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I know it has been discussed numerous times, but I've never paid attention. My DS hates fire and we knew better than to even try it. Well, this year he has seen something on tv that made him want to go.
Our problem is, he can't handle crowds very well. Actually not at all. (we even have to try and sit at booths when we go out to eat so he won't be sitting near anyone he doesn't know...he hasn't figured out that people are sitting behind him yet...)
Waiting in line, that long line we always see to get into F!, is not going to work. Do they have an alternative entrance? If not, can Dad and older sister go and stand in line while we wait somewhere quiet until time to go in? We have to sit near the back...really near the back.
This is the only thing he is asking for this trip and I hate to think he might have to miss it because of the wait in line. Any ideas?
His GAC will be stamped with alternative entrance and stroller as wheelchair if that makes any difference.
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You could try to get one of the dinner packages, and note that you have to have the back rows.
Or, Have your DH and DD go in (wait in line, etc.) and sit in one of the rear rows. Then, go in with your DS about 15 to 20 minutes before the show.
When you get the GAC for your DS, be sure to mention he can't be in crowds, and ask them what they recommend you do for Fantasmic!
If he hates crowds, I don't know if you even want to attempt Fantasmic. We went last year and our GAC did nothing to help us. We arrived an hour before the show and it was already at Standing Room Only. While I don't think CM's can prevent someone from holding seats, since it's bench seating your son is going to be extremely close to lots and lots of people and when it gets to SRO - they mean it. The very back section of the theater has no benches at all (which means they can really pile you in that section. And you mentioned that your son doesn't like fire - at one point in Fantasmic, the whole moat goes up in flames so is that something that if he could manage the crowds would cause him to meltdown?
Those are the big things I can think of to tell you now. If I think of anything else I'll let you know but I do wish you luck if you decide to go for it.
ETA - there was no alternative entrance when we went, that's why the GAC didn't help
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Darlene spelled it out right, It is packed, & very loud & lots of fire. Maybe you could go & DH can take the kids someplace else. I use a ECV & they put us in the very back,We were still packed in like sardines GAC's are of no help there. Good Luck on working something out..
ask the kid why he wants to see Fantasmic and find out what he saw that makes him MUST see that show. I agree with talking with CM and you can try going at an off day if there is any. If I was there I would let him sit in the back in my scooter but like others said it is usually packed. Maybe this will be something to help him over come his fears. Work with him and cast members.
__________________
Mom calls to check on me and reminded me to pay the gardener. I love her so much.
Disneyland was fun with flag retreat and pickles. I have a home here, thank you. GAC is NOT a "front of the line pass".
She is gone but keeping signature. Laundry is getting done. My purpose in life is to help poor people in FL. Farewell, will miss you.
I don't have a child with any issues like this. So I would trust others opinions if they have that situation, more than mine. BUT I wonder if you will be there when they have 2 shows a night? I was there in May, and went to a late show. The line will still be long and crowded. (I couldn't get over the ordeal to get in! They let you in part way, and then stop you, then in part way again...seemed like that went on forever) But I noticed that it was not a full house. Just you could wait in line, wait till just before show time, and see how the crowds were? And decided if it was empty enough? I would really be concerned about the fire issue though. I don't have a fire issue, but I do have 2 kids that don't like loud noises, so I've put off taking them till they are older.
If he hates crowds, I don't know if you even want to attempt Fantasmic. We went last year and our GAC did nothing to help us. We arrived an hour before the show and it was already at Standing Room Only. While I don't think CM's can prevent someone from holding seats, since it's bench seating your son is going to be extremely close to lots and lots of people and when it gets to SRO - they mean it. The very back section of the theater has no benches at all (which means they can really pile you in that section. And you mentioned that your son doesn't like fire - at one point in Fantasmic, the whole moat goes up in flames so is that something that if he could manage the crowds would cause him to meltdown?
Those are the big things I can think of to tell you now. If I think of anything else I'll let you know but I do wish you luck if you decide to go for it.
ETA - there was no alternative entrance when we went, that's why the GAC didn't help
I agree.
The seats for the dinner packages and the handicap seats are fairly close up. You can feel the heat and water. It may be too close for comfort. I would try the back rows. That way he can watch at a safe distance and if he gets upset it would be easier to leave. Good luck.
Thanks for the ideas and suggestions. (unfortunately, his problem is he suffers from a Traumatic Brain Injury and it isn't something he can get over or learn to deal with)
We are going to hope for a second show. If there is one, we will try for that, if not, I think Dad and sister will go to the show and video tape it. DS and I will find something else to do and hope he doesn't realize he is missing something. We can show him the tape later and see if it is something he really wants to see and plan from there.
The fact that he wants to see it is a big deal for us. Any way that we can make it happen we will, even if it is just for a short portion of the show.
You could try to get one of the dinner packages, and note that you have to have the back rows. Or, Have your DH and DD go in (wait in line, etc.) and sit in one of the rear rows. Then, go in with your DS about 15 to 20 minutes before the show.
When you get the GAC for your DS, be sure to mention he can't be in crowds, and ask them what they recommend you do for Fantasmic!
The back 3 rows of seating are for guests with disabilities. The very back row has spaces for wheelchair and ECV parking intersperced with bench seats for one companion for each guest using a wheelchair, ECV or other mobility device.
The next 2 rows are for the rest of the guests traveling with those using wheelchairs and ECVs and also for guests with other disabilities who need to sit near the rear. The CMs do not let anyone sit in those rows unless they have a disability, so the OP’s child would need to be with her DH and DD when they sit there.
