A Halloween Adventure in Autism (11/7) Prayer Request for Catie (p.129)

[Mommy2LittleVols]

Wow! I'm away for a few days and have to catch up on nearly 10 pages!! Your TR is hopping!

Great MNSSHP updates! I just love hearing your Billy stories. He seems like such a sweet kid.

HOORAY for a Christmas 2011 trip!!! We're hoping to go around the same time.

 

[mom2mek]

Hey! Why don't you have a PTR yet? You're going in TWO WEEKS!!


Kathy

I know, I know!! I'm still not sure about doing a trip report this time....but I probably will! I think I won't like NOT having one (WOW - that was some seriously bad grammar, ) It really does help extend those trips out and makes you remember things that you probably would eventually forget! I just haven't had a chance to start a pre-trip - I'm just annoying my husband and kids with all the mundane details instead!

I'm so excited about only 2 weeks!! My kids get to stay at the Poly for their first time (first time onsite at all!) and we are meeting some friends (all met here on the DIS) and my parents will be coming for the last 4 days of the trip! So much to be excited about!

Sara

 

[aspen37]

I just "had to" fiddle with my countdown ticker some more!

PoolRat pointed out that there will most likely not be any MVMCPs while we are there the week after Christmas, so I couldn't very well have a ticker with MVMCP on it, now could I??

Ugh. This is the longest countdown ticker I have ever posted!


Kathy

You are under two years now, so it sounds better.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Still waiting for Newbie Mistake #3

 

[carissanboys]

You guys had fantastic costumes!

when we went to the Pirate and Princess Party, I knew ahead of time that we would focus on doing the attractions and not get the loot. We were all about being there for the atmosphere, but also the low crowds at the time. We did end up doing a few lines for loot and afterwards I did say I wish I'd let the boys do more of those because they enjoyed them. I imagine it was a bit different for you because it sounds like it was more crowded.

 

[KathyRN137]

Love the new ticker!! At least it isn't 2+ years away anymore.

You are under two years now, so it sounds better.

Very true, ladies!!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

I'm so excited about only 2 weeks!! My kids get to stay at the Poly for their first time (first time onsite at all!) and we are meeting some friends (all met here on the DIS) and my parents will be coming for the last 4 days of the trip! So much to be excited about!

Okay, I will let you off the hook about the PTR... but with a trip like that planned, you've just got to write a trip report! Even if it's mostly pix....


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

Can't wait to hear what happened next! You party experience so far sounds a bit like my early December experience. I spent a lot of time telling my DH, parents and sister that it will be slow, but it certainly was a lot more crowded than we expected!

I was totally expecting the crowds; it was Halloween Night after all!

I agree! I think the two of them would find they have a lot in common!!!

Oh well!

I think in all my guessing games, I forgot to mention how much that story of Billy teasing about the two songs made me laugh! That is so cute and funny!

Thanks!

I have to say it again, you guys look fabulous in your costumes!! When you put the time into, it really shows!

Standing in lines isn't my forte either. I might have been as cranky as Tricia. Glad you could readjust and go with the flow. Too bad they didn't have a CM out at the end of the lines to answer questions, and direct folks to the right ones. That would have made me a little irritated.

Mistake #3?? Can't wait!

I agree! Some more "traffic" direction would have helped immensely!
Thanks about the costumes...


Kathy

 

[miabellarose]

Wow! You have a new ticker Even though the trip seems to be a long time away, the time will fly by because...you just started your TR and you're only on the 1st day, and then it'll be time for the Christmas PTR, and then it'll be time for your trip

 

[KathyRN137]

The suspense is killing me! What is your mistake #3?

Can't wait for more...

Sorry!

That's too bad that the party was so crowded. But, I'm not good at planning stuff like that so I know I would have done many of the same things as you. I'm sorry Space Mountain was closed for Billy! What a bummer.

Luckily, Space Mountain was the one and only thing closed that week!

Wow! I'm away for a few days and have to catch up on nearly 10 pages!! Your TR is hopping!

Great MNSSHP updates! I just love hearing your Billy stories. He seems like such a sweet kid.

HOORAY for a Christmas 2011 trip!!! We're hoping to go around the same time.

Great! Perhaps we can meet!
Billy has a lot of quirky little behaviors, but he is very very sweet! All the teachers at school love his laugh and they can't resist pinching his chubby cheeks!

