Disney done differently, (BOG dining updates pages 202 and 203)

[lovethattink]

We follow the kids lead. Leave when they look like they are going to melt. We don't plan much other then where we are going. Then we always have a exit plan if our oldest melts.
Our oldest is scared to death of winnie the pooh so we avoid him at all costs. He is better but we don't push our luck. It is really hard because winnie the pooh is everywhere (on clothes and the stores are full of him)
We have learned to stop and smell the roses instead of trying to see everything all the time. Our lives are better in one way, 10x harder in another. Food is are hardest thing because our oldest can't do corn which is in everything. So we have to bring his food along for everything and he hates it
It is a different life but it is our life so we deal

Winnie the Pooh is definately hard to avoid at Disney. Corn is very difficult to avoid. Grumpy is allergic to soy and it's every where too.

I agree, following their lead helps to avoid the meltdowns. Even grocery shopping is based on when would be best. I have to make a list and stick very strictly to it. We created a social story about going to Walmart. Haven't had any meltdowns in the toy aisle since, because we can refer to the social story and how it's ok not to get a toy every time.

 

[lovethattink]

Once Goofy got out of work, we headed back to Epcot to get Grumpy.

 

[lovethattink]

As we were walking past Test Track towards World Showcase, we discovered an activity table just outside Pixie Hollow. The CM explained to Anakin that she had a magic crayon, and he was to take the crayon and the special paper she gave him over the stands and their name will appear on the paper. Once he was done, he would get a prize. He said, "probably stickers." He was right.

There was magic in Pixie Hollow. As with other children with Asperger's, he is emotionally behind by a few years. He also doesn't understand joking, sarcasm, or slyness. His world is black and white. So when the cm said it was a magic crayon, there was no doubt in his mind it was a magic crayon. His naiivity is part of his charm. He was wholeheartedly amazed every time a name showed up on his paper! I debated whether or not to explain to him how it worked, but I decided to let him delight in the magic and I will explain it to him another time.

The playground equipment in Pixie Hollow says for children 5 and under. He has developmental delay, and just recently mastered how to do the things in this playground. There weren't many children here so we let him play there. He was very careful around the other children, and even explained to the other children how you have to wait to go down the slide until the child before you is out of the way.

 

[tinytreasures]

Winnie the Pooh is definately hard to avoid at Disney. Corn is very difficult to avoid. Grumpy is allergic to soy and it's every where too.

I agree, following their lead helps to avoid the meltdowns. Even grocery shopping is based on when would be best. I have to make a list and stick very strictly to it. We created a social story about going to Walmart. Haven't had any meltdowns in the toy aisle since, because we can refer to the social story and how it's ok not to get a toy every time.

I am lucky to have help here. I don't take them to the store unless I have to. We really talk out what is expected of them and if they start to loose it we go to the van. That has been a great trick to get him to calm himself down. This time in Disney I am going to try ear plugs to see if that helps for getting him overwhelmed. We only did it for the fireworks and it help big time. I don't know why we didn't do it the rest of the time. Plus this time he is on better meds that really are helping him. I am hoping we can do a lot more this time around.

 

[lovethattink]

Does anyone know what this is suppose to be? It looked like there was bird seed and they were sifting it??

 

[lovethattink]

 

[lovethattink]

 

[lovethattink]

Not many people in Mexico either...

Our last stop before heading out of the park was to meet everyone at Germany, then head out of the park while they watch Illuminations.

 

[Kennywife]

Hi lovethattink! Big Tink fan here too!

I hear you on the Epilepsy, having been an Epileptic for 15 years. It's good you caught it early and found his triggers. Mine are stress, too much caffeine, heat, and AF.

Oh well, when life hands you lemons....that's my motto!

I have partial seizures, abscence, and Catamenial (brought on by AF.) I also have food allergies.....egg whites, peas, and onions. (They give me seizures)

I can ride rides like Test Track and be around some flashing lights as long as they're colored. The white flashing lights on space mountain? No way.

I work as a travel writer and travel the country writing articles. I've been to WDW several times as a solo. My parents freaked the first time I went. I had to call them and my hubby every day.

Love your pics! You're a very good photographer! (This coming from a photographer, well, part-time anyway. lol.)

Keep up the good fight!

Anna

 

[lovethattink]

Hi lovethattink! Big Tink fan here too!

I hear you on the Epilepsy, having been an Epileptic for 15 years. It's good you caught it early and found his triggers. Mine are stress, too much caffeine, heat, and AF.

Oh well, when life hands you lemons....that's my motto!

