JUST got back from DL..autism son did GREAT!

[Zane21]

We just returned from 5 days at DL and CA Adventure. We arrived on Sunday about Noon time...went right to the guest services at Ca Advent to obtain our Guest Assistance Card...we had NO trouble at all. I told the cast member my son (age 10) has high functioning autism....and that was all I needed to say...she reached in a drawer..got a card...stamped a 4 on it (our family size), wrote his name on it, ....and VIOLA!
The pass allowed us to get the help we needed. For Radiator Springs ride...we showed the pass..they gave us a hand written pass to return in about 2hrs....they did tell us that we can only do that ONCE a day as it's a new ride..and they were dealing with FP lines that were really really long. NO PROB. We did the ride just once. It is a SUPER FUN ride....
As far as the rest of our days...getting there at 8am was key...walking on rides was the rule until about 11am..then the crowds appeared...many of the FP lines would be a wait of about 15-20 mins..which was doable..but if you have a child on the spectrum who couldn't wait...summer might not be the best time after about 10am....
My son did bring a fidget with him...a squeezable toy that helps him when he feels a little anxious. He didn't really squeeze it much..but it was always in his pocket...just in case....We usually left the parks by about 3pm..and would head back to swim....my 10yo son is an ealy to bed kid..so he was in bed by 7pm each night...my husband and older son would go over to the parks at night and roamed around....was told by them it was PACKED at night.
I am so grateful to Disney for the help about ride lines....it makes it possible for us to even GO to Disneyland....
Also wanted to add..we got assistance on all rides ..
I repeat..there were NO ISSUES at all.

 

[kylmac]

Glad to hear everything went well! We just got back in June and had a blast-loved Carsland! We do the early entrance due to staying onsite and then come back for a swim later in the day. The GAC works really well out there!
Elizabeth

 

[tambam28]

Hi I am really glad to hear that you had a great time, we are taking our DS 4 who is on the spectrum to Disneyworld in just a few weeks, and the nerves are starting to kick in as to how he will be.
But hearing that Disney are really happy to help has eased them some what.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

We just returned from 5 days at DL and CA Adventure. We arrived on Sunday about Noon time...went right to the guest services at Ca Advent to obtain our Guest Assistance Card...we had NO trouble at all. I told the cast member my son (age 10) has high functioning autism....and that was all I needed to say...she reached in a drawer..got a card...stamped a 4 on it (our family size), wrote his name on it, ....and VIOLA!
The pass allowed us to get the help we needed. For Radiator Springs ride...we showed the pass..they gave us a hand written pass to return in about 2hrs....they did tell us that we can only do that ONCE a day as it's a new ride..and they were dealing with FP lines that were really really long. NO PROB. We did the ride just once. It is a SUPER FUN ride....
As far as the rest of our days...getting there at 8am was key...walking on rides was the rule until about 11am..then the crowds appeared...many of the FP lines would be a wait of about 15-20 mins..which was doable..but if you have a child on the spectrum who couldn't wait...summer might not be the best time after about 10am....
My son did bring a fidget with him...a squeezable toy that helps him when he feels a little anxious. He didn't really squeeze it much..but it was always in his pocket...just in case....We usually left the parks by about 3pm..and would head back to swim....my 10yo son is an ealy to bed kid..so he was in bed by 7pm each night...my husband and older son would go over to the parks at night and roamed around....was told by them it was PACKED at night.
I am so grateful to Disney for the help about ride lines....it makes it possible for us to even GO to Disneyland....
Also wanted to add..we got assistance on all rides ..
I repeat..there were NO ISSUES at all.

It's great that you had such a fun trip. When you got on the non fast pass lines, what were the standby wait times? Were you not told to come back at a certain time and then let on?

 

[babyberger]

So happy you had a great trip! I know the GAC has made a huge difference in our lives when doing to Disney World. Meltdowns are now few are far between at Disney for our Aspie DS. I love the fact that Disney understands that not everyone is the same has this accommodation possible!

 

[WA Kimmi]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am taking DS (17) to DL in September. He is also high functioning and I keep debating whether or not we should get a GAC card. I guess I just wasn't sure how hard it was going to be to get one. So nervous but excited for him. So glad to hear you had a great trip.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

OK so I'll probably get flamed for this but...

I don't like how your GAC was handled. Don't get me wrong, I'm very glad you were able to get one and that it worked out well for you.

 

[aggordon2]

OK so I'll probably get flamed for this but...

I don't like how your GAC was handled. Don't get me wrong, I'm very glad you were able to get one and that it worked out well for you.

No flame here!

I also am a little curious on how the GAC was handled. Just saying he has Autism should not be the deciding factor in getting a GAC. Did you have to explain his needs? Was he present when you went to GS?

 

[SueM in MN]

I am gong to lose this thread because I have to go to work and don't want to moderate a flame war from work.

I can tell you that what is supposed to happen is the Cast Members ask about the needs of the person.
The person that the GAC is being asked for is required to be present; maybe not right up at the desk asking for the cards themselves if they're not able, to but at least in the area so that the CM can see them.

This information is from Guest Relations CMs and also from higher up so I know that it is accurate.
Whether or not that is what happened to the OP is kind of irrelevant at this point; people should be asked and the person should be present.