Disney CM's Rock

[ssawka]

I just wanted to post some comments relating to our recent trip to WDW (1/19-1/26). Let me start out by saying that I have been to WDW many times in the past, however this is the first time that I have taken my DD(6). She has Down syndrome and cannot wait in long lines, so the first thing we did was get her a GAC card. Well, all of the cast members that we encountered at each attraction, store, restaurant, and resort was absolutely awesome. They made sure that all of our needs were met, providing services that were not even required, such as stopping a ride so she could get on (we could have easily carried her). In fact I sometimes felt a little guilty for interrupting others enjoyment of an attraction just to accommodate us. Furthermore, several cast members gave her tokens when they saw her such as pins and stickers. All I can say is Kudos to Disney and their cast members. They took what could have been a very stressful vacation, and made it one of the most enjoyable ones that I ever had. My DD absolutely loved WDW. She felt so comfortable during our stay that she decided to start feeding and potty training herself while on vacation. She enjoyed it so much that I have already started planning a return visit for next year. ;-)

 

[ntsammy5]

Thanks for sharing

 

[Tink316]

I am going to Disney in October with my 7-year old with Down Syndrome...thanks for the story...I was having concerns, but now I feel more at ease. We, too, want to get a GAC because our son cannot stand or walk for long periods of time (and knowing you did makes me feel better about that as well). Thanks for sharing your story...I feel so much better now about the whole trip.

Teri

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks to the OP for sharing.
Most of the moving walkways to board or exit rides can be stopped if needed - it's much better (and easier) for the CM to slow or stop the moving walkway than to have someone trip. So, don't feel bad about them stopping - it is usually only a few second interruption and makes it much safer for you.

We, too, want to get a GAC because our son cannot stand or walk for long periods of time (and knowing you did makes me feel better about that as well).

One thing that might be very helpful to you is to get a GAC (Guest Assistance Card) that allows you to use a stroller as a wheelchair. That way a stroller can be brought into lines where strollers are not allowed and will be treated the same way as a wheelchair.

Even if your child can walk, having a stroller will be helpful because the walking and standing that you do in lines are just a small amount of the walking and standing you do in a day at WDW.

If you haven't visited the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is information about places that rent special needs strollers (basically giant umbrella strollers). There is also a section about GACs - they are not meant to shorten the wait in line, but are meant to let the CMs know what you need because of a disability.

 

[ssawka]

One thing that might be very helpful to you is to get a GAC (Guest Assistance Card) that allows you to use a stroller as a wheelchair. That way a stroller can be brought into lines where strollers are not allowed and will be treated the same way as a wheelchair.

Yes, this is the type of GAC that we had requested. The CMs made sure our needs were met.

In addition to the GAC card, you will be given a tag to put around the stroller handle so CMs can easily accommodate your needs without having to ask for the card each time. One note, when approaching each ride, ask the CM at the entrance if there is a separate wheel chair entrance. When you first approach them they will most likely point to the stroller parking, but make sure they see the tag.

One last note, most of the CMs are very diligent in making sure that you have a GAC card. Simply being in a wheelchair does not grant you access to the wheelchair entrances. Kudos to them for trying to combat the guests that rent wheel chairs in an effort to jump in line. In my opinion however, anyone that tries to "fake" a disability in order to get ahead in line should be immediately ejected from the park.

 

[SandrainNC]

So glad that you had a great time!!!

My son who is 7 also has Down syndrome. His 4th trip will be this coming June. We don't get the GAC for him because he doesn't need it. He just has no patience like all of the other children there! There have been CMs, however, who have done special little things for him. One let us skip the line on Peter Pan one time when they saw us at the FP machine. One insisted that we take him the back way to Barnstormer so he didn't have to wait (even though I insisted he could wait because he had been on it twice already). Sometimes the characters play with him a little extra. That type of thing. We also had someone at Universal Studios let him go through the line for guests staying onsite 4 times in a row for the Woody Woodpecker coaster. He wouldn't let him go through the regular line. I feel the tears swelling up when people do things like that for him.

Sandra

 

[SueM in MN]

Simply being in a wheelchair does not grant you access to the wheelchair entrances. Kudos to them for trying to combat the guests that rent wheel chairs in an effort to jump in line. In my opinion however, anyone that tries to "fake" a disability in order to get ahead in line should be immediately ejected from the park.

Simply having a wheelchair does give you access to a wheelchair accessible entrance. In many cases, that is the 'regular' entrance. For those few attractions where there is a wheelchair entrance, people with wheelchairs do not need a GAC to access that entrance. That does not mean there is not a wait to use the wheelchair entrance.

All of the lines at AK and the Studio are Mainstream Lines, which means they were constructed to be wide enough for wheelchairs to navigate the lines.
MK and Epcot were built before Mainstream Lines were the 'norm', but they did add them as much as possible as they renovated or replaced attractions. There are really not that many attractions with wheelchair entrances and those that have a specific wheelchair entrance almost always have it because the regular line or boarding area were not able to be made totally accessible.

 

[LisaBi]

I...however this is the first time that I have taken my DD(6). She has Down syndrome and cannot wait in long lines, so the first thing we did was get her a GAC card. .....My DD absolutely loved WDW. She felt so comfortable during our stay that she decided to start feeding and potty training herself while on vacation. She enjoyed it so much that I have already started planning a return visit for next year. ;-)

This is why I take my son (now 14 and has Down Syndrome) so often. He loves it. He can be a "normal" kid for a week. He too has shown growth there. Like getting (and paying for - via KTTW) his own food at the food court! At home he won't even talk to the waitress in a restaurant to say want he wants to drink.

The CM's are great with him. I'm always being asked if I have a GAC (we don't need one too much anymore as long as we go in low crowd season). They pick him for stuff even if he is a little bigger than the "standard" participant - he may be bigger, but developmentally the activities are right for him. Jedi Training, Jack Sparrow show, cookie baking in the Land when they still had that,..... One time for some reason he really took a liking to the young man working the wheelchair area on Space Mountain. That CM got permission to ride with him. I've said it before on this board - he was so happy, you have thought the Mouse himself was riding with us.

Sometimes the school gives me a hard time about taking him out (since I refuse to take him in peak season - he just can't handle the crowds). But in my opinion, he gains so much self confidence during a trip to the World, the benefits way outweigh what he is missing in school.

 

[PrincessKell]

I love hearing (reading) these little reports. Its always so nice to see that there is still magic out there!

 

[ssawka]

Sometimes the school gives me a hard time about taking him out (since I refuse to take him in peak season - he just can't handle the crowds). But in my opinion, he gains so much self confidence during a trip to the World, the benefits way outweigh what he is missing in school.

I can't agree more. I was concerned about taking my daughter out of school as well, but now that I see the benefits this is no longer a concern. We also would not go during a peak season. Fortunately, my daughter's school always has 2 days off during the MLK holiday in January, so she only has to miss 3 days of school. I also get the benefit of having to use one less vacation day.

 

[SandrainNC]

We took our son out of school this past trip too (he is in 1st grade). We have always taken him during off season until this upcoming trip. Since we just went, we decided we will try June and see how it goes and if it doesn't go well, we won't do it again. Plus we want to go to some water parks this time. He loves to go in the pool.

Sandra