GAC at DHS

[canadathinktink]

I heard Guest Services at DHS is on the left just after you get through the ticket turnstiles. I also heard that they open the turnstiles early and you wait at RD. Does Guest Services open before RD?

 

[SueM in MN]

There is also a Guest Services outside of the turnstiles at each park. You may have to go thru security to get there, but you won't need to go thru the turnstiles, so you can go there before the park is open.

 

[canadathinktink]

Would this be a good place to request a GAC?

 

[SueM in MN]

If you want to do it before the turnstile opens, it would be your only choice.
From what I have been told, the Guest Relations staff rotate between working the inside the park Guest Relations and the outside the park one.
The disadvantage of it is that it is a window in the wall of a building, so you are talking to someone thru a glass window with a hole for passing things and a little 'speaking' hole. At the Guest Relations inside the park, the staff will be just across a counter from you.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Actually Guest Relations Offices at all the parks are open at any time there is Guest Access inside the tunstiles. Since DHS have pre-opening breakfast at H&V, GRO is open any time people are allowed in. And when they open the turnstiles for everyone 20-30 minutes prior to Rope Drop they are already open.

 

[canadathinktink]

I have heard that they let you through the turnstiles about 15 minutes before park opening and you wait at RD. Do you think the Guest Services inside opens before RD or right a park opening? We will try to arrive at the park very early that first day. I was planning on bringing a small portfolio with a flyer to give Guest Services which includes a photo of my son and a point form list of his challenges and needs (ASD). I will also bring some documentation (Just in case) He has an ability to disappear on us. When we went to Disneyland I had a wrist band that attached to him and me but he was 5 then and now he is 8 so I don't think I will do that this time. I know his teen aged sisters, my husband and myself will keep an eagle eye on him but I thought it might be wise to give Guest Services a photo of him just in case. We are also planning on giving him a walkie-talkie and carefully laying out a safety plan with him. We live in a smaller community so we are a little nervous.

 

[canadathinktink]

I guess you beat me to my question. Thanks!

 

[mechurchlady]

Also you can check Extra Magical Hours and see when parks open and close. You can get the GAC at any park on the outside of the park. Thus on the night you arrive you could pop over to a park and pick one up without going inside the park.

 

[canadathinktink]

That is a good idea. Thanks, we just might do that. We arrive at the airport at 8PM so hopefully we can find a park that is still open when we arrive or has the late EMH. If not, we'll get there early that first morning.

 

[dzorn]

That is a good idea. Thanks, we just might do that. We arrive at the airport at 8PM so hopefully we can find a park that is still open when we arrive or has the late EMH. If not, we'll get there early that first morning.

FYI your son will need to be with you to obtain the GAC. It is actually issued in his name. Just did not want you to go to get it solo and find he needed to be there. Have a good trip!

Denise in MI

 

[canadathinktink]

Thanks! I will definitely bring him with me. I just finished making a flyer to give guest services with a photo of my son and a point form list of his challenges. I don't like talking in front of him about what he can or can't do. I would like to give the flyer to them if they will accept it and I am bringing a letter from his psychologist just in case.

 

[mechurchlady]

Thanks! I will definitely bring him with me. I just finished making a flyer to give guest services with a photo of my son and a point form list of his challenges. I don't like talking in front of him about what he can or can't do. I would like to give the flyer to them if they will accept it and I am bringing a letter from his psychologist just in case.

Some parents use 3X5 recipe cards, business cards and index cards that are preprinted. The parents thus quietly inform the CM of special needs. I am tempted to make some up for myself so I remember all my food allergies. It is hard to remember everything you want to tell someone especially when you are tired or hungry.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

They will not accept or keep the photo or flyer at Guest Relations.

If you have not already done so, click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Post #6 deals with the GAC.

Or, if you want an easier route, click on the link in my signature.

Also, if he is a "bolter", every morning when he is dressed take a full length photo of him in a digital camera. Then in the event he disappears you will not only have a icture of him, but how he is dressed "today".

And we have lots of procedures in place to reunite misplaced parents with their children.

 

[canadathinktink]

Thank you, the index cards and taking a full length photo are very helpful ideas. If the CM won't be able to keep the flyer would it be okay for me to show it to him/her or will they not want to look at it? Is the GAC really that helpful to have? I have used TGM, TP, and RideMax to make some good plans and we will use FP's, go early, etc. I had something like the GAC when we went to DL 4 yrs. ago and we were allowed to go through the exits to many of the rides. I don't think they had FP back then. I have read all the info. and it sounds like this is not quite the same anymore. It seems that DW has a written policy that you do not need flyers or doctor's notes yet it seems a bit subjective based on who you encounter at Guest services. I guess the best thing is to come prepared, have a plan, don't shoot for the moon, but hope for the best, and be happy no matter what!

