What Preshows Should I Avoid with ASD Son?

[tparbs]

Boy, do I love this board!!!!!!!

Okay, so we're brand-new to WDW. With exactly a month to go before we leave, I'm trying not to freak out too much on the planning phase!

I'm not too hip on all the abbreviations for the rides, etc., so please use the full name. Sorry.:flower3:

So I'm going through my Burnbaum (sp)book to WDW last night. I see some rides have preshows.

Ds is 8, very high-functioning, but long waits can be a problem and he has sensory issues to some things. Not good in long lines (definitely getting the GAP!!!).

What preshow rides should I avoid? Can one pass on these at any ride that has them, if need be?

I'd love your guys imput! You've been absolutely wonderful and I can't thank you enough for all your wonderful advice!!! :grouphug:

[Cheshire Figment]

Hi and :welcome: to disABILITIES!

There are only three rides I can think of that have preshows:

Test Track (Epcot)
Rock 'N Roller Coaster (Studios)
Tower of Terror (Studios)

There are some rides that have a short boarding and safety presentation that you cannot skip.

Quite a few of the shows and other attractions have preshows, but these are sort of necessary as it keeps people occupied since they load a full theater at one time.

It is difficult to make specific recommendations without know more about the person. And the three I have listed above the preshows are after the FastPass line.

[bookwormde]

I would recommend getting one of the “guide” books and read about the rides and attractions you think that you might be interested in. Only you know what your child’s particular sensitivities are. This is good to do for restaurants also, some are very “mellow” and some are quite chaotic. This is what we did and made it through a week without a “major” melt down.

Uor son is Ds7 aspergers, sound like you are going in one of the less busy times, that helps a lot. Relax have fun and go at your own pace.

bookwormde

[Schmeck]

Haunted mansion has a preshow, right? In the stretching room?

Maelstrom has a post-show, and an awkward wait before the post-show.

[mechurchlady]

Soarin at DCA sort of had a pre-show. You were herded into the pen aka lines and then had to watch a television monitor explaining how to use the seat belt and other stuff. Not sure about east coast version but it did require waiting until that spiel is over. A person on the inside two rows could get a flare up of claustrophobia. I would get uneasy in that lines when people started closing ranks for some weird reason.

[LuvsTinker]

Depending on his hearing sensitivity, you may want to skip The Tiki Birds all together; it was too loud for my son.

Last time we went on Universe of Energy (Epcot), there was pre-show and long after show.

[Poohgirl]

When my High functioning DS was 7 we took him to WDW for the first time. The worst ride we encountered was Haunted Mansion. We used the GAC card and were escorted to a bypass entrance but it was so dark and the music was playing sounds of wind and coyotes howling. In an instant that boy turned around and ran like Forest Gump until he reached Liberty Square. We have come to find humor in these, what we call "Tytyisms" (his name is Ty) but I felt so badly that I didn't realize that those sounds would set him off.

He also didn't like the Tower of Terror pre-show. He has done the ride once and has sworn it off.

Its really been hit or miss over the years, sometimes he loves things I think he will hate and other times hes covering his ears before I realize there is anything that could be bothering him. :confused3

I also bought him the Birnbaum's guide to WDW for kids before we left and let him show me the things he wanted to try out. That worked out well.

Best of luck.

[tparbs]

You guys are awesome! :grouphug: Thanks so much for all these great tips!!

Wow, I didn't know there was a Birnbaum Guide for Kids! Thanks!!!

What would I do without the Dis boards?

Thanks!!! :flower3:

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

You might want to skip "Sounds Dangerous" at Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM.) My ASD son had a near complete meltdown with the sound of the bees. I should have known better, but he was sure he'd be fine...he was wrong.

Be sure to plan in down time and be ready for changes to the plans to happen on a moments notice. Many days Matt was fine then all of a sudden he needed to go...leave...immediately. We still had a great time, and more importantly, so did he.

I also completely recommend the Passporter disability book...it is not specific about all accomodations, but it does give a great idea of what to expect with each ride/attraction.

Have a great trip!

[Poohgirl]

Oh I remembered one more, Its tough to be a bug in Animal Kingdom. Ds will do it now but for several years after the first time he rode it, he refused. If your child is willing, then try it, because it is great. But it is dark and some of the sensory items in it seem to frighten small children (and ASD ones) alike.

[Hook's Girl]

Honey I Shrunk the Audience has a very long pre-show.

If you are riding Dinosaur, it also has a pre-show.

[tparbs]

Honey I Shrunk the Audience has a very long pre-show.

If you are riding Dinosaur, it also has a pre-show.

Is one able to skip these pre-shows?

Thanks!

[ericafny]

Is one able to skip these pre-shows?

Thanks!

I don't know about the Honey I Shrunk the Audience pre-show as I think there is another group in the theater while you watch the pre-show. As for Dinosaur, Test Track, Tower of Terror and Rock and Roller Coaster, I bet if you asked you could probably skip those pre-shows. They are mainly for crowd control.

[Schmeck]

I don't know about the Honey I Shrunk the Audience pre-show as I think there is another group in the theater while you watch the pre-show. As for Dinosaur, Test Track, Tower of Terror and Rock and Roller Coaster, I bet if you asked you could probably skip those pre-shows. They are mainly for crowd control.


Doesn't the end of the Dinosaur one have a safety warning? Or is that on the screen when you get in the vehicle? I thought there was a safety warning for RnRC in the preshow too?

