Need honest critique of our plans - children with ASD/SPD

[Mum23]

It doesn't sounds like you want input but confirmation that you'll be okay with your plan. People have mentioned many issues you may encounter but you seem pretty sure you won't have issues with anything people have mentioned (which is fine, just saying that you seem confident). I just want to want you that your expectation for how things go just may not happen. A warm spell in Canada is NOTHING like the heat in FLA in the summer. We live in the upper US and went in Sept/Oct and my kids we drained like rats because of the "heat" which isn't anywhere near what it is in the summer.

When I was planning our trip DH and I had a long talk about expectations. He told me I had to lower mine or he would not go because it wouldn't be enjoyable for ANYONE and he was 1000% correct. If you are a flexible person then go for it with the knowledge that things will not go 100% like you expect them to. If you don't then you will not enjoy it.

I think everyone here is telling you the same thing, that it's just too much for ANY kid/parent. If you want to try to do it all that's your choice for sure but be flexible in it or it'll be miserable for everyone and no one here wants to see that happen to any family!

 

[smiths02]

My children don't have developmental disorders. However, I have been with a new 3 year old in June, and I am going with twin 2-year olds this June. For us, with the June heat and the need to have a schedule, we do half days basically, mostly rope drop to avoid crowds and heat (but we have two half days in the evening. (We are also only driving 7 hours or so).

 

[mshanson3121]

It doesn't sounds like you want input but confirmation that you'll be okay with your plan. People have mentioned many issues you may encounter but you seem pretty sure you won't have issues with anything people have mentioned

Umm... can I ask what on earth you're reading? Because apparently we're on two different threads.

When asked if we've done parks before I said yes, but admitted nothing compared to Disney.
When asked if DC and SW are must dos, I said yes, only because we already have the tickets bought.
When asked if I could look at shifting our free day around, I agreed that that was a really good idea.
Now, I did disagree with taking a mid-day out of park break, only because I know my children and that won't work. However, you'll notice that another woman posted who had the exact same issue, so that sort of confirms/agreed with what I was saying.
When someone suggested making sure we had breaks planned into the day - I said that we would definitely be/had planned on doing that (I'm sorry, how is agreeing that something is important considered not taking advice???)
And then, apparently you missed my entire comment where I reconfigured our entire trip, taking everyone's advice, and planning much more free time in, and asked for input on that.
Then, when I was asked a question (which is quite different than being told or given advice, since it asks for an answer), on how my children handle heat, and if I was sure my children would enjoy the Pirates & Pals cruise - I answered that I was sure they would be okay. I'm sorry, should I have lied?

I fail to see how any of this equates into an attitude of "not taking advice"seeking confirmation that my original plans are hunky dory" that you seem to be accusing me of, especially when I reworked them based on advice given.

 

[CoriM48]

I think your reworked schedule looks much more doable, especially considering you are taking into account the little things like a late night one night paired with a lighter day. Hollywood Studios and Epcot are both parks you could go light on if you need to (based on what it sounds like your kids like), so I think it's great that you have Hollywood Studios as a half day and Epcot at the end of the trip that you can scrap if needed or go very light on. Your reworked schedule is still very ambitious, but I think you've built in some good spots though the week that you can modify on the fly if you need it.

And as I mentioned above, the mid-day park breaks NEVER work for us. Our kids do much better when the transitions from park to hotel are definite. Don't feel bad about not taking that advice. It works well for many people, but it's a nightmare for some of us.

 

[mshanson3121]

if we do fly then we are going to have to have two more night in Florida just because of when the flight days are so that will add an even more flexibility to our schedule as well I'm just not sure yet if we're going to fly or drive my husband really wants to drive

 

[StirlingSilver83]

Also I forgot to mention with Pirate and Pals Firework cruise that is a ton of fun and my DS enjoyed it A LOT...we were staying at the contemporary so thats y we decided to do it bc it was super convenient. Anyways we didn't get back up to our room until 11:00PM. I can't imagine what time you would get back if you were staying at a different resort! It was extremely hard to get up the next day to do an early ADR, lol. But it looks like you planned to have the next morning free so that is awesome. Your new plans look much more doable! Just remember to have fun!

