Just back from WDW! (8 day trip with 4 children, 2 w/ autism)

[MBW]

First I want to shout out to MommytoMJM, who we ran into at the parking lot at the MK on Sunday - parked right next to them - how funny is that?

Our trip had been rescheduled from last December, due to our sudden relocation to Pittsburgh. I was very concerned about crowd levels, as we had only ever taken the kids during low season (September) and even then it was uncharacteristically empty, as we arrived the day after 9/11/01. Fortunately, except for the first full day (2/27), the crowds were moderate, as the Official Guide had predicted.

As I mentioned in a previous reply, we spent our first five days in a two BR at the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge (rented points from a DVC member) and it was absolutely wonderful. I don't think my Disney-adverse spouse will stay anywhere else in the future, especially since our last three days at the BWI weren't so nice (they lost our HA room reservation, never provided our requested microwave, and put our new room a mile from the lobby - but the pool was awesome, which made up for a lot.)

Our experience with GAC usage was near perfect. In places where we there was no Fastpass access, we were allowed to use exits - in one instance (at the Pirates of the Carib) the CM brought us around through the backstage to bypass most of the line. At no point were we asked to return or wait the length of the line in an alternate area - in fact, when I asked about that option at guest services, the two CMs helping us had never heard of such a situation - just the use of alternate entrances or shaded areas if you didn't need express access. We did have a slight problem with using our strollers as wheelchairs at Epcot, as they have instituted the visible sticker program, which was unavailable to us when we got our GACs at MK (I specifically asked). However, upon explanation to the CM, he personally ran over to Epcot GS to retrieve said stickers for us.

What was unfortunate was the number of obviously special needs families we met who did not know about the GAC - which is why I've ranted on the subject here in the past. And every family we spoke to who had obtained a GAC had similar experiences to our's - that for autistic children, the GAC offers express access/minimal waiting, and that they would not be able to visit Disney without that accommodation. Despite fears of abuse by some unscrupulous visitors, I still think we need to stress that fact for families of autistics who visit this forum.

I've also decided on a new crusade to get a stamp which allows autistic (and other perservating) individuals to remain on a ride for a few rides. Our only major meltdowns with Jonah (6 yo DS) came when exiting rides he really loved. In a few wonderful cases (Test Track, Splash Mountain) the CMs offered us the option of extra rides without disembarking - which we gladly accepted. During evening EMHs at the MK, my spouse spent two consecutive hours on Splash Mountain with the boys, disembarking only once to stretch his legs.

The dining plan wasn't available to us (starts in April for DVCers), but I don't think we'd ever use it - TS dining is impossible with Jonah. We did find that every park has roast chicken and gluten-free pizza, which was necessary to feed Sam (celiac disease). Breakfasts were easy with the kitchen at the VWL - not so easy at the BWI. Having the extra space was also great when we used babysitting.

I did lots of reading, but very little formal planning - we went with the mood of the kids every day. We spent 3.5 days at AK, 3.5 days at MK and one day at Epcot. Every afternoon or early evening we returned to swim at the resort pool. The spouse and I had nice dinners out twice (Artists Point and Victoria and Albert's), and the kids did great with their sitters (not so great with the WL childcare center.)

Last time we left, we had fun, but were ready to leave after our five days. This time, we were all sad to go after eight. Hopefully, it won't be another 4.5 years before we return (Disney-adverse spouse says yearly might be okay .)

 

[MommytoMJM]

It was so great to meet you! Maybe next time we can have a mini meet!

 

[MBW]

Oops! I just realized I reversed your handle I'll fix it in the original.

It was great to meet you - hope MJM remains well.

 

[3kidsmommy]

That sounds like an awesome visit! I hope ours is the same in April. My son's developmental ped is writing a letter for us requesting the accomodations. I was sure to tell her to NOT just put "he has autism" but rather to put the accomodations he really needs. One of them IS reduced waiting time. What fun would Disney be if he screamed nonstop for hours for something I can't control? Anyway--glad to hear of your great experience!

 

[MBW]

Good luck on your upcoming trip One of the things I was thinking about after seeing the boys do well when they were allowed extra rides was that I should have just requested it be put in writing on the GAC. Next time, if I haven't yet convinced Disney to create such a stamp, I'm just going to ask for that accommodation. It's obvious to just about anyone when my son starts to melt when exiting a ride that he has serious neurological issues, so why make him go through that when all we'll do is exit and then immediately re-enter the line? For the extra 2-3 minutes? There are times when disembarking and going through the line is a good thing for him, as it allows him to not continuously ramp up his stim level on certain rides (Expedition Everest, for example.) But I think he and I should make those decisions, not a random CM (though as I said, most were very good and accommodating.)

