Difficulties obtaining a GAC??

[MaggieMollyMom]

I've been hearing it is more difficult to get a GAC for Autism. I have 2 kids needing GACs , for different reasons. One needs to stay in her stroller due to muscle spasm issues, and the other because the crowds may heighten her anxiety to the point of head banging (has caused herself to bleed n the past)...I don't want her to wear her helmet at Disney...this is supposed to be the happoest place on earth, right? Am I going to get a "hassle" just because she has Autism? I am kind of upset about the whole thing. I know I need to tell them WHY she needs accomodations, not just a diagnosis. Last year they only gave me a GAC for the daughter with the spasms. Not sure still if it was because they thought it was the same child (twins, and I only went in the building withone child while my DH stayed outside because it was crowded).

HELP!!!
thanks

 

[Piper]

They probably thought it was the same child. You are supposed to bring in both children if you need 2 GACs. The person you request the GAC for needs to be present at the time of issue.

 

[deegack]

Also, be sure to tell them what you need not just a diagnosis. Saying I need a GAC because of autism won't tell the CM anything. Saying my daughter needs to remain in her stroller due to issues with crowds and she needs a safe, confined space tells the CM what you need.

If you don't get what you need, ask for a manager.

 

[ccgirl]

I've been hearing it is more difficult to get a GAC for Autism. I have 2 kids needing GACs , for different reasons. One needs to stay in her stroller due to muscle spasm issues, and the other because the crowds may heighten her anxiety to the point of head banging (has caused herself to bleed n the past)...I don't want her to wear her helmet at Disney...this is supposed to be the happoest place on earth, right? Am I going to get a "hassle" just because she has Autism? I am kind of upset about the whole thing. I know I need to tell them WHY she needs accomodations, not just a diagnosis. Last year they only gave me a GAC for the daughter with the spasms. Not sure still if it was because they thought it was the same child (twins, and I only went in the building withone child while my DH stayed outside because it was crowded).

HELP!!!
thanks

They need to see both children. They will not ask for diagnosis just the accommodations you need. State what you said before - one child needs to remain in their stroller (get stroller as wheelchair tag) and the other child will need an alternate waiting area away from the crowds.

Have a great trip.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

call me crazy but one GAC is good for the guest & up to 5 others. If the one twin cannot make it in to get the card just use the same card for both DD's? You can just tell CM both issues for one child. You will all be traveling together, you are not making anything up persay, just combining paperwork & placing less stress on your other DD? But, one question, if she can't handle going into guest services for the card, how will she handle the park period? Just going around in the parks (even with GAC) you are going to encounter much larger crowds than inside guest services. Forgive me for asking & I mean no harm, just really wondering

I do know my cousin had to leave with her son due to not being able to handle crowds. He is Autistic & was about 5 or 6 at the time. He is now 13 & does Sea World & flew for the first time last Monday !!!

 

[MaggieMollyMom]

call me crazy but one GAC is good for the guest & up to 5 others. If the one twin cannot make it in to get the card just use the same card for both DD's? You can just tell CM both issues for one child. You will all be traveling together, you are not making anything up persay, just combining paperwork & placing less stress on your other DD? But, one question, if she can't handle going into guest services for the card, how will she handle the park period? Just going around in the parks (even with GAC) you are going to encounter much larger crowds than inside guest services. Forgive me for asking & I mean no harm, just really wondering

I do know my cousin had to leave with her son due to not being able to handle crowds. He is Autistic & was about 5 or 6 at the time. He is now 13 & does Sea World & flew for the first time last Monday !!!

No problem...I know you don't mean any harm I know it probably sounded funny! I just meant that I wanted to leave room for other families in the Guest Relations building! I could have brought her in too My fault totally...First trip, and you live and you learn!

Thanks to all who responded!!

 

[MaggieMollyMom]

call me crazy but one GAC is good for the guest & up to 5 others. If the one twin cannot make it in to get the card just use the same card for both DD's? You can just tell CM both issues for one child. You will all be traveling together, you are not making anything up persay, just combining paperwork & placing less stress on your other DD? But, one question, if she can't handle going into guest services for the card, how will she handle the park period? Just going around in the parks (even with GAC) you are going to encounter much larger crowds than inside guest services. Forgive me for asking & I mean no harm, just really wondering

I do know my cousin had to leave with her son due to not being able to handle crowds. He is Autistic & was about 5 or 6 at the time. He is now 13 & does Sea World & flew for the first time last Monday !!!