 

[Donna M]

I would suggest that you stay as flexible as possible. There could be a rainy day in there too. You will be miserable if you feel that you have to do something or be somewhere. Moms can have meltdowns too. Go with the flow. No one will have any fun if "we have to go to MK today" because of the schedule, when staying home and hanging by the pool could end up being much more fun because the kids have become too tired. You know your kids the best and what they can handle. Have fun!

 

[zela02]

As previous posters have said, your original plan is very ambitious. I have a typical 7-yr-old and a 12-yr-old with ASD and there is no way they could handle that and have a good time.

We generally hit the parks around 9 or 10, grab a quick breakfast, a QS lunch and a table service dinner and usually back in the room around 10.

I think the one thing to remember about Disney, is that it is impossible to do everything in one trip. Take your time to enjoy your must dos, or you may find yourself, and your family, exhausted and stressed out. We live about 18 hours from Disney (we have driven and flown) and I also find the drive fairly tiring.

 

[mshanson3121]

I changed it again, just a bit more, basically switched the Hoop dee Doo to our "free" day so we're not feeling rushed on Thursday, and have more time for relaxing. And we'll probably do SW in the afternoon instead of morning, so we can all sleep in/relax that morning after our long drive.

Thursday: Free morning. 1/2 day at Sea World. Free evening.
Friday: MK day with Pirates & Pals cruise that night
Saturday: Free morning, 12:00 lunch at Sanaa, then head into HS around 2:00ish.
Sunday: Free day. Hoop Dee Doo Revue at 4:00, free evening after show.
Monday: AK day. Free evening.
Tuesday: Discovery Cove day. Free evening.
Wednesday:Free morning. MK day with BBB @ 5:00, CRT @ 6:50, MSEP (will likely stay home in the morning and just head into MK after lunch)
Thursday: Free morning. 1/2 day at Epcot (go in after late brunch). Free evening.

So we'll have 4 full days (2 MK, 1 AK, 1 DC) and then 3 half days, and one full free day, and we'll have five free evenings as well, so I think that definitely sounds better!

 

[dja14]

A few years ago we went in May, our three kids are all on the spectrum HF. Some have more issues sensory wise, some more crowd wise. One was in a wheel chair at the time (which he hated but he toe walks and he needed treatments to help with stretching) They were in that age range. We stayed off site for 10 nights, did 9 days at Disney.
We only did Disney. We went every day. It was hot. Very hot, everyone kept saying, this is the hottest May in years. Our child with the most sensory issues had a bad reaction to the sun/heat. Not a burn, more like hives.
Our trip was great. I had a really good touring plan. I read a lot and rewrote one for us. I used crowds calendars to pick my days as much as possible. My thought was if everyone else was going there, we went somewhere else. We went tot he park every day at opening and usually left by 2-3. Evenings were spent at the pool or vegging in hotel room. One am I took our daughter to princess breakfast and Dad and boys chilled in room, we went to Epcot in late afternoon for a few hours. We also went to downtown disney an afternoon or two. I prepared our kids ahead and had them pick a few favorites, anything else was extra.
I did not get a disability pass because we didn't need it (or I would have-I'm not against it) Sometimes because of the wheelchair we either had no wait, waited somewhere different, or had to wait longer-it was a toss up. Overall, the touring plan saved us. Some of my kids do not tolerate waiting, so I planned not to as much as possible. I also looked at menus ahead and picked a few choices for meals where I knew they would eat something.
We also did not do any evening things. I think the kids may have enjoyed them but I knew we couldn't handle long days at the parks.
We are planning on going back next year. In August (I know it will be so hot but that is when we have to go) I am planning the nighttime stuff this time at my kids suggestion. They are all older (pretty much or already grown really) so I know even if they have a melt down, they can control themselves until we get somewhere. Now we have type 1 diabetes and bad motor tics to add to our mix though, so knowing our family I found a place offsite and am planning mid day breaks (or we will never make it
I guess my long winded point is that you know you kids/family best. You have planned a lot but you probably know what you need to do in a normal day for calming/planning/preparing. Worst case is you could leave the park early, knowing that what you see is great and more than not trying. There is no shame in leaving and cutting a night time thing out, or sleeping in and just doing an afternoon.
But I would get your fastpasses for must dos and have some kind of touring plan, it really was the biggest help

