An APRIL Adventure in Autism: 2008 (8/8) Time to Say Good-Bye....

[blue_river]

That's too cute about Billy getting antsy over the alligators


Nice pins!!!


The resort looks lovely Kathy

 

[blue_river]

Aww, you're just sayin' that....right??


Kathy

Nope!

Here are the girls trying to catch one..........on the SECOND floor!

 

[KathyRN137]

Gee, thanks.


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

CHAPTER EIGHT: A Dreamy Kind of Morning


Monday, 4/21/08


It was the morning of our first full day, so we woke early and bustled about getting ready for a day at Disney Studios. Getting to bed early the night before had been exactly what we needed; it had given us a bit of a chance to recover from the long road trip.


We had brought cereals and milk with us, so we all took turns eating at the table for two and showering in the peachy-colored bathroom. (Sound familiar?) Yes, our morning routine doesn’t change too much trip to trip! Ed did remark to me privately what a difference it was not having Aunt Rae to contend with and I readily agreed, with a slight twinge of guilt.


Billy was a bit sluggish and it took a lot of prompting to get him ready. The new medication he was on seemed to quell any outbursts of aggression, but it also had the effect of slowing him down a bit. I realized, however, that it was a necessary trade-off at this point. After all, we had made that long, long ride down in the van and not once did he melt down or try to smack his sister, even when she had scolded him to be quiet.


He was more distracted than ever by The Seven Sees aka the Stacy show, and we eventually had to change the channel so he could focus on what he was doing. “Duck-a-Duck-a-Duck-a-Duck-a?? Nung-a-Nung-a-Nung-a-Nung-a,” he continued to chant as I helped him to get dressed. (It was then that I decided to nick-name our vacation the “Duck-a-Duck-a Trip.”) It may have sounded strange, but as long as he was doing it with a smile and it kept him happy, it was all right with me.


We were sitting at the Old Turtle Pond Road bus stop by around 8:30. I was in no rush... there was no pressure to get to the park by rope drop this time around. Slow and easy was my mantra. I don't recall having any trouble with buses on this trip. We must’ve had a little bit of a wait, however, because I had time to snap a few silly pix.


The famous Lime Greenies...

“You’re not going to spend the whole day taking pictures for the DIS again, are you?” Ed asked with a raised eyebrow. There was a trace of annoyance in his voice. Imagine that, he was jealous of you guys!


“No, dear, these pictures are just as much for us to remember our trip as they are for me to use in my report,” I said in an effort to placate him. I did, however, make a mental note to try not to get as wrapped up in photojournalism as I had done the previous November. “Here, why don’t you take some?” I offered.


Note Tricia's "Rock 'n Roll" shirt in honor of R&RC...

The bus for the Studios arrived eventually and I was pleased to see that it was not too crowded. We did travel a bit around the resort to the other stops, but there was a seat for all as we pulled away from the Hospitality House stop and turned onto Bonnet Creek Parkway, headed toward the Studios. I recall sitting with my arm around Billy’s shoulders, just gazing about the bus with a feeling of pure happiness... there’s nothing like that first bus ride to your first Disney park of the week!


We arrived at the Studios... Edit. Originally I wrote that we stopped to purchase park tickets, but then I remembered that we had bought Annual Passes on the previous trip. Duh. After a perfunctory bag check and finger scan, we were in!!


What a gorgeous day it was! It was so obvious why so many people love to come here in the Spring! We couldn’t head down Hollywood Boulevard just yet, however, because we still needed to stop at Guest Services for Billy’s Guest Assistance Card (GAC). We then grabbed a couple of Times Guides at the little kiosk there in the center and Tricia was sorely tempted by the rows and rows of pins glistening in the sun. No time to stop, however, because Billy was repeatedly calling for “Playhouse Disney, Live on Stage!” and if we hurried, we could catch the next show and appease him somewhat.


I absolutely love this area of the park, even though I usually never venture into the shops! It must be all the 1930’s art deco and the street lined with palm trees that really make the whole ambiance so special.

