Autistic Children and 3-D Shows

[JohnnySharp2]

Hi

My son Joshua is 9 and Autistic and wondered if anyone had taken their autistic children to any of the 3-D shows at WDW and Universal, like Shrek, muppet show, etc and what they experienced.

I have seen Shrek many times and would love to take him to see the show but I don't think he has the patience to stand for 20 minutes watching the pre-show at the beginning with the crowd. I think sitting in the seats for Skrek won't be a problem.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[mamaminnie]

You know your child best, my ds didn't love those movies when he was younger (for some reason he was scared of Shrek at US/IOA the most) but now at 8 he loves them.

Philharmagic is his favorite.

If it seems too intense you could always leave (I would ask a CM for an aisle seat) Or just remove the glasses.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

He doesn't really understand the characters so he is not really familiar with Shrek, however there is a chance he could still like the ride as well as other similar 3D effect one's.
It's the pre-show that's the problem, even with a GAC pass you cannot guatantee getting straight on these sort of rides.
Most of the others are not a problem, ET/Woody Woodpecker, all the kid's rides at Fantasyland etc - it's just the sit down show type one's like Shrek/Muppet 3D that we would like to try him on.

 

[sadeeyore]

My DS is 10 and is autistic. He loves the 3D shows, although he finds most of the pre-shows difficult, apart from The Muppets. Not sure why he loves the Muppets so much, as he really doesn't know the characters.
DS really loved Philarmagic as well.
Also DS doesn't often wear the 3D glasses, I think he finds the shows too intense with them on. He will hold them in his hand and sometimes will put them on for a few seconds.
We spend most of the pre-shows reminding our DS to be as quiet as he can be, by talking quietly to him or signing and reminding him what he is waiting to see.
If you are concerned about the pre-shows maybe you could ask a CM at the attraction if you would be able to leave if your DS was finding it hard to cope with.

edited to add-
Just noticed your countdown , looks like we arrive the week after you .

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

the 3-D shows? my personal opinion....no, no, just say no!
We took my ds6 (who has an ASD) to Philarmagic and it was the
WORST part of our 6 day trip. I could cry every time I think about
how upset he was. We (obviously) had to leave and it took a good
hour for him to calm down and he talked about it for a long time after that.
Hope it works out if you decide to do it!

Hope you have a wonderful trip!!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[OKWMom]

My DD8 has really enjoyed Tough to Be a Bug and the Muppets. She won't wear the glasses at all, but she loves the sensory of the spraying water and puffs of air. We took her to TTBAB the first time when she was 6 and a lot of the other children were screaming with fear, but she was laughing her head off. She actually likes TTBAB more than the Muppets. I think it is because she is getting more of the sensory input.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for the response.

 

[KathyRN137]

I suppose it depends upon whether your son is sensory-seeking or sensory-defensive.

My autistic son refused to wear the 3-D glasses at age 5, but still enjoyed the movies. At ages 6 and 7 he loved all the 3-D movies and the special effects that go with them! In fact, I think they are his favorite WDW attractions now.

BTW, you don't have to stand around and watch the pre-show for the Muppets. The "show" runs/loads continuously and many's the time we wandered in halfway through the pre-show or have even missed it completely!

When he was younger and we were unsure about how he would be able to tolerate the effects, we asked a CM if we could sit in aisle seats close to the exit in case we needed to leave early. They will be happy to oblidge you with that request because the "best" seats are closer to the middle and most guests try to stop in the middle and take their seats. When it is not busy, CMs will pretty much let you sit where you want, but when it is busy they direct guests to move all the way to the ends of the aisles so all seats can be utilized.

Try it! What's the worst thing that can happen? So, you get up and leave if he doesn't like it; it's no big deal! Lots of typical kids don't like the effects and exit the show prematurely. In fact, the first time we saw ITTBAB at AK, my son laughed and laughed at all the effects, but his older sister was the one who got scared and I had to leave early with her and leave DS with his Dad to finish the show. (Good thing, really, I was able to miss the STINKbug!!)

Good Luck!
Kathy

 

[seven dwarfs]

My son has sensory intergration disorder and loves the 3-D shows. He does not always like the glasses and I could never do several shows in a row. He does not like HIStheA though. The Big snake is to much for him. I agree to sit close on the end near an exit and if it becomes to much you could just slip out. My son loves Philarmagic..I guess every child is different.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[JenJen]

My son still will not wear the glasses he hates those shows!!!! But we tried them several times and we just end up leaving.

