First trip GAC advice

[DisMom1981]

We are taking our first family trip to WDW with DS 4 and DD 2. DS is highly impulsive, sensory, and hyperactive - labeled and treated for Autism. I'm mostly worried about him bumping into people and/or touching people/things in lines if he doesn't have a seat or trying to run away through the line. I don't know what is appropriate - Do we see how the first morning goes wo any assistance/modifications or do we first go to guest services and explain our concerns and see their recommendations? How did you determine when, if at all, to request a GAC? Thanks for the help!

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[lanejudy]

Many people with autistic children find that using a "stroller as wheelchair" is very helpful. It contains the child, and also provides a "safe haven" where he/she can sort of retreat away from all the stimulation.

You can try the first day on your own then see how it goes. Or you can stop by Guest Relations that first day and explain your needs to see what might be offered. Whichever, I also strongly suggest that you look into a touring plan - even if you customize it or follow it loosely - and plan to use FastPasses whenever possible. We keep the GAC as sort of a "back pocket insurance" but don't use it all day every day. We get better results with good planning.

Also, check out the FAQ sticky at the top of this board for some suggestions and more information.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[SueM in MN]

Many people with autistic children find that using a "stroller as wheelchair" is very helpful. It contains the child, and also provides a "safe haven" where he/she can sort of retreat away from all the stimulation.

You can try the first day on your own then see how it goes. Or you can stop by Guest Relations that first day and explain your needs to see what might be offered. Whichever, I also strongly suggest that you look into a touring plan - even if you customize it or follow it loosely - and plan to use FastPasses whenever possible. We keep the GAC as sort of a "back pocket insurance" but don't use it all day every day. We get better results with good planning.

Also, check out the FAQ sticky at the top of this board for some suggestions and more information.

Enjoy your vacation!

Very good advice from lanejudy

You can find information about GACs in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

As she mentioned, there is no right or wrong way. Some people who are really not sure about how things will go try it first to see what their issues are and then go to Guest Relations with that information.

There is also some imformation on post 3 in the disABILITIES FAQs.

I am working on a separate post for that thread about autism and related concerns - I've been working on it for about 4 months, but my time is pretty limited.

 

[Kay1]

Many people with autistic children find that using a "stroller as wheelchair" is very helpful. It contains the child, and also provides a "safe haven" where he/she can sort of retreat away from all the stimulation.

You can try the first day on your own then see how it goes. Or you can stop by Guest Relations that first day and explain your needs to see what might be offered. Whichever, I also strongly suggest that you look into a touring plan - even if you customize it or follow it loosely - and plan to use FastPasses whenever possible. We keep the GAC as sort of a "back pocket insurance" but don't use it all day every day. We get better results with good planning.

Also, check out the FAQ sticky at the top of this board for some suggestions and more information.

Enjoy your vacation!

I like your post and agree with every word. I'd like to add that when my son got too big for a stroller, we switched to a wheelchair until he was a teen.

Have fun, OP.

 

[Kristibo42]

Use the GAC passes. My niece has the same problem. Can't stand still for more then 10 minutes. Don't listen to some people in here. They can be rude. Sometimes people in Disney can be mean and rude but don't listen to them either. It takes a lot to take care of my niece and to save a couple of minutes in line helps. I give my sister a lot of credit. We have taken too family trips. The first one was 48 people second was 26. The pass allows for 6 people. But we only used for 4 people one to help my sister and a cousin to go along with my niece. All other family stood on the regular line. We didn't have to use the pass all of the time just when the line was longer then 15 minutes.

 

[DisMom1981]

Thank you everyone for your support. I am afraid of the rude people, ESP since my kids 'look typical.' But my priority is safety and a fun family vacation so I'm trying to toughen up.

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[DisMom1981]

Very good advice from lanejudy

You can find information about GACs in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

As she mentioned, there is no right or wrong way. Some people who are really not sure about how things will go try it first to see what their issues are and then go to Guest Relations with that information.

There is also some imformation on post 3 in the disABILITIES FAQs.

I am working on a separate post for that thread about autism and related concerns - I've been working on it for about 4 months, but my time is pretty limited.

Your threads are so helpful. I've browsed and learned a lot, but plan to thoroughly read through Ion The computer. Thanks for all of the time and effort you've put into them!

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[Kristibo42]

Thank you everyone for your support. I am afraid of the rude people, ESP since my kids 'look typical.' But my priority is safety and a fun family vacation so I'm trying to toughen up.

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Don't worry about that. Just have a good time. Most people are very nice and understanding.

 

[DisMom1981]

Don't worry about that. Just have a good time. Most people are very nice and understanding.

Will do. We NEED this vacation!

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[luv2sleep]

Thank you everyone for your support. I am afraid of the rude people, ESP since my kids 'look typical.' But my priority is safety and a fun family vacation so I'm trying to toughen up.

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Mine looks typical too. I didn't care. These people don't live my life day in and day out and I doubt they'd trade. Disney gives me a little bit of a break on vacation by helping me avoid horrendous tantrums and meltdowns caused by crowds, noise, heat, and long lines. We used the pass for my sensory/anxiety/ impulsive 6 year old and it was a godsend. He doesn't like a ton of rides so we didn't use it all day. When we did though it was a lifesaver. Get the card and have a wonderful lower stress vacation! . We had a blast!

 

[DisMom1981]

Many people with autistic children find that using a "stroller as wheelchair" is very helpful. It contains the child, and also provides a "safe haven" where he/she can sort of retreat away from all the stimulation.