If the son is using a stroller as a wheelchair, he could sit in the back row with the wheelchairs, but most of the wheelchair parking spots will be right next to someone else who is using a wheelchair, ECV or stroller as a wheelchair. Here is a picture that shows the set up. Each blue box is the parking spot for one mobility device.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JCRKTW459
I don't have a child with any issues like this. So I would trust others opinions if they have that situation, more than mine. BUT I wonder if you will be there when they have 2 shows a night? I was there in May, and went to a late show. The line will still be long and crowded. (I couldn't get over the ordeal to get in! They let you in part way, and then stop you, then in part way again...seemed like that went on forever) But I noticed that it was not a full house. Just you could wait in line, wait till just before show time, and see how the crowds were? And decided if it was empty enough? I would really be concerned about the fire issue though. I don't have a fire issue, but I do have 2 kids that don't like loud noises, so I've put off taking them till they are older.
If there is a second show, I have heard the 2nd show is less crowded and sometimes does not fill up. But when we went in October 2010 to the first show, we passed by the waiting second show guests a couple of times on our way out. The line was about 15- 20 feet wide and people were packed very close together. This was both at the rope which the CMs were waiting to drop to let guests in and all the way up past the Beauty and the Beast theater almost to the corner of the ‘main’ street.
I have read people who said that when there are 2 shows, the dinner package entrance is used for guests with wheelchairs and GACs for the 2nd show. Most posts from people with Guest Assistance Cards that I have seen were like the replies on this thread, where people said they were told there was no alternate entry. In all the times we have gone, I have not seen it used (we usually exit that way because it can be less busy, so I would see people waiting). We also have a GAC that allows for use of alternate entrances and have showed it to CMs, who said there was no alternate.
When we went in October 2010, I specifically showed DD’s GAC to several CMs who said they did not have any accommodations for GACs. It was already being announced as SRO when we arrived at about 50 minutes before the show. I did ask if they would have any alternate for the 2nd show and was told no. As we left the first show, there were at least 15 wheelchairs and ECVs readily visible in the crowd waiting; 2 were at the rope drop area.
There are several points with fire - one where the whole surface of the river is on fire.
A lot of people find ear protectors are helpful with noise (like the kind that shooters use or the industrial type that can be found in home improvement stores).
Quote:
Originally Posted by guitardiva
I agree.
The seats for the dinner packages and the handicap seats are fairly close up. You can feel the heat and water. It may be too close for comfort. I would try the back rows. That way he can watch at a safe distance and if he gets upset it would be easier to leave. Good luck.
There are a few handicapped seats in the very front, but the majority are in the very back row of seating. The heat is intense enough to feel there though and if the wind is blowing away from the stage area, it is possible to get water mist hitting even the back rows (although it’s only occasional sprinkles back there).
The dinner package section is the entire far right seating area from top to bottom as you face toward the stage.
Wow - this is a hard one. We too want to see this but it's my wish, not Stitch's. She can't deal with crowds and therefore this has dropped far down the priority list.
My suggestion - call Disney Disability Services. You're going to need help. I don't know if they can do anything, but you're going to need a real wish. Personally, if this is a true desire for your child, which it sounds like, and it's the first time that he has expressed serious interest in something at the World, which it also sounds like, I would call Disney up on the disability line and lay it all out and beg for help. Worst they can say is no.
And if they did, I'd go to the park that day, and ask for help. Again, they could say no. Then I'd go to the CM about 90 minutes before the show and ask for help.
You have an idea how to do it. Saving the space ahead of time. Someone will need to stand behind him, I'm guessing, and if your DH and DD position themselves in such a way in front of him to leave a bit of space, it might all work out.
Are you traveling with anyone else? You need more people to make space. Put call out in one of the threads in the planning forum, asking if anyone is going on the dates you are and can help with making this work.
Lots of pixies that you can find a solution for this.
I think Dad and sister will go to the show and video tape it. DS and I will find something else to do and hope he doesn't realize he is missing something. We can show him the tape later and see if it is something he really wants to see and plan from there.
It's a good idea to have him watch it... I've got similar issues as your son (I've got PTSD and a TBI with triggers related to heavy crowds and certain scents). In the last few weeks I've been trying to decide if the risk of being triggered is worth it. None-the-less I came across this video of the entire show that may be helpful to you however it may spoil some of the surprises of watching it for the first time in the park: ‪Disney's Fantasmic! (now in 1080p HD and remastered stereo)‬‏ - YouTube
Hi there! As everyone had mentioned, there are limits to what the GAC can do here. If your DS is small enough, maybe you can create a privacy tent in his stroller with a blanket.
I'm pasting links to a few articles I wrote a while ago discussing some strategies you might use to prepare your DS.
I hope you can figure something out, because it would be awful to miss Fantasmic! if your DS can manage it. On the other hand, this is about as loud and crowded a situation you can ever be in.
Thanks for the articles. I have only had a chance to casually scan them at the moment, but I think they will be helpful.
He is actually a very large 9 year old, and we use a blanket over his stroller as a cocoon from the world. (It was actually a suggestion from one of his therapists years ago)
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After this week, our first week back at school, we have had some promising days and some not so promising days. I think at this point, we are doing some more research, but will make the decision as to doing Fantasmic or not once it comes time to go. Meaning it will be an on the fly decision based on how he is doing at that point. (which is how we tour Disney anyway!)
There is every possibility that Dad and Sister will go to the show and Son and I will find something else to do. He loves Star Wars, so we might take a tour through the ride a couple of times to fill the time. If it is something he enjoys he is less likely to realize he is missing something. We will not discuss it prior if he is having a rough day...we will just split up and he won't know.
I really wish they had an alternative entrance...but one attraction out of a million that we might have to miss isn't too bad! The GAC is the only reason we are able to do Disney and we are very grateful for the ability to to enjoy this as a family!
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GAC's are of no help there. Good Luck on working something out..
that you can find a solution for this.
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