AUTISTIC KIDS AND WDW About This Page:

[Happymommy]

We were thinking about trying MNSSHP, but then decided against it. Aidan had two really bad experiences in Disney, first at Whispering Canyon Cafe-- he hated it there. He sat in the corner in the lobby, and then when they brought us to the table, he started screaming-- "not this place!!!," and he cried. We wont' go there again. Second bad experience was when we went back for Star Wars Weekend (he was 4.5 yo)-- we actually took that trip because he was so obsessed with Star Wars, and thought he would love it. It was just way too crowded for him-- he had a meltdown. Then he wanted to see the parade, and freaked out at one of the Ewoks who came over to him to say hi. It was just too much, now we stay away from any special events, and are just trying to pick the slowest times to go.

[merrymom]

It's really a trial-and-error kind of thing!

I saw a great slogan on a t-shirt the other day....

"LIFE IS ALL ABOUT HOW YOU HANDLE 'PLAN B'!"

[Nick and Ryans Mom]

Our oldest son is PDD (Aspergers), ADHD, Obsessive-Compulsive and has many anxiety driven behaviors. We love going to WDW. We have gone on 2 non-Disney vacations in the last 2 years and found that it was hard to get him out of the rental house to do things. At WDW he does ask to go to Disney Quest or the hotel room (to play video games) but it is not constant.

When he went in 1998 and 2000 we literally spent half of our vacation on the Buzz Lightyear ride. DH was able to get a high score/rating every time by the end of our trip. It was kind of frustrating for us because we wanted to do and see more things but we knew we had work with Nick's issues.

Just like an earlier post, we had a HORRIBLE experience at WL's Whispering Canyon. I don't understand how he can LOVE Rainforest Cafe, it is just as noisy in my opinion!!! He also hated the Stitch ride at MK, it is too overstimulating for him (the smells, the sounds, the seat vibrating,...)

I loved WL (except for their tiny laundry room). DS#1 hated the noisy lobby and the lack of a quiet pool.

Last year DH was determined to eat at Morocco in Epcot. I called in advance and they were able to get a pizza from their counter service window.

We have had to leave lines because of someone's voice (volume or pitch), smells, etc... We just go with the flow. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Happymommy]

Cheryl,
My son (aspergers) loves Rainforest Cafe too!! But, to this day when we're planning our trips, he always asks to make sure we're not going to that place where they yell (Whispering Canyon).

One place that Aidan loved (that shocked me) is 'Ohana. Aidan has been in physical therapy since he was three. He has trouble with coordination and he's slow when it comes to running. So they start the coconut race, and he wanted to do it (which in itself was shocking). The first time he did the race he was the last kid to finish (he had trouble sweeping the coconut). Well, he loves gummy worms, and he found out that when you finished you got gummy worms. He raced again one more time before we left. He wanted those gummy worms so bad, that he was the first kid to finish (and he wasn't in the front to begin with). Joe and I were in shock. It was great!!!! I've never really seen him win anything before. He was so excited!! We always go to 'Ohana now!!

[Nick and Ryans Mom]

Hi Dina,

That is so funny that they both like RC! We've never tried 'Ohana but Nick insists on Chef Mickeys for breakfast because they have a little candy station (toppings). I would think the noise would deter him from liking it but it doesn't.

At Whispering Canyon we had a corner table to try to keep Nick out of everything. Nick ended up practically under the table covering his ears and rocking back and forth (which he only does when HIGHLY agitated). I ended up leaving without even eating most of my meal. We should have known when he could barely walk through the lobby without cringing at the noise.... [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

[merrymom]

You may laugh, but the most memorable character meal for our son was....Cindy's Royal Table! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/king.gif[/img] He was 5 yrs old at the time and afraid of non-face characters, so Crystal Palace was a flop (even though Pooh and Tigger were favorites at home). CRT was so much better, perhaps b/c it was smaller and all characters were pretty girls!!!

We really booked this for our daughter (7 at the time) and didn't expect DS to be particularly interested. Of course, DD was loving it. And then, suprise! Princess Aurora comes to the table and DS recognizes her from the Disney Sing-Along Songs video and starts softly singing, "I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream.." [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img] DH let Aurora know that he was autistic, and she sat down next to him and sang the whole song (he sang the part of Prince Phillip!) WOW!!

Just goes to show you...be prepared for a magical moment to happen where you least expect it!

Kathy

[alismom]

[ QUOTE ]
You may laugh, but the most memorable character meal for our son was....Cindy's Royal Table! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/king.gif[/img] He was 5 yrs old at the time and afraid of non-face characters, so Crystal Palace was a flop (even though Pooh and Tigger were favorites at home). CRT was so much better, perhaps b/c it was smaller and all characters were pretty girls!!!

We really booked this for our daughter (7 at the time) and didn't expect DS to be particularly interested. Of course, DD was loving it. And then, suprise! Princess Aurora comes to the table and DS recognizes her from the Disney Sing-Along Songs video and starts softly singing, "I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream.." [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img] DH let Aurora know that he was autistic, and she sat down next to him and sang the whole song (he sang the part of Prince Phillip!) WOW!!

Just goes to show you...be prepared for a magical moment to happen where you least expect it!

