Guest Assistance Pass questions

[lalasmama]

My daughter has ADHD. While not always obvious, she can have a hard time minding her manners when waiting for something she's anxious about--becoming wild, unable to listen, meltdowns, etc. While she will be medicated while we are at DLR, I'd like to keep the kid meltdowns minor so there's no mommy meltdowns! Along with this, I have MS. This usually just manifests itself in warmer weather (high 70s and above, I get tremors, joint swelling, and easily fatigue). On an earlier thread, someone mentioned checking on a "Guest Assistance Pass" (I think that was the name of it). So, do I need to bring anything "special" when requesting it? Do I need a letter from my (or her) doctor mentioning that we have medical issues that aren't immediately apparent? Or do they just assume you have something if you are asking for it? How does it work--is it a similar idea to fast pass? I hate to make that comparison when I'm talking about an "assistive device" such as this pass, but I can't come up with a better way to ask it! I hate to be treated differently, just as I hate DD to be treated differently, but, I would do anything to make this trip as wonderful and relaxing as I can--for BOTH of us!

Information? Suggestions?

 

[skiingfast]

Go to Guest Services in either park. Ask for a Guest Assitance Card (GAC). The CM will ask what your needs are and fill out the card.

Present the card to CMs at shows and attractions and the CMs will try to accomodate you.

 

[ArchOwl]

You may want to check out this thread over on the disAbilities board:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713

It is post #6 on the thread and gives a lot of good information about what to expect and what a GAC might do for your family.

Have a magical trip!

 

[Malcon10t]

How does it work--is it a similar idea to fast pass? I hate to make that comparison when I'm talking about an "assistive device" such as this pass, but I can't come up with a better way to ask it! I hate to be treated differently, just as I hate DD to be treated differently, but, I would do anything to make this trip as wonderful and relaxing as I can--for BOTH of us!

I would not consider it a fast pass. Depending on what the card option they give you, you likely will be using the HA lines. You will wait the same length of time, sometimes longer, but in a different area. For example, instead of being in the wrapping queue for POTC, you will be in a line that queues along Royal Street. It is less congested, and you will be away from the crowd. They allow 6 "disabled" groups on the ride during a cycle. So, it can be a longer wait, but you are waiting in an area where if she has a meltdown, you can leave easier.

At IASW, you would queue at the handicap line. It is an area that is away from the main line. If she can deal with the crowds, the regular line is usually MUCH shorter.

On a line like Star Tours, you go to the greeter, and they will mark on your card a time to go to the HA line (usually the length of the standby line, but you don't have to wait in a line.)

I have a son who is severely ADHD and a daughter who is mildly autistic, I can understand your worries. That said, I always found the regular queues to be much easier to take them through. There was more to entertain them there than the regular, non-moving, boring HA lines. We have to use the HA lines now (my daughter has a hearing dog) and there are trips I wish we could avoid it.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Agree, it's not always 'faster' or 'better'. When we went with my brother who is not obviously outwardly handicapped (but pretty severely mentally..just not a first glance type of handicap) we were given the card but found that sometimes it was easier and less frustrating for us to just wait in the lines. Again, because the handicap was not apparent, we heard a lot of rude comments. I SERIOUSLY hope this is not the case for you guys, because it was horrible. Hopefully people nowadays are more accommodating about it.

PP had great info! Also, I don't know if there are diet restrictions, but my sister in law always buys those packs of suckers that have like 6 small suckers at disney and gives them to the unruly kiddos in line. Keeps them sorta busy.

 

[MillauFr]

I have a son with Down Syndrome. We get a GAC. We only used it on Peter Pan and Matterhorn. We usually just waited in the lines or got fast passes on the other rides.

