OK, give me your honest opinions

[carlotta]

This is a great board!!

Now to my question. My husband and I have three beautiful, sweet darling boys. We have tried very hard to maintain an attitude of normalness over the past few years, despite some of the difficulties we've encountered. I love going to Disney (but we have only taken all the boys twice for one day of MK only). We recently became DVC members, and so I anticipate lots more visits.

I have never used the special passes, even though I think they are wonderful and absolutely necessary for kids with moderate PDD or autism. Again, we try to be "normal" and cope as well as we can while at the MK (long breakfast or lunch at Crystal Palace, leave park by mid-day). Anyhow, I am now thinking I have been pasting on a normal face to help me feel better about me, while perhaps my kids would be alot better served by using the benefits for special needs that are available.

A little background:

My oldest (9) boy has aspergers disorder. He has been doing great this year - will lose his parapro and be fully included with only intermittent support next school year. His main issues at WDW are losing steam after 4 hours or so at the park and fears of rides he would really like to try but backs out of when given the opportunity. He is really quite easy to manage.

My 6 year old also has an AS dx but is a very different stripe. Whiny, tantrums, lost him at Six Flags, fidgety, daredevil on some rides (loves heights!) but too scared to go to a movie so no shows for us. He is also fully included at school, but teacher would like to have him elsewhere.

My youngest (5) is not our bio son so no PDD! He does, however, have a complex congenital heart defect and I guess this will become an issue as he may want to start to ride the "big" rides soon. I haven't talked to his cardiologist yet, but I'm beginning to wonder about the rides which aren't for people with heart conditions. Anyone know?

So, I'm torn between requesting special services and just going with the flow, understanding that we won't be doing as much in a day as many.

How have you grappled with these issues? Do you have any specific suggestions?

I guess I really don't want to "take advantage" of the special services when we could deal with any of our kids easily one on one, but with all three it gets kind of iffy.

Your thoughts are much appreciated.

Carlotta

 

[teri]

Stop torturing yourself. You NEED a vacation - look at all you are dealing with. The GAC was made to help you get the vacation you need. It isn't some kind of charity or sign of weakness, it isn't a privelege you have to earn, it is something that lets the CMs know that your family may need some extra assistance and accomodation. Of course you should use the GAC if you need it, and don't feel guilty about it.

There is a ton of information in the FAQ about the GAC, and about traveling with sensitive kids. Click on the link in my signature below.

You work hard for your family, and your vacation is important to you as well as to your kids. Don't make it hard on yourself - use the services that Disney gladly provides.

 

[fantasymagic]

Hi Carlotta,

We also have a son with a complicated congenital heart defect. When we checked with his cardiologist, he told us that as parents, we should make the decision, and not go according to signs posted. So, if a sign said not to go on with a heart condition, but we approved it it was okay. Also, the reverse, if there was no sign posted but we felt it wouldn't be appropriate, to go with that. (He's really big on parents' input as well as what tests show, i.e., how do YOU think he's doing vs. what the tests show.)

So, we tested all rides first, then made decisions. By the way, he's been fine with all rides except "Alien Encounter." That wasn't related to his heart, just way too scary for him AND for mom!!!

Absolutely, check with your cardiologist.

One other note, our son also has a pacemaker. The only place that I thought might cause a problem was in the introductory que to Test Track (I though maybe there might be large magnets), but there was no problem.

As far as your other two sons, IMHO, use the GAC and take advantage of any accommodations. I agree with other posters, enjoy the vacation. On our first trip there, he had just had surgery (surgery was delayed or we wouldn't have scheduled a vacation so close to surgery) Anyway, I had to carry him a lot of the way. So, had I known about accommodations available for him at that time, I would have checked into a wheelchair.

Have a great time and just enjoy the Disney Magic--sending some Pixie Dust your way!!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

I also suggest talking to the cardiologist.
Also keep in mind that WDW labels the rides so no one can say they were not warned. You can get a Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities for each park that lists the ride and a description of them along with the lenght of the ride. That will give you some idea of WHY the particular ride or show has a caution. Many of the rides are quite similar in what you are subjected to, so if one ride doesn't cause a problem, you will probably be OK with another ride with the same description. You can also ask the CMs before boarding and ride first yourself, like fantasymagic suggested.
I personally have a heart problem and go on most everything (I know I am scared of Rock N Roller Coaster, so I'm not going to go there. If the ride itself doesn't cause problems, my fright will). My FIL, on the other hand, has high blood pressure and won't go on anything that has a warning.

Since fear can cause as much problem as actual physical stress, you might also want to look at a book that give "fright factors" for rides and shows based on kids opinions. You can find an Unofficial Kids Guide to WDW that gives that kind of information.

 

[carlotta]

Teri, Fantasymagic and Sue,

Thank you so much for your kind words! I will absolutely get GAC's for our next visit. I know that everyone on this board knows that it can be tough to deal with disabilities, both hidden and visible. Many thanks for your insights.

Fortunately, my little heart guy/space ranger has a healthy dose of fear regarding most fast/bumpy rides. I will certainly call his PC to check. The only restrictions he has ever given are don't play beyond his fatigue level and no high school varsity sports. I think he'll be fine.

Glad to have found y'all.

Carlotta

 

[momejay]

Get the GAC it's not that hard to get. If you need it use it. I know about juggling. We are in almost the same boat.
My son is 5, with autism, non-verbal, not yet potty trained, loves rides that spin...
One of my 7 yr olds has PDD spectrum disorder, language delayed, loves coasters but I have to DRAG her on the first time (she cries/worries the whole way, we get on the ride, she loves it, she cries because she wants to go again)
The other 7 yr old is my dare devil & thinks she can go by herself 'cause "I'm big now," she's just a "normal" child that wanders when I'm distracted by the other two.

 

[Radar]

Federal Law prohibits them asking questions other than be very specific about the need for example for them not to wait in lines because x,y, z for example. They will not question anyone about their need, they will try to
accomodate them. It all evens out anyway, I'm sure that
time you don't spend in line will be used to tending their needs inbetween. People are way too worried about what others might think, haven't we all grown up to the point that it doesn't matter, everyone has a set of challenges, some more than others, but I never worried about people looking funny at us, my wife is disabled and yes we used a GAP, but it allowed us to regroup and rest betweeen rides.Never underestimate the Florida sun, the MK is the hottest place I went to Universal much cooler, hear than AK is bad too....

 

[SandraC]

Dear FANTASYMAGIC, our 7 year old dd has complex congential heart defects that can not be repaired (three operations so far). She was granted a wish in 1998 to visit WDW thru Make a Wish / Give Kids the World. We went again last month ~ both times were great. Her cardiologist said most rides were okay but it's the heat, humidity and length of the day that wipes her out. She tires very easily so the GAC saves the day! We use FAST PASS when we can, but I stopped feeling guilty about using the GAC everytime I see dd's scars and blue complexion. When our children are forced to enter the ADULT world of medicine too soon, they deserve a little help leading a 'regular day'! GOD BLESS!