Disney pin codes + Bill = TROUBLE *11/01 Almost time for our Happy Place*

[jordanyosh]

Okay...I won't say another word.......

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hi Tracy - I'm going to add my 2 cents... We found that telling the kids 6 weeks ahead was pretty good - although we had planned to tell them 2 weeks ahead. Somewhere in between would probably be perfect. If we told them right before the trip, Alex wouldn't have had time to figure things out in his head. If we had told them too much before, he would have had too much time to stew things over and we would have heard the same questions over and over. I'd say the ideal time for our kids would probably be 2-4 weeks ahead.

Check out the book, "Guide to the Magic for Kids". I got ours with a discount from allears. Alex LOVED this book. It had all the parks, all the rides, maps, stickers, tips for hidden mickey's, etc. Zach was so so about it, but he can't read yet.

I wouldn't worry too much about the GAC right now. If you decide to start the trip with it, great. If not, you can always get it part way through if you decide he needs it. It's been a trip-saver for us!

Can't wait to hear how you plan to tell the kids!

 

[KathyRN137]

Tracy, this is a pretty good article that includes reader's stories about taking their ADD/ADHD kids to WDW....

Thought you might like to share it with Abby! (If you haven't already...)

http://allears.net/pl/add.htm


Kathy

 

[mrsksomeday]

Okay...I won't say another word.......

Hi Tracy - I'm going to add my 2 cents... We found that telling the kids 6 weeks ahead was pretty good - although we had planned to tell them 2 weeks ahead. Somewhere in between would probably be perfect. If we told them right before the trip, Alex wouldn't have had time to figure things out in his head. If we had told them too much before, he would have had too much time to stew things over and we would have heard the same questions over and over. I'd say the ideal time for our kids would probably be 2-4 weeks ahead.

Check out the book, "Guide to the Magic for Kids". I got ours with a discount from allears. Alex LOVED this book. It had all the parks, all the rides, maps, stickers, tips for hidden mickey's, etc. Zach was so so about it, but he can't read yet.

I wouldn't worry too much about the GAC right now. If you decide to start the trip with it, great. If not, you can always get it part way through if you decide he needs it. It's been a trip-saver for us!

Can't wait to hear how you plan to tell the kids!

Thank you Amy, I was hoping you would give me some advice. I will look into that book, it sounds great!

Tracy, this is a pretty good article that includes reader's stories about taking their ADD/ADHD kids to WDW....

Thought you might like to share it with Abby! (If you haven't already...)

http://allears.net/pl/add.htm


Kathy

Thanks so much for the link, I hadn't seen that. I had read the ADHD stuff in the Passporter's Open Mouse, in fact Abbey has that book right now to look over things. I had to show her the tip you had printed in it . She thought it was great that she might get to meet you.

 

[mousescrapper]

Hi Tracy

Decision Time! my favorite part....

Ok I will chime in on the surprise factor manily concerning Christian and the schedule book for him, plus possible GAC.

I am no expert and have learned from previous trips, our mistakes and these boards...so I hope I can help as a Mom of a child w/ ADHD (and Aspergers HFA)

Take what you can and don't worry I wouldn't be miffed by anything you disagree w/ or don't use.

Surprise Y or N...

you guys know best on this one, but you can go a couple ways here. 1) stick w/ the all out the kids don't know till the day before or 2) keep in under covers till say a couple weeks out then you can ease this whole big trip idea to the kids especially Christian. This can allow him time to adjust, know what to expect as in rules of behavior to all the fun stuff. as well 3) if you want to still have some suprises, plan some special things for while at WDW to spring on the kids ie decorate their room w/ streamers, special souviner, card signed by fav character....you can go on and on....

I know from experience w/ My DS...that sometimes finding out something that really disrupts his pattern of the day, can be very difficult even when it is good, yes finding out you are going to WDW is a huge but can be overwhelming just the same. allowing him some choices and control can ease the waiting game just like it does for us.

Schedule Book: is a brillant idea! I have made some special guidebooks for Michael that maps out the daily schedule, where we plan to go, places we may eat, breakfast in the hotel room or at food court, possible order of attractions, etc....There is a thread on it in the disABILITIES board. SueM made a sticky of it under FAQ's and DisMomAmy has made custom help cards for her boys too. Alot of deals w/ the Autism side of things...but still helpful.

GAC don't be scared of asking for it....if you think he made need it, I think you should talk to Abby about it and consider having one. Kathy should have great advice too, but please feel free to PM if you want to discuss this more if Christian has trouble waiting in a crowded situation ie the queues at Disney, it maybe a good security or back-up plan JAT.

