Getting a little nervous about GAC.. Help Please

[robin09]

Hi Guys,

You would think by now I would stop panicking... but I can't. DD8 has aspergers, ocd, adhd...among other things. we get a GAC each time we go, but I'm still stressing. Can someone let me know maybe PM how to word it to the CM's? Jenn looks typical, and even will go up with me and tell them.. you know I can't stand in lines... and goes on and on and on.... While doing this she is twisting, turning, smiling and asking them for hugs. I've never had a problem with GACS, but I still panic asking... I do this not only to make this as stress free for us, but for others around us. She knows no boundaries, touches people, asks for hugs and will sit on the floor start picking at her toes , if not biting them and not let anyone pass, but doesn't move up herself. I know I shouldn't get nervous asking for the GAC, I've never been refused, but I get so tonguetied.... So if you can help.. thankyou!

 

[SueM in MN]

we get a GAC each time we go, but I'm still stressing...............I know I shouldn't get nervous asking for the GAC, I've never been refused, but I get so tonguetied.... So if you can help.. thankyou!

If you have had a GAC before and still have it, bring it with you when you go to Guest Relations.
No one can tell you what to say because you are the one who knows your child's needs.
AND, because of the possibility of people using information on this site to request a GAC when they don't really need one, we will NOT allow anyone to post more specific information.

Since you have gotten a GAC before, just do what you did before. Check out the disABILITIES FAQs information about GACs and you should do fine.

 

[robin09]

If you have had a GAC before and still have it, bring it with you when you go to Guest Relations.
No one can tell you what to say because you are the one who knows your child's needs.
AND, because of the possibility of people using information on this site to request a GAC when they don't really need one, we will NOT allow anyone to post more specific information.

Since you have gotten a GAC before, just do what you did before. Check out the disABILITIES FAQs information about GACs and you should do fine.

I understand totally, and that's why I added, IF someone can PM me. I understand about the problem about GAC's. I just checked my Passporter from last year, and It's not in there. .. receipts from dining but no GAC... No problem, I'll just stumble through...Just me and my worrying., lol.. just add it on to what to pack, how to drive from NY... what DVD's to bring for the cartrip... Have a great day!

 

[Forevryoung]

Ok, I'll post an open reassurance- because I want everyone to read this.

People who walk into guest services for a GAC fall into 3 categories in my mind-
1. People who have no clue what guest services can do for them and are happy with any assistance
2. People who have researched the GAC or used it before, with success
3. People who are looking for more than the GAC can provide or refuse to listen to the advice they are given

The people in the first category rarely post here.

The people in the second category are you and the majority of others who post here. Those people repost after their trip that it was great and the CMs are generally wonderful (ok with the rare incidents here and there).

The people in the third category either come here prior to their trip with expectations that can't be met and are angry or frustrated when told so or they never come here and only post after the fact that Disney is horrible and the CMs are incompetent.

I know that I can't categorize EVERY person, but these are generalizations.

You know the steps and have done them before. If you get a GAC and it doesn't meet your needs, go back to guest services and re-explain (and even tell them the situation that occurred by having the "wrong one"). Bring your daughter with you and don't be demanding. Try not to get frazzled, ask to speak with a different CM if necessary so you don't get upset, and keep the attitude that they are just trying to help you.

There is nothing to worry about. Whatever you walk out with (even nothing!) is 100% changable if it doesn't fit your daughter's needs.

 

[robin09]

Ok, I'll post an open reassurance- because I want everyone to read this.

People who walk into guest services for a GAC fall into 3 categories in my mind-
1. People who have no clue what guest services can do for them and are happy with any assistance
2. People who have researched the GAC or used it before, with success
3. People who are looking for more than the GAC can provide or refuse to listen to the advice they are given

The people in the first category rarely post here.

The people in the second category are you and the majority of others who post here. Those people repost after their trip that it was great and the CMs are generally wonderful (ok with the rare incidents here and there).

The people in the third category either come here prior to their trip with expectations that can't be met and are angry or frustrated when told so or they never come here and only post after the fact that Disney is horrible and the CMs are incompetent.

I know that I can't categorize EVERY person, but these are generalizations.

You know the steps and have done them before. If you get a GAC and it doesn't meet your needs, go back to guest services and re-explain (and even tell them the situation that occurred by having the "wrong one"). Bring your daughter with you and don't be demanding. Try not to get frazzled, ask to speak with a different CM if necessary so you don't get upset, and keep the attitude that they are just trying to help you.

