Illuminations tips for kids with Aspergers About This Page:

[phoebec]

My oldest son, 9 and my youngest daughter 5, have mild aspergers. We will have a GAC. They have issues with crowds/noise/waiting, etc . . . My oldest really wants to see Illuminations. Do you have any tips on location (spots where you might not have to sit for an hour or more waiting), or places a quick exit might be possible if it gets to be too much? Any info/tips would be appreciated. We are going late November after Thanksgiving

[Eeyore Tattoo]

There really isn't a place where it won't be loud, but there is a special section for those of us with a GAC, scooter or wheel chair near the gift shop at showcase plaza,be aware it can get crowded & will still be loud.
We never went & sat for a hour, but showed up about 20 minutes before the start..

[phoebec]

Originally Posted by Eeyore Tattoo

There really isn't a place where it won't be loud, but there is a special section for those of us with a GAC, scooter or wheel chair near the gift shop at showcase plaza,be aware it can get crowded & will still be loud.
We never went & sat for a hour, but showed up about 20 minutes before the start..

Thanks for the info. I realize we can't avoid the noise. Would it be fairly easy to make a quick escape if necessary from there? Do you have to have a wheelchair to use it or is it for anyone with a GAC? It would be very helpful to be able to show up 15-20 minutes prior. I think that would make the biggest difference. My kids get nervous waiting and if they are already nervous from the waiting when the show starts it won't go well. If we can eliminate the waiting to a minimum, I think they might be ok for at least part or most of the show.

Thanks!

[Eeyore Tattoo]

There are actually 3 area's for handicapped viewing, one is in front of Canada, an other is to the left of Show Case Plaza and the third is across from Germany.
A quick getaway depends on what exit you are using & if you leave a little before it's over you will have a better chance of getting out before it gets crazy.Also crowd level will make a difference. look at a EPCOT map to help you choose the best viewing area for you. There is one in your Passporter book, and one here.. http://allears.net/tp/ep/epcotmap.jpg

[jimmymac]

If the show is still on, it's not that difficult to make an early exit, as everyoone will be pressed forward watching. If the park is really crowded, forget it. If you're staying at an Epcot resort, you can exit through International Gateway fairly quickly. Otherwise, you'll have to walk through Future World and that will take time. have you thought about earplugs to minimize noise?

[SueM loves WDW]

They do line up the guests with wheelchairs across the front of the handicapped area, with the rest of their party behind them. Guests without wheelchairs would be standing behind, since they would be able to see above the seated guests.

It can be difficult to predict how busy the handicap areas will be - sometimes when the park is not that busy, there are more people with disabilities since many choose to travel during the quieter times.
We have gone in the past to the spot by the gift shops and found that area was very full and they we parking wheelchairs and ECVs 2 and 3 rows deep!
That area is also the closest to the fireworks, so will be the loudest. Also, because many people want to be 'front and center' and close to the exit, it is usually the most people.

When we went last Spring, we were able to get into the area near Germany and there was still space until about 30 minutes before the show. In October 2011, when we arrived to that same area 50 minutes before Illuminations was to start, it was too full and we had to find a spot outside of the handicapped area.
I would plan to arrive 45 to 60 minutes ahead of time for any of the handicapped viewing areas. You can arrive closer to the show and may still get a spot, but you may find them full ( this is true for parades in other parks too).
If you plan to just find a spot to view Illuminations, it is possible to still get fairly good spots along the fence 15 minutes beforehand. Leaving during the show from either the handicapped viewing spots or any other spot may not be easy because you will have to get thru other guests who are watching the show.

For a place a little removed, where you can still see the show, I have suggested people try the walkway, facing World Showcase, in front of First Aid. If you need to leave early, it is easy to get out of the area because you can take the walkway that goes toward Test Track and Mission Space. If your child gets overwhelmed with the noise and wants to get away from it, you can easily step into one of the rest rooms or First Aid that are right there. Since most people want to be closer, this area is not usually that busy, even a few minutes before the show starts.
A lot of people with autism spectrum disorders also find that earmuffs, like sold in sports stores for gun sports, work well since they are designed for sharp noises similar to fireworks.

You would be able to get out of the handicapped viewing area during the show, but will still need to make your way thru anyone waiting behind that area. As was pointed out, the walkways will probably not be that full since most guests will be along the water.
Many people try to leave early to beat the crowd, so if you leave before the show is over, the crowd will be right behind you and you may still find yourself in the middle of it.
If you get through the whole fireworks, the easiest way to avoid the crowds leaving is to stay where you are and wait about 10- 15 minutes for the crowds leaving to thin out. After that, you will be able to walk out in a thin group of people rather than the press of a huge crowd.

[TuffyCO]

I also have two kids on the spectrum and we have seen Illuminations several times. We have sat in the handicap area on a couple occasions because my mom was in a scooter. We have never tried to enter one with just a GAC.

Have you considered trying to get an ADR at Rose & Crown close to the time of Illuminations? They have a wonderful patio with a great view, and if it got to be too much it is easy to exit through the restaurant. It might be worth the cost of the meal or some dining credits to have a good location. Only thing is you won't know if you get the patio till you check in, but they do allow people from inside to stand on the patio during the show as well.

