GAC useful?

[rodeo65]

DH and I are trying to decide if a GAC would be useful for our DS8 or not. He was diagnosed with ADHD last fall and we have spent the months since working on coping strategies. In April we and the school had exhausted that avenue with some improvement but not enough. Since April we have had him on medication with much better results but he still has trouble staying in one place for long periods of time. Concentration is improved, the H component - somewhat, but not as much. We are planning on bringing his DS for waits in line. This has varying degress of success. Sometimes the game can hold him but other times it just doesn't do it.

We are wondering what exactly the GAC would do in this situation and if it would be beneficial to get one, or just work with rope drops and FPs. He seems to be able to handle waiting for about 10 minutes or so but after that all bets are off. We will be bringing wristies (the little elasticy things that attach from his wrist to ours) so that if he does get it into his head to bolt he can't get too far. I'm sure we will get stares having a boy that age on a string but we have to do what we have to do. He's fast. We will also have DD6 attached to one since he will peak if he is on one and his baby sister isn't. We're just treating it as a "safety measure" for the crowds so he won't object too strongly, but really it is for him.

Input from anyone with any experience with GACs for this particular issue would be appreciated.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and to disABILITIES!

If you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Post #6 discusses the GAC.

Just remember that (1) the GAC states on it specifically that it is not intended to shorten wait times, and (2) you have to explain the needs of the person for whom it is being issued and the CM at Guest Services will work to give the best options.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

 

[rodeo65]

Thanks for the link Cheshire Figment. I was thinking that we'd just have to go for RDs and FPs and hope for the best. Hopefully he'll be so enthralled with the theming in the line areas that it will keep him occupied. I'm also going to get him looking for hidden Mickeys but that too will be a hit or miss depending on the day he's having.

 

[pudge the fish]

The DS works good I have seen many people use them.
Even with NT kids I have found them to be LIFESAVERS in lines-
I have also found easy trivia gets many people involved while waiitng in line-
we got a paperback with easy questions like who are donalds nephews and before we knew it about 20 other people in line wanted to play- it was fun


work on fast passes and have a good plan in place.

3 weeks ago we went and had a friend in a WC - she & I waited 35 minutes in a *bypass* line for a ride.. while family rode 2 rides others waiting for us..
she can't transfer so we had to wait for the WC accessable ones.

I used to tell my *runner* it was so Mommy didn't get lost when we used a wrist band-Now my hubby says I need my own GPS as I do tend to wander off- ( see tag


HAVE FUN TOO!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

GACs do not decrease waiting time and in some situations you may wait significantly longer. If the waiting is the problem, there's not much it can do for you.

Fastpasses are good. Bring a variety of distractions including the DS, a book, maybe some other kind of toy or game.

Fast Passes are good. Get there when it opens- the lines will be pretty short. I would go back to the resort and nap during the heat of the day when the lines are the longest and then come back in the afternoon. If you are at Disney Hollywood Studios or Magic Kingdom and there are two Spectors/Fantasmics, you can wait to see the second one (far less crowded) and go ride the rides while the first is going. The lines are dramatically shorter then.

You can also try Tour Guide Mike which will give you touring plans that will help to reduce wait time. I have never used him, but many here swear by him.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I think a GAC might be beneficial so that you'll get to at times wait in a much quietter area. While your wait may still be just as long, at least when he's getting antsy, he won't be disturbing everybody around him. He'll have a bit more freedom to wiggle and use coping strategies. There aren't a a lot of places that have this kind of alternate entrance, but I have found that at least at Epcot there are several. Epcot is huge and therefore it can be a long day so having a bit more privacy (waiting areas aren't private but there are significantly less people around) during waits can make a big difference for some kids. Obviously your tactics involving timing parks will be the biggest strategy, but I do think you might get some benefits from the GAC as well, at least at Epcot.

 

[Selket]

My older son has ADD so I have some experience with this - my younger son has medical issues that also affect our waiting line experience. In any case - who wants to stand in line for hours anyway - issues or not!

The very BEST thing we've done is subscribe to Tour Guide Mike (see Attractions board for a discount as he sponsors it). I've used TGM since 2004 and have not found better advice. His site can be obtuse but if you use his "best days" to visit what park - and his touring advice (he has touring plans for each park) - you will be able to avoid most of the lines.

The TGM site is very detailed compared to a touring plan that just says "go here and then go there" - if you can take time to get into the details it really helps you understand his strategy - if you get "off plan" it isn't as big of a deal. We've been spring break, 4th of July, etc. and his plan works great in the big crowds (or small).

Try this approach. If it fails and you note specific problems then you can always go to guest services and explain your needs and see if they can help you out.

 

[rodeo65]

Thank you to all for offering your advice. I had bought the UG and used their best days and parks to avoid to figure out our touring plan. We are absolutely doing RDs every day and for AK day have an 8:15 at Tusker so hopefully we'll be out for opening. My kids are pretty quick gulpers.

You all seem to like TGM. Is there a benefit to him over UG's touring plans? I have chosen non EMH mornings and using RD. I figured getting out the door for 7:45 (we'll drive to parks because we have CAA parking passes) would be as much as I can ask of DH on vacation even though the kids are up at 6:30 normally.

I guess we'll try our first day and see how the plan works and whether there might be any benefit to the GAC. I was kind of thinking there would not be but it was suggested by our TA. I'm hoping a good touring plan with RD and FPs will do the trick. Our first morning is a Monday at MK, non EMH and crown level predicted at 8.

