Rider swap for child tall enough but autistic?

[MJ6987]

Hi,
Our daughter is aged 10 and autistic. Due to sensory problems she is unable to ride a lot of attractions, both those with height requirements that she meets and those without, eg Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion and Pirates.

We will get a GAC but will we be able to use Rider Swap on these rides so that me, my wife and our older daughter can ride them, even though height is not the issue? She cannot be left without an adult.

Thanks

 

[1girln3boys]

I've heard many people say that you can't. But when we were there in June we were able to use rider swap for our son. On HM they said we needed to go through the cue but he wouldn't go through it without throwing a fit so the CM gave us one at the front. We also got one for RnR and he's not tall enough to ride. Also ToT and a few others that I can't think of right now.

 

[clanmcculloch]

There's been a lot of talk on a couple other boards about how lately Rider Swap has been getting enforced based on height. Because of that, I'd talk to Guest Relations and see what you should do. Hopefully there's something they can mark on a GAC stating that he can not be left alone and is unable to ride a variety of rides due to his disability (explain what will happen if he rides) and therefore you need something that accomplishes the same type of thing as Rider Swap at many rides including some that do not have height requirements.

If it was only a few rides I'd suggest you do what we do and just split up temporarily and DH and I choose ahead of time which ride each of us gets to do (lucky for us, he doesn't like fast rides so he takes DD to cute stuff that they enjoy doing together). But when you're talking as many attractions as you are, I'd say you really should talk to Guest Relations and see what they can do for you.

 

[Schmeck]

Use your non-riding child's park pass to get a FP, along with all the other family members. Then, first parent and other child ride, using their FPs. When they come out, 2nd parent goes on with other child. You have to get there at the beginning of the FP window, so that the 2nd FPs do not expire before the time frame on the ticket.

 

[MJ6987]

Use your non-riding child's park pass to get a FP, along with all the other family members. Then, first parent and other child ride, using their FPs. When they come out, 2nd parent goes on with other child. You have to get there at the beginning of the FP window, so that the 2nd FPs do not expire before the time frame on the ticket.

The trouble with fast passes is that you can only get them a limited number of times and they are also less flexible now with the enforced return times. Anyway, I have had an answer from the Moms Panel and it looks like we can do what I have suggested so we'll take a print out of this answer just in case! It is great that Disney is so understanding Thanks.

Hi Matthew!* The Guest Assistance Cards are specifically done for the "invisible" issues a guest might have. Your daughter certainly would qualify for this special card. Although it is NOT a front of the line pass it will offer you an alternative waiting area or entrance when possible.* Discuss your needs for the rider switch for the attractions you feel your daughter cannot go on with the cast member on duty*and let them direct you in how to do that. Most attractions will accommodate rider switch issues.* Some will have the guests queue in the singles lines when offered and others will have the second adult wait in a specific area. The purpose is to have guests only have to wait one time when some of their party is unable to enjoy a ride. Sometimes you might need to ask for the cast member in charge of the attraction to get satisfaction but understand that so many of the cast members are summer interns and might not have experience with all the various situations.

 

[crashbb]

The trouble with fast passes is that you can only get them a limited number of times and they are also less flexible now with the enforced return times. Anyway, I have had an answer from the Moms Panel and it looks like we can do what I have suggested so we'll take a print out of this answer just in case! It is great that Disney is so understanding Thanks.

Hi Matthew!* The Guest Assistance Cards are specifically done for the "invisible" issues a guest might have. Your daughter certainly would qualify for this special card. Although it is NOT a front of the line pass it will offer you an alternative waiting area or entrance when possible.* Discuss your needs for the rider switch for the attractions you feel your daughter cannot go on with the cast member on duty*and let them direct you in how to do that. Most attractions will accommodate rider switch issues.* Some will have the guests queue in the singles lines when offered and others will have the second adult wait in a specific area. The purpose is to have guests only have to wait one time when some of their party is unable to enjoy a ride. Sometimes you might need to ask for the cast member in charge of the attraction to get satisfaction but understand that so many of the cast members are summer interns and might not have experience with all the various situations.

Sorry, to say but the mom's panel is often wrong. In this case, there are definitely wrong parts to answer as the description of how the rider switch card is used is off. They do not send people through the single rider line (first, only three rides even have one) - the rider switch card is good for more than one person and these people get to ride together, not something that can happen if they use the single rider line. They also do not make the second rider wait in specific area - the "second adult" is the one with the too short child, does it make any sense to make the small child wait? No. The second adult and the child can go on another ride, get a snack, or play in a nearby playground.

