Any tips for our trip?

[luv2sleep]

My son will be 6 when we go to WDW for the first time. He has ADHD and SPD (sensory processing disorder). We've been do Disneyland many times but since we live locally our days at the parks are never long. If it's too much we just leave. We will be at WDW for 7 nights. I do not plan to be up for rope drop because he does not function well on inadequate sleep or when his sleep cycle is changed. I plan to just go with the flow, not rush and to just see what we can. Hopefully we get to get on some rides. I plan on renting a stroller because he gets tired. We are going in the summer so we will go to the water park and swim at the pool at the resort. We are staying at Bay Lake Tower (BLT) at the Contemporary Resort.

So far I have the hotel booked and booked a non stop flight on Virgin America. I figure the TV/game screen in flight will really help. I have only 2 ADRs scheduled. One is at Ohana (I MUST go there, lol) and one is at T-Rex. My son is not very comfortable around characters so no character meals for us. Other meals will be counter/quick service. No way I am going to try to sit though several table service meals with him.

That's all I've got so far. The idea of following a touring plan causes me great anxiety. I cannot be rushing all over for fast passes with my boy. Completely unrealistic. So, does anyone have any tips that might help us have fun but not be miserable at the parks? Things that might have worked for your and your special needs kiddos? What are some of the best attractions for sensory avoider/sensitive/anxious kids? What places things/should we definitely avoid? My son doesn't not like loud noises...refused to get on Radiator Springs Racers for example. Really thought the whole thing was just too loud.

I am not renting a car. Will the buses to and from BLT be horrible for him?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Kellykins1218]

Use a stroller, even if you think he's too big for one, and get a "stroller can be used as a wheelchair" sticker from Guest Relations. Also explain to them your son's sensory issues and ask for a Guest Assistance Card.

 

[Kellykins1218]

<---Hey, I'm a Mousketeer!!
Sorry, off topic but I just noticed the change

 

[lanejudy]

Sticking to his normal sleep cycle is great - so many people ignore regular bedtime during vacations but I know for our family we need to stick with it even though that means an early evening for the adults. You have the added challenge of the time difference - and it may work to your advantage in that if you stick to west-coast time you'll have more evening hours (less hot sun). Mid-day breaks at the pool or a rest at your resort room always help, too.

You have an ADR at T-Rex and then indicated that he does not like loud noises. I'll just warn you that our family found T-Rex to be way too loud for comfort. In general and then even more so during the meteor shower (or whatever they call it). We've had no problem at RainForest Cafe but we won't be returning to T-Rex. Others report their kids are fine here, though, but I wanted to let you decide. We also mainly do counter-service meals, try the ones at the resorts for less crowds.

Stroller-as-wheelchair will provide a buffer for your son away from the crowds and sensory input. Will he wear headphones to block out the sounds around him? Does he like any hand-held video or electronic games that might distract him? We pull out small toys or games just while waiting in line, not something DD plays with regularly. Sunglasses (and a good hat with brim) if he's sensitive to sunglare.

I wouldn't rule out loosely following a touring plan. Use it to get an idea of which park and which area of the park is less crowded, particularly if you are going at a busy time. It really can help make the day go more smoothly, but I agree that criss-crossing back-and-forth is not likely to help. We choose one "land" and do the attractions there before moving on to another "land" - at the end of the day if we have time we'll head back for a favorite.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Bete]

Keep in mind that MK is very similar to Disneyland. If you have problems with the new parks then use the familiarity of MK to your advantage.

Maybe, it would be good to get the DVD about Disney World and view it with him ahead of time. You can use u-tube videos about Disney World, as well.

You may want to take a rest after the long air flight before jumping into a park. Maybe, enjoy the resort the first day.

I would still use fastpass when it's convenient to do so then you can do the nearby attractions until it's time for fastpass. If it doesn't work out on the time frame for fastpass then you can go on.

I've heard from others that the parades and fireworks can be too loud.

I would use the same time frames you use at Disneyland and then take a break and come back later. If he's enjoying himself then you can think about staying longer.

If he's been to a zoo and he liked it then make sure you take in the animal areas at AK.

Hopefully, others will chime in, too.

 

[luv2sleep]

Thanks for the tips! He won't wear headphones because he doesn't like them on his ears. He doesn't like fireworks so I picked BLT so we could watch them from there. I want to see the EPCOT fireworks but don't know where to watch them from a distance. Anywhere we can do that? We have to always watch fireworks them from a distance. Bummer about the loudness of T-Rex. I may have to find a you tube video of the meteor shower and see if he can tolerate it. I'm going to definitely ask for a tag for the stroller so I can take it in line. He likes the zoo so animals will be ok. There was a mention of the familiarity of MK. That's a good point. He never thinks we are at DL until he's seen the castle. He can get quite annoyed at California Adventure because there is no castle. I will do as I do at DL in terms of fast passes. I won't zig zag the park for them but will get them as we go.

