Special Needs child

I amErica

Earning My Ears
Joined
Oct 24, 2007
Messages
28
Has anyone ever used a special needs pass? I know I can get one for my son, he has Autism. I was told to bring a note from his doctor to guest services. My question is.. how does the pass work? :confused3 Is it like a fast pass for every ride? Is there a different line? Would we still need to get the fast pass for the rides we want?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.:thumbsup2
 
You may want to post your note over on the disABILITIES! board, you're sure to get some good feedback on the Guest Assistance Card (GAC)....they also have a couple of stickys over there on the GAC.....
 
As a matter of fact, I'm going to move this thread over to the disABILITIES board where you will get many good answers!

Thanks,

Knox
 
You should have posted on the disability board. It is a GAC and no it does not work like a fast pass and you don't need a doctors note, you do need to bring your son with you to guest services. You will need to tell them specifically what your son's need are, example: a quiet place to wait, etc. and they will give you the card which you show to the CMs and they will help you with accomodation.
Go to the Disability board there are fact threads there with more information and other posts by others in your situation.
 

You'll likely get lots of help on this board & the disabilities moderators are even likely to respond to you here -- they're very helpful on many topics on this board, but I'm very sure there's more info there!
 
if you check the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is one whole section about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs) in post #6 and there are some links to threads that should be helpful in post #3.
 
if you check the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is one whole section about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs) in post #6 and there are some links to threads that should be helpful in post #3.
To answer your questions a bit more:
how does the pass work?
As the others mentioned, it's not a pass. It's a card that helps to tell the CMs what sort of assistance you need.
it says right on the card that it is not meant to shorten or eliminate waits in line, but to provide accomodation needed because of a disability.
Is it like a fast pass for every ride?
No. As mentioned in the GAC information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread, how it works at each ride kind of depends. And, even on the same attraction, it might be not be handled the exact same way the next time you come (even on the same day). How it is handled will depend on how busy it is, how many other people with special needs are there at the same time and the space available for waiting.
The CMs will attempt to take care of your child's needs. It just might not always be in the same way.
Is there a different line?
Sometimes there is a quieter space where you can wait. There is usually not a different line (people assume there are 'wheelchair lines' they can use, but most of the attractions/queues are wheelchair accessible, so there are not separate wheelchair lines.
Would we still need to get the fast pass for the rides we want?
Fastpasses work out well for many people because they give a fairly consistent experience - you get in the Fastpass line and in 10-15 minutes you are in the boarding area.
You can send one member of your party to get Fastpasses for everyone in your group. That person needs everyone's park pass to put in the Fastpass machine, but everyone does not need to be present.
 
Definitely read the FAQs and autism is a very broad catergory. Some kids react to sound while others to things they see so when asking for help you should include what the kid's triggers are. Read up on the reports by people with autistic kids. This board has threads that deal with how to deal with an autistic child in the park and tips to make the trip as pleasant as possible.

The GAC is only for the person whom the GAC is issued. This means that mom cannot use the GAC for Space Mountain while dad sets with the kids. The fast pass can sometimes be a shorter line than the disabled wait. Many rides are now mainstreamed so that a disabled guest has to wait in a half hour line just like other guests. At Disneyland it was easier for me to climb stairs and use the fast pass line than to stand in the handicapped line for half an hour.
 
Thanks for all the info. I didn't realize this section was here when I first posted the thread. :confused3
I have since read the FAQ on the GAC and have also read the thread on Autism. Very helpful!!!:cool1:
Lots of great information!!:woohoo:
Thanks again!!:yay:
 





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