GAC at Disneyland

[BethanyF]

We've used a GAC for the past couple of trips ot WDW, but DL is new to us. Obviously, I am not going to say which stamp we get, but we get the card for DS's sensory integration dysfunction and Aspergers.

I'm just wanting to hear some experiences with the card at DL

 

[mechurchlady]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31683754&highlight=lightyear#post31683754
That is my list of disabled entries for DLR

I am not sure if you can get that GAC at DLR. If you cannot get it then let me know and I will gladly use my scooter to help you with the lines and stuff. Also go early and talk to CMs as they are nice people and often can help you around any limitations your child has. Going early during the week makes for short lines also.

If you have any SID questions let me know. SID/SPD is such a vast array of problems that I cannot help you but if you give me limitations like "does not like loud noises" then we can help you more.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I just found out we are going in a little over a month. I have read that they really hate the GAC at DL and we should expect to be treated rudely. I don't even want to go to DL if it is going to be a problem.

So, from the experts, what can I expect for our son who has autism at DL? We are very use to what we do at WDW and wonder if it could be possible to apply the same to DL?

I am a bit hesitant as I have read how the people are different at DL and not as kind. I hope our stroller will be safe. I am thinking of bringing a cheap o umbrealla stroller instead of the Maclaren. I also thought we could get a free rental with our Visa card?

I carry our GAC on a lanyard in a plastic pouch at WDW and was told this is a no no at DL. How should we carry the GAC?

I have so many questions and want to have a nice time at Disneyland but just wonder if we should go or stay home.

 

[mechurchlady]

Bring the McClaren as that is way more comfortable for the kid and makes a great supply wagon. I met a sweet boy with CP in a McClaren and it looked so comfortable. It is going to be a long time in that stroller so you want comfort. You can get a Stroller as a Wheelchair GAC and take the stroller into lines.

DLR does not loath GACs. However they do not have the space and are older than WDW thus they cannot always have separate waiting areas and no sun GACs. The major thing with being disabled in the parks is that CMs treat you so nice and are very helpful. I watched a CM patiently wait for that little boy to be loaded into a raft and then for us to secure the kids. I seen CMs carrying trays for disabled guests as well as for a single mom with a herd of kids. I seen CMs open doors and treat disabled kids with magic touches.

 

[toocherie]

I just found out we are going in a little over a month. I have read that they really hate the GAC at DL and we should expect to be treated rudely. I don't even want to go to DL if it is going to be a problem.

So, from the experts, what can I expect for our son who has autism at DL? We are very use to what we do at WDW and wonder if it could be possible to apply the same to DL?

I am a bit hesitant as I have read how the people are different at DL and not as kind. I hope our stroller will be safe. I am thinking of bringing a cheap o umbrealla stroller instead of the Maclaren. I also thought we could get a free rental with our Visa card?

I carry our GAC on a lanyard in a plastic pouch at WDW and was told this is a no no at DL. How should we carry the GAC?

I have so many questions and want to have a nice time at Disneyland but just wonder if we should go or stay home.

MVM: I have never been treated rudely with a GAC at Disneyland. Lots of people carry their park tickets and/or GAC in a plastic pouch. You may have to take it out to show a CM but I cannot imagine them telling you not to carry it that way. (Who told you that--just curious?)

The first thing you should do upon entering the parks is go to City Hall in Disneyland and talk to them about your needs. They will also give you a brochure with how to enter rides and what accommodations can be made. I have always found the people in City Hall very kind and helpful. I agree--take the stroller that your child is comfortable with. Make sure it has identifying marks on it. Enjoy your trip--having been to both Florida and California "Walt's Park" in Anaheim has a special vibe you can't get anywhere else.

Where are you staying?

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I am gathering info and a bit calmer now about going. I am sure we are going to be ok, after all it is Disney. We are staying at the DL hotel. I have read we get early morning hours and the monorail. I just like being able to go in early with less crowds, then go back to swim and nap, then get DH after conference and go back for the evening shows.

I am going to carry our GAC as we do in WDW, on a lanyard in a plastic pouch. We are use to the stares but I would gladly exchange the GAC for our child to be NT.

