If you've been to Disney....

My DD is classified as LD but does not have a diagnosis. I heard Disney accomodates kids with special needs if they have a hard time waiting in lines or difficulty dealing with crowds. Who do you get a letter from...her pediatrician, school, school psychologist? Did you find this was helpful? She will be 4 when we go.

Re: If you've been to Disney....

According to parents from DSs therapy office, if you show them a copy of his IEP they will give you a pass.

Re: If you've been to Disney....

Where do you show them the IEP to get the pass?

Re: If you've been to Disney....

You do not need to show them anything. By law, they cannot ask for anything.

You need to be able to explain your child's needs. You can't just say he has a hard time waiting or you may be denied a guest assistance card. You could say he/she has sensory issues, has a hard time being in crowded and noisy situations, tends to freak out, etc. , and you would like to see if you can get a Guest Assistance Card to enter the line through an alternate entrance. They will likely give you the card with the "alternate entry" stamp that most cast members will allow you to enter through the Fast Pass line with.

You can get this at guest relations at any of the parks and they will date the card for your entire trip.

Re: If you've been to Disney....

Actually Disney changed their rules. They only accept a few disabilities to qualify for the pass. They will not tell you what they are if you call. They will ask you what the disability for your child is and they will tell you if it is one of the approved disability.

Autism is one of then. I am not sure if they still accept ADD/ADHD as a "disability".

We DID get a letter from our PED and Disney DID ask for a letter also.

There is a great section on that on allears.net. Even an example of a letter from a PED.

I can tell you that the Special Guest Assistant Card is a DREAM. For once, we felt someone was really there for us. Disney did an amazing job working and helping parents of kids with SN. It made our trip so enjoyable. We had no issue. We had heard of people giving you the dirty look and making comments but we never experienced it. The staff knows exactly what it is and will work with you. It's not like you avoid any wait but we never waited more than 2 turns to go on a ride. Sometimes we went right on. It was such a nice break. I will tell you that!!!! We loved our trip because of that. The whole experience was amazing. My hats to Disney on that. They really made our trip special. And honestly, sometimes it great to get a break.

Re: If you've been to Disney....

We just went a few weeks ago. DD is 6 and we got a note from the Dev Ped.

I showed them the note. They asked no questions and gave it right back along with the pass.

I think it said she had ADHD and Sensory Issues.

You pick it up at Guest Assistance at the entrance of any park. It is good for your entire visit.

It was wonderful. Absolutely get it.

Re: If you've been to Disney....

We went a few months ago and are going again in May. You just need to go to any Guest Assistance office at the Parks and tell them you need a Special Guest Assistant Card. We did not show a letter nor were asked for one. It is actually against the law to deny anyone asking for the card. You can get your card stamped for the entire trip which is great.

Our DD still rides in a stroller so we also got a sticker for the stroller that basically states that the stroller is being used as a wheelchair and we were able to use the handicap entrance for many rides. DD has a multitude of sensory issues and needs the stroller as her "safe space" and wouldn't be able to stand on long lines without getting extremely upset. On short lines though I didn't use the pass and just held her because I didn't want to feel like I was abusing the service.

Re: If you've been to Disney....

I guess it depends on who is at the Assistant Guest desk then.

I know they asked me for the letter from my PED when we went last year.

To be safe, I would get the letter and you may or may not use it.