8yr old with DS who isn't into Disney - worth trying a trip?

[kaetra]

I have an 8 yr old step-daughter with Down Syndrome and mild Autism who is currently not into Disney movies, music or characters.

I'm not sure if the expense and work involved taking her to WDW would be be worth it. My concern is we get there and she won't like it and will want to stay in the hotel watching TV.

I am a big Disney fan, I've been gently trying different Disney stuff to see if she'll like it, but the response so far has been complete disinterest.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

I would LOVE to take her, but not if there's a giant chance she just won't be into it at all.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I am trying to think of ways to combine your love and desire to introduce and share... my first thought was : I would love a getaway and would plan to stay at the new Riviera Resort because they have the most awesome new Smart TVs in the room . And they have been offering a nightly replay of the Live Stream for Happily Ever After fireworks that I almost do not want to leave the room because I love watching it over and over again!
Also walking around the interior and exterior of this resort with a simpler French melody playing and the lake and pools .. nightime and daytime can be a simple shared experience. Also Wilderness Lodge for an outdoor getaway without all the things that could go wrong if you really wanted to experience the real Wilderness...
I guess I am asking for more info and trying to create a themed way to experience a visit. Would a trip on the monorail or the different locations to tak e a boat trip be a fun experience to share together.
Lots of new cupcake themes or donut themes or ice cream (favorite isGhiradellis ) in Disney Springs. Beaches and Cream , visit during holidays for the decorations and lights.
I also will describe staying at BLT with a lake view for beautiful morning sunrise to watch boats and monorail gliding past and also beautiful sunsets. Easy to walk across the connecting bridge to jump on monorail to explore different resorts , rain or shine.
Almost forgot about the savanna views at the Animal Kingdom Lodge .

If you are looking for the simplest way for transport provided by Disney, remember the Magic Express from MCO roudtrip will end December 31st... this is the year for the security and safety I expect from Disney.
Sad that it will be discontinued for all the many reasons it was appreciated.

 

[lanejudy]

Does she like amusement parks, or shows/concerts, or zoos? I would try taking her to some of those things first to gauge her interest. WDW is essentially those items with the Disney theming. If she has no interest or tolerance for those activities, I wouldn't give up but scale it back and keep exposing her periodically. It can sometimes take several exposures to an activity for kids to feel comfortable enough to enjoy participating. A trip may need to be a few years away rather than near future.

 

[Narcoossee11]

At this point, if there is no interest, don't go. WDW is great BUT very expensive . She is young and may grow to love Disney. Maybe try bring a " helper" that could do what she wants to do and still let the other family members enjoy the parks.

 

[kaetra]

At this point, if there is no interest, don't go. WDW is great BUT very expensive . She is young and may grow to love Disney. Maybe try bring a " helper" that could do what she wants to do and still let the other family members enjoy the parks.

You're right, it's not time. Maybe someday! Thank you

 

[kaetra]

Does she like amusement parks, or shows/concerts, or zoos? I would try taking her to some of those things first to gauge her interest. WDW is essentially those items with the Disney theming. If she has no interest or tolerance for those activities, I wouldn't give up but scale it back and keep exposing her periodically. It can sometimes take several exposures to an activity for kids to feel comfortable enough to enjoy participating. A trip may need to be a few years away rather than near future.

Tolerance yes but not enjoyment. Exposure in small doses to similar is a great idea! Thanks!

 

[sparky68]

I have an 8 yr old step-daughter with Down Syndrome and mild Autism who is currently not into Disney movies, music or characters.

I'm not sure if the expense and work involved taking her to WDW would be be worth it. My concern is we get there and she won't like it and will want to stay in the hotel watching TV.

I am a big Disney fan, I've been gently trying different Disney stuff to see if she'll like it, but the response so far has been complete disinterest.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

I would LOVE to take her, but not if there's a giant chance she just won't be into it at all.

What is she into? Not every kid likes the typical Disney movie/princess thing.
How about Star Wars? At that age my daughter was much more interested in Star Wars and Harry Potter than what is seen as typical Disney magic.

