Going to Disneyland with an Autistic Brother

[DisneyLivesInMe]

We are thinking of going to Disneyland, CA for the first time. My brother has trouble waiting in lines, does anyone know what their policies are on children with Autism?

 

[skiingfast]

You need to go to Guest Services and ask for a Guest Assistance Card, GAC. Tell them your needs and they will fill out the card accordingly.

 

[Malcon10t]

We are thinking of going to Disneyland, CA for the first time. My brother has trouble waiting in lines, does anyone know what their policies are on children with Autism?

It depends on the needs of the child. Generally, they receive a GAC to use the HA access. They will suggest you use FP as much as possible. Otherwise, you will wait in an alternative queue. It isn't shorter, but it is usually less crowded. Your parents will need to take him to City Hall to get the GAC. That line is also long, however, he does need to be there.

 

[Escape2Disney]

We are thinking of going to Disneyland, CA for the first time. My brother has trouble waiting in lines, does anyone know what their policies are on children with Autism?

There aren't specific 'autism' policies since not all autistic people need the same accomodations. GACs are specific to the individual, not the disease.
When you go to guest services, explain the types of accomodations you feel he needs. If they are able to help, they will. Some things they will not be able to do is give you a front of the line pass or make wait times shorter. Sometimes there are alternate waiting areas, but they are rarely shorter than the stand-by lines. Many times they are actually longer.

 

[SA mom]

We have a daughter with autism that also had trouble waiting in lines. We've taken her to Disney World several times and plan to visit Disneyland in June.

We visited some smaller theme parks prior to our Disney trip to learn how to wait in line. We leave plenty of room between us to wiggle in. We take things to do in line like a miniature Barrel Full of Monkeys game. I've seen other parents blow bubbles in line, but I've never done it. Bubble can be intrusive.

We had the doctor write us a letter explaining her disability but we never needed the GAC. The lines at Disney are so much more interesting than anywhere else, that she prefered to wait in the regular line.

Good luck!

 

[Malcon10t]

We leave plenty of room between us to wiggle in. We take things to do in line like a miniature Barrel Full of Monkeys game. I've seen other parents blow bubbles in line, but I've never done it. Bubble can be intrusive.

This was how we always handled my autistic daughter. The regular lines worked better than the HA lines do.

 

[perugiagirl]

My son age 12 also has difficulties waiting in line and we have used the GAC in the past, but we also plan for a big break in the afternoon at our hotel within walking distance. With all the sensory stimulation, my son usually lasts about 3 to 4 hours in the park in the morning, we swim in the afternoon, and then go back to the park. We also really utilize strategies like getting there when the park opens and lines are at their shortest, and really understanding how to get the most of our fastpasses.
The GAC we have been given is an "alternate entry" one that on most rides with FP available, we are just directed to the fastpass line. On other rides, we are directed to the wheelchair line-sort of- sometimes we are asked if we can do stairs in some and shuttled into another line. Although it is not a Front of the the line pass, our experience has been that it has shortened lines for us, with few exceptions.
We have had very positive experiences with Disneyland and their willingness to accommodate for my sons needs. It has been a huge help! We don't use the GAC all the time, but when we need it, it makes our trip doable.
(now if I could only figure how to work WOC, Aladdin, and Fantasmic! without long waits! And without paying an arm and a leg-that is my current dilemma!)
You will find other info on the DISabilities forum on this site.

 

[Minuet888]

my son is autistic and has trouble waiting in lines or being tight crowds of peoople, simply tell them that at City Hall (you need your brother with you at that time) and ask for a Guest Assistance Pass, you will get one and be able to use the "alternative entrance" which is pretty much the fastpass entrance. Where there isn't a fastpass entrance you go in through the exit or where ever the cast member tells you to.
Please keep in mind this is NOT allow you front of the line stuff and does not work for character meet and greets, in that case they ask that one member of your party wait in line then the rest of your party join up when it is time to meet the character.

 

[Canadamomof3]

My son age 12 also has difficulties waiting in line and we have used the GAC in the past, but we also plan for a big break in the afternoon at our hotel within walking distance. With all the sensory stimulation, my son usually lasts about 3 to 4 hours in the park in the morning, we swim in the afternoon, and then go back to the park. We also really utilize strategies like getting there when the park opens and lines are at their shortest, and really understanding how to get the most of our fastpasses.
The GAC we have been given is an "alternate entry" one that on most rides with FP available, we are just directed to the fastpass line. On other rides, we are directed to the wheelchair line-sort of- sometimes we are asked if we can do stairs in some and shuttled into another line. Although it is not a Front of the the line pass, our experience has been that it has shortened lines for us, with few exceptions.
We have had very positive experiences with Disneyland and their willingness to accommodate for my sons needs. It has been a huge help! We don't use the GAC all the time, but when we need it, it makes our trip doable.
(now if I could only figure how to work WOC, Aladdin, and Fantasmic! without long waits! And without paying an arm and a leg-that is my current dilemma!)
You will find other info on the DISabilities forum on this site.

I totally agree about taking breaks - Disneyland rates very high for visual and auditory stimulation, which can be difficult for some autistic kids (my oldest son and my brother are both autistic). We get the GAC and have also found that it almost always substantially cuts down on waits and the alternative wiating areas can really help with the stress related to crowds. Although one of the previous posts said you don't need to have the person with you for guest services this is not true (although they can join you at the last minute if need be). If there are more than 30 people waiting at guest services, the rest of your party probably has time to do a loop on the nearby disneyland railroad or to check out nearby shops.

 

[Mama Who]

(now if I could only figure how to work WOC, Aladdin, and Fantasmic! without long waits! And without paying an arm and a leg-that is my current dilemma!)
You will find other info on the DISabilities forum on this site.

Yeah, we looked at the options for Fantasmic and came to the conclusion that for our family we would pretty much have to do the dessert seating. Spendy, but maybe for a special treat.

For Aladdin, the premium seating might help, and it's free if you book the right package, or there's a thread here with people asking for unused passes. You could put your name on the list.

WOC- geez, I don't think there's even a way to spend money to make that one easier. Maybe someone else has an idea but I'm stumped.

 

[Minuet888]

we have to do the desert seating for Fantasmic as it is easier for our son. As for WOC we are able to sit in the disabled section (you can as well with Fantasmic but the view sucks though), with the GAC card, and Alladin we get in first with the GAC the same as doing the preferred seating.