Click HERE to READ OUR UPDATE TO THE END OF THIS SYSTEM
[note color=”#ebedb5″]No More Guest Assistance Cards after 10/8/13 at WDW or DL[/note]
I see and hear a lot of people with misinformation on how the guest assistance card works. If like us you have a child with special needs, getting a guest assistance card is a NECESSITY. It will make your day so much more magical, but don’t think that your GAC is a magical get to the front of the line card, because it isn’t.
There are different types of GACs as well. Be sure yours includes a stamp that says “Guests can use an alternate attraction entrance”. If you are still using a stroller, be sure to get the stamp “Stroller = Wheelchair” and the red sticker for your stroller.
Here is a breakdown by park of where your pass will help
Magic Kingdom by Land:
Adventureland:
- Character Greet – Tinkerbell – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Jungle Cruise – Go to exit and use handicap entrance if you have a wheelchair or stroller, otherwise go to the fastpass line.
- Magic Carpets of Aladdin – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Pirates of the Caribbean – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Enchanted Tiki Room – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
Frontierland:
- Splash Mountain – Go through Fastpass line
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – Go through Fastpass line
- Tom Sawyer Island – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Country Bear Jamboree – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
Liberty Square:
- Hall of Presidents – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Liberty Square Riverboat – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Haunted Mansion – Go through Fastpass line
Fantasyland:
- It’s a Small World – Go to handicap entrance at exit
- Peter Pan’s flight – Go through Fastpass line
- Mickey’s Philharmagic – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Enchanted Tales with Belle – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Under the Sea, Journey of the Little Mermaid – Go through Fastpass line
- Character Greet – Ariel’s Grotto – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Prince Charmings Carrousel – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – Go through Fastpass line
- Character Greet – Winnie the Pooh and Tigger – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Mad Tea Party – Fast Pass line or if you are using a wheelchair or stroller as wheelchair, you will be directed to an exit to wait.
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant – Go through Fastpass line
- The Barnstormer – Go through Fastpass line
- Character Greet – Pete’s Silly Side Show (Daisy, Minnie, Donald, Goofy) – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
Tomorrowland:
- Tomorrowland Speedway – Go to Cast member and show your pass, they will direct you to the special alternate entrance
- Space Mountain – Go through Fastpass line
- Astro Orbitter – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- People Mover – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Carousel of Progress – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin – Go through Fastpass line
- Stitches great escape – Go through Fastpass line
- Monster Inc. Laugh Floor – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
Epcot:
Future World:
- Test Track – Go through Fastpass line
- Mission Space – Go through Fastpass line
- Spaceship Earth – Use handicap entrance or regular line
- Ellen’s Universe of Energy – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Innoventions East and West – Doesn’t help with the lines, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Character Greets – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
The Lands:
- Soarin – Go through Fastpass Line
- Living with the Land – use handicap entrance
- The Circle of Life – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
The Seas:
- Nemo and Friends – either use regular line (never very long) or handicap entrance (I will tell you, that we use the regular line typically for this ride. If your ASD child has any fear of the dark, use the alternate entrance)
- Turtle Talk with Crush – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
World Showcase:
- Mexico – Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros – Use handicap entrance
- Mexico – Character Greet – Donald – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Norway – Maelstrom – Go through Fastpass line
- America – The American Adventure – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
Animal Kingdom:
Camp Minnie-Mickey:
- Character Meets – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Festival of the Lion King – There is a handicap entrance but you will still have to wait with everyone else
Discovery Island:
- The Tree of Life & It’s Tough to be a Bug – Handicap Entrance, but more than likely they will make you wait with everyone else (SCARY so be prepared)
Africa:
- Kilimanjaro Safaris – Go through Fastpass line