 

[DisneyOma]

I wouldn't waste the money to go right now if she is not a Disney fan. On top of lots of stuff being closed, there's wearing a mask the entire time, and the weird reservations/park hopping hoops you have to jump through.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

What about YouTube videos? Not sure her age level is but they have some great pov ride videos and park tours. You could do a Disney day make shirts , buy you both headbands at walmart they are $6 eat Disney snacks.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Tolerance yes but not enjoyment. Exposure in small doses to similar is a great idea! Thanks!

is she not interested or does it tire her out too much? know it sounds dumb but maybe a wheelchair/ special needs stroller instead of walking

 

[kaetra]

is she not interested or does it tire her out too much? know it sounds dumb but maybe a wheelchair/ special needs stroller instead of walking

It doesn't capture her attention. Usually at the zoo she doesn't look at the animals at all, just no interest. Haven't tried a carnival yet, need to do that when we can. She has no reaction to Easter Bunny or other costumed characters, she's just "meh - whatever". Unless it's her preferred activities and routine she seems to totally tune out. She loves spinning though- I think she might enjoy a spinning ride.

I wouldn't waste the money to go right now if she is not a Disney fan. On top of lots of stuff being closed, there's wearing a mask the entire time, and the weird reservations/park hopping hoops you have to jump through.

that sounds super tiring, park hops.

 

[kaetra]

I wouldn't waste the money to go right now if she is not a Disney fan. On top of lots of stuff being closed, there's wearing a mask the entire time, and the weird reservations/park hopping hoops you have to jump through.

The thought of park hopping tires me out lol

 

[kaetra]

What is she into? Not every kid likes the typical Disney movie/princess thing.
How about Star Wars? At that age my daughter was much more interested in Star Wars and Harry Potter than what is seen as typical Disney magic.

She doesn't watch whole shows, just lots of clips. She likes Sesame Street and a kids chorus on YouTube called ps22. She loves music and dancing. Tactile objects and her American girl doll. She has glasses but refuses to wear them, so I think she can't really see her environment enough to be impressed by it.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

She doesn't watch whole shows, just lots of clips. She likes Sesame Street and a kids chorus on YouTube called ps22. She loves music and dancing. Tactile objects and her American girl doll. She has glasses but refuses to wear them, so I think she can't really see her environment enough to be impressed by it.

think you just found the key, with out the DS she sounds like me until I got my glasses. she seems to do things that do not need vision. at a zoo I would not have been able to see the animals from the background so I would not care. her loves are hearing or tactile not visual. Disney and zoos are visual. in another life that long ago in all the special needs kids I was with at Disneyland the hardest trip was with the visual impaired was the hardest. her refusal to wear could be because seeing takes away from other senses that are stronger for her. i would try to have her outside away from her strong loves have her try the glasses for very short time. take glasses away and give her a tactile object. work up a short walk pointing out simple things she might not see. then try the zoo again. also check with her teachers for ideas

 

[sparky68]

She doesn't watch whole shows, just lots of clips. She likes Sesame Street and a kids chorus on YouTube called ps22. She loves music and dancing. Tactile objects and her American girl doll. She has glasses but refuses to wear them, so I think she can't really see her environment enough to be impressed by it.

Well, that sort of sounds like Disneyworld would be an unpleasant experience for her, and frustrating for you.

 

[Lilsia]

My niece is high functioning autistic after many years of hard work exposing her to things. The family went to WDW when she was 11 and, even though she said she enjoyed it, it was too much for her. Disney is very sensory overstimulating even for typical children and can be way too much for those with sensory issues. If your step daughter is not interested, then I would not take her. That being said, there is nothing wrong with going without her if the rest of the family wants to go. As long as she can be with trusted adults, like grandparents, while you are away. I know a lot of people feel like they can't do that but the thing is, we are all individuals with our own likes and dislikes. We are a family of 4 and we can't be more different if we tried. LOL So we have split up and have gone places without a member of the family because they were not interested. My youngest and I are going to Hawaii next month but hubby and oldest are not at all interested in going so they are staying home.

 

[DisneyOma]

I remember being taken to a Boston Pops Christmas concert when I was young. I had no interest in the music, and was bored out of my mind. I wasn't asked if I wanted to go, just brought by my mother and her friend. My ticket was a waste of money. I'd save the money for something she is interested in.