Going next week with a Brain Tumor child ???

[Kirlinale]

I am looking for specific information on the GAC and possibly what has helped others manage WDW with a disabled child.

My daughter who is 4 has an inoperable brain tumor, has completed surgery and chemo and now has some disabilities from the tumor. She can not walk well , but, she can walk but has a very weak/clumbsy gait. She has fatique issues and can't stand for long periods of time. She has intractable partial seizures which she takes 4 medications for as well as occaisionally needs stronger meds like Ativan. She is cognitively impaired as well as developmentally delayed. We often run into problems as she looks so very typical many people don't understand how very A-Typical she is.

We are traveling as a family of Five, Me, My husband and Children ages 9,7,4. My 4 year old BT child will most likely NOT go on many rides, but, it is our intent to use child swap. We have no problem with the regular queues to do the child swap but she WILL have to sit in her Wheelchair Stroller (Mclaren Major) which is larger than a regular stroller. Two of her meds require her to be out of direct sunlight as much as possible and we also want to reduce stress to avoid seizure outbreaks. Our Oncology clinic has written a letter regarding this for us to take with us.

I am FULLY aware that this trip is not going to be 'easy' and don't expect royal treatment. We are not going through MAW as we want her to be older to really be able to articulate her wish when the time comes.. this is mostly a spring break trip for my older kids.

What I see most likely happening is us using FP for most things that we can. Then for the other non FP rides asking if she can wait with us in line in her stroller so we can do a child swap. Since she IS technically in a 'Medical Stroller' and requires us to help her up and in things we would use the Wheelchair entrance for rides SHE will go on. On longer queues where it will be too hot I wonder if I can sit with her somewhere else and have my Husband obtain a child swap for me after waiting and riding with the kids so I don't have to keep her in the hot sun or in a loud enclosed space to long.

Do these requests seem resonable? Do they accomondate such requests? Has anyone experience or things I may want or need to ask for in such a situation?

Thanks very much for your time.
Nicole

 

[debbiemomto4]

Three years ago we went to DW when my ds had just finished chemo on his MAW trip and it was a magical time. Since then we have returned once and going back soon. You go to Guest Services when you enter the park and get a GAC explain all her problems and what she needs to make it a good trip. All those things are things we have gotten on his GAC. I'm not exactly sure how you handle the child swap but probably each ride is different. There are many great rides she can enjoy though! Someone else might come around and let you know how to handle the child swap. Have a great trip!

 

[JenJen]

First of all I am so sorry your daughter has so many medical problems at such a young age. I can not even imagine. I just wanted to let you know is that they are going to ask you what her needs are when you go and get the GAC not diagnoses so please be prepare to explain her needs. When you go with MAW like the poster stated above me they set up a certain GAC for you but in your case from what you have stated her needs are you will most likely get the tag to put on her medical stroller so it can be used in Lines which will allow you to wait in the shade if the lines are in the sun for a long period of time. I know that Disneyland is much more strict about giving out cards (and that is were I go all the time) so maybe with her multipal problems they will give you an alternate entrance stamp at WDW but from what you just stated at Disneyland they would not because her stroller would work for her mobility issues and fatigue so she would be able to sit in a line. If for some reason she can not sit in her stroller in a line you must tell them why. I have a seizure disorder and I have had a few siezures at disneyland and they still require me to get in the line at this time. If you have any questions please PM me and I would love to help you. I really hope you have a wonderful trip.
((((((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))
Jen

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm sorry to hear about your child's problems. WDW sounds like just what you need right now. Here's some pixie dust for a great trip.

If you haven't already read it, please look in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of the board. There is specific information about GACs (some of it is the same as the other posters already put).
You don't need a doctor's letter, and in fact the CMs might not even want to see it, but some people feel more confident asking for a GAC if they have a letter. You explained her needs very well in your post and I agree with the others that what you are asking for is very reasonable accomidation and very "do-able".
There is a recent thread about "Stroller as Wheelchair" stickers - previously that was a stamp on the GAC, which meant you had to show the GAC to each CM in the queue to let them know the stroller was being used as a wheelchair. They are trying a sticker that stays on the stroller to make things easier for both the guests and the CMS.

If you can get to the parks early, that helps a lot, even when the parks are busy. We have been to WDW at Easter time and going to MK at opening, you can do most of the Fantasyland rides without waiting more than a few minutes in linne for each one.
Also, most of the lines are pretty well shaded once you get into the actual lines. Keep in mind that some of the parks don't have a lot of shade while you are going from place to place, so that might actually be more of a problem than the lines are.

 

[disneyobessed]

My 6 yr old son is handicapped with Cerebral Palsy and is a wheelchair/stroller for extended distances. We get the GAC when we go. Not once were we questioned whether is stroller was a wheelchair. In fact when we got off the ride i saw others like his. There are many rides with a handicapped entrance although some are still tricky to get on (Peter Pan is on a conveyer belt along with Haunted Mansion and my husband has to carry my son and get on it while the belt is moving) I do believe they may stop it or slow it down though if needed. The rides that dont have a handicapped entrance, you can get a fast pass for which is what we do. Disney is one of the few places where my son's life is easy. Everything is so accomidating for him.. Best of luck with your trip. YOur daughter is in my prayers...

