Leaving a Line Due to a Meltdown - How Hard Is It?

[Mom2six]

One more question about going to WDW with my son - he'll be 4 and has autism. I really want to give him a chance to meet some of the characters -- especially Buzz & Woody. I know the line will be really long (he is not a morning person at all, so hitting the parks at rope drop isn't going to happen). I'm so worried that he'll have a melt down part way through the wait. I don't know if he can do it (but I don't want him to miss out). So I'm going to try. Has anyone had to live a long line while because of a meltdown? Is it difficult to get past everyone else to get out (especially with a child in hysterics -- he'll have his stroller as a wheelchair, which will make it more difficult)? I'm really worried about how it would work out. Should I alert the CM prior to getting in line that it is a possibility?

Maybe I'm over-stressing and over-thinking it all, I just want to make it the best for him I can. I'm not even sure if the characters will scare him or not! He loves them on TV, but in person, who knows.

 

[aggordon2]

We have twin boys and one is PDD. They are 10 now and this will be our fourth time going this August. We have never taken a chance with the lines for the characters (fear of meltdowns), so we always go to the character meals. Our son would never let the characters get close to him (I would high five my son then high five the character). It was only this past August that he actually let the characters take pictures with him. Major breakthrough!!!

But back to your question, from what we have seen, the lines for the characters are not behind ropes they are pretty much self forming in front of them. There is always a cm there and if you explain what is up, the cm might let you wait on the side till your turn is ready. You might also have somebody wait on the line while you wait on the side with your son. Another question is: Will he freak out about the size of the characters? That was one of the reasons my son would not let them get near him. He was ok when they were at a distance (I believe at a distance they look more like the size when he sees them on tv). Our thoughts were, at least at the meals there was a table between him and them.

I hope this helps.

 

[lanejudy]

We also take advantage of character meals rather than standing in lines at the parks. With stroller-as-w/c, it helps, but I'd much rather spend that time standing in a line for a ride and since we provide opportunities for character interaction (or non-interaction) at a few meals, our DD is excited to just wave as we pass a character in the park. On a couple of rare occasions when lines were short, we have stood in line; while we've never had to leave a line due to meltdown, the end interaction depends on her mood - one or twice she's gotten out of the stroller to give a hug and have a picture, a couple other times she refused to budge out of the stroller. The characters are very good about adjusting their level of interaction to the child's temperament, but I just prefer to avoid standing in line just to have a kid act like she'd rather be somewhere else. Depending on length of trip (and budget) we plan character meals and that's where she gets her autograph book signed and pictures with characters.

 

[Mom2six]

We're definitely going to do character meals, that's great advice. But he saw a picture of his sister getting a hug from Buzz and was so jealous. We're going to have to try that one and I remember he is inside, which is why I got worried about the line. We'll just take it one step at a time. Our trip isn't until September, but I'm obsessing over planning out every little bit to make it as smooth as possible.

 

[SmallWorld71]

IME - It is much easier to meet Buzz at his meet 'n' greet in Tomorrowland and meet Woody/ Jessie in Frontierland then to try and go to the one in DHS where they both meet. The one in DHS gets REALLY long lines due to it's proximity to Toy Story Mania and because it is inside it is difficult to maneuver through. I had trouble meeting up with my mother and the kids and I was a solo adult trying to make my way through. The meet 'n' greets at MK will be outside and it will be easy to leave if you have to. Also, they don't necessarily happen first thing in the AM. HTH

 

[Mom2six]

I hadn't realized that Buzz did a character meet outside at MK! That's great news. Thanks.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I hadn't realized that Buzz did a character meet outside at MK! That's great news. Thanks.

He generally meets (by himself) near Carousel of Progress (across from where you get on the TTA). Even over President's week, this line wasn't too bad whereas the one at DHS always seems to be mobbed. We actually met him in the afternoon, but please check the current times guide because I know these things change all the time. I would guess that if you timed it right, you could probably make the wait less than 10 minutes. Woody and Jessie in Frontierland are a mixed bag. It is outside, so easy to leave if you need to. But, because they are in a very busy walkway area (near Splash and BTMRR) it tends to get busy fast once people see they are out. Being in the area right before they are due to come out might be your best bet.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

IME - It is much easier to meet Buzz at his meet 'n' greet in Tomorrowland and meet Woody/ Jessie in Frontierland then to try and go to the one in DHS where they both meet. The one in DHS gets REALLY long lines due to it's proximity to Toy Story Mania and because it is inside it is difficult to maneuver through. I had trouble meeting up with my mother and the kids and I was a solo adult trying to make my way through. The meet 'n' greets at MK will be outside and it will be easy to leave if you have to. Also, they don't necessarily happen first thing in the AM. HTH

I was going to post this same thing. My experience has been that the line for Buzz in Tomorrowland is much shorter than the line for Buzz and Woody at DHS. I can't say anything regarding the line for Woody in Frontierland because we've never met him there, but likely will be our next trip because DD has put Jessie on her list of characters to meet.

