Hotel for ASD Child

[asdisney]

Hi all,

I am thinking about taking my 5 year old daughter, with moderate Autism, to Disney World next year.

I need to find a suitable place for her to stay. I am trying to weigh up staying on site, and off site.

Being off site means we can leave the park and get away from any Disney stimulation easily, which might be a bonus. But I am also open to being on site.

Does anybody here have recommendations for accommodation that would be suitable for a child who likes to run away (elope) if given the chance? The property would need to be safe and secure. A safe pool is a must for her. A condo would be brilliant as we can shut the world out and make it ours for a few days.

I know it sounds like a bit of a nightmare, but if I can get all of these aspects under control, I think we can have a successful trip.

Any advice on properties would be SO welcomed.

Thanks in advance x

 

[bookwormde]

We very quickly realized that we needed both to be on site close to the parks and have a "condo", So staying in DVC Villas while expensive even as a member was the best for us. In the end our DS AS was just the initial reason and even though at 15 he now manages quite well we are all spoiled an would not stay anywhere else.

If you rent depending on the time of year you go (avoid the really busy times like spring break and Christmas), for a 1 bedroom you are looing at 300-400/nt. If you buy in resale you can bring it down to $200-300/nt. The good think is that you can save a lot of that by preparing you meals in the villa's full kitchen rather than eating at the parks. A lot of our kids have limited diets anyway so that si also much easier to manage.

A lot of the time we end up getting a 2br and brining extended family.

We also do a lot of split stays (more than 1 resort) and do stay on studios for a couple of days to reduce the cost ($100-200/nt)

 

[powellrj]

Look into Bonnet Creek. Check out the Orlando page, there is an on going thread about it.

 

[OurBigTrip]

If you're looking for a regular hotel room on-site, we've found Port Orleans French Quarter to be the most quiet, relaxing resort we've ever stayed at on-site.

 

[opusone]

Being off site means we can leave the park and get away from any Disney stimulation easily, which might be a bonus.

We actually did the opposite when our son with autism was five. We stayed on site specifically so that we could be close to our resort and easily take breaks during the day. We would return to our room whenever (hopefully before) he seemed overstimulated. Obviously, the ease of on site depends on location of resort versus location of parks you will be visiting. This seemed to work well for us.

Does anybody here have recommendations for accommodation that would be suitable for a child who likes to run away (elope) if given the chance? The property would need to be safe and secure. A safe pool is a must for her. A condo would be brilliant as we can shut the world out and make it ours for a few days.

Our son definitely was a flight risk as well, but the resorts are really no different than any other hotel in this regard. The room door had a manual latch, and we would always throw that closed when we were in the room, so that he couldn't escape if he saw an opportunity. As always, though, we remained vigilant and tried to always have an eye on him. Again, we never had a problem at the resort, but I'm not sure a condo or a resort would be any different in this regard.

 

[asdisney]

These are really great points to think about - thanks so much.

My husband just let me know he used to stay at the Contemporary when he was a kid and it's really convenient. I might check that out. Plus the other ones mentioned on here.

opusone - which hotel did you stay at?

 

[Mariep26]

My son has ASD. He is pretty high functioning although he does wander occasionally. We have rented at Bay Lake Tower next to the Contemporary which was great for getting to and from MK and Epcot. We have also stayed at Art of Animation in a family suite. We liked having a separate room for some space to decompress, we liked the indoor corridors and the pool is gated and requires Magic Band to access. The theme can be quite bright but we stayed in the Cars section and my son is obsessed so he just happy to be surrounded by his favorite characters. It really depends on what your sons triggers are -- we were able to manage my sons pretty well and we find that he does really well at Disney and he is improved for weeks after our visit. It is pretty amazing.

 

[Mariep26]

Oh and you can get a 1 bedroom at BLT as well but BLT has balconies which I didn't like.

Sorry I keep thinking of stuff -- at AoA the gated pool is a big plus for us to keep him out but also to keep him in. The gates don't stay open that I ever saw. At one point I lost site of my son and let me tell you the security at Disney mobilized in a matter of seconds and had a team looking for him. Turns out he never got out of the pool area (he had his life jacket on and wanted to check out the Ping pong table by the bathroom). They located him in under 3 minutes.

 

[AulaniKhaleesi]

We stay on site just so we are close to our resort. My son (2) enjoys retreating too. It helped having his blanket in Disneyland. He would be able to cover himself and make a darkish area to block visual stimulation while we found a quiet place or were heading to the hotel. He has moderate asd as well. So something like that could help in a pinch. We are staying at Bay Lake this time so it's close to mk where we spend a lot of our time because it has the most he can do.

 

[sukhakuli]

I don't know if things have changed, but Shades of Green didn't have those high up locks on the doors. So we ended up putting a chair in front of the door so my son wouldn't leave while we were sleeping. He also has moderate autism, and used to be really bad about wandering off. It's better now.

Also, be careful about suites. They often have the "kid" section right by the hotel door, so the child could run off when you're asleep.

One thing to think about as far as off site or on site goes, what helps your child decompress? If you stay on site, you could walk back to your hotel, or you would have to take a bus. If you stay off site, you will have to drive. How are those transitions for your child? We prefer staying within walking distance. The dark, quiet walk really helps my son. Buses are a nightmare for him because of the noise, lights, and people. Driving isn't too bad, so doing that would be OK for him. But all kids are different. After a loud, noisy, stimulating day in the park, a slow, quiet walk in the dark seems to really help him out.

What are your pool safety concerns?

