GAC question

[delmar411]

I'll admit I don't really understand the GAC or how it can help us but this past trip my YDD was having so many problems and meltdowns that we asked for some sort of pass to keep her out of long line and crowds and give her the ability to wait someplace other than the main line. She can wait (normally) if she's not 'crowded' in. But once she starts down the path of melting down, well it's a nightmare and can end up with me dragging her (literally,she's too big carry safely anymore) out of lines.

Anyway they gave us the GAC and stamped something like "wait someplace out of the heat"? Now considering it wasn't hot in the least, I found that an odd thing to put on there. But is there nothing else they can put on it? We actually never even used it as DH managed to lose it less than 2hrs after getting it and since what they stamped on it was so weird and not helpful, we didn't bother going back and asking for another.

So what's my question? My question is, what do I need to ask for to have them put what she really needs on it? What she really needs is the ability to come back into the line after a meltdown and not have to start it all over again. She never was able to ride Soarin last trip because while my DH was able to obtain a swap pass for us after I had to take her out of the line, YDD was not able to regain enough control to even go into the FP lane that day and they wouldn't honor it the next day (which I understand completely although it led to another meltdown from YDD, we'd already lost the GAC by that point too).

feel free to PM me if you aren't comfortable posting here. This last trip was really the last straw for me. I was ready to book YDD and DH on a flight home from the stress of trying to keep her from melting down. Part of her meltdowns were all my own fault as I didn't take her to buy acceptable groceries. She's normally been ok with some forms of WDW food but this trip she rejected most everything and was always super hungry (but wouldn't eat). If I could get a card that would make them bring 'her' food to every CS, I swear I'd pay a fortune for it!

I'm already stressing out over our May trip and getting something settled about YDD would be a huge weight off my mind.

 

[KPeveler]

There are other stamps that can be put on the GAC, and several people (including me) have reported some success using them to avoid being too crowded in.

It sounds like they gave you the GAC they give to people who must wait out of direct sunlight. This would not be terribly helpful, as almost all queues are out of the direct sunlight. But there are some (like Dumbo) that are not covered.

It is always worth asking about the GAC again when you get there. It sounds like the last one was not the proper fit for you. I would not even mention the last experience with a GAC, but just give an idea of your daughters needs (She cannot enjoy the parks if she must wait in a very crowded line - is there a way we can wait elsewhere until our turn. She will have meltdowns and we will need to leave the park if she gets too overstimulated.)

Hope this helps.

 

[SueM in MN]

If you have not already read post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which is about GACs, I would suggest reading it. From what they stamped on your daughter’s GAC, it sounds like the CM did not understand what her needs were.
You can get to the disABILITIES FAQs thread by following the link in my signature or looking toward the top of the thread list for this board.

As KPeveler wrote, what happens with a GAC depends on what is stamped on the GAC and what is available at that attraction. Not all attractions have a quieter place to wait or a place to wait out of the line.

Another thing people have reported worked well for them was a touring plan, such as TourGuide Mike. A touring plan will help you to be in the least busy part/attraction of the least busy park.

 

[SmallWorld71]

She's normally been ok with some forms of WDW food but this trip she rejected most everything and was always super hungry (but wouldn't eat). If I could get a card that would make them bring 'her' food to every CS, I swear I'd pay a fortune for it!

I'm already stressing out over our May trip and getting something settled about YDD would be a huge weight off my mind.

You probably already know this, but just in case I figured I'd mention that you can order food through gardengrocer.com to have delivered to your resort and you can bring food into the parks. My brother and sister-in law did this last year when traveling with my nephew (SID/ Aspergers) and my niece who is a picky eater. It was a time, money and stress saver for them to have food handy that they knew their kids would eat.

 

[delmar411]

thank you all for the great advice. Sue I did read through the sticky and I hope that I have enough information to ask for the correct assistance for DD.
At a minimum I at least know now there are other stamps they can put on it other than the out of sunlight one.

 

[bookwormde]

First relax, make sure that the stamp makes some sense before you leave guest services. Also the stamp in just a generic guide so taking the time to be more specific about your child's needs with the CM allways helps as you know better than enyone else what may be an issue and the CMs know what is possible, so communication is key.

If there is any way you can swing it get a DVC villa (1br or 2br), and buy food, food lines and not having items that are acceptable food are just another unnecessary stressor on our kids. I have found that more often than not we wave more than the extra cost of the accomidations and have a lot more fun (place to spread out and for the kids to feel is theirs, jaccuzi , washer dryer 2 tvs, and so forth end up being just a bonus).

Bookwormde

 

[delmar411]

bookwormde,

Yes we do stay DVC normally but we are rarely in the room. DH can't seem to chill out on vacation and gets very stressed and annoying if we try to do much 'relaxing'. He's a good guy but was raised to tour WDW commando style so it's taking some time to break him of that habit.

We do normally either do a grocery run or have food delivered but I didn't do that this past trip (why I have no idea!) and I really paid the price for it. YDD has a pretty severe eating disorder and once she gets it in her head that certain places or certain foods are not ok, then it's a waste of time to even offer anything else. I used to believe kids wouldn't starve themselves but she's proved me (and her drs!) very wrong. She lost weight this past trip and she doesn't have any spare weight to lose.

I've already got our grocery list going and I'm going to take her with me to the store and let her pick out whatever she wants to eat and we'll carry it into the parks.

 

[bookwormde]

We bring favorite things from home and do the pool and slides thing, which helps during our down time. Every one of our kids is different.

bookwormde

 

[SueM in MN]

Also, if you find that the GAC you have been given does not seem to be working for you, you can go back to Guest Relations and re-explain the needs.

But, knowing when to go to different attractions makes a big difference. If you can go to the least busy attractions, you will have much less difficulty, even without using the GAC.