.

 

[livndisney]

I asked the nice CM which of the lines was for GAC ....she pointed to the long line. Everything we did we didn't need the GAC and had a wonderful time.
It seemed as if all cast members went out of there way to help me.

There is one line at GS. So the CM you spoke with was correct. But not all the people in line were there for a GAC.

 

[anne thomas]

There is one line at GS. So the CM you spoke with was correct. But not all the people in line were there for a GAC.

It looked like bank tellers inside....and one line for all and not one line devoted to a person with a disability.....that is so bad. If this is the issue it should be addressed, I thought all of those people had sometime of issue, not a lost item, or ticket, the two are not the same. I shall research further into this situation.

 

[livndisney]

It looked like bank tellers inside....and one line for all and not one line devoted to a person with a disability.....that is so bad. If this is the issue it should be addressed, I thought all of those people had sometime of issue, not a lost item, or ticket, the two are not the same. I shall research further into this situation.

I don't know that it is an issue. I am in GS all the time and am helped rather quickly even when there is a line. A line just for those with a disability is not "equal access". Have you read the info in the sticky about GACs?

 

[anne thomas]

Standing in a line with someone who has lost a bracelet or their key is no comparision to standing in line with my son. If with the GAC you can have a special seat to wait, you should be able to get the same GAC in a timely manner, and I am sure the man who has to replace his ticket behind me in line might not like my son licking him.

 

[livndisney]

Standing in a line with someone who has lost a bracelet or their key is no comparision to standing in line with my son. If with the GAC you can have a special seat to wait, you should be able to get the same GAC in a timely manner, and I am sure the man who has to replace his ticket behind me in line might not like my son licking him.

What you are asking for is not available at WDW. GS has one line.
You do understand that to get the GAC the child does not need to be in line with you, just visable to the CM when your turn arrives. So it is possible to have the child with the need wait off to the side(with another adult), while you wait in line for the GAC. You can also get the GAC outside the park at the GS windows at the entrance. "Outside" also gives more opportunity for "other" waiting area for the child with the need.

Even with a GAC, there is still time spend waiting in line as it is not a front of the line pass.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

It looked like bank tellers inside....and one line for all and not one line devoted to a person with a disability.....that is so bad. If this is the issue it should be addressed, I thought all of those people had sometime of issue, not a lost item, or ticket, the two are not the same. I shall research further into this situation.

I'm sorry, but there is no reason, legal or moral, why a person with a disability should have better access than a person who does not.

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) calls for equal access, not superior access.

There is one line for Guest Relations, when you get to the front of the line you then go to the next available Guest Relations Cast Member. The only location where this can be a problem is at the Magic Kingdom of the line is going outside and down the stairs, and a person needing any assistance (not just disability related) is in a wheelchair or ECV; in this situation they have to use one of the side ramps and then join the line.

 

[pixiedust2012]

Hi, pixiedust2012! I sent you a PM. I had the same thing happen to me one year and it was hard as I am not the most assertive person in the world....I was in tears, too! Please read my PM if you get a chance.

Thank you so much for the message, I sent a message back, but now just realized that I cannot PM until I have enough posts. I will resend the message to you when I am able to. I really appreciate it