Neverland Club for HFA son?

[have2getaway]

Hi Everyone:

We will be visiting WDW in September for a week and I would love to be able to go out to dinner one night without our ds (4 1/2). He has autism, but he is very high functioning. I didn't know what their requirements were. He is in a regular day care at home, but he goes to a special pre-school where he receives ST, OT, and general special education. He is verbal and he can clearly express his needs/wants at this time. Would he be allowed to attend? I know he would love to have interaction time with other children. He is an only child so I thought it might be good for him and us. Any thoughts?? Has anyone else been in this situation before? By the way, he is very into pirates and Peter Pan right now so that is another reason I was considering this one.

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

[tmli]

My ds is 10 and also HFA. He is booked in the Neverland Club for our Sept trip. He is very excited...when making the ressie I was told all children were welcome provided they didn't need toileting assistance as they were not able to accomodate. They noted his condition and I am to speak to them at the club that day with any special instructions.

It is so difficult for me to let him do things like this, but I try to let go as much as possible. He will also be doing the pirates cruise and grand adventures in cooking at the GF during the same trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

If he is in a regular day care at home without an aide or any special assistance, I don't see why he could not fit in. They are licensed as a day care setting, and do fall under the ADA. Because of the ADA, they can't just say that he can't come because he is autistic. If there are any impediments to him coming, they have to look at reasonable accomidations to meet his needs without disrupting anyone else.
If he is not totally toilet trained, according to the ADA, they do need to make some accomidations for him (since the lack of toilet training is due to his disability). The accomidation may not be actually helping him; it could be things like requiring him to wear a pull up while he is there, requiring that if they page you for toileting assistance, you respond and come to help him, etc.

 

[graygables]

NLC is a high-energy, high noise environment, the meal is a buffet. The last 2 times my DDs were there, they did NOT have a good time The CMs were aloof and even cranky (in front of me). Both of them said they'd rather go to Simba's the next time.

Simba's at AKL was more structured with a set meal (that you choose when you check them in), it was a smaller club and much more intimate. At first, DDs said it was "boring", but after the NLC nights, that's where they've asked to go the next time.

 

[have2getaway]

Thank you all for input. Our son is toilet trained. He does not currently have a one-on-one aide although our district did approve him to have one for next year--primarily to improve his social group interaction, which is already improving just not as quick as he might with the aide. The Simba club also sounds nice, but I liked the idea of the NLC because of the location. I thought that if we made a reservation at Cali Grille or even Kona we would not be far (dh still hasn't warmed up to the idea of a car rental as it typically adds stress to drive on vacation). I was even thinking about a restaurant at Epcot, which would also just be a monorail ride away. Well, it sounds like one of the clubs would be doable. Thanks again!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I was even thinking about a restaurant at Epcot, which would also just be a monorail ride away.

Just so you are aware, it's possible they could say that you need to stay in the resort in case of need during the time that your child is in the Kid's Club.
It may depend on your child's needs/their perception of your child's needs.

 

[have2getaway]

Just so you are aware, it's possible they could say that you need to stay in the resort in case of need during the time that your child is in the Kid's Club.

Thanks Sue! I am still not sure if we will even do it. He is still really young for us to leave him with complete strangers, but he doesn't have siblings so it might be nice to go even with him for a couple hours. He might enjoy the interaction and time away from the parks. If we do opt to make a reservation, do you think they would mind if we ate at Kona, or are you thinking they might want us to stay right at the NLC itself?

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

[ducklite]

I am by no means an expert on Autism. But I do want to reaffirm what the earlier poster said about the atmosphere at the Neverland Club. It's loud and crowded. My son loved it there, but he loves that type of environment (although mentally it's not the best for him on an ongoing basis.)

I know a lot of Austistic children do not do well with unstructured, chaotic, loud environments, and I'm wondering it it's really the best option for you.

I'd like to suggest a couple of other options.

One might be the childcare center at the GF. It's the smallest of all of them, and perfectly suited towards 4-8 year olds. (My son was bored there at age ten or so.) They generally only take children who are staying at the GF, but will take kids whose parents are dining there under some circumstances. That would put you only a moment away if you dine at Citrico's or Narcooses.

Other options would be the child care club at the Beach Club for the Yachtsmans Steakhouse. Wilderness Lodge has a childcare club which consistently gets great reviews for Artists Point, and AKL for Jiko.

Good luck and I hope you all ahve a great time!

Anne

 

[jodifla]

Thanks Sue! I am still not sure if we will even do it. He is still really young for us to leave him with complete strangers, but he doesn't have siblings so it might be nice to go even with him for a couple hours. He might enjoy the interaction and time away from the parks. If we do opt to make a reservation, do you think they would mind if we ate at Kona, or are you thinking they might want us to stay right at the NLC itself?

Thanks,
Jennifer

If you decide a club isn't right, I recommend considering Fairy Godmothers. DS is now old enough for clubs and potty trained, but he'd rather go to bed after a busy day than go to a hectic club. We use them once or twice on every trip.

 

[have2getaway]

I guess I realize now that the Neverland Club is probably not a good choice. He does much better with a small group of children, and yes the loudness will bother him. I didn't realize that all of the hotels with nicer restaurants have similar programs--that is something I will look into. Is Fairy Godmothers a baby sitting service? Thanks!

 

[jodifla]

I guess I realize now that the Neverland Club is probably not a good choice. He does much better with a small group of children, and yes the loudness will bother him. I didn't realize that all of the hotels with nicer restaurants have similar programs--that is something I will look into. Is Fairy Godmothers a baby sitting service? Thanks!

Yes, FG is a private company that's been around 25 or so years. Almost all the babysitters have been with the company quite a while, and most of them are grandmother types. I also believe they have experience working with special needs kids. They normally come with a bag full of toys to play with. They don't do baths, but they'll take kids places too, if you want, or will just stay in the room with them. There's normally a 4 hour minimum plus a travel fee.

Also, Kids Nite Out is the Disney affiliated company. You can check their Web site at kidsniteout.com.

 

[have2getaway]

Does anyone know anything about the Lion's Club? We are thinking abuot dinner at Artist Point. Our son LOVES fireplaces and I know he will really enjoy the atmosphere at WL. This might get him off to a good start if we drop him off at the kids club there. Should I call the club beforehand to feel out our options.

Thanks for the feedback abuot the Fairy Godmothers. After talking more about it with dh, we decided that we really don't want to leave him for very long, and not unless it will also serve as an opportunity to play with other children.

 

[ducklite]

The only thing to caution about the chid care center at WL is they can't see the lobby from there. I guess what I'm trying to say is if he sees the fireplace then you take him to a place where he can't see it, will that be a problem?

I'm certainly not trying to discourage you, just trying to help point out pitfalls so they can be addresses in advance and you can ALL have a great time!

Anne

 

[have2getaway]

The only thing to caution about the chid care center at WL is they can't see the lobby from there. I guess what I'm trying to say is if he sees the fireplace then you take him to a place where he can't see it, will that be a problem?

I never even thought about this, but you are very right. If he sees the fireplace he will most likely get fixated on that and then through a tantrum if we take him somewhere else. Maybe we can see the fireplace after.