Asked to Prove you are ASD or turned away?

[sarahkate60120]

But each ride does not have a another place to wait. So I don't understand how a GAC would help you?

The exit ramp where where they usually had us wait. Sometimes we di get on earlier than if we had been in the main line, other times not. As I said, I didn't mind waiting, we just needed a better area to wait.

 

[livndisney]

The exit ramp where where they usually had us wait. Sometimes we di get on earlier than if we had been in the main line, other times not. As I said, I didn't mind waiting, we just needed a better area to wait.

Waiting at the exit is not always an option. And I still don't understand how that would help you since a lot of the time the exit is under the same roof.

 

[ladyjubilee]

They had about 10 people with them I think! A couple of siblings, parents (who lived locally from their conversation) and grandparents and an aunt visiting from out of town. Had nothing to do but listen to them talk while we waited so I know quite a bit about them. Including the fact that the mother got the stroller tags because it was "convenient". She didn't want to make the kids walk or carry them. She told her mother that she just goes to guest services and tells them she needs it. She said they rarely ask why but if they do, she says the kids are autistic and need the strollers to feel safe.

I guess this just goes to show that one person's accomodation is another's abuse. My son has autism/PDD-NOS. In current politically correct terms he fall into the "most severely impacted" range. We use a stroller for behavior management and last year we were offered the "Stroller as Wheelchair" tag by a very wise GS. I didn't even know the accomodation was available--and it made difference between us being able to stay in the park, and having to leave. I've had to carry my son in big parks--it ain't fun, though partially that is because he literally collapses when he over heats. It is very convenient. Making him walk in large places? Well, I'm all for kids taking responsibility and as a foster parent I've had over 8 kids. Let me tell you its different. Beyound how tired he gets from toe walking, beyond the extra distance involved in spinning every few steps there's the distractions--the leaves that have to be rubbed between his fingers and flown in the wind, the pebble, even the asphalt which needs to be rubbed and stroked...and you're probabling thinking tell him to stop. Sure, but the reality is that he can't just stop and WDW is exciting, so all those behaviors increase 1000%. Plus that doesn't even consider meltdowns, not tantrums but pure meltdowns. The stroller gets us past all that and gives him a place to "be". And, since he is non-verbal it means I don't have to worry quite so much about him getting separated from my during a crowd surge.

ETA: The stroller also helps transition. Getting off of a ride is VERY difficult. True, its hard for any child---but most children have an inherent filter where they don't bit, scratch, pinch, hit--at least not to the point of real damage. Or head bang, or pluck their eyes. Being able to transition to the stroller continues the propriospective (or however its spelled) input which can blur the line of the transition which makes it manageable.

Sooo, I could well see myself talking to my mom awaiting a parade as my seemingly calm 8 year old jumps up and down or spins his R2 about how convienent the Stroller as Wheelchair tag is, and how much it really made things so much easier since I didn't have to carry him (which is what I do when we're at concerts, but that's only for a few hours, not at whole day). I sort of doubt I would have to tell my mom (my son's grandmother), "You know, since son has autism I needed to use the stroller...."


I guess my question though is about the CM not reading the doctor's letter. Last time, the GS at least said he was making a copy (on my request) and put a number on the copy and on the little tag we put on my son--my assumption was that it was being put some place. With the changes, can they still do this? My big fear is that we could somehow get separated and since he is non-verbal no one would know about his medical needs.

 

[livndisney]

I think everyone needs to remember "reasonable".

It is almost daily we see on this board "my child has xxx, and cannot wait in line" or "I need to sit in line, but don't want a wheelchair, ecv or rollator".

I hate to say it, but even some people with disabilities have the wrong idea what a GAC is and what it can and can't do. It is not a magical solution. As guests we really don't get to "pick" how WDW meets our needs.

 

[sarahkate60120]

Waiting at the exit is not always an option. And I still don't understand how that would help you since a lot of the time the exit is under the same roof.

Not always. Take the Dumbo ride. Or the Tea Cups etc.

 

[buffettgirl]

I think everyone needs to remember "reasonable".

It is almost daily we see on this board "my child has xxx, and cannot wait in line" or "I need to sit in line, but don't want a wheelchair, ecv or rollator".

I hate to say it, but even some people with disabilities have the wrong idea what a GAC is and what it can and can't do. It is not a magical solution. As guests we really don't get to "pick" how WDW meets our needs.

yes, you summed up very succinctly what I was trying to say a few posts back.
What is a reasonable need? What isn't?

 

[livndisney]

Not always. Take the Dumbo ride. Or the Tea Cups etc.

You will note I said "not always". The exit to the Tea Cup ride is under a roof. And the Dumbo ride has recently been moved so I am not sure if it is under a roof.

 

[Mama Who]

It really breaks my heart to think of a parent teaching their child to act as if they are on the spectrum just so they could get a GAC. How low can you get? It really is deplorable.

