Down's Syndrome Info please

[pacdrc]

How does one go about getting a 'front of the line' pass, or whatever it's called for an individual who is unable to stand for a period of time?
Thanks

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Disney only gives front of line passes to Make a Wish kids, I'm afraid. If someone in your party can't stand for very long, you might want to look at getting them a wheelchair or stroller (depending on the person's age and size). The walks between rides and attractions are often longer than the time spent waiting in line, so having some kind of mobility aid would make the day easier and help to save his or her strength for the fun bits!

Also, you might want to look into the Guest Assistance Card (GAC). Though these aren't front of line passes, they can provide some help to compensate for the disability. If you look in the FAQ section (post 6), you'll find a whole load of information on it.

You'll probably get more responses to this on the main DisABILITIES board, so hopefully a nice moderator will move it over for you.

Hope this helps a bit! If you have any more questions, just post them up and we'll do what we can to answer them!

 

[gusdmh]

I usually go to Guest Services which are located at the front park entrance. I have a disabled son on a wheelchair and they give me a card to show the cast member at the front of each ride. Not sure about kids with Down Syndrome though.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to both DisBoards and disABILITIES!

As One Little Spark says, there is no such thing as a "Front of the Line Pass" other than for families with children on a Wish Trip.

The normal response at Guest Relations for a person with mobility and/or stamina problems is recommending rental of either a wheelchair or Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV).

You may be able to obtain a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) to allow waiting in an area off the line, but it states specifically that it is not intended to all faster access than for a normal Guest.

And also, as 1LS said, if you go to Post 6 of the FAQ (and you can click on the link in my signature) you will get a lot of useful informaiton about the GAC.

 

[RACHELSMOM1]

How does one go about getting a 'front of the line' pass, or whatever it's called for an individual who is unable to stand for a period of time?
Thanks

How old is the person with DS? My Rachel is almost 4, has a wheelchair/stroller, and we go to guest services and get a GAC (guest assistance card) at whatever park we go to the first day, plus we get a sticker that states we may use our stroller as a regular wheelchair. (Some people don't recognize the stroller as a wheelchair upon first glance). It is so wonderful with the GAC, and we are able to wheel her into the restaurants and attractions without having to remove her from the wheelchair.

Disney has always been so accomodating, but when Rachel was an infant and we did not know about the GAC we had so many problems. Other guests did not care that we and our special baby needed a seat on the bus so she would not just slither out of our arms. She is so floppy, and it is very hard to hold such a baby securely if standing on a moving bus. Things changed once we were able to obtain her wheelchair/stroller, and it became obvious to most people that she has special needs.

 

[mechurchlady]

Disney and other parks are like this board in that the more info given the more help you will get.

Why can't the person stand in lines for a long period of time? Is it something totally unrelated to DS such as an injury from a car accident? Is it something unrelated to DS such as phobia as my mom is not good in lines.

The GAC is only to make certain a disabled guest can have equal oppotunities to enjoy the park. At Disneyland I would drag myself up stairs and over hill and dale at Splash Mountain in the single rider line or Fast Pas line. I did not want to wait in the disabled line for 15 to 45 minutes especially because usually I did not have an ECV or Wheelchair. Often the GAC and disabled lines will make getting into the show easier or loading the ride safer and easier but not get the guest into the ride or show earlier.

I love this board because people provide import even if the topic is not relate to them. A person will post about ADD and a person will make a brilliant suggestion even though they are not ADD and are not closely related to a person with ADD. As for Down Syndrom there are lots of things people would need to know so as to help you like the age of the person. I wish I could help you more.

The GAC can be gotten at guest relations in each park. Check FAQS for this board for more info.

 

[LisaBi]

I have a 14 year old with Downs. He can't stand in the lines either, and can't walk the long distances. For us the best bet was using the "stroller as wheelchair" option when he was younger, and now just using a wheelchair.

 

[Schmeck]

Disney has always been so accomodating, but when Rachel was an infant and we did not know about the GAC we had so many problems. Other guests did not care that we and our special baby needed a seat on the bus so she would not just slither out of our arms. She is so floppy, and it is very hard to hold such a baby securely if standing on a moving bus. Things changed once we were able to obtain her wheelchair/stroller, and it became obvious to most people that she has special needs.

I'm not getting how a GAC would make a difference on a bus to other guests? If you have to have a seat for your daughter, your best bet would be to rent a car and drive to the parks. If you have to use the WDW transportation, there is always the option of waiting for the next bus to get a seat. I've done that when my leg is acting up and I need to have a seat.