First Trip

[cosmicmommy]

This is going to be my kids' first trip. I went as a kid/teen 4 times, but haven't been since 1998, so I know a LOT has changed since then. We are going for 4 nights/3 days in parks - 2 in MK, 1 in AK between the MK days. I am a single mom to 3 boys (who will be 8, almost 7 and almost 5) and it will be just me and the 3. Here are the potential snags in our trip:
1. My oldest is ADHD and is allergic to artificial food dye in the sense that it makes his ADHD go haywire. He is otherwise a happy kid who gets a little energetic, but nothing too serious and nothing unexpected for Disney World. He is just loud and boisterous and very in-your-face. He likes fast rides, but not heights, although I think he can be persuaded into trying new things. We won't be going to DHS this time, so no worries on ToT. My main concern with him is the food dye, especially Red 40 and Yellow 5/6. Is it possible for me to contact the restaurants we plan to eat at ahead of time and request an ingredient list for any items I may be unsure of? (A lot of chocolate has Red 40 in it, vanilla frosting has Red 40 sometimes, Mayo has Blue 1 in it, etc) I mean, I'm fairly sure the chicken nuggets, fries, etc should be fine. Mostly worried about desserts - especially the Dole Whip.
2. My youngest is a runner. He has been since he could walk. Will Disney allow me to leash him? I know that sounds awful, but the child has gone missing twice already in his short little life - nothing serious thankfully, but Disney World is HUGE. He slipped away from me for about 2 minutes at a Halloween event by yanking his hand out of mine. I panicked and started frantically looking for him, but he very quickly went back to where he last saw me and was recovered quickly. The second time was during a T-ball game. He slipped out of an open gate during the middle of the game, right from under the assistant coach's nose. He was stopped by another parent in the parking lot at my car, demanding to go home. I would feel best if he was leashed to me by a wrist leash, since wagons aren't allowed and the stroller is likely going to my middle boy.
3. My middle boy. My sweet little hermit. He is an Aspie with Sensory Processing Disorder. I am already planning on getting him a DAS as he does not do close-quarter contact with strangers very well. He's usually okay for waits under 10 minutes, but he gets agitated when he gets repeatedly pressed up against strangers and has melted down on numerous occasions. He is fine with waiting, just not in sardine-can lines. I think I understand how this works - we check in at the ride and go wait somewhere else if the wait is more than 10 minutes, then come back after our wait and check back in through FastPass line with his band first, then scan ours and then we ride? Only one reservation at a time, but we can have traditional FastPasses at the same time. His other big issue is reverberating and shrill sounds like thunder, fireworks, loud horns, sirens, etc. I have noise-cancelling ear covers for him that worked for Blue Angels, but my biggest questions is - which rides/shows is he going to need them on/for? I know obviously for Wishes and the parades, he is going to wear them, but which rides have thunder or sudden, similar sounds? Another questions I have is when to get the DAS pass. From my understand, it is valid for up to 60 days, so it is a length of stay thing. We are going to 1900 Park Fare the night we get there via bus to MK and monorail to Grand Floridian. Since the DAS is available at Guest Relations outside the park, would it be possible to go the one outside MK the day before we start touring parks to get his DAS? I ask because we are hoping to have a pre-rope drop ADR at BOG on the first day of touring and we will be at the BACK of the park and would like to be able to take advantage of the first hour to hopefully get some big-tickets done without long waits.

 

[chelynnah]

Just throwing out some ideas here.

Have you considered a double stroller for youngest and middle or will your middle not be comfortable sharing?

If using the stroller for middle it might help if you got a stroller as wheelchair sticker when you apply for his DAS and then you can keep it with you in the queue which might make him more comfortable (no one pressing up against him even in short queues). Yes you can have FP and DAS.

I'm sure I've seen child leashes at WDW. But as a precaution I've seen some really inventive ways recommended to have your contact info on your child. One is a temporary tattoo. There are a few discussions in the trip planning forum I'm sure I've seen and recommendations for companies that sell the IDs. Always good to have a backup plan.