- Wildlife Express to Rafiki’s Plant Watch – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance(there is a handicap entrance that they use for wheelchairs)) – NEVER a long wait though
Asia:
- Kali River Rapids – Go through Fastpass line
- Expedition Everest – Go through Fastpass line
- Finding Nemo – The Musical – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (there is a handicap entrance that they use for wheelchairs)
Dinoland:
- Primeval Whirl – Go through Fastpass line
- Tricera Top Spin – There is an alternate entrance, ask cast member when you get there, and they will direct you where to go
- Dinosaur – Go through Fastpass line
Hollywood Studios:
Echo Lake:
- American Idol Experience (audition and watch) – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- ABC Sound Studio – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – Handicap Entrance
- Star Tours – Go through Fastpass Line
Streets of America:
- Premiere Theatre – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Muppet Vision 3D – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Lights Motor Action – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Studio Backlot Tour – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
Pixar Place:
- Toy Story Midway Mania – Go through Fastpass Line
- Character Greet – Buzz & Woody – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
Mickey Avenue:
- Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
Animation Courtyard:
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid – Go through Fastpass line
- The Magic of Disney Animation – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Character Greet – Mickey, Wreck-it Ralph, The Incredibles – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Disney Junior Live on Stage – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
- Character Greet – Handy Manny, Jake – Doesn’t help with the line, you will wait with everyone else (no alternate entrance)
Sunset Blvd:
- Beauty and the Beast – Go through Handicap Entrance
- Rock-n-Roller Coaster – Go through Fastpass line
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – Go through Fastpass line
This post can go on forever if we continue to comment, and it will not resolve anything. John, does not seem to be willing to consider how invaluable this card is for our children and families, and I do believe most people do not abuse it. I am sure he is not the only person, child or adult, who is not happy when someone uses this card and steps ahead of those still waiting in line. But, this is just part of the magic of Disney, and a policy of Disney that only they can change. So John, you can continue to be angry when this happens to you and have it spoil your day. Another choice you have is to not go back to Disney so our children and others with disabilities can enjoy themselves without negative and/or rude comments, stares, etc.
And I will continue to be angry when I see anybody cut me
I am not small minded or ignorent and I am not at all spoiled.
John Cumbo, now have realised you are 14 years old, I feel extremely sorry for you, you spoiled little brat! Your parents obviously have brought you up to be a selfish, self centred, nasty little boy. When you grow up, you will realise how hurtful your comments are to a family member of someone who has a disability or health condition. My advice to you young boy is, don’t comment on something you know absolutely nothing about and as for spending money in WDW it’s not your money! GROW UP and stop being so small minded.
My daughter died from heart defect. Nothing on the outside would have given a clue as to her condition. She was perfect from top to toe, had she survived I would have been at the receiving end of these comments that are uncalled for and downright cruel. I agree that abuse of this system is appalling, but to label everyone a fraud who use these cards is way too judgmental for me.
Look, if you truly have a lagit disability that makes it impossible to wait in line, I think it would be fair to only let that person and one other member go through the fastpass line. I just see perfectly happy people who look like they have no problems go through these lines. And even worse the people who abuse them. I do apologize if you took it the wrong way but you have to agree that some “illnesses” that don’t ruin people’s everyday life are used for these cards so they can have a better vacation. And worse when people use the cards when the person who needs it is at the hotel but other members are using it. I do have ADHD and anxiety but I don’t use these cards. I just get mad when I see millions of people with these cards and most of them seem like they are fine. That’s all. That’s what I’m mostly mad about
John, I have a son who is 14, he has Down Syndrome and Autism. He is also nonverbal and on the level of a 4-5 yr old. He has many issues that make waiting in long lines at times unbearable…..for everyone. If the line is short we do wait in the line as long as we can.
