mickeysaver said:
I work in a pediatric office. We have written many notes asking for special assistance for our Autistic and ADHD patients. If you take the note to guest services, they can issue the special pass and it acts as a FP at the rides. I hope this helps. Maggie
Even though some people bring notes form their doctors, they are not necessary and in many case, the CMs don't even want to see them.
WDW doesn't actually have Passes that act as fastpasses, what they have is Guest Assistance Cards (GAC) and what they allow depends on the needs of the person.
Here's a summary of information about GACs:
- To request a GAC, go to Guest Services in any of the parks and talk to the CM there about the child's problems and needs. The diagnosis is not really that important because people with the same diagnosis can have very different needs. The GAC is not given based on diagnosis at all (for example, there is not a "list" of appropriate diagnosis for a GAC); the GAC is given based on needs and the accomidations that meet those needs.
The GAC is usually given for up to 6 people (5 plus the person with a disability) and is valid at all the parks for your length of stay (you don't need to get a new one at each theme park).
A few other things
- the GAC is not meant to be a pass that gives immediate access. In fact, about 6 years ago, they renamed it to Card because when it was called a Pass, people thought it mean front of the line access. It says right on the card that it will not shorten or eliminate waits in line.
- it is meant as a tool to tell the CMs what the person's needs are so that they can provide appropriate accomidation for the person it was issued to. Some examples of accomidations might be a quieter place to wait, a place out of the sun (for those times when the line is in the sun for a prolonged period of time), or being able to use a stroller as a wheelchair (one that is popular with parents of children with autism).
- because what is stamped on the GAC is based on needs, not all GACs say the same thing and they don't all work to access the fastpass line.
- think of the GAC like an insurance card, not necessarily needed or used all the time, but there for when you need it.
- even on the same attraction, the GAC is not always handled the same each time. Exactly what happens depends on how busy it is, how many other people with special needs are there at the time and staffing. Some times you may be sent thru the regular standby line, occassionally the fastpass line; sometimes the person with the GAC and a member of their party will be given an alternate place to wait while the rest of the party goes thru the standby line - and then meet up with them when they get to the front. Sometimes you might be given a slip and told you can come back at the time written on the slip (usually equal to the standby time); very occassionally, you might be taken right in. It depends on what they call "attraction considerations" (which is basically the things I listed in the second sentence).
- Fastpass is a good way to avoid waits in line. You don't have to be present to get a fastpass, you can send one member of your party ahead with all the park passes to get fastpasses. When you report back to the ride at your fastpass return time, your wait will be 15 minutes or less.
- If she gets tired or over-stimulated and needs to lie down in air conditioning for a while, there is a First Aid station in each park, or since it's a child, you could try the Baby Care Center.
I was one of the peer reviewers for the new Passporter book for people with special need. The autism spectrum disorders are quite well covered, but might be more useful with an older child. I'd suggest reading a lot of information about travel with small children/infants and strategies to avoid long waits (like touring plans) because a lot of that will be more pertinent than the more specific information about autism.
If they are going at a non-peak time, that will help a lot. The crowds, the "hustle and bustle" and the waits are much shorter (you may even find that most attractions are walk on or less than 10 minutes wait). Even with a GAC, the if the parks are very busy, there are lots of crowds that can't be avoided.
So, my first hint would be to choose a quiet time.
My second hint would be to go as early as possible in the morning. If you go right away at opening, you can go on most of the Fantasyland attractions without waiting at all (some you can even get right back in line and board as fast as you can make it thru the line). By 11, when the park starts getting busy, you can be on your way.
If you follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board, you will find a lot of information people have posted about autism spectrum disorders (or ask questions of your own).
