Which Rides Cater to the GAC?

[riu girl]

Rebecca: I don't know when you are going, but if time permits, perhaps you could have your child watch the WDW vacation planning video. That is actually how we ended up doing a character meal. I wasn't planning on doing one due to the cost, but when DD7 saw it on the video, she really seemed interested in it.

Also: prior to our holiday, I contacted WDW direct, told them our situation and asked them to mail me park maps. They usually don't, but I told them how I wanted to be prepared as possible, so they happily mailed me some. Knowing the layout of the parks really helps. Plus getting there at opening.

Nik's mom: so sorry to hear about what happened. That must have made you feel so uncomfortable. We were fortunate to have no diffifculties at all. But then again, I was so focussed on DD7 , that if someone was giving me a dirty look or making a comment, I probably wouldn't have even noticed.

 

[Schmeck]

WDW should have some kind of 'flag' to attach to a stroller for children that need to have one in line - that way, parents wouldn't have to dig out the GAC card evey time they entered a queue, the CM would just see the flag (maybe velcro attached to the handle?) and you could walk in.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I'm thinking of trying to laminate it with one of those do-it-yourself luggage tag kits. This way, I can attach it to my backpack. It may take 2 of those laminating stickers, since the gac is bigger than a luggage tag.

 

[LisaBi]

The only ride I know of that doesn't seem well equipped to handle a GAC is POC. There is an alternate entrance, but it is difficult to find a CM to escort you to it (it is backstage).

But I WILL use the GAC next time - last trip we got in line, finally made it to where we could see the loading area - and MELTDOWN. Then he refused to ride. So we had to wait to be escorted out.

Over 4 trips, I have run into 3 CM's who didn't seen to know how to handle the GAC, so thankfully, that is a rare occurance.

LisaB

 

[Talking Hands]

I wear my GAC in a plastic pouch along with my id, annual pass and room key. It is easy to locate and show when needed. I would not attach it to the stroller as it could be taken. The way they do the stamps it could easily be folded in half to show that the stroller can be used as a wheelchair

 

[riu girl]

Sorry a little off topic - but...has anyone ever used the GAC at Fantasmic in MGM? I e-mailed WDW about this and they said we would have to check with guest relations in MGM once we get there. I think the show would be a great attraction for DD7 , but I am worried about the lineup prior. I have read that it can be an hour wait in line before you even get into the theater.

Then I thought of booking a Fantasmic dinner package am concerned I would pay all that $ for a meal (we are planning on mostly counter service during out holiday) and then not be able to use the dinner package pass for the special entrance if the show was cancelled due to bad weather.

Anyone ever use a GAC at Fantasmic and if so, how did it work out for you? Is there an "alternate entrance" available for GAC users???
Suzy V.

 

[SueM in MN]

Anyone ever use a GAC at Fantasmic and if so, how did it work out for you? Is there an "alternate entrance" available for GAC users???
Suzy V.

We have used a GAC at Fantasmic, but DD also has a wheelchair.
As far as I know, there is not an actual alternate entrance to Fantasmic. I think GAC users without wheelchairs use the wheelchair entrance, which starts out as sort of a parallel line to the regular line. You would show the GAC to the CM at the ride entrance and they will direct you.
We have been to Fantasmic during Spring Break (super busy time). If there are 2 shows, they start letting people in to the theater about 1 hour before the show begins. Once they start letting people into the theater, there is not really a line any more, it's sort of a constant slow walk in.

Once you are actually inside the (outdoor) theater, you get seated quickly and the wait (even if it's an hour) isn't bad. Last March, the special needs people we were waiting with my DD who has ADD, as well as many other issues, and my nephew (I don't know his exact diagnosis, but I know he is on medication used for ADD). The first time we went to Fantasmic, I was concerned about the wait because there is no way DD could wait in a line for an hour, but we have not really had any problems waiting for Fantasmic.
There is a snack bar where you can get things like hot dogs and you can also get popcorn and cotton candy.
They do have restrooms at the back of the theater.

As well as asking at Guest Services, you can ask at the "Status Board" near the front of the park. That's the place where they have information about current waits for rides/attractions. The CMs there can be very helpful about the usual "flow" of the park and when different parts of the park are most busy.

 

[Poohnatic]

I have an 8yo son with Asperger's and a few other issues.

The GAC has been a God send. The first trip we had was great, second was torture then we found out about the GAC.

99% of CM's handle it well, then again, the only problems we've had were prior to the 'picture stamp' gacs. Had a CM at Aladdin who was less than helpful as he felt that there was no alternate entrance for us to use.

I've had the gamut of great experiences-CM's who have asked what issue they need to help us with and others who just wave us through. Peter Pan's flight would have been a no go before, the queue is a recipe for a meltdown for my son (too cramped, gets kinda loud). Now we're able to do it each trip. On a few occasions, we were held back in the queue on the fast pass side, but that was fine, as we achieved our goal of no meltdowns.

I've experienced CM's who look for that GAC. I wear a lanyard when we're in the park and it's in the lanyard, behind other stuff, but on numerous occasions, I'd have a CM notice the border of it and pull us aside before we'd had a chance to inform them.

I'd say it's best to figure out what your daughter can have potential issues with, and avoid or coach on them. We had my son on Mission Space, he liked it, but he could feel the spinning and that caused him to freak out. No dice. He LOVES Rock and Roller Coaster, which is probably because we coached him that it would be loud, but described the ride and he wanted to do it.

