Our Trip with ASD DS, NT DD and Pooh sized mommies - Updated 6/11/09

[C&G'sMama]

Well, we got through the bridal shower today and it's too dark to mow the foot of grass in the back yard. So, here is the beginning of our trip report. "The Good The Bad and the Ugly". There was less bad and ugly than previous years and we attribute a lot of it to using a medical stroller for DS. I am posting here on the Disabilities Board as I want to focus on our experience with traveling with our son, his ASD and what we did this time to benefit the whole family. I might throw in some info on being pooh sized.

Unfortunately we haven't unearthed the memory card from the beginning of our trip so I only have a few picture to share at this time.

WDW 2009

April 24th
We left Rochester at 6:30 am and drove 400 miles to Alexandria Virginia. We saw an old friend. Today was pretty uneventful and both kids did really well.

April 25th
Left Alexandria at 8:00am and drove 700 miles to just south of Jacksonville. Today was the day both kids needed to be sat on. Granted they were tired but DD copped an attitude and DS was pretty out of control as far as the whining etc. We actually got out of line for lunch after DD wouldn't give up on asking me for a milkshake. I had said no as it was early in the day and we were going to take an ice cream break later. Ice cream breaks are a tradition toward the end of a long day and usually gets everyone through to the destination for the night. Well DS spent the next 2 hours perseverating on us having to leave McDonalds and every time he said "Why couldn't we stay" DD replied "Because I have a big mouth". It was a beatiful couple of hours I was grumpy too because I had to give up my ice cream break for the day as a responsible mom and I didn't do anything wrong.

Other than that the drive was pretty uneventful and the weather was great. As we have usually driven in winter it was a pleasant change to have so much daylight to drive in. I kept busy by sleeping; the kids watched videos, read books etc. and DP drove

We landed at a Hampton Inn south of Jacksonville a little after 8:30pm. The kids went swimming and slept like logs.

April 26th

Since we only had a short way to drive today we let the kids go swimming before we set out for the day. En route to Lake Buena Vista we stopped at Cracker Barrel to eat and got the kids the wooden peg toys. Those kept them busy for about an hour. It was nice to have no DVD or Leapsters on.

We had originally planned on staying at a Hampton Inn in Kissimmee but on a whim decided to get a room at the Nickelodeon Family Suites. This is the first time we haven’t stayed in a Disney hotel. The kids absolutely loved it. I loved that I could actually relax while they played. Mommy and I also loved that we had our very own room and the kids had theirs. This one’s definitely something we want to try again. On the way to the hotel we stopped at our favorite Publix on S. Kirkman Road. We got a little lost getting there though and ended up on Lockheed Martin Property (oops). A very nice man (security) saw our map and helped get us back on track.

April 27th
After 3 nights of packing and unpacking I was glad to finally reach our final destination for the week, CBR. We have never stayed there before. At first I felt very overwhelmed by it. We have stayed at All Stars for years and know the resort like the back of our hands. We had a preferred room in Martinique Building 26. It was worth it for me. Another time I might try another building but with this being a new place for us it was nice to be near the food court and the main pool.
After checking in at about 1:00, we were very fortunate that our room was ready, we headed off to Epcot. The room was on the 2nd floor and was at the end of a section so there were only 3 rooms in a row. We found it to be very quiet which was great (especially when DS had his melt downs).

I'll write more another time and hopefully will have unearthed more pictures to post. In the mean time here are a few preview photos.

DS in his stroller, this was the best thing we ever did, we felt it really allowed us to do things we haven't done before and was a big help for the whole family

Me having my first Dole Whip at 12:30 am on May 4th.

Me, Piglet and DP at Crystal Palace

G (Peter Pan) and C (Tinker Belle) with Iridessa

 

[DisDreaminMom]

 

[mazz1]

all sounds lovely and i especially like the pics too

looking fwd to reading the rest

do you know i've never had a dole whip or even know what one is now i don't think that's fair at all you must point me in the right direction of where to buy in one of the parks? please

 

[mechurchlady]

I am setting here waiting to hear more. sounds like typical kids picking on mom, lol. Great report so far.

