ASD 11 year old in costume in parks???

[lynette j in la]

It took me three days to red the Bippity Boppity Boutique FAQ thread, and there I rfound that either
a:- Adults can't dress like Princesses at the park so they don't get confused into thinking they are CMs. ( read this on the Disney site my self, they don't mention ages...)

... b: that anyone aged 10 or over could not dress in costume except for Party events. This one was said on the Disboard BBB thread .

Several peoplein that thread asked it thas true andseveral said they would go to Guest services and ask and No one ever posted their findings.

My 11 year old autistic daughter Is Sooooo excited to dress like Belle and go to get her princess hair do in July for her birthday. We hoped that she could go to her Princess Lunches at Norway and Cinderella's castle in her Belle dress. We will be there the week before her Birthday ( she stays on at Disney the next week with her grandparents) so we plan to celebrate with cake with the family all together and I was hoping she'd get a lot of attention...She'd love the special attention.

She is VERY immature and even though she's seen HSM and HSM2, she refuses to watch Hanna Montana, she is a Princess kind of girl. She is very much not a Teenager yet... maybe a young tween, but not a teen.

I understand that for Tickets 10 is an adult. I didn't mind ( well just a little) having to pay for adult tickets and Adult Dinning plan ( even though she will most likely go to the children's buffet line and get the nuggets and mac and cheese.)

My daughter is a CHILD and has the mind of a ( much younger than her actual age),CHILD, acts like a CHILD, and the body of a somewhat plump, but yet at this moment undeveloped CHILD who even though she is 56 inches tall would never be mistaken for any thing other than a child. She has such a difficult time at school with peers and classwork that is far too advanced that I wanted her to just relax and enjoy being pampered and princessey for a few weeks....

So,

I only found that Disney site says ADULTS are not allowed to dress in costumes. It did NOT say 10 and under CAN and 11 and older CAN'T wear costumes. Since tickets say that 10 yr olds are Adults, then if they went by ticketed age, a 10 yr old would not be allowed to wear costumes.
So what I'm getting at is that That if I have my daugher all dressed up for the Princesses, and she is turned away at the gate I'm gonna have a very very upset and heart broken little girl.
Does any one have any clue about this problem... is there some way to contact Guest services ahead of time....
Or should We just say she is 10 if they ask. I hate to be a bad role model, and I'd have to coach her to lie and that doesn't sit right by me...

I'd hope that WDW would at least take pity on a disabled child.

Oh and please tell me your thoughts on getting a diabled card ( I'm not sure of what it is called ) though guest services for ASD kids...I know it in the past got kids to get ahead in line to help out those that have a problem with crowds and waiting, but it has changed some what since then. What special consideration is granted now with the card?

Thanks!
Any help is appreciated!

 

[livndisney]

There are several threads on GAC cards so that should help you with that.
As far as your daughter wearing a princess dress, I would say let her. I have yet to see a CM approach someone and tell them they had to change clothes. In the case of you child-IF someone did say something (which I would doubt) you could simply tell them about your child. I can tell you I have seen older children in the parks dressed in princess gowns (there is also a poster on these boards who has a daughter with "special needs" and in her signature is a pic of her daughter in a princess dress.)

Go for it-let her enjoy being a princess!

 

[Schmeck]

Oh and please tell me your thoughts on getting a diabled card ( I'm not sure of what it is called ) though guest services for ASD kids...I know it in the past got kids to get ahead in line to help out those that have a problem with crowds and waiting, but it has changed some what since then. What special consideration is granted now with the card?

Thanks!
Any help is appreciated!

There is no 'head of the line' accomodation, unless it is through Make a Wish. You need to know what would be difficult for your child and be able to explain those needs to the CM at guest relations. For example, if your child has difficulty waiting in lines, but would be more comfortable and secure in a stroller, you could ask to use the stroller as a wheelchair in lines. AS stated above, check the FAQs about the Guest Assistance Card.

Although I deleted the part in your post about the princess dress, I do have one suggestion. You state that you are going in July, and it will be extremely hot then - consider bringing the dress with you, because it will most likely be way too hot to wear the thing all day. She could just put it on before the meals, etc.

 

[dclfun]

I have seen plenty of young pre-teens dressed in princess dresses in the parks. They look adorable and so pleased to be in such a magical place dressed as their favorite princess. I see nothing wrong or not permitted with your 11 year old dressing as Belle. If you're truly concerned, since your visit isnt' until July, you could always write to Guest Communications and describe your concerns for your future trip. As others have mentioned, the GAC isn't to shorten wait times but rather to meet needs so just be prepared to state what kind of accommodations would help you meet those needs, such as waiting in an alternate area when possible, or using a stroller as a w/c. If your daughter is larger you can always rent a w/c just to give her some more personal space in the queue lines vs. using a stroller. I'm thinking you could make a "royal chariot" out of a w/c for Belle. ---Kathy

 

[mechurchlady]

My suggestion is that you talk to WDW and find out their official stance on your situation. It is the best thing to do since showing up in costume only to be turned away or made to change clothes could ruin the kid's day. An option is for you to carry a change of clothes and if challenged then go change.

 

[SueM in MN]

There is no 'head of the line' accomodation, unless it is through Make a Wish. You need to know what would be difficult for your child and be able to explain those needs to the CM at guest relations. For example, if your child has difficulty waiting in lines, but would be more comfortable and secure in a stroller, you could ask to use the stroller as a wheelchair in lines. AS stated above, check the FAQs about the Guest Assistance Card.

there is a section all about GACs in the disABILITIES FAQs thread (near the top of the thread list on this board, or use the link in my signature).

Although I deleted the part in your post about the princess dress, I do have one suggestion. You state that you are going in July, and it will be extremely hot then - consider bringing the dress with you, because it will most likely be way too hot to wear the thing all day. She could just put it on before the meals, etc.

That's a good suggestion. Many people do that even if their DDs don't have any special needs.
The other thing to think about is that many of the princess dresses are made of kind of a scratchy material. She may tolerate that for the Princess meal, but it may be too irritating for wearing the whole day. Bringing another outfit along would allow her to change.

I have seen many older kids wearing costumes. The only stipulation is that adults not be wearing costumes that might be mistaken for the 'real thing'. I don't think an 11 yr old could be mistaken by anyone.