From what I understand, however, the Disney CMs in Guest Services will not read your physician's note due to privacy constraints under the ADA. It still might help you, however, when preparing to describe his needs to them. I was pretty firm (but respectful) with what I wanted for the boys, and had no real pushback from GS, with the exception of the stroller sticker (which they apparently aren't using yet at MK.)

My spouse was surprised at how I had no problem asking any available CM for help at any time and generally getting what the boys needed. So don't be afraid to ask - I now think that many CMs really like to feel useful and dispense pixie dust, especially to special needs kids. We had only one really negative interaction: a CM screamed at my spouse to put my son's shirt on him, despite the fact my son is extremely sensitive to wet clothing and we were in the process of finding a new dry shirt in his bag. I immediately found the area manager for that park, told them what happened, they called in more management, and promised to reprimand and educate the CM. They also gave us ice cream vouchers, though I assured them it wasn't necessary - it was about correcting the problem, not assuaging our anger.

 

[SueOKW]

Glad to read you had such a wonderful time!! The Splash Mountain story is priceless!! I think my DS would ride it for hours too. Maybe one night we will try the EMH. In the old old days they had E-ticket nights which were awesome. We rode it once about 3 times in a row!

 

[mommyandmore]

I had the same problem with the whole exiting a ride just to get right back on it when I took my son to Disneyland. He is in a wheelchair but is (thank god) still a tiny little thing at 4 years old so we were lifting him in and out of rides. He LOVES LOVES LOVES cars and the elevator at autotopia was broken. We bypassed it the first few days hoping they would fix it but I just had to let him ride the last day. So I'm lugging him up and down a giant set of stairs plus bending over to set him in the car and after the first time I'm having to do it all with him crying hysterically from the time I pry him out until I can set him back in another car. We rode 5 times, each time I asked if we could stay in since it was just a matter of going up the stairs and then back down again but no go! I though, let them carry this kid up and down stairs and in and out of rides a few times, I bet they would change their mind! But his other favorite ride, the winnie the pooh ride, he got to stay in his chair plus they kept waving him through as many times as he wanted to go. Anyways, I agree with you. A GAC to allow multiple rides would be a huge help! I think anyone who had to endure his screaming that day would agree too!

 

[flynnmnstr]

We used the GAC card for our then 3 1/2 yr old PDD-NOS son last March. That was our 4th trip to Disney with him and our best experience. I wish I had known about it sooner. My question is What is the stroller sticker? The stroller is one of the accomodations that we ask for because he severely gets overwhelmed in large crowds and tight spaces. Plus it helps him to relax until his turn for the attraction. During shows he's much more comfortable in his own stroller especially one with loud noises and lights (pretty much every show at Disney). We are going again this april/may.

As far as the sticker for continuously riding a ride, we wouldn't ask for that one. Getting off rides used to be a disaster for Alex, a nightmare for us. Alex is an amusement park junkie, we live in NJ and have access to many different amusement parks and boardwalks. But just like everything else in Alex's life once it became a routine and he knew what the expectations were he was eventually able to cope. Believe me we had to drag him kicking and screaming off the Barnstormer close to a hundred times and that was with CMs letting him ride a couple of times in a row during the less crowded times. Although we appreciate the GAC and its one of the many reasons we choose to vacation at Disney World, it's not reality. I know I know we all vacation at Disney to somewhat escape reality but Alex would never be able to differentiate Disney World from his "real life" therefore we have to be as consistant as possible.

 

[binkyboots]

dh has been allowed multiple rides, on test track, it's a small world, potc, kali river rapids and the indy speedway, I think I just had a word with the cm who agreed that it was pointless to transfer him off only to have him go out of the exit and come back in through the same gate! at very busy times we got him off, had a drink, hung out in the shade then returned.

we were blessed with pixie dust and realised it, we respected that blessing by only asking for this on rides dh loved, he adored test track and speedway, he has a car obsession thing and isn't allowed to drive because of his epilepsy/learning difficulties.


a stamp for multiple rides, I think it's probably a good idea, but it would have to be used carefully or the negative feelings some people have about gacs would only intensify. there are able bodied kids who kick off on leaving an attraction too (disclaimer, I know the situation for those with autism is completely different, having worked with some of those amazing kids)

 

[LisaBi]

I agree that the "multiple ride" would be helpful for those of us with kids who just don't get the concept of "we'll go again - but you have to get off and get back in line," but would be very hard to administer and prevent abuse.