 

[pudge the fish]

waiting too!!!

 

[C&G'sMama]

Well, we still haven't found the Memory Card and we haven't received our photo CD yet from our photo pass, which may be because we haven't ordered it yet, but any way..... I will continue without visual aids and add photos at a later date.

Monday April 27th.

As I said above we checked into CBR about 1:00 pm. Our Liberty Special Needs Stroller was waiting for us. We rented from Orlando Stroller Rental and would do so again.

We brought a couple of bags up to the room, got changed and went off to Apricot, or Epcot as many people call it.

1st Stop "The Bible Ride", known to most people as "Spaceship Earth". Apricot and "The Bible Ride" were coined by our daugther when she was 2 1/2 or 3 and the names have stuck ever since. She couldn't remember "Spaceship Earth" but she remembered something about books and thought bibles (probably the monks). When we went for our quick visit last December DS hated this ride and swore he'd never go on again. He's not fond of the dark. He finally decided to give it a try and was fine.

Next it was onto rest of Future World. We went to "Club Cool". We were all so hot I think we drank a quart of soda each. But not the stuff from Italy (it's too bitter for me).

We only did the right side of Future World (as opposed to left). Before we went to "The Sea with Nemo and Friends" the rest of the family sat down while I high-tailed it in to the Land and picked up fast passes for Soarin'. DS got picked for a question at Turtle Talk with Crush. He asked Crush what his favorite game was. We walked around the tank which we have never done with the kids before.

We went to "the Figment" ride and then to Dinner at Garden Grill. Our kids are fairly big eaters and also would tire of the normal chicken, hot dogs and burgers offered as kid choices so we tried to do as many Buffets and Family Style meals as we could. They loved having the characters come to the table. After dinner we went on the boat ride. It's always been one of my favorites.

Now a warning. If anyone ever rents the above stroller it's great and moves really well. You may want to consider not letting go of the handle to do something after you get off the boat as it could lead to your child going careening into the canal (almost). I did catch him before the stroller went in. As a mom I didn't want to waste a minute so I gave the stroller a little push so it would keep moving forward and so that I could keep moving forward and use both hands for something other than holding onto the stroller. Oops. The thing did handle really well. It was 30 lbs and he's 80but it pushed very easily.

We weren't sure how DS would do on Soarin' but he did great. It was the first time on it for all of us. I loovved it. Here's a Pooh sized part. We were a little concerned about fitting but the cast member said no-problem and told us to sit on an end. It was great.

Next, onto World Showcase. We went to the UK pavilion and watched "British Invasion".

But the best part came next. We got to stay for Illuminations. This is the first time since DD was 2 1/2 that we've been and she didn't remember it. Without the stoller it never would have happened. He was able to sit in it while we waited. He had his own safe space. It was awesome. This was the theme for the whole trip. I'll talk later in the week how we tried to go somewhere without the stroller and what a disaster it was.

After Illuminations we waited for most everyone to clear out and then made our way out. It had been a great night. We went back to the car, went to our room and crashed for the night.

I'd say the most difficult thing about the stroller was getting it in and out of the tram but it was more than worth it.

Please send some pixie dust that we find that memory card. It wasn't where I thought it would be so I'm a little nervous. but I'll keep lookin' We always have the photo pass but I'd be sad to lose all those pictures.

 

[C&G'sMama]

I found the memory card! Thanks for the pixie dust. When DP has a chance she'll download the pictures. Have a good day all.

 

[bookwormde]

Thanks for the report,

From the report and pictures it looks like you are having a great time (the dole whip is really getting to me though). C is such a cute fairy princess and G looks like he is ready to take on the world as Peter Pan.

Glad you found you memory card (loosing ours is one of my nightmares).

bookwormde

 

[lalapodip]

Thank you for the trip report....I am enjoying it very much!! We'd be lost without that stroller, that's for sure! (looking forward to a dole whip - or two - in August)

 

[C&G'sMama]

From the balcony at Nickelodeon on Sunday night, the 26th

Monday Night - 4/27
DS waiting to eat at the Garden Grill. He would go through times where he would pull the shade down because he didn't want anyone to see him. He did it less as the week went on.

