1st trip to Disney World with spec needs son

[kimdazed]

Hi we are visiting DisneyWorld for the first time with our spec needs son who is 16 mentally 3, my sig will tell all his other stuff. He is very easily auditory and visually overloaded, he uses a wheelchair fulltime and is unable to sit without it, and doesn't sit to stable in it, so he needs smooth rides that don't get him wet or spin, twist or jerk him around, and make no noise, lol is this possible? He cries over the noise the toaster makes so that will give you some idea how noises affect him. I am bringing the headphones he wears and his earplugs, but they usually don't work that well. Is there another park other than MK we should try? We just got one day park passes to see how the park would fly with him, if he does well, we will get hoppers. Thanks for any help and ideas!

 

[FFerret]

Hello, Kimdazed!

Just wanted to welcome you (& Kim & Zachary) to the boards! I've got a little 3 yr son who's just been diagnosed with PDD-NOS (autism spectrum), but we haven't been to WDW yet so I can't really be much help. But I'm sure you'll find some great expert advice here--tons of helpful souls reside here at DIS!

 

[SueOKW]

Welcome! My son is sensitive to noise, and i can't think of anything quiet ANYWHERE!!!!!

(Except OKW)

I really think they pump up the noise... but i will ponder your question... and hopefully some of the experts will come through for you!

Sue

 

[kimdazed]

(Except OKW)

Since i am a newbie to the Disney stuff, i need a little help with the lingo. Thanks.

 

[eeyorefanatic]

Here is a link to some of the abbreviations we use here. It can be like Greek or Chinese till you get the nhang of it

http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm


btw" OKW- Old Key West Resort

 

[SueM in MN]

Welcome to our boards. Looks like you've been greeted and made comfortable.
I'll try to give a little advice.
Here's a link to the DIS mobility disability page. One of the things on the page is a list of rides where someone can stay in their wheelchair for the ride/attraction.
Here's a link to the official WDW front page about disability access at the parks. If you click on one of the park icons, it leads you to another page with more links. The link labeled "List of Attractions" will give you a list of attractions at each park, with how long they last and a little bit about the ride, like does it have loud noises, is it dark, etc.

As SueOKW mentioned, most of the shows are kind of loud. My suggestion is that MK is probably not the best park for someone who needs to stay in their wheelchair. It's the oldest park and has the smallest number of rides/attractions where you can stay in the wheelchair.
Actually, our favorite park is Epcot. There are more things you can stay in a wheelchair for and some of the things are not so loud. The Land ride is nice (but the narration is still on the loud side). There is a movie in France that has a lot of pretty music (but fairly loud) and nice scenes. The Living Seas is like a big aquarium - if you bypass the movie, there is nothing that would cause youj problems at all with that one.
I'm sure other people will come up with some ideas. And, ask any questions you can think of.

 

[malcolm silcock]

Kim,

I would agree with sue for Epcot, but you might consider Animal Kingdom, my son is Autistic - in wheelchair (but can walk) and he hates load noise. There are two shows at AK and should be avoided for the volume levels. But there's lots more their and he may enjoy the animals.

Splendid China - while not a large park is also quiet.

Best of luck Kim

 

[kimdazed]

We won't be visiting AK because we are staying at AKL. None of the family have been to Orlando so we really want to give MK a shot. If it flies we will try Epcot next, then MGM. I can't have spent my youth watching Disney on Sunday nite and not try MK, lol Thanks for all the suggestions so far! You all have been a great resource and i'm glad i found you!!! One good plus, Zachary wants to go, that might help him. And we are packing his headphones and earplugs. We all know shows are out of the question he can't do movies. Hates clapping and singing and yelling. We'll hope for some of that Disney Magic to help us.

 

[Michigan]

Hi kimdazed

Welcome to the boards.

I see that Zachary has Spina Bifida. I have 2 girls with SB the oldest one age 12 is an L-1 and the youngest one age 4 is an L-2. You will notice lots of posts from Wheelsie she too has SB I think at an L-1 level also.

 

[SueM in MN]

