Going to Walt Disney World with Special Needs ~ Part 2

Let’s start with what it is.  GAC stands for Guest Assistance Card.  This card provides certain accommodations or assistance for those individuals with special needs. For instance, our daughter has not yet learned any level of patience, therefore, waiting in long lines is really not an option for us.  The GAC allows us to use an alternate entrance.  The alternate entrance may sometimes have fewer people, cutting down on crowding and wait time. For our family, the GAC is a must have to get through our time at the parks.  I wish we could get one for everyday life!  It would make things so much easier.

Each person’s needs are different and the GAC can work for everyone’s individual special need.  As I stated above our daughter can not tolerate waiting in line (we are working on this) therefore we need the GAC to help with that aspect. For someone who cannot handle crowds but the waiting is not an issue, they can request a quieter, less crowded place to wait their turn. For someone who can not stand for long periods of time, they can request to wait somewhere they can sit. Whatever the need may be, it will be stated on your GAC and the cast member at each attraction will do their best to meet those needs. 

Where do you get this wonderful card you ask? On your first park day, head to Guest Relations and request your GAC.  If you are getting a GAC for someone else in your party, a child, for example, you will need to take the person in need of the GAC with you to Guest Relations.The Cast Member issuing the card will need to see the person who needs the card.  When my family gets to our first park, I take my daughter straight to Guest Relations while my husband and son gets maps, take a look around and maybe even gets in line for a character. My daughter sits in her stroller while we go in to get the GAC. I speak with the Cast Member and they are able to see my daughter. They will not ask for a diagnosis, they will only ask what the need is, how long your stay is, and how many people are in your group. The GAC will allow the person it is issued to and up to 5 more guests that are in their traveling party accessible use of the card.  They will put the dates of your stay so your card is good for your entire stay and you do not have to get another one while you are there unless you lose it.  If you are a local and Annual Passholder you can let the Cast Member know and they can give you extended dates for up to 90 days. Once your card has expired just get a new one at your next visit.

Once you have your GAC it is very simple to use.  At each attraction you will go to the Cast Member outside of the attraction and show them the GAC. They will then assist you in whatever way is indicated on your card.

The GAC is not a fast pass or a front of the line pass. You will still have to wait in lines but your wait will be much easier for you with this card. Disney does an excellent job of meeting each guests special needs. Our family is so thankful that Disney is goes above and beyond to make every guests Disney experience a magical one.