We made our way down Hollywood Boulevard and as you can see in the picture, above, the crowds were surprisingly modest. Perhaps we had missed the opening rush to Sunset Boulevard or perhaps my friend Tour Guide Mike had once again steered us toward making the correct choice of park for the day. It was most likely a combination of both.


We turned into the Animation Courtyard and Billy was jumping up and down excitedly when he saw the PD marquee.

I was not jumping for joy when I saw the large crowd waiting for the show, but then I reminded myself that we always choose to sit in the back, anyway, so as long as the theater could hold us all (which it sort of looked like it would be the case) then we would be fine. From the sound of things inside, I gathered that we had missed the first show, but I was determined to get the second show of the morning because the stroller crowd always seems to grow exponentially throughout the day. Naturally for Billy, the less crowded the environment, the better.


Tricia made some noise about wanting to go do something else with Dad the way they had done on the last trip, but I nixed that idea and she grudgingly waited with the obligatory roll of the eyes. “First, Playhouse Disney Live on Stage, and then, Star Tours!” Billy piped. He really has a foot in both worlds….both these attractions appeal to him equally.


Eventually the doors opened, the audience came streaming out of the theater and there was a swarm of guests that descended around the stroller parking. Yes, it did feel a bit strange to walk in and take our seats, cross-legged on the floor, among families with toddlers and pre-schoolers, but Billy just loves the music and the characters so much, it’s impossible to say no.


My pix didn’t come out too well, but look hard and you can see the joy on his face!

As promised, our next stop was Star Tours, which was practically a walk-on. Now, Ed really does this out of love; he doesn’t care for motion simulator rides because of that inner ear thing he has... they make him dizzy if he’s not careful. For some reason, perhaps because we were touring with my DSis and her young family, we had missed this the last time... so it had been a while since we had ridden it.


We entered and, because of our position in line, were ushered to the back row. “Uh-Oh,” I said, “the back row is supposed to be the bumpiest!” “Don’t worry,” Ed replied, “I’ll just keep looking down and it’ll be all right.” We stowed our bags under our seats as directed and made sure everyone was strapped in tight. The CM operator asked if everyone was ready and we all cheered.


Suddenly, the doors through which we had just entered swung open with a loud Whoosh! A group of CMs came striding in, clapping and hooting and yelling loudly. Needless to say, we were all taken aback, but before we could react, one of them shouted out,

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we are the Disney Dream Team!!”



To be continued...

Kathy

 

[mousescrapper]

CHAPTER EIGHT:
“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we are the Disney Dream Team!!”



To be continued...

Wow! hope this is good!


Can't wait to hear all about it! Cliff-hanger Kathy!

 

[KathyRN137]

Can't wait to hear all about it! Cliff-hanger Kathy!

Ha! So funny... our posts just crossed!!

Kathy

 

[wvdislover]

Great update, Kathy! That's so funny how Billy likes PHD so much. Sarah enjoys going, too. Last time we went to it, her favorite thing was the confetti they shot in the air at the end...we had to stay after everyone had gone and let her pick it ALL up (fortunately, her little sis helped her). The CM's were very patient with us and didn't rush her out. It WAS making their job a little easier Picking up confetti streamers, and whatnot, is one of Sarah's "things"--most of the time, we just go with it.
Interesting, also that Ed has an inner ear/dizziness sort of thing. My DH, Alan, also has something like this and has to do special exercises to keep it from re-occurring (a DH with vertigo really put the damper on our trip a few years ago It was irritating, but I did feel sorry for him, too). I don't think I can even get him to ride Star Tours--too risky!
Can't wait for the next update, to find out about the Dream Team!!!

 

[IluvXU]

What a wonderful site that must have been -The Dream Team. I will miss that this summer.

Glad that the stress was lessened in the mornings!

 

[tiggerbell]

I go to Disneyland and get back to several chapters - I'm so happy!!! I should vacation more often - maybe I'll go on a cruise next week?

