GAC card

[NewmanFamily6]

I am taking my nephew who is autistic this summer. I read somewhere about a GAC card that might help my sister get him through lines faster. The crowds and lines will be difficult for him. The rest of can wait in line. Can someone tell me where she could get one of these? Does she need to bring a note with his diagnosis?

 

[mesaboy2]

I am taking my nephew who is autistic this summer. I read somewhere about a GAC card that might help my sister get him through lines faster. The crowds and lines will be difficult for him. The rest of can wait in line. Can someone tell me where she could get one of these? Does she need to bring a note with his diagnosis?

Any Guest Relations can help you out, no note required--just an explanation of why you might need a GAC. The folks over on the DISabilities forum would be very helpful with all the ins and outs.

 

[ELMC]

I am taking my nephew who is autistic this summer. I read somewhere about a GAC card that might help my sister get him through lines faster. The crowds and lines will be difficult for him. The rest of can wait in line. Can someone tell me where she could get one of these? Does she need to bring a note with his diagnosis?

GACs can be obtained at guest services in any of the parks. You can tell them what accommodations you may need, but they are not allowed to ask you for a diagnosis. Please know that a GAC does not always guarantee a shorter wait in line. Sometimes you will be provided with a quiet place to wait instead of in the noisy queue.

 

[Cyrano]

Going to move this over to the disAbilities board where you will get lots of help and support

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I read somewhere about a GAC card that might help my sister get him through lines faster. . .

1) Printed on the card it says it does not shorten lines or wait times.
2) The GAC card does not give that right.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

The GAC won't get you through lines faster as a rule. Sometimes it may be faster, sometimes slower. What it can do is let them in to a separate waiting area that may be less stimulating or overwhelming, however not all rides have this. I bet someone has a list of rides with a designated waiting area for GAC users.

If he is young enough, a stroller as a wheelchair tag may be helpful so he can stay in his little safe zone while waiting.

 

[SueM in MN]

The GAC won't get you through lines faster as a rule. Sometimes it may be faster, sometimes slower. What it can do is let them in to a separate waiting area that may be less stimulating or overwhelming, however not all rides have this. I bet someone has a list of rides with a designated waiting area for GAC users.

If he is young enough, a stroller as a wheelchair tag may be helpful so he can stay in his little safe zone while waiting.

There is not a list because different places/accommodations may be used on the same attraction depending on conditions - these can vary depending on staffing, number of people already waiting for the attraction.
So, guests need to be prepared that it's possible they may be handled differently, even if they return to the same attraction at a different time.

Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Post 6 of that thread can answer all your questions about Guest Assistance Cards.
(You can find that thread stuck near the top of this board.

 

[I Love Pluto]

We often wait longer in the GAC line. It is based on needs. If you have to wait for the HC car - it can take a while.

The GAC line is just that - a line. It is not possible to skip lines anywhere.

 

[KPeveler]

In my experience, the place I was told to wait (I have a wheelchair and a GAC) was MUCH worse for my sensory needs than the "standard" line would have been (it just wasnt wheelchair accessible).

I am sure that if you ask you will get a wealth of advice here about tips and tricks for traveling Disney with autism. There is much more that can be done, that is much more reliable, than the GAC.

I will say that in general, the GAC did not shorten my wait and at times made it longer. But often, it had my waiting in an area that was just as crowded or noisy than the standard line would have been - or even worse.

 

[stitchlovestink]

In my experience, the place I was told to wait (I have a wheelchair and a GAC) was MUCH worse for my sensory needs than the "standard" line would have been (it just wasnt wheelchair accessible).

I am sure that if you ask you will get a wealth of advice here about tips and tricks for traveling Disney with autism. There is much more that can be done, that is much more reliable, than the GAC.

I will say that in general, the GAC did not shorten my wait and at times made it longer. But often, it had my waiting in an area that was just as crowded or noisy than the standard line would have been - or even worse.

And MY experience is that more often than not, it does shorten my wait times... I can say this as when others come with me they comment how much faster we get on a ride than when they go 'on their own'.
But I guess it is a case of 'your mileage may vary'.
And I guess it depends on your needs and which stamp you have on your GAC.

 

[ttintagel]

And MY experience is that more often than not, it does shorten my wait times... I can say this as when others come with me they comment how much faster we get on a ride than when they go 'on their own'.
But I guess it is a case of 'your mileage may vary'.
And I guess it depends on your needs and which stamp you have on your GAC.

The single most important thing it depends on is conditions on the ground at the particular moment you happen to go to the attraction.

 

[SueM in MN]

The single most important thing it depends on is conditions on the ground at the particular moment you happen to go to the attraction.

I would agree with that being a very big thing, along with just what accommodations the person needs.

We just it back from WDW 2 weeks ago tomorrow.
These 3 situations happened on the same day at Small World. That attraction has a handicapped line that is used by people with mobility devices and also with GACs for a quieter, less crowded place to wait.

1) The posted wait for the regular line was 20 minutes. The handicapped line was all the way up the ramp past the gate to that area. We choose not to go because, in past experience, that would equal a 30-45 minute wait, depending on how many in the line needed the wheelchair boat.

2) About 1 hour later, the posted wait in the regular line was still 20 minutes. We got into the handicapped line and had one group ahead of us. Our wait was about 10 minutes.
We did wait for the wheelchair boat, but only one group was taken from behind us to board a regular boat - and they ply to on 2 boats ahead of us.

3) By the time we got off, the handicapped line stretched almost all the way to the top of the ramp. So, about a 20-25 minute wait, when the regular line was posted as 20.

So, how long you wait depends a lot (at least in our experience) on what is going on at the attraction. By he end of a trip, it does tend to even out, with waits or one attractions shorter and some longer than the average guest.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

GACs can be obtained at guest services in any of the parks. You can tell them what accommodations you may need, but they are not allowed to ask you for a diagnosis. Please know that a GAC does not always guarantee a shorter wait in line. Sometimes you will be provided with a quiet place to wait instead of in the noisy queue.

That is correct. I'm an almost 18 year old with autism and I use the GAC.