There is nothing to worry about. Whatever you walk out with (even nothing!) is 100% changable if it doesn't fit your daughter's needs.

Thankyou for your reassurance. Once again, you made me smile! YOu have such a great way to look at things. I know I've gotten it before, just so nervous about doing it again. The funniest thing is we end up going on maybe 3 or 4 rides for the entire day. It's not like it's such a big thing in our vacation. Jenn can't deal with much but going her own way. The vacation is supposed to be a stress free time. School will begin when we get back, so it's our way to celebrate and relax. I'm always afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing.. even with her doctors. So thanks again for you calming thoughts , Just being in Disney and watching her smile is enough for us. Many a day we just spend in the pool or at the meals that she has chosen (character meals), letting her wind down....and just enjoying our time without the normal stress of every day living...

 

[Beccabunny]

I guess the reason that I personally tend to get nervous about getting a GAC is that it worked so well for us two years ago, but I keep hearing that the particular accomodations that we had on the last trip are no longer available. I know I can't say what those accomodations were, but I hear conflicting reports from different people who have made recent trips and requested a GAC. With the addition of several new medical issues, my daughter's needs are greater now than they were two years ago. A GAC that provides anything less than what was available to her then is not going to work for her. We will be going in October when the crowds should be low and the weather bearable, and we will have a good touring plan, but she is going to need a lot of assistance just the same. So yes, I tend to be a little nervous about this as well. I am just trying to be confident that the CM's at Guest Services will be understanding and will want her to have an enjoyable trip. With just a few exceptions, the CM's we encountered on our last trip were wonderful!

 

[pcparamedics01]

I guess the reason that I personally tend to get nervous about getting a GAC is that it worked so well for us two years ago, but I keep hearing that the particular accomodations that we had on the last trip are no longer available. I know I can't say what those accomodations were, but I hear conflicting reports from different people who have made recent trips and requested a GAC. With the addition of several new medical issues, my daughter's needs are greater now than they were two years ago. A GAC that provides anything less than what was available to her then is not going to work for her. We will be going in October when the crowds should be low and the weather bearable, and we will have a good touring plan, but she is going to need a lot of assistance just the same. So yes, I tend to be a little nervous about this as well. I am just trying to be confident that the CM's at Guest Services will be understanding and will want her to have an enjoyable trip. With just a few exceptions, the CM's we encountered on our last trip were wonderful!

Just make sure she is there when you ask for the card! You will get it. Do not worry!!!

 

[Beccabunny]

Yes, I will have with me when I go to Guest Services. We did that last time. Now that she is older and more aware of when her medical issues are being discussed, and she does tend to get upset about it, I plan to have my husband take her off to the side a bit, but within sight, and try to keep her distracted. I know some people write a letter stating the needs, but I would rather explain it all myself, as it would be a LONG letter for a CM to have to read.

P.S. Thanks, PC, you have always been so encouraging!

 

[pcparamedics01]

Yes, I will have with me when I go to Guest Services. We did that last time. Now that she is older and more aware of when her medical issues are being discussed, and she does tend to get upset about it, I plan to have my husband take her off to the side a bit, but within sight, and try to keep her distracted. I know some people write a letter stating the needs, but I would rather explain it all myself, asit would be a LONG letter for a CM to have to read.

Just keep her there on the side lines so they can see her. You will get the GAC no worries!!! I did not have a Dr's note nor did I write anything down. I said my son is autistic. She viewed him in his own world. Spinning his toy etc.
CM 's know it is a farse or true.

 

[LisaBi]

Robin09 - I sympathize with you. After about 8 trips getting GACS (with different accommodations over the years, as DS's needs changed), I still get nervous every trip.

Taking the old one definitely can help.

Based on you description of your daughter's behaviors, from my experience, if you get a good experienced CM, you won't even have to ask. They will "just know" from observing her.

I say that because once when DS was much younger, I stopped at guest services outside of MK to register a complaint about an issue totally unrelated to DS, his needs, or a GAC. While I was talking to the CM, DH was corralling and keeping DS in check. The CM was both talking to me and observing DH/DS. After we finished discussing my original concern, the CM asked if I had a GAC. I said yes, and she asked to see it. Then she took it and left the window for a minute, and came back with a new GAC. It had different accommodations on it - and did suit our needs better. So it seems to me that good, experienced CM sometimes can figure out what kind of GAC we need just based on observation. Now I know that is not true of all disabilities and needs, but for certain conditions it is.

 

[jharrowell]

I know what you mean about asking for these things. It's my 9th trip and I still worry what I'll do if they say no.

