Need advice please ...

[mamabear0222]

So my daughter has I guess what is considered a special need but is not visible.
Should I get her a note from the doctor? What exactly should he write in this note?

We do NOT want to abuse the system as I've read about on here however, she does have a kidney condition whereby she must use the bathroom every 30 mins - hour.

What exactly would I tell a CM and does anyone know what they might do?
What if we're in line waiting and she has to go?

Right now in our day to day life, I make sure she goes before we leave to go anywhere, and then stop as needed. But if we're in a que and she has to go then what?

I've never really taken her anywhere that has longer lineups for this fear, but I feel that for her 5th birthday she really needs something special.

 

[tony609]

It is my understanding you do not need to nor should you be asked to provide a doctors note. I also read in another post changes are coming to the GAC program. Have fun on your trip, try to relax.

 

[Piper]

I am not sure how a GAC card could help. It is very difficult to exit a line once you are in it. There is no "front of the line" pass or a way to make waits shorter. I suggest that you have a good touring plan and use fastpass as much as possible. Also, the lines are usually much shorter in the mornings because so many people sleep late on vacations.

Be sure to get a park map when you enter the park and know where all the restrooms are located. Go before you get in line and as soon as you get out. The wait times are posted, so just avoid the longer lines. If you have to leave a line, talk to the CM at the front of the line to see what options are available.

 

[mamabear0222]

Here's my internal dilemma. Say we're waiting in line for something and she needs to go. I've read about posted wait times being 20 mins and then the wait becoming a lot longer. So say we need to leave the line, are bathroom line ups typically a longer wait as well?

Part of me doesn't even want to go, I'm so stressed out about this and worried about her. If she wets herself she is embarrassed at this age as she's 4 1/2 - she will be 5 when we go.

The last thing I want for her is to wet herself because we can't make it to a bathroom on time due to waiting in a line up.

Typically her Dad has taken her to the bathroom up until about 6 months ago since Men's bathrooms have much shorter (if any) waits.

The happiest place on earth may become not so happy for her very quickly.

 

[Phlip]

What time of year are you going?

 

[jimmysmom74]

Being that rules are changing, I can only give advice for the past.
Disney is very sensitive to the needs of children. That being said, I would say that if you explain your needs to the CM in guest relations, they may be able to give you a GAC that allows you to wait in an alternative entrance to the attraction. This may be easier for you to exit if need be for bathroom purposes. I will also say that this may not make your wait any shorter, and may be longer. Although if you are waiting near the exit or another alternative area, reentry to the line may be more accessible and the handicapped waiting areas are slightly more forgiving if you were to run your daughter to the bathroom and your DH was to hold the line spot.
Although technically you cant leave the line and come back. I can't imagine anyone would give you a hard time.
Don't forget to give her plenty of breaks, and try to use a good touring plan and fast passes.
I know that it can be stressful to travel with a disability, but the look on your DD face when she's there will be worth it. Have a great trip.

 

[mamabear0222]

What time of year are you going?

End of Feb, we tried for the least busy time we could schedule

 

[lanejudy]

My DD also has a kidney issue and frequent/urgent bathroom breaks due to the amount of liquid she has to drink in a day. We've found planning is the best solution -- I think there's a copy of the park maps in the FAQ sticky at the top of this forum. Make note of them. Don't pass one without using it, even if you just stopped 30 minutes prior. Use FastPasses whenever you can to cut down on waits. IF you find you need to leave a line, speak with the CM as you leave, they can usually (not always) help you out. But I don't recommend trying to catch back up with the rest of your party in line - others can be pretty nasty about this even for a child. I also come prepared for the worst -- carry a couple of clothing changes in gallon-sized ziploc bags, the soiled clothes replace the clean ones and don't stink up your pack.

You can speak with Guest Relations as well, however we haven't found much help there for this particular issue. Maybe you'll have better luck. Just tell the need, they don't need or want a doctor's note or fancy diagnosis terms. Just how it impacts her within the parks.

