Special Guest assistance pass for Autistic children?

[disneydreamer74]

My DD3 has Asperger's and looooves to go to DLR!! She describes it in much detail when we are not there and plans the next trip immediately after our vacation!! I have been told that Disney offers a special guest assitance pass at Guest Relations??DOes anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!!

 

[pigletforever]

We also have an ASPIE. He is 7 and loves everything Disney. We have done WDW and DL. I found DL to be much more accomadating with their GAC. Just go to the City Hall( and tell them you need a pass for a kid with medical issues). You have to have your child with you or at least where they can be seen. I leave my son outside the door with his dad. It makes everything much easier.

 

[disneydreamer74]

thanks, what does the pass allow? I read that it does allow the stroller to be taken in line for children that cannot stand long or are impatient..but for my DD it is the opposite.. it is an act of God to get her INTO the stroller. She does get very ancy waiting in lines and we CANNOT go the whole day without a hotel/nap break or their will be a meltdown. This is the first I have heard of this pass...

 

[pigletforever]

depending on your needs it varies. Check your inbox. I sent you a message.

 

[LavenderPeach]

It is my understanding that the GAC is for helping with a specific need (like using a stroller as a wheelchair) and not given just because a child has a certain condition. So, you can't go in and say "my child is autistic, what do I get?". You can go and tell them what needs your child has and they will issue a GAC for those needs. I've actually never gotten a GAC even though DS has a lot of medical issues and was recently diagnosed with autism. I've thought about if there was some sort of special need he has that they don't already accomodate and couldn't think of one so we don't get a GAC. Does he get antsy in line? Yes, but it's not so bad that we're not able to stand in line. I'm not implying that others shouldn't get a GAC for kids who are unable to stand in line, just giving an example that every case is different so you have to see what needs your family has. Hope that made sense. You can also get more info on the disabilities thread. It's mostly WDW people but i've gotten some info there that was very helpful to us at DLR.

 

[KPeveler]

check out the disabilities board - there is lots of great information there! i get a GAC for WDW (wheelchair, sensory problems, severe stamina issues, etc),and they were able to give me lots of great info!

 

[glendalais]

It really isn't a "I have X, thus I need Y" thing. Guest Assistance Cards are issued based on the individual needs of the Guest who will be using them.

Their main purpose is to keep the Guest and/or other members of their party from having to repeatedly explain their needs at each and every Attraction they visit. As such, think about what you would need to explain over and over again if you didn't have a GAC and convey that information to the Guest Relations Host or Hostess. They'll be able to go from there.

 

[disneydreamer74]

Thanks everyone! This information was most helpful. I will check the disability boards as well.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry to be kind of late here, but if you want more information about GACs (Guest Assistance Cards), follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Post #6 of that thread is about GACs; it was written about WDW, but GACs are issued in the same way at Disneyland.
Because WDW is newer and larger, there are more accommodations available there than at DL. One of the suggestions people have made for either park is to use a touring plan - like RideMax. Touring plans can help you to be in the least busy places at the least busy times. That helps with waits in line, but also helps you to avoid crowds getting from place to place.