I'm scared of my June trip!

[BlondeAlligator]

I just booked a June 9-14 trip to take my 4yo DD (Autism) back to WDW. I wanted to take her before DH and I try for baby #2. May was out because I don't want her to miss any school (she is in a great special ed preschool program). Now I am freaking out because of the crowds...we will be at the Poly so we'll have a great pool for the hot afternoons, but I am worried about the parks. Can someone calm my nerves? I am sure we will get a GAC card to help with the extra long lines (she has little patience)...but I haven't been in the summertime since the early 90's & I'm not sure what to expect. Any words of encouragement?

Thanks!

 

[kmjmom]

Relax! You're going to Disney! Since this is a return trip for your DD, why not allow her to help you "choose" what to do your first day. Allow her time to adjust to her new surroundings and pace your schedule by her response. My experience with children with autism has trained me to involve them in the direction and structure of their day. As far as the heat, drink plenty of fluids and access air conditioning at inside locations. You're going to have a great time!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

If she's good at mornings, you can hit the parks at opening time when the crowds are still fairly quiet, then head back to your resort about lunch time ish when things are starting to get hotter and more crowded. Spend the afternoon in the pool, at the arcade, watching the Disney Channel or just generally chilling out, then head back out to the parks for the evening entertainment if you're up to it. Being at a Monorail resort will make it easier to make a quick getaway from MK or EPCOT if you need to.

Be aware that you're not going to get absolutely everything done in 5 days, so don't even try, just do what you can and have fun ! You might want to get a list of absolute "Can't Be Missed" attractions: 2 or 3 things each of you really wants to see or do during the holiday.

Good luck, pace yourselves and have fun!

 

[Crazy Kanga]

I agree, Early morning hours really have worked well for us even at busy times of the year. We go to emh mornings and leave by noon for pool break(ususaly just an hour) then a rest time in the room for a few hours and then back for the nighttime entertainment and a few more rides or shows. The afternoon down time is a must for us or ds gets overstimulated and cranky. I think being at the Poly will be ideal for your quick getways from both MK and Epcot especially. Good Luck and have fun.

 

[bitbangr]

BA,
We just got back, and the things that helped us were:

1. Go buy the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Learn it. Live it. Love it. It will tell you things like what the rides are like, appeal per age group, scary things about rides, what time of day to ride, etc. They even have touring plans to help minimize waiting time. You'll probably want the two-day plans, since they reduce the 1000-yard-dashes in some of the shorter plans. Just skip rides you aren't interested in. Alternatively, use the "best times to ride" as a guide.
2. Try to stay on normal bed/wake schedule, when possible
3. Take an afternoon break
4. Let the child know the plan for the day, and try to stick to it (we eliminated downtime in our room one day and had a battle as a result).
5. Strictly stick to any dietary issues (oops! Forgot to check that popcorn!)
6. Try to make few, if any, hard reservations (these caused us stress by imposing hard deadlines)
7. Try to arrive as early as possible (before park opening if you can), to shorten lines, especially on high-demand (the Mountains) or slow-loading rides (Astro Orbiter, Dumbo, Flying Carpets, etc.).
8. Fastpass is your friend. This will shorten lines, but somewhat complicates things by sometimes causing you to dash all over the park to obtain and then use them.
9. Locate quiet/calm/unstructured areas for decompression, and use them.
10. If she's a night person, the park closes very late, but MK tends to empty after the first parade and fireworks, resulting in VERY short lines.
11. RELAX AND ENJOY WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING.

 

[Disneylvr]

We went last June for a week with our then 3 year old daughter with autism. Because our week also included Memorial Day, Gay Days...it was VERY crowded. What helped us tremendously was the GAC and the fact that we were staying at the Contemporary. However, the heat was just too much. Madelyn also has asthma. Next year we are considering taking her out of school for 4 days and go in late April or early May but it will all depend on what kind of progress she is making in school at that time.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

I am so on board with taking DD out of school for a week, but we already did that once this schoool year in December, so I didn't want to do it again. We normally go in October or early Nov. or Dec...this is a quick trip that I decided to do because DH & I will be trying for baby #2 this summer & I won't be allowed to travel while pregnant (previous medical issues), so DD would miss out on WDW for a while if I didn't do it now. She does so well there & is so happy there...I make it a priority to take her. All that being said...

We have used the GAC card only once or twice...the last time we were there it was so uncrowded that we didn't really need it. DD is very high-functioning & at a glance looks completely normal. I always feel strange about using the card because her needs aren't obvious (no patience for long lines, can't stand still, etc). I guess I shouldn't...it's better than her having a meltdown in a long line. Opinions, anyone?

Thanks for all of your words of encouragement...I have planned a smart itin. using tourguidemike & we are leaving eveyr afternoon free for resting/swimming/etc...I feel much better about this trip & I'm actually excited about it!

 

[Disneylvr]

We explained to each CM that Madelyn has autism and then showed them the GAC and they escorted us to the Fast Pass line OR an alternate entrance. We only did this when the standby line was way too long. We thankfully never experienced any GAC problems with the CM's or other guests regarding Madelyn's not always obvious disability. Unfortunately we did have a meltdown situation at Chef Mickey's and did receive many disapproving looks from guests but our server was WONDERFULLY understanding and even gave us some tips.

I think you made the right choice of staying in the Poly. Being just a monorail ride away made all the difference to us last year as we spent most of our time at MK and Epcot. We are looking forward to our return visit next year and hope to stay at the Poly this time ourselves.

 

[mamacate]

I think all the other posters hit it quite right. We have one more day, and it has been pretty crowded, but timing things to avoid crowds (getting there early, leaving from 12-2), scheduling our itinerary using a crowd calendar, using ideas from Unoffical Guide touring plans, and using the GAC made all the difference. It was like we were in a different park from the one we saw when the crowds were crushing in midday. I also think that early June won't be bad.

I did have moments when I felt a little guilty about using the GAC. My son has mental health/behavioral issues that we haven't quite diagnosed yet (many psych types are arguing about it), but he does have a provisional diagnosis and the psychiatrist wrote a note for it. When he was being charming with cast members in line, I was thinking, gawd, why am I using this? Is this fair? Then when I was sitting in a corner next to a bathroom holding him while he hit, kicked, and tried to bite me three hours later when it was time to go, I was thinking "okay, this is why." Everyone should plan their day and try to manage things that would be hard for the kids and etc., but when the stakes are extra high because of your kid's fragility, hey, I think it's okay. In the end, we would not have had this vacation if the GAC hadn't been an option, because I wouldn't have exposed him to the stress. I felt like with the GAC, there would be a better balance of good and bad stimulus, and in the end we all might have a good time. Despite two major meltdowns in the parks (both upon leaving; transitions are his biggest trigger), he has had a great week. All that is to say, use the GAC. Life is hard enough. We don't get much support when the issues aren't visible. Thank goodness Disney is willing to help.