Disability and not using a GAC

[kapekat]

Hi everyone new here but thinking i've found the right place!!

My son has some pretty serious connective tissue and muscular problems and every time we've been to Disney hes been young so he's done what we told him to!! We are going this October and now that he a big kid, 6, he's noticing that hes kinda different from the other kids and its starting to cause more mental upset for him than physical. He has already said he doesn't want to bring his chair (adaptive wheelchair) and he can go thru normal lines. Which I have no problem with but im worried that on some of the rides he wont be able to transfer safely in the amount of time. Peter pans flight for example theres no way he can.

What Im wondering is if he goes thru the regular ques if I approach a cm ahead of time will they be understanding and let him have the extra time and even the handicapped approach like with peter pan they stop the belt even if hes not in the handicapped line? Im sure each situation will be different but overall is it ok or against protocol?

Im just so afraid that if he realizes that hes kinda being singled out he will shut down and not do anything, which is the way he deals lately. I called Disney and asked the lady was really nice and said that even if Mickey himself had to help they would get him on the ride but im not sure if she understood what I meant. Usually its the other way around people want to skip the lines and hop right on the rides but with him we are walking a very fine line with giving him independence I just don't want the trip to be ruined for him...kinda confused on this one!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to both DisBoards and disABILITIES!

I would suggest going to Guest Relations at the first park and explain what his needs are. They will issue and explain the GAC for him. You do not have to use it! Just carry it with you; use it if you have to. It is easier than trying to explain to a CM at a ride.

And they can not stop or slow down the belt at Peter Pan. If there is an emergency they can stop the belt, but then they have to evacuate the ride before restarting.

 

[disney david]

Hi everyone new here but thinking i've found the right place!!

My son has some pretty serious connective tissue and muscular problems and every time we've been to Disney hes been young so he's done what we told him to!! We are going this October and now that he a big kid, 6, he's noticing that hes kinda different from the other kids and its starting to cause more mental upset for him than physical. He has already said he doesn't want to bring his chair (adaptive wheelchair) and he can go thru normal lines. Which I have no problem with but im worried that on some of the rides he wont be able to transfer safely in the amount of time. Peter pans flight for example theres no way he can.

What Im wondering is if he goes thru the regular ques if I approach a cm ahead of time will they be understanding and let him have the extra time and even the handicapped approach like with peter pan they stop the belt even if hes not in the handicapped line? Im sure each situation will be different but overall is it ok or against protocol?

Im just so afraid that if he realizes that hes kinda being singled out he will shut down and not do anything, which is the way he deals lately. I called Disney and asked the lady was really nice and said that even if Mickey himself had to help they would get him on the ride but im not sure if she understood what I meant. Usually its the other way around people want to skip the lines and hop right on the rides but with him we are walking a very fine line with giving him independence I just don't want the trip to be ruined for him...kinda confused on this one!

They can't stop Peter Pan that and the people mover they won't stop the ride other rides they can stop or slow down the belt for him it just those two they can't.

 

[Mom2six]

Hi everyone new here but thinking i've found the right place!!

My son has some pretty serious connective tissue and muscular problems and every time we've been to Disney hes been young so he's done what we told him to!! We are going this October and now that he a big kid, 6, he's noticing that hes kinda different from the other kids and its starting to cause more mental upset for him than physical. He has already said he doesn't want to bring his chair (adaptive wheelchair) and he can go thru normal lines. Which I have no problem with but im worried that on some of the rides he wont be able to transfer safely in the amount of time. Peter pans flight for example theres no way he can.

I'm not really sure how to handle this situation at WDW. But I am concerned about your son's emotional stress over his problems. Have you talked to a counselor? I ask because a lot of times with a child so young people don't think of a psychologist. However, they can work with your child and give you fresh ideas on how to help him accept his difficulties without it hurting his self-esteem.

I've noticed myself that sometimes children want to be even more independent when they want to compensate for problems. It makes it harder! Have you talked to him about how he feels? I would definitely make sure to point out the way that all people have differences, and discuss some of his strengths. I'm sure you do - just throwing ideas out there.

 

[crashbb]

I know you say that you don't want a GAC, but actually I think your situation would be perfect for one.