 

[Nintfamily]

My kiddos also have disabilities that are not visible. My boys were okay with everything (ADHD and another with major speech problems), but my daughters anxiety and sensory issues were getting to her. She tried things once (except Screamin' California as she said that was 'self-splainitory' lol) and if they were too much she'd go into shut down mode. This made it difficult to take my much more adventurous boys on things. We talked to city hall and they helped us out by explaining rider swap and also going through the line but she got to wait by a CM and 'help'. The CM's were fabulous about this. We only had to do this once or twice on rides that the others of us wanted to ride on and she didn't. If you are worried, be sure to ask, the CM's will direct you in the best way for your situation. I was nervous about asking for some help (I don't like my kids to feel different at all) but was very glad I did.

 

[abouley]

We were just there with our friends who have an autisitic son. It works like a FP on rides where FP is available so other than when you show the CM your card, it's not apparent that you are using a special pass. For rides without FP, you go in the exit typically. As some have said, this isn't always the fastest way to ride the ride though. They use this option on Toy Story Mania, Peter Pan, Matterhorn, Dumbo and Nemo and just tend to stand in line for the other rides like Pirates, Small World, Pinnochio etc.

 

[kiwitravel]

We had one last trip and it was a big help... But like others have said not always necessarily faster...

Definitely faster for Toy Story and Peter Pan, the same as FP for all FP rides and ended up slower for some rides so if the normal line is not too full we didn't use it...

Whilst a definite help I certainly would not have traded it for the lost 4 hours of our holiday waiting in an emergency room that saw us get it...

 

[starshine514]

We were just there with our friends who have an autisitic son. It works like a FP on rides where FP is available so other than when you show the CM your card, it's not apparent that you are using a special pass. For rides without FP, you go in the exit typically. As some have said, this isn't always the fastest way to ride the ride though. They use this option on Toy Story Mania, Peter Pan, Matterhorn, Dumbo and Nemo and just tend to stand in line for the other rides like Pirates, Small World, Pinnochio etc.

I would just like to caution that all GAC are not the same, and accommodation will depend on the problem and what is needed. For example, Toy Story Mania requires people in wheelchairs or ECVs to go through the mainstream line. However, that does not mean that they don't have an 'enter through the exit' accommodation for people with other needs. I guess what I'm saying is - accommodations will vary from person to person, based on the needs presented when the card is issued. So, don't be surprised if you accommodations vary from what is presented by others on this board.

 

[Mama Who]

My daughter has ADHD. While not always obvious, she can have a hard time minding her manners when waiting for something she's anxious about--becoming wild, unable to listen, meltdowns, etc. While she will be medicated while we are at DLR, I'd like to keep the kid meltdowns minor so there's no mommy meltdowns! Along with this, I have MS. This usually just manifests itself in warmer weather (high 70s and above, I get tremors, joint swelling, and easily fatigue). On an earlier thread, someone mentioned checking on a "Guest Assistance Pass" (I think that was the name of it). So, do I need to bring anything "special" when requesting it? Do I need a letter from my (or her) doctor mentioning that we have medical issues that aren't immediately apparent? Or do they just assume you have something if you are asking for it? How does it work--is it a similar idea to fast pass? I hate to make that comparison when I'm talking about an "assistive device" such as this pass, but I can't come up with a better way to ask it! I hate to be treated differently, just as I hate DD to be treated differently, but, I would do anything to make this trip as wonderful and relaxing as I can--for BOTH of us!

Information? Suggestions?

You do not need a note from your doctor. You explain what issues you need accommodated and they stamp the pass with the appropriate information.

Some needs cannot be accommodated by a GAC:

-Mobility/standing issues will be met with a recommendation that you rent a wheelchair or an ECV

-There is not accommodation to avoid waiting

-In our case, we have a mildly ASD/anxiety kid who doesn't cope well with pressing crowds and there is simply nothing they could do for us about Fantasmic. We are going to do the expensive dessert seating next trip because there is no reasonable way for Disney to accommodate his needs in the general area. Sometimes that happens. Disney does an amazing job accommodating everyone they can but sometimes they just can't.

It sounds like what you really need is to make good use of FastPass. Figure out the strategy for getting as many as you can and do other things in between instead of waiting in long standby lines. The board with wait times will be your friend.