Fantasmic with Autistic child

[summy32]

I am planning our first trip to Disney World with our sons who are 7 & 9. Our 9 year old has severe autism. We would like to attend the Fantasmic show at Disney Hollywood Studios. The hour long wait that I have heard about would be impossible for my son, he would become agitated and scream, bite himself. We plan on getting the Guest Assistance card. Has anyone had any luck using this for Fantasmic. I was not sure if because this is a special program with such demand for seats, if they would accomodate us with this card. Any help is appreciated. I have got some great tips and info so far from this board. Thank you - Summer

 

[DISDANCEMOM]

Hi Summer, Welcome to the DIS. Although I have not posted much on the disABILITIES site I have got some great information. Feel free to PM me and I would love to share some of the info I have found.

We did Fanstasmic with my dd7 who is mildly autistic in August. We had the GAC and we showed it to the CM at the entrance. Told him our daughter would be unable to wait in a crowded theatre for the show. They allowed my dh and our older daughter to enter and secure isle seats. My younger dd and myself went for a walk and waisted time until about 5 min before the show we went in and took our seats near the isle. It worked fine for us.

One warning though...the CMs get the crowd pretty wild before the show. They were doing the "wave" and chanting right up to show time. If this type of thing is going to bother your ds then might have more difficulty so ask to be seated after they have stopped doing this.

P.S. I don't know if you regualrly have a stroller or wheelchair or anything for your ds. We don't for our dd and we found that even though she doesn't normally use a stroller/chair we really needed one in Disney. I have found (through this board) a stroller rental company that rents the special needs strollers/push chairs and will deliver them to your hotel for your use during your trip. If you would like more info let me know.

 

[AJKMOM]

Another thing is that Fantasmic is a very loud show. If you have ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones, this would be the place for them. When you say "we" I guess that means there will be 2 adults and 2 kids? If so, consider having one adult and one kid save seats for the other adult and the autistic son. We have done that before, too. Ask to sit in a back row near the aisle so you can get out if necessary.

 

[bookwormde]

The PPs have given you a good plan. It is my understanding that there is no formal GAC procedure for Fantasmic but as with most situation at WDW the CMs usually can come up with an effective accommodation.

The first time we attended with then DS7 Aspergers we sat near the top where we could exit easier (if needed during the show) and it was much less of a sensory overload. On subsequent visits we have gradually moved closer to the stage since everyone had a better understanding of what to expect.

Bookwormde

 

[SueM in MN]

P.S. I don't know if you regualrly have a stroller or wheelchair or anything for your ds. We don't for our dd and we found that even though she doesn't normally use a stroller/chair we really needed one in Disney. I have found (through this board) a stroller rental company that rents the special needs strollers/push chairs and will deliver them to your hotel for your use during your trip. If you would like more info let me know.

Many people with children with autism find a stroller is wonderful, even if their child is capable of walking the whole day. A stroller gives a sort of 'portable safe place' for your child. Many kids with autism like a blanket, towel or cover over the front of the stroller at times to further mask the outside stimulation.
Post #2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread has links to some companies that rent special needs strollers.

Another thing is that Fantasmic is a very loud show. If you have ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones, this would be the place for them. When you say "we" I guess that means there will be 2 adults and 2 kids? If so, consider having one adult and one kid save seats for the other adult and the autistic son. We have done that before, too. Ask to sit in a back row near the aisle so you can get out if necessary.

After you have gotten seats, one adult can go back towards where you entered with the child with autism. There is a set of restrooms on the left as you are coming into the area (on the right as you are leaving). They are a bit off the path of people coming in and it is possible to find a quieter spot there without leaving the attraction area. (You don't want to go completely out of the attraction or you may not be let in). If it gets to be too much for your child during the show, those restrooms are a good place to retreat to. You can go inside and have some of the sound muffled and they are a good landmark to have the rest of your party meet you at after the show.

Also consider asking to be able to use your stroller as a wheelchair. This would allow you to bring it where ever wheelchairs can go. You would park the stroller in the back row at Fantasmic and your child would be able to stay in it during the wait and through the show. Many people find that the stroller makes things like this tolerable. There is more information about Guest Assistance Cards (GACs) and using a stroller as a wheelchair in post # 6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board.

 

[KirstenB]

Fantasmic is a big, loud, crowded, after dark (which makes the special effects more intense) show. Maybe you could schedule it toward the end of your trip, and "practice" with some smaller, less intense shows earlier in the week. I'm thinking maybe something like "the Lion King" at Animal Kingdom. It's indoors, and the lights are dimmed. It's fairly crowded, but I think it's less intense than Fantasmic, and might give you a trial run. Also there's a show at DHS, I can't remember the exact name, but it has special effects with cars and motorcycles. It was really neat.

 

[BeckyScott]

We used the GAC and sat in the back row... we had also done the meal plan seating thing, but I don't know that it made much difference as you had to "report in" pretty early.

Anyway, this allowed us to get up and walk around in the back before the show, and would have allowed an easy departure if needed. We were there early enough, about a half dozen times either DH or I would take one kid and go walking- leaving the other to save our seats- and it wasn't a problem getting in or out.

 

[koolaidmoms]

Also know the show before you go. Our son is terrified of fire and as such we have not done this show yet with him as at one point there is a fire breathing dragon. Even in a stroller he would not be able to stand that one.

Good luck. It's a great show just know what your child can handle.

 

[summy32]

Thank you so much for all of your help. My younger son really wants to see this. My older son (autistic) does not care about loud noises, but I am not sure about the fire. If we need to we will have my husband or myself take him out. We are so excited about our trip and this board has helped me so much!