The kids with Dale at the Garden Grill

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the report and glad to hear you found your picture card. I spent some anxious hours looking for one recently too.

Your DS looks very comfortable and relaxed in the stroller. Glad to hear it worked out for you. And both the kids look really cute in the picture with Dale.

 

[C&G'sMama]

Tuesday April 28th

Animal Kingdom.
Today we were up and out and at the park for opening. We never go to opening as we like to sleep in so decided to try getting to the parks early a couple of days, as the week progresses our start times get later

So we go through the gates and are headed to get Fast Passes for Kilomanjaro Safaris when I hear “Ann, Ann “(that’s me). Of course I ignored it because who the heck would be calling my name, except for the 3 that were with me and they were each only about a foot away from me. It was my niece, her husband and their 22 month old daughter. I knew they were going to be at WDW for a couple of the same days as us but we hadn’t made any plans to meet up. We’d left it up to fate. Since this is the only day we went to Animal Kingdom, I guess fate took over. That was fun. We had a Photo Pass Photographer take some pictures of us. From there we got our fast passes for the Safari and then headed over to Asia to go on Kali River Rapids. It was about 9:15 or so and the ride didn’t start until 9:30. Neither of the kids had ever been on. DP HATES getting wet and the ponchos were in the car. But we convinced her to go with us. Since it was early in the day and so sunny she dried. The kids loved it. We went again while DP waited for us. She had fun because people were going by asking her all kinds of questions while she was waiting for us to get off the ride.

It was then on to Kilamanjaro. It was great. We had never been that early in the morning (hey, we're on vacation 10am is early) and the animals were very active. The best part was the vehicles had to stop because giraffes were in the road and they had to have the gameskeepers get them back to being off the road. Here's a picture. DP took the picture. I'm on the side next to the Giraffe. The kid thought it was funny because his (or her) butt was about 2 feet away from me. It was pretty cool though.

I'm feeling like I need to speed things up a little and today was pretty uneventful. We went to Legend of the Lion King (yet another thing we wouldn't have made it through without the stroller). The first time we've been in several years. We visited all the character at Camp Minnie Mickey. Went to the tree of Life. Left the park about 4:30 and back to the hotel. I took the kids over to the quiet pool and did laundry while they swam.

Tomorrow or sometime this weekend (you know this whole working for a living thing and being a mom cramps my style when I can't get on the boards to post) I'll post about the next day at Magic Kingdom. I actually want to get to Friday where there was a learning opportunity for some middle school boys.

Have a good night. Here are a couple of more pictures from our day at AK

 

[Momelie]

I am SO enjoying reading your trip report! Can't wait to see the next chapter!

 

[mechurchlady]

Ok what did you say to the Giraffe to make it turn your back to you? Cannot wait for more trip reports and pictures. Love the pictures and glad you all had fun.

hugs
LAurie

 

[C&G'sMama]

Wednesday April 29th


G turns 6 today. We have ressies at CP and want to be there for park opening. We bring out the Captain Jack Sparrow outfit for G and TinkerBelle for C. We brought them from home as we ordered them online at a great discount after Halloween. C has outgrown the girl’s sizes so we got her an adult small. G insists on wearing the entire outfit including pants and “boots” (those cloth things that go over his shoes). We had thought he could just wear the top as it was so hot. We get to the park for opening for the first time ever for us. We got to see the opening show. This was a fantastic day. We got the birthday fast pass. It allowed us to get 6 “instant fast passes” each at 3 rides from one category and 3 from another. It was perfect for us. Using that in addition to regular fast passes was great. By 11:00 we’d hit all the major attractions in Fantasy Land. Then we headed over to Tomorrow Land and from there to Crystal Palace. G got a birthday card signed by all the characters and a cupcake. We had also ordered a Pirate Cake for him and a Princess cake for C. Her birthday is tomorrow (5/18) so this trip was for her Bday too. The cakes were cute they came in a brown pirates chest and a pink princess chess. Each came with a little banner and little toy.

