Hello,

I have a few questions for the parents of toddlers who attended the conference at Disney this year. What parks did you go to? How did your toddlers do with the characters? How did they do on the rides and shows?Did you get a disability pass? Did you bring your own snacks and drinks for them into the parks?

We are going to Disney this weekend and will be in the parks for 3 days with Cameron (2 1/2). Any suggestions or advice would be AWESOME.

Thanks
Michelle

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Michelle, Fiance to Wyatt, Mom to Shane (20), Aubrey (17) and Baby Cameron DS (02/06/08 )

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

we are going in October, 38 days but who is counting

Done a lot of research they have a Guest assistance card you can get see below info. We acutally took Dylan to Six Flags a few months ago to see how he was and he loved the rides, loves characters, he had a great time and always asked for more after each ride. I plan to bring his own favorite snacks so we don't have to worry about finding fishys or cherrios when he wants them.

What is the Guest Assistance Card, or GAC?
The Guest Assistance Card (GAC) at Walt Disney World is also called the Special Assistance Pass (SAP) at Disneyland. Both refer to the basically the same thing. The GAC used to be called the Special Assistance Pass. The name was changed to Guest Assistance Card a few years ago because some people thought it was a “front-of-the-line” pass, which caused some confusion between guests and cast members. Some people think there is a back door into most rides that they will get to use if they have a GAC and that's almost never the case -- many attractions have mainstream access. Always ask the Cast Members at the attraction how to proceed, and please do not expect front-of-line access.

The GAC is not used to jump the lines, it is used to help special needs travelers get access to attractions that they would otherwise not be able to see due to health, mobility, or major developmental and psychological issues. You may be allowed to bypass the lines, but you should still expect to wait. Examples of people who might benefit from using the GAC include folks of all ages and backgrounds, whether their need is temporary or permanent:
• People with mobility issues that would keep them from being able to stand in long queues who are not using wheelchairs, ECVs or canes;
• People who are particularly heat or sun sensitive to the point that it endangers their health or safety because of health conditions such as Lupus and Multiple Sclerosis, or people who are on certain medications;
• Families traveling with special needs children or adults who have health, psychological or hypersensitivity issues that make it difficult to remain in crowded queues;
• People who are easily fatigued or in pain due to serious health problems (heart, emphysema, arthritis, etc.) who plan to be ambulatory inside pavilions and attractions but park their wheelchair or ECV outside, or choose not to use wheelchairs. They get access to the seating without stairs in shows, for example. Also use of alternate entrances in places where the queue is not mainstream and there are stairs or a climb.

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Sandy (Dylans_Mom)
Mom to Hailey 3/2002, Dylan (ds) 12/2005

We have used this at Disneyland and California Adventure Parks. What it did for us was to allow us to use the stroller in line with Emma, as she became unmanageable waiting in long lines (it was actually recommended to us at a previous visit by a ride operator). In the older park (Disneyland) on older rides, there was a separate line at the exit where they'd work us in without having to snake through the narrow lines. On newer rides, we simply waited with everyone else and/or were granted the use of elevators for rides like the autopia where the lines went over the ride itself. We've done this a couple of times now, and I have not encountered one ride operator who was not accommodating, and all have made us feel extremely welcome, in fact. There is a limit of six people per pass, I believe, you tell them how many are in your party and they put it on the pass. I took the opportunity to thank Disney via email for providing this service.
Emma's a thrillseeker, by the way.

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Nature goes her own way and all that to us seems an exception is really according to order.
-Goethe

We took Callum to Disneyland when he was about 3 and he loved it! We got the GAC and as Emdad said the best "perk" of that is that you can take the stroller in the lines, essential for us as there was no way Callum would have stood in the line. It did mean shorter waits at some attractions as you can use the wheelchair entrance.

Callum loved the characters and the cast members were really welcoming, when they noticed him watching all the kids meet Minnie Mouse on her porch they actually came over and invited us into Minnie's house where it was a bit quieter so that we could get our pictures and he could have a hug.

You can also use the wheelchair section for the parade which is great it your kids get a bit freaky around squashed in crowds.

Kieran, my youngest was about 20 months at the time and it was a bit much for him. He conked out early and slept through most of the day!

Have fun!

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Naomi
Mum to Callum (DS) 3/03 and Kieran 8/04
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South Manchester Down Syndrome Group

Guest assistance card is a must. It is a life saver! It pretty much is a front of the line pass, even though they might say it isn't. Most lines were over an hour long, but we waited maybe 10 minutes at most with our GAP. It also allows you to use your stroller as a wheelchair, so you can bring it right to the front of the line, instead of carrying a heavy child.
We found that the pass didn't allow us to jump the line when waiting for pictures with characters, but they do have a new place (I think it is in Hollywood Studios) that is air conditioned & many characters are there for you to pose with.
Adam loves all the Toy story rides. We also loved Animal kingdom & the rides there. Downtown Disney was fun for shopping & for going for a meal.

Have a great trip!

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Anjie
Proud mom to Laurel(16), Erin (10), & Adam ( 5, ds)

Thanks everyone. We were able to get the GAC and it allowed us to use an alternate entrance (basically fast pass) for all of the rides which made our life so much easier.

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Michelle, Fiance to Wyatt, Mom to Shane (20), Aubrey (17) and Baby Cameron DS (02/06/08 )

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.