Still deliberating on GAC

[halssister]

Leaving in 9 days now and I'm still undecided if we should get a GAC or not. DS9 has autism and really won't ride many rides, though he's expressed a "possible" interest in the teacups and Soarin'. Hoping to get him on a couple others but we'll have to see. Planning on getting a FP for Soarin' right away, and probably won't wait in any ride lines if they seem TOO long. His main problem is not being able to wait in a line without being disruptive. He can NOT stand still for long. He'll be jumping and bouncing and crashing into people and really bothering them. We would mostly be doing shows, and I don't know what the lines for these are like and if there's a separate area we could wait in for these if we have a GAC. A friend who went in May said they were able to use their GAC (son has very similar issues) for the shows too, so they didn't have to wait in the main lines and could just go in ahead of time, but I've read differently on here If we decide to just get one "just in case", do we just get it at the first park on our first day and carry it the whole trip, or is it something we need to get one each day at whatever park we're at?

Also, I am concerned with DS's anxiety that he may get to the front of the line and decide he's not ready to ride yet. Does anyone have experience knowing if we'd be able to step aside and wait a bit longer until he does feel comfortable getting on, rather than having to just leave and then get back into line if he decides he DOES want to ride? He is the type to say a firm NO to something and a minute later decide that it's a yes, and I just don't want that to be a huge issue (my other reason for thinking maybe a GAC would be best, maybe they'd be more understanding about it with one?) Any thoughts?

 

[Holoshed]

Well let me start off first by saying that there is no reason you should NOT get a GAC, you almost always have a very short wait to speak to someone at the MK (the one I use) guest relations building and you explain your "needs" which means no need to get into diagnoses since they only care what they can do to assist you and your family.

Personally I am only a "self titled semi expert" on using a cart at wdw with a GAC but from the sounds of it you could go with a GAC. It is pretty much the best for avoiding a lot of the issues with lines and crowds, its not an "easy in" so to speak, but it will help you. It takes you out of the MAIN queues and its almost always quieter and less crowded. Now some rides like Peter Pan and even the Haunted Mansion (well you may have to insist you enter from the back if they try to make you use the "handicapped accessible" first part of that line, but I usually just go up to the chain straight ahead if you keep following where people come exit off the attraction). In all truth you will find all sorts of different ways it is handled but 95% of the time, it is quieter and less stress.

It all breaks down into, tell them your needs, even tell them that you just need an alternate less busy place or queue to wait in.

There is also a "quiet place to wait" option I hear talked about, but I dont know anything on how it works or how it is treated.

You just need to keep your red card out to show them as you approach. They are trained to spot it fairly well so dont hide it.

There is nothing to be ashamed about, and of course I have to add as a disclaimer for me (not directed at you at all, but it helps cut down on me being yelled at), I do not advocate ever using the pass as a backdoor unless it is needed, so when I say what I do its only from personal experience.

You never have to worry or think about what other people will do or think because you and your families peace of mind is what Disney is always out to achieve and I actually admire you for trying to look out for not just your little one but also the other guests by working out a way where everyone is the least stressed. Go for the GAC, use it, see how you feel and if you dont mind a quizzical look from some people then you will be ok.

As for whether you will need to get off because of anxiety from the little ones, there is always a "chicken exit" as its called and pretty much exit doors all around the queues. You can also ask the cast member when entering how you should exit the queue if needed. They are there to help you and like I said, to them "you are all that matters" and its one of the reasons so many people love Disney!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Get a GAC, you don't necessarily have to use it, we find if we can queue like other people do then that works fine and increases our son's patience levels, also it just means you are doing what everyone else is.

Better to have a GAC and not need it, than not have one and need it.

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

IA with the PP. Get it in case you need it, but you don't have to use it every ride. Also there is no set way on how they will accomidate your card while you are there. We went over spring break and rode some fo the rides multiple times over the course fo the week and some of CM had us do totally different things from the Cm before them. We learned to just directly approach the CM at the line and ask politely where they would like you to go. Most are very helpful and if you don't give them an entitled attitude a lot of times they are more helpful than they have to be.

