GAC for ds with ASD/PDD

tmli

Wants to be known as tmlh....
Joined
Dec 23, 2001
Messages
2,664
As many of you know my ds has Aspergers, SID and a major fear/anxiety disorder. We are leaving in a few short days and I have a couple last minute questions.

We are renting a transport chair here at home and taking it with us...$40 Cdn is alot better than the $75 USD/week in Orlando. Is there any problems we should be aware of using a transport chair instead of a wheelchair?

Even though we have the chair I would still like the GAC to assist in some areas to keep him away from the crowds while waiting for attractions. Also thought it would be a benefit to allow us to sit at the end of a row during show so we can make a quick exit if necessary--is there a provision on the passes that would allow this? I do know the wheelchair itself gives us access to seperate entrances etc but I am thinking of the accessible lines where he would be in close proximity to alot of people as well as the times when we will be without the chair. Since we have 2 weeks we will be making frequent short visits that I would like to do without the chair.

Are there other things I should request of our GAC that I am missing? What provisions have others with ASD/Pdd kids requested?

It's been a very difficult time for us lately--we need this vacation more than I can say. I would like to thank you all for your kind words and support that have been offered to me over the last few weeks.
 
Is there any problems we should be aware of using a transport chair instead of a wheelchair?
If it's an adult transport chair, it should be recognized pretty readily as a wheelchair by CMs. If it's smaller, it might be looked at as some sort of stroller. If it looks more "stroller-ish", ask for a GAC that allows a stroller to be used as a wheelchair.
Even though we have the chair I would still like the GAC to assist in some areas to keep him away from the crowds while waiting for attractions.
When you go to request a GAC (Guest Assistance Card) at Guest Services, explain the difficulties you expect to see while waiting in crowds and ask for the ability to wait in a quieter spot. There are some rides where the set up of the attraction doesn't really allow that, but in many cases, you will usually be able to wait in a spot that is more appropriate to your needs.
Also thought it would be a benefit to allow us to sit at the end of a row during show so we can make a quick exit if necessary--is there a provision on the passes that would allow this?
If you are using a wheelchair, there are designated wheelchair spots. The movie type shows (Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Muppet 3D, American Adventure, Bug's Life, the movie in the Land, for example) have all the wheelchair seating in the back rows. There are exit doors on both sides in the rear of the theater and also usually along the sides. If you have a wheelchair, you usually have to park in one of the wheelchair spaces; not at the end of an aisle. That's for 2 reasons, first if in the aisle, the person in the wheelchair won't really have a good view of the action. Second, because it's dark, if you are parked in the aisle, people who don't know you are there and are trying to leave can bump into the wheelchair.
The CMs usually just make an announcement that the back rows are reserved for guests traveling in wheelchairs. They don't direct you to a seat. You could tell the CM that you would like to be in the wheelchair spot on the end of the row, but usually you just seat yourselves. If you are the last wheelchair party in, you will be close to the door where you came in and can exit there if you need to. If you are the first to go in, if you go all the way across to the other side of the theater, you will be closest to the doors that will be used by the whole group to exit.
If you are not using the wheelchair, just pick a line and move all the way to the end of the line. Almost all shows have people enter the show on one side and then exit on the other (that way, they can start bringing in the next audience as the first one is leaving). Most people don't like to sit all the way at the ends of rows - the "preferred" spots are in the middle of rows. If the show is totally full, it may be a bit more difficult to get spots at the end, but it's usually not at all a problem. If you don't want to be the first out, just wait until a row has filled a bit and then sit on the end of the row closest to where you came in. There is also usually the ability to exit if you need to from that side.
You don't need a card to do any of these things. You might want to ask the CM which way the back of the theater and where the exits will be compared to where you enter and then look for the lit up EXIT signs once you are inside the theater.
I do know the wheelchair itself gives us access to seperate entrances etc but I am thinking of the accessible lines where he would be in close proximity to alot of people as well as the times when we will be without the chair. Since we have 2 weeks we will be making frequent short visits that I would like to do without the chair.
There are very few separate entrances for guests traveling with wheelchairs. In most cases, the lines are accessible, so there is no separate entrance. In some cases, the boarding area is not wheelchair accessible, so there is a pathway that goes to the exit for baording, but the "pull off point" is usually very close to where the normal boarding area is.

