Adult Special Needs Son and Adults Only areas

[mtnprotracy]

Hi, everyone! I am super excited that we've booked a Halloween Cruise on the Fantasy for 2019. At that time our special needs son will be 20 years old. He is non-verbal and looks about 14, maybe. Of course, we'll be traveling with the proper age documentation. I'm just curious if any of you have taken a special needs adult to the adult only areas. Zeke LOVES hot tubs, and if I'm reading correctly, the only one on board is in the adult area. I'd welcome any encouragement or advice. We want this cruise to be perfect for him!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi, everyone! I am super excited that we've booked a Halloween Cruise on the Fantasy for 2019. At that time our special needs son will be 20 years old. He is non-verbal and looks about 14, maybe. Of course, we'll be traveling with the proper age documentation. I'm just curious if any of you have taken a special needs adult to the adult only areas. Zeke LOVES hot tubs, and if I'm reading correctly, the only one on board is in the adult area. I'd welcome any encouragement or advice. We want this cruise to be perfect for him!

As long as you are with him (with his KTTW card), he'll be fine. Will he be asked about his age, maybe. Maybe not. Just be prepared. Since he's the "correct" age, he won't be asked to leave. Our son, at 19, was carded about 6 times in the Cove area before the CMs there got to know him.

One thing, many cruisers don't really care for public hot tubs. No telling what's actually in there.

 

[Shanti]

One thing, many cruisers don't really care for public hot tubs. No telling what's actually in there.

Nothing worse than what could be lurking in a public swimming pool, on a stateroom floor, on public potties, in stateroom beds, on any and all door handles, on buffet serving utensils, elevator buttons, etc., etc.

No need to spread paranoia about it.

 

[Mediaavid]

You may want to consider getting a Rainforest Pass as well. It’s for 18+ and has two hot tubs along with the warming loungers, saunas, and various showers. I’ve gotten rainforest when I sailed Dream and Fantasy. The hot tubs were never croweded like in the regular adult areas.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Nothing worse than what could be lurking in a public swimming pool, on a stateroom floor, on public potties, in stateroom beds, on any and all door handles, on buffet serving utensils, elevator buttons, etc., etc.

No need to spread paranoia about it.

I sometimes feel a little questionable while in a situation where water and unattended children are left to themselves. But at the adult area in the Wonder I was so exuberantly pleased with the feel of the water and the temperature was amazing. It was my first time in a Disney ship pool out of 4 prior cruises. I’m actually planning to spend some time at the pool in January now. SO wonderful!

 

[dcassetta]

Hi, everyone! I am super excited that we've booked a Halloween Cruise on the Fantasy for 2019. At that time our special needs son will be 20 years old. He is non-verbal and looks about 14, maybe. Of course, we'll be traveling with the proper age documentation. I'm just curious if any of you have taken a special needs adult to the adult only areas. Zeke LOVES hot tubs, and if I'm reading correctly, the only one on board is in the adult area. I'd welcome any encouragement or advice. We want this cruise to be perfect for him!

Last fall on the Fantasy there was a family with a young woman with special needs, and I would guess about the age of your son. We saw her regularly and the adult area and the Serenity Bay side of CC. I have to say it was just a joy watching her that day on the beach. She had more fun than all the rest of the adults put together!

Your son may carded a time or two, but I would guess that the staff will figure out who he is pretty quickly.

 

[Dug720]

As long as you are with him (with his KTTW card), he'll be fine. Will he be asked about his age, maybe. Maybe not. Just be prepared. Since he's the "correct" age, he won't be asked to leave. Our son, at 19, was carded about 6 times in the Cove area before the CMs there got to know him.

One thing, many cruisers don't really care for public hot tubs. No telling what's actually in there.

The bolded part - that HE has HIS card - is key. If he is carded and doesn't have it, he would be asked to leave until he has it with him. You vouching for him won't work.

 

[mtnprotracy]

You may want to consider getting a Rainforest Pass as well. It’s for 18+ and has two hot tubs along with the warming loungers, saunas, and various showers. I’ve gotten rainforest when I sailed Dream and Fantasy. The hot tubs were never croweded like in the regular adult areas.

Oh my! That sounds AMAZING. We'll do that for sure . Thank you so much for the suggestion!

 

[professorandmom]

As a mom traveling with her daughter, being asked for the key to the world card to verify age in the adults only areas will not be unexpected - for any person who looks young, regardless of ability or disability...my daughter's experience is similar to other cruisers...except to be asked for the card

 

[DWillowBay]

I've taken my son with special needs on two Disney cruises. There has been no problem at all ....as a matter of fact, he's treated like royalty. Of course I stay right with him, but he has his KTTW card and he's fine. Enjoy your cruise!