13yo who hates rides

[brightspark73]

Yes! My kids, 15 and 11, love pin trading. They use lanyards, but I’ve also seen a portable case for pins on Amazon. You could put it in a backpack. It’s a fun way to chat with cast members and he could try to trade for certain characters or themes. Definitely a spreadsheet activity.

I'll talk to him about this. Do we need to only take official Disney pins? Is there an etiquette?

 

[brightspark73]

How about things like, Philharmagic at MK, Animator Class at AK, Moana water exhibit at EP?

He doesn't like philharmagic, as it feels like a cinema (sensory overwhelm). But loves Moana. I'm suggesting animation things, but he's demand avoidant, so finding a way to persuade him is tricky. Esp when he's in autistic overwhelm

 

[brightspark73]

Is there a reason he doesn't like them? Is he maybe getting motion sick and not realizing it? Or is it just a "this is boring situation"?

It's to do with autism and sensory processing...

 

[brightspark73]

Take a boat ride from MK and visit the Disney horse barn, Tri Circle D Ranch, at Fort Wilderness.

Go get some hot biegnets at Port Orleans French Quarter. You could take a boat or horse and carriage ride there, or rent a surrey bike, also.

Visit all the countries’ gift shops in World Showcase and get something at some of their quick service or shops like fresh Werther’s popcorn in Germany, a cinnamon roll at Kringala Bakeri in Norway, or a Kaki Gori (snowcone) in Japan. Also watch all the movies and shows there, or ride Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros in Mexico (which is similar to Small World, but with a Mexican theme - it can be loud and there are some “fireworks”, but you could probably see a video online if unsure if he’d enjoy).

Thank you. I need to investigate boat rides and different ways to visit resorts. Fort wilderness is somewhere I know thing about. He's very keen to do the countries again. He did do the Caballero boat once, I remember it having a down bit, but he is older now restrictive eating issues also make life harder... Second time we took him he ate nothing but ice-cream for 3 days (and only 1 type is manageable)...

 

[brightspark73]

Pressed pennies, community hall at different resorts, arcades at different resorts

We could Def do this

 

[brightspark73]

Epcot has a scavenger hunt for the current festival that is going on. You buy a map for $10 bucks and you have to find what they hide in the various countries. For Festival of the Holidays, it is Olafs .

He could count hidden Mickeys. I know there’s books on hidden Mickeys. He could also track posted wait times versus actual wait times for the rides he does.

Oh my gosh he watches the wait times on the app when we are at home. Ooh hunting Olaf's sounds perfect.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

He is autistic and hates any feeling of a drop, on a ride. We have been many times and there are sensory issues in various areas of the parks, and is pretty clear about what he likes and he doesn't. We have 14 day passes and DH wants to be in the park everyday. It's a lot of time to fill

The only ride I mentioned that has a drop is Pirates.
Most of the rides do not have drops.

Yes that is in fact a lot of time to fill but you're acting like there is nothing eles he can do INSIDE the parks.
Meeting characters is a no go?
Eating is a no go?
No shopping?
No shows?
No street performers?
No parades?
No fireworks?
No walking around the countries?
No seas?
No animal trail?

Also if doing non park things like resort hopping and doing resort activities or mini golf etc you could all do that as a family.

 

[brightspark73]

The only ride I mentioned that has a drop is Pirates.
Most of the rides do not have drops.

Yes that is in fact a lot of time to fill but you're acting like there is nothing eles he can do INSIDE the parks.
Meeting characters is a no go?
Eating is a no go?
No shopping?
No shows?
No street performers?
No parades?
No fireworks?
No walking around the countries?
No seas?
No animal trail?

Also if doing non park things like resort hopping and doing resort activities or mini golf etc you could all do that as a family.

Oh please be kind. Your comment feels pretty hurtful to me. Visiting with 2 autistic teens, who have different sensory needs is a challenge and I was asking for suggestions. He has a class of 4 at school and often finds that too much.

