This is the second time all of us are going to Orlando as a family. There are four of us: my husband, my older son Zachary (11-year-old with severe autism), and younger son Jason (8-year-old with moderate autism as well as tourette's syndrome), and myself. I have read and learned so much from this forum and decided to share my Disney experiences (but from a slightly different perspective as a mom touring with two children with disabilities) this time. I chose not to post this thread in the DisAbility board because I really would like to share some of the unique experiences with families of neurotypical children as well.
Zachary loves Disney. We live in the Los Angeles area, so we visit Disneyland/California Adventures often. He did go to Orlando with us when he was only 18 months old, and this was way before he got his diagnosis and we didn't have the slightest idea as to his social deficit and odd behavior. Zachary went back to Orlando last Summer, and he has been mentioning "airport" ever since. So we decided to book another trip. Yes, we as parents often do just anything to put a smile on his face, no matter how briefly the smile might last.
Jason loves just about anything. Since he doesn't have much trouble with traveling long distance, he and I visited Orlando (yes, sadly without his brother and dad) twice in 2004. Jason is determined to swim (oh well, more like playing in the water) in a different swimming pool in Orlando this time.
Our trip planning started a couple of months ago. We couldn't decide if we wanted to take a nonstop flight from LAX to Orlando or to fly out from Ontario Airport(which is a lot closer and more convenient but we would have to change planes). We finally decided to fly out of Ontario, but it took me a long time to do online search to figure out the best dates/fares. After everything was said and done, my husband found this "crowd calendar" online and decided we needed to changes all the dates again. Well, it sort of worked out because the new fares for the new dates were actually less although we had to pay a $50 penalty per person. The lady at Delta whom I spoke to couldn't be any more understanding and accomendating. It was nice not having to explain what autism is and argue as to why special assistance is requested. Now I am just keeping my finger crossed hoping Zachary would not have any panic attack and Jason would not scream on top his lungs during the flight. We chose the red eye flight out thinking the kids would just sleep thru it. However, there is no red eye flight coming back. I am just really hoping everything would work out.
We are flying out to Orlando on 2/1 and coming back on 2/14. We are renting a minivan from Alamo and would stay in four different places: Reunion Resort, Saratoga Springs, Nickelodeon, and Bonnet Creek (3 nites each). Yes, we actually considering hotel hopping fun and a big part of the vacation experience. Both kids like sampling new places to stay, and so do the grown-ups in the family!
Yes, this is only the beginning of my trip report...We are taking our laptop this time, so hopefully I can keep updates as the days go...
Zachary loves Disney. We live in the Los Angeles area, so we visit Disneyland/California Adventures often. He did go to Orlando with us when he was only 18 months old, and this was way before he got his diagnosis and we didn't have the slightest idea as to his social deficit and odd behavior. Zachary went back to Orlando last Summer, and he has been mentioning "airport" ever since. So we decided to book another trip. Yes, we as parents often do just anything to put a smile on his face, no matter how briefly the smile might last.
Jason loves just about anything. Since he doesn't have much trouble with traveling long distance, he and I visited Orlando (yes, sadly without his brother and dad) twice in 2004. Jason is determined to swim (oh well, more like playing in the water) in a different swimming pool in Orlando this time.
Our trip planning started a couple of months ago. We couldn't decide if we wanted to take a nonstop flight from LAX to Orlando or to fly out from Ontario Airport(which is a lot closer and more convenient but we would have to change planes). We finally decided to fly out of Ontario, but it took me a long time to do online search to figure out the best dates/fares. After everything was said and done, my husband found this "crowd calendar" online and decided we needed to changes all the dates again. Well, it sort of worked out because the new fares for the new dates were actually less although we had to pay a $50 penalty per person. The lady at Delta whom I spoke to couldn't be any more understanding and accomendating. It was nice not having to explain what autism is and argue as to why special assistance is requested. Now I am just keeping my finger crossed hoping Zachary would not have any panic attack and Jason would not scream on top his lungs during the flight. We chose the red eye flight out thinking the kids would just sleep thru it. However, there is no red eye flight coming back. I am just really hoping everything would work out.
We are flying out to Orlando on 2/1 and coming back on 2/14. We are renting a minivan from Alamo and would stay in four different places: Reunion Resort, Saratoga Springs, Nickelodeon, and Bonnet Creek (3 nites each). Yes, we actually considering hotel hopping fun and a big part of the vacation experience. Both kids like sampling new places to stay, and so do the grown-ups in the family!
Yes, this is only the beginning of my trip report...We are taking our laptop this time, so hopefully I can keep updates as the days go...
April
I'm also interested in hearing your take on the Reunion Resort...my company purchased a condo there earlier this year and I can't wait to stay there...the pictures of the place look STUNNING!!!
One thing I hear a lot is that he's consistently inconsistent and that is so true. 
My worst vacation idea was a camping trip for a week bigggg mistakeeee and
He did say he wants to go though. 