 

[mom2nji]

thanks for the info too! I have a son who is moderately autistic and in over 20 visits to DHS in the last year we have never even attempted Fantasmic.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Make sure you keep in mind how late the show is. My daughter is very high functioning, but she she gets tired, she is almost guaranteed to have a meltdown. At home, even on weekends we have to keep her bedtime the same or else there's a 100% guarantee of a hysterical crying fit. At Disney, all the running around makes them even more tired that usual.

We're about to go on our 3rd trip to WDW in 2.5 years and we've only seen 1 night time show because we just don't want to risk the night time meltdowns. Fantasmic happens to be the one we went to see. She did love the show but we did have a full blown meltdown at the bus stop waiting to go back to the hotel.

The cast member we spoke with that night said they don't have any kind of special accomodations for our needs, but he did then escort us over to a wheelchair area to sit for the duration of the show. It wasn't nearly as crowded so we didn't have people squished up against us the whole time plus we had easy access to leave "just in case" which thank goodness we didn't end up needed. We only showed up around 15-20 minutes before the show began which was at that point in the day too long for her. If we hadn't been sitting beside a guy who was telling us all about his job as a Disney photographer doing new shots for the website (he had some great stories, but no he didn't take any of us to put on the site) then we likely wouldn't have made it to the beginning of the show. Once it started, everything was fine until we had to wait for the very overcrowded bus after the show.

We're going to try to take in the MK and Epcot fireworks shows this year, but we're really planning ahead regarding rests during the day on those days and even with the rests, we may end up skipping the fireworks just because the meltdowns when the girls are overtired simply aren't worth it.

If your older child doesn't care about the show but your younger one wants to see it, another option is for your husband to take him to Fantasmic and you can take your older son on rides during the show. There shouldn't be any lines at all during the show.

 

[collegedude]

I'm 25 years old, and i am on the spectrum..i have PDD-NOS> I guess you could say i'm high functioning. I hate sudden loud noise.. earplugs make all the difference in enjoying the noiser shows. It's not so much the volume, just the suddenness of the noise that is unnerving. Before i thought of bringing earplugs, id hold my hands to my ears during loud shows..that's very conspicous and uncomfortable too.. earplugs solve both worries. I am a veteran of disney parks by now.. ive been there at least 7 times.. and pretty much know where i need them. It may be useful for parents to know where an autie uses his earplugs..so here we go:


By Park:

Magic Kingdom.. just entering the park..with the steam locomotive usually just under the main gate spouting the occsional Toot just for the heck of it..

Anywhere in the park thats near a station for the railrorad. Specifically, Frontierland, Main Street USA Mickey's toon town fair.
Oh, a sweet tip for parents who want to ride the rail road: I don't mind riding the train, as long as we sit near the far back of the train. I find the whislte tolerable there.

Liberty Square: Area near the riverboat..i dont even ride the riverboat..never set foot on it.. way beyond my comfort zone. may want to earplug while in line for the Haunted Mansion.

Attraction specific:
Tomorrowland: The time keeper, stitch's great escape.
Fantasyland: Mickey's PhilarMagic

That's it for the Magic Kingdom

Epcot:
Mission Space, Test Track, Universe of Energy
Honey, I Shrunk The Audience

Nothing that i can think of in the World Showcase

MGM Studios: This one is the "Big Kahuna." I use my earplugs a LOT in this park.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacluar: Not just while seeing the show, even being NEAR the ampitheater while a show is going on without earplugs has me scrambling for cover. (But only while out doors)

Lights, motors action extreme stunt show

Muppet Vision 3D

Studio Backlot Tour
Fantasmic!

Animal Kingdom:
It's Tough to Be a Bug
Dinosaur!

Expedition everest(not sure on this one, havent experienced it without the plugs..was plugging just to be on the safe side)


These are attractions that ive experienced. Some of the attractions i havent been to, so i don't know how startiling they are. Hope this is helpful to someone!

And, you mileage may vary..i don't mind volume so much as loud sudden volume.. your experience may be very different.

 

[toodycat]

We've been going to WDW since our ASD son was 6 and we have never made it all the way through a Fantasmic show. We've circumvented the line by dining at a Hollywood Studios restaurant and buying the Fantasmic package, but our DS has never been able to make it through the show. Besides being loud, it has some scary special effects. He has given it the old college try with earplugs, but ultimately, we wind up leaving. You know best what your DS can take and what upsets him or frightens him, but if I were you, I would watch the show on youtube and decide if it would be OK. A user called aquany1 filmed the whole thing and divided it into 4 minute videos. Around videos 5 and 6 is where it gets a bit scary. Check it out.

 

[BreTyPres87]

I can't tell you all how glad I am to see this thread because I had the same questions! I guess we'll sit in the back , I know my son will not be able to stand the crowd hyping thing that someone was talking about earlier in the thread but maybe once the music starts he'll be okay I will look for some headphones even though considering he is the type of child who will take his hood off in a heavy rainstorm I doubt he'll keep them on!
Thank you for this thread!!!!

 

[makelifehappen]

We were not prepared for our daughter's reaction this time around. She has had an increase in her sensitivity to noise over the past 8 months and has recently been diagnosed ASD (she is 2). The evening light shows were too loud (and sudden) for her and we found her shaking, crying and covering her ears. Towards the end of our visit we actively boycotted such shows, which was sad for those of us that wanted to enjoy them. My oldest (also AS, aged 10) used to react in a similar way when she was younger, but has grown to enjoy the fireworks and is able to cope with the noise.

I think that earplugs coupled with preparation for the lights and noise, might be your best bet.