I was going to go to HS easily to try to sign him up for Jedi training. Now I'm thinking that's a bad idea. I don't know of her even do it. He said he wanted to last year. We will go to DL again and I'll let him watch it and ask. He's more familiar with Star Wars characters this year but still has character fears so I'm not sure. Knowing him I'd go through the entire process just for him to completely freak out at the last minute.

I was going to take him to downtown Disney and check out things there too. There's a place with games/interaction? I can't remember the name off the top of my head and don't know if its going to be too loud.

In general he gets frustrated with waiting so I'm not sure how much we will do. I was hoping there's be a lot of non-rude/non-wait/interactive stuff to do. Is there?

Thanks for all of the help!

 

[belle032]

Your situation definitely sounds familiar! I have a younger brother with Down Syndrome so I can somewhat relate to the dislike of loud noises (hates fireworks!), the dislike of crowds, waiting, and heat! The best advice I can give is to get a GAC card, it will literally save your life. The summer heat will be brutal and knowing you may not have to wait 45 mins outside to get on Peter Pan can turn things around. My mom used to say she felt bad using the GAC card until she realized she "deserved it for handling 18 years of raising twin sons, 1 of which had a very visible disability and a very hard childhood!" I tend to agree. Most CMs are also very accommodating, especially with obvious disabilities. Please don't take that the wrong way! Being a CM, we know how easy it is for someone to get a GAC card and abuse the privilege. It is very irritating to hear it called a fastpass and get very angry when they don't have the "right" stamp to go through the fastpass line. (On our attraction, the stand-by line was wheelchair accessible so if you were in wheelchair w/a broken leg, you were going through stand-by. People didn't like that.) Ok sorry to ramble!

You can watch Epcot fireworks from the Boardwalk or Yacht & Beach Club I believe. I've never stayed there so someone can verify that. You may still be able to hear them from there. Sometimes you can see them from DHS, especially during a late Fantasmic.

About the Jedi Training, I'd suggest letting him watch it first and see how he reacts. Darth Vader does appear and he is very realistic! There are also stormtroopers. He might decide he likes it better from a distance or he may want to do it himself! There's also an awesome Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground at DHS if you need a break during the day!

If you're talking about DisneyQuest at DTD, I'd avoid it. It's multiple floors of loud, beeping video games and kids running everywhere. Maybe I'm biased, but I hate DisneyQuest! I went there once over the 4 years I was there and only because it was free for the holidays for us. You might decide differently, but if your worried about loudness and crowds, I'd avoid it. DTD also gets very busy at night so hit it during the day if you want to avoid the crowds. The Lego store is very interactive though, it might be a good choice

In general, let you son direct the itinerary. And by all means, take breaks to swim and nap! My brother is an early riser and early sleeper so we normally do a park, go swim then if he's up to it, we head back out. Just take your time and don't worry. Disney is very accommodating. And get a GAC card!

Sorry didn't mean for this to get so long! Any questions, please let me know. Hope this helps a bit!

 

[cynditech]

Thanks for the tips! He won't wear headphones because he doesn't like them on his ears. He doesn't like fireworks so I picked BLT so we could watch them from there. I want to see the EPCOT fireworks but don't know where to watch them from a distance. Anywhere we can do that? We have to always watch fireworks them from a distance. Bummer about the loudness of T-Rex. I may have to find a you tube video of the meteor shower and see if he can tolerate it. I'm going to definitely ask for a tag for the stroller so I can take it in line. He likes the zoo so animals will be ok. There was a mention of the familiarity of MK. That's a good point. He never thinks we are at DL until he's seen the castle. He can get quite annoyed at California Adventure because there is no castle. I will do as I do at DL in terms of fast passes. I won't zig zag the park for them but will get them as we go.

I was going to go to HS easily to try to sign him up for Jedi training. Now I'm thinking that's a bad idea. I don't know of her even do it. He said he wanted to last year. We will go to DL again and I'll let him watch it and ask. He's more familiar with Star Wars characters this year but still has character fears so I'm not sure. Knowing him I'd go through the entire process just for him to completely freak out at the last minute.

I was going to take him to downtown Disney and check out things there too. There's a place with games/interaction? I can't remember the name off the top of my head and don't know if its going to be too loud.

