GAC ? and Food Allergies ?

[tkbbmom]

It's been three years since we went to WDW - so it's time for a return trip

The last two times we went we had two GAC's -- one each for our two youngest boys due to severe ADHD/SPD/LD's. This year I was thinking about only needing one for my youngest - when we mix the ADHD/SPD in w/ the crowds at WDW and then the chances of him being on his steroids bec of the time of year w/ his asthma I'm just not sure he'll do ok w/ lots of people around him in line and will sometimes need a place to rest bec the steroids give him terrible leg aches.

BUT, the question comes with my middle ds - he's 14 now and while I would love to believe that with his meds and the progress we've made that he would be calm and not melt-down I'm a little scared. I know that we will split up as a family w/ DH, youngest and I going one way and our oldest ds (24) taking his teen siblings on other rides. Would it even be possible to still get two GAC's - one for each boy? Or is middle ds too old at 14?

Our dd may also be in a shoe boot - she's having surgery in Oct though so we're hoping she's good to go by Dec. But, it looks like from other posts if the "disability" is obvious there is not need for anything for her.

Next question is food allergies - this time when I did our dining reservations it gave me a place to check food allergies. Last time I went the recommendation was to call Disney ahead of time. Do I still need to call? The main problems w/ food are shell fish, tree nuts and yellow dyes - I do always carry Benadryl and his epi pens. We are doing Coral Reef this time - but obviously ds won't be ordering any fish product so can I assume that his meal won't come in contact w/ any shell fish? I know last time at Wolf-gang Puck Cafe they cooked his chicken and fries separate bec they coated their products normally in macadamia nuts.

Thank you in advance.

 

[clanmcculloch]

If your 14yo has his own special needs which require accomodations then he needs a separate GAC, especially if you might split up. There is no age restriction on GACs. They're 100% based on need. If he no longer has any special needs then no need for a GAC. If he does still have his own special needs then get him one. If you're not sure then you have two options: (1) try without a GAC for him and if you find you need one then go to Guest Relations when/if you see that he has some kind of need (2) go to Guest Relations and explain your concern and what needs he had last time and have the GAC as a just in case/backup/insurance even if you don't end up using it. Option 2 might give you more peace of mind.

I'm a rather obsessive compulsive planner so I'd be emailing the Special Diets departement to ask questions specifically about the yellow dye. Shellfish and tree nuts I know there will be lots of info available on location but the food colourings aren't well labelled a lot of the time so I would hate to have to skip items just because they say "coloring" when it wasn't necessary.

The chefs at Coral Reef know how to avoid shellfish for those with shellfish allergies. As a parent, I'd personally be more concerned about grubby little fingers of guests who allow their children to wander smearing allergens on seatbacks than I would worry about the food coming out of the kitchen. I have no worries about what comes out of the kitchens (well, I do worry, but talking with the chefs does make a big difference in alleviating those worries).

Yes, the boot will tell CMs what accomodations she needs for her foot. That being said, I would recommend that you discuss the amount of walking with her doctor. She might be better off in a wheelchair or stroller with a wheelchair tag. That tag is the exception to the visual queue meaning no GAC required rule; if she'll be in a stroller then you want the tag even if the reason for the stroller going in lines is obvious.