Since that part of the answer it wrong, I wouldn't trust any of the answer.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry, to say but the mom's panel is often wrong. In this case, there are definitely wrong parts to answer as the description of how the rider switch card is used is off. They do not send people through the single rider line (first, only three rides even have one) - the rider switch card is good for more than one person and these people get to ride together, not something that can happen if they use the single rider line. They also do not make the second rider wait in specific area - the "second adult" is the one with the too short child, does it make any sense to make the small child wait? No. The second adult and the child can go on another ride, get a snack, or play in a nearby playground.

Since that part of the answer it wrong, I wouldn't trust any of the answer.

I agree that the Mom's panel is often wrong. There is a disclaimer on the bottom of each page that sys they do not speak for Disney and there is no guarantee that the answer is correct ( kind of paraphrased, but that is the gist of it).

In general, Rider Swap is used for attractions that have height requirements, not ones where some kids might be afraid or people might not want to ride.
One of the maon reasons for the Rider Swap with too short kids is that they don't want to let too small children into the line - there is too much chance of someone trying to get a too short child in and actually ride with them.
People whose children are tall enough to ride have options that people with sma
Ers children don't, including going thru the line and using the chicken exit.
So, I think the discussions about changes in Rider Swap are basically going back to the way it once was.

Also, the Guest Assistance Card is for attractions the person with a disability WANTS/WILL be riding to give them the accommodation they need to be ble to ride it. It's not supposed to be used when the person is not going to be doing, so be prepared to be asked which member of your party is the one with a disability and to be told they must be with you on the attraction to use it.

So, my suggestion would be the same as the other posters - get Fastpasses for each member of your party, including the child who won't be riding. That way, who ever sits out with the child can ride with another person. Or split up and decide no will ride what.
We do both of those and there is no question or problem with them.

While you may be able to get a CM to do what the Mom's Panel person posted, there is no guarantee and no guarantee it will happen even at the same attraction later in the day.

 

[MJ6987]

Thanks. The problem with going thru the line and using the Chicken exit is that my daughter wouldn't even go thru the line as they are sometimes dark (Eg Pirates and Mansion) or she'd be scared we were taking on the ride! And also, it's not that she's "scared" or doesn't want to ride, more like she is terrified due to her condition!

 

[1girln3boys]

Thanks. The problem with going thru the line and using the Chicken exit is that my daughter wouldn't even go thru the line as they are sometimes dark (Eg Pirates and Mansion) or she'd be scared we were taking on the ride! And also, it's not that she's "scared" or doesn't want to ride, more like she is terrified due to her condition!

That's how my son was. We were going to take him through the line and switch out there but he had a melt down and thought we were going to make him ride. So the CM gave us a rider swap pass at the entrance.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks. The problem with going thru the line and using the Chicken exit is that my daughter wouldn't even go thru the line as they are sometimes dark (Eg Pirates and Mansion) or she'd be scared we were taking on the ride! And also, it's not that she's "scared" or doesn't want to ride, more like she is terrified due to her condition!

I meant doesn't want to ride for ny reason, so terrified is covered

Like I mentioned, there is no required accommodation in the ADA to let others ride - the accommodations are for the person with a disability. So, they may or may not help you out.

Rather than ask for Rider Swap, which might muddy the water, I might just go to the CM at the entrance with your DD and GAC, explain the situation and ask what they can do to hlp you.

 

[MJ6987]

I meant doesn't want to ride for ny reason, so terrified is covered

Like I mentioned, there is no required accommodation in the ADA to let others ride - the accommodations are for the person with a disability. So, they may or may not help you out.

Rather than ask for Rider Swap, which might muddy the water, I might just go to the CM at the entrance with your DD and GAC, explain the situation and ask what they can do to hlp you.

Yes, I think that's what I'll do. Hopefully they'll be able to do something most times or we can use FP on some. Thanks!

She'd be quite happy riding Winnie the Pooh and Small World over and over but it gets a bit boring for the rest of us!!

 

[Schmeck]

The trouble with fast passes is that you can only get them a limited number of times and they are also less flexible now with the enforced return times.

Which is true for everyone - you can only get a limited # of FPs, and the times are enforced. By using a GAC to get a rider swap, you are asking for an entitlement that the general public is not given, a violation of ADA.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ6987

The trouble with fast passes is that you can only get them a limited number of times and they are also less flexible now with the enforced return times.

Which is true for everyone - you can only get a limited # of FPs, and the times are enforced. By using a GAC to get a rider swap, you are asking for an entitlement that the general public is not given, a violation of ADA.

Wow!! I think that is a bit of a terse response to state "entitlement". I would think more along the lines of "consideration". That is a more appropriate term IMO.


