Has anyone used the Disney Dream kids area. We have three kids with ASD, first time Disney experienc

[1funmum]

Lol I was convinced by friends not to book the magic and to book the dream. Oh well. I keep living and learning

 

[DisneyOma]

Lol I don't mean they don't have boundaries lol they have boundaries and stay with in them easily. They follow rules very well. All three of them. My eldest is the rule police. He loves rules and is very very rigid over them. I mean they are use to doing what ever they like and can do. So for instance even though my 11/12 year old is severe he has done things like rock climbing, zip lining, and is presently learning to ski. He needs assistance sometimes to do what's necessary to do those things and a lot more attention in teaching him. But we have never discouraged him from trying or said he couldn't because he has needs. He would love to have freedom I'm sure like he does at other kid friendly resorts. But the ones we are use to are a bit more supportive and have staff that know how to assist when needed. We have a local indoor water park hotel called great wolf lodge. He explores the water area with his brother without parents there. He has fun. Does all the activities but the staff know he's there and they understand he might not respond when they talk to him. It can be crowded there but in the kids area they have a good ratio of staff and they look out for him, ask if he's ok. That sort of thing. Open things his hands can't open. Talk to him so he feels included. They invite him in to join activities. I had high hopes Disney would do the same as they to me would be the leaders of hospitality for kids. Or at least that was my opinion until I read some of their special needs policy. I think I am looking or hoping people will put my mind at ease.

Thanks for the explanation, that's not what I thought you meant at first. One thing to be concerned about on a ship is the tendency a lot of children on the ASD spectrum to be drawn to water. I would not allow any child to be out of sight if that child had a strong interest in getting wet.

 

[cgncga]

Hi everyone!
This is our first Disney experience ever! We booked both land and sea for our first Disney trip. We have three kids with ASD. All on different parts of the spectrum, all with different needs and abilities. We booked our Disney world trip first thinking it would be our dream vacation but quickly became over whelmed and noticed that it's a go go go experience that might be much for our family of 5. So we started looking at the cruise experience. We saw the videos and thought wow it's what we needed for a true respite after pounding pavement at Disney world. But after buying our tickets we found policies and statements that don't really sound autism friendly. We had thought the Disney kids area would have more experience or tact to deal with special needs kids.

My son who is severe ASD is really a wonderful soul. Happy and loves to have fun. But he also has selective mutism, he may or may not be able to communicate verbally for his needs. He can be left without a 1:1 for a reasonable amount of time. But the persons who are adults need to be aware of his needs and communications issues. He is potty trained but needs some navigation to where it is. Also he needs someone to ask to go. He has a card he can show if he is in a mute state. He also can sign toliet to request. But he feels he can't go unless he requests. He has some fine motor issues. He can dress himself but needs help with some tasks that might be required to do activities. He tries his best but with out verbal abilities he's often unable to really engage with his peers the way he might be expected to. Kids often think why won't he respond. He needs loads of encouragement to join in but loves doing everything and anything. He's such a joy and always smiles. Never violent. But often can get picked on and bullied once kids figure out he won't speak. He hears everything and understands a lot. But people assume he doesn't. I want to let him have the same privileges he has at home. He's going to be 12 years old. We don't put limits on him at home. We let him experience life and only accommodate what he needs accommodated in the moment.

My other son who is 13 is very serious and grown up Aspie. He is very delightful and very responsible. He is also use to no limits to what he can do. So he's looking forward to the fact that he can have his run of the ship. He needs encouragement to join in. Will stay to him self. I want him to have fun and build some memories. Not just burry his head in devices, he's a big gamer. And he's a bit protective of his brother and sister. I think he thinks he's a adult already. I kind of want him to be a kid. This is what I wanted for him. To loosen up a bit.