OK, MK it is, then. I'm leaving out shows, since you said they won't work.
When you come into the park, he can stay in his wheelchair to ride on the train. The only loud part is when they blow the whistle (and the wheelchair car is right behind the engine). You may need to listen to the train for a while to decide if he would be aok with that. There is also a an announcer talking about the differnt areas as you go thru them. That's a bit loud too, but not too bad. You can either do a round trip on the train or get off in Frontierland or Mickey's Toontown Fair.
There are a lot of shops down Main Street, but no shows or rides.
In Tomorrowland, he could stay in the wheelchair for Buzz Lightyear. Your car can spin, but you are the one who spins it, so it can stay pretty stationary. There is a fairly constant noise level on the Buzz ride. He might enjoy watching the race cars in the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. There are a few other things in Tomorrowland, but they don't meet your constraints about noise.
In Mickey's Toontown Fair, you can drive the wheelchair thru Mickey and Minnie's houses and go into the Hall of Fame for Character Greetings. Donald's boat is wheelchair accessible, but he might get wet, so I don't think you want to go in there.
In Fantasyland, he can stay in the wheelchair for Winnie the Pooh. I don't think he'd have a problems with that. There are some parts that are a little dark, but the noise level is fairly constant. He can also stay in the wheelchair for It's a Small World. My DD didn't like that ride when she was little, but she's OK with it now. The Small World song is playing constantly during the ride and there is a lot of movement going on all around you. I think it was just too much stimulation. She would stick her thumb in her mouth, with her arm over her eyes and her other arm over her ears. You might want to go on that ride without him first so you can decide if he'd like it. All the other Fantasyland rides involve getting out of the wheelchair.
At Liberty Square, you can ride the steam boat. It leaves every hour and half hour and is a nice, slow ride. The only noise would be when the boat whistle blows.
There isn't anything in Frontierland that meets your criteria, except maybe going to Tom Sawyer's Island. A wheelchair can go over on the raft, but not all the paths are wheelchair accessible.
There isn't anything in Adventureland that will work for you.
If you want to watch the parade, a good place is the bridge area close to Adventureland. If you stand facing the castle, you can still see the parade, but the volume of the music isn't as loud as if you are by the curb and you won't usually have a lot of people around that might be annoyed by your son if he gets noisy.
Most people don't think of the Monorail as a ride, but your son might enjoy it. You can take the monorail to one of the monorail hotels, look around and then hop back on to get back to MK.

Hope this helps. It looks like you might have a full day at MK.
Ooops, almost forgot. In case he needs to rest, or you need to lay him down to change him, the First Aid stations at any of the parks are great. The one in MK is by the Crystal Palace restaurant.

 

[kimdazed]

Great Info Sue, we already know he can't ride anything due to movement or noise, if is isn't has smooth as a car or walking its out. He is to unstable sitting to risk hurting something. And he is just about 5 weeks post op from 2 surgeries and has been bedridden for the last 14 months, but thankfully he is up again now, just yesterday was his first full time day. I am bringing his headphones and earplugs for him, and he doesn't get noisy when upset, he just silently cries with his eyes and ears covered. We normally leave things when this happens so he doesn't get hysterical but even then he is no to loud. We will be the ones annoyed by others, lol since we live such a silent life.

Can you give me the same great info about Epcot and MGM, if MK flies? That way we can be prepared for further park experiences.

I am so thrilled i found this place, what a wonderful resource for us. It helps to be prepared, and thanks for info on the first aid station, we can use this for cathing to.

How about parades times, if things go well he will want to see these. I imagine we will leave the park after our character dinner, i got a 4pm time on that.

Thanks!!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Glad to hear that we can be of help to you and sorry to hear your DS had such a long recovery. I hope he likes WDW. It sounds like you all need a good vacation.
I'll think about the other parks and anyone else with ideas, please chime in.
I forgot that the Pooh ride has a part with Tigger where your car bounces a little. I have never actually been the one IN the car with my DD on Pooh, so I can't say just how much it bounces in the wheelchair car. The regular car has a fairly gentle bounce, nothing too jarring. Does someone else have a better idea of how bouncy it is?
MK's afternoon parade is at 3pm. There may or may not be an evening parade at the time you are going. During busy times, there might be 2 parades a day (7:30 and 9:30 pm). During quieter times, there may be only one parade on the weekend nights.

 

[klwally]

My son is 6, Autistic, and we've been to WDW 9 times, the first being when he was 2.

There are specific things he WON'T do - party because he expects to be scared - so it doesn't matter what I do - he's freaked.

There are things he absolutely adores - Small world, Buzz lightyear, Carousel of Progress, Dumbo, Peter Pan, Pooh, Jungle Cruise, Aladdin.

Pirates is touch and go - sometimes he will sometimes he won't. Snow white - out of the picture. He did splash once, he loved the begining of the ride - hated the splash - doesn't want to again. Country Bears is fun for him too (and a good rest for me).

At AK LOVES the safari - even likes Tarzan Rocks - it's loud, we sit in the back - but he loves the monkeys (he's a jungle animal lover) Loves the Festival of the lion king. Won't go near Dinosaur, and frankly, I wouldn't take him on it. Doesn't like Kali river rapids. But loves the walking tour of the Jungle Trek (Bats, TIgers, etc). Tough to be a bug - NOPE.

MGM studios - does NOT like the movie ride between the shoting and the Alien, and Raiders, nope - too loud, too scary. But he loves fantasmic and surprisingly he'll sit and wait knowing it's coming. He does well with the stage shows of HOND and BATB, but they are someof his favorite movies also. He loves Muppets 3D (yet will NOT do Honey I shrunk the audience at Epcot -too scary).

Also at Epcot - he loves the Land - the ride and Food Rocks he finds very funny.

Mitchel gets over stimulated at times, but we've learned to pace our day - and fortunatly we know what he can and can't do. CM's are very accomodating for a quick exit too when needed.

sometimes the lines are frustrating - but I try to use fastpass or wait in lines that are just a few minutes.

Mitchel would also simply have fun just riding on the buses, train and monorail all day also!