 

[SueM in MN]

There are many rides with a handicapped entrance although some are still tricky to get on (Peter Pan is on a conveyer belt along with Haunted Mansion and my husband has to carry my son and get on it while the belt is moving) I do believe they may stop it or slow it down though if needed.

AK and MGM are completely Mainstream Lines (which means everyone waits in the same line and there are no handicapped entrances). For some attractions, people with wheelchairs or special needs wait in the regular Mainstream line until the have almost reached the boarding area. At that point, they are pulled off for boarding at the exit if the usual boarding area is not accessible.
Because MK and Epcot are older parks, they do have some attractions that could not be "updated" to Mainstream Access.
There is a past disABILITIES Board thread about boarding rides with moving walkways.
Most of the moving walkways can be slowed or stopped for boarding, but only if you board at the exit.
Peter Pan is one that cannot be stopped. Haunted Mansion can be slowed or come to a complete stop.
It's important for the guest to let the CM know what they need; if the walkway is going too fast, ask for it to be slower. If it needs to be completely stopped, ask. The CMs don't know what individual people need and they are not always able to guess right.

 

[JenJen]

They do at Disneyland too Sue (mainstream) on most of the lines. They ones that don't are mostly in FL. All of the lines in DCA are mainstreamed. Her son must have other needs besides mobility issues and has a alternate entrance card.
At Disneyland if you have a stroller for a wheelchair pass you just wait in the regular line but the pass is just so no one tells you to get out of the line with the stroller. Unless the line is not wheelchair accessable then you would go through a alternate entrance or the exit depending on the ride.

 

[disneyobessed]

Unless the line is not wheelchair accessable then you would go through a alternate entrance or the exit depending on the ride.[/QUOTE]

Yup this what they do at Disney WOrld too. THe pass is used when there is an alternative entrance for handicapped if the regular line inst handicapped acc. for whatever reason, perhaps stairs. Some people mistaken the stroller/wheelchair for a regular stroller b/c my so doesnt look handicapped unitl he tries to walk. We never had a problem using the pass.

 

[SueM in MN]

Her son must have other needs besides mobility issues and has a alternate entrance card.

My DD gets an alternate entrance stamp also because she has many needs besides mobility.

Peter Pan and Haunted Mansion were mentioned and have an alternate entrance for anyone using a wheelchair (not just those who also have an alternate entrance stamped GAC). I wanted to make it clear that not every attraction has an alternate entrance like that. In most cases, someone who has a wheelchair (or wheelchair as stroller) will be using the regular queue until they get to the point where the queue or the boarding is not wheelchair accessible. People with a wheelchair and a GAC will be handled in the way that particular stamp on the GAC is handled for that attraction.

For the OP, if you explain your child's needs in the way you did in your post, you should be able to get what you need to make your child comfortable.

 

[Kirlinale]

Thanks for all the replies. I am kind of nervous about the crowds this time of year. We did go in 2002 (Late April) and it was tolerable except they had an unseasonal heat wave and it was disgustingly hot.

My DD had some the same issues then , though, she was only 4 months old (Seizures, dev delayed, medications .) and I carried her in a baby sling so it was not an issue.

I guess my biggest request for accomondation is really going to be with the child swap. I would hate for DD to spend most of her time in lines for rides that she can not go on as she would do much better resting in the shade. DH , DD and DS would all wait on the regular lines and request Child Swap (we did this before but we all had to wait in line and wasn't a prob as DD was 4 months) but I would prefer to keep her out of the lines to keep her stress at minimum then maybe they can give me a pass that would work just like a child swap if I was in line? . This would mostly occur in the afternoons when she is most seizure prone and also during the times when she still naps in her stroller/wheelchair. Rest is more important to her neurological status then anything so It would be good if we could wait in a shady spot nearby. I suppose I can always ask, worst they can say is 'no'. She is not big on rides so for HER we will mostly stick to 'show' like things and stay away from 'Thrill rides'.

Regarding the MAW .. We thought about going through them, however, This would not really be her wish.. just ours. She is not conginitively age appropriate so she really would not understand 'Wish' right now. Her BT is stable so we should have some time for her to make a wish. We also don't want it to be 'our' wish or benefit from it unless it is her choice so we are winging this on our own. I had thought about contacting them for advice however, I wonder if they would be helpful for our planning.

We will see how it goes, I am concerned but I am pretty laid back.. I am not a "do it all see it all type person", I did get a little scared when I started reading recent threads about unbearable crowds this month.. so that has me a bit 'nervous'. Our hotel is also getting sold out (nickhotel) so that is not encouraging.. so I am starting to 'rethink' this trip.. I thought staying out of Easter weeks I'd be ok.. turns out that most schools had this same thought too.