I have partial seizures, abscence, and Catamenial (brought on by AF.) I also have food allergies.....egg whites, peas, and onions. (They give me seizures)

I can ride rides like Test Track and be around some flashing lights as long as they're colored. The white flashing lights on space mountain? No way.

I work as a travel writer and travel the country writing articles. I've been to WDW several times as a solo. My parents freaked the first time I went. I had to call them and my hubby every day.

Love your pics! You're a very good photographer! (This coming from a photographer, well, part-time anyway. lol.)

Keep up the good fight!

Anna

Always nice to meet another Tink fan! Living with Epilepsy sure presents some challenges. Hopefully your seizures are controlled? I never noticed if colored lights are different than the white lights. I'll have to start taking notice. I know he doesn't like the red lights for the hot climate in TT, but I always assumed it was the sudden brightness and noise when they turn on. He puts his hands over his face then. I can understand the concern your family has when you travel solo!

I am laughing about the good photographer comment. Anakin broke my camera just before Thanksgiving. Goofy got me a replacement camera, a cheap $69 point and shoot digital camera. I haven't figured out how to take pics with it in low lighting or indoors. I've played around with all the settings, and my indoor pics get all yellow and fuzzy. My night time pics aren't that great either. The camera does a good job outdoors in bright sunlight though.

 

[Kennywife]

For the most part they are. They spike during AF and when I'm majorly stressed about something. I take Topamax, Lamictal, and Lyrica. The Lyrica is during higher activity time. My neuro gives me samples of it so I don't have to pay full price....

My cameras include: a digital camera, a flip video camera and a swaeettt tripod camera I got for $45 at Goodwill! (It was $700 new).

I got the okay from my neuro (greatest dx ever!) before I even started traveling solo. When I travel solo or with hubby, I always take extra meds and when I get tired I head back to our room. I love Test Track (Kenny, that's my hubby's name) was excited I could ride it. I also love the fireworks and dining. I call home whether I am solo or not EVERY day to make sure my family knows I'm safe.

My fave restaurants that are allergy friendly include: Crystal Palace, Cali Grill, Le Cellier, Raglan Road, and Via Napoli. I looooove CP! I would eat there every meal if I could! Ask for Chef Kenneth....he is awesome!!!!!!

I have had some ooopsies (my nickname for seizures) while traveling. The scariest was on my last solo trip when I got waaayyyy overheated and nearly passed out in front of POTC. I can laugh about it now, but it was scary! I am writing a book all about all my travel adventures and misadventures. In Oct. when Ken and I went, we were on DCL and had to outrun Hurricane Tomas!

Anna

 

[blessedmom4]

TINK, THANK YOU for the amazing pictures!!! You brought back so many GREAT memories of Epcot, one of my favorite places on earth! I know I am weird, but the Land is one of may FAVORITE rides (although not as much since they switched from individual CM's in each boat leading the tour...we were actually on the last day of boat rides that the Land had before they switched over. I rode it twice that day, the last time just before they stopped for the night...I actually had tears in my eyes and while I still think it is good and it is now consistently done (your expeirence always depended on the CM tour guide before) I still missed the human interaction! Anakin was so brave to try the que, good for him! He looks so sweet with the faireis and I LOVE all of the great photos you got! So happy Grumpy enjoyed some time with friends, I will say again, I wish we lived that close!

 

[MyPeanut&Bug]

The fairy garden is adorable! I saw it on our way out of the park one day and completely forgot that I wanted to make it back there!

Where was the Lightning McQueen topiary?? So cool - how did I miss that??

 

[lovethattink]

For the most part they are. They spike during AF and when I'm majorly stressed about something. I take Topamax, Lamictal, and Lyrica. The Lyrica is during higher activity time. My neuro gives me samples of it so I don't have to pay full price....

My cameras include: a digital camera, a flip video camera and a swaeettt tripod camera I got for $45 at Goodwill! (It was $700 new).

I got the okay from my neuro (greatest dx ever!) before I even started traveling solo. When I travel solo or with hubby, I always take extra meds and when I get tired I head back to our room. I love Test Track (Kenny, that's my hubby's name) was excited I could ride it. I also love the fireworks and dining. I call home whether I am solo or not EVERY day to make sure my family knows I'm safe.

My fave restaurants that are allergy friendly include: Crystal Palace, Cali Grill, Le Cellier, Raglan Road, and Via Napoli. I looooove CP! I would eat there every meal if I could! Ask for Chef Kenneth....he is awesome!!!!!!

I have had some ooopsies (my nickname for seizures) while traveling. The scariest was on my last solo trip when I got waaayyyy overheated and nearly passed out in front of POTC. I can laugh about it now, but it was scary! I am writing a book all about all my travel adventures and misadventures. In Oct. when Ken and I went, we were on DCL and had to outrun Hurricane Tomas!

