Danadanes
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2014
Returned a few weeks ago from 6 nights in the world with DS 11 (autism), DS4, DH and me. Stayed 3 nights at Coronado Springs, 3 nights on rented points at 1 BR Kidani. Thought I would share a few thoughts related to traveling with a spectrum adventurer!
1. The 1 bedroom at Kidani was MILES better than sharing a hotel room for our family. DS needs space to decompress, away from his brother and us! Also he sleeps with a LOUD white noise machine.
Tip for Coronado Springs: We rented a rollaway cot. It fit (barely!) into the bathroom area with the doors shut. He used that as his quiet space. We had to climb over to get to the toilet, but it was neccessary. Must fold up during the day!
2. Getting the DAS: We arrived on a Sunday around 1 pm, and headed to MK that evening around 5. The line at City Hall was (literally) out the door. Probably 25 people in front of us. There had been a lot of rain, so I assume some rides had closed and these were FP complaints or similar. Some very nice CMs chatted with us and with our son. One even took him to get some water while I waited in line. After spending some time with him, a CM with an IPad took our info and his pic and issued us the DAS within 10 minutes.
3. Using the DAS, General: Set up your fast passes in one hour increments. Get a return time for a longer wait ride before using your first FP. Use FP, Use Return time, Get new return time, Use 2nd FP, use 2nd return time, etc.
By Park:
DAS is best suited for MK because of the number of rides, short shows, etc. THe CMs know the DAS the best there as well, and were very accomodating and kind.
HS. I don't think we will even go there anymore. Toy Story and ToT was the only ride we really enjoyed. The shows are a bit long for my son to enjoy.
Epcot: only time I really ran into an issue with a CM re: DAS. Went to TT for a return time first thing in the mornign (about 15 mins past opening). Wait time was listed on board and app as either 15 or 20 minutes. The CM said, oh its longer than that, I'll give you a return time for 60 minutes...after some smiles she took it down to 45. But I did not like this discretion by the CM...and I doubt the line was an hour that close to opening. We went to Mission Space (0 wait), had a drink, and then did TT. Worked out just fine but..
Agent P is an autism tweens dream! Do this! Great way to explore the countries...normally DS11 loses interest quickly. This kept him engaged and he had a blast. Would have done this ALL day. Best ones for us: Japan, Germany.
Animal Kingdom: My favorite park. Worked great. Unfortunately a LOT of rides here close for storm warnings which I did not realize. Everest, Primevil Whirl, the other Dinoland ride. The Kili Safari ride in the rain is the BOMB. Son loved it, we did this 5 times, with a mix of regular wait, DAS, FP, and "free" anytime FP when we lost our Everest one.
Food: We usually stick to QS for picky antsy son, but one day we went to Sanaa this time for lunch. Son stayed interested because of the animals and they happily fulfilled his lunch wishes (butter pasta, a yogurt and an applesauce). He really liked the Naan as well.
Pools: Great pools at Coronado and at Kidani. Loved them both. We really should have built in more pool time - great decompress time for DS.
TL and BB: Do the waterparks! Go first thing - no DAS accomodations I could discern. The other option (which we did) was to buy a WP Fun ticket, and go for the last 2 - 2.5 hours it is open. Crowds have thinned considerably by then.
Have fun and happy to answer any questions!!
Danadanes
1. The 1 bedroom at Kidani was MILES better than sharing a hotel room for our family. DS needs space to decompress, away from his brother and us! Also he sleeps with a LOUD white noise machine.
Tip for Coronado Springs: We rented a rollaway cot. It fit (barely!) into the bathroom area with the doors shut. He used that as his quiet space. We had to climb over to get to the toilet, but it was neccessary. Must fold up during the day!
2. Getting the DAS: We arrived on a Sunday around 1 pm, and headed to MK that evening around 5. The line at City Hall was (literally) out the door. Probably 25 people in front of us. There had been a lot of rain, so I assume some rides had closed and these were FP complaints or similar. Some very nice CMs chatted with us and with our son. One even took him to get some water while I waited in line. After spending some time with him, a CM with an IPad took our info and his pic and issued us the DAS within 10 minutes.
3. Using the DAS, General: Set up your fast passes in one hour increments. Get a return time for a longer wait ride before using your first FP. Use FP, Use Return time, Get new return time, Use 2nd FP, use 2nd return time, etc.
By Park:
DAS is best suited for MK because of the number of rides, short shows, etc. THe CMs know the DAS the best there as well, and were very accomodating and kind.
HS. I don't think we will even go there anymore. Toy Story and ToT was the only ride we really enjoyed. The shows are a bit long for my son to enjoy.
Epcot: only time I really ran into an issue with a CM re: DAS. Went to TT for a return time first thing in the mornign (about 15 mins past opening). Wait time was listed on board and app as either 15 or 20 minutes. The CM said, oh its longer than that, I'll give you a return time for 60 minutes...after some smiles she took it down to 45. But I did not like this discretion by the CM...and I doubt the line was an hour that close to opening. We went to Mission Space (0 wait), had a drink, and then did TT. Worked out just fine but..
Agent P is an autism tweens dream! Do this! Great way to explore the countries...normally DS11 loses interest quickly. This kept him engaged and he had a blast. Would have done this ALL day. Best ones for us: Japan, Germany.
Animal Kingdom: My favorite park. Worked great. Unfortunately a LOT of rides here close for storm warnings which I did not realize. Everest, Primevil Whirl, the other Dinoland ride. The Kili Safari ride in the rain is the BOMB. Son loved it, we did this 5 times, with a mix of regular wait, DAS, FP, and "free" anytime FP when we lost our Everest one.
Food: We usually stick to QS for picky antsy son, but one day we went to Sanaa this time for lunch. Son stayed interested because of the animals and they happily fulfilled his lunch wishes (butter pasta, a yogurt and an applesauce). He really liked the Naan as well.
Pools: Great pools at Coronado and at Kidani. Loved them both. We really should have built in more pool time - great decompress time for DS.
TL and BB: Do the waterparks! Go first thing - no DAS accomodations I could discern. The other option (which we did) was to buy a WP Fun ticket, and go for the last 2 - 2.5 hours it is open. Crowds have thinned considerably by then.
Have fun and happy to answer any questions!!
Danadanes