Going alone with my sons - one has issues - can I do this or am I crazy?

[anewvance]

I want to take my sons up to Disney for a long weekend. I'll be by myself as dh and my dd's have school and weekend activities. My youngest son is 9 months old and has torticollis, plagiocephaly and a few other facial issues. He wears a helmet and his necked is taped on one side. I will have my 3 1/2 year old, double stroller, the baby and a diaper bag. My son really sweats and gets overheated in his helmet and his neck rashes up from the tape when he sweats and is most comfortable in his stroller, holding him for long periods gets hot and akward and uncomfortable for both us. Are these just stupid excuses from being worried about doing it myself or should I look into maybe the lowest form of the GAC they have just so we could not have to wait out in hot lines or use his stroller as a wheelchair in long lines? I've been there tons of times so I can already think of a number of situations that are overwhelming me that I know the GAC could help me with. Would love opinions. Thanks.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

It seems that you may need to go to Guest Relations to get a GAC. Explain your needs there and they will be able to assist you. If what they give does not work out, you can go back and try again.

Also, you might make sure you are aware of where the first aid and baby care centers are located; they are good places to go for respite.

 

[SueM in MN]

Are these just stupid excuses from being worried about doing it myself or should I look into maybe the lowest form of the GAC they have just so we could not have to wait out in hot lines or use his stroller as a wheelchair in long lines?

I just wanted to clarify that there are not different levels or forms of GACs.
When you explain your needs, the CM adds stamps to the GAC that will help address those needs.
I just finished re-writing the GAC information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, so I hope it is helpful.
Other than that, I agree with Cheshire Figment.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

You can get both of the accommodations you want with the GAC: shaded waiting areas and using the stroller as a wheelchair (meaning you can take it through lines with you). As Sue said, she's just re-written the GAC information in the FAQ, and it's got a lot of useful stuff in there.

There are also various ways of helping your littlest one keep cool. Battery powered fans, a damp wash-cloth and regular breaks in the air-con can all help. There have been a number of threads on keeping cool at Disney in the past, I'll see if I can find some.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[anewvance]

Thanks so much for the help. I did read the faq and got alot of info there, I just didn't know if this particular situation would constitute for a GAC. And thanks for the info on keeping cool! He really sweats in that thing, going to the park is a challange sometimes.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Basically, if the CM can see that you have a valid reason for needing some extra accommodations, they will do what they can to provide them. What you're asking for is completely reasonable and perfectly valid. I can't see them giving you any problems at all; they deal with situations like this every day. If you had a complete freak incident, where you got the one really mean Cast Member in the park who gave you hassle, just politely ask to speak to their manager, to see if he or she can resolve the issue. However, like I said, I'd be extremely surprised if you ran into any resistance at all.

Still can't find that thread on keeping cool. I'll keep looking, though.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

OK, I have been right through my list of subscribed threads and cannot find the one I'm thinking of. Either I'm cracking up (it wouldn't be that surprising), I've somehow missed it or the list has been wiped since that thread.

The tips I can remember are:

Have a wash-cloth in a zip-lock bag, so you can dowse him down regularly with cool water

Get one of those little battery powered fans, and attach it onto the stroller somehow (some come with little clips on them)

Keep him well hydrated

Take lots of breaks in the air-con

Apparently you can get ice-packs with removable caps, so you can just fill them with ice. You can get a cup of ice free at any CS location in the park. Alternatively, you could just put the ice in a zip-lock and wrap a towel around it.

Hope some of these help!

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Those little misters (not the misting fans, but the things you fill with water and pump the bottom of 10-15 times) are excellent, so if your son doesn't have a fear/dislike of water/getting wet, I'd recommend bringing one of those with you. They don't take up much space - I'm sure you could find a little pocket in your diaper bag for it. Even when the water is warm from being outside with you all day, the mist is very cooling like air conditioning! I got mine at Wal-Mart (ask where they are, as it seems every Wal-Mart keeps them in a different section!).

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I think the important thing to do is to SLOW DOWN. Try not to make many ADR's or anything that will force you to rush. IF you feel tense, try to slow down so you don't forget leave anythign behind or something. I'd probably try to take frequent breaks somehow - focus more on shows perhaps than rides.

Also, You don't say if you are on property or not. IF you are not, the parking lot trams are going to be a challenge with two small children and a stroller. If you are on property, the Disney transportation should be okay. Most of the time folks are pretty helpful in my experience. Someone will probably help you with the stroller, for example.

 

[RBguy]

Would a GAC be a good idea for us with a child who has problems with sudden loud noises? What would they do for us?

 

[ireland_nicole]

RB guy;
I could be wrong, but I think the best thing is to avoid those (loud noises)the best you can. For instance, avoid rides that are rated Loud, obviously avoid the Fireworks, and what works well for us are the headphones that hunters use. They go around the ears and help to block a lot of noise, and give my kids a sense of control. I also find a floppy hat helps my kids to feel like their screening out excess stimulus. Sorry if I didn't answer accurately, but that's my experience with 2 mouseketeers w/ mult challenges, incl. ASD and SID.
Nicole

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Would a GAC be a good idea for us with a child who has problems with sudden loud noises? What would they do for us?

A GAC would not provide any assistance for that. I would suggest going to a place like WalMart and buying a pair of hunter's (or shooter's) earmuffs.

I have a niece with an autistic son who has problems with loud noises. These earmuffs help him a lot; he also knows enough now (at age 6) that he will ask for them if he is starting to get auditory overload.