Consider getting some military grade ear protection for the kids. These are the kind they use on the flight line. My kids have used them during every trip and it has saved us on many occasions. These block out a good amount of noise but you can still hear people talking. If they still don't block enough pick up some of the foam ear protection, put those in, then the ear muffs. Works great!

If you need to find somewhere around the lake, pick up snacks first and then find a spot to sit. The snacks will help keep the kids busy for a few minutes and the time won't seem as long. Seating closer to Future World always seems a little less loud to us, so we tend to head that direction. Plus the smoke usually doesn't head your direction.

We use cell phones for playing games while waiting. We only bring them out during waits like these so they are very interested. They get so focused they don't notice the crowds building around them.

Try to make space around the kids. If you have two adults seat one on the sides of them and then try to have the rail in front and maybe bags behind them to buffer them, this way they have some space and are less likely to be bumped.

Show them Illuminations on YouTube first. For a long time I thought it spoiled the fun to show them videos first, but with ASD kids it helps for them to know what to expect. Put the music on a MP3 and let them become familiar with it, that way the only thing "new" would be the fireworks etc. With the earphones this won't be too bad.

I wouldn't necessarily sit with exit in mind. But once you have found a location, after more people show up, look in every direction and know which way you are going to go if you have to exit. It may not be that you need an "exit" but an indoor area you could pop into, like China or Norway.

My kids both LOVE Illumination and on our next trip we are going to do the Illuminations cruise (for my birthday). I'm also a little worried since we have always been across the lake it will be too loud, but I think we will be okay.

[2Peanuts]

TuffyCO, I love your suggestions! Our DS3 was just diagnosed as being on the spectrum. We skipped all the fireworks on our last trip because the whole family had walking pneumonia. For our next trip, though, I'd really love to try to see the fireworks. This thread is great for helping me think about how to help our family enjoy the show. Phoebec, thanks for asking the question!

Carol

[Lumieregirl]

The last time we saw Illuminations we had an ADR at Tokyo Dining. We sat comfortably at the table waiting and at showtime simply step out onto the balcony area. If needed, you could easily pop back into the restaurant. You may even request a seat the farthest from the window in case you needed some down time back at your table. It was not crowded at all on the deck and we were there in peak season.

If Japanese food doesn't appeal, no worries. I don't eat sushi and was able to find a meal easily enough. And at WDW I often enjoy restaurants just for their amience, knowing there is plenty of other food around before or after.

[Tonichelle]

Originally Posted by Lumieregirl

The last time we saw Illuminations we had an ADR at Tokyo Dining. We sat comfortably at the table waiting and at showtime simply step out onto the balcony area. If needed, you could easily pop back into the restaurant. You may even request a seat the farthest from the window in case you needed some down time back at your table. It was not crowded at all on the deck and we were there in peak season.

If Japanese food doesn't appeal, no worries. I don't eat sushi and was able to find a meal easily enough. And at WDW I often enjoy restaurants just for their amience, knowing there is plenty of other food around before or after.

I like reading that there is good viewing from Teppan Edo (I assume that's what you meant)... the restaraunt idea may be a good idea.

[TuffyCO]

Originally Posted by 2Peanuts

TuffyCO, I love your suggestions! Our DS3 was just diagnosed as being on the spectrum. We skipped all the fireworks on our last trip because the whole family had walking pneumonia. For our next trip, though, I'd really love to try to see the fireworks. This thread is great for helping me think about how to help our family enjoy the show. Phoebec, thanks for asking the question!

Carol

Thank you, I wish I could say we magically knew all of these things before we went on our first trips, but most are things we discovered because we had difficulties or through trial and error. It has taken a lot of thinking and planning for us to find things that help our kids get through without any problems. I'm happy to share them with others so they don't have to go through the same difficulties we did.

And can I just say that stinks on the walking pneumonia. I was sick on our last trip to DL and it was miserable.

[lanejudy]

We haven't used the GAC or w/c seating area. We like to watch from on or near the bridge between UK and France. While crowded, it is fairly near the International Gateway exit if you need to leave quickly. Rather than calling it "waiting" we do a "dessert picnic" - one of us will grab a spot to save while another goes to France to get some yummy desserts. If the kids want to walk to France an back, that takes up part of the time, or there is space to move around and they can play (card games or other small items in your day bag) while waiting for desserts to arrive. Eating takes up some time. It doesn't end up feeling like that long a wait even though we are usually in place an hour or so early. As long as a couple people remain to save your spots, a couple members of the party can take a walk as well.

What we find as key is managing expectations "we'll sit here to rest and have a dessert picnic before the fireworks start in an hour" and having something planned as entertainment/diversion (I-spy works well for us, or card games, small electroncis, etc.). Our DD loves fireworks, so we don't have a problem with the noise, it's the waiting time and growing crowds. We find as long as we are in place first and use our bags to create some buffer space, it helps much better than trying to squeeze in once the crowds have already started forming. You might want to consider a stroller as w/c for your 5yo (or even the 9yo), that's a big help as well.

Good luck and enjoy!

[Lumieregirl]

No, I actually meant Tokyo Dining. Tokyo Dining faces the Promenade, and Teppan Edo is in the back of the same building.