guest assistance pass for autistic son

[ez]

we will be there in a few days and I would like to get a guest assistance pass for my autistic son, maybe you can help me with what I need to say and ask for. Do I need to bring medical documentation? My son would need to wait in an alternate waiting area rather than the regular line, also he would need to be allowed to wait in his stroller (even though he is almost 7 we still use a stroller) he would be able to get on a ride without the stroller but cannot stand in one place to wait and he is too big for us to hold him. Anything else that I am not considering? We do not plan on staying at the parks for very long, but it would be nice if he could experience a couple of things...thanks!

 

[CamdenScott4]

We are also taking our ASD daughter to MK in April and are interested in this advice. Great question! Our 7 yr old is high functioning so we plan to use midday breaks and good strategies to avoid using GAC as much as possible. But would like to have one handy if needed. We do have documentation from our Dev Ped for both MK and US/IOA to help decide what is our best plan. We want to be good neighbors while we are there so we are torn what approach to use. 1) Use the GAC for alternative lines and get the glares/stares/insults or 2) stand in line and let the ASD meltdown begin and get the glares/stares/parenting advice?

 

[SueM in MN]

I only have a fewminutes right now, so I'm going to suggest you check post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. That post is all about GACs and should answer most of your questions. You can fond that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

 

[fitzpa]

You do not need a letter. Your child need to be present when you ask for the GAC. I also ask for the red long sticker that says "stroller as a wheelchair". It helps with newer CM's and the public too. As for the stares, you get them either way, so you might as well let your child enjoy what they can do and not make them suffer.

 

[ccgirl]

we will be there in a few days and I would like to get a guest assistance pass for my autistic son, maybe you can help me with what I need to say and ask for. Do I need to bring medical documentation? My son would need to wait in an alternate waiting area rather than the regular line, also he would need to be allowed to wait in his stroller (even though he is almost 7 we still use a stroller) he would be able to get on a ride without the stroller but cannot stand in one place to wait and he is too big for us to hold him. Anything else that I am not considering? We do not plan on staying at the parks for very long, but it would be nice if he could experience a couple of things...thanks!

If you plan on using a stroller, I would get the stroller as a wheelchair pass. This is also beneficial if you plan on eating at Sunshine Seasons as strollers are not allowed in there. The pass will allow your son to remain in his stroller in the line does like a wheelchair.

As far as documentation, they cannot and will not look at letters from MD's. Simply state what needs your son has. You do not need to state what type of disability this is.

Please view the sticky though. I have heard from some people that were surprised when the GAC did not get get them to the front of the lines. Not saying that was your intention at all. That sticky has some great information in it.

Have fun!

 

[KPeveler]

Please view the sticky though. I have heard from some people that were surprised when the GAC did not get get them to the front of the lines. Not saying that was your intention at all. That sticky has some great information in it.

Have fun!

In fact, the lines that DO have an alternate waiting area (not all do), often will have a longer line than the regular standby line. Also, sometimes the alternate waiting area gets just as crowded as the standby line.

GACs are not designed to shorten wait times, so plan on waiting at least as long as the standby time when you go. For example, last time at Jungle Cruise, I ended up waiting 45 minutes instead of the 10 minute standby time because there were a lot of people with wheelchairs (and if you use the stroller, it will count as a wheelchair in this case) in front of me.

A lot of rides have a limit as to how many wheelchair users can be on at a time. CMs don't really care how well you walk, if you show up in a wheelchair, it counts. Most Fantasyland rides, that number will be 1. This means if there are 3 people with wheelchairs in front of you, you have to wait for the ride to cycle 4 times before you get on.

You are going at a VERY popular time, so do the best you can with fastpasses, and realize that you will likely not get everything you want done. A GAC will help, but a touring plan may help more.

GACs will not work for buses, restaurants, stores, character lines, parades, street shows, or fireworks. When he is on the bus, you will have to fold the stroller and have him sit in a regular seat, just like any stroller.

Hope some of this info helps!

 

[sharadoc]

We are also taking our ASD daughter to MK in April and are interested in this advice. Great question! Our 7 yr old is high functioning so we plan to use midday breaks and good strategies to avoid using GAC as much as possible. But would like to have one handy if needed. We do have documentation from our Dev Ped for both MK and US/IOA to help decide what is our best plan. We want to be good neighbors while we are there so we are torn what approach to use. 1) Use the GAC for alternative lines and get the glares/stares/insults or 2) stand in line and let the ASD meltdown begin and get the glares/stares/parenting advice?

Stares and insults? Only if you're in a scooter, LOL.

Actually, we have gotten a GAC for our ASD son on every trip. I honestly don't recall stares or insults, although I don't watch what other people are doing, so maybe it's happening and I don't care. Then again, he likes to rock, stim in front of his eyes and sing or make noises when he's waiting in line, so there are probably people who prefer that he not wait in line with them.

Disney is wonderful for kids with ASD. Definitely get the GAC, show it to the greeting cast member at each ride or attraction and they will tell you what to do. It is very helpful for us and hope it will be for you too.

