A SUMMER Adventure in Autism (6/26) We leave TOMORROW!

[indimom]

Ed always takes the lion's share of the driving, too. But he actually likes it! He's worked nights for many years and likes to get on the road somewhere around 2-3 am. It kind of messes me up because I cannot get to sleep in the car...

You pray for me and I'll pray for you, okay? lol


Kathy

 

[MeMom]

We are doing a day at Sea World in June this year, but a little earlier than you. Brooklynn is beyond excited! It will feel strange to be in an unfamiliar park again.

Wow on your drive! That's a long one!

I will look forward to your stories and pictures. Hope you don't burn up in the summer's heat. We go every summer, so we have just gotten used to making rope drops, afternoon swims and naps, and back out in the evening when it cools down some.

 

[Dreamer & Wisher]

How exciting! I love road trips! We always drive, my husband doesn't like to fly, and now that there are 5 of us we would have to rent a car when we visit my parents so that adds up to a lot of $$$. So we drive 14 hours to Illinois, the drive to Disney is a piece of cake compared to that drive.

DH and I drove from Georgia to Illinios and then all the way to California and back to Georgia in 1992.

Looking forward to your plans and your trip. Sounds like a lot of fun so far.

 

[KathyRN137]

We are doing a day at Sea World in June this year, but a little earlier than you. Brooklynn is beyond excited! It will feel strange to be in an unfamiliar park again.

Wow on your drive! That's a long one!

I will look forward to your stories and pictures. Hope you don't burn up in the summer's heat. We go every summer, so we have just gotten used to making rope drops, afternoon swims and naps, and back out in the evening when it cools down some.

Hi MeMom!

We're definitely going to leave the parks and spend the afternoons by the pool or in air-conditioned loveliness! The unfamiliar is both exciting and unnerving for me -- I'm visiting the SeaWorld website just about every day now and will probably start frequenting the SeaWorld board here on the DIS!

How exciting! I love road trips! We always drive, my husband doesn't like to fly, and now that there are 5 of us we would have to rent a car when we visit my parents so that adds up to a lot of $$$. So we drive 14 hours to Illinois, the drive to Disney is a piece of cake compared to that drive...

I'll say!

I'm hoping that listening to the audio books will help pass the time.

It's been so long Nancy -- how are you? How are the kids?


Kathy

 

[mommys3]

How fun! We will be driving as well (from VA Beach, so our trip is a little shorter LOL). I don't mind the drive down (we will be driving straight through, other than the obligatory gas, food and restroom breaks), but the drive back is no fun

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Sea World sounds Fantastic!

Jeff and I have the same vacation issues...he's more of a "relax and kick back" guy while I want to fill the days with activity. Compromise, Compromise, Compromise!

 

[KathyRN137]

How fun! We will be driving as well (from VA Beach, so our trip is a little shorter LOL). I don't mind the drive down (we will be driving straight through, other than the obligatory gas, food and restroom breaks), but the drive back is no fun

Helen, you are so right on that one!

Sea World sounds Fantastic!

Jeff and I have the same vacation issues...he's more of a "relax and kick back" guy while I want to fill the days with activity. Compromise, Compromise, Compromise!

Well, Missy, at least they both like Disney! I don't think I could stay married to a Disney-hater!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

This will be a must-do for us! I've been following along with "the freeze" and it looks amazing! Won't this be a lovely way to cool off on a hot summer day?

SeaWorld Orlando's Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin – Opening May 24!

Come explore the biggest and most expansive attraction in SeaWorld Orlando's history, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin™. This epic exploration of a mysterious world blends animal encounters with an exhilarating family ride for a one-of-a-kind experience the whole family will enjoy. Be transported to an icy world like you've never seen before. Experience the majestic grandeur of the South Pole and see it through the penguins’ eyes on an exhilarating, first-of-its-kind family ride. Then, step out and explore their colony in an expanse that envelops you in cool extremes: bringing you above and below their icy world. Are you ready?

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin


Kathy

 

[JPFamilyMom]

The new Antarctica area looks AMAZING! The boys seem most excited for this, they LOVE penguins. they've been seeing commercials on t.v. and pictures online. I love your Sea World plans so far. That hotel pool looks like so much fun.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

In July, that looks like the perfect place to be!

