The Past Year - changes to GAC

I am sorry dear readers that I went missing for a year.  My agency was still around and it is growing but life got in the way of my favorite thing - letting you know about the goings on in the travel world.

There are any changes going on at the Mouse House.  Some that have caused great distress for families of children with disabilities.  I can understand the worry because I have a child with a disability and we have used the GAC many times to lessen the stress on our son.  We are keeping an open mind because we know any change like this will require tweeking on the part of Disney.  It will also take some adjustments and patience on the part of visitors.  If everyone works together this should be a better system and should lead to less abuse by those who don't need the pass.

Here is the latest on what we are being told. - thanks to Mousekeerz for this update

Procedures

After getting a DAS card, guests will approach the attraction they wish to visit. Each attraction will have a cast member at the entrance to assist you. (Not a kiosk as first reported)

§  If the wait is less than 10 minutes, they are admitted through an alternate entrance or Fastpass queue.

§  If the wait is more than 10 minutes, they are issued a return time on their DAS card. The return times will be based on the current posted wait time minus 10 minutes.

§  Only 1 (one) active return time can be written on a DAS card placing you in a virtual standby queue. Just like a regular guest in a standby queue, you can’t be in multiple lines at once. You are free to go stand in line for another attraction, go shopping or eat.

§  The DAS card holder (photo and name) does not need to be present to receive a return time which allows families with children with autism a chance to stay clear of the attraction while a member gets the return time to avoid potential meltdowns by not getting to ride right away.

§  Once the return time has arrived, you will arrive to the attractions alternate entrance or Fastpass line to redeem.

§  Once a return time has been redeemed it is crossed off and no longer active allowing you get a new return time.

§  Crossing off a return time also voids or cancels it to the equivalent of getting out of line.

§  Fastpass & Fastpass+ are not tied to this program and can be used in conjunction. So you can technically be standing in two lines at once.

Here is a difference between a DAS & a Fastpass

DAS Return Times have the same policy as a Fastpass when it comes to early arrivals, but they do not expire at a certain time of that day allowing those with special needs to not be restricted to returning back by a specific time if it doesn’t work for them. The catch however is that it will still remain active and additional return times can’t be gotten until it is used.

§  The DAS card holder (photo and name) must be present and experiencing the attraction in order to use the return time. If the person isn’t present or choose to sit out and let their family ride, they will be turned away and potentially have their card revoked. After all, the card is designed to assist the card holder and a few other companions or family members, but it is not designed to solely assist the family or companions when the card holder chooses not to or can’t ride.

§  If an attraction is broken, they can’t give you a return time. If you return and it’s broken, they will accommodate you by giving you a Fastpass to come back later and clearing your DAS return time to allow you to get another.

§  If all your return slots get filled, you have to return to Guest Relations for a new one. This would likely only fill up for someone that is staying on property for all 7 days.

Additional Procedures

§  Attractions that are not fully accessible through the standby queue may also have return cards. These are only for guests with wheelchairs, scooters, & strollers acting as wheelchairs who do not have a DAS card. Space Mountain is an example of a place that already does this, but additional attractions will soon be getting a similar procedure. The return times for these are just like DAS, but because they are attraction specific cards verses a global DAS card, you are able to grab multiple at once if you visit attractions that require it. Not all attractions will have this.

I promise I will be back tomorrow.  I have to share my incredible experience at an advanced training at Disney World this summer.  And I have to talk about my upcoming cruise on the Disney Wonder and I have to talk about the new dining changes. Oh yea, there will also be a new give away and a little bonus if you book with Destinations by Cathy and a way you can help charity by booking with us as well.  WOW everyone stay tuned lots coming up!

Cathy

Norwegian Freestyle Certified

I worked hard for this and for my clients. I take a lot of tests to get attain the highest level of knowledge of all the destinations I have available to you.

Norwegian Cruise line is one of the hardest set or courses I have taken.  I have passed their core curriculum as well as their half of their elective classes.  That has given me the right to display the certification you see above.  NCL considers me to be extremely knowledgeable in their cruise line and what they offer with each destination they go to.

I must say I have been extremely impressed with everything I have learned about what NCL has to offer all cruisers - families, singles, newlyweds, retired, groups etc.  I know most people flock to Princess or Carnival but for many destinations I will be recommending to my clients they take a look at NCL.

I am currently finishing the rest of my electives as well as taking my "grad" level classes.

This way when you come to me to book your cruise you can have total faith that I can recommend the best trip for you and your family.

If you are interested in a NCL cruise - or any vacation please contact me at travelnwithtink@gmail.com or click the envelope in the right hand corner and I will get back to you within 24 hours.

Best Age for Disney?

> What age is the best age to take my kids to Disney for the first time?This is something that all travel agents get asked A LOT. My answer?  There is no right answer.

I have seen 3 week old babies in their mothers arms on Pirates of the Caribbean on up to 60 year old kids going for the first time.

Several things to take in to account.

 How does
your child handle being out of routine? Nothing ruins a day at Disney like a child who is at the end of their rope of being dragged from ride to ride because the parents want to do one more thing the "child will love"

How does your child handle crowds?  Disney on certain days and certain times of year can be overwhelming to seasoned adult veterans.  Planning your trip during
the off season can be helpful to your child as well as your pocketbook.