We've used the GAC on our last two trips and it really was a godsend. We are planning a trip this Christmas and I like so many other posters am starting to worry that we won't be able to get one. My son will be turning 18 soon, and although his issues are the same as when he was ten, will his age be a factor in being able to use a GAC on this trip?

I am 37 and got a (needed) GAC for myself without any fuss or drama. GAC is a tool for people with disabilities, not just children.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

So, is the consensus here to take our prior GAC and a Dr's note? If we aren't going to the Dr before we go, can I just bring my dd's diagnostic paperwork with her diagnosis on it?

My dd has a "hidden disability" (Asperger's). We won't be using the GAC for rides (we have too many in our group) but will need it in case of meltdown. We had an "episode" in the Splash queue last year and having the GAC was an easy, fast way to just flash the CM's letting them know what was "going on". They escorted us to a private place and stayed nearby to see if we needed further help (medical attention as she thrashed into the wall and concrete ground).

I also want to state that there is more to a GAC card than lines---my dd won't ride certain rides unless she is in a certain place in the boat/car/etc. (problems created by her rigidity and anxiety). When asking for a certain placement it helps to flash a GAC-explaining that we're not just being picky. We wait longer but it's worth it.

 

[natfrac]

My husband suffered a stroke a few years back, which has made touring WDW a bit more difficult. It's like he no longer has any coping mechanisms. Much like a child, he's prone to meltdowns, freaks out in lines, etc. We tried to get a GAC and were denied. Consequently, we had to skip a lot after he completely "went off" on an undeserving CM. I wrote to Disney afterward and expressed my concern for our next trip. I told the CM at Guest Services and Disney that we're not looking for a front of the line pass, but we were hoping he could join me at the front of the queue when I got there. The response I received from Disney was a brush-off. It's very frustrating.

 

[sarahkate60120]

You will note I said "not always". The exit to the Tea Cup ride is under a roof. And the Dumbo ride has recently been moved so I am not sure if it is under a roof.

Yes, the exit to the tea cups is under a roof, but a roof without hundreds of bodies and voices making the sound level unbearable for my child. We still had to wait for rides, but just not as long in certain circumstances, which also helped. Waiting in a unbearable noisy environment for ten minutes as opposed to an hour can make all the difference.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Yes, the exit to the tea cups is under a roof, but a roof without hundreds of bodies and voices making the sound level unbearable for my child. We still had to wait for rides, but just not as long in certain circumstances, which also helped. Waiting in a unbearable noisy environment for ten minutes as opposed to an hour can make all the difference.

Have you thought about noise cancelling headphones for just when you are in noisy places?

 

[dntd]

Last year when I went to disney only some ride CM's were a bit snotty, some even asked if my DD's wheelchair was truly a wheelchair ( it's a convaid). I used fast passes when we could and other rides we were taken from the line by the CM's and escorted to another entrance. In the 8 days we were at disney we rode all the rides we could and saw a lot of shows thanks to the help of the CM. This summer's trip to seaworld/buschgardens and universal scaresme as we are going as a group of 7, my DD uses a wheel chair due to MD and weakened muscles and my niece who is 5 has autism,adhd and sensory issues.

 

[buffettgirl]

So, is the consensus here to take our prior GAC and a Dr's note? If we aren't going to the Dr before we go, can I just bring my dd's diagnostic paperwork with her diagnosis on it?

My dd has a "hidden disability" (Asperger's). We won't be using the GAC for rides (we have too many in our group) but will need it in case of meltdown. We had an "episode" in the Splash queue last year and having the GAC was an easy, fast way to just flash the CM's letting them know what was "going on". They escorted us to a private place and stayed nearby to see if we needed further help (medical attention as she thrashed into the wall and concrete ground).

I also want to state that there is more to a GAC card than lines---my dd won't ride certain rides unless she is in a certain place in the boat/car/etc. (problems created by her rigidity and anxiety). When asking for a certain placement it helps to flash a GAC-explaining that we're not just being picky. We wait longer but it's worth it.

I don't think that's the consensus at all, nor will the guest services people read your note.

However, explaining exactly what you said here, IS what guest services needs to know. I think, explaining it exactly how you just did, would get your needs appropriately met.

 

[livndisney]

My husband suffered a stroke a few years back, which has made touring WDW a bit more difficult. It's like he no longer has any coping mechanisms. Much like a child, he's prone to meltdowns, freaks out in lines, etc. We tried to get a GAC and were denied. Consequently, we had to skip a lot after he completely "went off" on an undeserving CM. I wrote to Disney afterward and expressed my concern for our next trip. I told the CM at Guest Services and Disney that we're not looking for a front of the line pass, but we were hoping he could join me at the front of the queue when I got there. The response I received from Disney was a brush-off. It's very frustrating.

There is not a way at most attractions for someone to "join you" at the front of the line. For your husband to get to you, he would have had to go through all the people in line. If he "went off" on a undeserving CM, how would he have handled the comments of other guests waiting in line?

