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

[KathyRN137]

The Teen Bag of Tricks! Oh how well I am learning the contents of that one!

Love all your pictures on Main Street -- how peaceful it looked that afternoon!

Thanks!

It was such a nice change of pace to just wander down the street looking at the Disney windows and taking pictures of the pretty architecture.

I wish I could live on Main Street!


Kathy

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Your pictures of Main Street are sooooo pretty...-Sometimes in the rush to get back to a certain land or ride you do kind of just rush by it all-but when you really look at it...you realize how amazing all the detailing makes it...

Brothers and Sisters...hmmmmm

It's hard to be a big sister whether or not your little brother has special needs-this is speaking as a older sister who often found her little brother annoying simply because he was the baby-and since he was treated differently (which now I realize was because he was younger but at the time felt like favoritism..) It isn't always easy being a big sister...

Then when you have a child who does need extra attention it can make it tougher-let's face it...everyone wants to be mom's favorite & have her attention- whether or not they admit it and even if they love their sibling...

I heard someone explain it sort of this way...

A husband comes home...he has been married to his wife for a couple of years and they are so in love and he has been attentive and always tells her how great she is...then one day he comes home and tells her he is bringing home another wife because wife #1 is so wonderful and lovely...he really wants another one-Isn't that great...2 X the cuteness, love and wonderfullness...

So...in a way even though a brother and sister may adore each other...Of course they are going to get on each other's nerves sometimes...

(I still secretly smart at thinking my brother is the favorite...and I'm a lot older than Tricia...and btw my brother occasionally but much, much less frequently now that we both have our own children...gets to me too...

You are so lucky to be going for Halloween...I so very badly want to do the Halloween party...maybe next year....-I can't wait to hear about it...

 

[mousescrapper]

Nice update Kathy...

had to refresh my brain w/ where you left off I thought maybe i missed something...ah the life to be writing a TR and a PTR...JK my friend

glad that the HoP thing worked out and all were happy again...

I really hope in the next coming trips to really take the time to meander down MS and give it the time it deserves from me a great respectful fan of W.E.D.

it my hidden secrets of WDW book that I'm starting to read goes through that whole stage set up for the show and the many little magical secret touches I don't think I ever knew about or took the time to see.

Thanks for sharing your pictures Kathy

Scrappie

 

[KathyRN137]

Okay... you happy now??


Kathy

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Ahh, your Main Street pics are gorgeous!

And that good 'ol Teen Bag of Tricks. Gotta love it

 

[KathyRN137]

Oh, and you too!!

Kathy

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Ahh, your Main Street pics are gorgeous!

And that good 'ol Teen Bag of Tricks. Gotta love it

And me, right? Right?

 

[KathyRN137]

.... I was afraid you'd be totally done by the time I got back on! Great updates!... So sorry to see your TR coming to an end

Yeah, I kind of got sidetracked with my PTR, plus I'm finding it hard to keep up with the number of reports that I subscribed to... I think it's about twenty-five!

Yes, "the end" is near...

I've been slowly but surely catching up on all the TRs I'm following....now I can cross this one off the list!

Looking forward to the rest of this report! I'm back and ready to stay on top of it!

Only about one or two updates left! Now that I'm less than 90 days to our next trip, I've really got to make an effort to finish this!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

And me, right? Right?

Hey! I'm in the middle of my replies here, Missy!

Now you just wait your turn!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

It's hard to be a big sister whether or not your little brother has special needs-this is speaking as a older sister who often found her little brother annoying simply because he was the baby-and since he was treated differently (which now I realize was because he was younger but at the time felt like favoritism..) It isn't always easy being a big sister.

You are so lucky to be going for Halloween...I so very badly want to do the Halloween party...maybe next year....-I can't wait to hear about it...

We're very lucky that "Jersey Week" comes early this year... it usually falls right between the Halloween parties and the Christmas parties!

One of the reasons we've invited my DNiece this year is to take some of the pressure off the brother-sister dynamic.

I really hope in the next coming trips to really take the time to meander down MS and give it the time it deserves from me a great respectful fan of W.E.D.

in my hidden secrets of WDW book that I'm starting to read goes through that whole stage set up for the show and the many little magical secret touches I don't think I ever knew about or took the time to see.

Thanks for sharing your pictures Kathy

I loved learning stuff on the tour... I'd really like to try the Yuletide tour if Ed & I ever go near the holidays.

It's wonderful Main Street that makes us feel giddy with excitement about being back in the Magic Kingdom and sets up that first thrilling view of the Castle!


Kathy

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Hey! I'm in the middle of my replies here, Missy!

Now you just wait your turn!


Kathy

Yes, Kathy, m'am.

(P.S.--Just updated my TR!)

 

[KathyRN137]

Ahh, your Main Street pics are gorgeous!

And that good 'ol Teen Bag of Tricks. Gotta love it

Gasp!!

You mean YOU have one too??


Kathy

 

[AmandaSparks730]

Gasp!!

You mean YOU have one too??


Kathy

ALL teenagers do!

It's in the Teenager Handbook!

 

[mrsksomeday]

That was a great idea to split up, it made everyone happy.

I loved the Main Street pictures, but it just makes me miss Magic Kingdom more . I loved the KTTK tour, I am so happy we did that last year.

