Can you get a gac that will allow the new fast pass time extension

[CinderellaMouse]

Exactly. But, at the same time, what if my FP time is when I've scheduled a meal for? Made a reservation, and already tweaked my insulin to fit the times. Others can try to adjust their reservation. However, I'd need to not only adjust my reservation, but also my insulin timing to fit the new reservation.

If you've got a reservation at 1:00, and the FP window is from 1:00-2:00, couldn't you either stand there until the FP window rolls back further, or come back in 30 minutes when the FP time will definitely be later? I've had to do that a time or two (I always lived by the "new" FP rule because I didn't know you had all day to return, so now I don't feel like I've lost anything! )

I think the OP's main point is, what if her FP window is up in 15 minutes, and she realizes her DD has to eat right then. In which case wouldn't it be possible to always aim to ride at the beginning of the window so you don't find yourself in this situation? Unless of course it can take the DD almost an hour to eat, but that seems unlikely.

 

[deegack]

Exactly. But, at the same time, what if my FP time is when I've scheduled a meal for? Made a reservation, and already tweaked my insulin to fit the times. Others can try to adjust their reservation. However, I'd need to not only adjust my reservation, but also my insulin timing to fit the new reservation.

You don't take the fp just like anyone else who has a fastpass time conflict with an ADR

 

[crashbb]

Exactly. But, at the same time, what if my FP time is when I've scheduled a meal for? Made a reservation, and already tweaked my insulin to fit the times. Others can try to adjust their reservation. However, I'd need to not only adjust my reservation, but also my insulin timing to fit the new reservation.

Like everyone else, if the posted FP time (which you see before you get your FP) doesn't work for you, you don't get the FP at that time. Moving ADRs is difficult for everyone (and impossible for everyone during peak times). We saw that the FP time wouldn't work with our ADR, so we left and came back later (when the new windor worked) and got FPs then.

 

[daneenm]

=My DH is diabetic and my DD can have issues with low blood sugar, so we plan frequent small breaks to keep them both on track.

I believe this is a valid question by the OP. Folks need to keep in mind that dealing with a young child with T1D is very different than and adult with T1D or T2D. Children's blood sugar levels can be very volitile. My son could drop 200 points in an hour when he was younger. Despite excellent planning, there are times when these lows catch you when you are not expecting them. You cannot spend your day feeding your child before every single ride, unless you have a grazer, which many do not.

I would certainly ask for this. Please do let us know what you find out.

 

[Schmeck]

If the OP is in the FP line, and needs to leave for a medical situation, she just needs to connect with the CM at the entrance before leaving the attraction.

Not even getting to the queue before the window is up? Well, you have an hour to get there, and I would think that in that hour, a child's blood sugar could be monitered and adjusted before the FP expires. If it can't, then getting a FP around a meal time should be avoided.

It all just takes a little more planning, like all of us have to do now that FP times are reinforced.

 

[disneywithfive]

OP, thank you for asking this type of question. I'm sad though that so many people on this board, that should be understanding and supportive, are not. We have a daughter with seizures and since this new fast pass rule has come into place, I've wondered how it would affect us. There is no possible way for us to control, monitor, or regulate them. We will find ourselves in a situation where this strict fast pass will hender us in some fashion because her needs at the time will take priority. Many people will probably have a comment on not taking her at all due to her situation, so I'm ready for the flames. Just know that you have a supportive DIS member who totally understands your concerns.

 

[kaytieeldr]

First, the thread was started three or four months ago and as far as I can tell, the OP hasn't been back - so we don't know if she tried to get the GAC or what the result was.

Second, the posters here are empathetic but also realistic. It's possible - especially lacking any evidence to the contrary - that Disney won't have or make any exemption to the FastPass return window.

 

[cm8]

First, the thread was started three or four months ago and as far as I can tell, the OP hasn't been back - so we don't know if she tried to get the GAC or what the result was.

Second, the posters here are empathetic but also realistic. It's possible - especially lacking any evidence to the contrary - that Disney won't have or make any exemption to the FastPass return window.