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[of2dbeach]

This is interesting for me to read this . My son is 19 Autistic/Epileptic. We just came back from Nc, Va, and Washington Dc. He did very well most everywhere. Washinton Dc was a bit rough though with the crouds etc. We gave him Valium before something very stressful prior to trying it. We also had reinforcers for him ( tootsie rolls and gum ) .We only used the valium 3 times during an entire week . I have been using a behavior therapist to help him get used to climbing stairs and using elevators before the trip. this helped him out alot. When he gets freaked out he will either drop to the ground and yell "OH NO!! " or try and run off yelling "Help Me!! Help Me " ( always fun to exsplain to security lol ) I wouldnt push her , Maybe let her pick something while the others do there thing. Yes riding Pooh a zillion times isnt Moms idea of a fun day but far better then dealing with a melt down in the park. One time we took the Monorail ( with much begging to get him on it ) to the Contemporary. We went down stairs to the game room and he was happy as a clam to lay on the bean bag chairs watching Disney classics on the big screen tv. I also met a teacher who taught Autism Sometimes we need to take there lead and follow there cues to have a sucseful trip. if you think she needs a little meds to keep her calm Ask the doc before hand and do a trial run at home to see how she does with it. Mike is 19 and 5'8 so hes a big guy compared to me. Just some ideas to pass along . He dosent enjoy Disney anymore so we might try Universal and he is a HUGE Dr.Seuss fan but then again I can see myself in the Barney area with him I hope you have a great trip if you need more help feel free to message me

 

[hastingsmom]

My son has epilepsy (and a service dog), so we have always been able to use rider swap so that an adult can stay with my son/dog. He is 11, but has sensory issues due to some lighting that can trigger seizures. Get a GAC and explain your situation to the CM at the front of the line. We've never had any problems.
Best of luck!

 

[bookwormde]

Historically for parks ADA has focused on attractions, and for the attraction since the child "does not want" to ride the right does not transfer to the parent.
Over time the actual broader term accommodation is being interpreted more holistically to include not only transportation, lodging and individual attractions, but to cover all aspects of a commercial venture which provide "value", including food venues, shopping, and in the broadest sense overall ability to enjoy the accommodations as equivalently as a non disabled individual such as overall enjoyment of a park or resort inclusive of the family or group the disabled individual is with.
The question becomes does the individuals disability have such an impact that in its limitation it impedes the benefit and value to the family to the point that is would have a detrimental impact on the individual with a disability, and then is there are reasonable accommodation that would mitigate this.
Obviously a very gray area, but from my experience WDW has always erred on the side of trying to provide the best experience possible for families of children with disabilities, so are likely to allow this minimal accommodation, especially since it is already an in place accommodation for safety.

 

[Schmeck]

Wow!! I think that is a bit of a terse response to state "entitlement". I would think more along the lines of "consideration". That is a more appropriate term IMO.


Posted from Disney Forums Reader for Android

The wording of ADA uses discrimination, so entitlement would be the proper wordage. There are no 'considerations' in ADA.

 

[Schmeck]

This is interesting for me to read this . My son is 19 Autistic/Epileptic. We just came back from Nc, Va, and Washington Dc. He did very well most everywhere. Washinton Dc was a bit rough though with the crouds etc. We gave him Valium before something very stressful prior to trying it. We also had reinforcers for him ( tootsie rolls and gum ) .We only used the valium 3 times during an entire week . I have been using a behavior therapist to help him get used to climbing stairs and using elevators before the trip. this helped him out alot. When he gets freaked out he will either drop to the ground and yell "OH NO!! " or try and run off yelling "Help Me!! Help Me " ( always fun to exsplain to security lol ) I wouldnt push her , Maybe let her pick something while the others do there thing. Yes riding Pooh a zillion times isnt Moms idea of a fun day but far better then dealing with a melt down in the park. One time we took the Monorail ( with much begging to get him on it ) to the Contemporary. We went down stairs to the game room and he was happy as a clam to lay on the bean bag chairs watching Disney classics on the big screen tv. I also met a teacher who taught Autism Sometimes we need to take there lead and follow there cues to have a sucseful trip. if you think she needs a little meds to keep her calm Ask the doc before hand and do a trial run at home to see how she does with it. Mike is 19 and 5'8 so hes a big guy compared to me. Just some ideas to pass along . He dosent enjoy Disney anymore so we might try Universal and he is a HUGE Dr.Seuss fan but then again I can see myself in the Barney area with him I hope you have a great trip if you need more help feel free to message me

At Universal, note that at least one attraction (Pteranodon Flyers) has a reverse height requirement. You must have a kid with you to ride.

 

[of2dbeach]

At Universal, note that at least one attraction (Pteranodon Flyers) has a reverse height requirement. You must have a kid with you to ride.

I didnt realize this but thanks for letting me know