Behavior problems and transportation questions

[Ecomommy09]

I'm full of questions today!

My ODD will be turning 10 the day before our trip (12/1-12/6). She doesn't have autism, per se, but presents somewhat similarly. SO...I'm using autism just so you can imagine what she is like. She has issues with impulse control and can become aggressive when stressed or upset. Mostly against Dad and I, but I feel quite embarrassed when it happens. We will be staying at BC. DH wants to rent a van and drive to all the parks because he is afraid she will have a meltdown on the bus. We are already planning to get there early (she's a pretty early riser) and leave by 2pm at the latest every day (no fireworks for us) so that she can have some down time in the hotel before dinner. I want to do 3 mornings at MK, 1 longer day at AK, and evenings at Epcot with a very relaxed pace there (maybe no rides, maybe just food and people watching). We'd love to try to eat at Saana once, though. I really want to go to the other resorts and see the Christmas decorations.

How much trouble is it to drive around between resorts?

How long are bus rides and bus waits? Would you recommend driving to avoid that if you have a child with a similarly severe presentation of autism or other behavioral condition?

And I'm going to get these wild girls ready for bed, so I may not respond until the morning, but thanks for ALL your help.

 

[Selket]

I don't travel with anyone who has the issues you mention but we've had good luck using uber on occasion. There's also the Minnie Van service. The worst part for busses is coming back at night from parks after fireworks (like from the MK) - the waits can be long. If you leave before Illuminations or whatever the night show is for Epcot you may find the bus wait not too bad - but you'd want to actually leave before it starts and not wait around. We haven't taken a car in awhile but we used to have no problems driving to the parks or other resorts so it doesn't seem like a bad plan either.

 

[gap2368]

It is easer to drive at Disney ( when the park closes it can and dose get crowded when driving

 

[DisneyOma]

Driving to the parks is fine, but the lots are huge. Would she melt down waiting for the tram or the long walk back to the car? There may be a way to have one parent go get the car and drive up closer in some of the parks (not MK)

 

[momto3pirates]

We used the Minnie Vans last time with our daughter. She has similar issues. It made a huge difference in our trip. Buses are really hard for her and subsequently us so not waiting was great.

 

[Ecomommy09]

Driving to the parks is fine, but the lots are huge. Would she melt down waiting for the tram or the long walk back to the car? There may be a way to have one parent go get the car and drive up closer in some of the parks (not MK)

That’s another good question! She has a pediatric wheelchair, so I’m not sure where the handicapped parking is. I was imagining it wasn’t too far from the gate.

But, it’s the waiting around that kills her, so even if it was a good distance to the door, as long as she was moving she’d probably be ok!

 

[Ecomommy09]

We used the Minnie Vans last time with our daughter. She has similar issues. It made a huge difference in our trip. Buses are really hard for her and subsequently us so not waiting was great.

That was another thought! Was it more expensive than renting a car? Were their car seats? Was it easy to order one?

I had been reading that they were difficult to come by and often very slow. This had actually been my original plan! Just order Lyfts to get us around, but then I started to worry when I read complaints.

 

[ThinkBelieveDream&Dare]

That was another thought! Was it more expensive than renting a car? Were their car seats? Was it easy to order one?

I had been reading that they were difficult to come by and often very slow. This had actually been my original plan! Just order Lyfts to get us around, but then I started to worry when I read complaints.

Hi @Ecomommy09 If your little one is ok with taxis (Some kiddies don't like being in close proximity of someone they don't know) I would definitely use Lyft rather than rent a car to drive yourself, the journey between parks and resorts can be very long, so getting a Lyft could be less stressful for you parents. She'd have both of you to distract her and make the journey seem shorter. If you order via the app you can plan to pace yourselves getting to the pick up point as they give you a timestamp and destination place. Also bear in mind that taking a cab from outside the lobby works out loads more than using the app. Good luck with whatever you decide I hope you have a magical time

 

[TikiBabe]

Be aware that at that time of the year, EPCOT will not be "chill" to hang out in the evenings. There will be people there for Festival of the Holidays and also the decorations, new fireworks, and more. Spaceship Earth may be closing for refurbishment by then, so there will be less to do in Future World with the construction.

