worried

[mazz1]

i'm really worried about the check in procedure and how busy the terminal sounds

i have two autistic children and reading trip reports the terminal often gets described as very busy

i've been told that being from the UK i would check in at another line? /desk for "aliens"

after check in does anyone know if they will allow us to wait in a quieter area of the terminal or if such an area even exists, also will they allow us to pre board if i have a quiet word

i think i have read somewhere that they board concierge passengers first then those with disabilities but it someone can confirm this is correct or incorrect then that would be really helpfull, we are in a accessile stateroom

i would also appreciate any advice from other parents whose children are autistic and how they managed

thanks mazz

 

[JsMom2]

I'm sure if you contact DCL ahead of time, they can make arrangements for you. There's a medical form that you send to them ahead of time to let them know about your requirements.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful cruise!

 

[nokidz]

In July we went on a 4 day WONDER ride. We didnt get to the terminal until after boarding had started, 12ish, so things went alot calmer. We had a line up of about 6 people ahead of us when we first entered the terminal. Then there was a line of about 10 people (families) when we registered, then we were able to just head onto the ship. It bogged down abit because of the boarding pictures, but it was a fairly easy process.
I have an autistic son, (15), and we are going on a 4 day WONDER ride in January and feel very confident that he will handle this "adventure" with flying colors.
Like the PP, contact DCL. Good luck and have a blast.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

i'm really worried about the check in procedure and how busy the terminal sounds

i have two autistic children and reading trip reports the terminal often gets described as very busy

i've been told that being from the UK i would check in at another line? /desk for "aliens"

after check in does anyone know if they will allow us to wait in a quieter area of the terminal or if such an area even exists, also will they allow us to pre board if i have a quiet word

i think i have read somewhere that they board concierge passengers first then those with disabilities but it someone can confirm this is correct or incorrect then that would be really helpful, we are in a accessible stateroom

i would also appreciate any advice from other parents whose children are autistic and how they managed

thanks mazz

OK I understand your concerns but as other post's say, contact DCL in advance Disney are great at looking after anyone with special needs.

Normally people from the UK do check in at the Non-resident check in, but I must say, each time I have found our line shorter than the Castaway club and normal check in.

Maybe an idea is not to arrive 'early' but in the afternoon as then you will get on quickly without a wait, everyone wants to get there quickly but there isn't a need unless you haven't booked Palo ressies and want to snag some.

The terminal has characters around to keep kids amused, I find the time goes quickly.

As far as I have seen people with family who have special needs do go on 'early' as the ship is opened up say 11.45am if you have arranged this with DCL before.

Have a great cruise.

 

[Belle1997]

I believe they have stopped loading specials needs first. But I can only say for wheelchairs. Seems people were taking advantage of this and having the entire group of say 10 or more people joining the group.

As for autism that may be a different case. I would suggest arriving after they start loading too. Seems most people get there early to be the first on the ship. So that is when the biggest crowds will be. Once they start laoding it is down pretty fast .

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I believe they have stopped loading specials needs first. But I can only say for wheelchairs. Seems people were taking advantage of this and having the entire group of say 10 or more people joining the group.
As for autism that may be a different case. I would suggest arriving after they start loading too. Seems most people get there early to be the first on the ship. So that is when the biggest crowds will be. Once they start loading it is down pretty fast .

Very sad people take advantage of this.

 

[Fast Pass]

There was an autistic young man on our cruise. In fact they arrived about the same time as we did( 10:45).

I don't know what the degree of autism was but the young guy handled it fine(his mom had a sign that said autistic on him).(I am speaking of just the terminal, I don't know how he did on the actual cruise).

The only time I noticed him getting anxious was when the characters came out and the noise level seemed to get louder and there was a flurry of activity. I lost track of them (we were sitting near them),so I don't know if the Mom took him somewhere or what happened.

Like the others said tell DCL and they will help you. A few weeks before the cruise call them and make sure that they understand your child's needs. The day before call them and make sure everything is understood and all okay. This may seem like a lot of calling but I wouldn't want your request or needs to slip through the system.

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi,

I'm sure DCL will assist you with boarding, make sure you fill in the medical form - you can get this from the DCL website.

As Andrew has said, I have always found the alien check in line to be quieter than the other lines.

This is a photo of me next to the alien sign (it was early in the morning hence it being quiet)

Have fun

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Hi,

I'm sure DCL will assist you with boarding, make sure you fill in the medical form - you can get this from the DCL website.

As Andrew has said, I have always found the alien check in line to be quieter than the other lines.

This is a photo of me next to the alien sign (it was early in the morning hence it being quiet)

Have fun

Always first in the queue!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Guess who?

 

[crash2000]

curious, and please ignore my ignorance, but if you children can't handle crowds are you sure, a crowded disney ship is the best idea???