If your son can handle all the walking without a wheelchair, you could get a GAC that would let the CM at each ride know that you need the belt slowed/stopped (with the exception of the aforementioned rides where this isn't possible). I would think that having to explain once (at Guest Services) would make the trip more "normal" than having to explain at every single ride. They absolutely will slow/stop where able for guests who aren't in wheelchairs, but still need more time.

 

[lanejudy]

You've indicated he doesn't want to bring his chair and I recognize that you want to let him have the independence and freedom. But I hope you will reconsider and bring it as a back-up. Depending on how many days you plan to do the parks, does he really have that much stamina? Obviously, you know his abilities better than those of us on the board, but "connective tissue and muscular problems" leads me to think he'll tire easily. If not the first day, by the end of your trip. That frequently happens to our DD, she's all gung-ho the first day or so, but by the end of the trip she barely has the energy to get out of her stroller without help. I'd hate for him to wear himself out so much the first couple of days that the rest of the trip is ruined if you don't have his chair (or an alternative planned).

It certainly is a challenge when our kids start to recognize they aren't exactly like their peers, but try to focus on the positives - talk about his strengths, and point out that everybody has weaknesses (or not so strong points) that each has to deal with in their own way.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[Mrsjvb]

I'm not really sure how to handle this situation at WDW. But I am concerned about your son's emotional stress over his problems. Have you talked to a counselor? I ask because a lot of times with a child so young people don't think of a psychologist. However, they can work with your child and give you fresh ideas on how to help him accept his difficulties without it hurting his self-esteem.

I've noticed myself that sometimes children want to be even more independent when they want to compensate for problems. It makes it harder! Have you talked to him about how he feels? I would definitely make sure to point out the way that all people have differences, and discuss some of his strengths. I'm sure you do - just throwing ideas out there.

I am the Poster Child for this. you know what helped me? my doctor started a casual group of sorts that invited kids with my diagnosis of all ages( youngest was 4, I was a pre teen and the oldest was around 16 I think) to hang out. we all had different levels.. at the time I was a WC but some were worse off than I was and a few were in full remission. it was SO much easier to accept my limitations and whatnot when I saw others dealing with the same thing, and when I got older I was able to pass along my coping strategies to the new kids being diagnosed.

 

[buffettgirl]

I am the Poster Child for this. you know what helped me? my doctor started a casual group of sorts that invited kids with my diagnosis of all ages( youngest was 4, I was a pre teen and the oldest was around 16 I think) to hang out. we all had different levels.. at the time I was a WC but some were worse off than I was and a few were in full remission. it was SO much easier to accept my limitations and whatnot when I saw others dealing with the same thing, and when I got older I was able to pass along my coping strategies to the new kids being diagnosed.

I agree with this. Our family was just able to spend a week with other families with my son's condition, all in various stages of progression (we did this last year too), and after last year, and definitely after this year, I noticed more willingness on his part to mention things to me and more willingness to allow some help with certain things. On one hand it makes me sad that I know he's wondering, "will I be in a WC, will I lose all my vision, will I lose all my hearing, etc etc" but on the other hand if he's able to say more easily, "hey, I think I do need the WC if we're going to spend all week at disney.." then it's a good thing.

On the other hand, the OP's child is only 6. He just might not be at the age yet to process this sort of thing.

 

[ttintagel]

The only two rides where they can't stop or slow down a moving walkway upon request are Peter Pan's Flight and the PeopleMover. Everything else, I've been able to have them slow down or stop without showing a GAC or having a visible aid like a wheelchair, ECV, crutches, or cane. Boat rides like Pirates of Small World, and train-style rides like BTMRR or Space Mountain I've been able to tell the CM at load, "I need a little extra time to get in," and I've never had them start the boat/train up while I has half in and half out.

So you should be OK on that front, except for the two rides I mentioned at the beginning.

 

[bidnow5]

I have a hard time getting both in and out of quite a few rides they never gave me a hard time

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I was in a walker boot on our last trip and they allowed me plenty of time to get in and out of rides, just let the CM know as you are boarding. We didn't ride Peter Pan, but I think we did ride the People Mover with no issue.

I have a bit of an issue at HM, if they slow it when I'm getting on, that's great, but they seem to forget to slow it when it's time to get off and I am so afraid of getting my foot caught and falling.

