Has anyone taken their special needs child on the cruise

[3DisneyNUTS]

I just need to know what to expect. I already had my first dissappointing transaction with Disney since they will not allow my son to do the activities in his age group if he isn't potty trained. He may never be fully trained because of the nature of his disability. In all other aspects aside from this he is ok. He would really enjoy being in his age group doing activities.

So the reason I posted is I want to know if anyone has also bought their special needs child on the cruise and what if any accomodations were provided for you and your family?

 

[mobetsy]

Do a search on a couple of key words like "special needs" and I think you'll find some threads on this topic; I know I've seen them before.

Parents can be in the children's programs with their children, so maybe doing some of the activities that way would work (I did this with my slow to adapt to new things 5 y.o.). It doesn't get you time on your own, but it would let him enjoy the fun. Also, it is possible that they might be willing to page you if he needs toileting help/a diaper change, and you could come take care of that, but let him be on his own otherwise. Seems like I've read of others working something like this out when it is a disability involved (not simply a kid who is a bit later being able to use the toilet alone).

I hope you find a way to work this out!

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Yeah. I did bring that up (the page to change him) and they said no but I did call my vacation club guide and he told me not to worry. My son is speech delayed as well while he has no problem getting his peers to understand him, adults may have a harder time. So he may tell someone he has to use the potty but they will not understand him.

I did think of the parents being included after I got off the phone so that is an awesome option as well Thanks so much

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Another thing Ive gleened from reading the posts here is that while Disney states their "rules" as cut and dry with no exceptions so there isnt but _____ said that...... there is some wiggle room once you get on board- and the CMs will try to accomiadate as much as possiable. Disney trys to keep it fair for everyone- Yes its not fair that a special needs kid doesnt get full access to the clubs but its also not fair to the other kids on board if their councelers attentions were so heavily focused on the special needs kids that the other kids werent getting the attention they needed... So a special needs kid that functions rather close to "normal" would prob be more accepted than those who don't.

Its a fine line Disney has to walk on and I dont doubt that you would get the best help and assistance you need while on board.


-em

 

[DCLADDICT]

WE TOOK OUR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD ( DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS) ON OUR 3 DAY IN 2001, AND HE HAD A BLAST! WE HAD TO DRAG HIM OUT AT NIGHT. DISNEY SEEMS TO PAY EXCELENT ATTENTION TO SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN, AND WE WERE VERY PLEASED. HE WAS 10 AT THE TIME, BUT BECAUSE HE FUNCTIONS LOWER, THEY ASKED US DID WE WANT TO PUT HIM IN THE 7-9 GROUP AND WE SAID LET'S GIVE IT A TRY AND THEY ASSURED US IF HE HAD ANY PROBLEMS THEY WOULD PAGE US RIGHT AWAY. WELL, NO PROBLEM AND THE COUNSELORS HAD TO CONVINCE HIM TO GO TO DINNER WITH US ONE NIGHT, BECAUSE WE WANTED HIM TO WXPERIENCE A PARTICULAR RESTURANT. THEY REASSURED HIM HE COULD COME RIGHT BACK AFTER DINNER, AND HE DID. MY WIFE AND I CRUISED DCL ALONE PRIOR TO THIS CRUISE AND NOTICVED DURING A DECK PARTY, A YOUNG MAN ABOUT 28 YEARS OLD WITH DOWN'S SYNDROME. HE WAS WITH HIS PARENTS AT THE VERY BACK OF THE MASS OF PEOPLE, AND WHAT I SAW ONE OF THE DCL CREW DO AMAZED ME AND NEARLY BROUGHT ME TO TEARS. SHE WALKED THROUGH THE MASS OF PEOPLE AND WENT TO THIS YOUNG MAN AND BEGAN TO DANCE WITH HIM, NEEDLESS TO SAY HE WAS OVERJOYED AND HAD AN AWSOME TIME AND HIS ELDERLY PARENTS WERE GRINNING FROM EAR TO EAR. THAT WAS ENOUGH FOR ME TO KNOW IT WOULD BE ALLRIGHT FOR OUR SON TO GO ON OUR NEXT CRUISE. HE IS TOO OLD NOW FOR THE CHILDRENS PROGRAM BUT HE LOOKS FORWARD TO IT JUST THE SAME. YOU WANT TO LET THE CRUISELINE KNOW IF YOUR CHILD HAS SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS, AND WHEN YOU SIGN THEM UP FOR THE CHILDRENS PROGRAM, YOU FILL OUT AN EXTENSIVE FORM TO TELL ALL ABOUT YOUR CHILD, AND YOU WILL BE PLEASED WITH THE SECURITY OF THE PROGRAM. IF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS AND COULD LET ME KNOW ABOUT YOUR CHILDS SPECIFIC NEEDS, I COULD MAYBE TELL YOU MORE. GOOD LUCK AND I HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO TAKE THE CRUISE.

