I've been reading a lot of different posts here about what a hassle it is to get a GAC and I'm trying to decide if it's worth it. Our 4 year old son is autistic, but pretty high- functioning. He gets pretty "antsy" and impatient in lines but also is a quick learner, I feel like maybe the first line he has to wait in he will be impatient but after he realizes that there is some reward to waiting in line (ie getting to go on a ride) he will be able to correlate the two. Also I'm planning on bringing some distractions such as bringing his leap pad and bubbles for long lines and a portable DVD player for longer waits like the fireworks and Fantasmic. I'm hoping this will cut down on his impatience. We plan on taking a leisurely pace with extended breaks in the afternoons we're going to be there for 6 days at the beginning of May so hopefully the crowds will have thinned a bit. Honestly at this point I'm more worried about our 8 month old (he's turned into a bit of a whiner:p ) but I still would like some opinions. Thanks!

I've been reading a lot of different posts here about what a hassle it is to get a GAC and I'm trying to decide if it's worth it. Our 4 year old son is autistic, but pretty high- functioning. He gets pretty "antsy" and impatient in lines but also is a quick learner, I feel like maybe the first line he has to wait in he will be impatient but after he realizes that there is some reward to waiting in line (ie getting to go on a ride) he will be able to correlate the two. Also I'm planning on bringing some distractions such as bringing his leap pad and bubbles for long lines and a portable DVD player for longer waits like the fireworks and Fantasmic. I'm hoping this will cut down on his impatience. We plan on taking a leisurely pace with extended breaks in the afternoons we're going to be there for 6 days at the beginning of May so hopefully the crowds will have thinned a bit. Honestly at this point I'm more worried about our 8 month old (he's turned into a bit of a whiner:p ) but I still would like some opinions. Thanks!My daughter is Aspergers, pretty high functioning. We have never used a GAC or SAP (back when it was that.) We do use the HA entrance now, due to the dog (they require it.) We did a lot of what you plan on doing. Even now, she takes her iPod. When we go out to eat, even though she is now 16, we get the kid's activity books (even for my 19yo!) Keeps them occupied. I would recommend as many fast passes as possible. Take it at a slow pace, if he likes swimming make sure he gets time for that and you should be fine. The only line that would be way too long for him would be Indy, and I doubt he is tall enough. This is all assuming he can handle some crowding. My daughter also gets claustrophobic in groups. We learned to put her in the middle of the group and we spaced out so there was enough room around us. We dont let people around us push into us. And we use the time as a learning experience as to what is acceptable. It worked well for us. It all depends on the child.

Thanks for your help! Great idea about the crowding, he usually doesn't have problems with big crowds, only big groups in social situations, which is kind of funny. Meaning he can go to the mall, or any other crowded place and just kind of knows he's not required to interact with all the people there so he's fine, but take him to a big b-day party and he gets quiet and shy and hides.

Thanks for your help! Great idea about the crowding, he usually doesn't have problems with big crowds, only big groups in social situations, which is kind of funny. Meaning he can go to the mall, or any other crowded place and just kind of knows he's not required to interact with all the people there so he's fine, but take him to a big b-day party and he gets quiet and shy and hides.This is probably the one thing that is so interesting to Asperger's is that it affects each person so differently. Some do great in large crowds (as long as personal interaction is minimal) others cant handle it at all. What works well for my daughter may be absolutely useless to your child. One thing we found that helps is social stories. Don't know if you use them at all with your son yet, but as soon as we learned about them and started using them, it became so much easier for her to understand the world. They helped us define waiting and how everyone has to do it. She has always carried her own backpack that she carries her "stuff" in. It helps in waits so she can read, listen to her iPod, play her GameBoy, call someone on her phone, etc... We usually also have small games, usually cards, the kids carry for longer term waits (fireworks usually, or waiting for Space Mountain in the HA queue which can be LONG but at least its sitting.)

Also remember, our kids like things that are unique. My daughter enjoys having dinner at the Hungry Bear during Fantasmic!, because you get to see some of the behind the scenes stuff and yell to the pirates. Distraction is probably the biggest thing we have to keep in mind with our kids.