My daughter is also ASD and turning 4. She's mild ASD but she's 4! She talks and is sunny. But she's really really shy. Her anxiety is super high. She's extremely busy. She has asthma. She needs help with her inhalers if she needs them. She's a kid who loves to run around, but that might bring on her asthma. She is potty trained. But she's 4! She needs to be reminded when she gets busy. I guess I worry that no one will pay get any attention and she will need her inhaler or have a accident because no one bothered to ask if she needed to pee. Then get kicked out. She has leg braces. And they are new to her. She just got them before Christmas. She's finding it hard to do things and may need assistance here and there. I fear that because they don't have enough staff my kids won't be able to have the same experience other kids have. And I wanted my kids to experience Disney the way other kids do.

Sorry this is long but I'm worried and was looking for the cruise to be a time of respite for me and my hubby. We haven't been away or on vacation since our honeymoon. So we really want this vacation to be magical for all of us. Don't know if we will get to do it again.

A lot of people have given you info on how the Club/Lab works for your two younger children, but no one seems to have mentioned the Edge and how that will work for your eldest. My daughter was almost 12 on our Fantasy Cruise last year (our 4th DCL cruise) and it was the first time she was eligible for the Edge. She has high functioning autism and epilepsy as well as several other challenges. She loved the Edge. Although the Edge kids have the ability to check themselves in and out of the club, we told my daughter that she didn't. She had to be picked up by one of us and to call when she was ready to leave and if she left on her own (unless she was doing a group activity) than that would be the end of her time in the Edge. Being the rule-follower that she is, that worked. She had a great time there and while she spent some of her time watching movies and playing computer games, she also did interact with the other kids at times.

 

[DLgal]

That's horrible of them. When our kids need us we come running. Most autism parents are on the edge of our seats thinking are they ok. We don't relax much. It's always being on. Hopefully I will get one minute to turn off. Or I will wish I picked another vacation. I'm going to call Disney again this week and see what they say. I hope they will have a special needs coordinator or something. But not holding my breath. The lady on the last call said she is not sure. Then we got disconnected.

I think you and your husband should work something out where one watches the kids and the other can have a couple hours to just relax and hang out in the adult areas, at the spa, at one of the bars, etc. There is a sports bar and a champagne bar that are both great. We did this on our cruise a few times. DH would go watch a game at the sports bar and have some beers. I hung out in the cove Cafe with a book and just relaxed, etc. At least this way you get some time where you can turn "off." Often one of us would take the kids to the club for open house or play mini golf or shuffleboard while the other had some time alone.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

And everything you said about activities would appeal to both my young ones. My daughter loves arts and crafts and drawing. My son loves super heroes, star track, video games, and all sorts of stuff.

If your daughter loves arts and crafts and drawing and your son loves video games, super heroes, etc. you may just be in luck! It may not be exactly what you are looking for as it sounds like you would like to kids to socialize a bit, but if your son can play a video game on his own for an hour or so, maybe he will be ok? I have to say, honestly, though I try to limit screen time when we are at home, when DS8 was in the kids club, I kind of didn't care what he did! He ended up doing a lot of differnet activities, but, if he had played video games in a supervised environment for two hours so DH and I could go to Palo, I was happy!!! Yes, we parents need a break!!!

 

[ErinTwinmom]

I dream of the day when the twins are potty trained and I can think about doing something like this.

 

[lanejudy]

I dream of the day when the twins are potty trained and I can think about doing something like this.

I don't recall how old your twins are, but as long as they are at least 3 yrs old (and younger than 13) they can attend the Oceaneers Club/Lab onboard DCL. There no longer is any requirement of potty-trained; if they kids are still in pull-ups you (parents) will be asked to return periodically to check on their toileting needs.

 

[ErinTwinmom]

Sweet.. And 5

 

[dsdeleon]

A lot of people have given you info on how the Club/Lab works for your two younger children, but no one seems to have mentioned the Edge and how that will work for your eldest. My daughter was almost 12 on our Fantasy Cruise last year (our 4th DCL cruise) and it was the first time she was eligible for the Edge. She has high functioning autism and epilepsy as well as several other challenges. She loved the Edge. Although the Edge kids have the ability to check themselves in and out of the club, we told my daughter that she didn't. She had to be picked up by one of us and to call when she was ready to leave and if she left on her own (unless she was doing a group activity) than that would be the end of her time in the Edge. Being the rule-follower that she is, that worked. She had a great time there and while she spent some of her time watching movies and playing computer games, she also did interact with the other kids at times.