After lunch it was on to Adventure Land and Frontier Land. We used a Bday fast pass for the Jungle Cruise. We got G to take his Jack Sparrow outfit off to ride Splash Mountain.

It was a wonderful day in the park and all had fun. We did tons of rides plus lunch. And here comes the teaching moment. We go to the monorail and there is a group of middle schoolers there. When we go on the monorail. DP tells me the girls were fine but she wan’t happy with the boys. Well what I missed was a group of boys making fun of the “big baby in the stroller”. The big baby would be my son. I missed all of this as did DS. There are none of the boys on the car but one of the chaperones who turned out to be the band teacher they were traveling with was. I decided to say something. I was very nice but I thought she should know how her kids were presenting themselves. She was shocked and thanked me. Apparently one of the boys in the band has AS and they had spent the previous evening with children with disabilities helping them play instruments etc. So she said thank you and they would have a conversation on the bus later.

We spent the evening at the main pool. The kids loved the slides. Later in the week we would convince them to spend more time at the quiet pool as the main pool was always pretty crowded. G loved his birthday and so did we.

Princess Cake

Pirate Cake

C&G watching the opening of MK

The kids favorite spot at the resort

It's been a good day

[/IMG]

 

[bookwormde]

Thanks for the update, and the pictures are great. sounds like a great day.

The eye patch in bed reminded me of my younger ds who got a bandana at the parks one day refused to take it off when he went to bed. When he woke up in the morning he was wearing it as a blindfold (not on purpose), it was very funny.

bookwormde

 

[C&G'sMama]

Ok what did you say to the Giraffe to make it turn your back to you? hugs
LAurie

Okay, I ate a few leaves, I was on safari and I was hungry, I didn't think they'd miss them....

 

[mechurchlady]

Okay, I ate a few leaves, I was on safari and I was hungry, I didn't think they'd miss them....

On your trip you are supposed to forgo your diet. Leaves, twigs, and veggies are not allowed on WDW and DLR trips, tsk tsk.

Great pictures and did you spend a lttle quiet time savoring the peace and quiet>

Cute pictures

hugs
Laurie

I hope you get tagged as "Steals lunch from giraffes!".

 

[C&G'sMama]

A day of Rest, sort of. Today was our day to go to DHS. Last night we decided to skip it. We had been on vacation for a week now and we were tired! We needed a day to sleep in, get home work done, do laundry etc. So we decided to sleep in and go to DTD today. Other than DP and I going to PI once in 1996 we’ve never been to DTD. The kids were less than thrilled. Then we got there, they loved it. They played at the Lego Store and loved all of the sculptures. We splurged and bought the Giant Mr. Potato Head stuffed with pieces. It was well worth it as the kids loved playing with it in the room. We ate lunch at Cap’n Jacks. It was a nice change of pace as the restaurant was not busy. It was quiet and relaxing. After lunch it was time for Dessert. So, off to Goofy’s candy company. We had never been before. OMG, it was so cool. As I could live on Peanut Butter Sandwiches, the chocolate covered one was a must have. DP and DD each got an apple and DS got chocolate covered marshmallows. And we all got 1 other thing, but it escapes me at the moment what it was. We went back to the hotel and the kids did homework. We spent some time at the big pool, but it was so hot and crowded we convinced the kids to go over to the quiet pool. I did laundry and all of us swam. The mommy (DP) doesn’t usually swim as it usually isn’t warm enough but this time it was. The kids got a kick out of us doing handstands in the pool (sorry, no pictures of that). I picked up pizza from the food court and we all went to bed early that night.

My "Peanut Butter Sandwich"

Mr. Potato Head

C with "Lego Boy"

 

[KirstenB]

I'm enjoying your TR. Love CBR!! It was where we stayed for our first wedding anniversary, and I have a real sentimental attachment to it. Downtown Disney is a great way to have a relaxing day, and have a little downtime. Our kids loved Legoland too.