Fiancee - bipolar

[nala_simba]

Hi my fiance is willing to go to Disney with me for the first time this summer. Im excited that he is willing to go because he is very shy and awkward around strangers and big crowds. Im worried that he will get overwhelmed by all the people and not have a good time. I try to take his mind off of it by talking to him or making him laugh most of the time but idk if that will be enough. Does anyone have any tips on how to do this trip and make it enjoyable for the both of us.

 

[jmartinez1895]

I'm happy that he is will to give it a try. That seems like a very big step for him. Try to plan on visiting the parks after opening and leave before closing or wait inside the park for a while after closing so that you do not get caught in the "mob" trying to get in or out. you might want to skip on the parades and fireworks because these can get very crowded and you often find that you are surrounded by a sea of people. I'm sending you a private message.

 

[nala_simba]

thank you so much with the support. im very proud of him for that and never thought he would agree to it... this soon anyways

 

[Stag]

I would also say this-- be prepared to leave a situation if he begins to feel uncomfortable past his ability to cope. I am finally to the point where, with my service dog, I can leave a situation on my own and wait outside for my family to regroup with me, so I won't force them to miss shows or anything like that if I start to hit my overload point, but I cannot do that without the dog by my side. However, it's important to prepare mentally and realize that you may not get to do everything you want to. Does he have rescue meds? Definitely bring those; i.e. Klonopin, Ativan, Valium, etc. I would also advise taking several breaks throughout the day; if it's possible, take a nap midday because it will help bring his anxiety levels back to their baseline state, and you can enter the parks again with a fresh slate.

I know for me, as someone who is not bipolar but has debilitating anxiety issues, having short breaks throughout the day is a major help. I am at the point where I can speak up and ask my family if we can do a show or a snack because it's a way for me to settle down and, like I said, bring my anxiety levels back down again. If you have shows in mind that you want to see, plan them out strategically throughout the day to seperate long stretches of parks, crowds, and extreme overload.

Again, this is just my suggestion as someone who has anxiety issues myself, and I know that's part of bipolar!

 

[nala_simba]

Doing that with the shows sounds like a really good idea. I have anxiety problems myself but me taking care of him helps me to ignore mine How would you go about doing Wishes? are there any good spots that might be less crowded?

 

[jenn-n-okla]

Purchase TourGuide Mike or RideMax. It will help you with which days will have the most crowds so you can avoid them. He also has suggestions for where to watch parades and fireworks. I find it best to go in the mornings and then out by 1pm and then return around 5 or 6ish at night if not later.
Places you will want to avoid are Little Mermaid show....way to small of a waiting area, and the MASS exit after the fireworks are over.
This is coming from a person with Bipolar II disorder.

 

[nala_simba]

thanks so much hun. we were thinking about leaving around the afternoon and then come back. thanks for the info about the little mermaid show

 

[jenn-n-okla]

Purchase TourGuide Mike or RideMax. It will help you with which days will have the most crowds so you can avoid them. He also has suggestions for where to watch parades and fireworks. I find it best to go in the mornings and then out by 1pm and then return around 5 or 6ish at night if not later.
Places you will want to avoid are Little Mermaid show....way to small of a waiting area, and the MASS exit after the fireworks are over.
This is coming from a person with Bipolar II disorder.

I forgot to add that a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) might help you out as well. You don't have to tell them the specifics of why he needs one, only that he needs a quiet place out of the sun to wait in the line. If he is like me some of the meds make you extremely sensitive to over heating

The GAC does NOT give you front of the line access but will provide you with a less crowded area to enter. Most of the time it is at the fastpass line or the wheelchair entrance area. You just show the GAC to the cast member working. I am also pretty sure you will still need to utilize those fast passes as well. Those will help SO much with staying away from the crowds.

Another thing I remembered is that you can go over to the Polynesian and walk around. The atmosphere over there is very relaxing and not very crowded.

 

[nala_simba]

you guys are amazing

 

[SueM in MN]

If you follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread, post #6 of that thread is all about Guest Assistance Cards (GAC).

As was already pointed out, a service like RideMax or TourGuide Mike may actually help you more than a GAC because it will help you to be in the quietest part of the quietest park.

Also, if he needs to retreat to a quiet place in the park, each park has a First Aid center which is quiet and cool. You can either sit in the lobby of First Aid for a while or go to one of the rooms to lie down.
Some people also find that going out of the park to one of the nearby hotels works well for them. MK, Epcot and the Studio have hotels you can walk to - Contemporary at MK; Beach, Yacht, Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin at Epcot and the Studio). You can go to Grand Floridian, Contemporary and Polynesian by monorail from MK. (Also boats to Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian and Grand Floridian).

We like to stay in the park after fireworks/closing until the crowd starts to thin. That makes the walk out easier and less stressful and also helps to make sure the transportation is not crowded.

 

[MODisneyfan]

Doing that with the shows sounds like a really good idea. I have anxiety problems myself but me taking care of him helps me to ignore mine How would you go about doing Wishes? are there any good spots that might be less crowded?

Maybe try something like the Desert Party. I have been and there are not that many people there so if should be ok. I would have to say that the time I was there, there might have been about 20 people and it was spread out. You can go stand by the raillings so that it will help take his mind off of people that might be standing around him. Usually there is enought room and some people will stay seated.