My eldest (mid functioning would be the classification) had a love/hate relationship with the EDGE. First of all I only have amazing things to say about the CMs. A couple things that he did not like was that the Wiis can overheat and they need to shut them off suddenly (unexpected changes) and some highly social activities(making pizzas) don't give much of an opt-out option. For that reason, telling him to go in and out was a better fit (Note: they are completely on their own officially.) He loved a lot of it though (invading VIBE is one I remember) and can't wait to go back!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

It would have been too costly to bring our own workers we use. And I actually thought it wouldn't be necessary. It's Disney!

1) Disney has the specialty cruises where extra accommodations are made.
2) For other cruises, Disney does well for kids, but can't afford to provide for kids with significant disabilities.
3) Depending upon severity, your own caretaker might be your best option.

 

[lanejudy]

1) Disney has the specialty cruises where extra accommodations are made.
2) For other cruises, Disney does well for kids, but can't afford to provide for kids with significant disabilities.
3) Depending upon severity, your own caretaker might be your best option.

Just to clarify #1 that I bolded above -- Disney does NOT offer "specialty cruises where extra accommodations are made." Autism on the Seas is a travel agency; one of the services AotS offers are group cruises (some on DCL, some on other cruise lines) and included in their package are extra accommodations. The same cruise can be booked directly through DCL or any other TA and will not offer those extras; to take advantage of the AotS extras, one must book the packaged offered through that travel agency. In most cases, it is AotS staff providing the extra accommodations.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I'm a 20 (almost 21 year old) with high functioning autism so I can help.


Your oldest as you mentioned will be in the Edge. I would recommend having him come and go with another kid (if you find your cruise meet thread, you could see if there are any families with kids of similar ages)

For your middle child, I would definitley let the staff know about his needs once you get on board. I hope you have a nice trip!

 

[Schaper71]

Hi everyone!
This is our first Disney experience ever! We booked both land and sea for our first Disney trip. We have three kids with ASD. All on different parts of the spectrum, all with different needs and abilities. We booked our Disney world trip first thinking it would be our dream vacation but quickly became over whelmed and noticed that it's a go go go experience that might be much for our family of 5. So we started looking at the cruise experience. We saw the videos and thought wow it's what we needed for a true respite after pounding pavement at Disney world. But after buying our tickets we found policies and statements that don't really sound autism friendly. We had thought the Disney kids area would have more experience or tact to deal with special needs kids.

My son who is severe ASD is really a wonderful soul. Happy and loves to have fun. But he also has selective mutism, he may or may not be able to communicate verbally for his needs. He can be left without a 1:1 for a reasonable amount of time. But the persons who are adults need to be aware of his needs and communications issues. He is potty trained but needs some navigation to where it is. Also he needs someone to ask to go. He has a card he can show if he is in a mute state. He also can sign toliet to request. But he feels he can't go unless he requests. He has some fine motor issues. He can dress himself but needs help with some tasks that might be required to do activities. He tries his best but with out verbal abilities he's often unable to really engage with his peers the way he might be expected to. Kids often think why won't he respond. He needs loads of encouragement to join in but loves doing everything and anything. He's such a joy and always smiles. Never violent. But often can get picked on and bullied once kids figure out he won't speak. He hears everything and understands a lot. But people assume he doesn't. I want to let him have the same privileges he has at home. He's going to be 12 years old. We don't put limits on him at home. We let him experience life and only accommodate what he needs accommodated in the moment.