How AWESOME for your cousin's son!! WOOHOO! My DD did well on the plane as long as she's in the midle and has a catalogue!! LOVES thick books like that

 

[A Mickeyfan]

No problem...I know you don't mean any harm I know it probably sounded funny! I just meant that I wanted to leave room for other families in the Guest Relations building! I could have brought her in too My fault totally...First trip, and you live and you learn!

Thanks to all who responded!!

clears that up. I was thinking money end of it if you had to leave My cousin had a 1 day Fl resident & they stayed maybe 2 hours. I forgot to add they have tried Universal with him this year. They got AP's & go during school when he has a specialist visit (they travel to Orlando for the specialist). He is a huge Harry Potter fan, but he can't handle the ride He wants so bad to try it, but he has seizures now & there is just no way he can do the ride. He can walk around & take pictures long as crowds are low. He loves cameras & being the photographer

 

[A Mickeyfan]

How AWESOME for your cousin's son!! WOOHOO! My DD did well on the plane as long as she's in the midle and has a catalogue!! LOVES thick books like that

They flew from FL to NY. She was so afraid he wasn't going to be able to handle it. She never thought her 11 yr old DD would have issues (she is in gifted classes), and that is the one who they had to calm down. We were all so happy when she told us about him

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Me personally, I don't like to fly. I have not flown since 1987

 

[momof3poohlovers]

I've been hearing it is more difficult to get a GAC for Autism. I have 2 kids needing GACs , for different reasons. One needs to stay in her stroller due to muscle spasm issues, and the other because the crowds may heighten her anxiety to the point of head banging (has caused herself to bleed n the past)...I don't want her to wear her helmet at Disney...this is supposed to be the happoest place on earth, right? Am I going to get a "hassle" just because she has Autism? I am kind of upset about the whole thing. I know I need to tell them WHY she needs accomodations, not just a diagnosis. Last year they only gave me a GAC for the daughter with the spasms. Not sure still if it was because they thought it was the same child (twins, and I only went in the building withone child while my DH stayed outside because it was crowded).

HELP!!!
thanks

My DS has Autism and sensory issues. We just went to WDW over Thanksgiving and I had no problem getting a "Stroller as a Wheelchair" sticker for my stroller. I just told her what I was requesting and why I needed it. Don't worry, you shouldn't have any problems. I did bring in DS with me and she tried talking to him (he is still non-verbal). It really was a life-saver. I have to warn you though, depending on when you are going or what time of day, we found the lines to be longer using the handicapped entrance than the regular lines. Most of the time I asked if we could just take our stroller through the regular queue, some rides we could, some we couldn't. Luckily, with the exception of the Lion King Show, which a very rude woman tried to grill me on why I had my stroller in the show, I never had anyone question me or give me dirty looks. We had a great time!

 

[SueM in MN]

If you have not checked out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, I would suggest you do so. You can find it near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.
Post 6 in that thread is about Guest Assistance Cards.

Most of the problems I have heard with getting GACs have been involving people who didn't know what to expect and were not prepared to explain their child's needs.
Because different people with the same condition are not the same, just giving a diagnosis doesn't help the CMs much (as was already mentioned).

 

[Friend of a Mouse]

I know that you don't want your little girl to wear her helmet, but if it is as bad as you say, I would at least bring it along. I used to work attraction in Fantasyland and then worked entertainment, so I am familiar with many of the alternate entrances.

If it is just stroller as a wheelchair, you will be going through a lot of regular entrances which will be crowded. The stroller will offer some protection, but there will still be lots of people. Alternate entrances may help. There won't be as many people, but there will still be a lot of people. In some rides (like small world) the accessible lines can have longer waits and feel more crowded than the standby lines.