Anna

I think the Disney Chef world is dominated by Kens!! There is a Chef Ken at the Coral Reef and another Chef Ken at the Plaza Restaurant.

I'm sure your book will be very interesting and will help others avoid some of those misadventures!

TINK, THANK YOU for the amazing pictures!!! You brought back so many GREAT memories of Epcot, one of my favorite places on earth! I know I am weird, but the Land is one of may FAVORITE rides (although not as much since they switched from individual CM's in each boat leading the tour...we were actually on the last day of boat rides that the Land had before they switched over. I rode it twice that day, the last time just before they stopped for the night...I actually had tears in my eyes and while I still think it is good and it is now consistently done (your expeirence always depended on the CM tour guide before) I still missed the human interaction! Anakin was so brave to try the que, good for him! He looks so sweet with the faireis and I LOVE all of the great photos you got! So happy Grumpy enjoyed some time with friends, I will say again, I wish we lived that close!

We rode one of the last boats too. Maybe we were in the same one?? The Land is one of my husband's favorite attractions. Years ago they gave free behind the seeds tours during the F&G festival. There is a photo in the Disney archives of Grumpy with one of the huge pumpkins, that we had to sign release forms for.

And I'm sure it's not surprising, that my family has been in the Disney planning video for years. I've been edited out over the years, but Goofy and Anakin are still in there. It was the first time we snuck over to Disney while Grumpy was in school. We went to get a special release pin for him from the Animal Kingdom. Walked into the baby care center to change Anakin's diaper, and the place was packed with film crew, children and cast members. I walked in and made the comment that I guess this is the place to be?! And asked what was going on. They said they were making advertisement for the baby care center and asked if they could use Anakin since they didn't have an actual baby. Again we signed release forms, and a quick 2 minute diaper change turned into a 15 minute diaper change. They got a great fade in/ fade out of Goofy and Anakin leaving the baby care center that they've used for years!

The fairy garden is adorable! I saw it on our way out of the park one day and completely forgot that I wanted to make it back there!

Where was the Lightning McQueen topiary?? So cool - how did I miss that??

I saw on Colleen's trip report that the fairies are in the garden signing autographs during the day. We were there just before they closed it for the night.

The Lightning McQueen topiary was in the World Showcase close to Future World.

 

[lovethattink]

Bought some wonderful Plant City Strawberries at a Farmer's Market. One of the strawberries was a hidden Mickey!!

Yesterday, March 22, we met up with our friends at DHS. But our morning began with a 10am ADR at the Captain's Grille at the Yacht Club, meeting up with a special friend from VMK who is one of my DIS Zeta sisters. I didn't take any pics here, but our breakfast was fabulous!! The buffet there is so wonderful!! I had a biscuit and gravy, egg benedict, stuffed tomato, fresh pineapple, bacon, and potatoes with onions, peppers and apples. After breakfast we were off to DHS.

We went on TSM, then Mermaid, then Animation Studio, then Muppets, then home.

(DIS Califgirl/Cazalet and Anakin explore the games at the Animation building. Anakin wasn't interested in the characters at all.

 

[davebon23]

Thanks so much for the encouragement and hugs. At first it was very terrifying and very frustrating because it took months to get testing done and answers from the medical community. Now we know exactly what we are dealing with, we are becoming better educated, and learning ways to overcome all of this. The tables have turned, he may have all these medical conditions, but they do no longer have him!

I am enjoying your trip report. I started reading bc I have a gluten allergy and I see Grumpy has allergies. But I have had similar(though much, much less dangerous and not nearly as serious) expierience. My DS and DD both have had febrile seizures with high fevers when they were toddlers. My DS's first seizure he stopped breathing and turned blue. He was only 1 1/2 and I was pregnant with my DD. It can be very scary. I know your DS grand mal seizure is much worse, but I can relate with how scary it can be when your child stops breathing. He ended up having 2 and my DD had one when she was 1 yr old. She just passed out right on the tile floor in the bathroom. It is so frightening when they stopped breathing. My poor DH, he is a police officer and I had to stay on the phone with 911, so they said they would notify him. All they told him was that my son stopped breathing. He made it to the hospital before we did and he was a half an hour away. He thought my DS had died. They offered him a police escort, but he just flew there. I am lucky my DH made it there alive. He was so scared and upset. It really was not a very good expierience for any of us.