I also believe the FAQ sticky has information about how long certain rides are...you'll want to know be aware of these because once on a ride there is no way to get off no matter how urgent her need it.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation!

 

[stitchlovestink]

I am not sure how a GAC card could help. It is very difficult to exit a line once you are in it. There is no "front of the line" pass or a way to make waits shorter. I suggest that you have a good touring plan and use fastpass as much as possible. Also, the lines are usually much shorter in the mornings because so many people sleep late on vacations.

Be sure to get a park map when you enter the park and know where all the restrooms are located. Go before you get in line and as soon as you get out. The wait times are posted, so just avoid the longer lines. If you have to leave a line, talk to the CM at the front of the line to see what options are available.

I disagree...I know guests who have gotten GACs because of bathroom issues so that they can use alternate waiting area/entrances...
BUT only guest services can decide who is eligible to receive a GAC.
That said, there are strong rumors that there are changes coming to the issuance of GACs soon but no one knows at this time what those changes are....
So...on that note... OP, I would go to GS explain your situation to them and see what they have to say. Ultimately, only THEY can decide who is entitled to receive a GAC. Good Luck!!!

 

[mamabear0222]

Being that rules are changing, I can only give advice for the past.
Disney is very sensitive to the needs of children. That being said, I would say that if you explain your needs to the CM in guest relations, they may be able to give you a GAC that allows you to wait in an alternative entrance to the attraction. This may be easier for you to exit if need be for bathroom purposes. I will also say that this may not make your wait any shorter, and may be longer. Although if you are waiting near the exit or another alternative area, reentry to the line may be more accessible and the handicapped waiting areas are slightly more forgiving if you were to run your daughter to the bathroom and your DH was to hold the line spot.
Although technically you cant leave the line and come back. I can't imagine anyone would give you a hard time.
Don't forget to give her plenty of breaks, and try to use a good touring plan and fast passes.
I know that it can be stressful to travel with a disability, but the look on your DD face when she's there will be worth it. Have a great trip.

Thanks, the catch 22 is that with a kidney condition she needs to drink a lot of water and/or electrolytes. Which is a vicious cycle with the bathroom.

I know the trip will be priceless memories, I've saved for 5 yrs for this trip!

 

[mamabear0222]

My DD also has a kidney issue and frequent/urgent bathroom breaks due to the amount of liquid she has to drink in a day. We've found planning is the best solution -- I think there's a copy of the park maps in the FAQ sticky at the top of this forum. Make note of them. Don't pass one without using it, even if you just stopped 30 minutes prior. Use FastPasses whenever you can to cut down on waits. IF you find you need to leave a line, speak with the CM as you leave, they can usually (not always) help you out. But I don't recommend trying to catch back up with the rest of your party in line - others can be pretty nasty about this even for a child. I also come prepared for the worst -- carry a couple of clothing changes in gallon-sized ziploc bags, the soiled clothes replace the clean ones and don't stink up your pack.

You can speak with Guest Relations as well, however we haven't found much help there for this particular issue. Maybe you'll have better luck. Just tell the need, they don't need or want a doctor's note or fancy diagnosis terms. Just how it impacts her within the parks.

I also believe the FAQ sticky has information about how long certain rides are...you'll want to know be aware of these because once on a ride there is no way to get off no matter how urgent her need it.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation!

Thank you for your post. How old is your daughter if you don't mind me asking? I know what you mean about the amount of liquid she has to drink, which results in bathroom breaks all the time!

 

[lanejudy]

Thank you for your post. How old is your daughter if you don't mind me asking? I know what you mean about the amount of liquid she has to drink, which results in bathroom breaks all the time!

She's almost 9 and, like your DD, was 5 on her first visit, and we like to go in late February for low crowds - it's a good time for short lines. DD has a special diet and some other issues in addition to the kidneys. She loves to watch WDW and DCL planning videos here at home - she's already a Disney-fanatic!

