How do you feel about it?

[LovetheMouse]

As some of you know, me, hubby and the 5 brats...i mean angels, are leaving for WDW on Saturday :bedbounce I've been so excited that it's all I can think about! I just know i'm driving everyone around me nuts :wink:

However, there is something i've started fretting over. We are planning to get the guest assistance pass since my 5 yo son is autistic and big crowds and waiting are not his favorite things. But now i'm starting to wonder....how do other Disney guests feel about the guest assistance pass for autistic children? Do you feel it's unfair if they get to wait in a shorter line? Maybe most people would say not to worry about what others think, but i just can't help it. It's just the way that I am.

I was reading a post yesterday on tips for kids at WDW.....very helpful by the way. One post mentioned not using your kids to get ahead in line and how it teaches them to cheat....or something along those lines. I'm NOT SAYING this was directed at autistic children, but it really made me think!!! Do people feel that autistic children and their families are cheating when they use the pass?

I am REALLY NOT NOT NOT trying to start a debate. PLEASE!! I just want to get someone elses point of view on the matter. So lets hear it.....but be nice :afraid:

Thanks so much for all the great advice/tips/etc. i have gotten from you guys so far!

[ukwdwnut]

i think most people would be fine with it as they know how the fast pass system works by bypassing the main Q, so im guessing it pretty much the same in that respect :)

myself i would in no way have a problem with that as i would do the same in the same situation :)

BTW have a fantasmic time, and try not to get too excited, yeah right, as if :lol: :lol:

[orangebreezer]

Hi Jennifer,
I have tried to write my reply half a dozen times!!!! Ok here goes.........In my oppion the Guest Assistance Pass is there for a reason and your family have every reason to use it.....I would hate to see any child and their family get distressed waiting in line simply because others figured that the child might be cheating......anyway have a great time and please don't worry too much about what other people think, just make sure you all have fun

[Bubbles92]

I would not at all feel cheated or anything. People should be able to understand your family's needs. You should go right ahead and do get the guest assitance pass and like orangebreeze said dont care to much what others think.

[Alexander]

Absolutely nobody knows your child's needs like you do. You need to do what you feel is best for him! If others are too inconsiderate or ignorant to recognize his needs, then too bad for them. Have a wonderful, wonderful trip!

[american idol]

i agree, this is what the passes are for. People who say something mean are ignorant because not all disabilities are visible. Ignore these people.

oh and don't forget to have a great time :thumbs:

[LovetheMouse]

Thank you all SO much! I feel so much better. It really truely is hard for my little guy to wait, for anything! If it wasn't an issue, then I would just wait in the long lines like everyone else. He has never even been on rides but I know once he gets a taste of Disney, waiting for two hours for Buzz Lightyears Spaceranger Spin is going to be out of the question :rotfl: He absolutely LOVES Buzz, and Woody, and Mary Poppins! His favorites. I'm prodding him towards the main mouse....lol. He is mommy's favorite. Always has been, ever since I was a little girl.

Thanks for all the encouraging words and believe me we plan to have a FABULOUS time. I'll be sure to give a report of our trip when we get back.

:wiggle: :wiggle: :micbounce :micbounce :queen: :queen: :micball: :micball:

Ok....i'm no excited or anything.... :lol:

[OKWTink]

Honey, the world is full of ignorant people who say and do mean things every day. Some of those people turn up at WDW. Try very hard to rise above them. I promise you I know how hard that can be. Some people are just hateful and there is no way around it.

Quite honestly, I would much rather have your little boy use a GAP than have an episode on line!

Go, have a wonderful time, use the services that are there for you and that your child and family need. That's why they are there. Don't waste another second on worrying about those few unpleasant people you may or may not run into! :ears:

[Johnie]

I was reading a post yesterday on tips for kids at WDW.....very helpful by the way. One post mentioned not using your kids to get ahead in line and how it teaches them to cheat....or something along those lines. I'm NOT SAYING this was directed at autistic children, but it really made me think!!! Do people feel that autistic children and their families are cheating when they use the pass?



You read that on THIS site? :eek: I am very suprised by that.

It is true there are many ignorant people out there. Not all disabilities are visible and people should know that in this day and age. You go and have a GREAT time with your family and don't worry about what any narrow-minded people have to say.

[cmdbuddy]

Just look at the people, smile, and think to yourself that you know more than they do. You'll (more than likely) never see these people again, and this is your trip. Don't let them spoil it for your kids or yourself.

[Breeze]

I agree with what everyone has said. Just go and have a great time and don't stress about anything :thumbs: :hug:

[Goofy Girl]

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree: totally with what everyone said. Now stop fretting and go and have a fantastic time with your family!:D

[lisaw]

Like everyone has said these are the situations that these passes are there for and you have every right to use them, I'm sure that most people would agree as well and those few people that don't are not worth worrying about.