In general he gets frustrated with waiting so I'm not sure how much we will do. I was hoping there's be a lot of non-rude/non-wait/interactive stuff to do. Is there?

Thanks for all of the help!

Best piece of advice I can give is to use a stroller - and request a wheelchair sticker for it. We took it into some shows with us and DS retreated to the stroller when he was feeling overwhelmed - same while we waited in lines. I brought his favorite lightweight blanket and stuffed animal - he liked holding onto those during much of the trip.

We regretted not signing up for Jedi training - at least to give it a try!

Oh - as far as waiting in lines - my DS can tend to act up alot, drop to the floor, etc. He really surprised us by doing pretty good in most of the lines - especially to wait and see any princesses, LOL!!! So, he might surprise you!

One more thing - I think was already mentioned - we showed DS most of the rides on YouTube ahead of time - and that helped with some of his anxiety!

Hope you have a wonderful trip

 

[Bete]

In Epcot there is an attraction called Innoventions. This is in Future World. There's an East side and West side to this attraction. You have the opportunity to be interactive, here. I think this is worth a try. There are multiple activities and something may strike his interest. Journey to Imagination might be a good ride to try. In the Land they have Soarin' like in California Adventure. There are longer waits in Epcot. I wouldn't do this attraction without fastpass. There's a boat ride in the Land, too. This might be doable. I would give Nemo, the ride a try and maybe do turtle talk with Crush there.

If headphones don't work have you ever tried earplugs? If you want to see Illuminations this may be the best way. There really isn't a quiet place to see the fireworks there. You really don't get the full affect from far away. You'll see some of it, but you will miss most of it if you do this from far away. You can try a place in China. You can go up to a second floor outside there. I believe you can take the elevator up. Anyway, you would be away from the crowds and you would be a little more back from the lagoon. It's about the best idea I can think of for this.

Mission Space in Epcot has a mild side to this ride. This may be doable for you. You don't experience the G-force there. I believe you go left for this version. I would stay away from Test Track. Universe of Energy is iffy. It could be boring for him, but there are a few dinosaurs in this attraction at the beginning. Spaceship Earth has a walking conveyor when you get on the ride. If you go the handicap route for this ride there's a conveyor that can be slowed down which would make it easier. They slow it down when you get off, too. If he can handle small boat rides you can try Mexico and Norway. In Norway, you can skip the movie once you get off the boat. There are a lot of movies in World Showcase: China, Norway, Canada, France and the US. They last around 15 minutes each. You have to decide if this is doable. Most of the movies are adult like. World Showcase opens at 11 am.

There's a lot of live entertainment at Epcot. I think he might enjoy the acrobats in China. There are schedule show times. It might be better to do this one early in the day. For this show to get a front row you may have to show up 20 minutes early. Make sure you have a distraction for him while you wait for the show. Most of the live entertainment is outside; so, you can exit quickly if necessary.

I will try to come back and make some comments about the other parks. I've been to both Disneyland and Disney World and Disney World is harder. I really believe you need to be more prepared for Disney World. Go to the library and Internet and learn what you can before you go. Buy some books; there are children version books for Disney World. They try to give you a plan from the child's perspective.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I understand why you don't want to do detailed touring plans, but I would strongly recommend researching them anyway. The busier areas and busier attractions really are better approached at the best (meaning lowest crowd) times of the day. In addition to my touring plans, I also bring a chart of which attractions are best at which time of day so that if we end up scrapping the touring plans (which has happened), at least we can still go to a few desired attractions when the crowds will still be low in the area. This can also prepare you for the fact that if you're not going to be able to make it to rope drop then maybe you'll want to avoid certain areas completely as that's the only time of day when they're not swamped. Remember that ride queues are only part of the crowd issue; the areas between attractions are very busy as well.

Great idea sticking with your regular schedules. For us that means easy RD but we never do nighttime activities.

I second the idea that T-Rex may not be such a great idea for a child who can't handle loud noises.

 

[Disfanx4]

I noticed you mentioned Disney Quest in downtown disney....it is very noisy and will most likely put your son into sensory overload, it is huge and between the lights, noise and people it has always been to much for my 2 ASD kids, others may have had other reactions but everyone I know said "never again" after 1 visit

 

[luv2sleep]

Oh that's a bummer about Disney Quest. I thought it was going to be one big video game type of experience. He loves that. I guess we can go check it out quickly if it's included in our passes but not if I have to pay extra. We don't have a gaming system at home because I find that with prolonged play he's really agitated. Humm...maybe that place is not a great idea now that I think about it! Thanks for the heads up on that!