Unfortunately, my son will never hold a high paying job, may never hold a job at all, college is out of the question for my son, he will not be able to drive, not be able to live alone, will never have children, probably will never marry or even have a girlfriend. Right now he is 100% dependent upon us. I bet most parents/adults that use the GAC have children just like mine or very similar in disabilities. Just because you can not see the disability doesn’t mean it isn’t there. You seem to be thinking that we are letting our kids get a “free ride” which will spoil them and make them think they will always find a way to get ahead of people in life. I WISH!!! I wish my son had the mental ability to believe he could get any job he wanted, to believe and even try to become a doctor, or to apply to a college! My child deals with ignorant people like yourself on a daily basis, it breaks my heart. So, you are going to tell me that my child is spoiled, it really sounds like you are the spoiled brat! You can not wait in line another 5-10 min……really? You are selfish enough not to want to see these kids who face obstacles that you couldn’t even imagine have fun? You honestly don’t believe that these children, or adults for that matter, do not have disabilities that prevent them form waiting 20 min or longer in a crowd of people? I feel sorry for you and I’m sorry that your parents didn’t teach you respect, kindness and understanding for those that do not have the capabilities that you do. I’m also sorry that you have “anxiety”, it must be tough for you. I think you should walk in our shoes for a day, then tell me more about your anxiety. I also pray that you never change your mind about having children, you just may be blessed with a child with disabilities!
And here is a lesson for you. When you are unable to do things, there are not always going to be things that let you bypass them. You are going to have to face them. Lucky for you, Disney has the GAC. But, when children get older and apply for colleges, there are not going to be little cards that get them into the college of their choice. Or a card that gets them a high paying job
They are going to have to deal with things that might make them uncomfortable. When your kids apply for a job, they won’t be able to hand them a card that tells the employer that they have trouble working. They will get fired. By getting guest assistance cards, you are not teaching your kids any dicapline (I know I spelt it wrong, my spell check is not on) anyway, in life they are going to have to face many uncomfortable things and I think making them wait in lines should be one of them. If that is impossible, please don’t go to Disney. For example, if your kid wants to be a doctor, there is not going to be a card that says “he has trouble doing……” If you have trouble doing something that is required, you will not be able to do what goes along with it. In this case, waiting in line at Walt Disney World. I hope your kids enjoy their easy rides now but in real life, they are not going to get it. Btw, I have anxiety which makes social interaction hard but I don’t get excuses, I have to face them so keep that In mind….
In every day circumstances, people who are handicapped, have life threatening illnesses, Autism, I could go on, face many, many challenges, such as work, college, shopping, getting around etc. But just for a short time for those people to enjoy a small portion of life, I for one do not mind if a child or adult has a card to get to the front of a line in a Disney park, it makes the life of that person and the person who cares for them easier by a long way believe me. John I don’t mean to be rude, but are you aware of what affects a child with a heart defect, or Autism? Look into it, your selfish attitude might change. You mention you suffer with anxiety, multiply that by a million and you’ll only scratch the surface of what a child with Autism goes through when they go into melt down. They don’t have coping strategies or relaxation techniques or the ability to learn them. The whole thing that is wrong with the world today is that everyone wants something before everyone else. Stop and smell the roses, don’t judge, try walking a mile in their shoes. John I too suffer with anxiety, panic attacks and have had several breakdowns, it’s made me more sympathetic to others. Even though people look fine, you can’t see what’s going on inside. Please be kind and considerate to others not just in Disney Parks but everywhere, it doesn’t cost a thing.
I just ask that you not abuse your GAC card. During our spring trip I was in line with my 5 yr old granddaughter for a ride. 2 pre-teen girls came running up the fp line, a few minutes later they came through again, then a 3rd time on their 4th time I stopped them and asked how they were getting all the fp. They held up a GAC card and one of them said my little brother is autistic and we get this. I asked where her brother was and she said he’s in the room taking a nap. It’s sad but opinions are formed based upon what you witness. I think it is like ECV’s a few people ruin it for everyone by abusing the system. Please take your special needs children, use your card for them, make the best of what can be a stressful situation but everyone please remember to do unto others…
That is worse
Honestly guys just ignore the lil teenager. He must not have been hugged when he was a kid, or maybe hes just a spoiled brat, that cant get his way.