 

[christie_megansmom]

Here's a pic of where Buzz meets in MK:

 

[PlutosUnDr8d]

Buzz is easy to get to outside, and I was shocked when my son, who has Aspergers and Sensory Integration Disorder, wanted to meet him. It was a couple years ago and DS had never wanted to go near ANY of the characters--he would just wave from afar. I remember being so excited to see him interact with such a BIG character.
So, you never know who he will like! Just give it a try. I actually ask DS, "Do you want to meet _____? Ok, we have to go get in line. . ." If he is seriously interested, he is willing to do so, but often he will decide to wave hello instead.

I would also recommend the character spot in Epcot, where you can meet many "main" characters inside. It is also easy to leave if necessary, and your son would not be the first child to have a meltdown at Disney! ASD or not, you can hear kids everywhere having sudden explosions, seemingly saying' "I have reached my capacity!!! Time for a break!" Or maybe that's just a parent's wishful thinking. . .
Best of luck with the characters! And remember, there is NO SHAME in a melt down at Disney! ALL kids do it!

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

IME - It is much easier to meet Buzz at his meet 'n' greet in Tomorrowland and meet Woody/ Jessie in Frontierland then to try and go to the one in DHS where they both meet. The one in DHS gets REALLY long lines due to it's proximity to Toy Story Mania and because it is inside it is difficult to maneuver through. I had trouble meeting up with my mother and the kids and I was a solo adult trying to make my way through. The meet 'n' greets at MK will be outside and it will be easy to leave if you have to. Also, they don't necessarily happen first thing in the AM. HTH

I agree with this!! The line to meet Buzz and Woody @ DHS is usually at least a 20-30 minute wait in August, but we have seen him a few times with 0-little wait time @ MK. If its the same place as last year, he was kinda nestled back by Carousel of Progress so I think people don't see him that well unless they are getting off the ride. You can always ask a CM, they will walkie talkie and ask where buzz is and how long he will be there etc. We've also had decent luck with characters @ Epcot in WS during the day.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

Our DD (5 at the time) lasted about 15 minutes online to see Buzz and Woody at DHS. We started outside but once we were inside it was hot and crowded and our DD literally bolted out of the building! My husband had to push through the crowd to catch up with her and I waited with our other DD to see Buzz and Woody another 20 minutes later. It sucked

 

[Mom2six]

Our DD (5 at the time) lasted about 15 minutes online to see Buzz and Woody at DHS. We started outside but once we were inside it was hot and crowded and our DD literally bolted out of the building! My husband had to push through the crowd to catch up with her and I waited with our other DD to see Buzz and Woody another 20 minutes later. It sucked

I'm sorry that didn't work out for you. I guess outside is the answer! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Mom2six]

Buzz is easy to get to outside, and I was shocked when my son, who has Aspergers and Sensory Integration Disorder, wanted to meet him. It was a couple years ago and DS had never wanted to go near ANY of the characters--he would just wave from afar. I remember being so excited to see him interact with such a BIG character.
So, you never know who he will like! Just give it a try. I actually ask DS, "Do you want to meet _____? Ok, we have to go get in line. . ." If he is seriously interested, he is willing to do so, but often he will decide to wave hello instead.

I would also recommend the character spot in Epcot, where you can meet many "main" characters inside. It is also easy to leave if necessary, and your son would not be the first child to have a meltdown at Disney! ASD or not, you can hear kids everywhere having sudden explosions, seemingly saying' "I have reached my capacity!!! Time for a break!" Or maybe that's just a parent's wishful thinking. . .
Best of luck with the characters! And remember, there is NO SHAME in a melt down at Disney! ALL kids do it!

I will keep that in mind if he has a meltdown (okay, when he has a meltdown)! Thanks, it does make me feel better about it.

 

[Mom2six]

I agree with this!! The line to meet Buzz and Woody @ DHS is usually at least a 20-30 minute wait in August, but we have seen him a few times with 0-little wait time @ MK. If its the same place as last year, he was kinda nestled back by Carousel of Progress so I think people don't see him that well unless they are getting off the ride. You can always ask a CM, they will walkie talkie and ask where buzz is and how long he will be there etc. We've also had decent luck with characters @ Epcot in WS during the day.

Great info! I might not have thought to ask the CM...and if there is little wait, he won't feel as pressured to hurry! Thanks.

 

[dzorn]

One more question about going to WDW with my son - he'll be 4 and has autism. I really want to give him a chance to meet some of the characters -- especially Buzz & Woody. I know the line will be really long (he is not a morning person at all, so hitting the parks at rope drop isn't going to happen). I'm so worried that he'll have a melt down part way through the wait. I don't know if he can do it (but I don't want him to miss out). So I'm going to try. Has anyone had to live a long line while because of a meltdown? Is it difficult to get past everyone else to get out (especially with a child in hysterics -- he'll have his stroller as a wheelchair, which will make it more difficult)? I'm really worried about how it would work out. Should I alert the CM prior to getting in line that it is a possibility?

Maybe I'm over-stressing and over-thinking it all, I just want to make it the best for him I can. I'm not even sure if the characters will scare him or not! He loves them on TV, but in person, who knows.

We always did the caracter meals when DD was younger as she could not handle the lines.

When we would get in lines I always left a fairly big space between me and DH who would be ahead. This gave her a little breathing room without the crowds getting to close.

Denise in MI