1st trip in July with autistic DS6

[Guest]

Hi
On our first outing in July, and my youngest suffers with autism, he's 6 and has a development delay of 2/3 years, language problems and issues with waiting and no real concept of time. Saying that he does very well, but we want to avoid any stressful moments while we are in the parks.

Ive read the stickies, and Im not looking to que jump, just feedback on peoples experiences.

The waiting areas, are there things to do, can you wait with them?
We can't leave him with a cast member, and I think he would have a problem hanging around, it would be far better if we could keep moving around the park.

Can we say anything to GS to help them grasp our needs, from peoples experience do GS have a good understanding of autistic needs?

Any help is always appreciated

[rizzy135]

My DS also has autism & has problems/understaning of having to wait etc.

I would get the Guest assistance card from the Disney parks & also Universal have just started doing a similar card as well.
Go to guest releations in any park explain your childs needs & they will issue a pass for your party (up to 6 people).

There not designed to queue jump but you can use the disabled entrance or the fast pass line depending on what ride your waiting for although sometimes you still have to queue a bit.

Not had any experience of the rooms you can use to wait in but i'm sure someone will be along in a bit regarding them to expalin how you use them.

Hope this helps a bit & enjoy your trip.

Penny

[Jedi_Angie]

The first time we went to Florida our youngest, also autistic, was six - we heard about the GAC right before we went, and it turned out to be an absolute Godsend! You won't have to leave your son with a CM, you'll wait with him or be directed to a disabled entrance or sometimes the exit of a ride. As Penny said, go to guest relations as soon as you get to Disney (inside the park, as the queue is shorter and in an air-conditioned room) and explain that your son has autism, and ask if there's anything they can do to help with this. They will usually issue a GAC, and most cast members know at least a little about autism.

Our son comes on leaps and bounds every time we go to Florida - he's quite hypo-sensitive, and it takes a lot of input to 'reach' him. He's also learned to be more tolerant of queues and can now manage about 15 minutes - all learned through trips to the US. His older brother is also autistic, albeit high-functioning, and he also loves his Florida trips.

Have a great holiday!

[Guest]

We have 2 children with ASD, our son is also 6 with Autism and GDD of 3yrs, he also has a mobility problem too, Our daughter is 8 and has Aspergers, they both have very different needs, we always get a GAC from guest services, also talk to your airline/travel agent, many have an assistance service for children with autism/disability, we travel this coming tues with Virgin and so far they have been brilliant, we have also been given bulk head seats, checked today on my online booking so that is a massive weight off our minds knowing that their will be no one sat in front of us, unlike in 2006 on our last visit we didn't get any assistance at all you can only imagine the uproar caused when the passengers in front put their seats back! not the other passengers fault at all it's their right to do so however try explaining that to 2 children with ASD! was a bit of a lousy flight i can tell you... trust me take all the assistance on offer, a family holiday is just that and you all need to enjoy it and each other. Most people you encounter have some understanding of Autism so you should be fine.

Have fun...

[Guest]

I would agree that the GAC is a must. Our DS is autistic/mobility problems and we couldn't have done the parks without the GAC, it was a GODSEND and worth its weight in platinum, never mind gold. However, you will only be able to use this on attractions and will still have to wait in lines for autographs,character meets.

[Guest]

The GAC is fantastic. We thought we'd have to stop taking our little boy with ASD before we found out about the GAC, as he just got harder and harder to handle in queues. But now we can still have a lovely holiday, and our little lad calls the GAC his Magic Pass

You can also use it at indoor character meets like Epcot's Character Connection, and the tent in Toon Town.

Love
Gertiesquidge

[Jaffa]

We got a letter from our Doctor which cost £10 explaining about our son. When you go to the parks, go to Guest Services with the letter and they will give you special passes so you don't have to wait in line so long. Our son loved it, so just go and enjoy yourselves. x

[DIBBadmin]

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