Do they know who Disney characters are?  Yes there are families out there who have kids who don't know who Mickey and Minnie are.  I have met two such families this summer.  One of those families took a day trip to Disneyland. I understand the kids had a great time.

How does your child feel about characters?  Will they scream bloody murder if Mickey or Donald come up to them at a character breakfast?  That is no fun for anyone at your table or the entire restaurant. Some kids are scared of whole costume characters but no of those who have "real" faces.



These are all things that need to be answered before you go. If you have never taken your child to an amusement park, then take a day trip to a local amusement park to see how they do with all of the above.  It will give you a sense of what your child can handle.

With younger kids, the biggest advice I can offer is plan down time.  Do not go all day everyday to the parks.  Plan time for swimming, resting and just hanging out.  We enjoy taking trips on the monorail to see other hotels.

 When Phil was 17, we took a long family vacation to WDW.  It was Phil's high school graduation present.  Drew was 4.  Drew hit over load and one day refused to go to the park.  Rather than it ruin the day, Scott stayed with Drew.  They hung out in the room, did laundry, played with the toys Drew had gotten earlier in the trip, swam and had a great day.  He just needed a do nothing day.  By about 2 he was ready to get back in the action.

Flexibility is the key when taking kids to Disney.  Any age is a good age to take kids to Disney World as long as the grown ups remember to listen to the cues of the kids and make sure to put the kids first.

prevent panic

See this little guy?  He is one of four lights of my life.  The others are my husband, oldest son Phil and my new daughter in law, Betsy.

When we go on vacation we take certain precautions.  We are not alarmists but know that we can get separated and rather than panic we have plans in place to find everyone again.

First, I make shirts for our trip. We wear them on certain days of our trip.  I find bright colored shirts and then design themes for the day.  I can always look around and see 4 shirts just like mine and know where my crew is.

I take a picture of Drew every morning in what he is wearing.  I take it next to something so we can have an approximate height.  That way I am not having to try and recall how tall he is, what he is wearing (yes I know I can say - he has on this same shirt but that can't be dispatched quickly if he is separated from us, a photo can be)

When Phil was younger and now with Drew the first thing we do when we enter any amusement park or museum is approach someone wearing a badge. We tell him if he gets separated to look for a person with that type of badge and only talk to them.

I know some mom's who put a small bracelet or necklace on their kids with a parental cell phone number so they can be reached.

With the advent of cell phones we can text each other through out the day if some choose to go in different directions just to check in or let them know where to meet up.

One mom I know has a code word and when the kids hear that they know to line up and listen up because important information is about to be said.  (she has SEVERAL kids) It is only used in an emergency so they know it is important.

I know everyone has their own plans in place in large places to keep together or find each other if separated. What do you do?

Beaches surprise

A while back I won a 4 day 3night stay at Beaches/Sandals.  Orginally my husband and I were going to go to Sandals for a much needed couples get away.  Once I started looking at Beaches, I knew I had to take Andrew along.

I loved the activities for kids his age  - snorkeling, beach soccer, kayaking, glass bottom boat rides.  Then I started worrying about leaving him for long periods of time even in a supervised group.  Drew has some special needs. He has Tourettes and a SEVERE anxiety issue that causes some other problems. I know I would not be comfortable leaving him with a group that had a high ratio of kids to supervisors.  I know in most instances it would be all right.  I mean I have never heard a news report of Beaches losing a kid.  I am sure Drew would be OK but i am not sure my husband would be.  This is the PRE TEEN PROGRAM description

Pre-teens Program

Kids Have the Time of Their Lives

Not yet a tween or teen, but getting there fast, sometimes it can be hard to contain all the exuberance of youthful spirits. At Beaches we celebrate this positive energy and channel it into an unending slew of fun-filled activities for this ever-active age group. Sailing, snorkeling (ages 8-10), swimming, beach volleyball, beach soccer, scavenger hunts, glass bottom boat rides, pizza making, reggae jam sessions and on and on an unbelievable array of incredible options abounds! At Beaches we're dedicated to making sure that, from first thing in the morning until the sun goes down at night, your children simply have a blast.

Please bring:

• Swimsuits
• Change of clothes
• Sun screen

• Sun Screen
• Comfy toy (if used)
• Beach toys
• Beach hat

I want Drew to parcipate fully in all of this but.....I worry about him not being able to keep up and fully participte.

THEN I SAW THIS

Children with Special needs

Children with special needs may require a one to one coordinator/nanny. This service is offered so that they can actively participate in all activities with the special care and support they need. There is a fee of US$8.00/hour for this service.

EXACTLY what I want.  I can leave Drew and he can participate in the activities but at the same time have an adult buddy who is right there should there be an issue.  Someone assigned to Drew who could understand he just needed an extra hand from time to time if the stress got to be too much and at the same time would let Drew what all the other kids were doing. 8.00 an hour is a small price to pay for my son to get to do all the vacation activities that he wants.

I have been excited about this trip to BEACHES NEGRIL.  And know that Drew can particpate at not feel left out makes it even better.

I applaud BEACHES for taking this innovative step of inclusion for all guests and can't wait to report back after we go. 

I personally can't wait to go on the water park. Or eat at the restaurants or lay on the beach.

If you are interested in booking an all inclusive (airfare extra) trip to Sandals (adults only) Beaches (family) contact me at travelnwithtink@gmail.com OR click the envelope in the upper right corner and tell me where you want to go and i will get back to you within 24 hours.