Advice please...

[SpiritedHaunts]

Hello I am a watcher from the WDW side of the boards and I would like to see if anybody can offer me some advice about a possible DLR trip.

My daughter has some invisible issues that make going away from mom very hard to do. Even though she is an adult we still live together and play together too.

Having been frequent visitors to WDW we decided that going there alone would be a great place to try a solo vacation. I work for a hotel company and get great rates and I knew that everywhere she was going I would be able to picture in my head. We talked a lot while she was away and while there were bumps the good defiantly outweighed the bad.

So my questions are that now I am thinking that a solo trip to DLR might be a good step for her. Some what similar, but she would have new transportation issues and I am not sure when the HM overlay happens (this is a must do for the trip to happen).

I have booked some nights in one of our hotels for several different times from mid September to the first week of December. Any ideas on the best time to go for crowds and to see the HM overlay?

I am torn between WDW again or a new DLR trip or nothing right now. I don't even want to tell her yet, as sometimes making a decision is extremely hard for her.

Thanks for reading and any help offered.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I think a trip to DL would be a fantastic idea! I know she is familiar to WDW, but it is SO big, I think a solo trip might be intimidating.

DL is compact. Once she arrives at her hotel she won't have to worry about bus or transporation issues. Everything is right there.

Transporation from the airport...no Magical Express unfortunately, but there are shuttles available. Maybe a car service would be better, the driver could be waiting at baggage and take her straight to her hotel.

Once there she can walk to everything! Disneyland and California Adventure are as close as Future World and World Showcase at Epcot. Plus Downtown Disney is right next door.

Disneyland is very similar to Magic Kingdom, she would have no problem finding her way. California Adventure reminds me of Hollywood Studios, with some Soarin and Turtle Talk thrown in. She would love it.

I don't know what hotel options you are looking at, but many of the non-Disney hotels are closer than Disney hotels. Look into some on Harbor Blvd.

Good luck and best wishes to your daughter!

 

[spacemermaid]

Every year, I go to the Park during the first week of December because I've found that it's the best way to see all the Holiday stuff (overlays, parade, decorations, fireworks) with minimal crowds. If you can manage to book the trip starting the Monday after the Candlelight Processional, there should be very low crowds during that week unless something changes drastically from the past several years. The only downsides to going at that time are:

1. It's been rainy at least a couple of days during trips I've taken during that week over the past several years; one year, it was rainy 6 out of 7 days. I enjoy the Park in the rain, but I don't know how your daughter might feel about it. I'm also not sure if by transportation issues you mean mobility issues; rain might adversely affect her ability to get around if so, especially if it's a heavy rain which can cause large puddles and sometimes flooding in the Park. Trying to get a chair or scooter through such a thing would probably not be a happy event during one's vacation!

2. The Park closes early for the Cast Member parties a couple of days during that week, usually Monday and Tuesday. Not so much a "bad thing" (I use the "extra" time to go do something else, whether it's relax in the hotel hot tub, or go have dinner at the fried chicken place at Knott's, which is a 10-15 bus ride away )

You probably already know this, but your daughter can get a GAC (Guest Assistance Card) at City Hall on Main Street if she has issues that she needs assistance with in order to enjoy the Park. (ie: for example, if she's in a chair or scooter, there are special ride vehicles that'll let her go on the ride, and sometimes there are different enterances to the rides to make loading/unloading from the ride vehicles easier ) If she has issues with crowds & wants to know of some places in the Park where it's fairly quiet & uncrowded to just chill out in, you can PM me and I will share the locations I know of!

 

[skiingfast]

I would aim for a hotel real close to the parks. Even if you work for one that isn't nearby I would find one that you can see the parks from.


As far as Halloween time. Time wise it's not extended over as long a period as WDW but that could change. The MHP parties are getting more popular so while they were less often than at WDW this might change.

In general going earlier in the season helps avoid crowds. I'd shoot for late September, but the if she wants to attend a party wait until DL releases the schedule.

 

[DahliaRW]

If you want to see HM, you probably need to go at the very end of September or early October. Usually is opens around the 25th or so, but could be later. It just depends.

 

[jory29]

We have a 14 year old son with aspergers who if he were in your daughter's shoes, I feel he may want to go there on a solo trip after he had a chance first to go there with someone else. Is that a possibility? To have a Mom/daughter trip now, and a solo trip another time for your daughter? Once she is familiar with the lay of the land, I think she will enjoy herself very much on a solo trip. Or, is is possible for you to go with her for the first couple of days then let her branch out on her own hanging out there while you head back? Does she have to fly in?

Once she is at the hotel, if you pick one that is super close walking distance, or on property, she will probably be o.k. with it all. You know her better than we do, so it does sound like she might be ready for a solo trip.

I am concerned if she has high levels of anxiety like my son, but even so, he loves Disneyland and so he tolerates the crowds and the lineups. He knows the layout of the land now and doesn't need a map which is nice.

Will she have access to texting and phoning you while in the park? You should point out to her things on the map of Disneyland such as the first aid station, the washrooms, and remind her she can approach any cast member to ask questions. If she wants to see characters and know in advance who is going to be showing up in the parks, she can go to city hall and ask for a list of characters and times.

I highly recommend NOT mid to late Oct. the crowds are really bad, we found.

For transportation, I am hoping airport times will conincide with the Disneyland Express bus - I would rather she take execucar express but being solo is too expensive, plus, she might be the lone occupant in the vehicle, so the bus sounds better to me for someone traveling on their own.

If she wants some quiet time to herself, the animation studio is wonderfully refreshing - dark inside with movies playing, a place to sit and rest, away from the hot sun.

Is she shy to talk to other people? How will she feel to be on say, Grizzly River Run with a crowd of strangers? We tend to converse with our group and it's always fun.

Can you show her youtube videos in advance of the Disneyland rides, too? Some are similar to DW rides, and others are diff. I have heard.

Good luck, and if you have any questions, just ask.

 

[SpiritedHaunts]

Thanks for the help so far.
She has been to WDW on a solo trip. We knew just what to expect, as it had been about a year since we went together, yet there were real tears the night before she was leaving. She is very smart and having these emotional and mental issues makes showing that hard. She often says that she wishes she weren't smart enough to know that something was wrong.

I want to try to get the best price on airfare and time it right so I am going a wee bit crazy myself trying to pin down 'when to gos' and 'if to gos'. We can really only afford to go on trips where I can get a great rate through work. So, at WDW she would be at the Dolphin again or in one of the two Sheraton Hotels at DLR.

We actually went to DLR last in 2003 back when her father was alive and took her older brother and family, so she has been there. I am still not sure about getting a GAC card. We haven't yet (no mobility issues other than the norm and some times bad knees) and I think that the stress over the whole not knowing what to say that you need help with might be more harmful than dealing with the problem should it happen.

She is really some one who can look and act totally normal and I want her to be safe and happy. What better way to make sure that she can be independent and feel ok traveling with friends than with a mostly all expenses paid vacation to a Disney Park?

So, from what I am reading I need to wait until way later, like at least May, before moving forward? I want it to be where she can see the HM overlay and maybe the IASW overlay too if that is one to see? I guess that I really just want to pick the in the knows brains for a bit and it looks like I will have time to do that.

Thanks again.

 

[sonnyjane]

So, from what I am reading I need to wait until way later, like at least May, before moving forward? I want it to be where she can see the HM overlay and maybe the IASW overlay too if that is one to see? I guess that I really just want to pick the in the knows brains for a bit and it looks like I will have time to do that.

If you want her to see the Haunted Mansion overlay, that goes up, as others have said, at the very end of September and lasts through New Year's. The Small World overlay, however, doesn't start until Thanksgiving/Christmas time, which last year started REALLY early, but I'm not sure when it will start this year.

In other words, if you want her to see both of those things, you'd be sending her in late Nov. or early Dec., but if Haunted Mansion is the only real priority you can send her in late Sept. or early October when the crowds are, in my opinion, really pleasant.