We are going to bring our own stroller since he is use to it and then also work on eating more foods.

Thanks for the support!

 

[mechurchlady]

Since you are staying at the Disneyland Hotel you can use the Grand Californian Hotel entrance into DCA and save a lot of walking. Just go out DLH and south until you get to the light then go left and through the lobby of the GCH. You can stop at Whitewater Snacks or Storytellers breakfast with characters. Go through the lobby and outh the doors at the far side. Walk around the building to your right past two restaurants. There you will see the DCA entrance for guests of DLR hotels.

 

[nevadadis]

We have been to Disneyland three times now and we have not found any problems. Two years ago we had a GAC that did not quite meet all of our sons needs so this year when we went we explained in a bit more detail the things that would be helpful for him. We also went to California Disney to get the GAC since we thought it would be less hectic- since our son has a stroller/wheelchair the City Hall is kind of hard to access since you have to go up a ramp that I think is off to the side. Anyway there was no one but us at the guest relations in California Disney and the CM could not have been nicer. I have saved our GAC to show at Disneyworld when we go in June along with being prepared to explain what things would be helpful for our son. Since we where there in September it was pretty quite and we rarely even used the card but it is good to have just in case.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

We usually save our last issued GAC to show the Guest Services what we need rather than go into a lengthy explanation. I let them know we have before and were issued this GAC previously. Nothing has changed with DS who is just right over there and point, with his dad. Hunter usually comes up to the window when I point to him and then they get to have fun with him too.

I have never had a problem with WDW but it is just fear of the unknown. Today DH reminded me that DS has summer school and we have to check and see if he can miss the last 4 days to go to Disneyland. If not, we have to go to WDW at the end of July instead. I really don't want to go as we are having our Sept trip and waiting is part of the fun.

 

[ndloewen]

We did DL last year with a GAC for our son (stroller as a wheelchair). We had no issues and the CMs were most helpful. We are hoping to go again this fall,. Since healthwise, things have gotten much worse with our son, we will be needing to ask for more on his GAC (he is very heat sensitive and immunosuppressed). Does DL have a stamp for heat or waiting away from crowds?? Our last trip was a wish trip, with a front of the line pass at WDW, so I know we won't get that again. But I'm not sure exactly what to ask for at DL.

 

[mechurchlady]

As far as I know there is none for heat and separate waiting areas as there is not room for those. I will double check at DLR on my next trip but believe that is so but do talk to the CMs at guest services to see what they can do for you.

Explain his limitations such as no heat and away from crowds because xxx reasons. If you need I can bring my scooter and help you tag team through the lines. Going early also helps but Fantasyland except early morning and late evening has sun on half the rides most or all the line. Definitely they will give you a Stroller as a Wheelchair GAC to let you take the stroller into lines.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31683754&highlight=lightyear#post31683754
That is my scrambled post that shows where one enters various rides. Only mailboomer and tea cups are not on that list, never checked those rides out or Mullholland madness.

 

[caldisneyfan]

Hi Everyone,
My DS has ADHD and Aspergers. Our first trip a few years back was not pleasant as we did not know how to get the GAC. Last year we wrote a letter and presented it at town hall but they would not take the letter but instead asked DW to read it to them. The letter was basicly a discription of DS needs (has problems with noisy or loud ques has a hard time waiting in long lines and a description of his ADHD and Asp.) We were promply handed a GAC that best suited DS needs best. DW also printed a card to go with his GAC pass that better described DS and DW or myself would go infront of DS and show both the GAC and the note to the CM at the entrace to the lines. We never had a bad reaction by the CM's using the GAC and several told us thank you for the extra note and DS had a fantastic time. We also go in the morning and take a long break in the after noon when the park gets really busy.
I hope this helped and both BethanyF and MinnieVanMom and your familys have a great time in the parks.

 

[BethanyF]

Thanks everyone for your input. I found some more old threads and read more encouraging stories, so I am not as nervous as I was previously. I am also going to bring the WDW GAC and explain that it was perfect for DS's needs as well as explaining his needs.

I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[caldisneyfan]

Sorry I forgot to mention ear plugs. The disposible ones work best. Thesy are avalible at most sporting goods stores.