ASD 4 yr old and WDW Help Needed

[FJBill]

Hi,

We are doing our first WDW vacation as a family this Sept. We have originally planned for December, so our DD6 could see the decorations, she loves Christmas. But after sitting down with our AAA travel agency, we got Airfare/Tickets/Deluxe Resort/Free DDP for the same cost as Airfare/Tickets/Value Resort/No DDP in December. So off we go in September, the DH might melt due to the heat, oh well.

We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge. I have the book "Open Mouse", which made us decide that the cheap Deluxe would work best for our budget. The DS is considered high functioning, he is verbal and pretty self regulating, just need to work on that social thing.

Here are some things I need help with:

1. Rental Car - Yes/No
2. GFCF friendly restaurants
3. Restaurants to avoid due to noise/layout/etc.
4. Anything Else I haven't thought of yet

Thanks for any advice

 

[SueM in MN]

Here are some things I need help with:

1. Rental Car - Yes/No
2. GFCF friendly restaurants
3. Restaurants to avoid due to noise/layout/etc.
4. Anything Else I haven't thought of yet

Thanks for any advice

I think the rental car question depends on what parks you are going to. If you plan to mostly go to MK, you can just plan to use the boats from WL to MK and not bother with a rental car.
For the other parks, you will need to use the buses. If you plan to go to the other parks and using the buses will be a problem, then you would be best off with a rental car.

There are some links in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread that will help with the diet question. There are also some links in that same place about touring with ASD. Those should give you some ideas of other things to think about/other questions.
I thought there was a recent thread about restaurants, but I can't find it.

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

we took my ds (pdd-nos) to Whispering Canyon Cafe when he was 3 1/2 and it was NOT good. Waaaaaaaay too much stimulation. We've stayed at the WL 3 times and always love it. We have never rented a car since we drive, LOL, but the car always sits in the same parking space from check-in to check-out. There was never a time that we felt we needed the car, but I suppose it might make you feel secure to know that one was there... Also, depending on your child, we had some trouble with the boat from WL to MK, we were in the back, and it was just too loud for him. The bus works out great for us. Can't help you with the GFCF stuff, but from what I hear, if you call or let them know, almost anyplace can help you! The WL is so awesome, and it's such a great place to wind down after a day in the parks!!

 

[rachel3]

i have 2 children with high-functioning autism, ages 7, and 2. we have been to wdw every year since 2001. i have never had a problem with any restaurants. some of the thrill rides, such as dinosaur tend to be loud. my daughter rides them without a problem, but in the picture at the end of the ride she always has her hands over her ears. she still loves to ride it anyway!!! she also sometimes covers her ears during fireworks. she used to get upset, but now i guess she knows that covering her ears will make it better and then she enjoys the show/ride. i would suggest rental car. it was nice for us toward the end of the week when kids were tired to get into our own car instead of crowd on the bus. we stay at all star resorts and busing tends to be crowded. i;m not sure how the busing is at your resort. might want to check into that. the bus rides don't really bother my kids, it's just the large crowd in confined area. hope that helps. have fun on your trip.