Disruptive child in line

[DG-12]

Just wanted to say- this has all been very good advice. Not really much I can add. I would just say that if the characters are your sons "must do." I would use a Fastpass for any that he really wants to see. Not maybe what people recommend using FP for, but if it's what he wants That is what I would do.
I do hope you have a magical trip and that people are helpful and not judgemental.

 

[Amelia :)]

I would use Kenny the Pirates Character locator, get to the location before the the character actually appears, so you are one of the first in the queue and he won't have the problem of seeing the characters then having to join a long line.
Are you absolutely sure he's not allowed to skip character lines if he has a disability? I know children were at Disneyland Paris, I know the rules are probably different in WDW.
Have a fantastic trip

 

[heidijanesmith]

There have been so many great answers to you question. I just want to second the idea of character meals. This might be a good compromise on seeing characters and not having to wait in line. We love the Crystal Palace breakfast, Winnie the Pooh is our favorite!

 

[wilkeliza]

If the queue has FP, I believe he DAS will work. For outside queues go up to the character attendent and explain to them. Many will understand and will tell you where your son and 1 adult can wait off to the side while the rest of the party stays in line. Hopefully during that time you can distract him until the CM waves you guys back over. Unfortunately in the room type meet and greets there is not really a way to push your way through. For many of them there is the line then a holding room with a smaller line and then the character so no way to really know where to meet your husband since he could have been sent to one of many holding rooms.

A good plan would be the stroller as wheelchair and then bring something he is really really into (tablet, iPod, toy m, etc) and maybe he would even realize he is in line for a character.

 

[lovethattink]

We love the character lines with FP+. When you enter the building your child probably won't even know it's a character meet and greet. You don't see the character until you are in the same room with them!

We always brought figit toys for waiting in lines. The blue, really thick, therapeutic putty works great to pass time and since it's so strong it's calming.

 

[vicb]

We always brought figit toys for waiting in lines. The blue, really thick, therapeutic putty works great to pass time and since it's so strong it's calming.

I was going to say exactly this same thing.... bring a special toy that can only be used in line or a snack to distract your child. You can try to shield the view while distracting by turning child away or blocking view.

I would hope that most people would see and understand your situation and be sympathetic. Do what you think is best for your child, don't worry about anyone else! Kudos to you for traveling and making special memories for your special child!

 

[StirlingSilver83]

My Son is on my Spectrum so line waiting is the absolute WORST for him! We get the DAS for him as well...but when it comes to characters that can be really really tough. For most of the characters though we did character dining...I would say 80% of the characters was character dining. Plus it gave him a break from the parks. Then another 10% of characters were the characters w/ FPs so that was helpful. then the last 10% of characters were the characters that weren't in dining and didn't have FPs. So those were Mulan, Aladdin & Jasmine, Duffy, Fairy Godmother, Pete's Silly Side Show characters, Tiana, & Merida. Fairy Godmother was maybe a 5 minute wait. Merida we got there right at her meet at 9AM and were the 1st in line so we had to wait about 15 minutes for her to come out. and the others were about 20 minute waits. My son is a bit older than your son...but I gave him my phone to play on while he waited. Maybe you could bring something for your son to do while he waits to keep him busy like a favorite toy or something?

 

[kirstenb1]

I'll say to have him choose x characters to see during a day. Jimmy, which (say 3 for instance) characters would you like to see today? Our dd has ASD, and is the opposite, she hates the characters; they frighten her. I thought for the longest time that she'd notice them when we were going through the parks, but they are often in obscure locations, off to the side. She rarely caught sight of them. So, I'd plan for some, but not overplan. You don't want your vacation revolving around characters, especially when they do have to leave to take breaks.

 

[babesboo99]

A friend of mine everytime he goes with his son who is on the spectrum calls a special number ( I'll try to find out what it is ) and tells them he's visiting and they give him a card or something and he is able to go to the front of the line so he does not have to wait

 

[anniemae]

Honestly? From what you described, if I encountered your family in line, I would want you to do what is best for your child. It would not bother me in the least if you needed to leave. I would be happy to hold your place in line and text you when I got up to the front so you could return to your spot. If your child had to cry and be fussy, also would not bother me at all. As a parent you do the best you can and hope other parents support you.

