GAC for our 3 year old

[codimouse]

Even though she doesnt have a "look" our 3 (almost 4)year old is Autistic and is loud and squirmy.
We do bring her items to keep her busy and headphones (she loves soft music on her mp3) for those "scary" situations for her.
Will a GAC be the best thing for her? She cannot stand in line too long or nor would anyone want to be near her (LOL) if she is in line too long.
Last year we went without it, but had to explain a few times to Cast Members who were working the long lines at few places we were at for help and they just acted as if we were trying to get in front of the line or be seated first. Mind you it is never in front either.

Just seeing if a GAC could help us out. Makes for a somewhat easier vacation.

 

[tacomaranch]

Yes, a GAC is like having an insurance policy when going to Disney. If things get bad for you use the GAC.

Our DS also can't wait with people around so we must use our at every ride. We often wait longer to get on Pirates but it is not with people and he is happy.

Go to the GAC sticky on this forum and see if it would help your family.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

The FAQ is here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713 , post 6 is the one about GACs.

A lot of people recommend getting the card on the first day of the holiday, then just keeping it with them to use when it's needed. When you request one from guest services, be prepared to tell them what accommodations your daughter needs, so that they can help you the best they can. If the provisions you get prove not to be adequate, you can go back and talk to them again, to see if there's anything more that can be done.

Good luck and have a great time .

 

[Christypl]

I went recently with my almost 4 year olf Autistic son. I got a GAC and asked to use his stroller as a wheelchair and use an alternative entrance. It made our visit so much easier. By staying in his stroller he felt safe. If he was bothered by the people I could close the visor over him. The cast members were so very kind to us as well.

 

[SueM in MN]

I went recently with my almost 4 year olf Autistic son. I got a GAC and asked to use his stroller as a wheelchair and use an alternative entrance. It made our visit so much easier. By staying in his stroller he felt safe. If he was bothered by the people I could close the visor over him. The cast members were so very kind to us as well.

People have reported that a lot of kids with autism really like the WDW park rental strollers.
They are made of a firm plastic (firm, not really hard) and have high sides and a canopy that helps to shut out stimulation.
Here's a link to the page about strollers on allearsnet. People have posted recently that the strollers at MGM have been changed to be like the other parks (they were previously jogging strollers at that park only).

 

[flynnmnstr]

We have requested a GAC for our son for our last two trips. Oh my goodness it was a whole different experience. I would have never known about if it wasn't for this board. He five now and in the austistic spectrum and being able to use the stroller as a wheel chair was a life saver.

My question is that we are planning a trip this August and my husband is going to be at a conference for 3 of the days. I do plan on going to the parks in the mornings with both my boys (5 and 2). Will they honor the GAC if I am using one of the rental strollers? When my husband is there we have two single Maclarens (weight limit up to 55lbs.) but I think I am going to need to rent a double when I am on my own. My 5 year old is over 50 lbs so renting a double from abbf or elsewhere isn't an option.

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[disneyfool_1202]

We traveled last May witih my almost 3 yr old ASD son and we did get a GAC and I was told that we could use it for all the rides other than it's a small world. Let me tell you- not one single ride in the magic kingdom would honor it EXCEPT It's a Small World. They made us use the fast pass option for Pooh's Ride, and some of the other rides it just wasn't worth waiting. I was really angry.

It did come in VERY handy at Mickey's Toon Town when waiting in the lines for character photo opportunities. We got escorted to a seperate waiting area and while we still had to wait, it wasn't in a long line full of squirming kids that would set my son off (which was a good thing).

 

[SueM in MN]

We traveled last May witih my almost 3 yr old ASD son and we did get a GAC and I was told that we could use it for all the rides other than it's a small world. Let me tell you- not one single ride in the magic kingdom would honor it EXCEPT It's a Small World. They made us use the fast pass option for Pooh's Ride, and some of the other rides it just wasn't worth waiting. I was really angry.

It did come in VERY handy at Mickey's Toon Town when waiting in the lines for character photo opportunities. We got escorted to a seperate waiting area and while we still had to wait, it wasn't in a long line full of squirming kids that would set my son off (which was a good thing).

If something is not working the way you were told it would, it's best to go back to Guest Services and talk to the CMs there again.

One time, DH had taken DD to get a GAC at MK without me. I always look at it carefully before leaving to make sure the message stamped on it is the one I thought was on it. He didn't.
When we went to use it the first time, the CM said something like "the line is not in the sun, so you can't use your GAC here." I looked at the GAC and found it had someone else's name on it - apparently, the CM had given our DD's GAC to someone else and they got ours. We went back to Guest Services and got the one we were supposed to have gotten.

 

[SueM in MN]

Will they honor the GAC if I am using one of the rental strollers? When my husband is there we have two single Maclarens (weight limit up to 55lbs.) but I think I am going to need to rent a double when I am on my own. My 5 year old is over 50 lbs so renting a double from abbf or elsewhere isn't an option.

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

YES.
It doesn't matter whether you have a rented stroller or your own. Most of the lines are wide enough for a double stroller.

 

[n2mm]

Did anyone have problems taking a stroller into the Land. My DIL is taking the kids to WDW this summer for their first trip. The youngest has CP and can not walk. She is almost 3 and would be comfortable in her stroller. Since she is not mobile, will they be able to take the stroller into the Land. I have recommended they get the GAC pass.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

To take a stroller into the Land, attraction queues and shows they'll have to get either a GAC for "stroller as wheelchair" or apparently they were piloting a sticker scheme a while back, whereby you get a sticker to put on the stroller, that a CM can look out for.

 

[n2mm]

To take a stroller into the Land, attraction queues and shows they'll have to get either a GAC for "stroller as wheelchair" or apparently they were piloting a sticker scheme a while back, whereby you get a sticker to put on the stroller, that a CM can look out for.

Thanks, I'll let her know. This is all new to us. We just want to make this trip as successful as possible for her and the kids. Did I mention she has 10 kids (all adopted) and only the youngest has physical disabilities.

 

[codimouse]

Thanks!!!