I'm sure you'll get more great advice from others far more experienced than me. Enjoy your trip

 

[cosmicmommy]

Just throwing out some ideas here.

Have you considered a double stroller for youngest and middle or will your middle not be comfortable sharing?

If using the stroller for middle it might help if you got a stroller as wheelchair sticker when you apply for his DAS and then you can keep it with you in the queue which might make him more comfortable (no one pressing up against him even in short queues). Yes you can have FP and DAS.

You m sure I've seen child leashes at WDW. But as a precaution I've seen some really inventive ways recommended to have your contact info on your child. One is a temporary tattoo. There are a few discussions in the trip planning forum I'm sure I've seen and recommendations for companies that sell the IDs. Always good to have a backup plan.

I'm sure you'll get more great advice from others far more experienced than me. Enjoy your trip

I have absolutely thought of a double stroller... but my middle son (really all my boys) are big for their age. He is the closest to average, but he'll be almost 7 (we're going to call him 7) and right now at just shy of 6 he stands 47" inched tall and is about 50 pounds. My youngest is 4 and will be almost 5 for the trip and right now, he's 43" and around 40 pounds. I just worry that they may outgrow stroller viability, but I am not opposed to renting one if it will work. Just want to have some good backup plans at the ready if the stroller doesn't seem like it's gonna work.

I absolutely plan to write my phone number all over the kids - maybe on their foreheads. No, I'm kidding on that, but I did plan to write it on their wrists (all 3 of them, mama ain't fooling around with losing a kid) and put clear nail polish over it. I don't care if my two oldest know my number by heart - they may not remember it if they are panicked because thye can't find me.

 

[lanejudy]

to the DISboards!

1. You should note the allergies on any of your dining reservations. You can also contact WDW ahead but I don't know that they'll provide actual ingredient lists since those can change. At table service restaurants you'll want to speak with the chef before ordering to find out what's safe and what might be available as alternative. At quick-service locations, mention the allergy and ask for the allergy binder where you can review the ingredient lists. There are fewer options for modifications at quick-service since most of the offerings in these places are pre-prepared.

2. Kids I've seen on "leashes" like those cute animal backpacks or wrist connectors appear to be toddler-aged. It sounds like your trip may be about a year out and your little guy is still young. Does he have other issues besides running? If he'll be "almost 5" at the time of the trip, that means to me "ready for kindergarten" in which case a nearly-5-yr-old should be able to behave and stay nearby. A 3-yr-old or just-turned-4 maybe not so much; it could change in a year. But I would first work on making him accountable for running away. And then make sure you plan some down-time where he can expend all that energy -- some of the resorts have playgrounds which might be just right for him. If his running is related to other developmental issues, and a double stroller is not an option, the leash may be necessary; be prepared that most people using one have toddlers so you are likely to get odd looks with an older preschool child on a leash.

3. I suggest checking YouTube for some ride videos. Maybe review them yourself and then spend some time going over them with your middle boy. Let him know what to expect. You'll be able to see which rides are dark, loud, etc. as well as judge his reaction without getting into the full experience as an unknown. You MAY be able to obtain a DAS from an outside-the-park Guest Relations window; reports seem to go both ways. If that window is busy with ticket concerns or doesn't have the proper equipment available, they will direct you to enter the park and request the DAS there. It might be worth a try if you have time AND if it won't be problematic for your boys to get that close to the park entrance and then walk away.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[cosmicmommy]

to the DISboards!

1. You should note the allergies on any of your dining reservations. You can also contact WDW ahead but I don't know that they'll provide actual ingredient lists since those can change. At table service restaurants you'll want to speak with the chef before ordering to find out what's safe and what might be available as alternative. At quick-service locations, mention the allergy and ask for the allergy binder where you can review the ingredient lists. There are fewer options for modifications at quick-service since most of the offerings in these places are pre-prepared.