Still waiting for Newbie Mistake #3

You guys had fantastic costumes!

when we went to the Pirate and Princess Party, I knew ahead of time that we would focus on doing the attractions and not get the loot. We were all about being there for the atmosphere, but also the low crowds at the time. We did end up doing a few lines for loot and afterwards I did say I wish I'd let the boys do more of those because they enjoyed them. I imagine it was a bit different for you because it sounds like it was more crowded.

We didn't bother with loot at the Pirate & Princess party, either. What a great party that was! I do hope they bring it back again someday.


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

Wow! You have a new ticker Even though the trip seems to be a long time away, the time will fly by because...you just started your TR and you're only on the 1st day, and then it'll be time for the Christmas PTR, and then it'll be time for your trip

You make it sound easy!

I am not one to wish the time away, but I will certainly be missing our usual trip by the time November (Jersey Week) rolls around....


Kathy

 

[melissa37]

​

Billy piped up. “I want Buzz Lightyear, please!” he said, as clear as a bell. Well, in our family, when the autistic child uses a full sentence properly, it’s a big deal. He usually earns a reward.

Kathy, I loved this! We pretty much go on the rule that if Jonathan can ask properly with no prompting we'll work it into the schedule. His favorite is to "Go to the mall and jump, please." He loves the bungy jump we have at our mall. It's so great to actually hear what they want.

 

[KathyRN137]

Kathy, I loved this! We pretty much go on the rule that if Jonathan can ask properly with no prompting we'll work it into the schedule. His favorite is to "Go to the mall and jump, please." He loves the bungy jump we have at our mall. It's so great to actually hear what they want.

It's sometimes the littlest things that can mean so much! My goal is to someday have a full conversation with Billy.

Until then, however, I am content with lots and lots of hugs.

Kathy

 

[eandesmom]

The kids do get an entire week off after Presidents' Day. When I was their age I remember getting two weeks at Christmas, but only two Mondays in February... one for Lincoln and another for Washington.

I just don't understand why they have school for three full weeks in June! I think that's terribly late to still be in school. I don't remember being in school that long, but then again, my memory is fading!

Kathy

We weren't in school for that long growing up either. The E's start the weds after labor day (usually, this year was the first "before" labor day start in 10 years!) get 2 weeks at xmas, 1 at presidents day, and 1 for spring break and have the 3 full weeks in June. With snow days last year they didn't get out until the 26th!

Which made for a very short summer.

 

[KathyRN137]

We weren't in school for that long growing up either. The E's start the weds after labor day (usually, this year was the first "before" labor day start in 10 years!) get 2 weeks at xmas, 1 at presidents day, and 1 for spring break and have the 3 full weeks in June. With snow days last year they didn't get out until the 26th!

I grew up in Brooklyn, NYC. I'm sure we got out earlier in June because:
1) We didn't get that week off in February.
2) We rarely used snow days.
2) We didn't have the teacher work days like the schools have now.

Memorial Day weekend is no longer the big summer kick-off... our kids get out only one week before the 4th of July Weekend! Then they are back in school right after Labor Day. The summer does seem shorter...

*The Phineas and Ferb song talks about "One hundred and four days of summer vacation." What kid gets that anymore?? Did they ever?




Kathy

 

[eandesmom]

I grew up in Brooklyn, NYC. I'm sure we got out earlier in June because:
1) We didn't get that week off in February.
2) We rarely used snow days.
2) We didn't have the teacher work days like the schools have now.

Memorial Day weekend is no longer the big summer kick-off... our kids get out only one week before the 4th of July Weekend! Then they are back in school right after Labor Day. The summer does seem shorter...

*The Phineas and Ferb song talks about "One hundred and four days of summer vacation." What kid gets that anymore?? Did they ever?

Kathy

That's about what my schedule was growing up as well. I don't think we had half days for conference either, you combine the half days for conferences and the in-service days and it adds a full 2-3 weeks to the school year. Summer used to be a full 12 weeks, we are lucky to get 10 now.

I would be fine if they got rid of the mid winter break, only the E's have it but K&T only get out a couple of days before the E's so it doesn't make a huge difference.