 

[JennyG]

we will be there in a few days and I would like to get a guest assistance pass for my autistic son, maybe you can help me with what I need to say and ask for. Do I need to bring medical documentation? My son would need to wait in an alternate waiting area rather than the regular line, also he would need to be allowed to wait in his stroller (even though he is almost 7 we still use a stroller) he would be able to get on a ride without the stroller but cannot stand in one place to wait and he is too big for us to hold him. Anything else that I am not considering? We do not plan on staying at the parks for very long, but it would be nice if he could experience a couple of things...thanks!

We did this very same thing with our son in October. The GAC and "Stroller and Wheel Chair" sticker really helped make our trip easier! I highly recommend it. You may still have to wait a bit for some rides, but like you said it will be in a less congested area. CMs are super nice and understanding. Just make sure to put your sticker someplace they can all see. Maybe ask for two stickers, one for each side of the stroller. Other then that it sounds like you have your ducks in a row!

Have a fabo time!!!

 

[lucigo]

We just returned today, and I used a GAC for my 7-yo with autism. We recently began using the stroller as a wheelchair (in Feb and then again this trip) and it really has saved our vacation. The parks were VERY crowded this week and the stroller provides him with a safe place, his "cave". We had problems with ride anxiety, where my son would go on a ride and appear to be enjoying it, but then when it was over he would bolt. Now that we have the stroller waiting at the end of the ride he is much calmer getting off the ride and going to his little personal cave.

Incidentally, we have also found that taking video of the ride and letting him watch it (on my phone) right after the ride helps him to process it...and...wearing hearing protector ear muffs makes the rides much more pleasant for him.

 

[hsmamainva]

You don't need a letter to receive a GAC.

My 9 year old daughter has autism and we went to the guest relations "office" at Epcot. Of course, she had a meltdown while waiting for the GAC, so I didn't need to explain how she has trouble waiting in lines! They could see it for themselves.

They asked how many were in our party (6) and how long we were staying and we were all placed on one card.

She doesn't use a stroller, so I can't help with that part, but the CMs were wonderful with her GAC. We only used it a few times -- but it was invaluable when she wanted to see Mickey & Minnie and have her picture taken, and the line had a 40-minute wait ... and again when we went to see Turtle Talk with Crush -- we were able to wait in a special room with those guests in wheelchairs and enter the room before those who were waiting in line. We still had to wait to enter .. probably around 15 minutes or so ... but we were waiting with 10-15 people vs 75-100 people.

Every individual with autism is different and I explained to each CM that my daughter doesn't have an issue with waiting as much as she does with crowds. If we can wait apart from everyone else, she does fine with that. She doesn't like being surrounded by people.

 

[akl432]

You don't need a letter to receive a GAC.

My 9 year old daughter has autism and we went to the guest relations "office" at Epcot. Of course, she had a meltdown while waiting for the GAC, so I didn't need to explain how she has trouble waiting in lines! They could see it for themselves.

They asked how many were in our party (6) and how long we were staying and we were all placed on one card.

She doesn't use a stroller, so I can't help with that part, but the CMs were wonderful with her GAC. We only used it a few times -- but it was invaluable when she wanted to see Mickey & Minnie and have her picture taken, and the line had a 40-minute wait ... and again when we went to see Turtle Talk with Crush -- we were able to wait in a special room with those guests in wheelchairs and enter the room before those who were waiting in line. We still had to wait to enter ..... but we were waiting with 10-15 people vs 75-100 people.

Every individual with autism is different and I explained to each CM that my daughter doesn't have an issue with waiting as much as she does with crowds. If we can wait apart from everyone else, she does fine with that. She doesn't like being surrounded by people.

I thought the GAC is not valid for character lines?

 

[SueM in MN]

I thought the GAC is not valid for character lines?

It is not used for the outdoor character lines - even the permanent locations like at Camp Mickey-Minnie. We saw someone try to use theirs at Mickey’s station at Camp Mickey Minnie last October. They were told in no uncertain terms that it was not allowed - the people sort of barged in to see Mickey anyway thru the exit. The kids had already run up to see Mickey when the CM spoke with the adults. After they left, we heard an interesting conversation between the CM manager for the area sending out sort of a broadcast message to the other character handlers in the area alerting them to this family.

For some permanent character areas, there may be some accommodations available. Last year in March and again in October, we used DD’s GAC for a quieter waiting spot for the Fairies in Toontown (which has now been torn down). The posted wait was 30 minutes and we were told our wait would be that long. We were given a ticket with a number on it and allowed to wait in a seating area near the exit to the Fairies and Princesses. It was much less crowded and much easier for us to wait there. But, no faster.

 

[hsmamainva]

For some permanent character areas, there may be some accommodations available. Last year in March and again in October, we used DD’s GAC for a quieter waiting spot for the Fairies in Toontown (which has now been torn down). The posted wait was 30 minutes and we were told our wait would be that long. We were given a ticket with a number on it and allowed to wait in a seating area near the exit to the Fairies and Princesses. It was much less crowded and much easier for us to wait there. But, no faster.

That's exactly how we used the GAC for our daughter!!

It worked out great! So for a child who had trouble waiting period, this option may not be any better for you, but for my daughter, who doesn't mind waiting, but is upset by crowds, it was a terrific option.

I wonder how it will work now that Toontown was taken down??