 

[cinderella73]

When we went to get our GAC last year I did get a nasty CM who saw our SD who was wearing appropiate gear. I was told its not for skipping lines in a snotty tone . I stated politly that yes of course I knew that. I had his papers , shot records and other medical papers in case needed as well.

Funny thing is we only go in off season to begin with. The week following Labor Day . The alternate entrance is sometimes longer than the ride lines because you have to wait. Regular lines are literally walk on . So its never something we want to do. A GAC for line skipping would make no sense.

Most cms didnt give us a choice with the dog anyway and as soon as they saw us guided us to a alternate entrance anyway.

I am hoping this trip I wont encounter the same attitude. I understand the increasing scrutiny. I get it. But no should be made to feel as if they are cheating the system.

I know at a place like Philhar magic where people are crowded into a room the alternate entrance is really important. Not to mention there are a lot of small kids that are scared of my dog being in line with them. While he is trained and never interacts with others , plenty of other people either do not see him and step on him accidently or do not like dogs. Especially the case with some of the international travelers .

Oh I forgot but one time as we were heading into line for IASW the cast member guided us to the wheelchair entrance. She said she didnt want the dogs paws getting hurt in line by others. The line was literally walk on , but through the wheelchair entrance we waited 20 minutes. They were very nice though and we didnt mind. They knew he was a medical alert not mobility dog but brought around this cute boat that I guess they use for wheelchairs to make it easier for the dog. They wanted him to be comfortable they said. lol They told us to ride twice if we wanted. I thought that was very nice of them. So thankfully there still are really nice castmembers.

Just hate how it boils my blood so bad to be treated as if I am trying to skip lines. Going with a positive attitude though this year. Hopefully it will all go well. Thankfully its still much more good than bad. But it is important that we all contact guest relations when we have a bad ( and great) encounter.

 

[livndisney]

Yes, the exit to the tea cups is under a roof, but a roof without hundreds of bodies and voices making the sound level unbearable for my child. We still had to wait for rides, but just not as long in certain circumstances, which also helped. Waiting in a unbearable noisy environment for ten minutes as opposed to an hour can make all the difference.

It is the same roof. The ride and the line are under the same roof. It is the same noise level. (I have a child with noise issues)

If the noise is an issue, what assistance are you providing for your child? Can she turn down the devices? Would headphones help?

 

[livndisney]

"I guess this just goes to show that one person's accomodation is another's abuse."


I have to agree with this statement from the pp.

As I posted a little bit ago, some people have the wrong idea about the GAC and what it can do.

We have seen people in GS "explaining how they read on the internet about a pass so they would not have to wait in line". When the CM asks what the "need" is, one lady actually said "I need to not wait in line".

No matter how hard some try to sugar coat it, the simple truth is a GAC is not intended to shorten wait time. It is written right on the card.

 

[a1tinkfans]

there are users and abusers in all walks of life.
As one who has used a GAC in the past, when needed, it irritates me that those that "need" help may shy away from asking for help, rather than be subjected to "challenges" by cast members, at guest services or at attractions. Thats disturbing and no one should be made to feel they need to "prove" a disability/need any more than clearly explaining what the need is and hoping that they can be accommodated as best as they can.
I think that if a GAC was presented and I was made to feel "attacked or grossly uncomfortable" by Any cm, Id be sure to get the time/location and name from their tag and I would definitely comment/write about my experience so that no one else would have to experience the same thing.
We all know that some disabilities are not always "seen." I hope that Disney as a whole handles this situation with the respect it deserves, as I have experienced in the past.

 

[sarahkate60120]

Have you thought about noise cancelling headphones for just when you are in noisy places?

I wish. Anna was born with one normal sized ear and one small closed ear. On her ear with microtia (small closed ear) she wears a bone conduction hearing aid that is not condusive to head phones, hats, hoods etc.

To livndisney:

It is the same roof, but away from all the people, at least for us, the noise level went down. Sorry you didn't have that same experience.

What assistance do I offer my child? (kind of a rude question but I'll still answer) If it gets too noisy she has to take off her aids and try to rely on reading lips. There are different programs on an implant that are suppose to be better in noise, but we have not had much success using them. We also tried to get the the parks before it was too busy and we didn't always ride on things that were super busy and noisy, but the tea cups were hands down her favorite ride. I would never go during a super busy season because I know it would just be too much for her.

My child has much more than a noise issue as you called it. My child is deaf. She wears two differnt kinds of implanted devices which allow her to hear. It is very difficult for her to filter out external noise. Wearing her devices is a blessing, but in certain situations it can be like she is being bonbarded with noise all going directly into her implant. For Disney to expect her to remove her implant and aid to be able to wait in line for long periods of time is unreasonable. The way they have the lines set up is not a good one for people who wear hearing devices.

I know the passes are not to avoid lines, not sure if you were tyring to imply that we were abusing the system. We used the pass to help make the wait manageable, yes we sometimes waited less time, but we always had to wait. The GAC card provides for an alternate entrance, which usually, is not so loud of an area away from so many people.