Hello! There was a post (PLEASE DON'T MERGE THAT AWFUL THING!) a few weeks back and they mentioned that now you need a doctor’s note for the special assistance pass. My sister has Autism and will be requiring a pass for our trip to DL in December. We will be able to meet with her doctor this weekend to get a note; however, what should it say?

Also, how many people can accompany her on the ride when she uses it? The plan is that for all fast pass rides or VERY short lines we will not use it so that everyone can go on the ride together (there will be four people, including my sister, in our party). For rides, like Mister Toad's for example, that have no fastpass but can hold all four members of our party we would like to experience the ride together as a family. Is this allowed or not? Is it looked down upon? Will we have some CM's that say yes and some that say no?

Right now I am just trying to get some answers so that we are not stepping on toes when we get there or so we will not be upset with what we find out too late.

She received a pass when we went a few years back, but we have forgotten the rules, and also, it seems as if things have changed.
Thank you,

H

First of all, Disney CM's won't even LOOK at the note, you do need it if you're visiting Knotts Berry farm. The most "allowed" in a group is six, but there have been occassions where a CM will allow that to be 7 under unique circumstances, so if the party is 4 total you won't have any problems with the CM's provided you convince the CM at City Hall to issue the G.A.C.

First of all, Disney CM's won't even LOOK at the note, G.A.C.
I was more worried about what the CM's at city hall wanted in the note.

SO GLAD TO HEAR WE CAN ALL GET ON A RIDE TOGETHER!!!!
This will be the best Christmas present ever!!!
I love watching my sister's and my son's face when they get lost in the magic, but they have never been there together! I can't WAIT! Like kids in a candy store.

Be prepared that walking into city hall and simply saying my sister is autistic is not going to get the G.A.C. as it did the old system, the CM is going to ask you very specific questions about what they need to do to assist your sister while she's visiting the park. The new system is in place to cut back on abuse and I have to say it has in a lot of ways, the downside of that is that it has impacted some guests who would honestly benefit from the program but don't know 'how' to present the situation to the CM's to show the reasons the GAC is in both the other guests and the one requesting the G.A.C.'s best interest.

Mamma Silva,
Thank you so much for all your help! My mom is the director of a disAbility non-profit so I will let her get the GAC for my sis. Presenting information about specific disAbilities is her job and she's great at it (of course I am biased since I am her daughter ;) )
If all else fails, we can leave her with the CM for 10 minutes and I'm sure that by the time we get back s/he will give us a lifetime supply of GAC's. (I am completely kidding.. please, no one write an angry post to this!!!)

You guys will have a great visit! The only glitch that the new system has is they haven't figured out how to incorporate fastpass/G.A.C. issues. If you get fastpass's for Space AND have a GAC, skip the HCA line cuz you'll end up waiting a LONG time even if your Fastpass return is 'now'. It tells you to use fast pass as often as possible which helps but then they haven't figured out how to make it work with 'both' where people who haven't bothered to go get a fast pass but just got into the HCA queue vs those of us that try to maximize the fast pass system ... but need to use alternative entrances.

So with all the rides we get into the HCA line? If I remember correctly, some rides do not have a HCA line, right? What do we do then? (It's been awhile, sorry!)
Again, thank you for your wealth of information!

Actually, it is no longer a Special Assistance Pass, it is a Guest Assistance Card. DL switched to this a few years ago and it is based on what has been successfully used at WDW for many years. It is not intended to give "front of the line" access. Presenting a diagnoses is not acceptable as one diagnoses (such as Autism) can have different needs.

The reason for the switch was DL was averaging almost 1,000 SAPs a day while WDW was averaging only 200 GACs. Because of the FOTL access, the SAP was being misused at DL.

To get the GAC the disabled person must go to Guest Services in City Hall (or DCA). If a child it would be in the company of an adult. The card is good for the disabled person and then up to five additional people in the group, is good at both parks, and is valid for the length of stay of the trip.

The person at Guest Services will apply one or more rubber stamps to the card, such as allowing a stroller to be used as a wheelchair, staying out of the sun, use of FP line without the FP, or others. Again, these are determined by the CM based on the needs.

As you mentioned in the original post it is actually a form of insurance that is used only if needed. I have a grandnephew with Autism and when his family comes to WDW they get a GAC, but may only need to use it two or three times in a multi-day trip.

Hope this additional information helps.

So with all the rides we get into the HCA line? If I remember correctly, some rides do not have a HCA line, right? What do we do then? (It's been awhile, sorry!)
Again, thank you for your wealth of information!


