Autism & Disney Cruise...opinions please

[BlondeAlligator]

I have a DD age 5 with autism...she is a HUGE Disney nut (Can't imagine where she got it!) & has been to the World 4 times already. We would love to take the cruise, but I don't know how they would handle her needs in the kids club/activities. Has anyone had any experience with this? It's not like we would leave her there all day, in fact, quite the opposite. But it woul dbe nice to get a massage or have a nice dinner just DH and me while onboard.

Please let me know what you guys have experienced. Thanks!

 

[lucigo]

My 4-1/2 yo son with autism has been on 8 carnival cruises and we absolutely love it. Because he goes to ESE pre-K he is used to being away from us and knows how to behave so the camp counselors end up loving having him. We always write a letter ahead of time explaining our needs and a little about his condition. If you would like to email me I would be happy to show you a copy of the letter. Although we haven't cruised with Disney I would guess you will have a great time.

 

[Tissa]

I'm thinking of taking our first Disney cruise next year but I have a million worries about taking my autistic son. Will he freak with the whole safety drill thing and refuse to wear the lifejacket etc... The kids club is a big one too.

 

[jndmommy]

I am glad to see I am not the only worry wort around. We were very close to doing the Disney Cruise this summer. However, I just couldn't get over my worries about my ds (4) who has hfa/aspergers. I cannot imagine what his reaction would be to the drill, fireworks being too close for comfort, etc. I chickened out and just went with going back to WDW again. My dh says we are definitely going for it next year. We'll see Happy vacationing whatever you decide on.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

Maybe we should all go on the same cruise! Our kids would have each other & we would have moral support onboard!!

Seriously, I think we will try this in 2009. DD is fine with being away from us but I think one more year of developing her communication skills would be beneficial. I didn't even think about the drills! And what's this about fireworks? On a ship?? Wow...it all sounds so cool, we really have to try it. Maybe a 3-night one first...

Still looking for opinions from someone who's been there-done that!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The fireworks are on "Pirate's Night" and they are fired off the stern.

And a side note, you may want to be sure you do not have a verandah but only a window, depending on if your daughter likes to climb and how she is at opening doors.

 

[squirrelgirl]

Hi all! I know there are a number of threads on this very subject if you do a search. I had posted on it many times...both in terms of planning our very first cruise with my then 5 y.o. ds who is on the spectrum, and then afterwards to help any others who might have questions.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. I am by no means an expert, and we all know each child is sooo different. I can tell you that it was a huge turning point developmentally, emotionally, everything for my son. It was not without challenges, and I was very nervous about everything, but without question, it was a huge turning point for him (the teachers joked that a Disney cruise should be written into his IEP!).

Feel free to contact me if you wish. That first cruise was back in summer 2005. We went again in 2006 when we found a great deal in the fall. The ship is coming back here to California this summer...we can't wait!!!

Squirrelgirl

 

[lucigo]

Maybe we should all go on the same cruise! Our kids would have each other & we would have moral support onboard!! !

There are autism cruises put together by a company in Florida, but they are on Royal Caribbean. Not sure if I can post a link, but try googling Autism on the Seas. I haven't been on one but they really look like a great idea!

 

[NJMomma]

We are taking our first Disney cruise in April. My son has PDD, but is really overall very high funtioning. We've cruised before with our son, but not on Disney. I know he can do the muster drill, but I have soome concerns about the Oceaneer's Lab. We are going to try it though. I'll let you know how it goes after we get back!