We have been many times, and I was looking for something that we haven't thought of before. Crowds and sensory overwhelm have to be managed, and something new to look forward to, as his anxiety about going, is really high. I'm doing what I do 24/7 365 days a year, and looking for creative ways to support him.

 

[brightspark73]

What about all of the shows in the parks? The animal trails and Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom?

Oh he does like the animal trails, and some of the shows. We haven't been out to the conservation station, will give it a try. Thank you x

 

[brightspark73]

Wilderness Explorers at Animal Kingdom:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/wilderness-explorers/
"Set out on a series of fun, nature-themed challenges on your way to becoming an official Wilderness Explorer.

Self-guided activities range from animal observation to learning important wilderness skills. Collect over 25 badges and earn the right to echo the Wilderness Explorer call: Caw! Caw! Roar!

Complete the activities on your own, or take on each task as a group."

Self-Guided Resort tour of holiday decorations:
https://www.disneytouristblog.com/disney-world-christmas-decorations-tour/

Lego Store at Disney Springs:
https://www.lego.com/en-us/stores/store/disney-springs
Lego Minifigure Factory: https://www.lego.com/en-us/stores/events/lego-minifigure-factory
Build Your Own Minifigure (separate from the Minifigure Factory, you pick and choose different pieces on your own vs. using a screen to print items)
Pick & Build Wall ("Pick-a-Brick" and fill a box with specific pieces/colors of your choice)


Someone else already mentioned the scavenger hunt in Epcot, here is some more info about that:

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/holiday-scavenger-hunt/

There is also the Ducktales World Showcase Adventure: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/ducktales-play-app/


If he likes it's a small world, then maybe you could take him to get a snack or meal at Pinocchio Village Haus (which overlooks isaw): https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/pinocchio-village-haus/

I know someone else also mentioned pressed pennies- you can also purchase WDW-specific wallets to keep them in (this site has a map with locations):
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/coin-presses/

Thank you so much for all of these links. I really appreciate it xxx

 

[juxtapose]

Does he like reading? My daugther read this before the trip and there's stuff about hidden Mickeys, hidden characters/items, things to find, etc. She was pointing out stuff all trip that she read about in the book https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Magic...92896c2239716&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

We find AK the least over stimulating park: Wilderness Explorers is great, walking the animal trails, Conservation Station, the Nemo show is a less stimulating show, the safari, and Navi boat ride.

MK has the Pirate's Adventure.

Highly recommend the Community Halls at some of the DVC resorts. Boardwalk and AKL-Kidani I know have them, they're usually not very busy at all.

 

[NickC]

The Passports in Epcot are fun. I don't know what they do now, but they used to do a stamp/sticker at each country. It's also a good way to make sure you see each country.

 

[brightspark73]

Does he like reading? My daugther read this before the trip and there's stuff about hidden Mickeys, hidden characters/items, things to find, etc. She was pointing out stuff all trip that she read about in the book https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Magic...92896c2239716&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

We find AK the least over stimulating park: Wilderness Explorers is great, walking the animal trails, Conservation Station, the Nemo show is a less stimulating show, the safari, and Navi boat ride.

MK has the Pirate's Adventure.

Highly recommend the Community Halls at some of the DVC resorts. Boardwalk and AKL-Kidani I know have them, they're usually not very busy at all.

Thank you. I will check out the community halls, and the wilderness explorers. I need to look into that more. Thank you x

 

[TwoMisfits]

If you are at Saratoga Springs, here is the current activity sheet...https://cdn1.parksmedia.wdprapps.disney.com/vision-dam/digital/parks-platform/parks-global-assets/disney-world/recreation/guide/SSR_Aframe_Recreation-1125.pdf

Things I noted might be good - the 6-7pm nightly campfire with free marshmallows, the find a friend mission (daily), the tie dye event (that has a fee), the nightly outdoor movies (less stimulating than indoor cinema so might work), the nighttime trivia and bingo, and maybe the yoga or painting class (but those might be too much)...