 

[nwdisgal]

My little guy is sensitive to visual overload and has some noise issues (mostly people singing off key - which doesn't seem to be a problem at the Disney parks) . Honey I Shrunk the Audience set him into a panic. He wanted out right away. He also didn't like the walls stretching in the Haunted Mansion. He enjoyed Peter Pan, Its a Small World, Pooh, the train, Buzz Lightyear. His absolute favorite of all the rides is Splash Mountain, but that is because he is an adrenaline junkie. He's complaining that he can't get on Rock-N-Roll Roller Coaster (he's too short). I can hardly wait for that moment (lol) - I'll never get him off it. He also likes Pirates (probably for a similiar reason). I would not recommend Pirates for your boy because of the unexpected explosions, noise etc. My son was ok with the Great Movie Ride, but that is because he is a big Wizard of Oz and Mary Poppins fan. The boat ride at the Land in Epcot is a very fun, relaxing ride. I think your son would like it. The boat ride in Mexico might be nice, too.

 

[klwally]

Oh Yes, the Mexico ride is a favorite too!

Although the one in Norway has some ugly looking creatures and lightening!

 

[kimdazed]

Thanks for the recent replies! I have already learned all the rides are out for him. He has to always set in his wheelchair and that limits what you can ride, from investigating the wheelchair rides available i have learned due to either noise or movement they are all out. Shows are a real no go due to crowds and noise. So we will be on a character hunt and shopping trip, lol We are doing a character dinner at Crystal Palace, i got an early time for that. We were doing one at 1900 Park Fare, but i learned a giant calliope plays there so that is out. If MK flies, we are going to Epcot, going to try the ice cream social while there, i know there is a thunderstorm in that but maybe he will be entranced by the characters that we can get by this. I will be sure to post how the trip went when we get back.


10 days and counting!

 

[SueM in MN]

I didn't have a few minutes to get out my maps for suggestions until now, but there are a few things at Epcot that you might want to try besides shopping.
Innoventions East and West are sort of like mall areas with technology displays. There aren't any particularly noisy parts and since it's just a mall area, you can easily leave if he doesn't like it. It's a good place to get out of the sun (or rain).
The Wonders of Life Pavilion has a number of attractions in that he won't be able to go on, but the building itself is another mall like atmosphere. There are a few shops and some things the rest of you can try out, like some optical illusions. There is also a snack shop that sells healthy food and frozen yogurt.
The Living Seas is a good place to go too. There is a movie that has dark and loud parts, but you can ask to bypass it. Just ask the CM to bypass it. The attraction itself is a huge acquarium, restful and not noisy at all. Plus, you can leave whenever you want because the main area is a self guided tour.
The Land pavilion is worth going in to see. It has a large food court with a good variety of items. The Land ride is one that wheelchairs can drive right on and it is a very smooth boat ride. The only part that would be a problem is the beginning of the ride, where there is a thunderstorm.
World Showcase will be great for you because there are shops in each country. He might enjoy the Friendship boats that cross the WS Lagoon. Wheelchairs can drive right onto the boat and the ride is slow and gentle. Canada and China have 360 degree movies where everyone stands to watch the show. These might be good to try since you will be at the "back" of the room with his wheelchair. you can easily leave during the show if he doesn't like it. The music is on the loud side.
The ride in Mexico does have a wheelchair boat. It's another gentle boat ride. If he does OK on Small World, this one is quite similar.
Nothing else at Epcot sounds do-able for you.
Also, for characters, you can go to Guest Services to find out the schedule of when they will be where. You might want to avoid the Character Bus. It plays loud music as it is coming to the meet and greet stops.

 

[SueM in MN]

If those work and you want to try the Studio, there are not any things that meet your constraints about the rides and shows, but the atmosphere is really nice and there are a lot of shops to go in down Hollywood Blvd and Sunset Blvd. The shows are very nice, but quite loud.

AK has lots of nice walking thru and exploring places, although some people find the walkways hard to manouver a wheelchair thru because they are fairly narrow and some of them are "themed" to be sort of rough. As you enter the park, there is an area called the Oasis that has viewing areas of animals and exotic plants. A lot of people just walk thru without looking, but it is a nice area for taking some time. There are exploration trails in Africa and Asia to walk thru. They are nice, you travel at your own pace and the trails are generally pretty good for a wheelchair. There's a character greeting area at Camp Minnie-Mickey. Some of the shows aren't loud (Pocohontas and her forest friends and Flights of Wonder) because they involve live animals as the actors. People clap though, which sounds like it would be a problems for you. The other rides/shows are either loud or rough, although you may enjoy the train ride to Rafiki's Planet Watch. Wheelchairs can go on the train and it's a gentle train ride. The Planet Watch area has exhibits to look at. Nothing loud or that would cause problems. There's a petting zoo there too.

That's all I can think of. Good luck and let us know how things worked out for you when you get back.

 

[kimdazed]

Thanks Sue! We are going to try Epcot first. I think we will pass on MGM and AK, to do MK. We will get animals at the akl we'll be there for 4 nights, we are splitting the stay between 2 hotels and we are doing akl last. I will be sure to have the headphones with us, just in case.