My other son who is 13 is very serious and grown up Aspie. He is very delightful and very responsible. He is also use to no limits to what he can do. So he's looking forward to the fact that he can have his run of the ship. He needs encouragement to join in. Will stay to him self. I want him to have fun and build some memories. Not just burry his head in devices, he's a big gamer. And he's a bit protective of his brother and sister. I think he thinks he's a adult already. I kind of want him to be a kid. This is what I wanted for him. To loosen up a bit.

My daughter is also ASD and turning 4. She's mild ASD but she's 4! She talks and is sunny. But she's really really shy. Her anxiety is super high. She's extremely busy. She has asthma. She needs help with her inhalers if she needs them. She's a kid who loves to run around, but that might bring on her asthma. She is potty trained. But she's 4! She needs to be reminded when she gets busy. I guess I worry that no one will pay get any attention and she will need her inhaler or have a accident because no one bothered to ask if she needed to pee. Then get kicked out. She has leg braces. And they are new to her. She just got them before Christmas. She's finding it hard to do things and may need assistance here and there. I fear that because they don't have enough staff my kids won't be able to have the same experience other kids have. And I wanted my kids to experience Disney the way other kids do.

Sorry this is long but I'm worried and was looking for the cruise to be a time of respite for me and my hubby. We haven't been away or on vacation since our honeymoon. So we really want this vacation to be magical for all of us. Don't know if we will get to do it again.

Not to be nosy, but have you gone on your cruise yet? If so, how did it turn out? My DS(4) is on the spectrum and is nonverbal and we sail April 2 on the fantasy and would love any advice!

 

[Phoenix1]

Good Luck with your trip....I hope it works out for all! I have looked at the autism on the seas program and it really looks interesting. I am single mom taking my two ASD kids for first disney cruise on Dream in July with time in Disney before. We had done Disney before with family to help and now my son is actually looking forward to going again because it is not an "unknown". My son really enjoys watching the planning videos as it gives him some sense of what to expect. We also always travel with noise reducing headphones....he asks for them when in restaurants or other areas are too noisy. I've just gotten to the point where we try things...sometimes with good results, sometimes not always easy...but there are things that looking back were really tough and now my son enjoys....so I am glad we have tried.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I hope it works out! We did a Cruise many years ago, with DS, Autism and Down Syndrome. I thought they could accommodate him in the child drop areas, but nope. He was young, maybe 8? They were worried even about him understanding the computer rules, of taking turns. And honestly, he may not have been cooperative in transitioning form the computer to something else, in a strange environment? So they did say they would not push him with that. We left him once, for 20 minutes and then took turns in the evening walking around the ship. My other 3 kids LOVED all the kids programs and had a blast, ages 10, 12 and 6. It was only a 3 day cruise, so it was ok. I have not gone on another, the parks work best for DS (now an adult), he is fixated on the Disney parks, so that works.

 

[Momof2inCT]

I hope it works out! We did a Cruise many years ago, with DS, Autism and Down Syndrome. I thought they could accommodate him in the child drop areas, but nope. He was young, maybe 8? They were worried even about him understanding the computer rules, of taking turns. And honestly, he may not have been cooperative in transitioning form the computer to something else, in a strange environment? So they did say they would not push him with that. We left him once, for 20 minutes and then took turns in the evening walking around the ship. My other 3 kids LOVED all the kids programs and had a blast, ages 10, 12 and 6. It was only a 3 day cruise, so it was ok. I have not gone on another, the parks work best for DS (now an adult), he is fixated on the Disney parks, so that works.

I'm sorry to hear about this. We've been on 4 cruises (going on our 5th this summer!) with our DD (now 6), who does not have autism, but has sensory processing disorder, visual processing disorder and severe anxiety (as well as some serious health issues!), and some "other" types of behaviors that apparently do not classify as autism, but is "odd" behavior, loss of eye contact, can't hear people when she's being talked to, etc. We have had such WONDERFUL counselors in the kids' club that a Disney cruise is really the only vacation we all can enjoy. We have never had a problem with dropping her off and she has always had a counselor playing with/near her when I pick her up.