disability-related question About This Page:

[mrsmaup]

well, we have never been to WDW(going for teh first time in Dec), but I wonder if you could carry a walkman incase storm noises or other loud noises become a problem.

I am pretty sure you could go into the first aid stations around every park if you needed too.

There is some kind of special assistance pass, but someone who has actually been would be better off telling you about it!LOL!!

[yalibrarian]

My son, who has autism, hates noises and getting wet(been known to strip down at rides)so I can appreciate your concern.

Mark the park map, before you go if possible, so you will be able to quickly locate restrooms, food places and shops where you can duck inside for an air-conditioned respite. Be prepared to take a beverage or shopping break! I have found Disney staff, particularly the security guys, to be helpful and understanding about special needs.

YA Librarian in VA

[LuckyPup]

Don't forget about the first aid and baby centers. I know that your daughter is hardly a baby, but the baby centers are very soothing, with rocking chairs and quiet rooms. The first aid centers are also great, and the nurses on staff have always been very helpful to me.

[suziem]

I feel sure that if you spoke with Guest Relations when you first arrive at the park (or better yet, call Disney before you go) they would be MORE than happy to assist you! And the baby stations are wonderful as are the people that work there....only problem is that the rocking chairs are in rooms that only nursing moms and babies are allowed to go...sorry! But I think that something could be arranged if they have enough time and you can explain the situation - probably wouldn't hurt to get something signed from the doctor so that you have it on hand if need be.....speaking from previous experience, October can be very strange weather. We've been there when it's 60's temp and when it's 90's temp...when it's sunny one minute and storming like crazy the next and then back to sunny!!!

[LThrock]

Hi! I'm new here, this is my first post. I love this board - many people don't realize how drastically dealing with a disability, even a mild one, can affect family travel! We're planning a trip to WDW in October. My daughter, 13, has developmental disabilities & apraxia - which generally don't interfere with travel, standing in lines, riding rides, etc. However, she also has an anxiety disorder and an extreme phobia of storms. Problems arise only if it begins to look cloudy or starts raining, or worst of all, we hear thunder. Our usual response, if we are at our community pool or a movie or something like that, is to simply leave the situation, go home or to our hotel as quickly as possible, etc. But this could be a huge problem to be all the way in the middle of one of the parks and have this happen. [She is on medication, and our therapist has suggested also taking a fast-acting medication when bad episodes occur - we're investigating that.] Do you all feel that CM's would be helpful and might possibly help us find an inside location to take shelter and calm down if something happens while in one of the parks? Should we get one of the SAP's I've seen mentioned here?

Any ideas on how we could deal with this situation if it arises? I know the weather in FL can change rapidly and we want to have a plan before we jump on the Monorail!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Libby

[Laughaholic]

Welcome to the boards and thanks for much for posting!!

Well, I am definately giving a thumbs up for the baby care and first aid centers. Maybe they could arrange for you to have a rocking chair? You never know! I also love the idea of the headphones! A familiar tape or CD of a favorite show or noise might help in your situation.

I would definately advise getting the SAP. (Special Assistance Pass) Juse get a note from your neurologist explaining the difficulty and you can get one at any of the guest services at any of the parks, and it's good for any where you go and for as long as your in WDW.

Pack a backpack to put all these things in. I suggest the Nike (although not a particular fan of Nike products) carry bag. They come in a lot of colors, and they have cords to put your arms through. It pulls closed, and I really don't know what to call the material it's made out of! They are about 10 dollars at Sporting Goods stores like Modell's, which is where I got mine. They look to be waterproof as well and take up almost no room while empty in a suitcase. You could carry coloring books for the first aid/baby centers, a bright yellow poncho with Mickey on it, (which she might like) a favorite stuffed animal, stickers, candy, etc.

Have you thought about Pal Mickey? She might get a kick out of him! Rent him at your hotel or most places in the parks! He is 8$ a day to rent, and 50$ to buy.

If you have any questions please post, that's what I am here for!!

Lots of luck,
Kristin

[LThrock]

Kristin, what is Pal Mickey? I'm not familiar with this. Thanks to everyone for the tips. I think I will definitely get a note from dr. to get a SAP and just hope we don't need it!

Libby

[cocoa]

Hi Everyone,
I have been on this board before and have a wife who has CP.
Looking over the posts I have never heard of the Special Assistance Pass.Could someone fill me in?
Any ansers would be greatly appeciated.
Thank you.
Jerry(cocoa)

[suziem]

Pal Mickey is SO COOL! It's a stuffed Mickey that will let you know (by speaking) special things in the theme parks! It can tell you trivia about the area you're in or even that a show is getting ready to start or that there is a short waiting time for a specific ride! They will even tell jokes, etc when you get them home! Take a look at this page for more info: www.passporter.com/articles/palmickey.htm

We DEFINITELY plan on buying one for our 1 year old daughter! What a special keepsake of your trip!

[Laughaholic]

The Special Assistance Pass entitles you to utilize the wheelchair entrances or if not applicable the Fastpass entrances. This reduces wait times considerably. You can get one at Guest Services at any of the theme parks.

Click on the search button on the top of the page and type in Special Assistance Pass. There were a couple topics recently with more in depth info.

Kristin

[Jennifer Fisher]

FOR COCOA:

Get the SAP. Remember though, we just got back, if there is a fastpass available the crew member can make you utilize that service. Another thing we ran into is that many crew members to entrances of rides don't realize the lines narrow further up into the attraction and may try to make you use the regular line --- Tell them no and that you were instructed by guest relations to utilize the fastpass line and they will let you alone.

The SAP made a HUGE difference for us (with two handicapped children) and we'll definitely utilize it again.

[Duchess]

Hello. I am not sure if this applies, but several of the attractions/rides do have storm scenes in them (Tiki Birds comes to mind). Winnie-the-Pooh has a raining/storm scene for the "floody place". We went several years ago with our son, and he was sensitive to noise at times. Hope this helps.

[lalapodip]

Having just been to the Tiki Room for the first time in YEARS, I just want to add that it was very LOUD - especially the storm, so you might want to avoid it....might be too realistic for your daughter. Have a wonderful trip! You've come to the right place to ask questions - this is a great group of people. [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img]

[LThrock]

THANKS for the tips about Tiki Birds and Pooh. I remember now that you mention it about the Tiki Birds, but haven't experienced the Pooh ride yet. How intense is the storm scene in Pooh?

Libby

[Duchess]

Hi Libby!!!
The raining/storm scene in Pooh was definitely more gentle than Tiki Birds. You may want to ride through first and see if your daughter would be comfortable with it. You may also want to post re: storm scenes in rides in the "Touring the World: The Parks" section to ask these Disney veterans about other rides that may be too intense. Have a wonderful trip!