Three important things.

The GAC is needs based, not diagnoses based. Just saying he is Autistic does not mean anything. Saying Due to a medical condition (or Due to Autism) he needs to (state accomodation here) and need a GAC to allow this. Note that alternate entrance or stroller as a wheelchair are acceptable, Front of The Line access is not.

It is like insurance, to be used only if it is really needed, but having it helps.

If the CM at Guest Services is unwilling to assist, or asks for proof, etc., just ask for a supervisor or manager. Note that under the ADA they are not allowed to ask for proof or a doctor's note.

^Thanks for your help! I guess at this point I'm not sure what his needs may be as it relates to DL. I guess I'll use the first day to sort of gauge his behavior and then make a decision regarding GAC.

Legally they can not ask what the diagnoses is but they can ask you, what are your childs needs? Or What happens when your child is in line? Those questions are not illegal.

We just came back from our trip with our 5 year old autistic son and he did really well in the lines. He gets antsy waiting too, but I think the fact that there were so many "new" things to look at while waiting in line did the trick for him. The lines he's used to waiting in are checkout lines at stores and shops, which are very familar. While waiting in the Disneyland ride lines, he was preoccupied with his surroundings.

We also tried to go on days and at times were the lines were lightest. So his wait was about 15 minutes on average.

I wanted to follow-up. First off Shadowcat we must have been there about the same times. We never used the GAC. Our son had no real issues, the only break down he had was when I took him over to Donald's boat while the others in our party waited for Mickey, when it looked like they were getting close I took him back, but he wasn't ready, so we have a visibly upset picture with Mickey. Although by the time he got to Mickey he was calmed a little and Mickey gave him a hug, his eyes are beat red from crying, poor guy. But other than that no instances other than what any other parent with a hyperactive 4-year old would have to deal with. For the fireworks we brought bubbles which he blew, to the kids' delight around us (one boy next to us used his Buzz light spinner thing to pop them) and for Fantasmic we did bring the mini-DVD player which worked like a charm. In fact he was so good, I'm considering a Daddy-Son day in the future!

I think that will depend on what you find when you get to the park. Not what you wanted to hear, huh? :rolleyes:

I have the GAC and it was a pain in the neck to get. Most of the time just the regular WC accomodations are enough for my husband and I (we are both disabled.) We only pull the card out 1-3 times per visit. The places where we need the help it is GREAT to have it. It is going to depend how much you need it for your son.

If you go to the park, start going on the rides and find a problem. Can your wife stay with both kids while you shoot back to Main Street? Or she does the dahsing while you watch the kids? If so go to the park, see how things go. Then if a problem arises go to Guest Services and tell them what is going on.

I guess if you need the card it is worth the hassles (and yes it was a hassle for me just getting the ONE card, I haven't even tried to get one for my husband.) But if you don't need it why waste the time and endure the hassle? ;)

We have gotten the Special Assistance Pass before but last year when we went, we were told that there was no longer such a pass. We were told that we had to rent a wheelchair and that would act as the pass. But now I am reading about a GAP card in your posts. How would we get that? While my daughter does not need to be in a wheelchair most of the time, we have used them in DLR. We will rent one again this year, because when you need it, you need it. But I would love to find out about the GAP.

Thank you so much!!

We have gotten the Special Assistance Pass before but last year when we went, we were told that there was no longer such a pass. We were told that we had to rent a wheelchair and that would act as the pass. But now I am reading about a GAP card in your posts. How would we get that? While my daughter does not need to be in a wheelchair most of the time, we have used them in DLR. We will rent one again this year, because when you need it, you need it. But I would love to find out about the GAP.

Thank you so much!!
It will depend on your daughter's needs. If it is a mobility or fatigue issue, they will refer you to the wheelchair.

If you go to www.disboards.com and go to the "disABILTIES!" forum (about the 10th one down) and then the "disABILTIES! FAQ" currently the third item you will find a lot of information about the Guest Assistance Cards (not Passes). That board tends to be more WDW related, but the policies in effect now at DLR are the same as the WDW policies.