Tracy I think you off to a wonderful start planning this trip for your DS and family. You and Bill are so generous and wonderful!

Can't wait to hear more!

Scrappie (J-)

PS I think packing a special dress-up gown for Hannah would be a wonderful surprise one morning and I bet Christian would enjoy collecting pennies or stamps (the ones' the CM's put on the free masks) and signatures in World Showcase....you don't have to buy that passport, you could make your own.

A stop in the Kodak Labs in Epcot and the Boneyard at AK would be musts in my book. Have fun planning this trip!

 

[mrsksomeday]

surprise y or n...

You guys know best on this one, but you can go a couple ways here. 1) stick w/ the all out the kids don't know till the day before or 2) keep in under covers till say a couple weeks out then you can ease this whole big trip idea to the kids especially christian. This can allow him time to adjust, know what to expect as in rules of behavior to all the fun stuff. As well 3) if you want to still have some suprises, plan some special things for while at wdw to spring on the kids ie decorate their room w/ streamers, special souviner, card signed by fav character....you can go on and on....

i know from experience w/ my ds...that sometimes finding out something that really disrupts his pattern of the day, can be very difficult even when it is good, yes finding out you are going to wdw is a huge But can be overwhelming just the same. Allowing him some choices and control can ease the waiting game just like it does for us.

Thank you so much for talking to me about this. The plan as of right now it to tell the kids we are taking them to Bill's parents cabin in November as a Christmas present to them. We are telling them that we have to go in November because someone has rented it for Christmas. At that time we were going to talk about rules of behavior and what is expected out of both of them. Disney knows we are celebrating both their birthdays when we are there and I am going to ask about the balloon and card thing that I have read about on the boards. We have a couple of other things planned too.

I will make sure to talk to Abbey tomorrow again about the surprise factor. She told me that Christian will be fine with it, but now I want to double check.

schedule book: is a brillant idea! I have made some special guidebooks for michael that maps out the daily schedule, where we plan to go, places we may eat, breakfast in the hotel room or at food court, possible order of attractions, etc....there is a thread on it in the disabilities board. Suem made a sticky of it under faq's and dismomamy has made custom help cards for her boys too. Alot of deals w/ the autism side of things...but still helpful.

Abbey loved the schedule book idea and I am going to make sure to keep it simple and informative. I saw Amy's cards and thought they were fantastic!

GAC: don't be scared of asking for it....if you think he made need it, i think you should talk to abby about it and consider having one. Kathy should have great advice too, but please feel free to pm if you want to discuss this more if christian has trouble waiting in a crowded situation ie the queues at disney, it maybe a good security or back-up plan jat.

I think the GAC would be a good back up plan too.

tracy i think you off to a wonderful start planning this trip for your ds and family. You and bill are so generous and wonderful!

Thank you so much .

ps i think packing a special dress-up gown for hannah would be a wonderful surprise one morning and i bet christian would enjoy collecting pennies or stamps (the ones' the cm's put on the free masks) and signatures in world showcase....you don't have to buy that passport, you could make your own.

A stop in the kodak labs in epcot and the boneyard at ak would be musts in my book. Have fun planning this trip!

The playgrounds and the Kodak Lab is on my list already . I have been looking at making passports and/or autograph books. We will also see if they would like to pin trade .

 

[MRYPPNS]

OK I'll throw in my 2 cents on surprising the kids with the vacation. I would tell them a couple weeks before the trip. One reason is for what others are saying...Christain may need time to process the idea of the trip. I myself don't like surprises like that...throws me completly off from what I had "planned" in my head and no matter how "good" the surprise is, I need time to re-adjust to the new plan. And my second reason....Godforbid but what if Josh and Abbey break-up before the trip? I hate to suggest such a thing but it could happen. Knowing about a trip months in advance doesn't really seem necessary.

That kids book that Amy mentioned.....it's really cool, I want one for myself!

 

[mrsksomeday]

OK I'll throw in my 2 cents on surprising the kids with the vacation. I would tell them a couple weeks before the trip. One reason is for what others are saying...Christain may need time to process the idea of the trip. I myself don't like surprises like that...throws me completly off from what I had "planned" in my head and no matter how "good" the surprise is, I need time to re-adjust to the new plan. And my second reason....Godforbid but what if Josh and Abbey break-up before the trip? I hate to suggest such a thing but it could happen. Knowing about a trip months in advance doesn't really seem necessary.

That kids book that Amy mentioned.....it's really cool, I want one for myself!

You are right about the break up thing, I would never say that to Abbey or Josh but that is a good reason to not say a word until closer to the trip.