2. Kids I've seen on "leashes" like those cute animal backpacks or wrist connectors appear to be toddler-aged. It sounds like your trip may be about a year out and your little guy is still young. Does he have other issues besides running? If he'll be "almost 5" at the time of the trip, that means to me "ready for kindergarten" in which case a nearly-5-yr-old should be able to behave and stay nearby. A 3-yr-old or just-turned-4 maybe not so much; it could change in a year. But I would first work on making him accountable for running away. And then make sure you plan some down-time where he can expend all that energy -- some of the resorts have playgrounds which might be just right for him. If his running is related to other developmental issues, and a double stroller is not an option, the leash may be necessary; be prepared that most people using one have toddlers so you are likely to get odd looks with an older preschool child on a leash.

3. I suggest checking YouTube for some ride videos. Maybe review them yourself and then spend some time going over them with your middle boy. Let him know what to expect. You'll be able to see which rides are dark, loud, etc. as well as judge his reaction without getting into the full experience as an unknown. You MAY be able to obtain a DAS from an outside-the-park Guest Relations window; reports seem to go both ways. If that window is busy with ticket concerns or doesn't have the proper equipment available, they will direct you to enter the park and request the DAS there. It might be worth a try if you have time AND if it won't be problematic for your boys to get that close to the park entrance and then walk away.

Enjoy your vacation!

Thanks for the tips. The food dye one seems to be difficult to avoid in a lot of situations, especially fast-paced public events. If my runner doesn't chill before thr trip, I will leash him if I have to. With an Aspie, I get weird looks all the time anyway because of some of his behaviors, so I can tune them out. Safety is my most important concern. If I can rent a Disney double, I won't have to worry about the weight since they're plastic and can hold adults. I think we'll probably keep the muffs handy on nearly all dark rides, even Splash Mountain. I do plan to show them videos of some of the rides. I don;t want to spoil the whole ride for them, but I may show them the scarier parts. I might try to get the DAS outside on arrival night. I will be going through that area anyway switching from bus to monorail to go to Grand Floridan for dinner, so if it works, great and if not, we can try again in the morning.

 

[gap2368]

This is going to be my kids' first trip. I went as a kid/teen 4 times, but haven't been since 1998, so I know a LOT has changed since then. We are going for 4 nights/3 days in parks - 2 in MK, 1 in AK between the MK days. I am a single mom to 3 boys (who will be 8, almost 7 and almost 5) and it will be just me and the 3. Here are the potential snags in our trip:
1. My oldest is ADHD and is allergic to artificial food dye in the sense that it makes his ADHD go haywire. He is otherwise a happy kid who gets a little energetic, but nothing too serious and nothing unexpected for Disney World. He is just loud and boisterous and very in-your-face. He likes fast rides, but not heights, although I think he can be persuaded into trying new things. We won't be going to DHS this time, so no worries on ToT. My main concern with him is the food dye, especially Red 40 and Yellow 5/6. Is it possible for me to contact the restaurants we plan to eat at ahead of time and request an ingredient list for any items I may be unsure of? (A lot of chocolate has Red 40 in it, vanilla frosting has Red 40 sometimes, Mayo has Blue 1 in it, etc) I mean, I'm fairly sure the chicken nuggets, fries, etc should be fine. Mostly worried about desserts - especially the Dole Whip.
2. My youngest is a runner. He has been since he could walk. Will Disney allow me to leash him? I know that sounds awful, but the child has gone missing twice already in his short little life - nothing serious thankfully, but Disney World is HUGE. He slipped away from me for about 2 minutes at a Halloween event by yanking his hand out of mine. I panicked and started frantically looking for him, but he very quickly went back to where he last saw me and was recovered quickly. The second time was during a T-ball game. He slipped out of an open gate during the middle of the game, right from under the assistant coach's nose. He was stopped by another parent in the parking lot at my car, demanding to go home. I would feel best if he was leashed to me by a wrist leash, since wagons aren't allowed and the stroller is likely going to my middle boy.
3. My middle boy. My sweet little hermit. He is an Aspie with Sensory Processing Disorder. I am already planning on getting him a DAS as he does not do close-quarter contact with strangers very well. He's usually okay for waits under 10 minutes, but he gets agitated when he gets repeatedly pressed up against strangers and has melted down on numerous occasions. He is fine with waiting, just not in sardine-can lines. I think I understand how this works - we check in at the ride and go wait somewhere else if the wait is more than 10 minutes, then come back after our wait and check back in through FastPass line with his band first, then scan ours and then we ride? Only one reservation at a time, but we can have traditional FastPasses at the same time. His other big issue is reverberating and shrill sounds like thunder, fireworks, loud horns, sirens, etc. I have noise-cancelling ear covers for him that worked for Blue Angels, but my biggest questions is - which rides/shows is he going to need them on/for? I know obviously for Wishes and the parades, he is going to wear them, but which rides have thunder or sudden, similar sounds? Another questions I have is when to get the DAS pass. From my understand, it is valid for up to 60 days, so it is a length of stay thing. We are going to 1900 Park Fare the night we get there via bus to MK and monorail to Grand Floridian. Since the DAS is available at Guest Relations outside the park, would it be possible to go the one outside MK the day before we start touring parks to get his DAS? I ask because we are hoping to have a pre-rope drop ADR at BOG on the first day of touring and we will be at the BACK of the park and would like to be able to take advantage of the first hour to hopefully get some big-tickets done without long waits.

