4 parks/ 6 days/ autism-- am I nuts?

[BeckyScott]

After all the reading, I think I might be.

The original plan was 6 days in the parks- one AK, one MGM, two in MK and two for Epcot. Without an "off day", other than working it out so that there were some days with late starts and some with early evenings, and taking an afternoon break every day.

I am beginning to wonder if I am out of my mind to think this is going to happen. That we'll hit the wall on Day 3 anyway. From what I can piece together from previous experience, it isn't so much DS/autism because he will get to ride in a stroller all day- it's the rest of us that are ready to drop! DH normally works nights so he'll have a big adjustment to make, and oldest DS and I really need to get "in shape" for all that walking. Last theme park, oldest DS managed to cram himself into the double-stroller with youngest DS, and that was halfway thru Day 1!

So now I am re-considering the plan to include having an "off day" in the middle. But that means one of two things- either we'll have to do MK in one day or we'll have to cut out something completely, most likely AK. I hate to do either thing. If we have to cut a park, for our family, I think AK might be the one.

Also, recent change, we will be RVing it and staying at Fort Wilderness. So an off day, there is still plenty to do at the campground if we wanted to, we could just hang there for the day and then do a really nice dinner.

Is it possible for us to hit the 4 parks solid for 6 days, or should I just give up and plan for a campground day?

 

[PinballFamily]

You may want to plan for that "down" day. You all may all *really* need it. Or at least chunks of down time sprinkled throughout...

Are you park hopping? We tended to plan for mornings in one park and then a pool/lunch (whatever) break, then the late afternoon/evening in another. That way, we felt like we saw more of WDW, but at a relatively relaxed pace. A GAC did help a lot, since we're never quite sure what issues will arise daily. We didn't need to use it much, but it was great knowing we had it.

If you have a advance plan, it is easy to modify it, depending upon how things are working out. For each park, we had a list of attractions/rides/parades/shows/meals we absolutely wanted to do SOMETIME during the vacation, and then ones that were less of a priority. That also helped focus our family on the "must-do's", so that no one felt their needs weren't being heard.

We did only get to spend 1/2 of one day at AK on our recent trip, but expect to fix that on a future visit. The simple answer is that no family can possibly do everything they want at WDW - whether or not you've got a kid (or two!) on the spectrum.

Plan for the "biggies" and then let the rest fall into place. Have a great time!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

How old are the two children. And what are some of the specific problem of the one with autism?

 

[BeckyScott]

CF, the kids are 7/autism and 9/ADHD.

Justin's main problem, as far as I can tell, (he's only been to one "theme park" and the state fair and a zoo so alot of this is just guessing), first off he has low muscle tone, but a stroller will take care of that. He gets flapping and screams if he has to wait too long, but if the line keeps moving it doesn't bother him so much. The big-time rides we won't even attempt with him, although probably DH will go with oldest DS, so we do need to allot time for them. Actually, what he's done before, was spend a great deal of time being pushed around in the stroller, completely obsessed with the map and telling us where we were (you gotta love autism), got out when we arrived somewhere, and got in line. But there weren't any characters to spot, and we didn't do any shows. He also does have asthma and eczema, so a mid-day break is going to be essential because of the heat. Plus we'll have a dog with us, so we'll need to go back to dog-walk every afternoon.

I am trying not to over-plan the days, but will need to make meal reservations so I need to at least know what day/ what park. I wasn't planning on park-hopping, although I'm getting the option just in case. I think the park-hopping might be more confusing, and I'm afraid that with both kids, that seeing an attraction and then getting told "not today, we'll be back on Thursday" is not going to go over very well.

Doing all 4 parks is more "my dream" I admit that. If we skip a park, they won't know any better. Except MK, because you know there's the castle and it's what everyone thinks of when they think Disney. Epcot is my personal fave and I think DH is going to just love it, but I know it's a 2-day. MGM, both kids are video/tv freaks. That leaves AK as the loser in the deal, although they do like animals, and it's a short day.

Originally I had us just at MK for one day, but I didn't think that was realistic either. Then we had the whole RV situation come up, and Fort Wilderness, which has plenty to do right there, I've read other threads/websites where people have camped at FW and didn't hit one park at all, just stayed at the campground, and had a great time.

I am planning to get the Disney-for-kids book so that we can all pick our must-do list, but I was going to save that for the ride down, to help keep them occupied.

I am turning into psycho-mom waaaay too early! Hooo hooo!