There is another factor for why we were wanting to surprise them. Josh, Abbey, Christian, and Hannah live with the evil one, I mean my xMIL. He helps her takd care of all the land out there.

Josh's cousin Hillary has taken her son Jackson to WDW for the last two years and all Josh has heard is how stupid and silly it is to go there. That spending that type of money on a theme park is ridiculous, etc. I know she would bad mouth me and the trip relentlessly before they went. Her thinking we are going to the cabin is enough to have her complaining.

If we told the kids ahead of time we would have to tell her too because you can't ask kids to hide the truth. She is a bitter woman that does nothing but complain, she would never think about how much fun this would for Abbey and the kids.

It is truly the most stressful part of the vacation, planning on when to tell them. She has always tried to 1 up me for every birthday and Christmas since Josh was a baby, this will make her really mad.

 

[MRYPPNS]

ahhhhhh.....I see. Your own Villain in this story!

 

[mrsksomeday]

ahhhhhh.....I see. Your own Villain in this story!

People wouldn't believe half the stuff she has pulled. Abbey told her that she would not listen to one bad word said against me so EO (evil one) has kept her mouth shut about me so far.

 

[hhockman]

Okay, I am just joining and am now caught up. If I can remember it all when I wake up. My brain is only about half functioning right now.

I came over because of Amy too.

This trip is truly awesome. You two are so selfless. I am in awe. I can't wait to hear more about how this trip works out.

And it's neat to see so many "familiar" names on here. Well, familiar to me because I remember names. Most probably won't recognize me yet.

Your trip to Nashville sounded like a lot of fun.

I've got two kids myself, so I will chime in when I can, but it sounds like the others have it pretty much under control.

Looking forward to your next update...

 

[mrsksomeday]

Okay, I am just joining and am now caught up. If I can remember it all when I wake up. My brain is only about half functioning right now.

I came over because of Amy too.

This trip is truly awesome. You two are so selfless. I am in awe. I can't wait to hear more about how this trip works out.

And it's neat to see so many "familiar" names on here. Well, familiar to me because I remember names. Most probably won't recognize me yet.

Your trip to Nashville sounded like a lot of fun.

I've got two kids myself, so I will chime in when I can, but it sounds like the others have it pretty much under control.

Looking forward to your next update...

Hello and welcome!! Amy is such a sweet person. Bill is the selfless one, he is my inspiration . (Oh no I have that Chicago song stuck in my head now )

Nashville was fun. Yay, someone else with kids to help me through this! Thank you.

 

[mousescrapper]

Thank you so much for talking to me about this.

your welcome!

 

[MRYPPNS]

People wouldn't believe half the stuff she has pulled. Abbey told her that she would not listen to one bad word said against me so EO (evil one) has kept her mouth shut about me so far.

Let's reference your Xmil as Captain EO.....I love a good Disney pun!

 

[KathyRN137]

People wouldn't believe half the stuff she has pulled. Abbey told her that she would not listen to one bad word said against me so EO (evil one) has kept her mouth shut about me so far.

Wow Tracy... the plot just keeps thickening, doesn't it?!


Kathy

 

[jordanyosh]

People wouldn't believe half the stuff she has pulled. Abbey told her that she would not listen to one bad word said against me so EO (evil one) has kept her mouth shut about me so far.

Good for Abbey.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Let's reference your Xmil as Captain EO.....I love a good Disney pun!

I have never seen that, but Scott posted youtube stuff on Enchanted so I will have to check it out. I will take your word for it though .

Wow Tracy... the plot just keeps thickening, doesn't it?!

Kathy

Yes it does. Captain EO (thanks Heidi) is not happy unless she is complaining and even after being divorced from her son for 7 years she still likes to gripe about me. She never got over the fact that I kicked him out .

Good for Abbey.

She is a lovely person, we adore her.

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Tracy - I love your avatar! I finally saw Up and just love that guy!

I can't wait to see some of the things you are making for the trip. You are so talented and I love your creations!

 

[mrsksomeday]

Tracy - I love your avatar! I finally saw Up and just love that guy!

I can't wait to see some of the things you are making for the trip. You are so talented and I love your creations!

Dug is awesome in that movie, I wish I could take his collar for Ace . Thank you so much for saying that about the stuff I am going to make, now I have so much pressure .

 

[KathyRN137]

Thank you so much for saying that about the stuff I am going to make, now I have so much pressure .

Aww, you know it's all Hakuna Matata around here!!

So... do you think Hannah will want to wear a princess dress when she goes to the MK?? Next time, she might be older and not want to!

(I'm kind of sorry that I missed that "princess age" at WDW with Tricia...)


Kathy