You can try the first day on your own then see how it goes. Or you can stop by Guest Relations that first day and explain your needs to see what might be offered. Whichever, I also strongly suggest that you look into a touring plan - even if you customize it or follow it loosely - and plan to use FastPasses whenever possible. We keep the GAC as sort of a "back pocket insurance" but don't use it all day every day. We get better results with good planning.

Also, check out the FAQ sticky at the top of this board for some suggestions and more information.

Enjoy your vacation!

I did sign up for touring plans and have mapped out which parks/which days, but will look at more specific plans too. I'm also showing DS a lot of YouTube videos of the parks and attractions. I feel like I am ruining the magic but also allowing for magic over mayhem all at the same time!

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[LockShockBarrel]

Use the GAC passes. My niece has the same problem. Can't stand still for more then 10 minutes. Don't listen to some people in here. They can be rude. Sometimes people in Disney can be mean and rude but don't listen to them either. It takes a lot to take care of my niece and to save a couple of minutes in line helps. I give my sister a lot of credit. We have taken too family trips. The first one was 48 people second was 26. The pass allows for 6 people. But we only used for 4 people one to help my sister and a cousin to go along with my niece. All other family stood on the regular line. We didn't have to use the pass all of the time just when the line was longer then 15 minutes.

Well that's a nice thing to say

 

[DisMom1981]

Mine looks typical too. I didn't care. These people don't live my life day in and day out and I doubt they'd trade. Disney gives me a little bit of a break on vacation by helping me avoid horrendous tantrums and meltdowns caused by crowds, noise, heat, and long lines. We used the pass for my sensory/anxiety/ impulsive 6 year old and it was a godsend. He doesn't like a ton of rides so we didn't use it all day. When we did though it was a lifesaver. Get the card and have a wonderful lower stress vacation! . We had a blast!

I could cry! It is true and Exactly what I needed. Thank you!!

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[luv2sleep]

I could cry! It is true and Exactly what I needed. Thank you!!

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You're welcome!

We also didn't do touring plans or ADRs. I went with his flow. We didn't make any rope drops nor did I wake him up early. We still got to do everything that we wanted. He does not like characters (too scary) so there were no character meals or waiting on line to see them. It was a great vacation!

Here's a link to my trip report. My very first one so forgive me if it's not as long and thorough as many.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3130800

 

[ttintagel]

Don't listen to some people in here. They can be rude.

This is actually the first rude thing I've ever read in a DisABILITIES thread. The discussion in here is usually very supportive and kind, even when it isn't giving the specific answer someone was hoping to hear.

 

[lanejudy]

I did sign up for touring plans and have mapped out which parks/which days, but will look at more specific plans too. I'm also showing DS a lot of YouTube videos of the parks and attractions. I feel like I am ruining the magic but also allowing for magic over mayhem all at the same time!

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You may not want to get TOO specific on your touring plan...plans backfire and/or the kids want something completely different. But knowing which parks are lightest crowds on which day, or which section of each park to expect to be crowded at certain times of day is quite helpful. Be prepared to take breaks as needed, eat regularly (try to stick to his typical mealtimes), and (yes I know it's vacation) but stick to regular bedtime at least most nights.

You are NOT "ruining the magic" you very appropriately are preparing him like a loving mother who knows her son. Setting realistic expectations is sometimes very important - much more important than spontaneous magic because there can be no magic if he melts down. You (and he) will find your own kind of magic, believe me! And it's just as special if not more so!

 

[Piper]

You may want to rent a pediatric (or smaller) WC from an off site company. They will be in much better shape, more comfortable for him, and cheaper than those rented at WDW.

Another thing I did with my autistic nephew was to watch the you tube videos of the rides with him. I made up social stories while we were waiting for each ride. (I had him to myself as the rest of the family left us and went off together.) We had a really good time and he went on most of the rides. His parents said they wanted to be able to enjoy their vacation...but I think we had a better time than they did.

As a side note, they also left us to ourselves in the airport and it backfired on them. The two of us were bumped up to first class and they weren't!!

 

[momofkids]

Use the GAC passes. My niece has the same problem. Can't stand still for more then 10 minutes. Don't listen to some people in here. They can be rude. Sometimes people in Disney can be mean and rude but don't listen to them either. It takes a lot to take care of my niece and to save a couple of minutes in line helps. I give my sister a lot of credit. We have taken too family trips. The first one was 48 people second was 26. The pass allows for 6 people. But we only used for 4 people one to help my sister and a cousin to go along with my niece. All other family stood on the regular line. We didn't have to use the pass all of the time just when the line was longer then 15 minutes.

I thought she meant on the disBoards not the disAbilities threads. Some people on the other sections can be rude and mean. That is why lots of posts get shut down in certain sections.

 

[DisMom1981]

I thought she meant on the disBoards not the disAbilities threads. Some people on the other sections can be rude and mean. That is why lots of posts get shut down in certain sections.

I figured that too. As well as in the parks. When we are out and my child throws a fit - you get the judgement stares and comments at times.....like it is only the result of my horrible parenting. i didn't think the comment was meant to be rude, but supportive and cautionary.

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[Sunnywho]

I'm mostly worried about him bumping into people and/or touching people/things in lines if he doesn't have a seat or trying to run away through the line.

Go to guest services and say what you said here. There's a tag they give out for these sorts of needs that can go on the stroller that allows you to bring it in lines with him.

When I had three kids under five years old, I used a Joovy Sit N Stand stroller. Loved that stroller.