 

[Disneytam]

Just a thought, has your son ever seen characters in person before? When we took our son to Disney for his first trip he was 4 and very excited to meet all the characters he had seen on video's...until he saw them in real life. He was totally terrified of all of them and went into total panic mode when ever he spotted one. You have no idea how many characters are roaming the parks until you are trying to avoid them This was years ago before they did so many meet and greats and they did roam the parks a lot more than they do now.

 

[lovewdwfun]

Just a thought, has your son ever seen characters in person before? When we took our son to Disney for his first trip he was 4 and very excited to meet all the characters he had seen on video's...until he saw them in real life. He was totally terrified of all of them and went into total panic mode when ever he spotted one. You have no idea how many characters are roaming the parks until you are trying to avoid them This was years ago before they did so many meet and greats and they did roam the parks a lot more than they do now.

We go every year, so he has seen them before, but he was much more mellow at 3 than at 3! He has been watching videos on YouTube of character meets and looking at the old photos and videos of himself, so I think he will be excited - but of course, anything could happen!

Thanks all for the advice! I will bring our iPad and focus on character meals and FP+ meets. If he wants to meet other characters, we will try it out and if needed, remove him from the line and take him some where else if he had a tantrum.

 

[Juliet25]

That's sweet of you to worry, but please don't sweat it. Crabby kids are par for the course at WDW, and a child with special needs would get a pass in my book. Go and enjoy yourself!

 

[Tissa]

Who really cares what others think? You are not doing anything wrong. I have walked around with my autistic son while my mom waited in line with my older son, then joined them when it was our turn. The character handler understood what we were doing and was fine with it.

 

[ols386]

Do what is best for your child.

Don't worry about others.

Crying and disruptive kids are common at WDW. Just do the best you can keeping your child under control. If someone else has a problem with it, they can deal with it.

No one wants their child to be disruptive, but sometimes it happens, especially at WDW. It's just a place that is highly stimulating for kids (and adults too).

 

[MattAgony]

Do what you think works best. Nearly anything at Disney will make your child happy. The meet n' greets wouldn't bother me any bit if something occurred. I do agree with most people to have someone wait in line for you and then have your child go up when it's your turn. Even if the meet n' greets don't 100% work out, you'll still be able to put a smile on their face. I assume the greeter with the character will do everything they can to make something magical happen.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[vinotinto]

I haven't read through all the posts, but I will say that none of my kids are special needs, but none of them would have done well waiting in a line at age 3. Short lines, no problem, but anything more than 15 minutes would not be feasible. At that age, we didn't do a lot of anything that had a line. I would certainly reach out to the CMs and ask what they would suggest. I would have games and diversions handy, and something to drink and a good snack too. I think if you bring your DS and have someone walk him around and take him in and out do the line, the folks around you will certainly understand.

 

[cwis]

Isn't this something you could talk to CM at City Hall? If you have worries about your experience in the park, they may come up with unexpected solutions or advices.

FWIW, I don't have children (nor do I plan having any), which means my bar for child cries is actually pretty low. Nonetheless, in no way I will ever blame a parent for their kid with special needs. Bad education is one thing, the situation you are describing is another!

 

[wilkeliza]

A friend of mine everytime he goes with his son who is on the spectrum calls a special number ( I'll try to find out what it is ) and tells them he's visiting and they give him a card or something and he is able to go to the front of the line so he does not have to wait

Depending on the last time your friend went he is most likely using the DAS card which still requires a wait just not in the line. Genie Passes still exsist but can only be obtained through established wish organizations and is usually handled through Give Kids The World. There is a number you can call but they usually direct you to Guest Relations you first day to discuss a DAS.

 

[Accident]

I don't remember the last time I was in a line without an unruly child or 6 in it. Don't worry about your child, don't worry about being embarrassed, your not the only parent dealing with a child that is overwealmed. I kind of joke but there is a lot of truth to "Disney is where familes go to argue".