And from one Clifhanger-writer to another ---

 

[gapeachie]

this is my first post on DIS and I am pleased for it to be on yours. The Walk for Autism was in Atlanta this morning. My 9 yo has asperger's and we are struggling with behavior issues in school. Our first family trip to Disney is in June.

And its only 52 days away! Although I'd rather say next month.

Nancy

 

[maroo]

Oh no! Another Kathy cliffhanger!



Great update!!!

I just love that you guys go to the Playhouse Disney show for Billy. It makes me smile just thinking about how excited he is!

I can't wait to hear what the Dream Team brought you guys!!!!

 

[maroo]

this is my first post on DIS and I am pleased for it to be on yours. The Walk for Autism was in Atlanta this morning. My 9 yo has asperger's and we are struggling with behavior issues in school. Our first family trip to Disney is in June.

And its only 52 days away! Although I'd rather say next month.

Nancy

Wow!! A first poster!! Cool!!!

Welcome to the DIS! Kathy will be along, soon, too - I am sure - But I just wanted to say !

 

[Hedy]

Note Tricia's "Rock 'n Roll" shirt in honor of R&RC...

The little grasshopper has learned well.

 

[preschoolmom]

Ahhh! Loved this chapter! It is so nice touring with you and Ed and the kids (and, er, not the ARF... Sorry, is that rude?).

 

[KathyRN137]

So sorry, I need to make a correction!! I made a boo-boo!!


I just remember that we had purchased annual passes back in November because we thought (then) that we would be making that RV trip during the summer!

Gaah! I hate not having my notes!!


Kathy

 

[Hedy]

So sorry, I need to make a correction!! I made a boo-boo!!


I just remember that we had purchased annual passes back in November because we thought (then) that we would be making that RV trip during the summer!

Gaah! I hate not having my notes!!


Kathy

I was wondering about that, but my mother has tried to spend the past 25 years reminding me it's not polite to push on such matters.

 

[mousescrapper]

this is my first post on DIS and I am pleased for it to be on yours. The Walk for Autism was in Atlanta this morning. My 9 yo has asperger's and we are struggling with behavior issues in school. Our first family trip to Disney is in June.

And its only 52 days away! Although I'd rather say next month.

Nancy

Just wanted to say and welcome to the Dis too! My Aunt lives in Atlanta...we hope to come visit her later this summer, and my soon to be 10 yr old DS is also an Aspie...Kathy is wonderful I have gathered so many great ideas and support from her and her reports (plus all of the Dis)

So sorry, I need to make a correction!! I made a boo-boo!!


I just remember that we had purchased annual passes back in November because we thought (then) that we would be making that RV trip during the summer!

Gaah! I hate not having my notes!!


Kathy

UH OH what's going on....see that Ticker under construction....whoops

 

[KathyRN137]

mousescrapper: Do not fear...the trip's still on! I'm just not happy with the technical difficulties I've been having with MickeyPath and I plan to find a new source for my ticker.

maroo: PHD is always the first thing Billy wants to do at the Studios its been that way since he was five...

wvdislover: ... and something tells me he will probably enjoy PHD just as much when he's twenty-five!!

IluvXU: We'll all miss the Dream Team, I'm sure! There was always the fun of knowing that at any moment they might surprise you!


Continued Next Post...


Kathy

 

[Charleston Princess]

I love the theming of Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards as well! Such a great, glamorous Hollywood feel!

Agghh! You are going to leave us hanging with the entrance of the Dream Team???

 

[KathyRN137]

(I was afraid of timing out again!)

tiggerbell: Welcome back, Jaime!! I can't wait to hear all about DL!!

gapeachie: I am so honored that you posted for the first time here! Hurry up and post more so we can PM each other about your trip!!

Hedy: Thanks for accepting me the way I am; failing memory and all! It's funny, but I have no problem remembering how I was feeling or what the conversations were at certain points in the vacation. Its the little technical details like the APs that sometimes get fuzzy!

preschoolmom: Don't worry; its okay to say it! I certainly was thinking it all that week!

I'm just afraid that without Aunt Rae, this report will seem bor-ring!!


Kathy