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Any tips for Disney with a 7 yr Downs baby..
- Thread starter ctosh
- Start date
loveofamouse
Well-Known Member
on a first note, please take care with your wording. Your title of "7yrs downs baby" may offend some. She's a 7yr old with Down syndrome. Some people find offense in "downs baby."
Make sure your friend goes to Guest services for a GAC card. This card is for the child and will list modifications needed for her enjoyment. If she uses a stroller or wheelchair, she can get a "Stroller as Wheelchair" sticker and stamp which will allow her to take her in queue without parking the stroller. If she isn't using one, it would be a good idea to check into it. I'm not overly familiar with DS but I do know a few families with kids with DS and many still use strollers or adaptive strollers for prolonged walking or standing. Convaid is a popular brand as well as Maclaren's SN stroller. Both are big and accom. older, bigger children comfortably. If she has SID, SPD, or other sensory issues, do realize she may have issues with crowds in an enclosed space. Many people with sensory issues do. It's loud and way too close which could cause "meltdowns." If she has this concern, there's an alt. entrance stamps. I'm sure there are other stamps but these two are the only ones I'm familiar with. That GAC card stays with her for the entire trip. Also, the GAC card serves as a fastpass for the rest of the party if the child isn't riding. Disney has this policy so the child isn't without parents for too long. I was told this on the 3rd day of our first trip with the GAC card by a CM, and I've confirmed this repeatedly with GS and never had a problem at attractions.
The main thing when travelling to theme parks with children with SNs, pace your day. Do not overplan the day. Your plans will be thrown out by the smallest things. You don't know how she'll handle everything. She may take it in stride, or she could completely get overwhelmed. We typically do just 1 park a day and pace ourselves. This allows for processing time for my son. Also, get to shows early. This gives you plenty of time to figure out seating and if it'll work for her. Don't be upset to go back to the hotel for naps. Even if she's out of taking daily naps, the energy and stimulation of the parks may require a midday nap to recoup.
Make sure your friend goes to Guest services for a GAC card. This card is for the child and will list modifications needed for her enjoyment. If she uses a stroller or wheelchair, she can get a "Stroller as Wheelchair" sticker and stamp which will allow her to take her in queue without parking the stroller. If she isn't using one, it would be a good idea to check into it. I'm not overly familiar with DS but I do know a few families with kids with DS and many still use strollers or adaptive strollers for prolonged walking or standing. Convaid is a popular brand as well as Maclaren's SN stroller. Both are big and accom. older, bigger children comfortably. If she has SID, SPD, or other sensory issues, do realize she may have issues with crowds in an enclosed space. Many people with sensory issues do. It's loud and way too close which could cause "meltdowns." If she has this concern, there's an alt. entrance stamps. I'm sure there are other stamps but these two are the only ones I'm familiar with. That GAC card stays with her for the entire trip. Also, the GAC card serves as a fastpass for the rest of the party if the child isn't riding. Disney has this policy so the child isn't without parents for too long. I was told this on the 3rd day of our first trip with the GAC card by a CM, and I've confirmed this repeatedly with GS and never had a problem at attractions.
The main thing when travelling to theme parks with children with SNs, pace your day. Do not overplan the day. Your plans will be thrown out by the smallest things. You don't know how she'll handle everything. She may take it in stride, or she could completely get overwhelmed. We typically do just 1 park a day and pace ourselves. This allows for processing time for my son. Also, get to shows early. This gives you plenty of time to figure out seating and if it'll work for her. Don't be upset to go back to the hotel for naps. Even if she's out of taking daily naps, the energy and stimulation of the parks may require a midday nap to recoup.
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smk
Well-Known Member
I had a friend who recently went to WDW with her sons, one of whom has Muscular Dystrophy. While he can walk now, she and her husband underestimated his stamina/strength and went to City Hall on the third day there to get a GAC. They were not able to just get one for him, they needed a note from his doctor. Now, he is not visably impaired so maybe that worked against them. However, I would tell your friend to be prepared to provide a note from a doctor stating their childs potential needs while on vacation. I know my friends will never go again without being totally prepared.
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it has been yearsw since i took downs boys to Disney. i wll admit it was Disneyland. i did not use a stroller or GAC card. boys all walked and needed to use engry up. granted we were not there open to close. go with what your child likes and wants to do. the boys i took loved all the rides and had great times.
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4everDory
New Member
They should not have been asked for a doctor's note. To the best of my knowledge, it is actually illegal for them to require one. They should have asked for a second opinion or a supervisor. Regardless, the parents of the child with Down's should definitely ask for a GAC as soon as they get to the parks on your first day. It's always better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it, and have to go trekking back to the front of the park for it. Also, have them check out PassPorter's "Disney's Open Mouse" (a book that discusses special needs and traveling to Disney).
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loveofamouse
Well-Known Member
I second Dory. They should never have been asked that or denied
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stillgoofy
Well-Known Member
I have a daughter with Down syndrome and we have been going to WDW together for the past 10 years (sometimes twice a year). We have never had the need for a GAC card as my daughter has no problem waiting in line just like everyone else. We do use fastpass quite often so we can decrease wait times just for convenience. As far as stuff to do, my daughter has always been so thrilled with the characters, shows, dances, parades (especially the interactive ones like Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It at MK and Block Party Bash at DHS) and fireworks. Of course she loves the rides too. She loves to drive her own car at the Tommorrowland speedway. We frequent most of the rides. She also loves the water parks, putt putt golfing and the horses at Fort Wilderness. And of course, who doesn't love the swimming pool at the resort. We always use touringplans.com to pick our specific days in the parks and plan our stuff to do, but also we go with the flow. I think it's important to keep a relaxed pace but also have a basic plan. And most important, just enjoy! One thing I have noticed in all of our trips is that Disney is probably the most friendly and accepting place on earth for people with disabilities.
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Thanks for clearing that up! I wasn't completely sure.