GAC with 10 people at both disney and universal parks About This Page:

[lela12982]

I am planning a trip in feb 2012 and it is going to be my family (me, hubby, my 3 kids, 1 who has autism) and our close friends (practically family) (2 adults, 3 kids). All the kids will be between 4-9 yrs old. I went in 09 and got the GAC at disney and they put party of 8 for me (it was the 2 moms and all 6 kids) even though usually its not for a party that big.

I guess my question is will they give me a GAC for all 10 of us? My son is a daredevil even with autism, I guess he is an odd exception, he loves lights and sounds and movement, he just HATES being crowded or touched unless he comes to you. And he has NO patience. He has delays in his motor and speech and emotional development, so right now he is 6 and is more like maybe a 4 yr old. (actually my 4 yr old seems more advanced in certain areas then him, they have gotten really close I think because of how close they are developmentally).

I don't think Disney will give me much trouble, understanding that the group likes to stay together, and because of how many kids there are, and young ones at that, we can't really separate. (plus my son only makes eye contact with their daughter, they swear they will be married, and she is a huge calming effect on him)

I have never had the GAC at universal and when i called on it, they said it could only be for 6 people. Has anyone gotten it there before? How does their pass work? My son could never wait for half the group to come back, he would be more anxious not knowing where they were (he freaks when a few of us go to the bathroom and he can't see us). He LOVES spiderman and I don't want him to miss his chance to see him. Universal is of no help in answering my questions, so any advice would be great!! thanks!

[SueM loves WDW]

At Universal, I have never heard of them giving a Guest Assistance Card for more than 6 people and I do know that at times, when it is busy, I have heard of them 'suspending' using Guest Assistance Cards (I know it doesn't make much sense, but on another board, a poster who works at Universal in Guest Relations wrote that they do that at times at the Harry Potter attractions).

At WDW, they generally do it only for groups of up to 6 (5 plus the person with a disability). They will make exceptions on a case by case basis for special situations - such as mom and dad who have 6 kids or, we have had up to 8 when our party included my daughter who has multiple disabilities and also included her 2 grandmas who are over 80 yrs old.
There are situations where we still had to split up - for example, Toy Story Mania's car 'pods' hold up to 6 people, so we had to split into 2 groups, with no more than 5 people with our daughter.
Because of situations like that, it was kind of a negotiation at each attraction on whether or not all 8 of us could stay together.

In your situation, using Fastpasses and a touring plan may work much better. There would be no question of staying together because you would all be in line together anyway. I know of many people who have had very good luck with touring plans, which can help you to be in the least busy part of the least busy park. That can be helpful even when you are just getting from place to place - less people means less congestion, less commotion and less waiting.

And, your son is not really as unusual as you think for a child with autism. Some people with autism are sensory seekers and really like the 'wild' rides, lights and music and especially movement. Others are sensory avoiders and really don't like anything that is not part of their daily activity.

[lela12982]

You know after doing some more research, I find they seem to be far and few between (at least going to disey), that love sensory things, while most kids are scared/upset by it. I guess I am lucky in that way, but it's still tough!

I am an OBSESSIVE planner! My friend and I have made our own touring plans, since we have my son with special needs, 2 thrill loving husbands, and 6 kids. So we are doing things like boys run and grab fastpasses for things only they will ride as soon as we get in, while we bring the kids to meet characters, or do something they want to do, then meeting for family activities. We literally planned every minute, so we can make a chart for my son showing him what will be next, so he isn't so upset about wanting to ride something and not understanding we will get there in like 2 rides, or whatever. If it were just use, we would be more likely to just do what he wants, but the 3 other young kids don't get that he gets to do special things because he is special needs, and the result is 3 kids screaming and crying because Evan gets do to what he wants, and they can't. So we have a plan, we can use the chart with all the little kids (the older ones will both be 9 and get this!), and hope it stops the "but I wanna do this" from the kids. If my son knows the plan and can see it, he is actually very set on following it. If he can see, dumbo, then peter pan. He will WANT to do Dumbo and peter pan. As much as this can cause issues if they are down, or whatever, at least it is down to 2 rides, and not the whole park. i am actually excited about making a plan with picture cards for him to hold and turn for the parks.

I just wish Universal was as advanced with issues like autism like Disney is. I am dreading universal and can only hope the lines are short. We may have to do harry potter and jurassic park, then seperate from the other family, just so we can do rides. I also wish they had fastpass and not a special ticket you have to buy.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by lela12982

You know after doing some more research, I find they seem to be far and few between (at least going to disey), that love sensory things, while most kids are scared/upset by it. I guess I am lucky in that way, but it's still tough!

I am an OBSESSIVE planner! .

It seems like your GAC question has been answered. If they don't allow it, you have to consider that Disney has to draw the line someplace with number of people on a GAC, and please don't take it personally or think they are not being responsive to your needs.

I see SO many sensory seekers! It is not that uncommon at all. It is just, unfortunately, often misunderstood as behaviors.