YOU CALL ME A SPOILED BRAT!!!!!! I have always had to face the disabilities (anxiety) in my life. I have never got special treatment or anything. I have had to suffer so much. You guys are the spoiled ones who give in to any problems your kids have and not just with Walt Disney World……..
And your kids are the ones who are always getting their way
If you are 14, then you have many HARD lessons ahead of you in life if this is how your mind works.
Actually my parents, friends and other people agree that this is absurd that people with minor disabilities get unlimited Fastpasses
And now we know where your ignorance comes from. Plain and simple, you are a child and it saddens me that you are the future of this world. Here’s a little life lesson for you Johnny boy, there are many things in life that are not fair. You are choosing to allow something you cannot control to ruin your own vacation. You need to learn to focus on the good things, like your family can afford to take you Disney World and enjoy the time you do spend there and stop complaining about things out of your control that are put in place to accommodate those less fortunate than you.
I would like to know how John’s parents feel about his attitude on this subject. Be thankful, John, for your ‘perfect’ world! It can all be taken away in a second, whether by accident or illness. Should you live a long, healthy, perfect life, you have old age to look forward to. What are your thoughts on the elderly?
My thoughts are the same on anybody who gets priority ride access for the same price. The only exception is a kid from the make a wish foundation. And my parents agree with me
John, you didn’t answer the whole question. How do you feel about the elderly? And what if, God forbid, you became crippled due to illness or accident. Are you never going to want to do the things you enjoy again? Are you just going to sit in your home, not doing the things you want to do? Put yourself in their place, try feeling compassion for other people. It really makes for a happier life to put those less capable ahead of yourself. You’re right, Disney is expensive. For those families with special needs members, MOST are not fortunate enough to be at a park for a complete day. They loose hours that were bought and paid for because of meds, feeding procedures, pain tolerance, etc., they cut their days short. While you are running from ride to ride, parents and caregivers are breaking their backs, pushing wheelchairs, carrying medical-feeding equipment,
meds, etc. so their child can have a Disney experience. I have five children, they youngest has ds. We went to Disney numerous times before the youngest was born, and have been numerous times since. BEFORE Fastpass, we have stood in lines at times close to two hours because of the crowd. No big deal, all part of the experience. Stood in lines with youngest as well. Now that he has developed pain in his joints from arthritis and other medical problems, we now use the GAC. No guilt at all in using it. Yes, we have seen the card abused at times, heard other 14 year olds say, ‘we’ll rent a wheelchair, you ride it first, we’ll switch off.’ Sickening. Those should be made to leave the park for the remainder of the day. If caught a second time, banned for a year. And, John, this is not priority ride access. That’s what you’re wanting, to be escorted to the front of the line just because you are gracing Disney with your presence. Maturity and life experience will hopefully open your eyes and change your heart. I hope so.
If you are handicapped, I think you should wait in front for the duration of the stand bye line unless you have a fastpass. So if the wait time is 45 minutes, have the elderly or handicapped move to the front but have to wait 45 minutes before boarding. I think that is fair. I see people who could easily grab one of these cards (like myself… I am eligible for a card but I would not feel right getting one. I’m not going to get into that) waiting in standbye lines even if they tantrum
When you have a child on the Autism Spectrum, who can so very easily go into melt down as they can’t cope with the waiting around as sounds, smells, crowds and a whole host of other stuff that may seem trivial to someone who is ignorant to the symptoms and how these kids (adults with Autism too) suffer. Don’t always assume the child who is ‘being unreasonable’ is spoiled or just plain naughty. Calculating time in unfamiliar places is an everyday task that parents of children with Autism do as second nature, whether they are in WDW, DL or just at the supermarket waiting in line. If saving 20 minutes, stops a child from being extremely distressed then the quality of my vacation will be a thousand per cent better. 🙂
cudos to the author and thanks for sharing. My husband and I love disney but he has been battling foot infections following surgery due to diabetes. We used a push wheelchair last time, but will be forced to use a scooter in future… it will increase our enjoyment a thousand fold. As far as “Johns” remarks- my experience has been that for every one John there have been hundreds of angels who have a smile and would do anything to help- he is pitiable we can only pray for his wife and children how miserable their lives must be
I DON’T HAVE A WIFE OR CHILDREN… I AM 14
Just an FYI we were allowed to wait at the exit with out autistic son in Nov, Nemo the musical they sent us over to the wheel chair entrance.