On Mother's Day, I wish it didn't feel like that outside my front door!

Happy Mother's Day Kathy!

 

[irish dancer]

The Sea World plans look great, especially that new Antarctica section!

I'm with you on the Friday, it would be hard for me to just sit by the pool knowing that I could be exploring/experiencing Sea World but my DH is a lot like Ed and he'd want to relax and not push it too.

 

[scottny]

Hi I am here.
Driving could be fun. Good idea breaking it up.
Sea World I think is on our agenda also. Can’t wait to hear about it first from you.
Kidani well I will move on. LOL. Just not a fan.
I am with him, I love road trips.
I am sure the drive will be fine. Good book choice. I am going to read it in Aruba in 2 weeks.
That Antarctica exhibit looks so fun.
It all looks great. Can’t wait to hear more.

 

[indimom]

Oh, the Antarctica exhibit looks really neat! I'll have to mention that to my daughter (who will be visiting there in October). I do think that looks like a great way to cool off in the heat of an Orlando summer. Smart thinking on SeaWorld's part. And really, who can resist penguins??
Your plans are looking so fun. I can't wait to read about your trip when it finally arrives!

 

[KathyRN137]

In July, that looks like the perfect place to be!

It sure does!!

The Sea World plans look great, especially that new Antarctica section!

I'm with you on the Friday, it would be hard for me to just sit by the pool knowing that I could be exploring/experiencing Sea World but my DH is a lot like Ed and he'd want to relax and not push it too.

It will all depend on what time we arrive and how we feel. I could always offer to take the kids over myself and let him stay in the room and sleep!

Hi I am here.
Driving could be fun. Good idea breaking it up.
Sea World I think is on our agenda also. Can’t wait to hear about it first from you.
Kidani well I will move on. LOL. Just not a fan.
I am with him, I love road trips.
I am sure the drive will be fine. Good book choice. I am going to read it in Aruba in 2 weeks.
That Antarctica exhibit looks so fun.
It all looks great. Can’t wait to hear more.

Hi Scott!

The kids adore the pool and water play area at Kidani and, of course, waking up to giraffe and zebras outside the window!

I do agree that the resort is quite large and could really use a counter service restaurant.

Oh, the Antarctica exhibit looks really neat! I'll have to mention that to my daughter (who will be visiting there in October). I do think that looks like a great way to cool off in the heat of an Orlando summer. Smart thinking on SeaWorld's part. And really, who can resist penguins??
Your plans are looking so fun. I can't wait to read about your trip when it finally arrives!

I can't believe we're going NEXT MONTH! I'd better get on the ball with this PTR...


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

On to the plans for our first full day in Orlando!

After a buffet breakfast at Doubletree we’ll check out of the hotel, toss our stuff in the car and head over to SeaWorld. I read on the boards that you can add on a second day for $10, but since Doubletree is a SeaWorld partner hotel I’m sure I can take care of that at the concierge desk.

My goal is to be there at park opening (9am) or sooner if they are offering
early entry to resort guests that day. The first thing I plan to do is sign up for one of the feed-the-dolphins sessions, which have a limited number of guests permitted and seem to fill up quickly.

Seaworldparks.com​

As mentioned previously, we are going to be all about the exhibits here so our touring should be easy, even though it will be Saturday. No one is really interested in riding the coasters, with perhaps one exception: Journey to Atlantis, which looks like a zippier version of Splash Mountain. It may be just right for our family of "medium" thrill-seekers!

Perfectfloridavillas.com​

Hopefully we’ll be able to last in the park until dinner time, but if everyone is starting to wilt by late afternoon we’ll just bag it and zip over to Animal Kingdom Lodge to grab counter service at The Mara before checking into our DVC villa at Kidani Village. I sure wish Kidani would get a counter service restaurant! They have expanded their poolside menu recently, but they stop serving that at 5pm – so we may not make that in time. We will see.

Still tired from the trip, I think we will spend the evening at the resort.


Kidani Village is gorgeous! Here are some pix from the last time we stayed here in 2009:

Lobby

Hallway Rug

Savanna View!

