Guest Assistance

[foxxxy83]

My son has Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and I've been advised by Cast Member in Disney Store today that I should use Guest Assistance Card to make the trip easier for him if there are majorly long queues as he has social skills problems and no sense of personal space (among other things)... they said the pass will let us stand in a different area to save any problems and I just wondered if anyone had used the service before?? Thanks!

 

[joolz1910]

We had a GAC for my eldest DD last year and it was very helpful. You are allowed to use the disability access or the fastpass route. For shows the back row is usually reserved. My DD would have missed out on so much if we hadn't had it but instead she was able to enjoy Disney as a family.

 

[foxxxy83]

Thanks Jools! That sounds AWESOME!! Did you have to show evidence of your child's diagnosis or just tell them what their particular needs were?? I'm just trying to account for EVERY possible eventuality as you can imagine because it's just me and my son going.

 

[wilma-bride]

There is a specific board on the DIS for 'DISabilities' which has lots of info about the GAC, and you might find helpful with more specific questions you might have

 

[joolz1910]

Thanks Jools! That sounds AWESOME!! Did you have to show evidence of your child's diagnosis or just tell them what their particular needs were?? I'm just trying to account for EVERY possible eventuality as you can imagine because it's just me and my son going.

I really worried about this, so I had an official letter on NHS headed paper with evidence of my DD's diagnosis. I didn't need it as apparently the USA has a law preventing people from asking for evidence. We just went to City Hall and it was issued for the duration of the visit there and then. I explained what my DD's issues were and the card was given to me.

It was also worth asking for bulkhead seats on the plane, although these are not guaranteed. I honestly believe that without them, my DD would not have flown.

 

[foxxxy83]

Thanks for the advice! Thankfully my son has flown before as I wasn't sure if I could handle him abroad on my own (God that sounds worse than it's meant to!) so I took him to Portugal for a wk last April before I booked this hol as a trial run and he got a bit agitated on take-off but I held him and distracted him so he was calm and no other passengers were upset by the scene as it can be quite upsetting sometimes as a bystander. Manchester Airport have a dedicated team of staff who are trained to make flying fun for children with Autism and similar disabilities (although I've only ever had one bad experience with someone's COMPLETE ignorance when it came to disabilities - there are 4 out of our family of 7 who are disabled) Thanks for all the tips though and the advice about the law there! SERIOUSLY good to know!

 

[darthtatty]

WDW are in the process of changing their GAC policy due to GAC abuse.
Its being changed this month and I haven't seen any updates yet.
They were supposed to be trialling the method that they use at the California park-you are given a time to return to the ride.

As already mentioned, check the DisAbility section of the board as they're likely to have the up to date info.

http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

 

[darthtatty]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3151785

just found this, with more info.

 

[foxxxy83]

That's awesome thanks! Will take his diagnosis report with me anyway to be on the safe side just on the off chance it changed before we go and I don't see any new updates about it. The report outlines all my son's needs and is on NHS letter-headed paper. Would MUCH rather have more documents than I need than get there and not have appropriate documentation!

 

[babyrich]

That's awesome thanks! Will take his diagnosis report with me anyway to be on the safe side just on the off chance it changed before we go and I don't see any new updates about it. The report outlines all my son's needs and is on NHS letter-headed paper. Would MUCH rather have more documents than I need than get there and not have appropriate documentation!

on my last trip I was in City Hall asking a question and I overheard a conversation between Guest and a CM. He was explaining to her his need for a GAC. He kept trying to hand her his doctor's note; but she told him that is would be an invasion of his privacy for her to read that. She told him to just tell her basically what he can and can not do. In his case, standing long time and etc.

So I have the diagnosis just in case something changed; but my guess is they wont look at it. They will listen to your needs and try to accommodate.

Have a great trip.

 

[tinkerpea]

You won't need any sort of note as the US law means that they can not ask for any proof and disney will not look at it,
As a PP mentioned they are looking at changing the way GAC works but it will still be the same principle just they may add in a selected wait time that if its over say 20 mins then you will get a ticket to come back after the wait time,

There not sure when it will get rolled out as it should have been tested already but seems they are running behind in its schedule it may also only work this way for certain disability as different stamps are given out depending on need.

 

[foxxxy83]

Ah right ok, that's cool. I'm sure it'll all be fine and we'll have a FAB trip.. it's just getting really close (only 22 days! Yay!) and I'm going through the whole "have I forgot anything??" mode! Lol!

 

[darthtatty]

I know that feeling.
even though Ive checked everything, as we're driving away I keep thinking Ive forgotten things.

Make use of fastpasses too, im sure youll have a fab time.

I always really worry about it but its not as bad as you thing.
Have a great time.

 

[foxxxy83]

Will do, thanks! I booked last September and since then, it's seemed like a distant dream away from the time when we would actually be going but now it's getting SO close and I've got SO much excitement and nerves rolled into one. I think it's only just dawned on me that we are actually going! Don't ask! It was the same when I was pregnant, I got so caught up in the planning that I only remembered I actually had to give birth when I was in the delivery suite!! Oooops! Heeheehee!

 

[disneyholic family]

WDW are in the process of changing their GAC policy due to GAC abuse.
Its being changed this month and I haven't seen any updates yet.
They were supposed to be trialling the method that they use at the California park-you are given a time to return to the ride.

As already mentioned, check the DisAbility section of the board as they're likely to have the up to date info.

http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

they said the same thing in August.
they haven't changed it yet.

I suspect the change will actually come once the magic bands/ FP+ system is fully implemented. Then it will be possible to put the GAC right onto the person's magic band.
until that time, i doubt they'll change the GAC from what it is now.