Help to prepare for Disneyland

[Bugsmom73]

We are going to Disneyland in late May. What are some of the key points/differences I need to prepare DS for? He has autism but is easy going and fairly flexible.

I created a social story for him 2 years ago when we went to Disney. The flying one is pretty standard. Do I change the picture of the airplane? We are flying United this time instead of American. I doubt he will notice.

Also gotta look up particulars on the Orange County Airport.

 

[mechurchlady]

First of all are you staying on or off property. If off property are you driving.

On property is a walk to the monorail station and then a ride to tomorrow land or a walk to the main gates. Driving means going into a parking garage, walking to the tram then riding in the tram to main gates. Some off-site resorts have a van to transport guests to the area near the main gates.

The other people here can help you with the airport planning. As for DLR, not sure what to say but if you need specific ride info I will try to help.

 

[Bugsmom73]

We are within walking distance. We are at the Hojo's iin Anaheim.

 

[Earstou]

We are within walking distance. We are at the Hojo's iin Anaheim.

The big thing I can think of is walking along a sometimes busy, noisy street to get to DL. Not something you do at WDW! If it's the same as when I was there, once off the street, you walk along a DL driveway, so still vehicles driving by. You go thru bag check, then you are in a plaza with DL on one side and California Adventures on the other, and DTD on the other end.
DL is much more compact, not as much walking distance. They have some different rides, like the Indiana Jones Ride and the Nemo submarines. Also some smaller rides in Fantasyland. The castle is smaller.
California Adventure looks less like a Disney park and more like a typical amusement park, and more spread out than DL.
That's all I can think of right now for the story.

FYI, a favorite thing for us is to eat at Blue Bayou, because you get to watch the POC boats go by. It's inside, made to look as though you are dining under the stars. Can be very good for down time! It's at the very beginning of the ride, while the boats are slowly drifting thru the swamp.

 

[dclfun]

I wouldn't know how to address this in pictures or a social story or even if it's a factor for your son but when we were there in late May 2005 it got freezing cold at night! I was really surprised as being from the other coast it's toasty in late May. I travel in a w/c and was actually so cold that despite being wrapped in a resort blanket. sweatshirt and several layers I was too cold to tolerate the evenings outdoors. ---Kathy

 

[Earstou]

True, the weather can be cool. One time we went, early June, it was very overcast and cool for most of the trip. My dd was upset, as she had packed almost all shorts and tank tops. Her jeans and two tops with 3/4 length sleeves got a workout that trip!
Definitely take a light jacket!

 

[mechurchlady]

You will be with blocks of McDonald's and other restaurants. My mother says it is the Rivers of America that cause Disneyland to get cold. Even in the summer the evening can get cool around the lagoon and River. Right now it is warm but at night the air gets nippy and finally it is cold around 2-7 am. It is a desert climate. Definitely prepare for hot sunny times as well as breezy cool evenings down around 50 to 60. I doubt rain will happen but said that about a microburst in my back yard, lol.

Read FAQs as there are great tips on getting through airports and the flight. People vary so I cannot help you specifically. There are some quieter areas like the bathroom area on the right as you go under the train tracks. The train is nice for relaxing but if he is not good with the dinosquars and grand canyon then get off ant tomorrowland. Across from the Matterhorn and next to the lagoon is a little nook to set. The alley between Matterhorn and the Tomorrowland buildings is quieter usually. Downstairs at the Hungry Bear Restaurant is quieter as is the courtyard in New Orleans Square. The path from Big Thunder to Fantasyland is cool tree shaded and another place but I cannot guarantee your aren't going to find a nice quiet spot as tourists will be tourists.

Is there anything he really likes to do or see? Is he a sensory seeker?

 

[wendithepooh]

We stayed at the HOJO in 2006.I am wondering why you choose this property when there are closer ones.It is a loooooong walk at the end of the night,but it is too close to use the art shuttle.We stayed at the Anaheim Desert Inn in 2006 and 2007 and the Park Vue Inn in 2006.We really liked the Desert Inn.It is across the street and down 1 hotel and they have breakfast.Just a thought.

