How does the GAC work and can you use it for kids with autism?

[bcarson]

I know it is not a skip to the front of the line pass. I wouldn't expect that. But I am just wondering what exactly does it do? We are thinking of taking a trip with my sister and her two boys, who are both autistic. Sometimes they do okay in crowds, sometimes not. We have went with them once before, but they were younger, my parents were also with us and it was in Oct, less crowded probably not as hot. I am also wondering can me, my dh and two kids wait with them? My sister is a single parent and I know she is not going to want to stand seperate in line everytime. Nor or my family and I going to want to seperate everytime for dh or I to go with her? Just looking for the ends and outs of how this works. Thanks.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Go to the top of the disABILITIES page and you will see a FAQ with all sorts of information on how a GAC works.

Basically, the GAC tells us CMs what we need to do to accommodate you. Many children with autism use GACs because it may provide another place to wait that is not as crowded, which can be very helpful. To get a GAC, you go to guest relations at the themepark, and tell them what the issue is and what accommodations you need. They will then issue the appropriate GAC to your situation. A GAC can cover up to 6 people in a party including the person the GAC is meant for. Since the GAC is issued to the individual, there is a possibility to get one for each boy which would allow your party to stay together, but realize that on rides you may still have to separate and may not necessarily get on at exactly the same time since the CMs have specific requirements in how we board guests.

Many families will get one and then only use it if necessary. For instance, if the boys are doing okay, they will wait in the regular line, but if the boys start acting up, they will wait in the alternate area that is less crowded.

 

[SueM in MN]

Besides what Eeyores Butterfly wrote (and what's in the disABILITIES FAQs thread), things that allow you to figure out where it's not busy - like TourGuide Mike - can be even more helpful than a GAC (Guest Assistance Card).
The GAC only helps with attractions, but if it is busy in the park/area you are in, the non-attraction places can be just as overwhelming or problematic. Knowing where the crowds are NOT will let you see more with less stress.

 

[Usandthe4kids]

Maybe we just got lucky. When we used our GAC we only had to wait in line once and that was at the kilamanjaro safari. At that time our son would bother the other guest so much while we were waiting in line that we used it almost everytime.

 

[bookwormde]

What it does really depends on the attraction, the childs needs and the structure of the accommodations for that attraction. Some do not have any formal accommodation but the vast majority of CMs seem to find a way to be helpful even in these situations. This is also true throughout the rest of the WDW parks and resorts when the CMs realize it is a disability issue even without the formality of a GAC.

The waits will sometimes be shorter and sometimes a little longer but the goal is to have an equivalent experience (of course the realization that the wait is shorter may not be acceptable to older spectrum children who have an elevated sense of social justice, like my son).

Since you have been there before I do not have to let you know what a wonderful experience WDW is for our children. Just relax and enjoy and take your cues from the children (as all adults at WDW should do).

bookwormde

 

[Earstou]

I've never gotten a GAC for my ASD ds, but I have used TourGuide Mike. To be able to tour in July without huge crowds was great!

 

[XYSRUS]

We used Fastpasses. They worked great for us. Good luck to you.

 

[busykate]

I always get a GAC, even if it sits in my pocket for most of the trip , it's nice to know I have it when I need it. I tend to use it when there are a lot of little children in line because Dd (23 with autism) freaks out when they don't behave in line (she has an issue with "the rules"). I'm probably one of the only people to use it on Small World because that is the only way we can ride it.

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

I'm probably one of the only people to use it on Small World because that is the only way we can ride it.

we use it there too!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm probably one of the only people to use it on Small World because that is the only way we can ride it.

One thing we noticed on our last 2 trips..........
If you have a wheelchair or ECV, you have no choice but to use the wheelchair accessible entrance. (Small World has a 'pull off point' to go to the exit for boarding because the usual boarding area and the exit are on opposite sides of the water).
If you are using the accessible entrance for other reasons, look at the length of the Standby line and how it is progressing before you go to the accessible entrance. Both times we went on SW this April, the line at the accessible entrance was very long - one time we waited over 20 minutes at the boarding area when people in the regular line were getting on as fast as they could walk from the queue entrance to the boarding area. Some boats were even being sent thru half full because people were not arriving fast enough to fill them. The same thing happened when we were there in October.
Most of us in the handicapped boarding area were in the same situation - we had wheelchairs or ECVs and could only board there. I felt sorry for a few groups who were obviously waiting there because of other special needs (I could see GACs, but they had no mobility devices). They got to a point where they were trapped there, but could see people in the regular line boarding without waiting.
The handicapped line was very crowded, extended out into the first turn of the exit (people who have been there will know what that means, I hope). Once in that line, it's hard to get out because you are in the exit area, there are many ECVs/wheelchairs and the area you are waiting in is chained off.

So, my suggestion for SW is to look at both areas before choosing where to wait if you don't have a wheelchair or ECV. That is also where things like TourGuide Mike help out (or just observing). When we had been by SW earlier in the day, the Standby line had extended almost to where you enter the queue (I don't know how many minutes, but would guess an hour). When we came back, the Standby line was 5 minutes or less. With the exception of a few things like Soarin that are busy the whole day, most attractions have very busy times and times when you can walk right on. Knowing when to go for the 'walk on' can make a big difference in your ability to enjoy yourself.