There really is no "un crowded" wait area at a lot of rides. Some are slightly less crowded, but she is going to be around crowds all day. From the rides, to the gift shops, to the midways, there will be crowds. I would highly recommend bringing the helmet just in case. That way you don't have to leave to go get it if you decide it is a problem.

What time of the year are you going? That will definitely affect how crowded it is.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Just my two cents and my two points. I agree that while you may hope that your daughter won't need the helmet, you should bring it anyway. That's not something you want to be caught without. My second point is figure out a clear concise way to explain what your kids need as far as the GAC. For instance "my kid can't walk" is wholly different than "My child cannot transfer from her wheelchair"

 

[MaggieMollyMom]

I know that you don't want your little girl to wear her helmet, but if it is as bad as you say, I would at least bring it along. I used to work attraction in Fantasyland and then worked entertainment, so I am familiar with many of the alternate entrances.

If it is just stroller as a wheelchair, you will be going through a lot of regular entrances which will be crowded. The stroller will offer some protection, but there will still be lots of people. Alternate entrances may help. There won't be as many people, but there will still be a lot of people. In some rides (like small world) the accessible lines can have longer waits and feel more crowded than the standby lines.

There really is no "un crowded" wait area at a lot of rides. Some are slightly less crowded, but she is going to be around crowds all day. From the rides, to the gift shops, to the midways, there will be crowds. I would highly recommend bringing the helmet just in case. That way you don't have to leave to go get it if you decide it is a problem.

What time of the year are you going? That will definitely affect how crowded it is.

Thanks for the input I talked it over with DH and we will be bringing "pinky" (her helmet) as it certainly is better to be safe than sorry...we've lived through that before. We are leaving this Sunday! WOOHOO!

Thanks to all who responded!

I think I was just getting nervous about the trip as a whole. And hearing some rather nasty comments from people (on another section of this board) about disabilities.

Hopefully, all will go well!

 

[Disneylvr]

We haven't been in almost 2 years and will be arriving in twelve days. I admit to being a little nervous about the recent changes Disney has made regarding disabled access/lines. Our usual plan is to bring our old GAC from the previous trip to Guest Services and of course bring DD in her special needs stroller, explain her needs.... The CM usually tries to speak with DD but she is non-verbal.

 

[ireland_nicole]

Don't worry- that's exactly what we do and we were just there last month. All the CMs were amazing.

To the pp- I agree that the system as is provides equal access and think Disney is doing a great job of making the parks accessible. I don't think any changes to GS are necessary

 

[Friend of a Mouse]

i'm curious what the changes to the acessible lines are? It's been a few years since I worked there.

 

[Mary976]

Thanks for the input I talked it over with DH and we will be bringing "pinky" (her helmet) as it certainly is better to be safe than sorry...we've lived through that before. We are leaving this Sunday! WOOHOO!

Thanks to all who responded!

I think I was just getting nervous about the trip as a whole. And hearing some rather nasty comments from people (on another section of this board) about disabilities.

Hopefully, all will go well!

I've read some of those comments too, but our experiences in the park have always been fine. Yeah, we've had the occasional rude person, but that happens even without a disability. I even remember our last trip, this guy was pointing at DD in her wheelchair and then making some motion to his sons...I thought he was telling the sons to pass DD but then I realized he was having them "block" for DD so we could get through the crowded post parade area.

All that is to say, I think you'll have a fabulous time.

Mary

 

[Singledad]

I even remember our last trip, this guy was pointing at DD in her wheelchair and then making some motion to his sons...I thought he was telling the sons to pass DD but then I realized he was having them "block" for DD so we could get through the crowded post parade area.

All that is to say, I think you'll have a fabulous time.

Mary

First, I have to say I try to do this every time I can. I know how hard it is to move in a wheelchair, electric chairs etc in crowds. everyone just cuts you off and doesn't let you move. So yeah, if I notice that happening I make sure you get out.

and I agree with others, take a deep breath and relax, you will have a magical time! and remember, if whatever GAC(s) you get are not working out for you, go ahead and stop back at guest services and explain what is going on. One year I didn't explain well enough my child's needs the first time around (I have high anxiety and wasn't doing well speaking at the time.) so going back and explaining what isn't working and got a different GAC worked out.