I also have a son 13 with Autism,although very high functioning.The thing he had problems with were the fireworks.We would have to go back to the hotel before the were started.It was really bad when we were at the HOJO's because they are the hotel closest to the fireworks.The hotel was closer than some places in the park.Just info to ponder.

I have never taken DS to WDW,but will be taking him in Oct.So I am not sure what the differences are.This coming trip will be his first on a airlpane.

If you have more questions relating DLR,I will be happy to help.

 

[Bugsmom73]

DS is a sensory seeker for the most part, although some loud noises bother him.

As for the Hojo, It has internal corridors for the most part. We were also able to get the room for 60 dollars per night for 3 nights and 15% of for the other 2. DS tends to bolt and an exterior motel/hotel would be too nerve racking for me. We can't afford a DLR hotel and the number of interior corridor hotels is slim picking in our price range.

He loved just about everything we did last trip, LOVED Small World but I know that will be closed. He rode it about 6 times last trip.

He LOVES fireworks. He just stands and happy Flaps.

 

[wendithepooh]

DS is a sensory seeker for the most part, although some loud noises bother him.

As for the Hojo, It has internal corridors for the most part. We were also able to get the room for 60 dollars per night for 3 nights and 15% of for the other 2. DS tends to bolt and an exterior motel/hotel would be too nerve racking for me. We can't afford a DLR hotel and the number of interior corridor hotels is slim picking in our price range.

He loved just about everything we did last trip, LOVED Small World but I know that will be closed. He rode it about 6 times last trip.

He LOVES fireworks. He just stands and happy Flaps.

I love the happy Flaps.We call DS the Lord of the Finger Dance.We called him that before we knew he had Autism.He was 10 when we found out.

It's true HOJO has indoor corridors.Do they on all the outer buildings too?Not sure.They definatly do on the taller building.Good Luck.It sounds fun.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Hello my friend from a different world! Same name here as there, so I'm sure you'll know me! Scuba is here somewhere, too.

The layout is slightly different. He may go around a corner expecting to see a certain thing and it won't be there. Restaurants are different and found in different places. Bathrooms are in different places. The way you sit on rides can be different.....some places they're side by side and some places they are one behind the other. Winnie the Pooh is back in Critter Country, not in Fantasyland. The monorail is simply a ride, not a main way of transportation. Rides that are in completely different parks are together in Disneyland (like Star Tours). There are more "wet zones", especially in Bugs Land. It's very easy to get soaked, especially if your son is a seeker. I just bring a change of clothes, as I know we'll use it. Or, with my boys, I dressed them in swim trunks and t-shirts. Swim trunks always dried faster. And I brought flip flops/sandals for playing in the water, but socks and shoes for the rest of the time. I'm not sure what kind of electrical parade they have at WDW any longer, but they do offer the original Disney's Electrical Parade at DCA. I'd definitely make it a point to go to Aladin, too. Way cool. Not sure if they have that at WDW, we haven't been there for years, and when we were, we didn't do MGM. I'd be cautious of playhouse disney, honestly. Everyone sits on the ground, and unless you're right up front it's hard to see, and lots and lots of people around. My DS is now 13 and has outgrown (or become more accustomed to) many of his sensitivities, but he would have had a tough time in that one. Lots of shrieking kids and no personal space. I did this with just DD and she told me she didn't want to do it again. You may have a different experience, but I thought I'd put it out there.

I personally think the walkways at DLR are a bit smaller and lead to more congestion. Important to know if you have a runner. Oddly enough, my second one, who isn't autistic, was my runner, and Zoe is so confident that she just assumes everyone is following her!

PM me your address, if you're comfortable, and I'll send you the maps. Also, if you take a look at the maps online, I'd be happy to go take whatever pictures you'd like and email them. (I'm always up for a Disney trip, it's even better if we have a reason to go!)

I personally really like Hojo's. They are able (and very very willing!) to make whatever accomodations that they can. Their rooms are larger than most. I like the view. You can watch fireworks from there very easily. Might work well, if everyone else is ready to head out and DS doesn't want to leave because of the fireworks.