Thanks again!
Nicole

 

[Kirlinale]

What is the difference between a Stroller as Wheelchair and Alernate entrance stamp?

To tell you the Truth I honestly do not know what is best for her. I do know that we often go to the local theme park here and most of it 'becomes' overwhelming after a while which of course triggers a decline in her neurological stability .

We like for her to do some little things in the mornings but most of the time she 'follows' along with us and either naps or people watches which she is content on doing. She also does not do well in claustrophic environments for long periods (like Elevators or small hallways) or really dark ones . This was triggered by her weekly chemo treatments which lasted for a year and half (she never got used to her port a cath being accessed it was very traumatic).

I realize that everyones needs are quite different. I just don't know what is best. What I *DO* want is for her to have the most comfortable enjoyable experience she can. Her meds often make her dopey and sleepy (especially since we recently added a new seizure med) so I hope we can get her quickly and easily on a few family attractions. I also want the oppertunity to enjoy the attractions with my other children as well so I think the Child Swap option I will try might be our best bet.. because I just don't see her waiting on line after line ..

Can I use Child Swap on a Fast Pass? That way both DH and I can enjoy the attraction with our children .. Last time we had two extra adults so it was not a big issue swapping and Kira was in a carrier so we could easily wait on line with her.

What do you think?
Thanks Nicole

 

[SueM in MN]

We have been to WDW over Spring break for about the last 8 years (had to go when school was out). Several times we have been there actually over Easter.
What we have found is that it get noticeably busier the closer you are to Easter. If you are not going the end of Easter week or the next week, it should be busy, but tolerable. During Spring break, the parks are often open later in the night. A lot of people stay out late and sleep in during the morning hours. If you can get to the parks early, you will find very short lines usually. I can't get my Dd who is disabled up early, but DH has gone at park opening with other members of our party and was able to get thru everything in Fantasyland by 11am without really waiting for anything (DH and I have done the same thing in July, when it is typically busy).
The Disney parks are pretty well provided with shaded spots. If you just pick out one close to a number of attractions, you can sit there with her and be "home base" for the rest of your party.

 

[Kirlinale]

Yes, Getting up early for my DD is a problem as well.. It takes forever to get all her meds in and also she is very seizurey first thing. On a positive note however she has been getting up quite early lately so maybe she 'knows'.

I am wondering if anyone knows just how rough the Safari ride at AK is an whether or not I can put her on my lap?

Thanks,
Nicole

 

[SueM in MN]

What is the difference between a Stroller as Wheelchair and Alernate entrance stamp?

Strollers are not normally allowed in lines. The "Stroller as a Wheelchair" stamp or sticker allows you to bring a stroller into lines and it gets treated just like a wheelchair would for that attraction. That means, you can bring the stoller into the boarding area with you, take your child out to ride and then the stroller will be waiting for you when you get off.
Many attractions are wheelchair accessible thru the regular main queue (called Mainstream Line). There are some older attractions (mostly in MK) that are not Mainstream Line accessible and have a separate place for people using wheelchairs to enter (like Peter Pan).

There are also some attractions that have an alternate entrance. Some of those also have a Mainstream line, so most wheelchair users would just be waiting in the regular line. The alternate entrances are for people with additional needs or needs that an accessible line doesn't meet (like some need a quieter place away from others.
I don't want to get into a lot of discussion about Alternate Entrances on a board that is open to anyone to read. If you want more specifics, please PM me.

To tell you the Truth I honestly do not know what is best for her.

Don't worry, you don't need to know what is best for her. Just explain her needs to the CM and they will give you a GAC that best fits the needs you described. If it turns out not to work for you, you can always go back nto Guest Relations, explain nicely that you still have some needs that it didn't cover and ask the CM what suggestions they may have. If you go in asking for a specific stamp/message on the GAC, you may miss out on one the CM knows about that would actually fit her needs better.

And your last question about the Safari; it can be quite bumpy. You are in a tram driving on simulated rough dirt roads. The front of the tram is smoother than the back, but even the front can be pretty bumpy. There are lots of people with small kids without special needs who hold their children on their laps during the ride. As long as you feel like you can hold her on a bumpy country road, it should be OK. The ride is about 15-20 minutes long, so if you have any concerns about her tolerance for that long of a ride, you may want to send someone else on first.
AK is a good park to go to later in the day. We've found it is very busy early in the day because people think the animals are only active in the morning. Going late, you can still see a large assortment of animals and not have the crowds.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

One thing that can help along with the GAC and with the Child Swap if needed is the Fast Pass system. it helps to quicken waits on the bigger thrill rides that the bigger kids may want to ride. Once you get the tickets you can do things everyone can enjoy then when its time you can get the whole party (in groups if need be) through a lot quicker than just waiting in the standby line. If your youngest wont be riding, still get her a FP with her ticket and then one of the older kids can ride again if you do it in groups so ones not riding alone

Have Fun!

-em