1 I think you can ask if any of these are in the foods and they should be able to tell you

2 yes I have seen them all the time a disney ( ok maybe 1 or 2 times a day)


3 yes this is how the DAS works but be aware even in the FP line the waits can be longer ( I have had to get out of lines at 20 minutes and I was no where near the ride with my DAS card)

as fair as rides this depends on your son BTMRR is loud space for me is bad ( the clicking when you are going up) the line for buzz again for me or any where that there are a lot of people talking and echoing like 7DMT I will some times wear mine if it is crowded even if there is not a lot of noise it just makes me feel safer ( weird i know) I would have them ready for if he need them I have a zip tie around mine and clip them to my bag or the shoulder strap so it is right there for me.

 

[cosmicmommy]

1 I think you can ask if any of these are in the foods and they should be able to tell you

2 yes I have seen them all the time a disney ( ok maybe 1 or 2 times a day)


3 yes this is how the DAS works but be aware even in the FP line the waits can be longer ( I have had to get out of lines at 20 minutes and I was no where near the ride with my DAS card)

as fair as rides this depends on your son BTMRR is loud space for me is bad ( the clicking when you are going up) the line for buzz again for me or any where that there are a lot of people talking and echoing like 7DMT I will some times wear mine if it is crowded even if there is not a lot of noise it just makes me feel safer ( weird i know) I would have them ready for if he need them I have a zip tie around mine and clip them to my bag or the shoulder strap so it is right there for me.

Not weird at all. I myself have SPD, so I understand how getting overwhelmed feels. That's why I am not hesitating to go for the DAS and give it a try if needed. The biggest difference is I went 31 years without being diagnosed or even considered to have it, so I learned to cope on my own. He's 6 now, will be basically 7 then, so I have a huge head-start on developing coping mechanisms. While I am able to tolerate it and can usually tune out the most offensive stuff, I do get overwhelmed myself, so I understand how comforting true silence can be. I don't know how everyone else's SPD works, but for me, it's like my senses are on hyperdrive at all times. I can see over a million colors (and also auras when triggered), I can hear dog whistles and security cameras, touch bothers me to some degree but thankfully it is one of my least offensive senses (whereas for my son it is his MOST offensive). For me, taste is my biggest trigger. And my reaction when triggered is typically a migraine, but I can feel it coming on and will attempt to stop one of the offending sense (for me, I can handle two usually, but three or more trigger a migraine). My kids know "Mommy gets migraines, so if she says we have to move or leave, she means it," but I have only twice had to leave something with them because I could no longer think. My "meltdown" if you will is fairly silent -Apollo's (my son) is not. He gets physically agitated and squirmy and snaps his fingers or worries his clothes until it gets to be too much, then he slaps his hands over his ears and sits down and rocks until I can get to him. Only 3 people can pull him out of it - me, my mom and my grandmother - and sometimes it takes a while. I just want to be prepared since I know that Disney is going to be a whirlwind of potential triggers - the DAS will help with the stranger issues, the muffs will help with sound. Touch and sound seem to be his biggest triggers. Any other coping mechanisms that may be appropriate for a 7 year old? I will definitely have a stroller, but whether it is split between him and his younger brother or I get a double is yet to be seen.