All attractions have access for those using the Guest Assistance Cards and/or wheelchairs or other mobility devices. Each one is different tho. If the queue is wheelchair accessible (all the queues at DCA are) then without the G.A.C. you wait in the regular line. The G.A.C. has to be stamped with the alternative entrance stamp to avoid the regular queues. At that point you would either enter thru the HCA gate (usually the exit) or the fast pass line (like at Haunted Mansion or at Buzz Lightyear). As others have said the G.A.C. is not a Front of the line pass and often you'll wait as long if not longer than IF you could use the standby queues on attractions especially Space Mt or Pirates! As someone who uses the G.A.C. every visit for my daughter I have to say that the new system seems to have helped considerably on the abuse but nothing will eliminate all the abuse so long as there are people determined to find a 'way'. Renting wheelchairs to use a strollers/skip the regular queues is still a widely used abuse in Disneyland, it's not effective at DCA but the queues at DCA are rarely very long.

I was going to reply but you have received some great advise! It is very important to remember that a pass is not given on the basis of a diagnoses but the needs of the guest needing the pass so you will be asked to explain her needs so be prepared! You will have a wonderful time ;) Enjoy your trip!
(((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))
Toursbabe

I was just going to call Disneyland and see if I would be able to get one of these passes/cards. I have tarsal tunnel syndrome and cannot stand for long periods of time and have trouble walking long distances. I might need to use a wheelchair or crutches for my trip, but did not know what their policies were on this. Does anyone think I will be able to get a pass or what I should do?

While I'm not a city hall CM I can share our experiences, mobilty issues were one of the things that they stopped offering "assistance" for. They will very politely suggest you consider renting either a manual wheelchair if you have someone to assist you, or one of the scooters (ecv's). The cost of the wheelchairs is $28 with 20 of that refunded at the end of your visit making the actual rental $8 (per day) and the electric scooters are $55 with the same $20 dollar refunded at the end of your daily visit making the rental $35.00.

Having said that, if you're using a wheelchair or ecv or cane or walker or crutches, be sure to ask for a guide for guests with disablities. The information is very informative as to how to best experience each attraction.

edited to add, if you chose not to use a mobility device but still have problems with stairs, they do offer a G.A.C. card that allows you to avoid stairs but doesn't give you access to alternative entrances.

It is a bummer to know that it is not a front of the line pass since my sister's behaviors/paranoias etc. tend to increase with boredom (like a 3 year old does when waiting for something... but the behaviors are obviously quite different). Well, perhaps the GAC would just be a waste of time to get and she should just stick to fastpasses and only going for a half day. Too bad she can't experience the whole park with us.

hi ,
as i already told in other threads on this board, my DD has a seizure disorder that can be triggered by anxiousness, clostrobia, long waiting times... it happened to her at DLP (we live in France now) and it happened with her aunt and uncle last summer at DLR in the HCA line of Pirates...
my bro and sis in law tried in vain at the city hall to get her a GAC for that problem... the CMs would deny the existence of the GAC while they gave one to a very insisting family...
as we go again in december, we ll go to the city hall and try again to have the GAC to allow her to get into an alternate entrance so it wouldn't trigger a seizure again (which are often followed by asthma attack) and would ruin the rest of her day since the seizures tire her so much...
i hope the CMs can help your family and that ur sister will enjoy a full day in the park ...
take care
David

The GAC has eliminated FOTL access (except for Make-A-Wish children). One of the possible stamps allows use of FP line without having an FP but you have to explain why it is needed.

Karebear -- The official response for a mobility/stamina issue is to use a wheelchair or ECV.

H22kai -- see my comment; if your sister's problems increase with the standing in line, explain that to the CM in Guest Services and you should be able to get a stamp to handle the problem.

dws 60 -- If you state there is a disability the ADA does not allow you to be asked for proof. If the CM on duty does not want to issue a GAC, ask for a supervisor.

To all -- As I mentioned earlier, a GAC is based on need and not diagnoses. Also, consider it to be an insurance policy to carry with you but only use it if it becomes necessary.

To all -- As I mentioned earlier, a GAC is based on need and not diagnoses. Also, consider it to be an insurance policy to carry with you but only use it if it becomes necessary.
That is the plan.. if we can convince the CM (which makes me sick to think that a family member has to tell a CM in front of their child all the behaviors, have the CM deny it, and then the parent has to give examples of the "bad" behaviors the child has just to make the poor child feel worse about their condition.) Hurray for the GAC. :crying:

That is the plan.. if we can convince the CM (which makes me sick to think that a family member has to tell a CM in front of their child all the behaviors, have the CM deny it, and then the parent has to give examples of the "bad" behaviors the child has just to make the poor child feel worse about their condition.) Hurray for the GAC. :crying:
The GAC generally allows "alternative waiting areas" to help with issues such as your sisters. There are fewer people there, areas to sit, etc... Problem is, many of these also have longer waits. We use the alternative entrances due to a service dog. One thing we have learned is there are requirements about how many wheelchairs they can have "on the docks". When we get in line, since we do not have a chair, I generally go to the CM handling the alternative entrance, and tell them we have a party of 5, plus a service dog, and no chair. They will often bring us forward since we don't interfer with the chair counts. My daughter is also autistic. Waiting in the alternative areas really helps out for her, although fastpass lines are best. GAC is not a Front of the Line pass, nor should it be. Your sister will probably have more issues at DCA than at Disneyland (since is it HA though out.) Request the Guest Services send you a copy of the Guide for Guests with Disabilities ahead of time, it helps in planning.

