G.A.C. - Guest Assistance Card
I had the great pleasure recently of interviewing a guest mommy blogger who has used the Guest Assistance Card successfully.
Melissa Hincha-Ownby is a mother of 2 children both with Autism. I decided to interview her due to the fact I know there are other families and parents out there with children who have Autism and wanted to know what other families and parents may go through. While your own experience may differ, we can call learn a little something from others may it be big or small.
1. Tell us a little about your self; what you do, how many children you have?
My name is Melissa Hincha-Ownby and I am a freelance writer. I cover a variety of environmental and personal finance topics for the Mother Nature Network (http://www.mnn.com) and I host an autism blog at TheAutismEducationSite.com. I have two children, Alexander is 11 and Ava is 9. Both are on the autism spectrum. Ava was diagnosed first, with classic autism at the age of 2. Alexander was diagnosed a few years later, initially with Asperger’s Syndrome and then PDD-NOS.
2. What challenges do you face when taking your children to places where there are large crowds, especially locations like Disneyland, Disneyworld, or there theme related parks? How do you handle them? What are some special things you do to make your children more comfortable?
The primary challenge we’ve faced is with sensory overload issues. Too many noises, new things to see, and a lot of people! When the kids were younger we utilized the stroller and a set of soundproof headphones for each of them. This enabled them to block out much of the extra sound and then use the stroller(s) as sort of a ‘cocoon.’ We always made sure to take plenty of breaks, have a lot of snacks on hand and realize that we were on their schedule, they weren’t on ours.
3. What are your Guest Card Assistance (GAC) experiences with Disneyland?
a) Using the card (ease and use of securing a pass)
It was easy to secure the card on each of the visits we made using the GAC. I never had any cast member question the need for the card, whether it was at the time we received the card or when we presented it to a cast member at an attraction. My parents have also taken each child on a solo trip to Disneyland and had no problems.
b) What do the other people you have come in contact think about the card
Most of the responses we received were very positive but every now and then we would hear people talk about how the kids ‘look fine.’ This is a common problem that parents of children with autism face because it is a hidden disability, especially with children that are on the higher functioning end of the spectrum.
c) Negatives and Positives
Positives – Enables the children to enjoy Disneyland without the added stress of standing while waiting in line. Sure, some of our waits were longer than they would have been in the standard queue but because the kids had their strollers to cocoon up in, it was a more positive experience for all
Negatives – I wish the pass was on a more durable piece of paper because after a few days it quickly shows a lot of wear and tear. I think a lanyard-type GAC would be great.
4. GAC and no GAC experiences and how did they differ from each other.
While trips with and without were both enjoyable, the no GAC trip was our best yet. The kids are now 11 and 9 and so we decided to ditch the stroller (my kids are on the small size so still somewhat fit into a stroller) and just go for it. It was nice not having to maneuver a stroller around through the crowds and we actually ended up having some great conversations while standing inline with other families.
5. Advice and recommends for families who are dealing with Autism and want to visit places like Disneyland and Disneyworld?
Plan, plan plan…and then be OK if you have to throw those plans out the window. I would suggest making a loose schedule – when you will stop for snacks and meals and perhaps even head back to the hotel for a nap or a dip in the pool. Make a list of the must-see and do items and work your way down it. If the kids are having a rough day and would rather turn in early, be okay with that.
6. How do you feel about families with specials needs who use the card correctly, informing other families who have NO specials needs to go through the screening process to secure a GAC at City Hall or Guest Relations at the Resorts?
In my opinion, this will eventually ‘ruin it for all’; for lack of a better description. The GAC sometimes gets you into an attraction sooner but other times your wait is double. It is not a front of the line pass and I think that misconception is what causes other families, those that don’t need the GAC, to seek one out.
For more information on Melissa and her blogs, you check out a blog of hers here:
http://www.mnn.com/family/family-activities/blogs/disneyland-and-autism