 

[jpmomof5]

If you can swing it, take 3 nights to get down and 3 nights to get back if you drive. I broke down our travel into 3 days with my autistic daughters from Michigan to the Port of Miami. We could have done it in 2 days but because we took our time, they arrived healthy, well rested, pretty much still on schedule and ready to go by the time boarded the Disney Wonder.
I really cannot comment about the rest, I've never been to WDW. We saved to book the cruise and now plan to do one a year if possible. I always felt somehow I needed to have a means to control their environment/ ability to quickly remove them from over stimulating situations. I'm not brave enough to do WDW yet! I suspect I would need a vacation from that vacation! LOL The cruise worked out perfect for us to meet their needs while still getting in a little relaxation ourselves. Best wishes for a wonderful vacation!

 

[flynnmnstr]

I know with having to book Fps before hand its more challenging now, but the only recommendation I can have is be flexible. I have 2 kids with sensory- one with ASD the other with bipolar. Both have major difficulty with transition. We have never stayed off site so I am not sure how difficult that back and forth to parks would be but when we have gone during the warmer summer months, they have always needed a break shortly after lunch- most times begging to go back to the pool! There is a lot of walking involved (I wore a pedometer one day and we walked over 12 miles) and its hot. We have never taken a day off but thats because we take swim breaks every single day. The Discovery Cove day is a long tiring one. Lots of swimming involved so take that into consideration; they may be toast the next day. Also book sit down lunches- its cooler in the restaurants. No crazy counter service lines/noise. You don't need to order full meals at the sit downs during lunch- sometimes DH and I order salads and split an app. We just like a relaxed meal not the craziness of a counter service.

That being said when we have gone in the cooler months we have definitely done the 3/4 day in the past and gotten to bed at a regular bedtime. It just doesn't tend to work for us during the summer months.

Florida heat/humidity is really tricky. Take it easy and be will to change/bail if you have too, even if it means on losing out on a ticket/experience you've paid for.
Good luck- have fun!

 

[mshanson3121]

Thanks, we revamped the plans one more time. We decided to drop the Pirates & Pals cruise. As much as we know the kids would enjoy that, we think it's going to be way too late of a night for them (it would be pushing midnight before we even got back to the house).

Thursday: Sea World. Free evening.
Friday: MK (we'll be leaving right after the FoF parade, lunch at Peco Bills). Free evening.
Saturday: Free day. Going to Epcot after an early supper for the World Showcase (probably 5-8).
Sunday: Epcot again, doing Future World. We'll probably go in from 11-2, and then head over for our Hoop Dee Doo Revue at 4:00, free evening after show.
Monday: Discovery Cove. Free evening.
Tuesday: Animal Kingdom. Free evening.
Wednesday:Morning at MK (9-12). Go home for a break. Then BBB @ 5:00, CRT @ 6:50, MSEP & Wishes
Thursday: Free morning. 1/2 day at Hollywood Studios (probably head in after lunch), early supper at Sci-Fi, then home. Free evening.

So, this way, all evenings but two are free, and all evenings but one will have the kids in bed on time. We'll have an entire day free, three half days, and even our "full" days likely will only be 9-3ish. And, with HS being on our last day (it's the park we plan on spending the least amount of time in - basically only going for Toy Story, Frozen Sing a Long and Indiana Jones), depending on how overtired the kids are from the Wishes the night before, there's no real rush on when we get there.

 

[Tissa]

Just remember to be flexible and leave the park early or sleep in if needed. They may be so excited they go, go, go or they may get overwhelmed at things that normally do not bother them and meltdown. You just hope for the best but prepare for the worst. My 16 year old autistic son decided 4 hours in the MK was enough and wanted to go NOW! He was in partial meltdown mode on the Ferry coming back to the TTC. He yells loudly when he is unhappy and I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

Your new plan sounds great.