One thing is that if mobility or stamina is the issue the general (but not always) recommendation is a wheelchair or ECV.

Ok but I would really like to know how to get the card and if it applies to us. I did not see anything in the downloads, other than where you can use an motorized chair.
I guess I am just sensitive about the chair because she usually looks pretty healthy. We get weird looks from people who don't know our daughter's health issues.

So what does the GAP provide and how do we get one?
Thank you for the info.

Thank you for the link to the dis website. That is a great place!
I will check it out more later.
My daughter is a very brittle type 1 diabetic and standing in long lines in the heat really can make her ill. The wheelchair is great in those conditions because she always has a place to sit and rest. We used the SAP in the past (when it was called that) so that she could wait in a cooler and or covered place. We will probably still get the wheelchair but I would appreciate having a card as well.

But thank you for the website. I am already seeing posts from other mothers of diabetic kids asking the same questions. It looks like a great resource!

Thank you for the link to the dis website. That is a great place!
I will check it out more later.
My daughter is a very brittle type 1 diabetic and standing in long lines in the heat really can make her ill. The wheelchair is great in those conditions because she always has a place to sit and rest. We used the SAP in the past (when it was called that) so that she could wait in a cooler and or covered place. We will probably still get the wheelchair but I would appreciate having a card as well.

But thank you for the website. I am already seeing posts from other mothers of diabetic kids asking the same questions. It looks like a great resource!
The wheelchair would be a big asset to her then. Forget what others think. You are doing what she needs. There are some areas where with the GAC you can wait seated (Splash Mountain, Space Mountain (usually an hour wait) and Star Tours) but places like Pirates doesn't have seating. And the HA line is often 2x longer than the standard queue for Pirates. Haunted Mansion also has no seated area to wait. But it is a slightly shorter wait than the standard queue. Indy is also a long wait without seating. Most of the rides have limits on the number of GACs on the ride at a time for evacuation purposes. They changed the SAP when everyone started thinking they were "Front of the Line" passes. GACs are harder to get only in that you explain why you need it. Most likely, they will recomend a wheelchair.

Thank you for the info. We are really looking forward to the trip this year. We leave in 25 days!!
Thank you again!

i suffer from excruciating sciatica in my right leg due to a bulging disk in my L5 S1 and i periodically have to switch from standing to sitting every 15-30min. most people do not believe me when i present my condition, being a young guy....do you think it would be more hassle to try to ask for some kind of line assistance? id rather enjoy my time at Disneyland than pop 3 vicodin and roam around the park like a zombie.

i suffer from excruciating sciatica in my right leg due to a bulging disk in my L5 S1 and i periodically have to switch from standing to sitting every 15-30min. most people do not believe me when i present my condition, being a young guy....do you think it would be more hassle to try to ask for some kind of line assistance? id rather enjoy my time at Disneyland than pop 3 vicodin and roam around the park like a zombie.

They will consider this an endurance issue and suggest either renting a wheelchair or an ECV.

i suffer from excruciating sciatica in my right leg due to a bulging disk in my L5 S1 and i periodically have to switch from standing to sitting every 15-30min. most people do not believe me when i present my condition, being a young guy....do you think it would be more hassle to try to ask for some kind of line assistance? id rather enjoy my time at Disneyland than pop 3 vicodin and roam around the park like a zombie.The "line assistance" dosn't really save you any time. It helps the CMs load easier. In POTC, you will wait standing. In the regular queue, you move every few seconds. In the HA queue, you stand until they move a group forward. Lately, the line is 2-3x longer than the regular queue. I truely wish we could use the regular queue. Space Mountain is nice because you can wait sitting down. But you wait just as long as you would in the standard queue. Jungle Cruise is one of the few where the line is actually shorter. HM you wait in line til you reach the hearse, then you walk up the ramp. You wil be escorted in when there is an opening (only one to two groups allowed up at once from the HA) and then you wait til buggy 5 comes around. When it does, they will empty buggy 5 of the prior family and load you.

I guess what I am saying is some of the queues are more comfortable to wait in, but you usually arent looking at a shorter queue.