 

[atinkerbellmom]

No preboarding..... This is actually addressed in that thread I referenced you too earlier. There are some helpful hints there. Once you check in, you get a boarding number. You then wait for them to call your number. You may check in for the clubs while waiting. Be sure to read the thread I told you about. No quiet place either. I understand, but it really does go okay. Earplugs may be needed, you make that decision. Just to let you know, the life boat drill is a lot more crazy than the boarding process and EVERYONE has to attend. Your medical form can not and will not get you the ability not to wait in line, neither will it allow preboarding. It has to do with the computer recognition process. They will offer boarding assistance, but this is not what you need. This just means the people with physical impairments can get a CM to help with bags or lend a helping hand or take down a rope to allow more room. As I suggested, go back to the ASD thread and it will help you. If you need the link again, I can send it to you. I am sure the other thread will help.

 

[yndygo]

Another thing to note - only ONE of you has to go up to the checkin - so if you have an adult who can check in while the other goes off with your son, there are many quieter nooks and corners around the terminal.

Additionally, you may want to consider coming later rather than earlier - the terminal is far less crowded around 1pm than it is at 11am.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Another thing to note - only ONE of you has to go up to the checkin - so if you have an adult who can check in while the other goes off with your son, there are many quieter nooks and corners around the terminal.

Additionally, you may want to consider coming later rather than earlier - the terminal is far less crowded around 1pm than it is at 11am.

Yes I agree I posted that earlier, there really isnt a need to get there early unless you want to make Palo ressies, its just no one can wait to get onto the ship, but the port will be far less crowded, in LA in 2005 I arrived at 1pm and went straight on.

 

[mazz1]

No preboarding..... This is actually addressed in that thread I referenced you too earlier. There are some helpful hints there. Once you check in, you get a boarding number. You then wait for them to call your number. You may check in for the clubs while waiting. Be sure to read the thread I told you about. No quiet place either. I understand, but it really does go okay. Earplugs may be needed, you make that decision. Just to let you know, the life boat drill is a lot more crazy than the boarding process and EVERYONE has to attend. Your medical form can not and will not get you the ability not to wait in line, neither will it allow preboarding. It has to do with the computer recognition process. They will offer boarding assistance, but this is not what you need. This just means the people with physical impairments can get a CM to help with bags or lend a helping hand or take down a rope to allow more room. As I suggested, go back to the ASD thread and it will help you. If you need the link again, I can send it to you. I am sure the other thread will help.

thanks tink, could you please pm me the link, i read it but it didn't sink it and now i cannot find the post

 

[scottishwee35]

Hi Mazzi

We are from Scotland, Uk.

My husband, my daughter and I are deaf. But managed it okay. As plenty to see in terminal. My children were watching the tv - cartoon while we were queue as there are plenty staff there and very helpful. But we had our hearing mil with us. So next year I would ask for help as 5 of us are deaf as only one hearing son. We don't want to drag him along to help us. So I think we will be okay. As the staff was lovely.

I am sure you will be fine with two autistic children

Here the photo of my daughter:

Scottishwee35

 

[mazz1]

curious, and please ignore my ignorance, but if you children can't handle crowds are you sure, a crowded disney ship is the best idea???

i never said my children couldn't handle crowds, to some extent they can but we have to do things a little different and be better prepared for the trip

that's why i was posting the question, the more information i know up front the better i can be prepared for them

i am reading these forums so i know what to expect and can prepare and i've got to say that no matter what the disability it shouldn't and i will not allow it prevent my children from having the same opportunities than that of a "normal" child

the answer to your question is simple for me "why not?"

 

[SweetSpot]

The terminal is very large and even when it is really crowded there are places that are quieter than others. There is a seating section that has tvs with cartoons on. You can also go outside and look at the ship to get a break from the noise. We've never had an issue with the terminal, even at the time when my DS was so sensitive he would cover his ears and try to hide under the seat in the shows. As someone mentioned you might want to prepare your kids for the lifeboat drill. They sound alarms and everyone dressed in life jackets have to head down the stairs to their stations and stand in a very crowded setting until everyone is accounted for. We really prepared our son for this and he made it through knowing what to expect. Also, the shows can be loud. If your kids have any issues with sound stimulation ear plugs are a blessing. The first year I missed half of many shows because he couldn't make it through.

You are doing the best thing preparing for the cruise. It's hard to explain to people not living with an autistic child why we need to think of every little detail that others wouldn't even consider.

 

[atinkerbellmom]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1567951
Here is the link guys. Thought I actually had posted it on this thread too. I think it will help with everyone.

 

[gydell]

i never said my children couldn't handle crowds, to some extent they can but we have to do things a little different and be better prepared for the trip

that's why i was posting the question, the more information i know up front the better i can be prepared for them

i am reading these forums so i know what to expect and can prepare and i've got to say that no matter what the disability it shouldn't and i will not allow it prevent my children from having the same opportunities than that of a "normal" child

the answer to your question is simple for me "why not?"

Good for you!!!