I will be back in a regular tennis show this trip, but I still don't have full ROM of my left ankle, so I will have to have my DH help me up/in ride vehicles, but I will be using an ECV, so I won't get a GAC.

 

[kapekat]

You guys are AWESOME!!! thanks so much for being so understanding!! I love that the first thing you guys went to was how hes feeling about it, but yes he does see a therapist as part of his therapy and he see's the school psychologist just to check in as part of his iep and 504 at school.

We try to focus on his strengths and make a bigger deal of those than his weaknesses but as a mom I can be a bit overprotective and he's my first so it has been a huge eye opening experience for me!!

hes pretty good at compensating for what he needs his body to do that it normally cant so im hoping that this trip will allow him to have fun without being strenuous for him!

after reading thru all your advice my husband and I deceided to bug a higher weight stroller so that way he will have a place to crash if he needs to but that wont obviously be a wheel chair and to go ahead and get the gac and if he doesn't need it great but if he does we have it just incase! we will try a few rides and see how he does and play it out from there!! thanks again you guys are the best!!

 

[Mrsjvb]

after reading thru all your advice my husband and I deceided to bug a higher weight stroller so that way he will have a place to crash if he needs to but that wont obviously be a wheel chair and to go ahead and get the gac and if he doesn't need it great but if he does we have it just incase! we will try a few rides and see how he does and play it out from there!! thanks again you guys are the best!!

get a GAC that allows you to use the stroller as WC.. this will allow you to bring it into most lines.

 

[BigAlsGal]

They can't stop Peter Pan that and the people mover they won't stop the ride other rides they can stop or slow down the belt for him it just those two they can't.

Maybe I'm crazy but I know I have seen those rides stop if they saw someone struggling to catch up to the vehicle. Geese I honestly can't remember the last time I was on Peter Pan and rode through without stopping. Honestly I don't mind. I love getting to stop and get an eyeful!

 

[disney david]

Maybe I'm crazy but I know I have seen those rides stop if they saw someone struggling to catch up to the vehicle. Geese I honestly can't remember the last time I was on Peter Pan and rode through without stopping. Honestly I don't mind. I love getting to stop and get an eyeful!

They won't stop those two rides if they do they have to evacuate the guest. May be if your their late and your the last one on they will stop Peter Pan for you but that up to the cms.


It not because the cms don't want to it they can't it for safety reasons on the people mover when it breaks down. It seems like it telling guest to get up and get out of the ride even when the cms tell you to remain seated their no restraints. And Peter Pan they don't want the ride hang on the track with guest in them for to long.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

after reading thru all your advice my husband and I deceided to bug a higher weight stroller so that way he will have a place to crash if he needs to but that wont obviously be a wheel chair and to go ahead and get the gac and if he doesn't need it great but if he does we have it just incase! we will try a few rides and see how he does and play it out from there!! thanks again you guys are the best!!

Have you asked your son which he'd prefer? If you were renting a stroller just for WDW, I wouldn't worry since plenty of 6 year-olds end up using strollers at WDW. However, you've said you're going to buy the stroller so that suggests you plan on using it around home as well. While he doesn't like the wheelchair, he might dislike people he sees regularly seeing him in a stroller more. My friends who used wheelchairs or other mobility aids at that age would have hated to have been put back in a stroller even though many were not happy about using the wheelchair either.

 

[kapekat]

thanks wheeledtraveler but we looked into renting one with the higher weight and it was a little over $100 for the week and we wont have it at the airports so we deceided to just buy it. even though he will probably only use it for this week and when we go in march its kinda silly to spend the money but we have a younger daughter who I can use it for day in and day out so it wont be a total waste! luckily there aren't a lot of things he does at home where he needs his chair anymore!! and we have a big radio flyer wagon we use when we do stuff around town too...too bad we cant bring that to Disney it would be perfect!!

 

[autismmom1]

Hey...listen, I just happened to be cruising through and this post caught my eye. I don't know if any of the other posters mentioned this, but Peter Pan's Flight is scheduled to be refurbed (I think) during my trip in Oct, so I was thinking it might also be down for yours...so this particular worry may be for naught. Hope this helps!