 

[BillSears]

Possible? Sure it is, I always want to take a rest day away from the parks but I never am able to do it. I get too keyed up so I wake up, go to the parks and stay there until closing. I tend to go into training mode a few months before I go to WDW, taking long walks, working out abit and making sure I have plenty of endurance. On my past trip I got to the MK at 8:30 AM and left there around 10:30 PM. That is a long day but it didn't stop me from hoping on the bus the next morning around 8:30 AM and doing MGM the next day.

I'm going back this Septemeber for 10 nights. I'll be hitting the parks on both the arrival and departure days. I'm really hoping that I'll take a break somewhere in the middle of all of that. But it's so boring to me to just hang out at the pool when all of WDW is just waiting for me to visit.

 

[mma800]

We must both be razy , Becky! I planned a last minute trip to WDW for me, 3 kids (2 w/ autism) my best friend and her 1.5 yo!! Just to get my Diz Fix!!!

My girls, ( now almost 7 and almost 6) were there w/ DH and I two summers ago. It was tough, but great. Since then, ds has been diagnosed as well. Afte the school year from hell, I am ready for my Disney Infusion!!!
My BFF is great, but a nervous new mom to her perfectly typical 1.5 yo

My eldest will be 7 in July, just finishing Kinder..(aba, ot,pt,speech, rdi, dan, social skills classes, etc)
My Typical daughter is 5.75, going on 16...and a diva, enough said
My lil guy is 3.5, never done wdw, and just as high fxng as they come, except for potty training, speech and sensory seeking behavior issues...oh yeah, and defensive as well...just never know which!!??!!


So it sounds like the recipe for disaster...but it's too late to back out now! I am soo glad we are going. I am sure you will find the pace will be different, but every aspect is kid friendly. They see tantrums every day!!! Like a year of a million tantrums!!!

We did it w/ 2 in 2005
U can do it too! Just need some planning. Have your reservations done, don't hesitate to politely ask for room change or park assistance if u need it. Get your letters from neuropsych for GAC. It makes the random denying CM an oversight, as u see their supervisor. Plan your days as THEY want. Schedule childcare at night if u can, and get on all the rides u missed or dinners you have wanted since u started scheduling. It worked out great for us. We also found in 05 that the kids club at GF was empty until 8-9 pm. We had our kids there from 6-9, and they were upset to leave the new kids who had arrived!!

Sorry so long...i'm overtired..last day of school!

email me if u want

Marlene

 

[Nik's Mom]

We just came back from a 4 night DCL followed by 4 days and 4 parks at WDW with our 2 children w/ ASD. They are 8 and 5. The key for us was getting to the parks early (8:30-8:45am) and leaving for a break from 12-3, then returning to the park for a couple of more hours. The kids needed their "quiet time".

 

[BeckyScott]

So maybe.... as long as we have those scheduled breaks during the day, and have some sleep-in mornings, we would be okay.

Hmmm.

Or we could just do MK in one day- it would be a very long day but I'm thinking it will be our last park anyway- and still have a FW day in there.

Well I have some time to contemplate. I also wasn't sure with the whole GAC thing how much time, if any, it would cut off our waits, which would make the day go a little faster. I know you shouldn't to count on that, and from reading the other threads here, it might not help one bit. Plus since oldest DS and DH would be riding some things without a GAC...

This has potential to drive me crazy. We are doing dining plan and planning to do several character meals, so making reservations far out is important. I don't want to spend a ton of time park-hopping just for a meal, y'know? I think Disney has it all set up to make you nuts.

 

[Nik's Mom]

We were in WDW last weekend (during the Star Wars Weekend kick-off). We made sure we were at the park early, and only had to use the GAC maybe 3 times. The longest we waited without using the GAC was 30 minutes (that was a big mistake on our part). The rest of the rides were maybe 10-15 minutes. When we used the GAC, it was walk-on or maybe a 10 minute wait.

 

[Foohound]

I have a DD 6 who is on the spectrum. Her main problems are inapporpriate social behaviors and having a hard trying talking to anyone outside her immediate family. Can wait in line for a short time with alot of re-directing.

We will be going in December for 7 days. After many hours of planing we have come up with this.

Saturday, Off day CM for breakfast, then the Priate cruise for my DD. Shopping and PP golf, and just relaxing.

Sunday Epcot, out favorite park especially my DD.

Monday, ALK half day park for us and relaxing that night.

Tuesday, MK 1/2 day then bak that night for MVMCP.