John can use the Fastpass just like everyone else can. We have been in the summer with crowd levels of 8-9 and not waited in line more than 15 to 20min. at the most. More importantly, the focus is on the child or adult that needs a little extra pixie dust to make their vacation as fantastic as any other guest. Focus on compassion instead of self, John.
Look, my family pays ALOT of money for Walt Disney World vacations and we are not there to help people. We do help people ALOT. Trust me. We donate and volunteer and I am not a mean person it’s just that when I am at Walt Disney World, I am focusing on giving my self the time that I deserve. I know that sounds selfish but that is what I come to Walt Disney World for. I like making people happy but not via making me less happy. It’s not like people with GACs say thank you to the people in stand bye lines. They just walk through fastpass lines without guilt.
First of all, great information. This is the first time I’ve seen it laid out like this.
Secondly, I hope the opinions of people like John above are the minority. I think it’s sad that there are people who measure the quality of their vacation in terms of how much money they spent or how much time they waited in line. The majority of us are very conscious of our vacation budget and many of us do a lot of planning to see and do as much as we can. But when it comes down to it, I don’t calculate the quality of my vacation by adding up wait times and comparing them to everyone else.
What is sad is he probably has children he is spreading his lovely viewpoint & kindness to. I will pray that the children in his life are not negatively taught this selfish attitude & outlook.
^ So you are not willing to wait an extra minute to help a child who is not “yet” able to handle long lines or the sensory overload of tons of people & long wait times!?!?!?! Really? What you are alluding to is that b/c you are a “perfectly” healthy individual born with no/have had no occurrence of disability then you don’t need to concern yourself with other’s needs. Do you let the elderly cross the road while you are in your vehicle or do you speed around them b/c your time is too valuable?
What is wrong with humanity? Children with dis-abilities deserve the same right to enjoy the magic of Disney (or any place else) as anyone, as long as (like anyone) are not being disruptive. Even if it means a little extra help here or there! Yes it may delay your day but are you so self concerning that minutes of your life are more important than a moment of enjoyment – for a child to be like every other child enjoying their favorite things at Disney? They are not getting free tickets or a personal escort behind the scenes tour; these parents are doing everything they can to encourage their children to experience, enjoy and learn how to be part of society. I hope you do not ever have a child with a disability or special needs b/c clearly you could not handle the responsibility therefore would not reap the joy either; honestly any child deserves better than you are offering.
Well John, very simply put, you must not have any idea what it is like to have a child with any kind of disability or illness, and that is probably for a reason. I truly believe God gives special children to special people. Children with special needs require a certain love and understanding that you are obviously lacking. By understanding I mean that certain children with special needs require just that, special needs. It is often impossible for them to wait in line the same as children who are considered normal to people like you. Try to imagine with your small mind that a 4 year old autistic child may require a little bit of the Disney Magic to make his or her trip just as special as yours. Before you place judgement on a parent for trying to make their trip just that much easier at the happiest place on earth try thinking about that child standing behind you in line and imagine that they cannot control themselves because it’s what people like you demand from them; it’s not in their DNA. Meanwhile people with compassion for all will try to be understanding that there will always be people like you out there; small minded, ignorant, selfish and just plain rude.
No I am not the parent, grandparent, aunt, cousin or friend of a special needs child. But I am a compassionate human being who understands that some people in life require “special needs” to make their life a little more comfortable. And I am always happy to oblige no matter where the place. Maybe you can go vacation in a bubble where you can pretend everyone is the same inside and out, I refuse to let people like you decrease the quality of my vacation with your ignorance. Your the kind of tourist that I hate standing behind in line because you always have something to complain about.