 

[Aladora]

I absolutely plan to write my phone number all over the kids - maybe on their foreheads. No, I'm kidding on that, but I did plan to write it on their wrists (all 3 of them, mama ain't fooling around with losing a kid) and put clear nail polish over it. I don't care if my two oldest know my number by heart - they may not remember it if they are panicked because thye can't find me.

I've heard of some people writing their numbers on their child's arm and then using Liquid Bandage over top.

New Skin

 

[gap2368]

I absolutely plan to write my phone number all over the kids - maybe on their foreheads. No, I'm kidding on that, but I did plan to write it on their wrists (all 3 of them, mama ain't fooling around with losing a kid) and put clear nail polish over it. I don't care if my two oldest know my number by heart - they may not remember it if they are panicked because thye can't find me.

Disney had finding lost parents down to a science most parents are not lost that long any ways at disney I would also take a picture of your children each morning so if you do get separated you can remember what they had on easer.

 

[Bete]

I'm sorry, but I think you need a helper on this trip. I think it's too much for you to handle alone. Disney World is wonderful, but it's so exciting there that children get carried away easily. That's when the wrong things can happen. What if two kids have a problem at the same time? What if everyone wants a different ride at the same time? You're bound to get tired. The average walking day in a park is 6 miles. I could go and on.....

I'm not saying not to go, but you need a helper. Get a family member to come with you that are familiar about the kids. Change dates or whatever to accommodate a helper. Pay their way.

Maybe, there is an organization that would help free of charge.

 

[gap2368]

I agree that it would help a lot to have another set of hands but the OP has said she dose not want to cancel this trip and dose not have any one to go with and can not afford to have someone else go with that said is the trip do able alone yes but harder yes

here are a few ideas

let your friends and any one else know that you are going maybe someone else is thinking of going and they might go with you. if someone is on the fence and I know you can not pay them but maybe doing some kind of service for them like cleaning there house 2x washing there cars watching there kids running earrings for then or some other thing. some times these things can go a long way.

I see in another post you are getting the meal plane unless it is free I would not get it as you have to eat so much to make it work. anther option is to have some food delivered to you or bring some BPJ tuna granola bars and hard boiled eggs and some fruit and veggies goes a long way I hardly ever buy food in the parks as I just bring my own. this alone can save a lot of many. I bring a small soft sided cooler bag that I put some ice in a baggie then when I am done the bag gets toast and it stays cold all day. ( and you know what your kids are eating)

get some suviners form out side of disney and let you kids have one every day a lot cheeper no I am not saying you can not buy something at the parks but this can help keep coset down but I would let each child know how much money they have whether it is $10 or $20 or what ever.

 

[DisneyOma]

For coping mechanisms, ask your child's teacher what they do at school.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Hi! I'm an almost 21 (yes I said 21) year old with high functioning autism so I can help. For allergies, make sure you have it noted on the ADR. This way, the chef can tell you what's ok. I would reccomend the DAS for some of the FP+ which you will have. I would definitley use the earphones for fireworks, I use my iPod for fireworks and I do fine

 

[SueM in MN]

Here are a couple of links for you.

WDW thread about DAS - the first 3 posts are pertinent. The others are from just before and just after DAS was put into place: http://www.disboards.com/threads/wd...15-digital-das-on-tickets-magicbands.3178976/

WDW Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities - this includes a list of attractions with length of the attraction and items that might be triggers or cause issues for some guests: https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...bilities-services/wdw_cognitive_guide_rev.pdf

WDW webpage for guests with disabilities - there are links to maps for such park at the bottom of the page:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/guests-with-disabilities/

Also, the disABILITIES FAQs thread is near the top of this board. It includes a lot of information. The specific post I think might be helpful to you is on page 2 and is about attractions where guests have felt claustrophobic.