 

[mebbradley]

When I was in high school, I got out by the 2nd week of June even with snow days. We had usually 2-3 days of snow or so each year. We were off typically by the 23rd of december. And we got no winter break in February and for easter, we were off the wendsay-Monday for easter.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

I grew up in Brooklyn, NYC. I'm sure we got out earlier in June because:
1) We didn't get that week off in February.
2) We rarely used snow days.
2) We didn't have the teacher work days like the schools have now.

Memorial Day weekend is no longer the big summer kick-off... our kids get out only one week before the 4th of July Weekend! Then they are back in school right after Labor Day. The summer does seem shorter...

*The Phineas and Ferb song talks about "One hundred and four days of summer vacation." What kid gets that anymore?? Did they ever?




Kathy

I grew up in Northern NJ and had very similar schedule to my kids have now.

We always started school after Labor Day, had the Teacher Convention Days that cause Jersey Week at WDW, had a week or so off at Christmas depending on when the holidays feel, had a week in Feb, a week in April and got out of school the last week of June depending on snow days. My senior year of high school we had a huge ice storm in January and school closed for an extra week. I didn't graduate until June 30th!

I completey agree with the 104 days of summer vacation song on Phineas & Ferb! I'd like to know what school district that is!

 

[KathyRN137]

Chapter Eleven: Ippy, Dippy, and Drippy!

Saturday Night
October 31, 2009
The Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party



At Billy’s request, we had trekked from Tomorrowland to Fantasyland so we could ride Winnie-the-Pooh. Along the way we finally were able to meet some characters: the Queen of Hearts (who really played her role to the hilt) and the White Rabbit. Now we were ready to visit the Hundred Acre Wood and my camera was ready… or so I thought. I held my camera up to take a picture when suddenly it began to die...

MNSSHP Rookie Mistake Number Three: I forgot to pack the extra lithium batteries for the camera in my park bag!

Yep. I had bought them for the trip, but they were back in the room! Duh! Not a major problem, but still…. Duh! I decided that I was not going to waste prime party time running around looking for a gift shop that sold them (not all of them do) and then spend money for something I already had. For the rest of the night I would simply have to rely on Tricia and Catie to act as photographers.


Ah well, Tigger and Pooh were waiting...

(Again, I apologize for the incorrect date on Catie’s camera!)

I love this happy, colorful little ride! But, it’s all over so quickly! I wish it went just a teeny bit slower so I could enjoy each scene a bit more! I love that we can smell the “hunny” as we exit, too!


Believe it or not, when we had finished riding WTP it was already almost eight o’clock. We had a nine o’clock DIS-meet planned with Dreamer & Wisher’s family, so I suggested that we head over to the Haunted Mansion without any further delay. This was one ride that I did not want to miss on Halloween night! As we passed through Fantasyland, however, I could hear the music coming from Ariel’s Grotto. It was the Get Up and BOO-gie Dance Party!

“Let’s go see what characters are there!” I said excitedly, but Tricia just rolled her eyes. I really think she is beginning to feel too old for character meets.

“Mom, I thought you said we should hurry up and do the Haunted Mansion,” she said, reproachfully. “Make up your mind!”

Hmpff! Teenagers! It was so much easier when I could plop her in a stroller and wheel her wherever I wanted! In truth, it wasn’t that I was waffling, it was more like trying to avoid more criss-crossing around the park. I had a funny feeling that we would not be getting back to Fantasyland that night. I turned to Billy and asked him if he wanted to dance with the characters. (Billy loves to dance!) But, it seems that he, too, was more interested in seeing the Haunted Mansion. Ditto for Catie. Ah well, so much for those photo-ops. Off we went to Liberty Square.


Have you noticed that we seemed to be doing just one attraction in each land and then moving on? It was crazy! First, we did Pirates in Adventureland. From there we went to Tomorrowland for Buzz and then on to Fantasyland for Winnie the Pooh. Now we were headed to Liberty Square! I never tour this way! But as long as everyone was having a good time, it was okay in my book. Boy, was I glad that I had worn comfortable shoes (black Land’s End driving mocs.) As we passed between Peter Pan and Small World it seemed to me that this end of Fantasyland was a bit busier. Then we caught sight of the crowd in the Haunted Mansion queue.

Oh. My. Goodness. That line was l-o-n-g!