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you, the index cards and taking a full length photo are very helpful ideas. If the CM won't be able to keep the flyer would it be okay for me to show it to him/her or will they not want to look at it? Is the GAC really that helpful to have? I have used TGM, TP, and RideMax to make some good plans and we will use FP's, go early, etc. I had something like the GAC when we went to DL 4 yrs. ago and we were allowed to go through the exits to many of the rides. I don't think they had FP back then. I have read all the info. and it sounds like this is not quite the same anymore. It seems that DW has a written policy that you do not need flyers or doctor's notes yet it seems a bit subjective based on who you encounter at Guest services. I guess the best thing is to come prepared, have a plan, don't shoot for the moon, but hope for the best, and be happy no matter what!

The information about GACs in the disABILITIES FAQs thread that Cheshire Figment pointed you to is the best information to use. The Americans with Disabilities Act is what says that WDW can't require a doctor's note or any proof of disability.
If you are able to explain your child's needs, you will get assistance with meeting the needs. It is not meant to shorten your wait in line, but to provide assistance that will meet the needs.

Many people have found that using TGM (Tour Guide Mike), Fastpasses and going early are actually more helpful than a GAC.
The GAC will only help in lines/attractions to give you a more appropriate place to wait. And, your experience may be different, even on the same attraction on the same day at a different time. Some of the things that affect that are how busy it is, staffing and how many other people with special needs are there at the same time as you are. You won't know that until you are in line.

Getting Fastpasses will generally mean that you will be getting on an attraction within 10 minutes of entering the line. It is a more consistent way to get into attractions than using a GAC is.
TGM and getting to the park early are helpful because they put you in the parks when they are not that busy. That not only helps with waiting for attractions, but also means the parks are less busy and less overwhelming/stimulating to many people with special needs.
Even during busy times, like Easter, it is possible to go on all the attractions in Fantasyland (for example) before 10:30 am without more than a 10 minute wait if you get to the park early.

You can use your flyer to help you to talk to the Guest Relations CMs about your son, but they will not want to keep the flyer and it would not be useful for them to have it in case he bolts on you; it would not be available to people who are looking for him.
It would be better to take a picture on your cell phone or digital camera each day to have a current picture. If you want to use the flyer, keep it with you so that if he gets away from you it is available to show to CMs at the time.

Also, if you have not read them, there are some links to past posts in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Several are about travel to WDW with someone with autism.

 

[mechurchlady]

GAC
Disney cannot ask you what your disability is but it does help them tailor the GAC to the guest's needs. They do no need or ask for a doctor's note. All they want to know is what are the guest's limitations like vision, hearing, phobias, sun sensitivity, and no stairs. The goal is to provide equal access and not front of the line access. Often it is faster to use the regular standby and fastpass lines. They can give you a GAC for using a "stroller as a wheelchair" even for older kids if the kid has to use a stroller for health reasons, emotional reasons or to be strapped down as they are bolters for example. That lets the stroller go anywhere a wheelschair goes even if the signage prohibits strollers.

Disneyland ride exits
Disneyland and parts of WDW were built before the ADA. It is impossible to make the Disneyland rides like modern rides. Toy Story Mania is a new ride and guests must use fastpass or standby line and wait like other guests. When they enter the building they continue in line to a point where the disabled guests go off to a seperate loading area.

At Disneyland the only way to do some rides is to go through the exits. On bobsleds you did not wait in line but instead crossed the line then then stood between two gates and waited. If the line was long it snaked round the right side standby line. You had to wait for one bobsled per cycle usually so it was a long wait for disabled guests and no shade there.

Cards, etc
You can show a greeter the card or flyer as a way to avoid repeatedly repeating a litany stuff. Not mandatory and some people do that but most don't. Some CMs might keep the card but most would read and give it back. It is only to be used as a discrete way if you are lazy like me or do not want the kid to hear you repeating yourself. Keep it simple like name, disorder, limitations, likes, dislikes, and allergies.

In summation the best trip is one with many plans and knowledge. Dumbo is down for 30 minutes so your brain whirs and you know what to do like another ride, a street performance, or early lunch. Know where companion bathrooms are in case dad has to take the kid potty or if you need extra space to change the kid. Know where the first aid is located in case you need bandaids for example. Good luck on the trip.

 

[canadathinktink]

Thanks so much for all the information everyone. I really appreciate it. We are leaving in less than 3 weeks so I will let you know how it all went. I have learned a lot from you all. Thanks!