 

[dsdeleon]

The Fort Wilderness cabins (with a golf cart) are the best for my ASD DS due to being able to make a lot of noise and run around without disturbing anyone. It is so serene and peaceful there you would not believe you are in Disney. Being onsite make midday breaks easy peasy.

 

[asdisney]

Thanks again for all this info - it's giving me a lot to think about!

Now I am torn about where to stay! Staying on site would be good for us to be able to go back to the room for a bit and then be able to head out again. However... the cost! Are there any ways to find good rates on these rooms? It looks like we'd be paying a grand to say for a couple of nights... or is that just what you have to do with Disney resorts? The cabins look cute and fun, but we go to a cabin here in the mountains where we live so I'd be looking for somewhere that's different for a disney experience.

Staying off-site means we could 'get away from it all', but it also does mean a drive and once we leave the park that'll be it. I'm kind of leaning away from this idea now.

The problem my daughter has with pools is that she thinks she can swim... (she can't, but we're working on it), she also doesn't stay in one place for long, so I have to keep on her tail the whole time. She is fast!

We just got back from a trip to Mexico where there was a play structure for kids. You could not see all sides of it, and so when my Mother-in-law took her eyes off her for a second, my daughter was OFF. She was missing for 10 minutes and we found her IN THE SEA by herself!! Fortunately she had floaties on, but... that has to be the worst experience of my life. So, the pool area has to be safe and secure. Fenced if possible. I can see some have 'beach' areas on the lakes, but no swimming? That could be an issue. She'd be in the lake before you could say Ariel

 

[bookwormde]

If she will tolerate it just put a life jacket on her. Lot sof ways to make sure she can not take it off.

How good a bargain you can get depends on when you are going and how far ahead you can plan.

 

[opusone]

opusone - which hotel did you stay at?

We have stayed at Boardwalk Villas (easy access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios) and Shades of Green (military resort with easy access to MK, but basically right across the street from the Polynesian).

Magic Kingdom: monorail line (Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian), boats (Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness)
Epcot and Hollywood Studios: walk/boat to Epcot and boat to HS (Boardwalk Inn and Villas, Beach Club, Yacht Club)
Animal Kingdom: Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas

I don't know if things have changed, but Shades of Green didn't have those high up locks on the doors. So we ended up putting a chair in front of the door so my son wouldn't leave while we were sleeping. He also has moderate autism, and used to be really bad about wandering off. It's better now.

I might not be remembering correctly, but I think the "new" wing of Shades of Green does have the higher up latch (or chain). I have only stayed there once, and we had a room in the new wing, so I cannot compare to the older wings.

 

[powellrj]

Staying off-site means we could 'get away from it all', but it also does mean a drive and once we leave the park that'll be it. I'm kind of leaning away from this idea now.

Thats why I suggested Bonnet Creek, its next to CBR.

 

[asdisney]

Yes, leaning back towards Bonnet Creek. Also thinking of adding in a couple of days at the beach. DH wants to go to the east side, but I like the gulf.

Too many decisions!

 

[kmarshall]

Just have to add that when I took my son at 6 yr old, we rented a stroller. It made a major difference to have a place for him to decompress while in the park, just pull down the shade cover. We're going again in Nov at 8yrs old and will rent again. He will have more stamina to enjoy the park and not have to worry about wandering as he sees so much & gets overwhelmed. Used Orlandstrollerrentals.com wonderful service, delivers to your hotel and picks up again when done

 

[AineDeBruggh]

I haven't any personal experience with a child on the spectrum who wanders (my step-son is now 18 and is done with that phase), but I can understand your concerns for traveling.

I can, however suggest that the DVC suites at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House) are very quiet and far enough removed from the pool area that your little one wouldn't likely get there on their own. I seem to remember a splash-pad beside the pool, and that the pool is directly beside the cafeteria on the lowest floor. I rented a DVC suite (studio size - value level) for just under 1K for a 7 night stay during the low season. If it is just yourself, your husband and your little one you might get away with that sort of room (provided that you were all going to sleep around the same time).

I can also add some info from personal experience with being taken care of by the staff at WDW specifically. When I was 16 and my sister 13, my Grandmother decided to take us on a trip to WDW -- just the three of us. My grandmother fell ill on the second day and was flown home via air-ambulance. My sister and I were left at WDW alone. Our parents gave permission for us to travel as unaccompanied minors. The staff at the Disney resort (Carribean Beach Resort) checked on us every day and made us feel very safe and watched-over. This was the first time that I had ever been left completely without family supervision to use transportation systems, maps etc. on my own and I NEVER felt abandoned or lost.

That was a long time ago (2001) but I still feel that it's safer to stay on-site, as the staff and facilities at Disney are more capable of dealing with one-off situations like wandering children or those who need extra help than perhaps an off-site location would be equipped to handle.

I am now a proud step-mom, planning our first family vacation to WDW and I feel safer at the parks and on-site, knowing that if our boy does get turned around, the staff will know how to help us and help him.

 

[ladyjubilee]

My son doesn't wander or escape, one of the few things he doesn't do .

We stayed at CBR last time and my son did great. We also drive down so we can get out quickly if needed. We stayed offsite once. It wasn't bad, but I just feel the on site resorts are a little more contained, I guess, and controlled.

Anyway, I'm not sure who made them, but we used to have repositionable door/window alarms. I used them when a new child came just in case. I think my mom found them at Walmart.

I second the stroller too. Frankly, I think we'll always use the stroller or a wheelchair, if only because it makes such a difference in behavior.... and containment.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Hi, I'm a 19 year old with autism. I would reccomend staying at the monorail or Epcot resort areas. That way, the transportation if your DD ever needs a break, you are right there.