 

[knitteresq]

A stroller really helps if personal space is an issue. About your runner, every kid is different of course, but I do have a runner and he tends to stay close to me at the parks because there are so many people. Hopefully he won't want to run if he sees the crowds?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Not weird at all. I myself have SPD, so I understand how getting overwhelmed feels. That's why I am not hesitating to go for the DAS and give it a try if needed. The biggest difference is I went 31 years without being diagnosed or even considered to have it, so I learned to cope on my own. He's 6 now, will be basically 7 then, so I have a huge head-start on developing coping mechanisms. While I am able to tolerate it and can usually tune out the most offensive stuff, I do get overwhelmed myself, so I understand how comforting true silence can be. I don't know how everyone else's SPD works, but for me, it's like my senses are on hyperdrive at all times. I can see over a million colors (and also auras when triggered), I can hear dog whistles and security cameras, touch bothers me to some degree but thankfully it is one of my least offensive senses (whereas for my son it is his MOST offensive). For me, taste is my biggest trigger. And my reaction when triggered is typically a migraine, but I can feel it coming on and will attempt to stop one of the offending sense (for me, I can handle two usually, but three or more trigger a migraine). My kids know "Mommy gets migraines, so if she says we have to move or leave, she means it," but I have only twice had to leave something with them because I could no longer think. My "meltdown" if you will is fairly silent -Apollo's (my son) is not. He gets physically agitated and squirmy and snaps his fingers or worries his clothes until it gets to be too much, then he slaps his hands over his ears and sits down and rocks until I can get to him. Only 3 people can pull him out of it - me, my mom and my grandmother - and sometimes it takes a while. I just want to be prepared since I know that Disney is going to be a whirlwind of potential triggers - the DAS will help with the stranger issues, the muffs will help with sound. Touch and sound seem to be his biggest triggers. Any other coping mechanisms that may be appropriate for a 7 year old? I will definitely have a stroller, but whether it is split between him and his younger brother or I get a double is yet to be seen.

from what I have read of your posts I am assuming it is just you and the kids going to WDW. not saying to not leash your runner as I have leashed a runner but if you are pushing the "stroller" and holding the leash be prepared for people to try to go between you and leashed child if that child is not right next to you. other people just do not look, see a space between stroller and person walking and try to slip thru. not talking about line but walking thru the parks. if at all possible try to bring someone to help you at the parks

 

[cobright]

With regards to #2, Kid-tether systems like the puppy/monkey back pack are common. We had one on my daughter most trips out for some time following a close call at a renn fair. You shouldn't catch any dirty looks except from the occasional elderly and self-righteous. I like to reinforce the choice whenever I can by complimenting the puppy-pack (or whatever) whenever I see them used.

If you are very worried, get a disposable cell phone set up and stick it in the backpack. Or put your smartphone in there loaded with an app to let you locate it via gps.

 

[cosmicmommy]

After the Cinci Zoo incident, anyone who gives me a wayward glance at the leash will be reminded, "My kid is where he is supposed to be."

 

[Cupcakesmum]

I would strongly recommend renting a double stoller. We have been twice with 4 kids and rented two doubles each time even though my oldest was 7 last year. He is a very athletic kid and no way no how would he ever in a million years use a stroller in any other circumstance but it was easier for us to keep track of the kids and move in crowded areas. My currents six year old will also complain about walking when it's crowded and hot. We rented City Select GT and we were at the total weight limit and it was sooooooo easy to push and manoeuvre. We're going this year again with an 8, 6, 4 and 2 year old and the only reason we're dropping to one double stroller is that I can easily still carry the 2 year old. There is no way I would take a 5 year old in the park with other kids on my own without a stroller. Then again if need be you could also rent on site although they tend to be less comfortable.