Have you checked out the Open Mouse? There is alot of info in there that would relate to your situation. There should be a copy in your book store.


Also, here are a few articles I wrote a while back on sensory sensitivities in Disney. There may be some helpful info here. Here are a few articles I wrote A LONG time ago about touring Disney with Sensory needs. (If you like the articles, could you please leave a comment under them so the editors see that people are interested in Disney!)

I*Managing: Case Examples on ADVANCE for Occupational Therapy Practitioners

I Managing on ADVANCE for Occupational Therapy Practitioners

I*Managing: Strategies and Resources on ADVANCE for Occupational Therapy Practitioners

Hope this is helpful! Have a fun trip.

[mechurchlady]

For the Fastpasses there may be two options. Sometimes people cannot or will not ride a ride. Groups will then use the tickets of those people to get additional fastpasses. For example if 5 people will do Ride A then the group uses the remaining 5 tickets to get 5 fastpasses on Ride B. Fastpasses are good for the whole day.

Child Swapping Pass is where the group shows up at the greeter without waiting in line. They show that they have children who are too small to ride. That babysitter gets the Child Swapping Pass which allows two or three people to use the Fastpass entrance or the exit (depends on the ride) instead of waiting. This pass is good for anyone and until close of day for that park. The group gets in line using Fastpass, disabled, standby or single rider lines just like they normally would. the babysitter then can go to their room, lunch or off to ride rides. The best thing is that for smaller parties this doubles the number of fastpasses one can get. A party of 7 rides while the babysitter takes 2 kids aside to wait. That frees up 3 tickets for fastpasses and the Swapping Pass for a total of 5 later in the day going on that ride without waiting. Or take the three tickets to use on another ride. Enough to keep a die hard planner busy for a while.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by mechurchlady

For the Fastpasses there may be two options. Sometimes people cannot or will not ride a ride. Groups will then use the tickets of those people to get additional fastpasses. For example if 5 people will do Ride A then the group uses the remaining 5 tickets to get 5 fastpasses on Ride B. Fastpasses are good for the whole day.

Child Swapping Pass is where the group shows up at the greeter without waiting in line. They show that they have children who are too small to ride. That babysitter gets the Child Swapping Pass which allows two or three people to use the Fastpass entrance or the exit (depends on the ride) instead of waiting. This pass is good for anyone and until close of day for that park. The group gets in line using Fastpass, disabled, standby or single rider lines just like they normally would. the babysitter then can go to their room, lunch or off to ride rides. The best thing is that for smaller parties this doubles the number of fastpasses one can get. A party of 7 rides while the babysitter takes 2 kids aside to wait. That frees up 3 tickets for fastpasses and the Swapping Pass for a total of 5 later in the day going on that ride without waiting. Or take the three tickets to use on another ride. Enough to keep a die hard planner busy for a while.

Great info!

[Laughaholic]

The official Guest Relations policy is a limit of six, including the individual that needs the assistance. In most cases, this is not something that can be made an exception about and is one of the policies that does not have gray area, unfortunately. It is a question that is asked dozens of times in a day, so the limit of six wouldn't really have a point if exceptions were made in every situation.

Utilizing Fastpass is a great way to get extra family members involved if you are traveling with a large group. While Guest Relations may not make an accommodation, an individual attraction might, but they are not required to do so.

Hopefully this info helps!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by Laughaholic

The official Guest Relations policy is a limit of six, including the individual that needs the assistance. In most cases, this is not something that can be made an exception about and is one of the policies that does not have gray area, unfortunately. It is a question that is asked dozens of times in a day, so the limit of six wouldn't really have a point if exceptions were made in every situation.

Utilizing Fastpass is a great way to get extra family members involved if you are traveling with a large group. While Guest Relations may not make an accommodation, an individual attraction might, but they are not required to do so.

Hopefully this info helps!

Well, there's the definitive answer, then! The fast-pass advice is very good. I'd recommend, though, to get to the parks early. Often, all the fast passes are goneby early afternoon for some attractions.

[Laughaholic]

Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick

Well, there's the definitive answer, then! The fast-pass advice is very good. I'd recommend, though, to get to the parks early. Often, all the fast passes are goneby early afternoon for some attractions.

Definitely! To throw in some extra information, here are the attractions that typically run out of Fastpass first, so you know which ones to get!


MK - Usually Space Mountain and Peter Pan
Epcot - Soarin', followed closely by Test Track
DHS - Toy Story Midway Mania (this attraction runs out the quickest of any attraction at any park, usually between 10:30am and 12pm any given day), followed by RNRC and then TOT
DAK - Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by Laughaholic

Definitely! To throw in some extra information, here are the attractions that typically run out of Fastpass first, so you know which ones to get!


MK - Usually Space Mountain and Peter Pan
Epcot - Soarin', followed closely by Test Track
DHS - Toy Story Midway Mania (this attraction runs out the quickest of any attraction at any park, usually between 10:30am and 12pm any given day), followed by RNRC and then TOT
DAK - Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris

Great tip! Thanks!