Asperger & Fantasmic

[littlesuitcase]

I wonder if anyone with a child with Aspergers has been to Fantasmic. I understand there is a long wait and the crouds can be big. If you have gone, what have you done during the wait. We don't have a dinner reservation and there isn't anything available. We will get something to help us with crouds coming and going from lines (can't remember what the paper is called but we got it last time from guest services) Guest assistance card, maybe.

Thanks for your advice.
Helen

 

[Janet Hill]

We took our son's gameboy. We also made a big deal out of getting snacks to eat before the show. He was looking forward to the popcorn and pretzel almost as much as the show. We sat in the last row on an end to keep the crowd from feeling overwhellming and for easy exit if need be, but wasn't needed. He played his gameboy, ate and squirmed until it started. He was so into the show that the squirming stopped once the show started.

 

[mamaminnie]

We have used our GAC (guest assistance card) and explained to the cast member that we need to be seated on an aisle (not only for ds' easy escape but so as to not ruin the show for others)

We usually try to get there 1/2 hour early with snacks and light-up toys, and ds will play games on the call phone too.

Good luck and Enjoy my favorite night-time event.

 

[littlesuitcase]

Thanks - we have never been to fantasmic - or the illuminations so if someone can help me - for both. How do you know where to go? We can bring our gameboy - it is a great distraction as our son gets very into it when he plays. Almost like noone is there. When we lineup do we only need to do so a half hour before or is there a special place for people who have problems to lineup away from the main crowd? Do they seat you or is it first come and in a certain order. If so, how do you get an isle seat?

Any tips on illuminations and how it works?

Thanks,
Helen

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

We did this last spring with my son with Asperger's... I would use the handicapped entrance and explain to the CM- the regular entrance line was a Zoo.. Also, I would sit on an aisle and near the back if you think you may need to escape..Also, the sounds and lights are not as intense in the back.. Another thing we do, our son has noise sensitivities, is we bring his headphones for these kind of shows.....

 

[disneyelaine]

We were told we could not use any other entrance when we tried one time a few years back. Still it is a sore spot with me because I hear other people have been given GAC accomodations. You have no idea how many times we have tried to see Fantasmic, but my son's behavior would not allow it. Mostly we can not get him to do the parks after dark! Well the ONE time he held himself together after dark.....we only wanted a quiet spot to wait or go in thru another (back?) entrance. The CM was not interested in helping us at all. Just said the GAC could not be used there. No way we could fight that crowd so we left. Some day I hope to go back in a low season, like Feb or Sept and try again.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just to clarify, wheelchair users don't use a special entrance, so there is not handicapped entrance. Wheelchair users do go into the regular line until a point about halfway to the seating area. At that point, there is a waiting spot for wheelchair users and a CM comes and shows them to seats.

There are quite a few threads about Fantasmic. I don't have time to look right now, but if you search this board for Fantasmic, you will find a lot of helpful information.

 

[littlesuitcase]

Thanks - I will do a search and see what I come up with. It bothers me a lot that kids with autism/aspergers are not given considerations in these big crowds. Kind of judging a book by the cover as not all aspys look different but there reactions sure are!

Thanks again,
Helen

 

[littlesuitcase]

I have one question about exiting - is there anyway we can use our GAC to exit the theatre. Last time we were at WDW we did that after one of the shows (think LIon King or one of the stage shows). ENtering was not a big deal because we did it staggered but leaving was crazy and caused him a lot of axiety with people so close trying to leave and it was so slow. We asked to use the GAC and they said yes. Would that be possible at this theatre?

HElen

 

[tmli]

This is one of ds's favorites. We do the gameboy as well....make a big deal out of getting the snacks to bring to our seats. My number 1 tip for exit.....sit and relax!!!

We sit down near the front and after the show we wait about 5 mins. When it is clear, instead of walking to the back of the theater we walk down to the bottom....walk along the railing to the end of the theater (towards exit). We then walk up the stairs (they are a lot less busy by this time) and out with relatively (by usual standards) low crowds.

My aspergers son doesn't enjoy the loud bang of fireworks....if you haven't experienced the show yet, there are some fireworks to prepare for.