If you're unsure about the rides, pick up a Birnbaum's guide (or borrow one from the library) to get descriptions of them to best figure out what your DD can handle. If after that, you've got questions, either post here or feel free to PM me...we can all help each other.

The two pieces of advice I can give are 1. Go at your daughter's pace. 2. Take some away time during the trip. The resort pool is a great battery recharger for my son after all that sensory overload.

Enjoy your trip!!!

Suzanne

 

[Poohnatic]

Yes, we've used the GAC at Fantasmic on two occasions (it'd be more, but we're IllumiNations junkies!). We were seated at the top three rows near the center of the amphitheatre. CM's were great about it, but a lot of people didn't see a visible disability, so they assumed where we were sitting was okay for them, too.

We did our best to assist the CM's by politely explaining that we were in the handicapped seating due to my son's disability and that the CM's would assist them in finding available seating. Never a problem, fortunately!

Suzanne

 

[ladydancer]

We will be taking our 6 year old autistic grandson along with other family members in April. This will be T.J's first WDW trip. Since reading here about the GAC card it sounds to be the solution to T.J's waiting issues. I do have a question about waiting in line for the shows. There are a couple of shows I know he would love. Number 1 on his list would be "Playhouse Disney Live" he loves Roly Poly and "Tough to be a Bug" and perhaps the "Muppets 3 D" he would like also. Is there any special lines for these types of things?

 

[SueM in MN]

I do have a question about waiting in line for the shows. There are a couple of shows I know he would love. Number 1 on his list would be "Playhouse Disney Live" he loves Roly Poly and "Tough to be a Bug" and perhaps the "Muppets 3 D" he would like also. Is there any special lines for these types of things?

Some shows have specific designated areas for people using wheelchairs and/or ecvs (scooters) to wait for shows. (Mostly to get them in place to get to the designated wheelchair spots in the theater). The waiting area is off to the side and separated from the main queue by ropes or chains. Because it is separated off and has less people, the space is usually a quieter place to wait. People with GACs who need a quieter place to wait are directed to that area too.
Tough to Be a Bug and Muppets 3D have those sort of waiting areas. I don't know about Playhouse Disney Live because we've never gone to it.
For some some attractions (TTBAB and Muppets), you go directly into the theater from that waiting area. For some others (like Little Mermaid), you go from that area into a large room waiting area where you will be mixed with other guests for about 5 minutes or so waiting to be sent into the theater.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I can't believe some people would use a GAC even though their child was healthy. How could anyone lie like that! I guess they are not afraid of bad kharma! I only wish my son didn't have an autistic spectrum disorder! I'd love to wait in line without having to worry about a meltdown. Those people don't know how easy they have it!
O.k. off my soap box. I just want to thank everyone for their advice.

 

[leise]

Ladydancer, you can use the GAC on Playhouse Disney - don't get in the line, but approach the CM at the entrance. They will direct you to wait to one side, then before they let the line into the theatre, they let you in an alternative entrance, where you can settle down on the floor before everyone else comes in. Handy because it means you can sit at the edge or the back rather than in the middle, if you think close proximity to all the other kids might be a problem. My boys LOVE playhouse Disney, it is great fun.

 

[ladydancer]

I have read the post here but am a little confused about the stroller and lines. We can take the stroller in line? Could you please explain?

It would make it much easier for him and us if we could just keep him in his stroller until his turn to ride.

 

[SueM in MN]

We can take the stroller in line? Could you please explain?

It would make it much easier for him and us if we could just keep him in his stroller until his turn to ride.

Strollers are not normally allowed in lines. So, there are large stroller parking lots outside of most attractions. There are a few attractions that have very long lines and allow strollers to be brought into the line up to a certain point (examples of that are Killamonjari Safari and Tough to be a Bug).
But, there are some kids with special who really need their stroller in line with them. It might be because the child tires very easily or because they need a "safe spot" to help them wait. For those kids, you can go to Guest Services and explain your needs. The CMs there can issue a Guest Assistance Card (we call it GAC, to avoid typing it all out) that allows a stroller to be used the same way as a wheelchair is. This GAC would allow the stroller to be brought into lines and buildings. Without the GAC, the stroller would have to be left with the other strollers outside the line.

 

[ladydancer]

Strollers are not normally allowed in lines. So, there are large stroller parking lots outside of most attractions. There are a few attractions that have very long lines and allow strollers to be brought into the line up to a certain point (examples of that are Killamonjari Safari and Tough to be a Bug).
But, there are some kids with special who really need their stroller in line with them. It might be because the child tires very easily or because they need a "safe spot" to help them wait. For those kids, you can go to Guest Services and explain your needs. The CMs there can issue a Guest Assistance Card (we call it GAC, to avoid typing it all out) that allows a stroller to be used the same way as a wheelchair is. This GAC would allow the stroller to be brought into lines and buildings. Without the GAC, the stroller would have to be left with the other strollers outside the line.

I understand about the GAC and we will have one as our grandson is autistic and doesn't do well with crowds and waiting. That is why I asked about the stroller and lines. As I stated it would be better for him to be sitting in a stroller if possible. We will have 2 more children in strollers also in our group but wouldn't take advantage of the GAC for them.

 

[SueM in MN]

We will have 2 more children in strollers also in our group but wouldn't take advantage of the GAC for them.

Yes, that's right. The GAC would only be for the child with special needs to bring a stroller in line.
The GAC is actually issued to the person with special needs, in their name.