 

[halssister]

As for whether you will need to get off because of anxiety from the little ones, there is always a "chicken exit" as its called and pretty much exit doors all around the queues. You can also ask the cast member when entering how you should exit the queue if needed. They are there to help you and like I said, to them "you are all that matters" and its one of the reasons so many people love Disney!

I do know about the "chicken exit", I guess I'm thinking more if he just needs a little more time to get himself geared up to ride, I wouldn't want to go to the back of the line and start all over. If that makes sense! I just picture us waiting 15-20 minutes and it's our turn to board, and him deciding that he doesn't want to get on yet......I hope in that case we could maybe hang back and let other people ahead of us but still keep our place in line so that next time, we could get on, if he decides he's ready. I guess that just comes down to talking to the CM, and having the GAC would make me feel more "legitimate" about asking, I think.

So I do just have to get the card ONCE and carry it for the five days we will be there, regardless of which park we are at, correct?

Thanks everyone for all your help and suggestions!

 

[bookwormde]

Yes they are good for your visit, we get one for our DS aspergers even though we rarely use it.

bookwormde

 

[SueM in MN]

If you have not checked out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, I would suggest doing so. Post 6 of that thread is all about GACs. You can find the thread near the top of the thread list for this board or follow the link in my signature.
I can't write a lot now because I am using my tiny iPod screen on a break from work.

 

[halssister]

If you have not checked out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, I would suggest doing so. Post 6 of that thread is all about GACs. You can find the thread near the top of the thread list for this board or follow the link in my signature.
I can't write a lot now because I am using my tiny iPod screen on a break from work.

Thanks Sue....I did check this out many months ago when I was in early planning stages, but just re-read it and picked up a lot more than I did the first time! Maybe because I'm more prepared and have things more planned than I did back then So thanks for the reminder!
I'm probably worrying about things more than I should......when I should really be worrying about the weather report for Orlando, all sunny up til the day we arrive and then nothing but rain our entire stay! UGH! I know here the weather guys are almost always wrong, so here's to hoping that the ones in Florida are just as (in)accurate!

 

[Hasil72]

I'm probably worrying about things more than I should......when I should really be worrying about the weather report for Orlando, all sunny up til the day we arrive and then nothing but rain our entire stay! UGH! I know here the weather guys are almost always wrong, so here's to hoping that the ones in Florida are just as (in)accurate!

I agree with everyone else, get the GAC that way you'll have it if you need it. As for the rain, hopefully it will only be typical WDW rain that comes is short bursts and won't ruin your day.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

I would get the GAC card. If you need it you will have it. Also I would show him a dvd of disney so he can see ahead of time what it is all about. This way he has an idea of what is comming up. Also make a list of the rides you think he might be interested in. Then go to you tube and type in that particular ride or attraction. Show him those rides. If he knowns what to expect it might lesson the anxiety. This is what a friend of mine does with her Austisic son. It makes a big difference with him. He is almost 14 and anyway she can lessen the anxiety level helps. Also plan plenty of down time. They tend to like the AK as the animals seem to have a calming effect on him.

 

[jmartinez1895]

We have found that going to youtube and watching the videos people have posted from the rides and shows can help prepare our son for what he is going to see.

 

[SueM in MN]

I can't post a link right now, but just found a video from YouTube that may be helpful to you. Look in post 3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find the thread nearthe top of this board or there is a link in my signature.

 

[halssister]

I can't post a link right now, but just found a video from YouTube that may be helpful to you. Look in post 3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find the thread nearthe top of this board or there is a link in my signature.

Thanks! Yes I saw that post and we did watch the whole video, it was fun His favorite part is the end where they go back to the motel though We've been watching LOTS of videos and such, he loves to watch the rides in the videos but still says he won't ride them. We'll see when we get there, I'm not going to worry about it, he'll have fun even if he just watches some shows and checks out the sights Great suggestions all, though