But for the most part these fears are unfounded. The CMs are great and after explaining honestly the issues I'm sure you'll have no problems.

Even the one time they gave me the wrong one (that was a heckish day) we went back and explained the issues and it was changed with no problems.

I think you'll be fine.
Which reminds me, I need to find my old one, I'm going back in Sept!

 

[SueM in MN]

After about 8 trips getting GACS (with different accommodations over the years, as DS's needs changed), I still get nervous every trip................................
After we finished discussing my original concern, the CM asked if I had a GAC. I said yes, and she asked to see it. Then she took it and left the window for a minute, and came back with a new GAC. It had different accommodations on it - and did suit our needs better. So it seems to me that good, experienced CM sometimes can figure out what kind of GAC we need just based on observation. Now I know that is not true of all disabilities and needs, but for certain conditions it is.

Even the one time they gave me the wrong one (that was a heckish day) we went back and explained the issues and it was changed with no problems.

Thank you both for posting this.
That's one of the reasons why we don't post a lot of specifics about what specific accomodations to ask for. I know of people in the past who read about specific 'things to ask for' and asked for those specific things. After they came back and posted here about their experiences, there were other 'things' that might have been more helpful.

By explaining your needs/issues, you should be able to get a GAC that will help.
And, as you both pointed out, if you still have issues, take the GAC back and re-explain your issues. They can usually find something that helps better.

 

[Andyjo0930]

I had never asked for a GAC before and I was stressing and trying to figure out how I was going to explain it to them why my son needed it (autism) and I took him with me and all that... and when I got to the window I said I need a GAC card for my son he has autism and was about to go on a rant of why I needed it, and the next thing I know, she is filling it out and asking me our vacation dates and my son's name. No questions, no nothing.... it took less than 2 minutes.

 

[mickeymom1]

robin09, i can totally relate to how you feel. we go to wdw a few times a year and everytime i go to request a gac i have a feeling of extreme anxiety. i don't think that they are not going to give it to me (my son has down syndrome with some other issues, so by looking at him you can see his disability) but i always feel like i am going to start crying when i go to ask for it. to me it is very upsetting to have to explain my son's disabilities and how we need extra help. i know that is silly, but we try to treat him like a regular kid and when you have to walk up to a stranger and explain all of his short comings it is like a big dose of reality for me. i now try to psych myself up by reminding myself that without the card the trip can be very difficult and it is something that helps him and the entire family enjoy the trip. i also found it helpful to bring the old one with me so i didn't feel like i had to say too much.

i am sending & your way!!

hope you enjoy your trip! pam

 

[Bsbllmom]

robin09, i can totally relate to how you feel. we go to wdw a few times a year and everytime i go to request a gac i have a feeling of extreme anxiety. i don't think that they are not going to give it to me (my son has down syndrome with some other issues, so by looking at him you can see his disability) but i always feel like i am going to start crying when i go to ask for it. to me it is very upsetting to have to explain my son's disabilities and how we need extra help. i know that is silly, but we try to treat him like a regular kid and when you have to walk up to a stranger and explain all of his short comings it is like a big dose of reality for me. i now try to psych myself up by reminding myself that without the card the trip can be very difficult and it is something that helps him and the entire family enjoy the trip. i also found it helpful to bring the old one with me so i didn't feel like i had to say too much.

i am sending & your way!!

hope you enjoy your trip! pam

I don't think that feeling ever goes away. When DH goes with us he gets one but when it is just me and the boys I get one for DS2. I always feel nervous when I go in there but I actually just say his diangosis and start to explain and like a pp said they just tell me to hold on and come back with a GAC. So don't be nervouse just go in and get what you need so you and your family can enjoy Disney the way every other person does.

 

[pcparamedics01]

If you have had a GAC before and still have it, bring it with you when you go to Guest Relations.


Great advice. I kept mine for that very reason just to show he had one before.

 

[Bsbllmom]

If you have had a GAC before and still have it, bring it with you when you go to Guest Relations.


Great advice. I kept mine for that very reason just to show he had one before.

That is what my DH does. I did that for my DS this last time.

 

[pcparamedics01]

That is what my DH does. I did that for my DS this last time.

Was it easier for you to show you had one before?

 

[Bsbllmom]

It was a lot easier. I was still a nervous wreck though. Actually for my son we have only gotten the pass a couple of times after we had a couple of problems. My DH always gets one when he goes with us and he always takes his old one but he goes in by himself. He only has one leg though so it is a little more obvious than DS.