Now you can get back to being excited again and have a great time and ejoy the build up :excited:

[tracyw]

We don't tend to notice anyone using any special passes, just lump them all together as FP users! Just enjoy your holiday.

[pigsy]

I agree with what everybody has said. Everybody should have the opportunity to enjoy the parks and if people have problems and need assistance to get the best from their holiday that is fine. :)

What does bug me though is when there is one person in the group who has a problem and needs assistance but who has a whole group of friends/family with them who also get to jump the line. I don't want to appear mean but we have seen groups of up to 15 people jumping the line because there is one amongst them who has a pass. :rolleyes:

Obviously everybody wants to enjoy the attractions together as a group but a little consideration for those of us who have to wait our turn would be appreciated. This certainly isn't aimed at you Lovethemouse - you sound a very considerate person and I wouldn't begrudge you or your family all the help you need. There are however some people who visit the parks who are not as considerate....... :whistle:

Hope I haven't upset anybody.... :oops:

Niki

[pigsy]

By the way...........have a FAB time!! :wink:

Niki

[Whitequeen]

Pigsy, that shouldn't happen with a GAP as only 5 family members are allowed to accompany the user of the GAP. You have every right to be annoyed at that. Having said that, we are a family of 5 and use the GAP at every opportunity. Until 2002 my DH had NEVER ridden any ride, anywhere with any of our children. UK theme parks aren't in the same league as those in the US so it was wonderful to see them riding together.

Love the Mouse, because you will have to supply a letter from you doctor to get a GAP there should be nobody looking at you badly. Your son *needs* a GAP and that's why he has it. You aren't getting one to jump lines, you have a medical need. Don't worry, you'll have a great time. :D

Just an information point. A GAP doesn't send you to the front of the line. It will either board you in a different area (the exit) or send you through the Fast Pass line. This has good and bad points. Good points are a little less waiting in line and accessing and disembarking the ride safely. The bad points are sometimes missing the pre-ride walk-through, missing the stretch room on Haunted Mansion.It's a case of 'Swings and Roundabouts'. :shrug:

[LovetheMouse]

Thanks again to everyone. You have all made me feel so much better. I just want my children, ALL of them, to really enjoy this trip. Disney World has always been such a special place to me, and I want it to be the same for them. Don't want any meanies ruining their day.... :wink:

pigsy....I don't think you sounded mean and I certainly wasn't offended. I think your point is a valid one. I'm also certain that people will think that me, hubby, and our troop of 5 is a lot of people to "get ahead" of them in line. I've been mulling over a way to make it work for everyone and it's not easy! I know my special boy will want mommy and daddy most of the time, which means the rest of the kids would have to get on with us since they are far too young to be left alone! Then again, he will have to part with one parent for some of the things anyway, so we will just have to see how it goes.

I've been planning and planning but really, the most important thing to me is avoiding one of Joey's meltdowns :eek: They are SO not pretty and it makes it hard on the whole family.

Anway...i need more coffee as i'm not sure i'm making any sense :yawn: Thanks again to everyone! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my ramblings....

Oh...one more thing.

I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!! :nutty: :woohoo: :cartwheel :bedbounce

[OKWTink]

You need a letter from the doc now, Whitequeen? Wow! Good thing you posted that as I didn't know that! I'd have been running amok giving out bad info! :blush:

[Whitequeen]

They like to mark the GAP appropriately for whatever assistance you need. i.e. Love the Mouse's son will not be able to cope with his senses being over-stimulated and so can't stand/sit in line comfortably with that many people. Mark can't walk and would need to take the ECV or wheelchair to the ride to board.
I'm not saying WDW will get it right every time but if they have the Doctor's letter, they've got a fighting chance. :thumbs:

[OKWTink]

Ah, that makes great sense! Having been on the receiving end of people not "seeing" a disability, I know how uncomfortable it can be. :(

I learned to keep my head up (when I wasn't looking for dangers underfoot! :D ) and move on through my life. Can't let my energy be siphoned off by the narrow minded few (to quote Johnie)!

[dcfromva]

LovetheMouse,

I wanted to add a word of encouragement to you as well.

The way I see it, a GAP pass levels the playing field so that everyone has a chance to see the attractions. Some folks need a little bit of help and Disney does their best to accommodate everyone. That is one of the things I love the most about Disney.

Please go and have a wonderful time! Worry about the fun stuff--like which restaurant you are going to pick, et'c. (what a dilemma--because they are so many to pick from!). :hug:

-DC :ears: