Am I brave or just crazy? 6 days at WDW with 2 ADHD kids and toddler

[SMB32680]

My family is taking a trip to WDW this Sept for 6 days, staying at Pop Century. We will be taking our 3 boys, ages 6 yrs, almost 4 yrs, and 2 yr old. The 2 oldest have ADHD with ODD... our 6 yr old is on meds which I was hesitant to try but have been a great help! The 4 yr old however is extremly hard to handle. He is an extreme example of hyperactivity and daily life is a challenge with him.

This is not his 1st trip to Disney (we took the 2 older ones in Nov 2008) but only for 2 days. We seemed to have a very difficult time waiting in lines for rides- he had no patience for the sometimes long waits and it was hard to keep him from bothering others around him. My question is: does Disney accomodate for concerns like ADHD in any way? I read somewhere that you could get a GAC to allow you to wait in another area for the ride? (Not skip the line, but wait someplace where the kids can't bother everyone else with their yelling and fighting and even touching other people in line.)
Or am I just totally crazy for attempting a 6 day trip with two ADHD kids and a 2 year old?

 

[LMC]

As long as you are not alone I don't see it to be a problem. We have three kids and DH and I take them to WDW alot. My oldest is on the ASD, has some mobility issues, sensory, etc and youngest is a very extreme case of ADHD. DD is a very typical child. We even took them before I knew of the GAC for my oldest with disabilities so it can be done!. Take a gameboy or something to occupy them while waiting in line. Each day have a flexible plan for what you will do. Ask the boys what three things they each want to do. Make sure you do each boy's #1 item first, then both #2 things, etc. If you get to do all 6 of the attractions that the two of them come up with then just consider anything else icing on the cake. I NEVER have a concrete plan as it makes my ASD child come completely unhinged if things don't go according to the way the thinks the plan should work. Like I said, we did this many times without at GAC but as DS14 has gotten older and mobility has gotten to be more of an issue we usually end up getting a GAC sometime during a 10day stay. There probably are not any accomodations for kids that have a hard time waiting their turn and standing in line. My DS8 uses his nintendo or a toy he purchased at the park to keep himself entertained while waiting in the que.

 

[bookwormde]

I guess all of us are a “little brave or crazy” when we venture forth into the world with our special needs children. GAC can help particularly if our children have sensory or social skills deficits. Since ODD is really not an appropriate diagnosis for a 4 year old (or even a 6 year old in many cases) I am guessing the issue is more likely a lack of innate social skills since they generate the same manifestations.

Read through some of the sensory and autism/aspergers threads and you will get some good ideas that may be applicable to you children’s specific needs.

Since you say “we” I am assuming another caregiver is going with you, as 3 on 1 would be quite a challenge.

Good luck and have fun; WDW is a magical place for our children.

bookwormde