Just making you aware.

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[KayaWildfire]

I would honestly drive, especially since you plan to get there early and can park in the handicapped area so you will be able walk in from the parking lot without issue. The problem with the bus and the wheelchair is that you will be loaded onto the bus first, but it may not be the first bus because each bus can only take two wheelchairs/scooters. And then you have to load everyone else, drive to the parks, unload everyone else, and then wheelchairs get off last. Sounds like too much waiting to me.

 

[Mrsjvb]

definitely skip buses. as soon as you mentioned having a WC, your options became limited WRT long waits being problematic. since you are staying on site, you get free parking at the parks anyway. as for Uber/Lyft.. I'd skip those as well. you can never be sure of the condition the vehicle will be in regarding storage space. I have no experience with the Minnie vans.

I also suggest doing Valet parking at AK when you have a meal at Saana( excellent choice BTW) and giving yourself time to just wander around the resort.

 

[Lilsia]

What I would do is walk around the resorts in shifts. For example, when you are at MK, go to the monorail resorts and WL. Then on an Epcot evening, walk around the Beach Club, etc. You can get through almost all of the Deluxe resorts this way.

 

[mamabunny]

It's always OK to be full of questions around here

You certainly don't have to share anything more than you want to; just thought I would share a couple of ideas for your impatient little one

I know you probably already have a "device" (like an iPad or an iPod Touch, or an old smartphone without a SIM card) that she can play games on - maybe bring that to offer an activity while waiting? I know that we all want our kids to be *present* at WDW, and soaking up every minute of the Magic, but it's OK have an alternate activity to do while waiting

Would she benefit from having a way to retreat from stimulus during those waiting times? If so, there's always the "hoodie/sunglasses" idea, where you pull up a hoodie and wear a pair of shades to help cut down on some of the (admittedly overwhelming) visual and auditory stimuli around you at WDW. Some kids even like a blanket they can retreat *under* with their preferred device.

I know you are probably already aware of these (and other) tactics; I just know that when I'm planning a WDW trip, sometimes a little reminder helps

 

[Ecomommy09]

It's always OK to be full of questions around here

You certainly don't have to share anything more than you want to; just thought I would share a couple of ideas for your impatient little one

I know you probably already have a "device" (like an iPad or an iPod Touch, or an old smartphone without a SIM card) that she can play games on - maybe bring that to offer an activity while waiting? I know that we all want our kids to be *present* at WDW, and soaking up every minute of the Magic, but it's OK have an alternate activity to do while waiting

Would she benefit from having a way to retreat from stimulus during those waiting times? If so, there's always the "hoodie/sunglasses" idea, where you pull up a hoodie and wear a pair of shades to help cut down on some of the (admittedly overwhelming) visual and auditory stimuli around you at WDW. Some kids even like a blanket they can retreat *under* with their preferred device.

I know you are probably already aware of these (and other) tactics; I just know that when I'm planning a WDW trip, sometimes a little reminder helps

Thanks for the suggestions! She’s pretty happy in her wheelchair. She’s typically sensory seeking, which is why I think waits are so hard on her. She just can’t believe nothing is happening! She’s got her pad, but she won’t wear hoods or headphones. . It makes plane trips difficult. Im not sure how to teach her to do it. Her favorite is a silly little handheld speaker that has Bluetooth from our phone. She likes to dance to whatever we’ve got on.

I think they’ll let her have a DAS pass, so we shouldn’t have to wait in too many horrible lines. I also have a very minimalist touring plan. My hope is 2 Fastpass rides, 1fastpass Princess (for little sister), and one DAS ride per day, plus some other easy thing (boat ride to Tom Sawyer, parade, etc). If we do that, I’ll consider the whole thing a success.

I was disappointed there may not be early morning magic. I was going to pay to take YDD so she could meet more princesses without ODD having to wait with us. Oh well, we will do our best! I think it will be fun one way or the other!

