FYI - Riding RSR with a Guest Access Card

[4getmenot]

One person in our party has autism and had a GAC with a "Use Alternate Entrance when Available" stamp. Thought it might be helpful to share our experience.

You take your GAC to the Lube O Rama and a CM will give you one FP for the whole party. The return time depended on what time of the day you went. If you showed up right at rope drop, they will give you a FP that lets you return in a hour (at which time the FP line is generally pretty short). If you went later in the day, your return time will be around 3 hours later (maybe so that it's the same as the standby line). I noticed that the FP return line got pretty long at certain points during the afternoon and evening. After they give you the FP, they write a sequence of numbers on your GAC with the date, return time, ride and the CM's initials (I think). When we got off the ride the first time, we were able to obtain a second FP by going to Lube O Rama again. We were conscientious about the long standby line for guests who haven't ridden it once so we didn't go again. But as far as I could tell, you could get a new FP as soon as the previous one had lapsed.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Thanks for sharing your experience. How similar was riding RSR with a GAC to riding other FP rides with a GAC?

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

When I went, I went in the fastpass line. Thanks for the tips by the way

 

[Minuet888]

I posted this in the other thread about this as my son is autistic but we were also given a three hour return time no problem however when the ride breaks down and it takes an hour and 45 minutes to repair we have to get out of line my son has a meltdown but when we go back we get another three hour return time WHAT!?!?! We asked for a lead and everything
this went on three times and we weren't doing a fourth so I asked for a supervisor and they let us in the fastpass I seriously though we wern't going to get on the ride.
We spent about 30 minutes in the fastpass line and right as we were supposed to get on it breaks down again but lucky it was a 15 minute fix, good god. I'm not going back to carlsland for a while for that very reason. I understand the three hour return time they did it when Star Tours first opened too (not anymore though)
it's just when the ride breaks down they should give out the return passes or something not make us go through it all over again.

I mean I was standing there arguing with the lead as my husband was stnading there with a very obvious autistic kid having a meltdown because "people touched him" (he is very claustophobic and has a hard time with lines as a result) my son was so upset he couldn't even annunciate his words, he just wanted to go on the ride.....it was a LONG day.

 

[cats mom]

When we got off the ride the first time, we were able to obtain a second FP by going to Lube O Rama again. We were conscientious about the long standby line for guests who haven't ridden it once so we didn't go again. But as far as I could tell, you could get a new FP as soon as the previous one had lapsed.

I don't have personal experience using GAC, but wanted to mention that someone else posted it's a maximum of 2 rides on RSR per GAC pass, at least for now.

Honestly I think that's more than fair since it would be impossible for anyone not using GAC to get more than one FP in the same day right now.

In fact it might be impossible to even get one unless you're there at opening and making a beeline directly to the FP distribution line for RSR.

 

[nsiordia]

Star Wars was the same when it re-opened, but they let you go through the FP line first then if you wanted to go back, they gave you a FP (when you have GAC).

Carsland is probably not the best place right now to take a special needs kid, especially since there are so many people and the lines are so long, even with a GAC.

This is the reason we are avoiding it all together until September probably, especially since we also have an Autistic son and need the separate entrance.

I think there are things out of the CM's control, especially a ride breaking down.

 

[4getmenot]

Thanks for sharing your experience. How similar was riding RSR with a GAC to riding other FP rides with a GAC?

For the most part we didn't resort to using the GAC outside Carsland but when we did, the standby line was <30 minutes so we went directly through the FP entrance.

 

[Bsbllmom]

We have used the GAC three different times on RSR. One time we went right through the FP line and got on in 10 minutes. Another time they wrote a number 1 on the pass at the FP entrance and only waited 10 minutes. Then the last time the FP line was extremely long and the CM asked my boys if they wanted to go back in 1 hour or wait. They opted to go back in an hour and when they did they only waited 15 minutes.

 

[Disney Dreams]

For the most part we didn't resort to using the GAC outside Carsland but when we did, the standby line was <30 minutes so we went directly through the FP entrance.

I am curious, if you don't mind sharing, why you only used the GAC in Cars Land. It would seem to me that whatever special accommodation may have been needed, would not be unique to this area.

Thanks!

- Dreams

 

[4getmenot]

I am curious, if you don't mind sharing, why you only used the GAC in Cars Land. It would seem to me that whatever special accommodation may have been needed, would not be unique to this area.

Thanks!

- Dreams

We did what many other DIS'ers do, we used Ridemax and followed many of the tips on RD, FP collection, etc. That kept the wait to under 35-40 minutes most of the time. From there, we just used some sensory coping strategies that we've been working on and didn't have any major issues. It was only the frenzy of RSR and Luigi's Tires that wouldn't have worked. Personally, in light of all we go through at home with special needs re: autism, we would much rather blend in with every other family visiting DL than save 20 minutes in line at each ride.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

Quick questions
At RsR when you use a GAC do they have you wait your time in a separate area?
After your wait do they take you through a separate entrance?
Do just write a return time and send you through the FP?

sorry I've heard so many answers Im having a really hard time with understand this...
My mother will have her wheelchair, so I thought I would not need to get a GAC for my DD? Should I still get one?

 

[gypg]

My mom is a wheelchair guest. When we rode, we waited in the normal line with all other guests (it was an AP preview day so the line was under an hour in length). Toward the end of the line, they split wheelchair guests and their party from the rest of the line and board them from a separate loading area (near where the other guests are exiting their cars.) This means you can take as long as you need to board/exit your vehicle.