I am glad to see you have been able to get some answers and keep it under control for him. Thank God you found the right doctors and help with therapy to take care of him. I hope that everything goes well for him and he can continue to enjoy life without too many medical issues causing him trouble.

BTW, even my dog has had seizures. LOL!!

 

[lovethattink]

I am enjoying your trip report. I started reading bc I have a gluten allergy and I see Grumpy has allergies. But I have had similar(though much, much less dangerous and not nearly as serious) expierience. My DS and DD both have had febrile seizures with high fevers when they were toddlers. My DS's first seizure he stopped breathing and turned blue. He was only 1 1/2 and I was pregnant with my DD. It can be very scary. I know your DS grand mal seizure is much worse, but I can relate with how scary it can be when your child stops breathing. He ended up having 2 and my DD had one when she was 1 yr old. She just passed out right on the tile floor in the bathroom. It is so frightening when they stopped breathing. My poor DH, he is a police officer and I had to stay on the phone with 911, so they said they would notify him. All they told him was that my son stopped breathing. He made it to the hospital before we did and he was a half an hour away. He thought my DS had died. They offered him a police escort, but he just flew there. I am lucky my DH made it there alive. He was so scared and upset. It really was not a very good expierience for any of us.

I am glad to see you have been able to get some answers and keep it under control for him. Thank God you found the right doctors and help with therapy to take care of him. I hope that everything goes well for him and he can continue to enjoy life without too many medical issues causing him trouble.

BTW, even my dog has had seizures. LOL!!

Welcome davebon23!

Do you email Disney before your trips about your food allergies?

We tend to eat at the same restaurants over and over so we generally know what he can and cannot eat. Gluten is not one of his allergies, surprisingly, neither is milk. When they did the skin tests on him a few years ago, he was allergic to 80-some things out of the 120 they tested him for.

I'm sorry about your children having febrile seizures. Does the Florida heat cause any problems?

I see your next trip is 8/11. Anakin really minded the heat last summer. There was one day we were on the ferry back to the TTC when he started having an aura. When things heat up here, we keep him inside during the hottest time of the day. We had spent the morning at the MK, and it was around lunch time and we were heading out of the park then home. We carry a cooler bag filled with frozen waters. He was in his stroller, and we took out the frozen waters and laid them around his body, neck, and gave him a bottle to hold in each hand. Once we got off the ferry we dodged into the store at the TTC until he cooled off more. Goofy headed back to the car, got the air cranked and picked us up at the kennels (right by the store). I am hoping that now he is better controlled with medication, that this summer won't be as bothersome for him.

 

[Kennywife]

Hey lovethattink,

Thanks to your great pics, we changed from CBR to CSR!!!!!

We're now going Sept. 27-Oct. 3 and staying at the preferred room at CSR. Kenny and I have never stayed there, so we thought, "Why not?"

We're going to do Busch Gardens/Universal while we are there!

Anna

 

[lovethattink]

Hey lovethattink,

Thanks to your great pics, we changed from CBR to CSR!!!!!

We're now going Sept. 27-Oct. 3 and staying at the preferred room at CSR. Kenny and I have never stayed there, so we thought, "Why not?"

We're going to do Busch Gardens/Universal while we are there!

Anna

I just tried to book CSR for September, but nothing was available on my dates.

I'm sure you will enjoy staying there. Be sure to check out KatMark's CSR thread, great info on that thread!

The preferred rooms are the Casitas 1, 2 or 3. They are very close to the main building, but very far from the theme pool. Though they do have a very nice quiet pool at Casistas 4, and the health club and spa is also at building 4. Building 2 doesn't have any elevators, have to go to building 3's elevator to get there. So you might want to request building 1 or 3.

 

[kaffinito]

Great pic of Anakin with "lighter touch" Donald! Love the smile

The GAC for characters is a life saver, isn't it? I used that for DS10 when he was still into the characters (before he became too cool for such things) and really was glad I did.

I wish I could check out your F&G pics but I can't. I'll be there soon to see them and don't want to spoil the surprise! I'll come back on after I go to see them though.

I am lucky to have help here. I don't take them to the store unless I have to. We really talk out what is expected of them and if they start to loose it we go to the van. That has been a great trick to get him to calm himself down. This time in Disney I am going to try ear plugs to see if that helps for getting him overwhelmed. We only did it for the fireworks and it help big time. I don't know why we didn't do it the rest of the time. Plus this time he is on better meds that really are helping him. I am hoping we can do a lot more this time around.

I used to have to grocery shop every day for 5 items at a time. Any more than that and DS18 would have a major meltdown. This was way before I found out he was autistic.

I used the earplugs for youngest DS and they really helped him out - Hope they work wonders for you too!