Last minute questions for WDW with 2 AS boys (6 & 7)

[MBW]

Last time we did Disney, the boys were 3.5 and 21 months and only Sam had a DX. Now that the boys are older, I expect we'll have different needs and issues. So here are a few questions.

We're going the week after President's week, which I've been led to believe will be much quieter than the previous week. We'll be getting GACs and I've got my ADA ducks all in a row, so I'm comfortable we'll get the accommodations they need. So I'm not worried about long line waits for rides, but 1) what about parades and evening shows/fireworks? Are there places we can watch without the boys being squished (big issue for both) or have to find a place an hour prior to the event? (not happening with these guys.) Last time we just planned to do more popular attractions during the parades, but at least one time a parade passed by while we were just standing on the sidewalk (it was a low-crowd time, being the week of 9/11) and both boys loved it. If there was a special section, I figure we might be able to try at least once.

2) Any recommendations for the best sit-down restaurants for moderately-affected autistic children? Both boys have food issues (Jonah generally only consumes chicken nuggets, nutella sandwiches and eggs, Sam eats more, but has celiac sprue) but even moreso, Jonah has major issues sitting for any length of time. Last time we had a moderately successful dining experience at Chef Mickey's and the SciFi, but Tony's was a flop, so perhaps the pre-requisite is lots of distractions in the environment. (We're getting a sitter at least a few nights for adult dining, including V&As for our 10th anniversary, but that leaves at least five family nights, and I'd prefer not cooking myself or eating at a counter-service all the time.) Suggestions for the best, most distracting sit-down for non-sedentary kids?

3) Disney strollers as wheelchairs? Jonah (6) is outgrowing his Maclaren, our todder Kezzie won't share her Pliko, and I don't really want to bring our double Emmajunga (weighs a ton), but I'm concerned that we'll be questioned by CMs if we need to use a Disney stroller to "contain" him. Has anyone run into a problem with GAC access with a Disney stroller? Or should I just bite the bullet and get a larger stroller (problem is not weight, but height, as the Maclaren doesn't have a good footrest and so he drags his feet - he's 45 inches tall - any suggestions for a good one if we go that route?)

I guess this is enough for now. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

 

[riu girl]

Our DD8 also needs space away from others, so the last two visits (at age 8 and 7) we rented the WDW double stroller for her and DS5. DD8 is about 57 inches tall and weighs about 80 pounds and didn't complain about the size of the stroller. She could read in it, eat, etc and it gave her the seperation that she needs from others. We loved the WDW strollers but fear that may be the last time we will be able to get one for DD due to her size.

You may want to consider getting a GAC stamp that is called "can use stroller as a wheelchair" (along with any other stamps you may require) that way the cms won't make you park the stroller for rides lines/shows. We were in Disney last month and they now have a long sticker that you put on the stroller so the cms will know (without having to look at the GAC) that you will be able to keep your kids in the stroller.

About the parades, we got to the parade routes about 45-60 minutes prior to parades and parked the stroller right up at the line so no one could get in front of it. Then the kids simply read, ate, and played in the stroller until parade time. If your children can't wait that long, perhaps one parent could park the stroller and the other could take the kids for a walk until parade time. We also bought at the dollar store tons of light up sticks etc. that the kids could amuse themselves with while waiting for nighttime parades, fireworks, fantasmic. That worked out well. We are lucky since DD can sit and read for long periods of time (not standing in a line, but in the stroller).

Regarding restaurants, we ate at the Coral Reef (Epcot) . Both kids were amused for a long time watching the tank. What we did was we made an ADR for 4:30 pm (first seating for dinner) , and arrived about 20 minutes prior to ADR to ensure we were the first table seated (and got tank side seats of course).

We also ate at Ohanas for the Stitch breakfast and told the cm checking in that we would be willing to wait for a table by the window. DD could sit for a long time since she spent so much time looking out the window at the castle. We found this to be a great character meal. Tons of interaction and every 45 miutes the kids can get up and take part in a musical parade of sorts. It was so much fun.

We also ate in the castle and it worked out well too but I didn't like how the tables were so close together.

 

[SueM in MN]

We're going the week after President's week, which I've been led to believe will be much quieter than the previous week.

It should be less busy. Even if you go during very busy times though, you can avoid crowds ans long waits in line by going early. I can't get my DD up early enough to make the parks when they open, but DH has gone with our other DD and other people we were with even over Easter (very busy) and was able to go on most of the MK attractions with very short waits (some they could walk right on without waiting).