[scojos]

AVOID DINOSAUR.
Really its a loud, violent ride, that both dh and i left shook from...
Josh is an 8 (was 6 last time) yr old sensory seeking ASD child. He was hysterical, there was no line and we just walked on not expecting it to be so shaky, we had to leave the park, not an nice ride at all, esp for ASD kids.
haunted mansion was also an issue so i am glad you can skip the pre show.
thanks, enjoy your trip, post a report for us all
tracy

[ericafny]

Doesn't the end of the Dinosaur one have a safety warning? Or is that on the screen when you get in the vehicle? I thought there was a safety warning for RnRC in the preshow too?

Yes for Dinosaur there is a safety warning during the preshow. Not sure about RNRC, I am usually too preoccupied during preshow to notice anything. I am sure a CM would be able to explain safety precautions in lieu of a preshow though..:confused3

[Hook's Girl]

Doesn't the end of the Dinosaur one have a safety warning? Or is that on the screen when you get in the vehicle? I thought there was a safety warning for RnRC in the preshow too?

You are correct the Dinosaur pre-show must be seen by everyone riding it. This is even the case with high profile guests who come in the back and side doors.

[ericafny]

You are correct the Dinosaur pre-show must be seen by everyone riding it. This is even the case with high profile guests who come in the back and side doors.

Are you or have you been a CM?

[Hook's Girl]

Are you or have you been a CM?

I sure am!

[ericafny]

I sure am!

Good! Well then you must know for sure about the preshows. Thanks for giving your input, it is very helpful.

[mechurchlady]

Summary

Test Track (Epcot)
Rock 'N Roller Coaster (Studios)
Tower of Terror (Studios)
Haunted Mansion (MK)
Soarin (Epcot)
Universe of Energy (Epcot)
Honey I Shrunk the Audience

Adding the Tiki Room.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCwmjwrM2xs

[Schmeck]

Summary

Test Track (Epcot)
Rock 'N Roller Coaster (Studios)
Tower of Terror (Studios)
Haunted Mansion (MK)
Soarin (Epcot)
Universe of Energy (Epcot)
Honey I Shrunk the Audience

Adding the Tiki Room.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCwmjwrM2xs

And don't forget waiting for the postshow at maelstrom, a unique experience!

[pilgrimr]

So I'm going through my Burnbaum (sp)book to WDW last night.

Another really good book is the PassPorter's WDW for your Special Needs. We used this book alot for our son when we had questions. You might look into it. It is a great source of information.

[Crazy Kanga]

I also would say avoid Dinosaur if your child has issues with loud noises. My husband and non ASD child have trouble with the volume of this ride. I really wish they would turn it down. The few times we have taken my ASD son on it I have had to ride it while covering his ears. Not an easy task!:scared1:

[renchick]

On a related note, we will be visiting WDW for the first time this summer. DS (6, w/ASD) is terribly frightened of the sounds of fireworks, but truly enjoys their visual aspects. Open Mouse recommended viewing the fireworks from the beach at one of the monorail resorts. Does anyone have any recommendations on which resort beach would be best? And how audible are the fireworks from that location?

[LuvsTinker]

On a related note, we will be visiting WDW for the first time this summer. DS (6, w/ASD) is terribly frightened of the sounds of fireworks, but truly enjoys their visual aspects. Open Mouse recommended viewing the fireworks from the beach at one of the monorail resorts. Does anyone have any recommendations on which resort beach would be best? And how audible are the fireworks from that location?

Are you staying on property? Because you can see some firewords from different resorts.

The Poly has a good view of MK fireworks.

At Carribean Beach Resort, you can see the Epcot fireworks.

My son loves to watch them but hates the noise. We use earplugs when we will be in the park during fireworks and that helps him a lot.

[renchick]

Are you staying on property? Because you can see some firewords from different resorts.

The Poly has a good view of MK fireworks.

At Carribean Beach Resort, you can see the Epcot fireworks.

My son loves to watch them but hates the noise. We use earplugs when we will be in the park during fireworks and that helps him a lot.


We're staying at AKL, so that won't be an option for viewing fireworks.

I've tried the foam earplugs, headset-style ear protectors, and both in combination - nothing seems to work. I wonder if it is the frequency that is the real problem.

Thanks for the advice on the Poly and CBR - we'll try both! Is the boat parade visible at these sites as well?

[toodycat]

You can see the fireworks on the dock at the Contemporary, Poly or Grand Floridian. Another possibility is to rent a pontoon boat to view the fireworks. It costs around $100 and you get a tour of the lagoon first and a prime view of the fireworks without crowds or noises. We did this with our ASD son a few years ago and it was so worth it. You can arrange it at the marina at the Contemporary. I am not sure but I believe it is through Sammy Duvall's water sports. Hope this helps.

[SueM in MN]

You can see the fireworks on the dock at the Contemporary, Poly or Grand Floridian. Another possibility is to rent a pontoon boat to view the fireworks. It costs around $100 and you get a tour of the lagoon first and a prime view of the fireworks without crowds or noises. We did this with our ASD son a few years ago and it was so worth it. You can arrange it at the marina at the Contemporary. I am not sure but I believe it is through Sammy Duvall's water sports. Hope this helps.
Here's a link to the Fireworks Cruise information. (http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/fireworks.htm) I'm afraid it's a bit more than $100. The 'basic' one is $225 for 8 people.

[toodycat]

Yikes, that's a big difference. I think I paid $125 for 3 people in 2005.