Thanks for the trivia idea, pudge the fish - that's a good one as well.

 

[carrie6466]

We do get a GAC for DD, but I have to say we use fast pass many, many more times than we use GAC. We also try to get to the park as early as possible. Lastly we do a lot of character meals, so we don't have to wait on lines to see them in the parks.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I use UG and TGM, I think what I like about TGM is that it's not just a plan, it's an explanation as to why... so that when things go pear shaped (and in our case, that's not if, it's when) you know how to get back on track, and the best way to continue through your day. I've found it very beneficial for the off the cuff "replanning" that can happen.

 

[rodeo65]

Thanks ireland_nicole. I think TGM's site intimidated me. It seemed complicated so I really didn't bother to try it since I had other resources. Maybe I should re-look at it.

 

[PrincessSarah314]

Another idea to pass the time in line is the Hidden Mickeys book. The kids like looking for the Mickey's and a lot of rides have HM's in the queing areas. I own the WDW version, but for our trip this year I checked the DL version out of the local library. Saved me $12.95 and some space on my bookshelf!

 

[Selket]

I agree that I like TGM because of all the detail behind why go here or there. Our day often ends up with us needing to stop at unexpected times and deal with stuff so it is nice to have an idea what to do next. The UG is entertaining and interesting but I dislike their park touring plans- too much like a forced march.

I also like his "best days for which park" that he updates for each month. I haven't tried going to his "red" parks but people who go generally report a big difference between that day and a "green" day.

There is a disabilities board there as well if you have questions relating to TGM and ADHD.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I used RideMax and it helped us too, at least as much as TGM if not more. It will calculate the wait times based on the day and time and so therefore you can choose to wait or schedule another ride for that time. FP's help A LOT. Some rides, the the pp's mentioned will have a longer wait with GAC and most of the times, depending on the GAC you have they'll just direct you to the FP machines anyway. Does your son get overstimulated? Might be useful to employ some down time to prevent this. I don't know if his issues are worsened by fatique, hunger, thirst? These might all be things to watch. My dd doesn't have ADHD, her issues are different, so I can't speak authoritatively on this subject but you might want to work up to a full day. Also, interactive rides instead of movies if he can't sit still. If it is his first trip just be prepared for massive stimulation and possible exascerbation of his issues.

Have a great trip!

 

[cclovesdis]

When my sister and I went earlier this year, I followed some advice in the UG. We avoided the park with EMH and when we did go to the park with EMH, it was only for EMH. We tried to be there for rope drop, like I know you want to be, and went back to our resort mid-day. If that is an option for you, I highly recommend it. We debated getting me a GAC because I can't be in the sun too long, but the CM I spoke with said that it wouldn't help much, so I decided against it. Following the suggestion of the UG, I don't think my sister and I ever waited longer than 10 minutes, except for TSM. Best of luck!

 

[Schmeck]

I think a GAC might be beneficial so that you'll get to at times wait in a much quietter area. While your wait may still be just as long, at least when he's getting antsy, he won't be disturbing everybody around him. He'll have a bit more freedom to wiggle and use coping strategies. There aren't a a lot of places that have this kind of alternate entrance, but I have found that at least at Epcot there are several. Epcot is huge and therefore it can be a long day so having a bit more privacy (waiting areas aren't private but there are significantly less people around) during waits can make a big difference for some kids. Obviously your tactics involving timing parks will be the biggest strategy, but I do think you might get some benefits from the GAC as well, at least at Epcot.

The only issue with the alternative waiting areas is that if the child is a runner, these areas might make it even harder to contain him, as there is no one else around to block escape routes, so to speak.

 

[Schmeck]

DH and I are trying to decide if a GAC would be useful for our DS8 or not. He was diagnosed with ADHD last fall and we have spent the months since working on coping strategies. In April we and the school had exhausted that avenue with some improvement but not enough. Since April we have had him on medication with much better results but he still has trouble staying in one place for long periods of time. Concentration is improved, the H component - somewhat, but not as much. We are planning on bringing his DS for waits in line. This has varying degress of success. Sometimes the game can hold him but other times it just doesn't do it.

We are wondering what exactly the GAC would do in this situation and if it would be beneficial to get one, or just work with rope drops and FPs. He seems to be able to handle waiting for about 10 minutes or so but after that all bets are off. We will be bringing wristies (the little elasticy things that attach from his wrist to ours) so that if he does get it into his head to bolt he can't get too far. I'm sure we will get stares having a boy that age on a string but we have to do what we have to do. He's fast. We will also have DD6 attached to one since he will peak if he is on one and his baby sister isn't. We're just treating it as a "safety measure" for the crowds so he won't object too strongly, but really it is for him.

Input from anyone with any experience with GACs for this particular issue would be appreciated.

The great thing about the queues at WDW is that they don't tend to involve staying in one place for a long time - the queue keeps moving ahead, and WDW queue theming is the best in the world.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

We do a few things that we have found to help. We go to the park in the am that had the EMH pm hours the previous night. If they are having EMH again then we just don't go into the park. We go early, at rope drop and we head directly to the slow loading rides that take a long time. Not necessarily headliners but rides that have a line build up. Like Dumbo. We use the regular line and we have about 2 hours until the park gets busy. We eat an early lunch in the park then go back to our hotel for swim and nap. Then we go out again for dinner and into the park. By then the crowds from the folks who were there all day is diminishing.

Yes, we still have to use our GAC but we use our early mornings and we can act like a NT family.