Kathy

[/ QUOTE ] This is so sweet it brought tears to my eyes. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img]

[merrymom]

Okay, I'm looking at the timers for all you posters and you are all going to WDW sooo soon! I am sooo jealous! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/bye.gif[/img]

I just hit my 180 days and made my ADRs (heavy sigh!) I am building my daily itinerary and would love it if you shared yours. So much of our plans revolve around our kids' secial issues! I am curious whether our plans are similar in nature! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/questionicon.gif[/img]

[blondie]

The first time we took our kids to WDW in the year 2000, they were 10 (down syndrome, PDD-NOS, Heart Condition)and 8 (Autism). The 10 year old uses a wheelchair in the heat, and we went to see the Festival of the Lion King in AK. When one of the cast members came and got him to participate in the parade. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]They pushed his wheelchair around in the parade and had him play some kind of percussion instrument. He was so happy! It brought tears to my eyes. My 8 year old did not want to go (too loud)! However, everytime we have been back, both boys insist upon going to the Festival of the Lion King and think it is their right to participate in the parade! And the verbal skills that improve after a trip to WDW is simply amazing. There really is something magical about it. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[Nick and Ryans Mom]

Don't worry Merrymom your time will fly by!!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

We try to schedule ADRs for lunch more than dinner since we may end up leaving the parks early if things aren't going well. Nick is very picky about foods so I study menus to see where he will eat things. I keep a list of each parks' "approved" food places in my backpack in case we have to adjust plans. I have called and spoke with chefs at some of the restuarants to discuss menu items. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

We have also realized that earplugs are a must-have item when packing. Nick is very sensitive to sounds and the earplugs allow us all to enjoy more rides.

What kind of plans have you made so far?

[WDWRonda]

We have Ryan,10 is autistic and Matthew, 14 who is ADHD. We have gone to WDW 4 times and loved every minute. Ryan is really into the Disney character espcially the princesses. This part March Ryan and I went to Disneyland.

First let me say get the WDW for Special Needs book, it is packed full of great tips. Ryan is very light/sound defensive so we take sunglasses for the fireworks, but were always covering his ears with our hands. The book suggested ear protection like a hunter uses and that changed our Disney lives. Now he asks for his "ears" when ever he feels uncomfortable.

Secondly be flexible, in our case by the 3rd or 4th day Ryan wants to spend the morning at the hotel, he is just overloaded and needs a long time out. Matthew and DH head to a park returning about 1pm then we all go swimming or to TL or BB and then back to the parks for the evening.

One special story is very hard we seem to have a magical moment each time, but I will share two:

In 2003 Ryan and I went to Fairytale Garden for Belle to read Beauty and the Beast. There must have been 20 little "Belles" so when they started to pick kids for the various parts I thought no way Ryan would be picked plus I just knew he would never get up there. Lo and behold he got picked to play Papa and he did it! It was truly magical, the way he would press his cheek to Belle's hand when she touched his shoulder.

Finally at Disneyland we did the character dinner at Ariel's grotto and it was wonderful, each Princess came to our table and signed his book, talked with him and took a picture and my son whose language is that of a 4.5 to 5 year old, spoke in whole sentences. It was priceless.

[statelady01]

Kevin, our oldest has Asperger's and is an old pro at Disney. Usually, he's pretty tense and high strung- but the second we got there- he relaxed, smiled and seemed to be worry free- what a gift it was to see this side of my son!

Katie, our oldest daughter, had such a wonderful time we had no hesitation in booking our second whole family trip for December. I was really impressed with character interaction- a few times I would mention her being autistic to the handler- but most often, I just let her go up on her own. It's pretty easy to tell and all of the characters let her take the lead in thier interaction. Ariel was especially sweet with her.

Our entire five days there was a magical moment in and of itself. I saw my daughter's face lighted up with tons of smiles and heard lots of laughter- something an autistic parent longs to hear and see. That was and always will be my best souvenir!

We got a huge kick out of Katie's response when her grandmother asked Kate where we were going as we waited for our return flight home. Katie looked at her and replied, "Sea World?" [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Prestidigitator]

I've just ordered my Special Needs Passporter. Our DD is 5 and has Autism. On our last trip to WDW, she was 18 months and not yet diagnosed; she was miserable with sensory overload and, after diagnosis, I felt SO guilty for having taken her. (She even hated IASW!) Our trip is in 6 weeks. Just from being here, I see I need to get a doctor's note for a GAC. Do you have suggestions as to what it needs to say? Also, someone mentioned earplugs. DD hates to have her ears touched and I'm not sure that she'll let us put plugs in her ears. Do you think ear muffs would work? If so, anyone got any idea of where one would buy ear muffs in south Alabama in June? I'm SO thrilled to have found you guys addressing this! I was almost dreading this trip but now, because we've used PP before with good results (except for DD's last experience) I'm actually starting to think this could maybe be a positive thing for her. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[statelady01]

Our pediatrician writes a letter identifying Katie as have autism and states something to the effect of she would benefit any assistance with crowds, sensory issues, etc.

Interestingly, when I went to City Hall for the GAC, I was never asked for the letter. The CM asked me a few questions and I explained Katie's limitations and the experiences we had the day before without assistance. I was never asked to produce the letter, but I brought Katie with me into City Hall. It's a good idea to have it, just in case.

Hope you have a terrific trip!

[Prestidigitator]

Thanks, Maureen! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Can you maybe make some dining suggestions that have worked well for Katie? Jenny has sensory issues and I'm concerned about whether the characters might be too overwhelming for her at something like CP or CM? At the same time, we have our 7 yr old (non-autistic) daughter going and want her to have a fantastic time too. Would something like Whispering Canyon be better? Still too much? We are staying in a villa with a kitchen and plan to do quite a few meals privately, just to preserve our own sanity and give Jen a break.

What do you think about Fantastmic for a 5 yr old autistic?
Possible or impossible? (Waiting and sensory/stimulation as issues) We would, of course, be taking a break and coming back to the park in the evening for this ... if we get brave enough to attempt it.

Thanks so much for your help and any suggestions. We are
6 weeks out and I have made no ADR yet ... and I'm thinking maybe I better do something or we won't get to eat dinner at all on our trip with the July crowds!