Besides, then we will hear about someone getting upset because their "disability" was not allotted such a pass Where would Disney draw the line

 

[k3mommy]

I believe this is a valid question by the OP. Folks need to keep in mind that dealing with a young child with T1D is very different than and adult with T1D or T2D. Children's blood sugar levels can be very volitile. My son could drop 200 points in an hour when he was younger. Despite excellent planning, there are times when these lows catch you when you are not expecting them. You cannot spend your day feeding your child before every single ride, unless you have a grazer, which many do not.

I would certainly ask for this. Please do let us know what you find out.

I'm interested as well. We are going for our first time in Nov and my 3 yr old is T1D. Her blood sugar, as you mentioned, can become an emergency in a short amount of time. It isn't always possible to avoid these situations. I've had to pull over on the interstate to handle problems with blood sugar and a stubborn low doesn't always pop right back up. It CAN take a considerable amount of time to get back on track. And don't even get me started on the urgent bathroom trips a 3 yr old with a HIGH blood sugar needs. We are probably going to put her in a pullup during patk time even though she is completely potty trained because I don't want an accident from a high blood sugar to ruin her fun.

 

[North of Mouse]

Instead of waiting until near the end of the FP "window" try to return at the beginning - that gives some leeway without trying to find a way to get in after the allotted FP time. If they started doing this with one, or more, then they'd end up right back where they started when they were taking them any time of day Very few people would have a true legitimate excuse, if they tried to be there early. Also, it would be helpful to keep some "healthy" snacks (foods) on hand that you know would be the right thing for your situation.

 

[daneenm]

Also, it would be helpful to keep some "healthy" snacks (foods) on hand that you know would be the right thing for your situation.

In fact what is needed in a low blood sugar emergency is as close to pure glucose as you can get for the fastest response. Even then a 'fast' response can take 20-30 minutes depending if you have caught the low at the bottom or if they are still going down.

What people are talking about here are emergencies, not children who are trending lower than we'd like who just need a snack. These are children who are bottoming out when they were expected to be in a reasonable range. In which case, you stop in your tracks and treat it. Every T1D family I know has snacks, glucose tabs, glucose gel and other emergency supplies with them at all times. Trust me when I say there is not a single parent out there who would want to live through their child going through an extreme low and we, unfortunately, have to deal with it more than we'd like no matter how well prepared we are. The body is a very complex machine with many factors that we cannot see impacting it.

So, I will say again, I think it is a reasonable question to ask, OP and others. Accommodating within the following hour seems reasonable. Not sure that Disney would say yes, but it does not hurt to ask.

 

[k3mommy]

I agree that there are probably few legitimate excuses, but the fact remains that even if we do get to the line, there is no guarantee my DD blood sugar isn't going to plummet to 40. She's 3. She doesn't recognize when she is dropping. So now we are either in line or approaching the line at the beginning of the one hour window and she starts whining. Should I go ahead and get in line? Check her BS in line? Start treating in line? And then force her to ride the attraction while trying to recover from a low BS? BTW, when we treat a low BS recovery isn't instantaneous. There have been instances where she drinks her juice and we recheck and she is still dropping. Another juice. Another check. Not high enough so some other form of sugar because we have learned more than 2 juices leads to puking.

I don't think we should be given a free pass to just hop on and off the rides whenever but on a bad day with lots of highs and lows we may have a hard time making the one hour window.

 

[Talking Hands]

It is not just the kids but any t1d that can have these drops. I usually carry a soda for quick sugar but once I use that to increase my sugars I also need some type of protein to stabilize my BG levels. Full recovery can take anywhere from 10 minutes to a couple of hours. And recognizing a low isn't always easy. Often I don't realize I am low until I am way too low. Anything under 70 is low but I don't always react until it is below 35. Scary.

 

[Sparkly]

Then perhaps the Fastpass system is unsuitable for you. Maybe visit the parks early in the morning when lines are shorter or go off season.

 

[lovethattink]

Then perhaps the Fastpass system is unsuitable for you. Maybe visit the parks early in the morning when lines are shorter or go off season.

I don't want to come across snarky, so I hope I don't. Trying to state this matter-of-factly. Chronic conditions don't take a break during mornings or off seasons. They are something we are faced with day in and day out.

To the OP, I am not aware of any stamp for the GAC.

