GAC and Autism

[disneynewman]

Okay some of the recent posts are making me a bit nervous that the GAC won't help us as much as it did last time. It has been 18 months since our last trip, has Disney become stricter?
Last time some of the things that help were: at Test Track and the Haunted Mansion we were allowed to bypass the pre-shows, even one second of complete darkness will send my DS into a meltdown.

Has anyone used a GAC for Autism recently? Is it still as helpful?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

To the best I know they have not changed any rules or made it harder.

Just explain the needs at Guest Relations and they still will assist. If what they offer does not work, you can either return and ask for other assistance, or, if it is something you know will not work even while you are at Guest Relations you can ask for a lead or manager.

 

[Schmeck]

Just remember that at each attraction, depending on the crowds, time of day, how the ride has been functioning, etc, that a GAC may not give you the same access each time it is used - it can depend on staffing at that particular time, the backup in the Fastpass line, etc. What might have been possible a few years ago may not be an option now if WDW has cut a staff position at that attraction. I seem to remember there being a lot more CMs at each attraction when we first started going to WDW compared to our last trip.

 

[ericandliz]

I was just there April 1-5 with my DS-7 w/autism, and it was the same situation as usual when it came to getting the GAC. We got it @ MK, and kept it in a plastic pouch I brought from home. They do check it over at each ride for the dates valid, and the number in our party. One time a CM at AK even asked me for my name and then checked the card...not sure why that was the case there.

Last time we went in September and lines (one of his issues) were very short so we did not use the GAC a lot. This time lines were LONG (100 + minutes for Test Track, Soarin', Splash Mtn, Space Mtn to name a few) so we did use it more often.

We each wore Autism Awareness pins this time, which helped some people understand our situation- you had to know what the icon meant though... Still got more stares, etc than needed at Aladdin and Dumbo due to the fact that you load there in the handicap area but I am getting better at handling that.

The only thing different this time was a few times on BTMR we were directed to the handicap entrance instead of FastPass...not sure why... Other times we did the FastPass line with about a 10 minute wait, which was no problem. The first time we were sent to the handicap entrance (early in day, 10 am) with very little wait; the second time, which was late in the day (7 pm) we waited a while in the handicap line-not sure why we were sent there and not FP line- CM helping us was confused too.

DS frightened to pieces of HM and won't even go near it, so we did not try that so I can't speak to that. Big advances this trip for us were going on Spaceship Earth, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Kali River Rapids for the first time and loving it!

 

[disneynewman]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I think we will be okay Well except now I am worried about the crowds you mentioned instead of the use of the GAC But we still have 1.5 weeks to go.
And don't be surprised if Cheshire Figment edits your post...at least I read it first

 

[jamesmommy]

Okay some of the recent posts are making me a bit nervous that the GAC won't help us as much as it did last time. It has been 18 months since our last trip, has Disney become stricter?
Last time some of the things that help were: at Test Track and the Haunted Mansion we were allowed to bypass the pre-shows, even one second of complete darkness will send my DS into a meltdown.

Has anyone used a GAC for Autism recently? Is it still as helpful?

We have used it recently to bypass the Stretching room so that will work.

BTW, kinda off topic, while we were waiting to bypass the stretching room, we saw Donny Osmond waiting to load. He wasn't close enough to say anything to him (I wouldn't have anyway, I figure stars should be able to do WDW too without being hassled), but it was still neat .

 

[kaffinito]

Both of my DS's are high functioning autistic so I take some precautions before we even go to WDW.

The youngest one (age 8) looks at all of the pictures I can find online of the resort, the buses, and the attractions for months before we go. For him I also bring a small key chain type flashlight - the ones you use to find your door locks with. This makes him feel very secure and he doesn't have many fearful episodes. He also has his own little fanny pack for his "treasures". His only problem is waiting in lines, but I have yet to use a GAC with him.

The oldest boy (16) gets a new note card each day with the our plans on it and the name, location and dining res. number on it for dinner. That way he can wander around if he wants to, and he always know where we are. He also has an easy to use cell phone and can text me during the day. On our last trip he was texting me an average of 20 times a day!

Both the boys did very well at Disney, and they both made HUGE strides during our trip.

This year I might just get that GAC card so I can avoid possible meltdowns for the youngest though!

Good luck!

Me: Mom
DS: (16)
DS: (8)


1975 - offsite
2007 - POR
2008 - (Sept) POFQ

 

[scojos]

i will admit to using my GAC most of the time, we follow TGM and if the reg line is loonger than 20 min why show teh GAC.
GAC was created for us special people, i do not feel embarrased to use it. i am proud of all of my kids, but esp ds with ASD. my happy place means avoiding melt downs,
tracy

 

[krismom]

How do you use the GAC to bypass the stretching room in HM? Do I need a specific stamp? I've always avoided that ride because of the "preshow" - and would love for my son to experience it.

 

[5dwarves]

I was there last summer and my son is high functioning autistic, with some other health issues as well (transplant recipent; seizures). Everything seemed to go smoothly for us when we used the GAC... The only long wait we had was on the Safari....We didn't do HM because it was being refurbed. We did do the rear entrance on TT, Star Tours. Even though we were loaded for Dumbo first, my son still had a melt down because the right color hat on dumbo that he wanted was taken by someone who raced past us. If your child has similiar issues, I would make sure to communicate your needs to the CM...I know I will next time (we ended up leaving about an hour later at about 3:00pm ... the Dumbo Debacle was more than he could take.)

There is a poster on the DIS who has an ASD/ADHD child. She is making a guide book for her son that is divided by days. She is including stickers of attractions and a schedule for the day. As they do something, he checks it off the list, and puts the sticker in his book...It looks like a great way to provide some structure and take out the uncertainty. I plan on doing it for my DS. I'll find the link and post it here.

~Elisa

 

[5dwarves]

Here is the thread link to the homemade guidebook for an ASD child.

[thread]1774902[/thread]

 

[disneynewman]

How do you use the GAC to bypass the stretching room in HM? Do I need a specific stamp? I've always avoided that ride because of the "preshow" - and would love for my son to experience it.

just approach a cm outside the ride and explain your situation, and show the GAC. they will lead you in through the exit and you can board the ride there

 

[mom2zandjsquared]

How do you use the GAC to bypass the stretching room in HM? Do I need a specific stamp? I've always avoided that ride because of the "preshow" - and would love for my son to experience it.

In January we didn't have a GAC just asked a CM if we could skip the room because my friends DD was terrified of it and they said no problem go wait over there by the handicap entrance and we will get you in.