Is there a point for DS to get a GAC?

[4littleones]

My son has an autism dx. He presented very classic autism in the first year or 2 and now at 4.5 he is doing great. He still has a very hard time waiting his turn for anything and screams 10 times more than his twin sister. He stims non-stop by holding different colored markers or crayons in front of his face but that doesn't bother people waiting in line I assume. I don't think crowds bother my DS, just waiting bothers him.

I am well aware that a GAC does not make the wait shorter in addition we will have 8 people in our party (my very young 4 kids and 4 adults - me, dh, my mom and my MIL) None of the adults want to miss out on going with the kids since this is our first WDW trip, and I know the GAC allows 6 people to go with, not 8.

So really is there a point at all? We are going in late Sept with low crowd levels. We are early risers and plan on getting to parks around rope drop then taking a nap in the afternoon. i feel like I am able to plan pretty well so we avoid really long lines. Also I am used to things being me and 4 kids and at WDW we will have 1 adult per kid,surely we can manage a 20 minute wait with that ratio.

I just don't want my MIL pressuring me into getting my DS a GAC because she thinks it is his right or something. I'd like to be able to logically explain to her that a GAC doesn't fit our needs and we are likely better off w/o it.

 

[KPeveler]

There is no rule which says you must get a GAC on your first day. If you uncomfortable getting one, give the parks a try without it. If you think you need one later, you can get one at any time. Just be sure your son is with you when you get the GAC.

I only use my GAC in WDW for certain rides and situations which I know will cause me problems. If you encounter a problem, you can always go to guest relations and try again with the GAC.

Many posters have said a good touring plan and use of FPs were more help with a GAC.

 

[westonkamom]

Last year was our first time to DW and I actually learned about the GAC card from this board. My son is 10 and was placed on the spectrum in 1st grade with mild Asbergers and Tourette's. He is not on meds, excells in school, is social and popular, but he when he's stressed or tired he becomes extremely impatient, irritable, and his tics (not verbal) start exhibiting themselves. No one can tell my son has any special needs b/c on the outside he's a normal looking kid. I was very nervous about getting the card, but was so glad that I did the 1st day. We went in December when crowds were low, but hot rides like Toy Story, Space Mountain, Aerosmith, and ToT sometimes had waits of over an hour. Rather than stress him out, I chose to use the GAC card when we need it. You do what you're comfortable with, but I would suggest maybe just get it so you have it in case you need it. We didn't go to a single rope drop and went on EVERY single ride at all 4 parks. Also, you can do rider swap and use the card 2 times so that half could go the 1st time w/ your son and the others go the 2nd time with him. Just sharing our experience You do what's best for your family and don't worry about what anyone else thinks!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

A lot of people whose children have autism have posted that what you plan to do works well for them:
- get to the park early
- have a touring plan that helps them be in the least busy park and at attractions with the least wait
- use Fastpasses ( someone else in your party can get the Fastpasses so the children don't need to even see the line until you are ready to get on)

Many of the people who have posted doing those things have used GACs in the past, but found that getting to the park early and using a touring plan actually worked better for them. The reason was that it was more predictable. Using a GAC, you are never 100% sure what the CM will tell you to do. And in some attractions, using a GAC can actually mean a longer wait. We have seen this over and over at places like Small World, where the standby line is posted as about 20 minutes and people are actually pretty much walking right on, while those in the handicap line are waiting 30 minutesor more (Small World is not wheelchair accessible thru the regular line). The same thing happens for the same reason at Spaceship Earth in Epcot. My DD uses a wheelchair, so we have to use that entrance. But we have seen people using GACs to use that entrance without a wheelchair when the standby wait is posted as 5 minutes.

So, one of my biggest pieces of advice is to look at the regular standby line wait time before using a GAC. The wait will often be shorter in the regular Line.

We have been to WDW in September or October the last 5 or 6 years and you are correct that it is low crowds. It should be very doable for you to see a lot with minimal waits.

The one thing that may be helpful to you is to be able to use a stroller in lines, the same as a wheelchair. That would give your son a safe place where he can stim or just get away from outside stimulation.

And, GACs are usually given for a total of 8, but CMs can make exceptions for larger parties. If you had a party of 15, probably not, but they may do a party of 8 with the number of children in your group and that 2 of the adults aare the grandparents.

Finally, you don't need to get a GAC the first day. If you want to try and see how things go without it, that is perfectly fine. You may find that, with the lower crowds and your planning, you don't need one. If you find you do, you can go to Guest Relations and request one at any time in your trip.

If you have not read post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread, that should give you more ideas. The thread is near the top of this board, or you can follow the link inq my signature.

Hope your trip goes great.

 

[kirstenb1]

With classic autism, I'd go ahead and get the GAC. Nothing says you have to use it. But you'd have it if needed. Our younger dd has high functioning autism, and we havent' gotten a GAC for her. But I wouldn't hesitate if that were to change. I hope you guys have a wonderful trip!!

 

[lovethattink]

Whether you decide to get a GAC or not, be sure to have things with you that will decrease his anxiety. My son has a brain lesion which causes him to have sensory issues and seizures. We bring ear muffs to decrease noise, his brush for Wilbarger Brushing, sun glasses or a hat to block out bright light, small flash light if we get stuck on dark attractions, a medical stroller so people don't touch him, gum for stimming, etc.

 

[KrysiaG]

I also have a son with autism. He is 6.5 years.

We went over July 4th week. The first day in WDW for us was 7/3 at MK. We got there at rope drop and actually did not even get a GAC that day. I sort of forgot about it while we were in the mad rush to get back to a few rides after rope drop.

It wasn't until 7/4 - the 4th of July - that we needed it. It DID come in handy. It DEFINITELY helped us tremendously with Aidan. However, like you said - it is only for 6. (We also had a party of 8. 6 in my immediate family and 2 grandparents). We just worked around it. One of us stayed back with my 2.5 year old while the others rode. The lines on 7/4 were VERY VERY long, so it was very stressful for him in certain tight situations (he doesn't like tight spaces).

Best of luck to you! If you are getting there at rope drop AND going in September, you are doing the best!

 

[4littleones]

Thanks, a lot of helpful info.

It does seem like it makes sense to go ahead and get it so I will have it just in case.

I'd love to do the wheel chair as a stroller for DS but with 3 other kids of stroller age it will cause more fights and it just isn't worth it for us, plus we will have two double strollers and no singles. Would they allow a double stroller to be used as wheelchair? It is a rental side by side Baby jogger City Mini (same width as a WC).

--Does anyone know if we can use a double stroller as a

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes, you can get a double stroller tagged as a wheelchair as stroller.