Best money spent at WDW for your kids

[disneynewman]

Here's a fun little poll (I think so anyway)
What's the best 'extra' money that you spent on your child w/ a disability in the parks. I have often thought about doing one of the fireworks cruises or the Hoop Dee Doo, but wasn't sure how well it would go over for my son with Autism. Is there something you splurged on that was worth every penny?

As if splurging to go to WDW isn't enough

 

[OKWMom]

I think our best splurge for our autistic daughter are the character breakfasts. She LOVES hugging and touching the characters but has a difficult time waiting in line to see them. She has a much easier time waiting her turn in the restaurants and some of my absolute favorite pics were taken during those breakfasts.

My daughter also wouldn't do the fireworks cruise due to the loud noise. Someone on this board recommended watching them from the beach at the Poly. We planned dinner at Kona one night and watched the fireworks afterwards. I have to tell you, it was the first time she had ever really watched a fireworks show in its entirety and she loved every minute of it. She laughed and squealed as the colors burst above her head. I'm planning on a return trip to the Poly during our upcoming trip.

My other splurge prior to becoming a DVC member was that we stayed at a DVC resort so she could have more room and the jacuzzi. We discovered that having our own kitchen for the times when dining out was impossible and having the jacuzzi for her sensory needs was a life saver. So much so that we bought a membership into OKW.

 

[Scutapipig]

Two things come to mind...

The Family Magic Tour. It was $25/person for two hours and my son thought it was the neatest thing ever! You literally hop, skip, and jump through the Magic Kingdom on a scavenger hunt with a surprise at the end. It is a lot of walking which had us a bit concerned since my son wanders at a very slow pace, but with plenty of water, he kept right up with the group so he wouldn't miss a thing. I have to say, the more the parent is involved in the hopping, the skipping, and the jumping, the more fun it is! It's a great family event and I really can't recall any part that would not be accessible to a stroller or wheelchair.

The Electric Water Pageant. We found a quiet spot on the beach at the Wilderness Lodge and enjoyed the show. No cost at all!

I have to say I agree with the Character Meals, too.

 

[BeckyScott]

I'm glad to read those suggestions.

I am planning on doing several character dinners- mostly because to me it's worth the money to not have to wait in line in the parks for greetings. And because DS is living at his own pace, and if a character is out in the open by the time we get to them there will already be a crowd. A character dinner, we get the same chance as everyone else, and I think I can steer him clear in the parks if he knows he's going to get to meet them later. I mean, if all goes well, he won't even know Toon Town exists. Just keeeeep walking.

This 4th we discovered that DS does really well with fireworks if he has earplugs. They have to be the little ones, not the big earmuffs. My husband had an extra pair of the ones he wears at work in our truck, and tried them on Justin. He actually left them alone (big surprise) and took his hands off his ears and paid attention. Very cool. So now we know, anything loud, earplugs go in.