ASD/Noise level/Crystal Palace/Hoop Dee Doo

[Lisa0620]

I'm planning our second trip to Disney with our 2 boys; our oldest (7) has Asperger's. He did really well the first trip. We did not get a GAC, we used Tour Guide Mike to avoid lines and brought earplugs. I was so worried about over challenging him on the first trip that I may have erred in the other direction. We did not even attempt Fantasmic, parades, fireworks or character meals. We happened to be walking past when they brought Buzz out in Tomorrowland and our younger son got to meet and greet without a line and LOVED it. DS7 enjoyed watching, but did NOT want any part of actually meeting Buzz. I would like to try some character meals for our next trip. Ohana breakfast with Stitch is our first choice b/c both boys adore Stitch. Garden Grill sounds good because it's quiet and I can put DS7 next to me on the inside of the booth where he'll feel safe. I read such mixed things about CP. That it can be a nice relaxing lunch -or- that it's super loud, crowded, and full of screaming kids. We can manage the noise with earplugs/earphones, we can request a bench against the wall to separate him from "the action". Is that enough? I hate to miss out if it's a great experience, but I don't want to push him too far. Can anyone share a positive or negative experience? Same thing with Hoop Dee Doo. I think he would enjoy the show, but it sounds like they corrall you into a crowded noisy area before to make you take a picture or something? That would produce a lot of anxiety for him. Again, have others found that it's "worth it"?
I know all our kids are different and sometimes when you "push" kids out of their comfort zone it's amazing and sometimes it's NOT. So I realize your good/bad experience may not translate to us, but I still think it's helpful to hear about others. Thanks so much.

 

[nursymel]

We are off to the World again on Wednesday.It will be DS (5)'s 6th trip and 6th character breakfast at CP. CP and Chef Mickey's (at the Contemporary) are my 2 faves.We usually get a 10:30 (ish)am seating.We find it's not as crowded and it covers us for breakfast and lunch.We usually end up with an out of the way table ,like next to the window,by chance.But,you certainly can request one .DS has some hypersensitivity to noises .This one I don't find to be loud.There is a parade that lasts all of 3 minutes ,where it may be a little louder.The characters make there way around from table to table,so no line waiting (thank GOD).I have not been to Ohana.The others we have been to are Hollywood & Vine (breakfast and dinner) and Donald's Restaurantasaurus (Animal Kingdom).H&V is nice ,but I found by dinner time DS is DONE and we are better off with counter service.I would AVOID Mickey's Backyard BBQ (dinner at Fort Wilderness) it's loud and chaotic and not for our kids! Hope that helps and I hope you ALL have a magical trip!!!

 

[nursymel]

OOPS...by the way just to let you know ,DS has Asperger's/High Functioning Autism..

 

[bookwormde]

We have done character meals in the past and they went OK although we have picked some of the more sedate ones. We did hoop-dee-doo our last visit. I tried to get tier 2 reservations in the second floor balcony but they were not available so we did a floor table. I requested a table near the perimeter, which we got. Our DS 10 aspergers had a blast (quite loudly), he loves slap stick so I think he would have tolerated anything but where we were it was not to bad even without hearing protections. The wait to get in was a little challenging but workable. We even had a birthday recognition and cake for one of his cousins and even adding all that he was fine. I am not so sure that it would have been this easy if we had been out in the middle of the floor with all the extra activity.

bookwormde

 

[Lisa0620]

Thanks, nursymel! Good to hear something positive about CP. I think I'm struggling with this one especially b/c my kids aren't even that into Pooh - it would really be for me... If he's really engaged, like with Stitch, I know he'll be able to handle the commotion, but if he's not that into it, well...

That's a great point about avoiding dinner things. He does get sort of sensoried out by the end of the day, so maybe Hoop De Doo should be out on that basis alone... Nice to "meet" another Aspie mom!

 

[Lisa0620]

thanks, bookwormde; good to know about the perimeter seating and that the wait can be doable. The reference to your son enjoying it loudly cracked me up, I can definitely relate to that!

 

[bookwormde]

If it is operating when you are there the stitch (DS10 is a big fan) stage show in tomorrow land (not the “ride”) was a lot of fun for both my boys, it was uncrowned and the MC was very engaging (I think DS 10 was trying to figure out the 60’s miniskirts also) not to spoil it but Stitch blew up the planet that he gave to my younger DS, very funny. There were rumors that it was going to be reworked so I do not know its status.

Oh yea if I have not allready (you know aspie memory for names) I wanted to welcome you and invite you over to the disabilites community board where we lots of parnets of spectrum children.

bookwormde

 

[DVCisME]

When we do Hoop-de-doo we walk around the campground instead of waiting with everyone else. Generally it is not that lound, and even the playground is quite since it is later in the day.
We have also done CP and requested a table on the outer wall by the window. It was really quite even when the characters came around. Almost like you were in a different restaurant.

 

[bookmama]

Thank y'all for this information. we think my nephew has asperger/high functioning autism. He's going to be tested very soon. But we're planning a trip to DW and this let's me know what we can and can't do. He is very sensitive to noise.

 

[KathyRN137]

Hi! We've visited WDW many times with our autistic son (age 11). Our first trip was when he was five years old. We've been to the CP and the HDDR multiple times and even though Billy is usually sensitive to loud noise, he never had a problem.

A tip: When you check in to any restaurant, mention to the hostess that your son has Asperger's and is noise-sensitive. Request a table by a window or wall so you are not seated in the midst of the noisy frey! I have found that this really helps. You might possibly have to wait a few minutes for a "good" table to become available, but it will result in a much better dining experience overall.

Have fun!


Kathy