ASD + Parades

[MJ6987]

Hi,
Are there any special "less crowded" areas for children with ASD (and their families) to stand to watch parades? Or are such areas for physically disabled people only? We will have a GAC.
Thanks,
Matthew

 

[Eeyore5]

I am not sure about less crowed areas. The ones that are for people in wheelchairs aren't any less crowed :

 

[LMC]

We usually pick a spot about 2 hours before the parade. We get something to eat and just sit there and relax. My DH was in an ECV last trip and on some days DS was in a WC so we were able to corden off an area for the 5 of us. When it is time for the parade my kids get right at the rope and me and DH get behind them. We have never had a problem with getting a spot or appropriate space when we do this. The key is probably having the WC for DS so he still has his space away from other people.

 

[SueM in MN]

Depending on the message on the GAC, you may be able to use the handicapped viewing areas.
But, as the other posters mentioned, those are often very crowded and you do need to get there early to get a spot (plus the person with a disability needs to stay in the handicapped viewing area).
Normally, the wheelchairs and ECVs are parked, nearly touching each other, across the front of the viewing area. There is space for the rest of the party to stand behind the wheelchair.

Some of the handicapped viewing areas are not very deep (the one in Frontierland), so there is space only for one wheelchair and the people standing right by it in the depth.
Some others are very deep and if your child would not tolerate being at the front of the space, your family could hang back with him at the back of the space. You would be far enough back in many cases to still see. This works at the MK parade viewing spot in front of the castle and also some of the viewing areas at AK for the afternoon parade.

I agree with the other posters that you may have much better luck just finding a spot outside of the handicapped viewing area and arranging the rest of your party to act as 'buffers' for your child.

 

[MJ6987]

OK thanks all

 

[ratlenhum]

We usually get a spot early, and try to find a spot next to a wall, a planter, or at a corner ( you can see where the ropes will be put up) and stake out our spot. We sit my son next to the fixture that is there with us on the other side. This way we can give him a little space and there is no stranger next to him that he can bother, or that can bump, touch or in any way set off a sensory or anxiety reaction in my son.

 

[mamacate]

You know the saying "everybody loves a parade?" Not my ASD kid. I really enjoy the parades, my partner even more so, but we've had to tag team on seeing them. My son wants to high-tail it to Tom Sawyer Island when the parade happens (which actually is nice because it's pretty quiet over there at that point). I'd suggest having someone on tap who's willing to leave the parade area with your ASD child--the crowds and noise can be pretty intense for our kids. Then again, you never know--he might love every minute of it.

Cate

 

[JACH1976]

Not a special area, but try finding a spot in Frontierland- maybe we've just been there at low times, but we found that it's not as crowded as Mainstreet. Also, depending on your child's age, we found that being in a stroller helped our son deal with the crowds. Finally, you might find that ear phones help him/her handle the noise better. Hope you have fun!