Space Mountain is nice because you can wait sitting down. But you wait just as long as you would in the standard queue.

...or longer than the regular queue.

Yesterday we went on POTC and there were people who "qualified" for the HCA line but they were standing in line with us. (They had assistance devices but they were allowed in the regular line.) It was definitely the better option because the HCA line is soooooo long.

Adrienne

...or longer than the regular queue.

Yesterday we went on POTC and there were people who "qualified" for the HCA line but they were standing in line with us. (They had assistance devices but they were allowed in the regular line.) It was definitely the better option because the HCA line is soooooo long.

AdrienneI wish we could, we tried, but due to the dog, we have to use the HA. They have to arrange our load differently, so we stand over in the HA line, which is now in the sun... But, it is better than when they lined everyone up inside and clogged the exit.

Several years ago we got a special needs pass for my daughter, who at the time was suffering from a leg injury, it was nothing you could see, but she needed to be in a wheel chair for part of the time, (it worked really well because my husband needed to be in the chair as well so they traded off. There were only a few times that they both needed the chair at the same time) I got the third degree when we asked for the pass, the CM acted as if she didn’t believe me, and was very reluctant to let us have one ( I even had a DR. note). I wasn’t expecting to go to the head of the line; I was trying to avoid renting the extra chair as we had only me to push it/them and have both of them be able to enjoy the park. As it turned out, we did go to the handicapped waiting area, and in some cases it was a shorter wait, the ones that had the longer waits had benches for us to sit on and some even had some shade. (The CM's at the rides were wonderful)

We are planning a trip to Disneyland for my mother's 90th birthday in June of next year. There will be a total of 12 people in our group. 1 has age related disabilities, (She will be in her wheel chair) 3 have medical related disabilities, (1 can’t be in the sun due to meds being taken, 2 can’t walk long distances or stand for long periods of time, etc.) We will be bringing the Rascal, but we only have one. We do plan to rent one for the 3rd person who doesn’t walk or stand well. My question is, should we get a GAP for each of them, just for 2 of them or say to heck with it and depend on the wheelchairs and take umbrellas?

Thanks in advance

Well considering everything I just read, all of the issues seem to fall under two 'basic' catagories, endurance/mobility...I'm not sure if the sun issue would get you a Guest Assistance Card. As for 'who to get one for', if you have a wheelchair/scooter in Disneyland that in itself puts you in the 'use the HCA entrances' for attractions so no need for a card, if it's an invisible disability that doesn't require a wheelchair or scooter then that person might want a GAC but if you plan on sticking together as a group I'm not seeing any benefit to going and standing in line for one. Each person using a mobility device can have an additional 5 people with them at the HCA loading area so if you have 12 people and at least 2 or more are using scooters, that takes care of your group. Prepare to be 'split up' tho because not too many of the attractions will load that many disabled guests on in 'one cycle' for evacuation reasons. There are exceptions, the Mark Twain is a big one...they load all the guests scooters/wheelchairs first, then ask you to wait til last to disembark...the logicstics of this is basic..load first while the deck is level with the loading dock, wait til the guest disembark to let the wieght lift and the deck rise to the level of the loading dock once again for disembarking.

With a group that large and that many issues just go in planning to move slow and expect to have to split up and you'll have a great trip.

Prepare to be 'split up' tho because not too many of the attractions will load that many disabled guests on in 'one cycle' for evacuation reasons.
We were very fortunate. A year ago we met up with some friends who included one young woman in a wheelchair, her service dog, another young girl with autism, and her service dog. We entered the HA queue for POTC. We did expect to be split up, but the crew worked hard and put us all on one boat, much to our surprise. Imagine a boat with 11 people and 3 dogs. It was a riot. The best time I have ever had.

One additional note to the OP. When you load, you will need to help anyone with issues into the boat. The most the CMs can do to assist is moving the chair. They cannot touch the guests. In the event of evacuation, CMs cannot assist the people with handicap issues. They can direct you, but for those who cannot walk, someone in your party will need to assist. Just a headsup so you can be prepared.