Leaving Nov. 15, 2006!!!!!!!!!

[thompsonfamily]

We are doing the 7 day land and see package. We leave Nov. 15, 2006 and spend 4 days at WDW and 3 days on Cruise. We are all so excited. Is anyone else going at this time.

We have 2 DS ages 8 and 13. Our 8 yr old has autism. Curious if anyone else has traveled with an autistic child before?

2 1/2 months until departure!!!
thompsonfamily!

 

[disneyelaine]

Wow, we have a 10 yr old DS with autism & apraxia. We will be on the 11/19/06 cruise as well. Just booked today. We have cruised DCL 5 times before. In the past our son did just fine in the kids clubs....in regular school for that matter. But he had a bad experience in school last year with meltdowns/frustrations and in 2/06 he had a meltdown in the Lab. We will not be sending him this trip...at least not without me or my husband. He is doing better, but I still don't want to chance it. I'd say if you son does fine at school, he will be fine in the clubs. Disney was very understanding over my son's meltdown, & handled it all extremely well. We were paged immediately. DCL sent up a ton of toys to our room afterwards & told us our son was welcome back, but for one of us to accompany him. Which I would have never sent him back alone anyway. We felt awful. We are 2 adults with 5 boys. 3 boys are my nephews. The boys ages are 17, 14, 13, 12, 10. This is the nephew's 1st cruise!

 

[thompsonfamily]

Wow is right, I am so glad someone else will be on the cruise. Our 13 yr old will be happy too. Thanks for the information. Our DS is very social, but he has wandering habits, which we have already decided not to leave him alone in the kids area. He also is non-verbal, which makes it hard to know what he wants if you are not use to him. He has started typing and has a communication device that he uses some,
He does not suffer from melt down's or any type of tantrums, he is usually very happy. So I guess parent's are allowed in teh kids play area? I know that they are not suppose to be in the teen area, but if we can go in the kids area, we can watch him,

 

[disneyelaine]

Yes I think parents are allowed to stay in the Kids Area based on what they told me on our Feb. cruise. I'm sure it is only if it is needed, you know. Actually I have never done it before, because my son was always fine in the Lab alone before this. This will be my 13 yr old's 1st time to be able to go to the Teen Club...he just turned 13. I am sure he will enjoy that....well the video games and computer games! Is this your first cruise? It is a blast!

 

[thompsonfamily]

This is soooo great. Our oldest son just turned 13 in July, so he is very excited about doing the teen scene. I am glad to know that there will be someone his age there. He also loves video games.

Glad to know that parents can stay in the kids lab.

This is our first cruise. The boys have never flown before either, should be the experience! We are starting to get really excited.

Are you booking the teen excursion on Castaway Cay for your 13 year old? Ours wants to go, but as a worried mom, would like to make sure it is not composed of all 17 year olds. It looked like fun and thought it would give him something to do while there. At Naussa, we are all swimming with the dolphins and going to the straw market.

thompsonfamily

 

[disneyelaine]

Hello again,

I just got our "Ship & Shore Vacation Guide" from DCL. I saw this line about exceptions that may prevent kids club participation....."A child who becomes disruptive within the group. Should this occur, the child may need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate." Another line says "we can not accommodate a child who needs the attention of a counselor with special training." It also says "Parents and guardians are welcome to acccompany their child at any time." The other kids with us will be fine, but we will accompany my son with autism if he wants to go to the kids lab.

btw...he has had 9 days of 4th grade & so far no meltdowns! I am so proud of him after the awful time during the last 4 mths of last school year. He is in a reg. class, but now has an aide, a break room, modified ciriculum, etc...it is working! Yea!! He had virtually no supports last year!

I don't think my boys will do the Teen excursion on Castaway, only because of the 12 yr old with them. Since he could not do it. They all will probably stick together there. I am thinking about the Seahorse Catamaran Snorkel Adventure for them. We could not get my youngest on a Catamaran 2 years ago, so have not tried since. He is not fond of small boats. But maybe my husband and the other boys will do it. I should check to make sure it is not sold out!

We don't have any thing planned for Nassau yet. Probably just walk around and shop a bit. Although for the boys who have never been, I really should plan something exciting. Maybe the Thriller Powerboat.

 

[thompsonfamily]

Hello! Thanks for the information. Our oldest will be fine in the teen area, but like you, we will accompany our youngest to the lab if he wants to go.

That is great news about the meltdowns. Our DS has the same set up, an aide full time, a space of his own in another room for down time. It is amazing how the school usually fights on issues such as this, but they don't want the behaviors that come from not having these items in place.

I don't think I saw the Seahorse excursion, where it is at? So far, we don't have anything booked for Castaway Cay yet, just relaxing!!! I don't blame the boys for wanting to hang out together.

We did book the dolphin excursion at Naussa. I am anxious to see how our DS interacts with them. They say their is a connection between autism and the dolphins and they interact with them very well. I just hope he has enough patience to participate and will cooperate with the guides.

Keep in touch!
thompsonfamily

 

[thompsonfamily]

Quick question about the lifeboat drill. How did your son respond to this? Does it take a long time and is it crowded? I am just trying to figure out if this is a big deal, I don't know how our DS will do if it is really crowded during the drill. He may be fine, but is not too keen on standing still. I didn't know if Disney had accomodations for autistic children in this case or not?

Kim

 

[disneyelaine]

Good question! This part is never a good time for my son, but I have never asked or heard of accommodations really. We have always been outside on deck 4 for the drill (I think others are inside, but not sure). It is always hot, crowded and uncomfortable. And that's for us adults! LOL! Normally my son will be 1st in our row since he is the youngest and then he will sit down on the deck floor. If a cm asks about it I will whisper the issue quickly and then they don't insist he stand up. The horn is loud, but they do let you know when it is about to sound, so he covers his ears. Knock on wood, we have not had a meltdown during this yet. I'm sure if we did Disney would be glad to have us sit away in a quiet area, ykwim? Just ask if needed. Let me know if you hear of any accommodations because that would be nice to know!

The trip is really getting close!!