new here - ? about beaches

[knick-knack]

New to disboards - getting a LOT of useful info... should have come earlier to get better use of GAD (already bought tickets, didn't realize I could get back value of one day myw ticket, will use FPXCs instead). Anyway... taking our four kids there (9, 9, 7, and 5) in October. My husband is the only one who has been and that was 20 years ago. We are staying at Westgate Lakes (which I'd like feedback on). Also going to MNSSHP on 10/7. VERY EXCITED!

Main question... I'd like to take my kids to the beach for a day (none of them have ever been). Probably the atlantic as opposed to the gulf given recent oil spillage. Any suggestions on beaches that aren't too far? We won't need lodging as we'll be returning to Orlando at night. somewhere not too crowded? We just want to build sandcastles and collect shells!

Another question... my 5yo dd has developmental delays (speech and physical) and an irrational fear of dogs and costumed characters (chuck e cheese, etc). I know she'll be fine with the face characters, but she SHRIEKS when she is frightened. I obviously won't force her to do anything she's not comfortable with (and will avoid HM and SGE), but am mostly concerned about the people around us and their inevitable hearing loss. Any suggestions on dispelling her fears? Also, I'm not sure if she'd qualify for special needs.

Thanks SO much.
emily

 

[Metro West]

 

[Piglet843]

New to disboards - getting a LOT of useful info... should have come earlier to get better use of GAD (already bought tickets, didn't realize I could get back value of one day myw ticket, will use FPXCs instead). Anyway... taking our four kids there (9, 9, 7, and 5) in October. My husband is the only one who has been and that was 20 years ago. We are staying at Westgate Lakes (which I'd like feedback on). Also going to MNSSHP on 10/7. VERY EXCITED!

Main question... I'd like to take my kids to the beach for a day (none of them have ever been). Probably the atlantic as opposed to the gulf given recent oil spillage. Any suggestions on beaches that aren't too far? We won't need lodging as we'll be returning to Orlando at night. somewhere not too crowded? We just want to build sandcastles and collect shells!

Another question... my 5yo dd has developmental delays (speech and physical) and an irrational fear of dogs and costumed characters (chuck e cheese, etc). I know she'll be fine with the face characters, but she SHRIEKS when she is frightened. I obviously won't force her to do anything she's not comfortable with (and will avoid HM and SGE), but am mostly concerned about the people around us and their inevitable hearing loss. Any suggestions on dispelling her fears? Also, I'm not sure if she'd qualify for special needs.

Thanks SO much.
emily

Welcome to the DisBoards!
This is the perfect place to get all your questions answered - and to pass the time until your trip.

I've never stayed at Westgate lakes. So I can't give you any reviews on it.

Maybe don't completely overlook going to the gulf side beaches.
I didn't think the oil and any effects from it ever made it that far.
But anycase - here's a good site about beaches within driving distance to WDW:
http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/beyond/florida_beaches.asp

Finally - I'm not sure about your sweet little girl but I'm gonna go out on a limb here and I certainly don't mean to offend you- but I think you may find exactly the answers you are looking for over on our disAbilities board. I am in no way trying to imply anything - just that surely similar situations have been talked about over on that board.

I wish you best of luck planning your trip!

 

[knick-knack]

Welcome to the DisBoards!
This is the perfect place to get all your questions answered - and to pass the time until your trip.

I've never stayed at Westgate lakes. So I can't give you any reviews on it.

Maybe don't completely overlook going to the gulf side beaches.
I didn't think the oil and any effects from it ever made it that far.
But anycase - here's a good site about beaches within driving distance to WDW:

Finally - I'm not sure about your sweet little girl but I'm gonna go out on a limb here and I certainly don't mean to offend you- but I think you may find exactly the answers you are looking for over on our disAbilities board. I am in no way trying to imply anything - just that surely similar situations have been talked about over on that board.

I wish you best of luck planning your trip!

Thanks so much for the advice!!!

 

[Disneydonnam]

Welcome to the Disboards.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

New to disboards - getting a LOT of useful info... should have come earlier to get better use of GAD (already bought tickets, didn't realize I could get back value of one day myw ticket, will use FPXCs instead). Anyway... taking our four kids there (9, 9, 7, and 5) in October. My husband is the only one who has been and that was 20 years ago. We are staying at Westgate Lakes (which I'd like feedback on). Also going to MNSSHP on 10/7. VERY EXCITED!

Main question... I'd like to take my kids to the beach for a day (none of them have ever been). Probably the atlantic as opposed to the gulf given recent oil spillage. Any suggestions on beaches that aren't too far? We won't need lodging as we'll be returning to Orlando at night. somewhere not too crowded? We just want to build sandcastles and collect shells!

Another question... my 5yo dd has developmental delays (speech and physical) and an irrational fear of dogs and costumed characters (chuck e cheese, etc). I know she'll be fine with the face characters, but she SHRIEKS when she is frightened. I obviously won't force her to do anything she's not comfortable with (and will avoid HM and SGE), but am mostly concerned about the people around us and their inevitable hearing loss. Any suggestions on dispelling her fears? Also, I'm not sure if she'd qualify for special needs.

Thanks SO much.
emily

Hey, we are a family of 6 too. Just wanted to throw out there that you will be at WDW during Free Dining. We usually get two connecting rooms at All-Star Movies Resort for 8 nights, 7 day tickets and the basic dining plan all for around $2,900.00, so the Free Dining discount saves us about $1,200.00 on our trips to WDW. Don't know if you are interested, or if you would cancel your off-site accommodations at this point, but it may be worth a call to Disney today to see how cheap an on-site visit would be for your dates.

As for beaches, Cocoa beach is the closest beach to Walt Disney World, about 45 minutes to an hour drive. It is on the Atlantic side. But also did want to mention that there is no oil on the east coast beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. The oil has never made it past the pan handle.

For your youngest daughter, you can get a GAC (Guest Assistance Card) when you enter the parks. It will be good for your entire stay. You can get more info on the GAC on the disabilities board. As for costumed characters, they don't just freely roam the parks. There are specific character meet-n-greet areas that you can line up to see the chacters, so just avoid those lines. Also, avoid any character meals with costumed characters. Cinderella's Royal Table, 1900 Park Fare and Norway's Akershus Storybook Dining all have princess, face character, dining.

 

[Disn3y]

 

[I'm mikey]

Hello and

 

[gme6662]

welcome to the boards. good luck