Another hint is to go early in the day if you can possibly do it. We can't get our DD ready in time to get to the park by 9 (10:30 is what we consider pretty early). But in March, during the busy Spring break time, my DH, older DD and my niece and nephew made it to MK before 9 and were able to go on many, many rides with hardly any wait and without even using fastpass. DH and I went back in July and did the smae thing. We got there a little after 9 and were able to go on all the Fantasyland attractions (except Dumbo, Carousel and Teacups), plus Pirates and Haunted Mansion with 15 minutes our longest wait.
You also might be pleasantly surprised. You are going at a time that is not historically busy, so you probably won't encounter long lines. Also, my nephew has ADD (I'm not sure what else his diagnosis includes, but it seems very similar to Aspergers). We were worried about how he would react waiting in lines, but he had very little problem. We found that the rides/attactions he had the most problem waiting in line for were the ones he was not real keen on going on. Some of the ones he wanted to go on had longer lines, but because his motivation was wanting to go on very badly, his ability to wait in those lines was much better.
 
Something else I thought of with the transport chair.
I don't remember how you are getting to Orlando, but if you are traveling by plane, you can gate check a wheelchair. Ask about it when you first check in.
Basically, it allows you to keep the wheelchair until boarding. They put a gatecheck tag on it so that it is marked to be received by them at the gate and then (usually) returned at the door of the plane when you land. Some transport chairs will fit in the closet on baord (if the plane has a closet).

Make sure before you leave that you know how to fold the wheelchair - you will need to do this to get it on the plane and also if you tavle by car.
I don't know if transport wheelchairs have any screws, bolts, etc. that might loosen during the trip, but if they do, Maintenance at your resort can help you with tools.
You also should have some local contact info in cse you have a major problem with the chair (which is not likley, but it's good to be prepared).
 
Hi.

My son has Aspergers/ADHD/SID/OCD and probably a few others. We get the GAC when we go on property. The GAC's were streamlined about a year ago to a symbol designation-we consistantly get an easy to read alternate entrance symbol.

One thing that we've learned with shows is that when we show the GAC, the CM's will direct you to a designated seating area. With shows like Festival of the Lion King, where many CM's are directing guests to seats, you will probably be passed off. We let a CM know that we would probably need seating close to an exit and were placed in the last row of the wheelchair/handicapped section.

As Sue said, in many of the shows where it's a smaller theatre, the wheelchair row is the top row. Not sure, but I am pretty sure you can just let the CM know of your needs and they'll help you to get that exit location.

You don't mention if your son also has sensory issues that are common with ASD/PDD. If so, I'd recommend getting a ball cap and perhaps bringing a towel to cover the top and sides of the transport chair. This will minimize visual stimuli for him. My son normally won't wear a hat due to the feel, but insists on it at WDW. (Now imagine what happens when son leaves said hat in a WDW stroller and doesn't realize it until after we get to the monorail!) Many have suggested the earplugs, but DS won't do them-he just puts his hands over his ears.

We'll be on property the same time! Enjoy your trip!!!

Suzanne
 

Thank you both for the great tips! We are so excited! I think I have all I need to do for my ds on my list and I have all important phone numbers like Dr's, pharmacy, wheelchair company etc. All I have to do now is start packing!
 
Originally posted by SueM in MN
Also, my nephew has ADD (I'm not sure what else his diagnosis includes, but it seems very similar to Aspergers). We were worried about how he would react waiting in lines, but he had very little problem. We found that the rides/attactions he had the most problem waiting in line for were the ones he was not real keen on going on. Some of the ones he wanted to go on had longer lines, but because his motivation was wanting to go on very badly, his ability to wait in those lines was much better.

LOL my ds (5) has ASD and we have been amazed at his ability to wait up to 45 mins in a queue for something he really likes!
But seriously, we have found he can't queue for a ride he doesn't know, even if he does want to go on it, so that's when the GAC comes in handy; we use the GAC for the first ride, then after that he can queue....
If there's a ride he doesn't want to go on, he says no, and he means it!
 












Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top