 

[mamabear0222]

She's almost 9 and, like your DD, was 5 on her first visit, and we like to go in late February for low crowds - it's a good time for short lines. DD has a special diet and some other issues in addition to the kidneys. She loves to watch WDW and DCL planning videos here at home - she's already a Disney-fanatic!

Did you find it an issue at all? Maybe I'm just overthinking?

Sent from my Samsung S3 using DISBoards

 

[intheshadows]

Also note there are some attractions that last 30 minutes or more that you cannot exit once it begins without causing an e-stop which forces CMs to evac the ride.

For example...

Ellen's Energy Adventure in Epcot
Carousel of Progress in MK
Great Movie Ride in DHS
Safari in AK (this one is closer to 15-17 minutes, but it outside and can be hot)

 

[kirstenb1]

OP, please don't kill me, but as a parent of a child with special needs, I've often found that coming up with other solutions helps me plan for the unexpected. By all means, consider the GAC. But also, would your dd wear pull-ups or the like? Hopefully, she'd not need them at all. But it might help as a "just in case" measure. Our dd didn't potty train till she was nearly 5, so please, no offense meant (and I do know this is different than potty training, but just trying to help).

 

[mamabear0222]

OP, please don't kill me, but as a parent of a child with special needs, I've often found that coming up with other solutions helps me plan for the unexpected. By all means, consider the GAC. But also, would your dd wear pull-ups or the like? Hopefully, she'd not need them at all. But it might help as a "just in case" measure. Our dd didn't potty train till she was nearly 5, so please, no offense meant (and I do know this is different than potty training, but just trying to help).

She is a big girl and will not touch anything resembling a diaper. Thanks for the suggestion however it took her a very long time to be completely trained due to the issue and I do not want her to be set back or think it's a punishment or an embarrassment. She is already very self conscious as when she has to go it needa to be NOW which has resulted in little tiny accidents and she is just beside herself.

I try to explain it's just her body and she did nothing wrong. She doesn't understand.

Sent from my Samsung S3 using DISBoards

 

[mistysue]

Have you tried putting something like a pantiliner or small maxi pad in her underwear? Some of tbe newest generation pads are practically the size of a liner and super absorbant. It may be worth it to find out if that would be ok with her. Then you could make a point of how many women have them "just in case".
Outside of that, I think you are on the right track going while its slow. As other posters have said take note of bathroom locations and follw a good touring plan. Then pack a backup. We had to keep a spare outfit with us until my daughter was 8. I took her a couple of very light material one piece jumpers so they were easy to carry.

 

[mamabear0222]

She can't wear a pad due to being prone to infection. It looks like we may need to just take our chances and if we have to leave the line we will move on and try again another time.

It will just suck that we wait however long only to have to leave. But that is life.

This is a one time trip and likely the only trip we will have there for a very long time.

Sent from my Samsung S3 using DISBoards

 

[livndisney]

She can't wear a pad due to being prone to infection. It looks like we may need to just take our chances and if we have to leave the line we will move on and try again another time.

It will just suck that we wait however long only to have to leave. But that is life.

This is a one time trip and likely the only trip we will have there for a very long time.

Sent from my Samsung S3 using DISBoards

If you do need to leave a line, you can speak to a CM on the way out-they may be able to help you get back in line. Also with a FP they are collected just before you board-so if you need to leave you may be able to come right back.

 

[jimmysmom74]

I know you're stressed, but February is a very crowd manageable time to go. Most lines will be under 30 mins, unless presidents weekend. Don't worry, lines will be short. When you arrive check into the GAC (as I stated earlier, I really think they will be able to help you), but get a good touring plan, utilize FP, and map out all your bathrooms. I really think you will be fine.
I totally agree with you regarding the pull ups and pad ideas. Although well meant, do not compromise DD health or potty training success thus far.
If you miss a ride or two due to bathroom issues, don't worry. There is so much magic, something else will be right around the corner.