Since time is usually of the essence, perhaps speaking to guest services or an attraction manager AFTER the medical crisis is over may help. The worst they can say is no.

 

[k3mommy]

I don't want to come across snarky, so I hope I don't. Trying to state this matter-of-factly. Chronic conditions don't take a break during mornings or off seasons. They are something we are faced with day in and day out.

To the OP, I am not aware of any stamp for the GAC.

Since time is usually of the essence, perhaps speaking to guest services or an attraction manager AFTER the medical crisis is over may help. The worst they can say is no.

You came across much better than I would have which is why I didn't respond to that. Most people don't realize the amount of work it takes to keep a child with a chronic condition "healthy." I haven't slept through a single night since my daughter was diagnosed. I get up at least once or twice in the middle of the night to make sure my child hasn't dropped dangerously low or she isn't high from her site going bad. I don't think she deserves a "golden ticket" but just a little consideration would be nice.

 

[CinderellaMouse]

Since time is usually of the essence, perhaps speaking to guest services or an attraction manager AFTER the medical crisis is over may help. The worst they can say is no.

This seems like the simplest solution. Getting a GAC that says you can ignore FP times does, in fact, give you a golden ticket, even if you acknowledge that's not something you want or something you should have. I think most CMs would be reasonably sympathetic if you arrived at RnRC at 1:30 with a 12:00-1:00 FP and said you'd spent over an hour dealing with unexpected medical issues.

 

[clanmcculloch]

The thing is, without some kind of a GAC, the CMs are expected to not make exceptions. The whole point of a GAC is so that CMs know that there's an invisibile disability and that some kind of accomodation is needed. Will there be abuse? Of course; there's no way to avoid it. But, without any kind of GAC, there's no way for CMs to provide an exception.

Talk to Guest Relations and ask what they recommend. They may already have a procedure in place for this kind of thing but don't want to make it public knowledge (I honestly don't know if they do or don't; I'm saying ask). The answer may be that there is no accomodation and that if G-d forbid you do have a sugar crash that after stablizing your child you've miss out on using a FP that this is just what happens but you never know, there might be something they can suggest. Talk to them and find out. Hopefully you never actually have to find out because hopefully you don't have to endure a crash at WDW.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I think what we all have to remember is that what seems to happen when anything changes is something like this:

Change Happens -> Accomedations are made on a case by case basis -> Case by Case basis is found out by public -> System falls apart

I may be overgeneralizing but something has got to give with this kind of thing. Absolutely accomedations should be made, but I don't think they should be, shall we say "relied on".

Go to Disney, do what you can to mitigate your issues and learn to take the good with the bad.

IMHO, I think Disney has spoiled people. They do what they can and more, but no system is ever going to be perfect and it seems people have been taught to expect it so much that they freak out when everything isn't just so. Its great and amazing that people with issues are out and mobile and all that where they might not have been 20/30/40 years ago but maybe it's time to remember how good things have gotten rather than complain again and again when things don't work in your super specific situation.

Flame on kids.

 

[kritter47]

See, I tend to think a GAC is not appropriate in this case, and two things should occur - if you know you're prone to sudden, emergent needs (bathroom, respiratory, endocrine, whatever), then you plan to get there at the beginning of the window to allow for maximum wiggle room should something occur, and if an emergency truly does happen and cause you to miss the window, you approach the FP CM discretely and politely, show something like the blood glucose meter (just to prove you're not pulling an excuse out of thin air) and ask if they can accommodate you in this case.

The problem with putting down guidelines for this type of extension is that there are a huge number of equally legitimate medical issues that could crop up suddenly - flares of chronic things like asthma or epilepsy, urgent things like heat exhaustion or dehydration or side effects of impaired mobility (a person with a walker or ECV, for instance, may argue that they could have made it to the ride just before the end of the window had people not continually cut in front of them and slowed them down).

And now you're down a rabbit hole.

Honestly, an hour-long window should be plenty long enough to deal with most things that aren't going to force you to leave the park. If you choose to wait until the final 10 minutes to take advantage of the FP, then that's the risk you're assuming knowing that something could happen, from a blood glucose issue to someone losing a shoe, that makes that window impossible to reach.