There is a LOT more information about GACs in the disABILITIES FAQs thread . Cheshire Figment gave details on how to find the information.
Can we go to guest relations at any park?
Yes
Our first park will be Animal Kingdom, will the card be good at all of the parks or do we have to go to guest relations for every park?
The GAC you obtain in on Theme Park will be valid in all the theme parks, but not in the water parks.
Has anyone ever used one? How do they work?
Yes. Lots of people on this board have used them.
There is not one specific card that works one specific way on each attraction. Exactly how the card works depends on the needs the person has and also what is available at the individual attraction. Sometime, the same GAC will work a little differently if you go back to an attraction later in the day - that would be because of things you can't see, like staffing, how many other people with special needs are waiting, etc.
What should we say to obtain a GAC for our nephew?
No one can tell you what to say because everyone, even with the same diagnosis may have very different needs. You explain what sorts of difficulties/needs your nephew has to the CMs in Guest Relations and they will give you a GAC stamped with messages that should help meet those needs.
We do have a note from his physcian is that enough?
You don't
need a doctor's note. If it makes you feel more comfortable to have one, it's fine, but be prepared that the CMs may not want to look at it.
Is having a GAC helpful or should we forego? Thanks...sorry for all the questions...we just want to get this right...
It may or may not be helpful. A lot depends on how busy it is when you go. If you are going at a time when it's not busy, the GAC may not help all that much.
Since the GAC only provides assistance in lines/attractions, just having a GAC may not help that much if you are in a park that is very busy. Knowing which attractions are busy and when can be much more helpful so you can plan to be in the places that are not busy. Services like TOur Guide Mike (a Theme Parks Boards Sponsor - there's a link to his website on that board) can help you figure that out and might be even more helpful than a GAC.
Regarding WDW, could someone PM me and explain to me how the GAC card could help our trip with my son. I understand completely not disclosing this info in a public forum.
We're still trying to identify his issues, that I would have no idea how to describe to someone what assistance I would need - I don't really know what's offered to a special needs child. (Which I'm getting used to saying, that was a huge issue for us to admit we have a special needs child. But I'm now at the place where I feel I don't have to defend him, just makes sure he has the best of whatever he needs.)
Thanks,
Mare
if you haven't checked out the disABILITIES FAQs thread yet, the section about GACs should be helpful to you.
You don't need to know what is offered - you just have to try to explain his needs and the CMs will figure out what they can offer that might help. Don't worry that you don't understand all of them yet or that you have not been to WDW yet; think about situations where he has had to wait in crowded places (like Christmas shopping) and how he reacts. If the GAC that they give you doesn't seem to meet his needs, you can always go back to Guest Relations and explain what happened and what didn't work for you.
You might also want to look into TourGuide Mike that I mentioned above. If your child has problems in new situations/crowds, TourGuide Mike's service will help you avoid those.
We are going to be traveling with our nephew in June. It will be his first time in Disney. He has aspergers' syndrome. We have read some info on GAC and feel it may be helpful as he becomes easily agitated with crowds and he can also be disturbing for others around him who aren't aware of his condition. We know that we have to go to guest relations. Can we go to guest relations at any park? Our first park will be Animal Kingdom, will the card be good at all of the parks or do we have to go to guest relations for every park? Has anyone ever used one? How do they work? What should we say to obtain a GAC for our nephew? We do have a note from his physcian is that enough? Is having a GAC helpful or should we forego? Thanks...sorry for all the questions...we just want to get this right...
to disABILITIES!