1) what about parades and evening shows/fireworks? Are there places we can watch without the boys being squished (big issue for both) or have to find a place an hour prior to the event? (not happening with these guys.) Last time we just planned to do more popular attractions during the parades, but at least one time a parade passed by while we were just standing on the sidewalk (it was a low-crowd time, being the week of 9/11) and both boys loved it. If there was a special section, I figure we might be able to try at least once.

You can check out the handicapped seating areas for parades (marked on the park maps), but we don't usually use them because they are crowded and require you to get there early at the time of year that we go (Spring break). Each parade is different because there may be more or less people with special needs viewing that specific parade.

2) Any recommendations for the best sit-down restaurants for moderately-affected autistic children? Both boys have food issues (Jonah generally only consumes chicken nuggets, nutella sandwiches and eggs, Sam eats more, but has celiac sprue) but even moreso, Jonah has major issues sitting for any length of time.

For the child who will eat nutella sandwiches, I'd just carry a jar of that along with you. You should be able to get bread of some kind in any of the sit down restaurants and with his own nutella, you'd be set if there was nothing else he would eat. Eggs shouldn't be a problem at any of the sit down restaurants.
Our problem with the sitdown restaurants is the time involved and that we are not in charge of how long anything takes. So, we personally prefer counter service or buffets.
There is a restaurant menu search on the DIS Boards. Between that and the menus on allearsnet.com , you should be able to find out what is available. There are also threads about special diets on this board. I'm sure one of the frequent posters on this board will help you out with information on contacting the chefs.

3) Disney strollers as wheelchairs? Jonah (6) is outgrowing his Maclaren, our todder Kezzie won't share her Pliko, and I don't really want to bring our double Emmajunga (weighs a ton), but I'm concerned that we'll be questioned by CMs if we need to use a Disney stroller to "contain" him. Has anyone run into a problem with GAC access with a Disney stroller? help.

The "basic" GAC has a space for the CM to stamp specific messages based on the needs of the person the GAC is issued to. In your children's case, you need the stamp that allows a stroller to be treated as a wheelchair.
Many people with children with autism prefer the Disney strollers; the firm plastic provides firm pressure and the sold sides cut down on stimulation. It's fairly common for people to use the WDW strollers with that stamp, so I don't think you will have any problem.
A double stroller may not fit well in all lines (the lines are at least 32 inches wide for wheelchair access). Also, a double stroller might not be a good choice if you need to split up your party for some reason. If both your kids need a stroller in line, you will need a GAC for both of them. If you haven't already read it, check out the GAC information in the disABILITIES FAQs thread.

 

[MBW]

I was thinking along those lines as well, as we wouldn't have to wait for a server to bring our food. I don't worry about Sam and his celiac disease, as we dealt with that last time we were there, and the chefs were awesome. I have the special diet number on speed dial. It's more Jonah and his attention/squirm/run-around dancing factors.

Do you have any favorite buffets? How's the Crystal Palace? What about Epcot (we'll probably do an Akerhus Princess breakfast, so that one's out for lunch.) Boma sounds great, but I was hoping to take DH to Jiko for an adult-only dinner. Any buffets in the Boardwalk area which palatable? We were thinking of doing Fantasmic, but haven't checked out the reviews on Hollywood and Vine yet.

With counter service, we're somewhat more limited due to Sam's issues, but I've pinned down places where we can get rotisserie chicken, kosher hot dogs and gluten-free pizza. Most of those place also serve chicken nuggets.

I haven't even thought of what to do when we head over to Universal for the day (s), but I'm sure we'll just do counter service.

Re: Disney strollers - the one thing I started to worry about after I asked was how hard are they to maneuver? My DH has wicked tendonitis/spinal degredation which make pushing things at certain heights difficult - one reason he always liked the Maclaren, as it has extendable handles. How flexible are the Disney strollers (fixed wheels, handles versus single push bar) and do they get hot with all that plastic?

We used the GAC stamp for with the stroller last time, and wouldn't think to try Disney without it (Jonah is an infamous bolter), but I was concerned that they might not take the stamp very seriously if you didn't use your own equipment. Good to hear that they do, if we decide to go that route. Maybe the thing to do is fashion velcro foot straps and just go with his Maclaren so both kids have their own strollers. I love the Pliko because it has the stand bar on the back, which Sam prefers over riding in a stroller. Ah, the joys of traveling with four children (which is generally why the "one parent holding a space while the other herds children" make thinks more complicated on a busy parade street. We have a service dog for that exact purpose (herd Jonah ) but he'll be in the kennel during the day, as the crowds will be too distracting for him.)