 

[SueM in MN]

There would really be no way to use the GAC to leave the theater after Fantasmic. There are 2 ways to enter (the way that people who did the dinner packages enter and the usual entrance). For emptying the theater, they open both entrances so people can leave either way.
We always just sit and wait until the theater is pretty empty. At that point, we start heading towards the exit. Most of the people will be ahead of you in a group, so you can go out with few people.
Also, on your way in, look to your left at the restrooms. When you are leaving, that is a good place to hang out for a while if you find crowds ahead of you. Most people just want to get out and that area is usually pretty quiet.

 

[missypie]

The Gameboy would work well with my son.

Here's another thing to think/worry about: The possibility of the show being cancelled due to rain. If your son is extremely upset when things don't go as planned, you might not want to go on a night when the weather is "iffy." One night we waited for 40 minutes, then right before it started, they called it due to bad weather. We all felt upset. Had it been 4 years earlier, DS would have totally lost it.

 

[mikesdisneymom]

My son has been diagnosed with Asperger's and ADHD recently and after our trip to WDW and Fantasmic. Being a very squirmy little boy and very loud, I found it helpful to have toys and sit in the last row so that he could stand up and not have to sit the entire time, it is so hard for him to sit still, but with toys and being in the back it was easy for him to be able to play and not have to sit.

 

[SueM in MN]

My son has been diagnosed with Asperger's and ADHD recently and after our trip to WDW and Fantasmic. Being a very squirmy little boy and very loud, I found it helpful to have toys and sit in the last row so that he could stand up and not have to sit the entire time, it is so hard for him to sit still, but with toys and being in the back it was easy for him to be able to play and not have to sit.

just to clarify - the very back row is spots for people to park wheelchairs and ECVs, with a few seats scattered in for a companion to accompany the people using wheelchairs/ECV. The rest of their party sit in the row right in front of the back row.
People with wheelchairs or ECVs don't need a GAC to be in the last rows. Anyone else who needs to sit in those rows (like the family of the poster above) would need to have a GAC to sit there.

 

[mikesdisneymom]

My sincere apologies, for any misunderstanding, I was with a person in a ecv, so we were able to sit in the back.

 

[SueM in MN]

My sincere apologies, for any misunderstanding, I was with a person in a ecv, so we were able to sit in the back.

no apology necessary.
Depending on the GAC the person has, they may be able to sit in that area. I just didn't want anyone to plan on sitting there without knowing they would need a GAC.

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

We did this last spring with my son with Asperger's... I would use the handicapped entrance and explain to the CM- the regular entrance line was a Zoo.. Also, I would sit on an aisle and near the back if you think you may need to escape..Also, the sounds and lights are not as intense in the back.. Another thing we do, our son has noise sensitivities, is we bring his headphones for these kind of shows.....

What a great idea. I never would have thought to bring DS's headphones. He uses them all the time for the D-derby, but I didn't even think to bring them along for the fireworks. Thank you.

I'm fairly new to this board and I also didn't know about the GAC, I'm going to look into getting one of those. My DS (will be 11 when we go) was diagnosed with Aspergers a couple of years ago. While he has more good than bad days, having this card would make it alot easier if he had a breakdown. We went to disneyland about two years ago and he did great there.

 

[SueM in MN]

What a great idea. I never would have thought to bring DS's headphones. He uses them all the time for the D-derby, but I didn't even think to bring them along for the fireworks. Thank you.

I'm fairly new to this board and I also didn't know about the GAC, I'm going to look into getting one of those. My DS (will be 11 when we go) was diagnosed with Aspergers a couple of years ago. While he has more good than bad days, having this card would make it alot easier if he had a breakdown. We went to disneyland about two years ago and he did great there.

If you haven't already, check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread. There is a section about GACs. Even if you don't use it, having one is good 'insurance'.

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

If you haven't already, check out the disABILITIES FAQs thread. There is a section about GACs. Even if you don't use it, having one is good 'insurance'.

I agree, it is good "insurance". I'm not planning on having to use it, but it would be nice to have it if I need it.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

just to clarify - the very back row is spots for people to park wheelchairs and ECVs, with a few seats scattered in for a companion to accompany the people using wheelchairs/ECV. The rest of their party sit in the row right in front of the back row.
People with wheelchairs or ECVs don't need a GAC to be in the last rows. Anyone else who needs to sit in those rows (like the family of the poster above) would need to have a GAC to sit there.

I will add to this. If that other poster is sitting in FRONT of this wheelchair section, please don't let your kid stand up and block the view of wheelchairs behind him.