Many of the guests that were waiting in the queue were laughing, though. A CM dressed as Madame Leota was sitting on the lawn behind the HM gate and was interacting with the crowd using a microphone. We watched her from afar for a few moments… she was quite funny and even sang a little song. The wait was posted at 40 or 50 minutes, though, so I opted to use the GAC so Billy could bypass the long line. Ed, the girls, and I might be entertained by Madame Leota, but I couldn’t be sure that Billy would be able to stay still for that long. A CM assisted us through an alternate entrance and, after a short wait, escorted us to the “holding area” that comes before the stretching room where we joined the other guests as they entered.


Ah-ha! This was another ride that has been refurbished since the last time my niece visited Disney! I love seeing people’s reactions to new things in the park! She and Tricia took one Doom Buggy and Billy and Ed took the next one. (The three of us in one car would have been just a bit tight!) So, I was left to ride on my own once more. For a moment I kicked myself for not taking one of the girls’ cameras on the ride but then I figured that it was just as well. My Haunted Mansion pictures never come out well anyhow!


We rolled along. I’m glad that they got rid of those fluorescent-colored spiders and webs…they always reminded me of those funny creatures that used to steal the McDonald’s French fries in the commercials. I am seriously dating myself here. (Who remembers the Hamburgler? How about Grimace?)

Anyway, back to the Haunted Mansion!

It was nice to forget about photography and just sit back and enjoy. Although the new Bride scene with all her husbands is a fantastic addition, my favorite is still the phantom banquet scene. I leaned forward so I could take in as much of it as I could. Yes, the Hidden Mickey made with three plates was still there on the dining table!


The graveyard scene was as spooky as ever. Even spookier, I think, now that those corpse-like ghosts pop up and scream at you as you roll by! Nevertheless, I could hear my Billy laughing at them from the buggy next to mine! I slid over a bit to leave some room for my hitchhiking ghost, and before I knew it, the ride was done. We climbed out of our doom buggies and met up on our way out. Catie agreed that the changes made during the refurbishment were really good. We made sure to stop so we could read some of the headstones as we went by. The girls only took one picture, though!

I guess I was too busy enjoying the experience to supervise their photography. I decided that I would have to commandeer Tricia’s camera for the parade. I did not want to end up with only three pictures of the entire thing!


The paths in Liberty Square and Frontierland were quite congested now. We were set to meet Nancy and her family at nine in front of Aloha Isle, so we set our course for Adventureland. Along the way we passed two Goofy’s Candy Company trick-or-treating stations, but the lines were pretty long so we skipped them. Besides, it was hot. The girls and I were thinking ICE CREAM!


We reached Aloha Isle and the boys staked out a section of stone bench across the way. Now, I have a confession to make. Although we had visited WDW several times over the years, I had never had a Dole Whip or a Dole Whip Float. I had planned on ordering one, just to say that I had tasted it, but in the end I chickened out! I’m really just not that crazy about pineapple and I only felt like having the ice cream.


I know, I know. Bad DISer! I assure you that I made up for it by trying a new Magic Kingdom treat on another day but, for now, I just wanted a plain vanilla cone. So did Tricia. Catie and Ed ordered Coke floats…what can I say? Billy opted for some of the leftover chocolate chip cookies we had saved from Casey’s.


We stood at the counter and the CM began handing us our treats through the window. I took one cone and handed the other to Tricia. It was hot and for some reason, the soft-serve ice cream was melting at an alarming rate. It began running down onto our hands immediately! So, naturally, Tricia and I began eating our cones as quickly as possible. At the same time I was trying to give another CM my card so she could charge our dining plan. There was a table fan sitting on the counter next to the window and every time it oscillated in my direction, little droplets of ice cream blew off my cone and onto my shirt! Seriously! That ice cream was melting! (I think perhaps that the A/C inside the Aloha Isle must have been broken.) Of course Tricia and I looked quite comical as we struggled to quickly work our way around our cones so we wouldn’t get ice cream all over our hands. Finally, the floats were ready and we took them over to the bench and sat down. By that time, Tricia and I were halfway finished with our cones! They were good…messy, but good. We drank some water from bottles that we had brought with us and of course, my never-ending supply of wet-wipes was once more put to good use.