When I took one of mine who wouldn't ride, we started every day with breakfast, 2 hours of pool time, and then a nice leisurely shower and lunch and then maybe a resort activity...and we'd head to the parks around 2-4pm and stay as long as desired, but it seemed to start the day off right...those were the days of each add on day after 4 being $10, so we never worried about "wasting days" (not sure if you do)...

 

[brightspark73]

If you are at Saratoga Springs, here is the current activity sheet...https://cdn1.parksmedia.wdprapps.di...creation/guide/SSR_Aframe_Recreation-1125.pdf

Things I noted might be good - the 6-7pm nightly campfire with free marshmallows, the find a friend mission (daily), the tie dye event (that has a fee), the nightly outdoor movies (less stimulating than indoor cinema so might work), the nighttime trivia and bingo, and maybe the yoga or painting class (but those might be too much)...

When I took one of mine who wouldn't ride, we started every day with breakfast, 2 hours of pool time, and then a nice leisurely shower and lunch and then maybe a resort activity...and we'd head to the parks around 2-4pm and stay as long as desired, but it seemed to start the day off right...those were the days of each add on day after 4 being $10, so we never worried about "wasting days" (not sure if you do)...

Oh this is great. I'm trying to persuade DH that we need slower mornings and go into parks in the afternoon. I don't care about wasting days. We have so many and will be going back . Thank you

 

[TwoMisfits]

Oh this is great. I'm trying to persuade DH that we need slower mornings and go into parks in the afternoon. I don't care about wasting days. We have so many and will be going back . Thank you

The nice thing about pool mornings is you have practically solo use of all the pool stuff. Everyone is always rushing in to parks 1st thing, and no one is hitting the pool....or the other resort facilities.

It also makes park entry later very easy (as long as you avoid party days, where midafternoon may have waits)...so, you only potentially deal with enormous lines and crowds at park exit...calmer way in if that matters...

PS - And you could still let dad and the 17 year old rush in and have a plan to join for "X" later in the day - like the afternoon parade, or a dole whip in adventure land, or a safari ride or ride to conservation station at AK...so you and the younger enjoy slow mornings and the other 2 rush out...

 

[brightspark73]

Thank you for this. It's an excellent plan. Ds17 Will probably be asleep, but sending dh without us, whilst we swim is good!! Slower entry is good, esp for security x

 

[PollyannaMom]

Take a boat ride from MK and visit the Disney horse barn, Tri Circle D Ranch, at Fort Wilderness.

This is what I was going to say! It's always been on my "one of these trips, we'll make time for..." list, but we haven't yet.

Oh he does like the animal trails, and some of the shows. We haven't been out to the conservation station, will give it a try. Thank you x

Conservation Station is great! - Slow train ride out, and usually not crowded. Last time we went was a while ago, but I remember we had good interactions with the cast members.

 

[Mommb]

If your son likes spreadsheets, counting, and pins but doesn't like trading, maybe you and he could build a "scavenger hunt" for the pins available at various stores around the resort, that he could fill in with descriptions of the pins he sees to check for duplicates.

For example, he could look for:
pins with princesses
pins with princes
pins with kings or queens
pins with humans who aren't royalty
pins with animals (even sorted dogs/cats/birds/fish/etc.)
pins that show ride vehicles
pins that show names of rides
pins that show characters from rides
pins that show resorts
pins that show Mickey/Minnie/Donald/Goofy/Pluto
pins that show other characters from animated shorts

 

[brightspark73]

If your son likes spreadsheets, counting, and pins but doesn't like trading, maybe you and he could build a "scavenger hunt" for the pins available at various stores around the resort, that he could fill in with descriptions of the pins he sees to check for duplicates.

For example, he could look for:
pins with princesses
pins with princes
pins with kings or queens
pins with humans who aren't royalty
pins with animals (even sorted dogs/cats/birds/fish/etc.)
pins that show ride vehicles
pins that show names of rides
pins that show characters from rides
pins that show resorts
pins that show Mickey/Minnie/Donald/Goofy/Pluto
pins that show other characters from animated shorts

Genius! Love this!!