Wednesday, off day visiting other resorts to see Christmas Decorations.

Thursday, MGM

Friday maybe Epcot WS for a half day, and then rest that night.

Saturday last day going home.

We have learned not do the commando style of vacation for our whole families sake. My DS is also going to help me with my DD and to give my DH and myself a little down time alone together one night.

I know this does not work for everyone, but with a child with Disabilities is harder to go no stop with out the breaks.

Hope this helps!!

 

[SueM in MN]

If you haven't checked it out yet, the disABILITIES FAQs thread has a section with information on GACs (Guest Assistance Cards). You don't need a doctor's letter to request one - you do need to be able to clearly state what issues/needs your child has related to their disability. Most of the CMs in Guest Relations are well trained and do want to help you, if you can help them by stating the needs clearly.
You will need to visit Guest Relations anyway to get a GAC - or a sticker for the stroller, if they are using those to 'mark' stroolers that are being used as wheelchairs.

I think that a service like www.tourguidemike.com or the touring plans in some of the guidebooks might be even more useful to you than a GAC since you have 2 people with special needs and are trying to do a lot in a short time. With a GAC, you might not have much worry in lines for attractions, but the lines are only a small part of your day. The trip will be much more pleasant if you can be in places when they are not busy - which Tourguide Mike or one of the guidebooks can assist with.
If you are able to get to the parks early, you will miss a lot of the crowds. It's possible - even during Easter, when it is very busy - to get thru all the Fantasyland rides in a few hours without more than a 5-15 minute wait.

 

[BeckyScott]

Sue, I've got one book with touring plans. I think I might have to wing it with that... I'll have the plan but know that we might end up ditching it depending on how well it goes over. I think maybe if we can explain to the kids that yes, we'll go on everything (or everything they're interested in), we'll be right back, I mean I suspect that will happen with FastPasses anyway sometimes. It may be that they thrive with a scheduled touring plan, and maybe not, I don't know. The GAC will be helpful, but Justin seems to have a low tolerance for rides- he's okay with them but from what I can figure out, he doesn't like the circular rides like Dumbo (go figure) or the teacups (which really surprised me since he likes to spin), and he doesn't like anything where he goes backwards, and coasters are out of the question unless they are very very mild. He is also really scared of Bugs, so I know one attraction in AK he won't be attending! I imagine we'll be splitting up alot- but it might end up being a shorter days just because most touring plans I've read include almost every attraction and we won't do that. Even oldest DS will bail out on the major stuff, and I would think those are the things with the longest lines.

I did have another change that is actually for the better. We have a half-day more than we thought, at the end, we don't need to leave until after lunch. DH's work/vacation schedule is so bizarre I didn't quite understand it. So I think what I'll do is schedule the Fort Wilderness day in the middle, and put Magic Kingdom as the last full day. Then that half-day we can either go back to MK or to "park of choice", it doesn't cost much to turn a 6-day into a 7-day. So that makes me feel better to know we have a little cushion in there, and I am leaving the Fort Wilderness day wide open as far as what activities, if any, we do, since it will be easy enough to go back for a nap or break any time.

 

[KathyRN137]

Hi, Becky!

I always find it difficult to tame my "inner commando" when the family visits WDW! I want us to see and do everything, but I need to tailor everything around the special needs of our autistic DS (Billy) who at age 9, will be making his fifth trip to WDW this November.

We always go for a week and we always do all four parks (no waterparks, yet.) We always get parkhoppers.

In the past we used to get to a park at opening, eat lunch around 11:30, do maybe one or two attractions after lunch, then head back for a 2-to-2 1/2 hour break. We would then go to another park, have an early dinner, do an attraction or two and then see the "nighttime spectacular."

This used to work out just fine, but last year Billy had a very difficult time sleeping during our break time and he wound up keeping us up as well. We found that we were not getting adequate rest. It also put a lot of pressure on us to need to be at an early ADR every night after the break.

So, if you think that you can "burn the candle at both ends" with a nice long nap in-between; then I'd say it definitely can be done! It worked well for us when the kids were younger.

But this year, we will need to change our tactics. I plan to get to a park at opening, stay until dinnertime, and then just call it a day.

We will do Wishes and SpectroMagic on our last night; but that will be a sleep-in morning.

Expect the best but prepare for the worst...get your "biggies" out of the way early so that if you do need to abandon ship and go back to your resort, you won't feel disappointed.

And keep saying over and over to yourself: We will not be able to see and do everything and that's okay!

Good luck!

Kathy