As we sat there, resting and finishing our treats, we saw an older couple pass by and they were wearing the most amazing costumes. They were dressed up as ghosts from the banquet scene at the Haunted Mansion! She was wearing a formal gown with long gloves and he was wearing formal evening clothes. Their outfits were torn and covered with a white powdery substance that made them look old and “ghostly,” and they were wearing white makeup and powdered wigs. They looked amazing. At first, Tricia said she thought that they were CM’s from the parade, they looked that good. I’m sorry I couldn’t get their picture, but the girls had put their cameras away and at the time I was pretty busy trying not to get dripped on.


It was by now around twenty minutes to nine and we were pretty much just sitting there waiting for the nine o’clock DIS-meet. Billy was ready to get up and go, as were the girls, so I suggested a ride on the nearby Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Ed was quite comfortable and didn’t feel like getting up. Besides, he was still working on his Coke float. I gathered up the kids and told Ed to watch for a family with a boy and a girl, dressed like pirates, who looked like they were looking for us!


We went straight to Aladdin’s Carpets and were on board after waiting for only one cycle to finish. It was funny how so many of the rides had no wait at all and yet the Haunted Mansion queue had been packed! We spun around and around; I sat with Billy and he loves to make the carpet fly up and down, up and down. Perhaps it had been a good thing that I did not try the Dole Whip Float! We raced back to the bench across from Aloha Isle and I was relieved to see that Nancy wasn’t there yet.


But I did not have very long to wait! I turned around and there they were: Nancy, her husband, Ron, her daughter, Abby and her son, Ethan. Nancy and I had been following along on each other’s PTRs and when we discovered that we both had party tickets for the same night, we thought it would be fun to have a little meet. They had come to the party dressed as pirates, too! Introductions were made all around and we talked about how each of our families had been enjoying the party so far. Everyone was getting along just great although, as expected, the kids were all a bit shy at first. (Who are these people?? was what they were thinking, I’m sure!!)



Well, you probably thought that I had made enough mistakes already, but I wasn’t done yet. Nancy handed me a Disney bag. Inside were several little pirate chests full of candy for the kids as well as tee-shirts she had designed for each person in our family! It was at this time that I realized I had made…

MNSSHP Newbie Mistake Number Four: I didn’t bring a little gift to our DIS-meet!


Ugh! How many times had I read about DIS-meets on the trip report boards? And how many times did the DISers talk about the cute little gifts they exchanged with each other? I had been so pre-occupied with getting our costumes ready for the party that I completely forgot to get something for the Dreamer & Wisher family. Here she was with these cute tee-shirts with appliquéd Mickey pumpkin heads on them that she had made with her own two hands and I was standing there with nothing to give in return! I was mortified! What an Ip-Dip!

(Ip-Dip: Person who does something stupid while at Disney.)

Nancy, of course, was extremely gracious when I thanked her for the gifts and mumbled an apology for not thinking to get them something in return. Now I will mumble a second apology for not taking a picture of the shirts for the report before packing them away. They are lovely and I look forward to wearing mine next Halloween. Thank you, Nancy!


Our plan was to watch Hallowishes together, so we began to discuss viewing spots as we walked across the Adventureland Bridge toward the Hub. I believe that it was at this time that we saw another fabulously costumed group. I didn’t get a picture, so I’ll try to describe them.


Do you know those foam “We’re Number One” signs that fans wear on their hands and wave at games… the ones made from that Nerf-like material? Well, these folks were wearing big foam costumes like vests over their clothes and each one was a piece of Mickey’s classic outfit….a white glove, the red shorts, and the black ears hat! Tricia and I laughed as they passed by.


“They’re only missing the shoe!” I said. Just then, along came the yellow shoe, running to catch up with the rest of the group! We laughed again; to see that shoe running after them seemed particularly humorous at the time. What great costumes!


Now, where would we camp out for Hallowishes? Nancy and I began to sound like two schoolgirls instead of experienced DISers. (Where do you want to watch? I don’t know, where do you want to watch? I don’t know…)


One thing I did know was that Main Street would probably be extremely crowded…and not such a good choice considering Billy and Ethan. The “spoke” of the Hub that led to Adventureland seemed to have a good view of the Castle and it wasn’t crowded at all! We decided that our pirate crew would drop anchor there.

Kathy

 

[disneylovin24]

12 trips to WDW and I've never had a Dole Whip either I actually never even knew what it was untill I joined the Dis I like pinapple, but I don't eat too much in the parks because I like to save room for the big dinners I have at disney

Can't wait for more