AUTISTIC KIDS AND WDW About This Page:

[statelady01]

I am still pretty hesitant to try out Whispering Canyon Cafe and Fantasmic with Kate. Since our next trip will be her second and she is a little more familiar- she probably would be okay- but I am going to wait another year or so. The characters seemed to be a distraction from surrounding noise but in places like Whispering Canyon, there's nothing familiar for her to look for or a way to channel anxiety.

Katie did really well at Chef Mickey's- but I think one of the keys to our success is that we had one of the first seatings- we were in and out before half the place was full. She also loves those characters and knew them before we got there. Crystal Palace can tend to be loud, given its' size but I wouldn't hesitate taking Katie there.

I know how you are feeling- it's like traveling into the unknown- everything is going to create a possible issue. My best advice to you is to try to make plan B's. DH and I agreed if any restaurant or activity was too much, we would trade off in getting Katie out of that particular experience if possible. We felt that was the fairest thing to do, given we wanted our other kids' to have those experiences. They have to make lots of accomodations at home to help Katie out (and do so selflessly) and this was their time to enjoy as well.

PM me if you have any other questions or I can help you out any more. You'll find lots of special needs parents here with the Disney bug- for support, it's a winning combination!

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[merrymom]

[ QUOTE ]


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.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hello!

My autistic son, Billy, was 5 yrs old on his first WDW trip. We were hesitant about Fantasmic, too, but just like you, we had his 7 yr old sister to think about.

We used our GAC to sit in the reserved handicapped section of the arena. It is the last couple of rows all around the top (back) of the arena. Of course, he could not sit and wait for the show for 45 min the way the guidebooks tell you to! We arrived about 10 min before the show and got seated. We figured we were close to the exits so if it became a problem, we could just leave. Seats had a great view and we didn't get sprayed with mist or feel the heat from the flames the way those with the "better" seats did! We brought his ear protectors to muffle the noise. He did very well and the whole family got to enjoy the show.

Best of all, since the handicapped section is all the way at the top, we could scoot out ahead of the crowd as we all exited! Got to the bus stop ahead of them all!!

We used the same plan for Illuminations at EPCOT. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

Any other questions? We have gone every year since then and it just gets better and better!

Kathy

[CRCrazy]

While my daughter does not have autism, and she is a Disney lover like her mom, Fantasmic at five was a problem!

Does your child have lots of those normal five year old fears? Sarah did - and Fantasmic positively terrified her. She spent the entire show burrowed into my side, and I couldn't convince her to try it again until she was 7! Be aware that the lagoon catches on fire (fire was a big fear) and it is dark (another normal five year old fear). There are lots of baddies, and noise.

I'd definitely recommend the back as mentioned above, in case you need to make a quick escape.

[Happymommy]

A question was brought up about dining-- as far as Whispering Canyon as a dining choice-- we've had really bad experiences there (tried it twice)-- my son with Asperger's hated it, and my youngest (still in the process of being diagnosed) hated it as well. They were both really out of sorts there-- it was just too loud. We went there on our first trip before my sons were diagnosed. The first time we ate there I thought they were just too tired since we had just landed in Orlando and it had been a long day. We stayed at Wilderness Lodge, so decided to try it one more time on a better day-- second time was even worse. My youngest actually freaked out when something was yelled by a server next to him, and he and I had to leave while my husband and older son finished up. My oldest son with Aspergers always asks to make sure we're not going there. Both my sons really love 'Ohana though-- its a little quieter, but still lots of fun. My son actually requested this for his birthday dinner.

As far as Fantasmic-- we're still waiting for that one (oldest is about to turn six). I'm giving it a few more years.

[Prestidigitator]

My thanks to you all for your candor.

I think we are going to pass on Fantasmic
AND Whispering Canyon this trip.

We are thinking now more about exploring the
ice cream social at EPCOT and are anxious to
read the new Special Needs Passporter that
will arrive this week for others suggestions.

We are staying in a villa, so will probably
be doing lots of rest breaks and snacks/meals
there.

We are a family of Disney veterans. I
was a castmember at DL in the 80's and
we've been to DW at least a dozen times;
however, Jenny has only been once and
she HATED it (prior to her autism diagnosis).

This trip is about making it very magical
for both our daughters (5 & 7) and my dad,
who will accompany us. So, no "commando-style"
itineraries this time. Dad has had 2 heart-
attacks and back surgery, DD #1 is afraid of
the dark and heights & DD #2 has autism. We're
aiming for the outside attractions (Jungle Cruise,
Flying Dumbos & Carpets, Tea Cups, etc.) first.
After that, we're going to rely a lot on what
the kindness of all of you and the contributors
to the new Special Needs book suggest as we find
things that correspond to our daughters issues.
As you know, every child is different.