Quick questions
At RsR when you use a GAC do they have you wait your time in a separate area?
After your wait do they take you through a separate entrance?
Do just write a return time and send you through the FP?

sorry I've heard so many answers Im having a really hard time with understand this...
My mother will have her wheelchair, so I thought I would not need to get a GAC for my DD? Should I still get one?

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

My mom is a wheelchair guest. When we rode, we waited in the normal line with all other guests (it was an AP preview day so the line was under an hour in length). Toward the end of the line, they split wheelchair guests and their party from the rest of the line and board them from a separate loading area (near where the other guests are exiting their cars.) This means you can take as long as you need to board/exit your vehicle.

Sounds like we may still need one... This way should the FP line be really crowded we can ask to come back at a later time.. Like the PP did...

 

[Bsbllmom]

Sounds like we may still need one... This way should the FP line be really crowded we can ask to come back at a later time.. Like the PP did...

If you have a GAC and the line is too long you don't have to ask to come back. Just come back when the line is a little better for your mom to manage.

 

[DisneytheKid]

Thanks for the info

 

[ArchOwl]

The problem with threads such as these is that there are multiple needs and a GAC is not a one size fits all thing. There are different stamps on GACs that give the CMs information about what kind of assistance you need. And the way the CM handles that GAC can change throughout the day depending on crowds or operational concerns. I have traveled with kids with special needs and we have had multiple kinds of GACs and had the GACs handled differently depending on multiple factors.

I would hate for someone to get information based off of one person's experience and expect that is what will happen for them. I think it is best to communicate with the CM if something isn't working for you and do your best to be as flexible as possible. I understand that is not always easy with our special needs kids, but we prepare ours for the fact that today might not be the same as yesterday.

To anyone reading this thread, please keep in mind that your experience can vary greatly depending on your needs. And the GAC is not a front of the line pass, it says so right on the card. There are times when you will wait longer than the regular line. All the CMs I have encountered have been so very helpful with our needs when we explained things calmly.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

The problem with threads such as these is that there are multiple needs and a GAC is not a one size fits all thing. There are different stamps on GACs that give the CMs information about what kind of assistance you need. And the way the CM handles that GAC can change throughout the day depending on crowds or operational concerns. I have traveled with kids with special needs and we have had multiple kinds of GACs and had the GACs handled differently depending on multiple factors.

I would hate for someone to get information based off of one person's experience and expect that is what will happen for them. I think it is best to communicate with the CM if something isn't working for you and do your best to be as flexible as possible. I understand that is not always easy with our special needs kids, but we prepare ours for the fact that today might not be the same as yesterday.

To anyone reading this thread, please keep in mind that your experience can vary greatly depending on your needs. And the GAC is not a front of the line pass, it says so right on the card. There are times when you will wait longer than the regular line. All the CMs I have encountered have been so very helpful with our needs when we explained things calmly.

I must say you worded that was perfect...
The uses of GAC can very... Example my mother who is in a wheelchair could handle the line ( as long as she can stay in the wheelchair up to the ride)
So wheelchair stamp is prefect for her..

However my DD with sensory issues , could have a complete meltdown..
So waiting in a quiet place where no one can bump her is best...
My not sure what stamp they use for this???? , but is WDW it has two arrows on it..

 

[ajgardner]

I don't have personal experience using GAC, but wanted to mention that someone else posted it's a maximum of 2 rides on RSR per GAC pass, at least for now.

Honestly I think that's more than fair since it would be impossible for anyone not using GAC to get more than one FP in the same day right now.

In fact it might be impossible to even get one unless you're there at opening and making a beeline directly to the FP distribution line for RSR.

Does this mean 2 rides for the entire length of stay or per day? This is a cross country trip for my family and I am trying to prepare my son (he gets a GAC allowing him an alternative entrance). We can (usually) avoid major meltdowns if he is well informed of what to expect going into a situation. Typically they allow for us to go right into the fast pass lane, so this is what he will expect, however he should be fine as long as I can explain to him BEFORE we get there that we will have to wait and come back. But, should I also prepare him that he will only be able to ride it twice during our 5 days there? Expensive and LONG journey there, so I'm trying to make it as non-stressful and enjoyable as possible.

 

[cats mom]

Does this mean 2 rides for the entire length of stay or per day? This is a cross country trip for my family and I am trying to prepare my son (he gets a GAC allowing him an alternative entrance). We can (usually) avoid major meltdowns if he is well informed of what to expect going into a situation. Typically they allow for us to go right into the fast pass lane, so this is what he will expect, however he should be fine as long as I can explain to him BEFORE we get there that we will have to wait and come back. But, should I also prepare him that he will only be able to ride it twice during our 5 days there? Expensive and LONG journey there, so I'm trying to make it as non-stressful and enjoyable as possible.

Oh no, definitely not length of stay. In fact IIRC the person who posted about the 2 ride limit was actually feeling a bit guilty because they figured they probably rode twice while some people were still waiting standby to ride once. It's a per day limit.

Of course keep in mind what ArchOwl said, that there isn't one hard and fast set of rules for every person in every situation, and even if there was, CM's often interpret the same rule differently.

 

[disneylandkitkat]

I have the arrow pass.... once u get ur time and fast pass u can play in the park and come back at the time they give u. Then you wait in the fast pass que. Just remember it still can be long. While we were in line for about 10 min. We sat being next inline for 2 hours with three break downs. Everytime they tested the ride and they were about to let guest on it broke down again. We were inline from 4 to 6:07