Awesome Pool

​

My plans are for us to unpack, settle in and then hang around the resort and enjoy the pool that evening. The next morning (Sunday) we have to be at Animal Kingdom bright and early (8:15) for Donald’s Safari Breakfast – a first! Well, it will be our first time dining with Donald at Tusker House, anyway.

But, I will save these plans for the Day Three post…


Thanks for reading!


Kathy

 

[Dreamer & Wisher]

And tent camping.
Yep, tent camping.

With two box fans.




Feel free to pray for me.

Way back in May 1980 we tent camped at Fort Wilderness, I will pray for unseasonably cool weather.

It's been so long Nancy -- how are you? How are the kids?


Kathy

The kids are doing well, only 2 weeks and 2 days of school and Ethan will be done with 3rd Grade and Abby will be done with 6th Grade.

Henry is growing up fast. He will be 2 years old in August. He loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and calls Mickey "Ya Ya" I don't know how he came up with that one.

We have an ADR for Donald's Safari Breakfast, we made it for later in the week so we can get an idea how Henry feels about the characters. If he is terrified of them we have time to cancel. We also bought tickets for Hoop Dee Doo Review. I remember going to see that show way back in 1980 and I have been wanting to take the kids to see it. It sounds like a lot of fun.

Your Sea World Plans sound very nice. The penquin exhibit looks really cool.

 

[KathyRN137]

The kids are doing well, only 2 weeks and 2 days of school and Ethan will be done with 3rd Grade and Abby will be done with 6th Grade.

Wow!!

Henry is growing up fast. He will be 2 years old in August. He loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and calls Mickey "Ya Ya" I don't know how he came up with that one.

No! Almost 2 already? Where did the time go?

I'm so glad you're going this year!


Kathy

 

[indimom]

Your day two plans look nice a relaxing, even with a resort change! I can't wait to see your "view" at AKL. Those savannah view rooms look amazing!

 

[KathyRN137]

Sunday, Day Three: Our first FULL day in WDW!

Billy and I have come to an understanding... I hope! We are working on a social story that illlustrates the concept that he can't always choose what we will do and when we will do it! I've decided that in the interest of family peace, however, that he will be allowed to choose the attractions for our morning sessions, with the understanding that the rest of the family will get to put our two cents in when we return to the parks after break.


See: HELPGUIDE.ORG:

Children with autism spectrum disorders are often restricted, rigid, and even obsessive in their behaviors, activities, and interests. Symptoms may include:

Repetitive body movements (hand flapping, rocking, spinning); moving constantly.

Obsessive attachment to unusual objects (rubber bands, keys, light switches).

Preoccupation with a specific topic of interest, often involving numbers or symbols (maps, license plates, sports statistics).

A strong need for sameness, order, and routines (e.g. lines up toys, follows a rigid schedule). Gets upset by change in their routine or environment.

Clumsiness, abnormal posture, or odd ways of moving.

Fascinated by spinning objects, moving pieces, or parts of toys (e.g. spinning the wheels on a race car, instead of playing with the whole car).



As mentioned in the previous post, we will begin our ANIMAL KINGDOM day with a pre-park opening breakfast at Tusker House. *First Ever*

(Note, these pictures are not mine... I googled them!)

There's nothing like a character meal to start a Disney vacation with a bang! Characters: Donald, Daisy, Mickey & Goofy.

From Tusker House we will head directly next door to Kilimanjaro Safaris. Normally we start our AK mornings with Expedition Everest, but normally, we are not visiting in the heat of the summer! We want to see some wildlife before they all retreat to shady spots.

Once our safari has concluded we'll trek on over to Asia to visit Expedition Everest which, traditionally, Billy will want to ride twice.

From here, depending on showtimes, we will head to either Festival of the Lion King first and then It's Tough to be a Bug, or vice-versa:

We will, of course, stop to admire the animal carvings on the Tree of Life:

....and, believe it or not, it will now be time to exit the park and retreat to either our air-conditioned resort or it's lovely pool!

If we are not feeling stuffed from our buffet breakfast we will have lunch at our old standby: Pizzafari. I love the colorful murals inside and it is always easy to find a quieter spot to eat because of the many rooms available.

Next will be evening plans at AK and -- gasp -- date night!!


Thanks for reading!


Kathy

 

[scottny]

I love Tusker House.
The plans for AK look good.