Actually this is the only thing I complain about in Walt Disney World and that is the truth.
Wow. Where’s the Disney spirit in that comment a couple of lines up? Oh my. Apparently, you need to walk a mile in the shoes of another. Sad.
Just a heads up if your a wish kid.. or have a wish kid that go’s they move you to the front of the line if they see you have your wish button on or your give kids world button on…:)if that helps you
I don’t think it’s fair that they can enter the fastpass line whenever they want. And I hate it when people try to justify it by saying they don’t bring you to the front…. Maybe not directly to the front but fastpass lines hardly have any wait. Also, by letting all these people go through exits and fastpass lines, it does increase out wait times and I am not willing to decrease the quality of my vacation just to increase the quality of someone else’s.
John, you are absolutely right. How DARE children/adults who are ill or incapacitated or mentally/physically challenged ruin the quality of the vacation of a small minded, self-centered, ignorant person such as yourself. People with special needs & their families have some nerve! You should probably contact the Florida State Police the next time you’re in Disney because God FORBID you – a grown man, have to wait 3 more minutes in a line so that a child can experience a few moments of happiness. So nice knowing that the philosophy of Walt Disney is alive & well in all of the guests that visit the parks. You definitely spread the happiness & equality & love that the Disney company embodies. You have a Magical Life.
Well said Alicia.
Well said Alicia, I have a son with serious heart problems, he had open heart surgery at 5 days old and will need a bypass at some. We don’t always use our GAC but when temps are very high and the queues are over 40mins we will use it as its too much for him.
Actually I am 14 and I go to Walt Disney World pretty often. I can’t stand it when I have to enter an hour long stand-bye line because the Fastpasses were sold out or I don’t have one for that time while people with these cards get to hop right on the fastpass line and skip right ahead of me. I get it that they may have trouble waiting in line but I have a few solutions… 1) only go on rides when you get a fastpass the fair way. 2) only go on if the standbye lines are short. 3) make them wait in long lines or 4) don’t take them to Disney. Also, another thing that bothers me is all their family gets to skip lines when they have nothing wrong with them. They get a MUUUCCCHHH better vacation then me for the same price. It’s not fair.
Actually they have a limit to the amount of people. Trust me if your 14 you can wait 3 more mins. So you want to hear my autisc son scream his head off because you smell bad or your looking at him because hes crying. You cant have it both ways John. How about having some compassion. You never know you may have to walk a couple miles in our shoes one day.
How about this Emily, don’t take your kid to disney if he can’t behave. I used to throw tantrums and I still see kids throw tantrums. But their parents take care of it by getting them out of line or punishing them some way
If you go to Disney often, as you say you do, then you should not have a problem letting someone with a special need that may have not EVER been to Disney before in their life step in front of you to enjoy an attraction. I happen to have had the opportunity afforded to me to have been able to go every year as a child growing up and my husband and I try to do that for our children. We just found out that our youngest is a special needs child so it bothers me to hear that someone of your age might need to be taken out of the line (so to speak) because he cannot act in a manner in which is decent and caring. Disney himself wanted this to be a happy place and somewhere that everyone was treated like they are important. It is kids/people like you that need to take a good hard look at themselves and see who really has a “problem”.
Oh and if millions of people and their families get to use these cards it will not be an extra 3 minutes, it will be an extra 20 minutes waiting in line just so you guys can have a vacation. Rides can only take so many people and with all these GACs, the stand bye lines are going to get insane because of you people. I hope you have a good vacation but I don’t want it getting in the way of mine.
(and the crowd cheers Alicia!)
John, did you EVEN proofread before you hit “send”? If you did and thought, “Well that sounds legit” and thought you had an arguable point… you may be a serial killer or something equally dysfunctional. Apparently John is a survivor. He would coldly trample, push and/or maim elderly and children to save himself from the burning building. What a maroon! Compassion & empathy, John…. get you some.