 

[A and J's Mom]

Your trip report has pulled me out of lurkdom! My four year old has autism, and we are taking him to WDW for the first time this fall. Reading how your family keeps such a relaxed attitude at the parks has been a bit, well... inspiring. Looking forward to the next installment!

 

[irish dancer]

The Teen Bag of Tricks! Oh how well I am learning the contents of that one!

Love all your pictures on Main Street -- how peaceful it looked that afternoon!

I couldn't have said it better myself! Even though DD is only 12 she's got the teen issues already.

I frequently get from both girls "Why do we always have to do whatever Daniel wants?" They are usually very good about it all but sometimes it pops up. We've started splitting up at times too.

We did the KTTK tour when we went for our 10yr anniversary trip and loved it. Next year is 15yrs, maybe we should do another Mom & Dad weekend there..........

 

[we3are1]

So I have just read this entire post (yes all 64 pages) in like 2 evenings. We are headed to WDW 9/12 - 9/17 for our son's 1st visit. He has aspergers and we do the casein free diet to help with behavior. Oh yeah grandma is taking us to WDW and she will be bringing an ECV. Your post have been extremely helpful but I do have a few questions:
1. We are driving from Virginia. Are you saying that the welcome center for GA has little OJ cups? My son, Matthew, would love that treat.
2. Guest Assistance Card (GAC) If I bring a note from our pediatrician I can get one of these? Do I have to get them each day and from where do I get them? Does that just put us in the fast line when needed?
3. AK secret entrance? details please
4. You mentioned rice ice cream in Norway? Where? Can we get these other places? I am very concerned about ice cream since this is one of Matthew's favorite treats and it won't travel well.
5. Consider the NSSHP (I hope I got those initials correct), but not sure it is financially possible. Is it worth the $$$$?

Oh I did cry and the Jack Sparrow story - fingers crossed for one of these for us as well.

Going to look at the Dis-ABILITIES forum now - I didn't know that was hear till I read the post. Thanks so much for you awesome post. I will keep reading!

Wendy in VA

 

[KathyRN137]

....Your post have been extremely helpful but I do have a few questions:
1. We are driving from Virginia. Are you saying that the welcome center for GA has little OJ cups? My son, Matthew, would love that treat.
2. Guest Assistance Card (GAC) If I bring a note from our pediatrician I can get one of these? Do I have to get them each day and from where do I get them? Does that just put us in the fast line when needed?
3. AK secret entrance? details please
4. You mentioned rice ice cream in Norway? Where? Can we get these other places? I am very concerned about ice cream since this is one of Matthew's favorite treats and it won't travel well.
5. Consider the NSSHP (I hope I got those initials correct), but not sure it is financially possible. Is it worth the $$$$?

Hi Wendy!

I was about to respond via Private Message, but then I noticed you are new and your post count isn't high enough to send/receive them... so I will answer here. Moderator, if you are reading, please forgive...

1) I believe the "welcome glass of o.j." is at the Florida Welcome center.

2) There is a FAQ sticky at the top of the disABILITIES board that can tell you everything you need to know about the GAC. They are given out at Guest Relations in each of the parks. There are different GAC's for different special needs, so when you ask for one you need to be specific about what your son's needs are.

3) As a Tour Guide Mike customer, I've given my word not to reveal his secrets so, as much as I'd like to, I can't give it away here. If you are interested in learning more, here is a link to his website....

http://www.tourguidemike.com/

4) I believe that rice cream is available (counter service) at the Kringla Bakeri og Kafe. I'm not really sure... Perhaps you could ask on the dining board?? They do serve it at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, but that's table service.

5) This will be our first Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, but we have attended both the Mickey's Very Mery Christmas Party and the Pirate & Princess Party. Yes, they are a splurge, but I think that they are very well done and really worth it. You can see so many special shows, fireworks, and parades that you can't see at any other time. Plus, if you can tolerate staying up late, the lines for the big rides get ridiculously short.

In a word, Yes. I do think they're worth the money. Then again, WDW is fabulous on any day, party or no.


The disABILITES board is a good source of information, however, if anyone traveling with with a special needs person ever asks me, I always recommend the book, PassPorter's Open Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line, by Deb Wills and Debra Martin Koma. You can purchase it at larger bookstores, or you can order it at:

http://www.passporter.com/wdw/openmouse/guidebook.asp

Thanks for reading and welcome to the DIS!

Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

Your trip report has pulled me out of lurkdom! My four year old has autism, and we are taking him to WDW for the first time this fall. Reading how your family keeps such a relaxed attitude at the parks has been a bit, well... inspiring. Looking forward to the next installment!

Hello! Wow, this is the day for Welcomes!!

Billy was five when we made our first trip... naturally our touring has changed as he has changed... but I can assure your that WDW is the most accommodating and friendly place we have ever taken the kids... we will only vacation there!!

If your read the reply I posted above this one, there is an excellent book that I recommend you to read before your trip!

Again, welcome, and don't be a stranger!


Kathy

 

[we3are1]

1 - well that does make more sense
2 - I did find that post and have read it entirely. Thanks. I will make sure we stop by guest relations just in case this is needed.
3 - understood I will look in to that.
4 - will check into the rice ice cream. Maybe if the dining board doesn't have the info I can call WDW.
5 - ok will see what we can do to save up for the MNSSHP - Thanks!

I have the original passporter book but will try and get the other one asap.

Thanks for your quick reply!

Wendy in VA