GAC...still a little confused??

[pddmom]

I know there are a lot of posts on this, but I'm still a bit confused about using it with the rides.

Having not been to WDW in over 20 years, is there always a CM standing at the entrance and do most people with GAC just show their card and then what..I read different things...some say they enter through the fastpass entrance others say they just wait in a different area (out of the sun, away from the crowds, etc...).

My DD will be 5 1/2 when we go and does not have too many issues waiting in lines or with crowds, but as with most kids with autism..you never know when I meltdown might be brewing.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[SueM in MN]

If you haven't read the disABILITIES FAQs thread information about GACs, that is the place to start. It is in post #6 of that thread (look for the thread near the top of the thread list for this board or use the link in my signature to get there).
The GAC information is not 'official', but I did have a number of WDW CMs read it thru for accuracy before I posted it. That included several who work in Guest Services and all said it was accurate, so it's as official as you can get.

To answer the specific questions you asked, there will be a CM somewhere near the entrance to the line.
The answer to 'what happens' depends on the needs the person has, what that attraction has available and things that change, like how many other people with special needs are waiting, what the staffing is at the attraction right then.
We have ever had a different thing happen at the same attraction at a different time.
If you really need consistency, you will find much more consistency in what happens by using Fastpasses. You can send another member of your party to get Fastpasses and when your return time comes, you will be able to ride with a minimal wait.
Also, tour plans like TourGuide Mike will help you know which parks and which parts of that park are quietest when so that you can plan to be in the least busy places. (There is a link to his site at the top of the Theme Parks Board). That can be much more helpful than having a GAC because the GAC only helps in the line, while having a quiet park helps all over. For example, if you go to AK in the early morning until mid-afternoon, it is usually quite busy. By late afternoon, it quiets down and you can go on many things as fast as you can walk on. All parks have situations like that, if you know when to go. That is even the case during busy times like Spring Break.

With this reply, I am going to close this thread - thru past experience, I know it will probably just go into more conflicting opinions which will confuse you even more. You can PM me if you have more questions after reading the FAQs.