The GAC generally allows "alternative waiting areas" to help with issues such as your sisters. There are fewer people there, areas to sit, etc... Problem is, many of these also have longer waits. We use the alternative entrances due to a service dog. One thing we have learned is there are requirements about how many wheelchairs they can have "on the docks". When we get in line, since we do not have a chair, I generally go to the CM handling the alternative entrance, and tell them we have a party of 5, plus a service dog, and no chair. They will often bring us forward since we don't interfer with the chair counts. My daughter is also autistic. Waiting in the alternative areas really helps out for her, although fastpass lines are best. GAC is not a Front of the Line pass, nor should it be. Your sister will probably have more issues at DCA than at Disneyland (since is it HA though out.) Request the Guest Services send you a copy of the Guide for Guests with Disabilities ahead of time, it helps in planning.


What do you do with your dog while on the ride?!

What do you do with your dog while on the ride?!
Most rides he goes on, such as POTC and Haunted Mansion. In POTC, we load into the first row and he does a down under the bow or sits between my daughters legs. On Haunted, the ride is stopped for us to load and he rides lying on the floor of the buggy. Naturally, he cannot go on the Mountains, so we do a baby swap type thing. My older daughter and sons ride while I hold the dog, then when my daughter comes off the ride, I ride with my younger daughter. If just my daughter, younger son, and I go, my younger son rides twice. He loves the trains and the Mark Twain.

Only time I've ever really interacted with a service dog was on Grizzly. The family went on the ride and they left the service dog on the dock and I offered to watch him so they could all go together and not have to split up. So I went off and got a bowl and filled it with water, since it was pretty hot. So it just laid there and drank some water... then laid around some more.

Let the family take two more trips, since we didn't have anyone waiting in the ADA line.

That is the plan.. if we can convince the CM (which makes me sick to think that a family member has to tell a CM in front of their child all the behaviors, have the CM deny it, and then the parent has to give examples of the "bad" behaviors the child has just to make the poor child feel worse about their condition.) Hurray for the GAC. :crying:

WHen I went I told my son to say Hi to the CM, and then I asked him to go over to the side and wait with Dad, then he wasn't privy to the conversation that we had about him.

Only time I've ever really interacted with a service dog was on Grizzly. The family went on the ride and they left the service dog on the dock and I offered to watch him so they could all go together and not have to split up. So I went off and got a bowl and filled it with water, since it was pretty hot. So it just laid there and drank some water... then laid around some more.

Let the family take two more trips, since we didn't have anyone waiting in the ADA line.I understand CMs used to be able to watch the dogs, til a specific incident happened a few years ago. I don't blame DL for not handling the dogs anymore. It is too much responsibility. Our dog is valued at $35,000. Our organization doesn't allow us to leave the pups. I will say the CMs are so incredible with how much the aid us. I wont even go to Magic Mountain due to their negative tone towards the pups.

The person at Guest Services will apply one or more rubber stamps to the card, such as allowing a stroller to be used as a wheelchair, staying out of the sun, use of FP line without the FP, or others. Again, these are determined by the CM based on the needs.

How would there be a stamp to help you if you need to avoid the sun? I would think sunscreen and a hat would be the answer they would give you if you said the sun was a concern, it is an out door park. The only sun problem I can think of is like the movie The Others, which I know is a real life problem where people are alergic to the sun, but the Disney would be completely out for a person with that problem, I would think.

How would there be a stamp to help you if you need to avoid the sun? I would think sunscreen and a hat would be the answer they would give you if you said the sun was a concern, it is an out door park. The only sun problem I can think of is like the movie The Others, which I know is a real life problem where people are alergic to the sun, but the Disney would be completely out for a person with that problem, I would think.
There are people with a sensitivity who try to keep shaded. If the queue is long and in an uncovered area you can be directed to wait in an area for the approximate time until you would be allowed inside. This can be important for people on certain medications. You might want to look at www.disboards.com in the "disABILTIES!" forum for more information.

How would there be a stamp to help you if you need to avoid the sun? I would think sunscreen and a hat would be the answer they would give you if you said the sun was a concern, it is an out door park. The only sun problem I can think of is like the movie The Others, which I know is a real life problem where people are alergic to the sun, but the Disney would be completely out for a person with that problem, I would think.Actually, this is a real issue. The person would need to wait out of the sun area. Examples would be at the HM, my mother waits in the shade by the handicapped entrance while we go thru the line. Sunscreen and a hat aren't the issue. Like the other poster stated, please check out the disAbilities boards to learn more about this. And maybe I'll give you a hint, besides the issue you know about, there are lesser forms of it, and there are medications that induce similar issues. And, Disneyland is NOT completely out for people with xeroderma pigmentosa.