What Should I Ask for with GAC?

[EagertobeinWDW]

I'll be taking my two children to WDW in a few weeks and would really appreciate any tips for what I should ask for and say in regard to a GAC.

One child has low muscle tone that required continuous therapy for 5 1/2 years to help him reach developmental milestones. We stopped for a little while and now he's back in his rehab therapies. He fatigues very easily because sitting, walking, etc. require so much "work" for him. He then collapses like a rag doll, and I HAVE to carry him. I'm thinking if he could stay in his stroller that it would help a lot, so it seems like stroller as wheelchair might be one request.

His sister has pretty significant sensory processing disorder. She's like a kid with autism without the social disability. She easily gets over-stimulated and then pitches into a mass of emotional meltdown. She has this modulation issue and also is sensory seeking. She also has anaphylactic allergies to 4 different common foods.

Any thoughts on what I should request for the GAC?

 

[SueM in MN]

If you haven't checked out the disABILITIES FAQs thread, follow the link in my signature to that thread (or look near the top of this board).
Post 6 is about Guest Assistance Cards and will answer all your questions.

For your son, the history is not important, but you are correct that what would be most helpful for him is using a stroller as a wheelchair. There is more information in post 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs about how that works.

For other needs, the diagnosis is not important and guests don't ask for specific things. You explain the needs and the CMs in Guest Relations will determine what stamp(s) to add to help meet those needs.

 

[EagertobeinWDW]

Thank you -- and thank you for being so gracious in referring me to the thread. I hadn't even thought about the posted threads, but you are right, they usually are quite thorough.

I appreciate that Guest RElations doesn't necessary need his history. I just thought including his history might help show that he is significantly impacted by the low tone.

 

[FortForever]

How old is your DD? Perhaps a double stroller where she could sit in her own private area would help.

 

[Mama Who]

I'll be taking my two children to WDW in a few weeks and would really appreciate any tips for what I should ask for and say in regard to a GAC.

One child has low muscle tone that required continuous therapy for 5 1/2 years to help him reach developmental milestones. We stopped for a little while and now he's back in his rehab therapies. He fatigues very easily because sitting, walking, etc. require so much "work" for him. He then collapses like a rag doll, and I HAVE to carry him. I'm thinking if he could stay in his stroller that it would help a lot, so it seems like stroller as wheelchair might be one request.

His sister has pretty significant sensory processing disorder. She's like a kid with autism without the social disability. She easily gets over-stimulated and then pitches into a mass of emotional meltdown. She has this modulation issue and also is sensory seeking. She also has anaphylactic allergies to 4 different common foods.

Any thoughts on what I should request for the GAC?

For the first one, stroller as wheelchair sounds about right. For his sister... what are the triggers you're looking to avoid? Tight spaces? Loud noises? There are a lot of things that cannot really be accommodated by a GAC, so plan to rely heavily on a touring plan and well timed breaks. What could Disney *reasonably* do to make it possible for her to access the parks the way other people do? That's what you want to ask for. Sometimes the CM will tell you there's no GAC for that but will have some good tips.

I don't think there's really anything the GAC can do about allergies, but I know people get good assistance from Disney Dining on that front.

 

[SueM in MN]

For the first one, stroller as wheelchair sounds about right. For his sister... what are the triggers you're looking to avoid? Tight spaces? Loud noises? There are a lot of things that cannot really be accommodated by a GAC, so plan to rely heavily on a touring plan and well timed breaks. What could Disney *reasonably* do to make it possible for her to access the parks the way other people do? That's what you want to ask for. Sometimes the CM will tell you there's no GAC for that but will have some good tips.

I don't think there's really anything the GAC can do about allergies, but I know people get good assistance from Disney Dining on that front.

I didn't address that, but I agree with you. There is not anything a GAC can do about allergies.

There is information about food allergies in post 3 of the disABILITIES FAQs.

 

[mistysue]

Depending on their size, I would think about the idea of stroller as a wheelchair, with a double stroller if possible.

Your kids sound like my family in a few years, with your DD being like my older two rolled into one. In her situation you should know that Disney will do great with the allergies. We find it easier to eat at TS locations than CS. Either way, you ask for a chef right away and somebody will come out to help you and prepare something good and safe for her. The stroller may help her not only for sensory issues but it prevents the risk of the situation where some kid smears food on something in line and she touches it.

I don't know your DD, but you may not really need a GAC outside of the stroller as wheelchair. You should take extra care to tour the parks avoiding parks and using fastpasses for rides with long waits.