 

[smiths02]

Our children don't face transportation issues, and we still prefer to drive between resorts and parks.
The only exception would be MK because of the secondary transportation required from TTC. We do use buses to MK, but in your situation, I would consider an Uber/Lyft to Contemporary and then walking to MK.

 

[Ecomommy09]

Our children don't face transportation issues, and we still prefer to drive between resorts and parks.
The only exception would be MK because of the secondary transportation required from TTC. We do use buses to MK, but in your situation, I would consider an Uber/Lyft to Contemporary and then walking to MK.

That’s a good idea!

 

[lanejudy]

I was disappointed there may not be early morning magic. I was going to pay to take YDD so she could meet more princesses without ODD having to wait with us.

Do you mean Early Morning Magic (EMM) - which is an extra paid add-on (scheduled as an ADR though certain rides are open)? Or Extra Magic Hours (EMH) which is the free one-hour early admission for anyone with an on-site resort stay (WDW resorts and a few off-site locations). The morning EMH dates seem to be dwindling, but the December schedule isn't out yet so it remains to be seen.

I don't think EMM offers much in the way of "more" princesses, or even many meet & greets. It's mainly a few specific rides plus a breakfast.

EMH may have some meet & greets during that hour, I'm not sure. Folks on the TPAS forum can advise about meet & greets. Here is another recent thread about meeting princesses specifically.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Ecomommy09]

Do you mean Early Morning Magic (EMM) - which is an extra paid add-on (scheduled as an ADR though certain rides are open)? Or Extra Magic Hours (EMH) which is the free one-hour early admission for anyone with an on-site resort stay (WDW resorts and a few off-site locations). The morning EMH dates seem to be dwindling, but the December schedule isn't out yet so it remains to be seen.

I don't think EMM offers much in the way of "more" princesses, or even many meet & greets. It's mainly a few specific rides plus a breakfast.

EMH may have some meet & greets during that hour, I'm not sure. Folks on the TPAS forum can advise about meet & greets. Here is another recent thread about meeting princesses specifically.

Enjoy your vacation!

Correct, EMM. You can meet all four princesses at fairytale hall during EMM. Plus the rides, it sounded worth it to me to save fast passes for the non Fairytale hall characters.

‘The Fun
Greet the day the early-morning-fun way with these 7 iconic Fantasyland attractions:

• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Peter Pan’s Flight!*
• Princess Fairytale Hall
• “it’s a small world”
• Mad Tea Party
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid’

From: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/early-morning-magic/

They might bring it back after all these extra EMH are over for whatever is happening at HS (I was raised by trekkies, so SW is not so much my thing)

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks for the suggestions! She’s pretty happy in her wheelchair. She’s typically sensory seeking, which is why I think waits are so hard on her. She just can’t believe nothing is happening! She’s got her pad, but she won’t wear hoods or headphones. . It makes plane trips difficult. Im not sure how to teach her to do it. Her favorite is a silly little handheld speaker that has Bluetooth from our phone. She likes to dance to whatever we’ve got on.

I think they’ll let her have a DAS pass, so we shouldn’t have to wait in too many horrible lines. I also have a very minimalist touring plan. My hope is 2 Fastpass rides, 1fastpass Princess (for little sister), and one DAS ride per day, plus some other easy thing (boat ride to Tom Sawyer, parade, etc). If we do that, I’ll consider the whole thing a success.

I was disappointed there may not be early morning magic. I was going to pay to take YDD so she could meet more princesses without ODD having to wait with us. Oh well, we will do our best! I think it will be fun one way or the other!

I worry a bit about the handheld speaker. Is there any way to work on her wearing headphones? If you bring it to the parks I would worry about her wanting to use it on rides, which would not go over well with other guests. And are you flying? She won't be allowed to use any device that makes noise without headphones.

 

[Ecomommy09]

I worry a bit about the handheld speaker. Is there any way to work on her wearing headphones? If you bring it to the parks I would worry about her wanting to use it on rides, which would not go over well with other guests. And are you flying? She won't be allowed to use any device that makes noise without headphones.

OH, Yes! That's the problem. She can't use it anywhere but at home, so it doesn't really matter if I have her iPad, etc...she can't hear it. So crazy. She's always got to be a problem!