We are psyched to have found you all here! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[CRCrazy]

Sorry to tell you this, but the Ice Cream Social at the Garden Grill in Epcot was discontinued about a year or so ago. You're right that would have been a great way to have a quiet environment for your daughters to meet the characters. You may still want to bring them to the character meal there - as Mickey, Chip and Dale and Pluto are there dressed in their farmer clothes at both lunch and dinner.

[Prestidigitator]

Oh man! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img]

We use to love the ice cream social. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/pout.gif[/img]

The Garden Grill is still great though ...
the booths are nice and the atmosphere is
a lot more quiet than CP or CM, where we
typically do character meals. Noise for
Jenny is a big factor. I have ordered her
a set of marksman's ear protectors (like
they use on rifle ranges) for the trip.
Maybe she will put them on and just watch
everything. We'll see.

Do any of you with Autistic Kids have
trip reports that I can access? I'd love
to read about your experiences ... and
hopefully gleen some benefits! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[statelady01]

Here you go! It's in two threads, so here are the links for both. Hope this helps!

Stitch Spooks and Smiles Thread 1

Stitch, Spooks and Smiles Thread 2

[Prestidigitator]

Wow! Thanks SO much, Maureen!

You have a beautiful family! I really
enjoyed reading your trip report and
appreciated the pictures too. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I am definitely going to have to look
into getting the GAC for our trip ...
I just know with the crowds and the
heat, we are going to need it. I have
to admit though that I am dreading any
dirty look or nasty comment made in
our direction. DH was a professional
comedian; pity the individual, when
DH goes off. (There is a fine line
between funny and viscious and DH
has no trouble crossing it.) Then,
I will be stressed out with worry
over escalating emotions OR embarrass-
ment. <sigh>

I hope our trip turns out 1/2 as good
as yours did!

[CinderAbby]

[ QUOTE ]
I haveto admit though that I am dreading any
dirty look or nasty comment made in our direction.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know how you feel. I feel the same way, but in my case, not only is my DD Autistic, but my DH is also partially disabled so I have two different sets of problems to deal with when we go this year.

[Prestidigitator]

Me too, actually. DH is 6' 4" tall and over 300 lbs. DF has had 2 heart attacks, back surgery AND Colon Cancer (most recent, 1 yr ago surgery). We'll be taking it slow and missing a lot ... but, if we all have fun, we will go back and do more later! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[WDWRonda]

Another tip......

At DL in March I got DS (autism) a wheelchair (to big for a stroller), it was a place he could snuggle into, a little home away from home...also he tends to wander away so it make keeping up with hime easy.

[Tinksmyid]

We took our ASD son (Aspie), 4yo, to WDW in 12/05. Wow. He had a "breakthrough" moment and approached Stitch by himself at 'Ohana character breakfast and asked him "Stitch, will you please sign my book?" I can't tell you how out of character and jaw-dropping that was. I wept and took pictures like a fool. I can't wait to bring him back; he talks about it allllllllll the time, I think I may have created a 2nd generation Disney Monster.

As to the GAC, we brought a letter from his physician stating his condition and received a GAC without hesitation from a great CM named Mark in the MK. That thing was a LIFESAVER.

We rented a double stroller for him & his 1yo brother and that worked well, on the whole, although there were some hairy "He's on my side" moments.

It's definitely worth going - just DO remember that it is NOT the same as when you go on your own and that you have to really dial it down a few notches. Let the magic happen where it may! Have fun!

[merrymom]

[ QUOTE ]
Noise for
Jenny is a big factor. I have ordered her
a set of marksman's ear protectors (like
they use on rifle ranges) for the trip.
Maybe she will put them on and just watch
everything.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's what we use for Billy and he is able to tolerate fireworks/Illuminations now!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

[dansweetea]

I have been to Disney a few times with my 3 children and are planning another trip for this June. Tonight at dinner I was talking to my husband about my sister and her twin autistic boys (age 6). I know she would love to take them to Disney, but it's just not in her budget, as every penny goes to special schooling, doctors, therapy, therapy, therapy, and even more therapy. We decided that as a 7th birthday gift for the boys we were going to surprise them with a trip to Disney.
We aren't rich by any means, but instead of taking 2 big family vacations this year like we usually do, we are going to just take one so that we can afford to do something extra nice for my sister and nephews. Her kids have a week off in October, so I'm hoping that will be a nice time to visit Orlando. Both of her kids are severely affected and it's very difficult to do many things that people (even I) take for granted. I've enjoye reading through the threads, as I know there is hope for them to have an enjoyable trip.