 

[TinkTatoo]

My two (DS9 with Autism and DD8 with Aspergers) love Philharmagic and it's a must do every time we visit MK. They sat though the Muppets but weren't too impressed as they didn't know who the characters were. DD has since watched Muppets Wizard of Oz so we might try that one again. I would not take them to Tough to Be a Bug as I know the "scary" parts would freak DS out and DD isn't too keen on this one either. DD went to see Shrek with DH and really liked it but DS wouldn't go near it.

If you want a 3d show to try with Joshua then I'd pick Philharmagic - there are some lovely songs and nothing scary about it at all. You could show his GAC and ask to wait in the wheelchair access area (which is what we do as DS freaks with the amount of strangers close to him) When you get into the theatre pick a row at the back so that you can get up and leave quickly if you need to.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for all your replies they have been very helpful.

It's not an easy decision to make with Autistic children, and our DS wakes very early everyday between 4am - 5am, and with the heat, we have to see how he is at the time. We try to put DS on as many rides as possible before 11am. before the tiredness takes hold. But like you say we could ask the CM for seats near to the exit for a quick getaway if DS gets upset.

Julie not

 

[OKWMom]

I see your trip is very rapidly approaching. I hope you all have a great time. I noticed that you are planning to spend part of your stay at BWV and part at an off-site villa. We normally stay at OKW and my DD LOVES the jetted tub. We have used it to calm her on a great many afternoons.

BTW, nice picture update. Your DS is a handsome little guy.

 

[SueM in MN]

DS wakes very early everyday between 4am - 5am, and with the heat, we have to see how he is at the time. We try to put DS on as many rides as possible before 11am. before the tiredness takes hold. But like you say we could ask the CM for seats near to the exit for a quick getaway if DS gets upset.

Julie not

Being able to get to the parks early is good for a number of reasons - it's less crowded, lines are shorter (sometimes no wait at all) and it's cooler. So even though 4-5 am is a bit earlier than you would choose to get up, at least you will be able to get to the parks when they open.
In most of the theaters (all that I can think of actually), you come in one door and the exit will be directly opposite - at the other end of the rows. So, when you come into the theater, you want to go all the way to the other end of the row.

I suppose it depends upon whether your son is sensory-seeking or sensory-defensive.

Very good point. What is wonderful for someone who is sensory-seeking might be torture for someone who is sensory-defensive.

So, the best advice might be to find out as much as possible about what heppens in each show so you know what to expect/what might be problems or things the particular child might enjoy.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I see your trip is very rapidly approaching. I hope you all have a great time. I noticed that you are planning to spend part of your stay at BWV and part at an off-site villa. We normally stay at OKW and my DD LOVES the jetted tub. We have used it to calm her on a great many afternoons.

BTW, nice picture update. Your DS is a handsome little guy.

Thanks, we are staying in Orlando for 3 weeks so we thought it would be a change for us to stay at a resort for part. We are taking our DS to 2 character breakfasts for the first time. We've had a rehearsal at home with the food, so we have been feeding him on scrabbled egg, hash browns and streaky bacon just hope he likes the characters too. I can't wait
DS loves water, we will have to try him in the jet tub too

Julie not

 

[disneygal66]

My Autistic DS is 6. We went on our first trip last November when he was 5. He went nuts over Philharmagic!!!! We went to see it at least 4 or 5 times. I don't know if you are aware of the GAC (guest assistance card). You can get it at Guest Relations and you can use it to get seated in the back close to an exit in case your DS does'nt like the show. Also, we took earplugs for our kids as the shows and music can be very loud at all the parks. It helped a lot!

Hope you have a terrific "magical" trip!!

 

[tmli]

DS (10, ASD) has been going since he was three and HATES all things 3-D. This past visit he finally agredd to go in to philharmagic but would not wear the glasses. He was very anxious through the entire thing....but he did it!

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't know if you are aware of the GAC (guest assistance card). You can get it at Guest Relations and you can use it to get seated in the back close to an exit in case your DS does'nt like the show. Also, we took earplugs for our kids as the shows and music can be very loud at all the parks. It helped a lot!

Hope you have a terrific "magical" trip!!

If you need more information about GACs, look in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board. One of the posts in that thread is about GACs.