Any other parents of sensory kids here?

[EASchechter]

Hi, all!

We're taking our first Disney cruise in 2017, and odds are good that it will be a Halloween sailing.

My son has some sensory processing issues, which means he's very easily startled and very easily overwhelmed. Halloween is not his favorite holiday, and I didn't know the cruise would be themed when I booked it. Changing dates isn't an option.

So how you do help your sensory kids with getting ready? I've started collecting YouTube videos of Halloween on the High Seas, so that he can see what it's like and we can desensitize (It's just like what we saw, remember?) I'm also pouring over layouts of the Fantasy so I can see where we can be a part of the action but still have a clear avenue to get away.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[lanejudy]

The muster drill is extremely loud. I highly recommend a pair of Peltor earmuffs or similar. I haven't done a Halloween cruise so can't comment specifically on that.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi, all!

We're taking our first Disney cruise in 2017, and odds are good that it will be a Halloween sailing.

My son has some sensory processing issues, which means he's very easily startled and very easily overwhelmed. Halloween is not his favorite holiday, and I didn't know the cruise would be themed when I booked it. Changing dates isn't an option.

So how you do help your sensory kids with getting ready? I've started collecting YouTube videos of Halloween on the High Seas, so that he can see what it's like and we can desensitize (It's just like what we saw, remember?) I'm also pouring over layouts of the Fantasy so I can see where we can be a part of the action but still have a clear avenue to get away.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Look up the muster drills. They do use the emergency alarm during that (and it's loud), and it's probably a good idea to expose him to that, also, pre-cruise.

 

[rubberbootbunny]

WhIle I'm not a parent of a spd child my BF is and we often travel with her child.
I would recommend skipping the fireworks and deck parties. They were WAY too much for her little one. Something else that helped was by passing the buffet and opting for room service. Her little one is also better going ashore a little later on Port days, and maybe doing a private tour.
Good luck!

 

[hanscarlet]

My kid is ASD and yes this third muster drill we've experienced and it's the loudest we've experienced and thus the most painful, I'm bringing ear phones for the next one. We brought her to the pirate show but monitored her the entire time and frequently asked her if she wanted to leave, ultimately she indicated she wanted to leave because it was too loud and we were hoping to remove her before the fireworks anyways so I stayed with my NT kid to watch fireworks and my DH took her back to the stateroom

depending on the level of accomodation, DCL has a great SN line that we always call and discuss any concerns or requests we have ahead of time
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/guests-with-disabilities/

I think videos to show familiarity ahead of time is a great idea and works well for us... like usual, just go to your kids' pace and don't be disappointed if you can't do everything (you'll book a placeholder and be back to do the stuff you miss the first time )

 

[Bree]

The dining rooms can get very loud. My 12yo DS has Aspergers, SPD & Auditory Processing Disorder. My suggestion is noise cancelling earmuffs or regular earbuds/headphones and let him use a tablet/phone for games or videos.

http://www.amazon.com/Snug-Sound-Ea...rue&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_1&smid=AA7Y9TVNI1F02

My DS is older so I also let him skip the dining room a few nights and order himself room service.

 

[EASchechter]

The muster drill is extremely loud. I highly recommend a pair of Peltor earmuffs or similar. I haven't done a Halloween cruise so can't comment specifically on that.

Enjoy your cruise!

Oh, good idea. I'll add his earplugs to the (eventual) packing list.

 

[EASchechter]

My kid is ASD and yes this third muster drill we've experienced and it's the loudest we've experienced and thus the most painful, I'm bringing ear phones for the next one. We brought her to the pirate show but monitored her the entire time and frequently asked her if she wanted to leave, ultimately she indicated she wanted to leave because it was too loud and we were hoping to remove her before the fireworks anyways so I stayed with my NT kid to watch fireworks and my DH took her back to the stateroom

depending on the level of accomodation, DCL has a great SN line that we always call and discuss any concerns or requests we have ahead of time
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/guests-with-disabilities/

I think videos to show familiarity ahead of time is a great idea and works well for us... like usual, just go to your kids' pace and don't be disappointed if you can't do everything (you'll book a placeholder and be back to do the stuff you miss the first time )

Thanks for the link! I hadn't found that one yet!

 

[EASchechter]

The dining rooms can get very loud. My 12yo DS has Aspergers, SPD & Auditory Processing Disorder. My suggestion is noise cancelling earmuffs or regular earbuds/headphones and let him use a tablet/phone for games or videos.

http://www.amazon.com/Snug-Sound-Ea...rue&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_1&smid=AA7Y9TVNI1F02

My DS is older so I also let him skip the dining room a few nights and order himself room service.

Any idea how room services is with gluten free?

 

[Bree]

Any idea how room services is with gluten free?

No, I don't have any experience with gluten free foods at all.

 

[EASchechter]

No, I don't have any experience with gluten free foods at all.

I figured it was worth asking. I trust Disney to do right by us -- in all the times we've eaten with them (we're Florida locals), they've only let us down once.

 

[Reese'smom]

My son has Mild SPD and we were on a Star Wars cruise. He did very well but he loves to be busy all day. A cruise is perfect for him. He doesn't like characters very much so we avoided them. Pretty easy. The muster drill was the worst part of the week. I recommend headphones for that. My son is a very picky eater and the wait staff was wonderful. They got things off menu for him a lot. We sat on the edge of the crowd for the deck party in case he couldn't handle it but he liked it! I think you will have a great time!

 

[RNBelle]

I am mama of an ASD kiddo and we can't wait to cruise on DCL. We were thinking about looking for an Autism on the Seas option. We are gluten free and WDW has always done a great job. I've done some reading about DCL and it sounds like they do, as well.

 

[EASchechter]

My son has Mild SPD and we were on a Star Wars cruise. He did very well but he loves to be busy all day. A cruise is perfect for him. He doesn't like characters very much so we avoided them. Pretty easy. The muster drill was the worst part of the week. I recommend headphones for that. My son is a very picky eater and the wait staff was wonderful. They got things off menu for him a lot. We sat on the edge of the crowd for the deck party in case he couldn't handle it but he liked it! I think you will have a great time!

Your son sounds like mine. Thank you!

 

[Suttonmama1]

We have been on two previous Halloween on the High seas on the fantasy. There's a atrium party that's loud but that's about it. Other than a few decorations and the Halloween tree it's nothing that can't be avoided and you won't miss a thing by skipping!