 

[SueM in MN]

Do you have any favorite buffets? How's the Crystal Palace?

We love Crystal Palace. They have a children's part of their buffet that has chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and I forget what the other things are. They also have a dessert bar with cookies, soft serve ice cream and fixings for the ice cream.

What about Epcot (we'll probably do a Akerhus Princess breakfast, so that one's out for lunch.)

The only sit down places we've done recently are Akerhus for lunch (before they made that a character meal too. The "cold board" buffet they had then was good. Many types of cheese, breads and salads (all cold).
My DH and his parents were at WDW over New Years and ate at the German place (don't remember the name). They liked music and the food (I don't know the menu, but you can find it on the menu searcher).

Boma sounds great, but I was hoping to take DH to Jiko for an adult-only dinner. Any buffets in the Boardwalk area which palatable? We were thinking of doing Fantasmic, but haven't checked out the reviews on Hollywood and Vine yet.

Hopefully someone else can help you there. We have eaten at the counter service/food court place at AKL and liked it a lot.

With counter service, we're somewhat limited due to Sam's issues, but I've pinned down places where we can get rotisserie chicken, kosher hot dogs and gluten-free pizza. Most of those place also serve chicken nuggets.

I don't have time to look right now, but there are some thread about celiac disease and people have posted pretty good luck with at least being able to find out what is "safe" food at the counter service places.

Re: Disney strollers - the one thing I started to worry about after I asked was how hard are they to maneuver?

This page on Deb Wills site has good information and pictures about strollers.
What you might want to do is bring your own stroller along with you to Florida - that way you would have it for the airport and the resort. You could choose then if you want to bring it to the parks or rent at the parks.

 

[Dina]

We are planning our third trip with our sons (DS#1 is Aspergers-- he's 5yo), and (DS#2 is now beginning the process of being evaluated for autism-- he's 2.5years old). We've never used a GAC (because we didn't have any dx then-- we were told DS#1 had Sensory Integration-- they've just changed diagnosis to Aspergers). I can so so sympathize with you with the food. DS#2 will eat some different things (not alot), but DS#1 literally only eats Grilled Cheese (though not always at restaurants if the bread/cheese are "weird", some pizzas (it depends on the pizza-- if he sees oregano, then he won't eat it-- he calls it the crunchy green things, and if he doesn't like the look of it, he won't eat it), and if he's really really hungry he'll eat chicken nuggets.

We usually do breakfast (either at the resort in the food court or at the buffets) because my son will eat waffles and pancakes-- so at least I feel like he's gotten some type of meal. Then I'll bring cheerios, pop-tarts and snacks for him that way if he refuses the food at the counter service he can have that for lunch (although I usually have combed allears for the menus, so I know where to go)

We'll do one or two dinners. We love character meals. WE like Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey's-- but I remember my kids eating Pizza there. I'll check the menus on Allearsnet.com for you and check back. WE also love love love Coral Reef (because one of my sons obsessions are fish), but again I remember my kids eating pizza there as well-- so I'm going to check back and let you know. My kids also like Rainforest Cafe in Animal Kingdom (again I remember Pizza, so I'm going to check it for you), and they loved '50s Prime Time Cafe-- (gotta check that menu, because at the time DS#1 ate hot dogs, and he's refused them for the past year). Our one favorite dinner is 'Ohana (its our must do). They do have chicken strips, but not nuggets-- will he eat strips?? It's not on the menu, but they do have it. The only thing I will say is with Aspergers, I would steer clear of Whispering Canyon. We made that mistake once, and it was a nightmare-- both my sons flipped out there (at the time we didn't know why), it was too loud. And, I've read another thread of parents with AS children who didn't do well there. 'Ohana isn't as loud, and my son loved the coconut race. Usually we snack around dinner and lunch, because its so hard to sit, but those are the places we've had luck with. I'm going to check those menus for you!

I forgot, my children also loved Garden Grill at Epcot.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here is a link to the restaurant menu search on the DIS Boards. If you don't put any parameters in to search for, it will show you everything. One nice thing about it is that you can limit your search to just one park and only those restaurants that are in that park will show. Or, if you want to look at Ohana's, you can ask it to show you only that.

Here's a link to the allearsnet site menu pages (Deb Wills site). If you check both the DIS and the allears site, you should be able to get a pretty complete and up to date picture of what is available.