GAC for ASD - trouble with lines/waiting?

[DVM]

I have read and read all of the helpful info on this site, and it is so beneficial. Thanks to all of you for contributing for all of us.

My question is with specifics: is there a thread that lists what happens when the card is presented at each ride?

Are you placed into the FP line? Are you shuttled thru the wheelchair accessible line (sometimes this is the same as the main queu so i don't know how this would help). Or is there a quickie side entrance to avoid extended waits?

The issue we may/can have is with extended waits in line where there are alota people. Of course, we plan to use FP, but there are times where this isn't always feasible, and that is why I am asking - where do you get to go thru to enter each ride with GAC for ASD DS? It will help with our social stories for pre-planning our day.

Understandably, this may be too much to ask, as specifics change at each ride, but if someone can direct me to a thread or other suggestions to gather this info, it would be great.

For example, we are most curious about what happens at:

BTMRR?
Space Mtn (not sure if we'll really do this one...)?
Splash?
AKL Safari?

 

[SueM in MN]

The answer is not easy.
It depends on the attraction and what kind of access it has - you are correct that there are not special wheelchair entrances for each attraction and many times wheelchair users will be using the 'regular' line.

It also can depend on how busy it is at that time. If there is a 'special entrance' some of them are backstage (where guests are not allowed without an escort), so whether or not you can use it will depend on how busy it is and the staffing of the attraction right then.

It also depends on the GAC (Guest Assistance Card); for some needs, the message stamped on the GAC would allow use of the Fastpass return line and that's where you would go for attractions with Fastpass. Since what is stamped on the GAC is based on needs that you expressed to the CM at Guest Relations, the messages on the GACs are different and how they are handled is different.

(It sounds like the OP saw the GAC information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, but anyone else wanting information should check that out).

NOTE: Please do NOT post specifics of what the GAC says or how to get a specific one. You can PM the OP with specific information.
The reason I am saying this is that there have been some GACs for sale on ebay and, while I am all for people who need GACs having them as a tool, it appears some people are getting one to make money.

If you didn't see it, in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is a link to an excellent trip report someone wrote after a trip with her son who has ASD to WDW. (I think the link is in post 3 of that thread).

 

[MBW]

NOTE: Please do NOT post specifics of what the GAC says or how to get a specific one. You can PM the OP with specific information.
The reason I am saying this is that there have been some GACs for sale on ebay and, while I am all for people who need GACs having them as a tool, it appears some people are getting one to make money.

Wow, I just checked Ebay and couldn't find it. Do you have a link, as my spouse has some pull and we could have the poster banned, and possibly prosecuted! That is just so awful!

 

[SueM in MN]

Wow, I just checked Ebay and couldn't find it. Do you have a link, as my spouse has some pull and we could have the poster banned, and possibly prosecuted! That is just so awful!

There were actually a number of them for sale in March. One woman had 5 for sale.
Some alert DIS posters on several boards contacted both Disney and ebay and got the auctions pulled.

 

[dawnball]

BTMRR?
Space Mtn (not sure if we'll really do this one...)?
Splash?
AKL Safari?

I suspect that the stamp I had is the same stamp you will get, but there are no guarantees, obviously. Those rides all offer fastpass, and policy during my last trip was that my stamp just sent me into the fastpass line.

For the Safari I asked once and was allowed to go to the handicapped waiting area. The wait there was longer, but it was easier for me. So I went through the FP line until merge (showing the GAC at merge), and at merge followed the merged line while staying to the righthand edge until I reached the handicapped gate where I showed my GAC again and asked nicely to wait in the handicapped area.

For BTMRR they would have sent me through the FP line, but the compressed area down in the mine shaft was too much for me. So I asked nicely and they sent me around to the handicapped entrance there too. At the handicapped entrance there may or may not be a rope to wait at. You wait at the rope (or go in to the unload area). Then you have to wait for the grouper to make a slot for your group. Depending on how busy the ride is they were grouping one or two trains ahead. That meant we were on the second or third train we saw after someone collected us at the rope. Again, the wait was longer that way than going through FP, but it was something I could handle.

I didn't go on space or splash, so I can't help you there.