Hi everybody! I have an autistic boy we want to go disneyland

[Yoli]

Hello, I live in Baja California Mexico, and I have an autistic boy, he is 7 years old, he speaks a little but in spanish. Few weeks ago we went to disneyland (Anaheim) and it was a nightmare, the first day my husband doesn't want to rent a stroller, what a mistake!!!! my kid was crying and screaming lot of time, the 2nd day I rented the stroller, but I never think that the weight of my son was very much for the stroller, I can't push it for a little time!!, then I have to ask my husband to help me... The stroller was very heavy with my kid in it even for him, he is like a 9 or 10 years old, is very big... he weights like 102 lbs. We bought a package of 4 days but we returned at home at 2nd day for the problems. I think that we didn't knew to manage the situation, it was our first travel. I want to go and try again in august, but I don't know if we must rent a wheeled chair, he walks, but when he says no I can't do anything! and I think that another people really needs the wheeled chair more than my kid, but there are so many people, and he doesn't want another persons near him and he doesn't want to wait in the long lines. I'm very stressed I have a 9 years old girl that askes "why we can't go again???? we have the tickets!!!" I'm sorry for my english, I know that isn't good... but if some one can help me giving some instructions about my next travel I will be very happy

 

[jmartinez1895]

Don't worry about your English, you did great. You son should get a wheelchair. They are there for people who need them and you son need it. When you go to the park go to the place called Guest Services. There you will tell them about your child and they will be able to give you advice and some help. I think that you will have a better trip just by getting a wheelchair. Be sure to use fastpass to cut down a waits for some of the rides and plan a few breaks in case things get to much for him. How long do you have to use your tickets? If you have a while then you may want to wait and go during slower times like September or January. There will still be crowds, but not near as many people as there are in June and July.

 

[KPeveler]

I agree - wheelchairs are there for people who need them, whether for physical or other reasons. It sounds like you definitely need it!

One thing you may want to consider is buying (sometimes insurance will pay for it) a special needs stroller - I bet it would come in handy more places than Disney.

Also, stop by City Hall or Guest Relations and ask about a GAC card. This is not designed to shorten wait times, but sometimes there are accommodations which will help with a better waiting area or something like that.

If you do use a stroller, you can get a GAC which will allow you to take the stroller into lines and restaurants, so he doesn't have to walk there and have people bump into him.

Since his speaking/English is not great, you may want to put a t-shirt or button on him which says something like "I'm autistic, please call my Mom at this number" in case he gets lost or something.

And your English is fine - I knew just what you meant!

 

[Yoli]

Thanks for your answers... Absolutely I really love to have this kind of strollers.. but in Mexico the insurance doesn't cover anything, in fact, last year we tried to get one insurance for all the family, and GNP Mexico answered that they can't give the insurance for him because he is autistic. We got very angry but can't resolve anything... Well I will rent the wheeled chair for him. We have to go in august because the tickest expire 45 days after the first entrance to disney but we are going to go in thursday (the weekend disney is very full !!) Today I'm working in the labels to make the t-shirt with our numbers... I will post here about our new adventure there, and again thanks thanks thanks! It's so good know that we are not alone in this way.

 

[bcoleman22]

You should definitely go to customer service first! We had a similar experience with our autistic boy in Florida. We were actually approached by a representative of the park asking us how our day was going. When we told her about our son and his specific needs, she sent us to customer service where they issued us a "GAC?"(not sure what it was called), and it met his needs really well. They even allowed 6 of our party of 8 to ride with him at any one time. That kind of service and attention gaurantees many future visits!

Brian

 

[kirstenb1]

With 2 kids, one with autism, my husband and I split up in the parks. He takes our older daughter who's 13, on all the coasters, etc.

I take our younger daughter who's 5 and has autism on the gentler rides and shows. I also bring headphones, in case something is too loud or the crowds get to her. Her stroller is her safe zone where she can get away from people touching her. Maybe a wheelchair would do the same for your son?

Anyway, with 2 kids, my advice is to split up for the day. Your daughter might enjoy the one on one time with you or your husband. You can meet up for supper and enjoy the evening together.

 

[dntd]

I would rent a wheelchair,plan breaks, take small toys for waiting in lines.You could just take a trip with just your daughter. Some kids just are not ready for the stress disney can bring, 7 is still young and with autism he will not have a lot of coping skills yet.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I'm a 16 year old with autism. I was actually not diagnsoed until I was almost 4, in 1999. My family and I use the GAC and it meets my needs very well.