GAC and # in party

[ilovefh]

I posted a little while back about helping my friend plan her first trip to WDW with her autistic son. She will be getting a GAC for her son to help with waiting in lines. I've been doing research and what I gather is they let you wait somewhere less crowded? Is this right? Also, is there a limit to how many people can use the GAC at once? They are a party of nine. I've read that it is 5+ the person using the GAC. What do the other people do? Do they just wait in the regular line?

I am completely new to all of this, but I am going to her house tomorrow and I'd like to give her this information. Thanks for your help!

 

[BlondeAlligator]

How a GAC works depends on the person's needs and the specific ride situation...not all rides handle the GAC the same way. Sometimes we are directed to a seperate waiting area, sometimes we are told to use the handicapped entrance, and sometimes somewhere else...it just depends.

You are correct that the GAC will only allow the individual plus 5 others in at a time. The times that we have had more people with us than the GAC would allow, we just split the group up and take turns going with DD. Those not riding with her just either sit & relax or go do something else for a bit.

 

[visitingapril09]

I echo the above. The card will give different people different accomodations and they definately enforce the 6 only rule. All others will have to go through the regular line up.

 

[bookwormde]

WDW's limit of 6 is an attempt to not overlaod the system (although it has no specific basis in ADA law). Depending on the attraction that CMs may be able to merger your child back with (or close to) the balance of the group. It never hurts to ask.

bookwormde

 

[SueM in MN]

If you have not read the GAC information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, post #6 does have more information about GACs.

The usual number for a GAC is 5 plus the person with a disability (so a total of 6). The reason for this is often space because it is sometimes limited; there are some requirements in the ADA guidelines (not the law) that state there must be allowance for at least one companion along with the person with a disability. They will sometimes allow more than 6 on the GAC, but this is an unusual situation for special situations. There will still be need sometimes to split up because of space or sometimes the waiting area only allows for 6 to board there.

This is an example of a quieter waiting space (at the Laugh Floor in MK):

Many of them are for shows and are a roped or chained area next to the 'regular' line so that there is some separation between the guests. These areas are also used for guests with wheelchairs and ECVs, so you will probably not be alone in the area, but will have more space than in the 'regular' line.

In some cases, like Small World

there is a separated wheelchair access, which can also be used by people with other disabilities. This picture shows the handicapped line on the right side of the picture, which can be busy and we have waited there for more than 1/2 hour when the regular standby line is less than 5 minute wait. The line to the left (that is full of people) is the exit line.
We have no choice, but to use it since DD is in a wheelchair. But for someone without a wheelchair, I would suggest looking at the regular line and using that if possible.

As was already mentioned, access/availability of quieter waiting areas varies from attraction to attraction. And, what you are told to do for access may vary from time to time, even on the same attraction on the same day. Most attractions do not have a way for guests waiting in a special area to meet up with the rest of their party when they reach the front of the line. So, if you are asked to split up, be prepared with who is going where and where you will meet up afterwards.

Many people have posted that using a tour service like TourGuide Mike or Ridemax has been more helpful than a GAC. The tour services point you toward the quietest part of the the quietest park. That can be very helpful because the GAC only helps you at attractions, you still need to contend with lines and crowds in other areas.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I'm definitely one of those who swears by TourGuide Mike. DD12 has Asperger Syndrome and needs room to be able to move because she's a sensory seeker. If she has to stand still too long then she'll start getting anxious. The GAC helps us because we get to wait in areas where she can move around. Using TGM though, we hardly have to use our GAC. In addition, with a group where not everybody can use the GAC, the advice from TGM would help you figure out how to maximize fastpasses in order to really minimize wait times. Another plus is that the service also helps you figure out which areas of which parks to be in at different times in order to avoid the crowds out and about in the parks. Those crowds can be just as hard on an autistic child as the lines. Knowing how to tour well has made a HUGE difference for us.

The way I look at it is that I'm spending thousands of dollars on this vacation. Spending another $20 for a subsciption to TGM is nothing cost-wise but it makes a HUGE difference in our vacation. TGM is a sponsor of the Theme Park board here on the DIS. If you go to that board and click the ad, you'll get a $3 discount.

 

[Jackie Psarianos]

Guest Assistance Card:

You got really sound information here and we have a ten year old Autistic boy and that card really helps us out, as he will start to jump and leap around if the wait is longer that half an hour, which will in most cases frighten or even aggravate others around him.

It allows for a total of six, including the person who's name is on the card to receive the assistance for the entire duration of the trip.

Again, depending on the attraction the waiting area is different. On some, we were directed to one place whereas at other attractions we were told to wait near another entrance close to the handicapped entrance...it all depends.

We try to teach my son to wait and will use the card if the line is thirty minutes or longer....that works for our family.