Letter from Dr.

[Emmabean2000]

Our son has been diagnosed with PDD/NOS. We have managed to have several outstanding trips to DW, thanks in large part to our ability to obtain a Guest Assistance Pass. Our last trip was in January of 07, and we are planning another trip in early 2008. My question is, we have a letter from his Dr. dated December 2006, explaining his special needs and reasons for needing the Guest Assistance Pass. Will a letter from December 2006 be sufficient to have, or should we try to obtain a new letter? Normally, this would not be a problem, but the Dr. that diagnosed him is VERY VERY slow at responding to such requests, as you practically have to camp out on his doorstep for a week to get anything in writing. And with the holidays, it will be even more difficult! Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Lou-Ann]

Frankly I do not think the date will matter. He is not expected to get better over night and Disney is not the police. They should accept it at face value as they are in the people pleasing business. Have fun....

 

[Selket]

A doctor's note is not required or asked for to get a GAC - I think most times the CM's don't even want to see it.

If you have the old GAC and/or the old Dr's letter you could just bring that. Otherwise you can tell the CM directly what your child's needs are and what worked well last time. You child needs to be with you to get the GAC.

Have a great trip!

 

[Emmabean2000]

Thanks!

 

[mechurchlady]

The date does not matter unless it was short term. The doctor's note is only useful as a form of clout when you do not get something you need like you arrive at your hotel and find out something was not done that is necesarry to accommodate a disability. I have been going to Disney parks since about 1960 and have never, that I can recall, had to prove my disabilities. WDW will never ask you for proof of your disability nor can they legally.

 

[PatMcDuck]

It was explained to me like this, Disney does not want/need to know the details of your medical problem. Just tell them exactly what help you need from them. For example, my daughter has Juvenile Dermatomysotis. They do not need to know all about how the sun is so dangerous to her, and how it triggers a flareup, and how dangerous a flare can be, etc. They need to hear, the sun can make my child sick, so "I need a GAC to provide a place to wait online out of the sun, when this is available".

 

[SueM in MN]

As was already mentioned, a letter is not necessary to get a Guest Assistance Card.
You might also want to check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread for more information about GACs.

Also, this may seem to be a minor difference, but I want to point out it is a Guest Assistance Card, not a Guest Assistance Pass. It used to be called a 'Pass", but many people assumed that meant they would have immediate access. The name was changed in 1999 or 2000 to better reflect what it is - a card that tells the CMs what sort of assistance you need.

 

[mma800]

We used our June 07 letter for WDW at that time and also in Nov. at Disneyland (unexpected sidetrip after Thanksgiving with the cousins) I also had the June GAC with me to show the CM.

I did get a new letter from our frustratingly slow Neuropsych for our next trip in 2 weeks.

2 of my 3 kids have PDD/NOS. GAC is a lifesaver at certain attractions. They are slowly learning some patience.

My advice is to save the letters and old GAC's if you can.

Good luck!