My personal request would be at Space Mountain. It is one of DS's favorites, and the one I really dread, due to how tiring it is to push the wheelchair thru the line (uphill). It is just the two of us that go to WDW, so I don't have any help. A few times they have offered a 2nd ride - but he did have to get out, and then go back up the loading area the back way. I'd be thrilled if we could just go up that back way, wait a while, the ride again - just so I don't have to do that ramp!

We've have a few great experiences though, always in slow times. One that I feel guilty about is Test Track. The CM could see how excited he was, and offered a 2nd ride. When we came back in, the CM's had changed, and new one, not knowing he'd already ridden twice, offered another ride. There was no way he'd get out now - he heard the offer, and that was that. THEN our car broke down just as it was slowing down for "re-entry" on the outside track - we sat there for 2 or 3 minutes. So they offered ANOTHER ride due to the breakdown. That was in Nov. 2004, and DS still talks about it, and I still feel guilty.

However, one concern that I do have is that sometimes he does get to ride twice, so he ALWAYS expects it. I talk to him to constantly about "one ride only", then if he does ride twice, I make a big deal out of it - how it was "extra special" and "this one time only," but he still throws a fit on some rides.

LisaB

 

[flynnmnstr]

Lisa-
That's exactly how my son is. If he gets to ride a ride two or more times than that becomes the expected or norm for him. Though I have to say we do go to amusement parks and rides very often so now he has learned to get off the ride and go back to the waiting area or line. But there was a period of over a year and a half where he would completely meltdown when being taken off a ride whether he got to ride once or ten times (which they did allow him to do on the Barnstormer 2 years ago). That's when we put an end to letting him ride more than once because we really felt that it wasn't fair to him. During our last trip in March we actually forced him to get off the Barnstormer and walk around when they were allowing some kids to stay on the ride. Over the summer we went to the boardwalk on the Jersey shore almost every weekend; he really got the concept and I can't remember the last time he melted down after getting off a ride (probably at some point during our trip to Disney last March). We're really lucky too because we do go to the boardwalk alot (my parents live near the beach) so he does get to practice.

Now that he understands that he needs to get off the ride and get back in line, we definitely would allow him to ride more than once because he would understand that it is something special and not the norm.

I forgot about that hill in Space MTn. Our son wasn't tall enough last trip; he'll probably just make it this time. Isn't there an alternative entrance? It's not going to be fun pushing his stroller up that.

 

[LisaBi]

I forgot about that hill in Space MTn. Our son wasn't tall enough last trip; he'll probably just make it this time. Isn't there an alternative entrance? It's not going to be fun pushing his stroller up that.

Nope - The alternative entrance is the fast pass entrance, which is the exact same route up the exact same ramps. (At least in WDW - don't know about DL). It wasn't so bad when he was smaller - but now he's 115 pounds!

LisaB

 

[natalie from pa]

I thank heaven for the GAC!!!! There is absolutely NO WAY we could do WDW without it. DS is severely autistic and has very little language. DD is a high functioning autistic who is OBSESSED with all things Disney. The CM's at the parade route on our first night on our first trip actually suggested that we go to Guest Relations and get a GAC for my DS.

One thing that I have learned raising my amazing kids is that I never feel guilty about accepting any kind of help for them. The GAC is not for me or my DH. It is meant to make the lives of my disabled children a little easier. They struggle with things in life that we as normal functioning humans cannot even imagine. We never intentionally take (extra) advantage of the GAC (or other aids of that kind), but I don't think twice about using them as they were intended. If we don't advocate for our kids, who will!!!?!

I don't think allowing my son to ride more than once would be beneficial. He would then think he can ride all day and never get off!!! But he also rides in a wheelchair and I can certainly understand the whole trek to Space Mountain thing!!!!

Thank you for listening to my rant!

 

[2vets]

Just wanted to say hello - I think we spoke briefly at the Leaping Libations pool bar on Friday, March 3 around 6 pm - I was with my husband, and we were awaiting my sisters - was that you? BWI had messed up your res request but put you in a deluxe room...???

I posted a hello to you in our trip report if it was you - hope the rest of your trip went well!

 

[MBW]

Just wanted to say hello - I think we spoke briefly at the Leaping Libations pool bar on Friday, March 3 around 6 pm - I was with my husband, and we were awaiting my sisters - was that you? BWI had messed up your res request but put you in a deluxe room...???

I posted a hello to you in our trip report if it was you - hope the rest of your trip went well!

Yes! That was me Hope you all had a great time during the rest of your stay.