 

[mickey squared]

We've cruised with both my autistic sons, and two daughters. We bring along a therapist to help us with them, so she went into the clubs if they wanted to go. The 8 year old is non-verbal and was afraid of the clubs for some reason, so he hung with us at the pool most of the time. My then 3 year old went only in the morning with his aide, because he too wanted to be outside and swimming! Of course, since the boys weren't in the clubs, my 6 year old daughter didn't want to go in either. So, we ended up with all four kids pretty much all day. For our next cruise in Sept., we're bring 2 therapists, so hopefully we can relax a bit!The only real problem we had was with my 8year down the mickey slide, when he got yelled at repeatedly for not getting off quick enough!

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by Disneyland_emily
Another thing Ive gleened from reading the posts here is that while Disney states their "rules" as cut and dry with no exceptions so there isnt but _____ said that...... there is some wiggle room once you get on board- and the CMs will try to accomiadate as much as possiable. Disney trys to keep it fair for everyone- Yes its not fair that a special needs kid doesnt get full access to the clubs but its also not fair to the other kids on board if their councelers attentions were so heavily focused on the special needs kids that the other kids werent getting the attention they needed... So a special needs kid that functions rather close to "normal" would prob be more accepted than those who don't.

Its a fine line Disney has to walk on and I dont doubt that you would get the best help and assistance you need while on board.


-em

See being parents of a kid with Special Needs we understand that they should not take up cast members time from the typical children BUT then there should be rates that make up for that. We are being charged more because of his age and the fact that he can participate in more activities because of his age. With the ship not allowing that there should be a discounted rate. Plus I am willing to stay with him during the activities or be paged if he needs changing so really he will not take up any extra time than any other child who may have some typical issue arise. That is my complaint. It isn't fair to charge the same rate but exclude him based on a disability.
I am sorry but I also take offense at the close to "normal" comment. A child should not be discriminated against for lack of ability just like people would be in shock if an adult (for example)was not permitted to dine in the main areas with the "normal" adults or participate in an activity due to lets say being in a wheel chair. People have to realize that special needs children are a part of the community and comments like this really upset me. It isn't taking time away from anyone. Disney especially should plan for these things because the reality is that normal families have normal children who have different needs. Just because one kid can do more than the other doesn't mean that child should be barred from the activities.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Pete thanks so much for your post. It is so great to hear Thanks you have made my day with it

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Yeah I have a feeling Chris will want to hang with us too. He loves the pool and is potty trained to the point that if I am with him there a no accidents. But being his mom and understanding him all the time I fear he will not communicate enough with the councellors when he has to go. Hopefully he will do well in the next few months and this will be a non issue but you never know.

 

[CAMICKEY]

3DisneyNUTS - I think you are being kind of hard on Disneyland_emily. I see nothing wrong with her post. From a disabled Vet who is also "not normal". She did not say that your child should be discriminated against, only that a child close to being normal (for lack of a better definition) would probably be more accepted. - Mike

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Yeah I was and I am sorry. I get emotional about it and it is hard to think that people think they don't deserve the time they need because it isn't fair to take away from the typical kids. That is how I took it anyway so that post was emotional and I am sorry. It is hard to be a mom of a kid with special needs when things always have to be pointed out they they are not typical. KWIM?

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I meant no disrespect at all. I forget that my vantage point is often not known but Ive been viewed as an outsider my whole life having had cancer since I was 5 and I also raised a cancer kid for 4 years. Yeah I know it doesnt seem like much but cancer is alot more accepted now than it was even in the 80s. I grew up not being allowed to do things because I "might get others sick" I never got to go to DL (living 20 min away) because I might infect others with my disease, yet my family went often- Yes, alot came from my mother but it was felt through others. I know more about being different than being normal- of course what IS normal anyway....

anywhoot back on a subjectal tangent-

I also took my end stages of cancer daughter to Disneyland about a month before she became an angel. I wouldnt consider her "normal" then being completely wheelchair bound and she slept most of the day. Did she get to do the same things most almost 5 year olds do? Nope not by a long shot- Unless ya can call 2 rides, meeting mickey and 2 shows/parades. Would I change that day for anything? nope- Just being togeather was worth it. Was it an issue that I had to pay the same price for her as I did my son who rode everything? Ya know maybe a little- But for what Lex didnt do or couldnt do it was made up for with amazing interactions with the CMs there- I wouldnt trade that day for anything it was worth every penny.

There is a time and place for everything- Memories and Magic will fill the empty slots of things your child cant do if you let them-


-em

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Emily I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter. I am also sorry I got so sensative. I posted today right after getting off the phone with the cruise line and I was overly sensative. It sucks hearing another thing your child can't do if you KWIM? But again I am sorry. I feel like I flew off the handle and my emotions clouded my post.