 

[tzeitel]

I got the GAC for my DD when we went to WDW - she looks and acts totally average but when you try to talk to her is when you realize that there is something off (she is nonverbal autistic). The card helped us not having to stand in huge lines - we just went in the Fast Pass line - since she can get stressed if in one place for too long.

I went prepared with a letter from her school but did not need it. Gst Svc did not ask me why I needed the card - I don't think they are allowed to ask specifics.

I know you have a discount through work but check out other hotels close by - they are not very expensive (compared to FL). Also check the HoJo retro rates ($59), it looks like a nice place and is close by (that is where we are staying in Oct). Like someone mentioned - a hotel where she can see the parks might make her feel more comfortable.

When we go in Oct I am planning on asking for the GAC again, we did not use it all the time at WDW but better safe than sorry

 

[Lorinda]

Hmm we are bringing our adult autistic son with us on our next trip. He too gets stressed in crowds and lines, especially crowds. What is this GAC you are referring to?

 

[tzeitel]

Hmm we are bringing our adult autistic son with us on our next trip. He too gets stressed in crowds and lines, especially crowds. What is this GAC you are referring to?

It is a guest assistance card. You show it to a CM if you need a little extra help Basically the card allows you to go through the Fast Pass line - so your son does not get overwhelmed standing in line for very long surrounded by a lot of people. You just show it to the CM and they wave you in.

I had a letter from her school but like I said they did not ask for it. Still I would recommend taking something from his doctor or therapist just saying he has autism - I have read people try to take advantage of the card.

We actually had someone say "it must be nice to cut in line like that". I wanted to wring his neck I think tough but I am a wimp - I almost burst out crying.

 

[Lorinda]

I don't advocate abusing a system like that but wow that is good to know. But wouldn't it be just as affective to just use the fast pass system?

My grown son has autism, I have degenerative back disease. My son in law has 3 blown discs in his back. My other son in law also has degenerative disease. So for all 4 of us standing is pure torture.

 

[tzeitel]

I don't advocate abusing a system like that but wow that is good to know. But wouldn't it be just as affective to just use the fast pass system?

My grown son has autism, I have degenerative back disease. My son in law has 3 blown discs in his back. My other son in law also has degenerative disease. So for all 4 of us standing is pure torture.

I think it is so you are not running around trying to get FPs and for someone who might want to ride a specific ride - right that moment DD does not process language normally and does not understand the concept of time very well. DH also had a knee replacement about a year ago so he is wobbly too - I am the one standing in line and then calling them on the phone to join me once I am close to the front

 

[skiingfast]

I don't advocate abusing a system like that but wow that is good to know. But wouldn't it be just as affective to just use the fast pass system?

My grown son has autism, I have degenerative back disease. My son in law has 3 blown discs in his back. My other son in law also has degenerative disease. So for all 4 of us standing is pure torture.

It's really simple. Go into guest services tell the CM what you needs are and they will fill in the GAC to fit you needs. At attractions show a CM you GAC card and they will directly you. If you have problems with being in tight crowds CMs will send you to areas with more space. If you have problems with standing they will send you to places to sit. If you have problems with stairs they will send you to ramps or elevators. Ect...

 

[Lorinda]

Thank you, I think for sure we will get my son one.

 

[SpiritedHaunts]

I am still thinking about sending her and now that I am waiting to hear about the HM overlay and the Halloween party I think I am making myself more antsy and anxious.

I have bookings at the Sheraton Park Hotel and are now getting worried about transportation to the hotel and to and from the parks.

I am also debating the GAC card. As I wrote earlier she might be to nervous to go and get one and I not even sure how it could help her. She does get issues from the sun, stairs on occasion and from tight crowds, but she might feel bad if she misses the themeing in the stand-by lines.

Speaking about crowds I have used Touring plans before and now that they have a DLP version I am thinking about up grading. Has anyone used it before?

Lastly, I recently looked through a 2009 Unofficial Guide Book and found little there that I think she would 'have to do'. Is there a link to somewhere that might tell me what is new and what might be new by the ending of this year?


Thanks for all the help.