That’s a completely different case. Your kids don’t need to go to Walt Disney World if they can’t behave in the lines.
This has been allowed at Disney since the beginning of time, if you are handicapped, or your child is handicapped you can go through a special entrance (usually the exit) that is handicap accessible. This would have included children that still needed strollers for wheelchairs etc. I would hope that this is not what you are complaining about!!! This practice does not delay your fun or excitement too much. As you can tell by the list above, most of the newer rides have taken handicap entrances into mind while developing them.
If your beef is with the FASTPASS, contact Disney. I agree that the whole FASTPASS has ruined the Disney experience for the majority of us. Disney wanted more money and is catering to the rich and privileged at our expense (yes, time is money!! hahaha). By the way, Universal does it too, just to be fair, I am not bashing just Disney.
The point of this blog post was to help families with special needs children. They stated what the rules at different rides are to help families plan. Information is all it is.
Please keep your disrespectful comments to yourself and contact the park with your complaints instead of sharing them here!!!
Hi John,
I just want to thank you for being yet another ignorant, miserable person in a long line of ignorant, miserable people. Next time you go to Disney, let me know. I’ll be sure to be there, and I will follow you around and stand in the same lines you do. And when my blind/autistic kid beats, kicks, pinches, pulls on your kid because she literally cannot stand still for that long without getting violent, I won’t lift a finger to stop her. But of course that wouldn’t ruin your vacation as much as letting my child go into a shorter line, now would it? Did you ever stop to think that maybe these access passes for disabled ones are good for you or are you too focused on “It’s not FAIR?!”
Let me tell you what’s not fair. It’s not fair that I had to spend the first two years of my child’s life not sleeping because she would literally die in her sleep. It’s not fair that she didn’t eat real food until she was four. It’s not fair that when she spoke, she did it in song lyrics and I would have to decipher what she wanted until she finally spoke when we went to Disneyland. It’s not fair that our lives revolve around doctor/specialist/therapist appointments. It’s not fair that you get to have fun with your kid, while I analyze the therapeutic value and the work that will have to be done for something as simple as playing a game of catch. It’s not fair that my head is chocked full of medical terms that not even most medical professionals know. Its not fair that i am permanently in fight or flight mode because of jerks like you. Now, do you really want to whine to me about what’s not fair?!
Karen, first things first. I don’t have kids and I don’t plan on ever having kids. When you have kids there is a chance that could happen and that is one of the reasons why I am not having kids. I am 14. And you say it’s not fair that you have to deal with that and I don’t but it is fair. You made the decision to have kids and that is what you got. I am not decreasing the. Quality of your vacation or life in any way. When I go to Walt Disney World, I should not have to wait extra for these kinds of things. I can hardly get anything done. And with fastpass+ coming out, we can only get 3 Fastpasses when you guys get as much as you want. Lines are the only bad thing about Walt Disney World and the fact that some people don’t have to deal with them is unfair.
HI, I was just reading your info. We’ve been to Disney a few times and each time we’ve gotten a GAC for DD (now 5.5yrs) who is on the Spectrum and has lots of Sensory issues. I just want to point out that when we’ve gone on the Carousel and on Pirates of the Caribbean (although THAT didn’t go well for her!), I know we used the wheelchair entrance for the Carousel (most of the time it didn’t matter b/c the line was short, but one or two times it did matter); I also thought we used the wheelchair entrance for Pirates… I seem to remember meeting up with the larger line somewhere… am I wrong about Pirates?
People keep telling us about a wheelchair/handicap entrance to Pirates, but every time we go, we get told there isn’t one. I will keep asking and trying
In Disneyland they use the exit as the wheelchair entrance. Is it the same for WDW?
only on a few rides.
They will sometimes take you through a cast member door. It is not very magical though!
Excellent information!