Our update after the trip

[berries]

First of all thank you to each and every DIS member who gave me advice and tips. And a very special thank you to the DIS member who met us there and calmed me down and sprinkled fairy dust over the entire week! Our kids were a total match!

I can't say my dd didn't have meltdowns while there. I can say she walked in sand barefoot for the first time ever! Ask her what her fave part was and she will say the campfire. After every thing that she loved and campfire?! It was the one time I let her go and let her sit with another family if she wanted. And she did.

We have a tradition to try something new on each of her birthdays and this one was full of new things to try and do. We ate at the 50's cafe and she LOVED when they told Grandma to take her elbows off the table. I also made a reservation for lunch at the Whispering Canyon cafe--nervous that it wouldn't work out but it did! Lunch is not as loud as supper there. I'll n ever forget her face when they all sang Happy birthday to her. Here she loved that they brought me water from the pond! Her birthday meal was for a character meal at Hollywood & Vine and it was magical. not much eating going on but she adored it. The characters coming to the table and visiting with her made her day.

Disneyworld was wonderfu lto her and accommodated her needs all week. Her meltdowns were never an issue. I didn't feel as if she were bothering anyone! If she needed extra time to get off or on a ride,, it was okay. The stroller was necessary and she only had issues with it when she saw an infant in an Orlando orange stroller JUSt like the one she was in! By the 3rd day, she was asking us to stop so she could get in it -away from the crowd! The sunshade was her favorite so she could hide. She never had to stand and wait in a crowd of people, not once. Even at character meetings, we were allowed to stand off to the side until she could see them.

The stitch wakeup call--the first time she heard it, she physicaly fell off the bed! I didn't realize she liked Stitch so much until we were there! all week we looked for Stitch and finally found hiim on the last day. He gave her flowers as she was melting down when he had to go take a break. Aww!

The security at the airport helped me with her walking through the metal detector so that was no issue -they stopped her until I got there. She was afraid at takeoff, poor thing. Then was fine. Coming back, she refused to go through the metal detector as she had on jeans with a metal button. I ended up asking if I could carry her through and they let me. The main problem we had was she fell asleep on the way home on the plane and I couldn't carry her and our baggage. She was so tired from our trip, but finally I got her awake to walk off the plane. The bulkhead seats were perfect and we were sat all alone in them. As much as I worried about her on the plane, I was the one who got sick! Too much turbulence! Oh and they did let us pre-board which helped us have time to get settled before everone else got on board. What I didn't realize is that we could have gotten the headphones, etc out before the plane took off. I thought everything had to be put up until the seatbelt sign was off and we were in the air. The turbulence was bad and it took a while to get our stuff out.

The worst part at WDW was waiting on buses to and from WDW. If we didn't stand in line, we would have to wait on the next bus and it was impossible to keep dd still and happy in line. She kept touchinig babies! People were getting upset and I couldn't physically restrain her ALL of the time! Any suggestions on this for next time? I didn't feel we should stand in the handicapped part because she wasn't ini a wheelchair that needed to be loaded. While walking around, ,she was ok to be in the stroller but not when we were stopped like that in line for the bus.

Fireworks and parades were also hard. She coudln't see over people. All week she had a good view of one parade and one fireworks I think. One meltdown came from us having a good view and then people forcing their way ini front of her at Magic Kingdom. She couldn't see and the crowd was thick. I had to carry her out kicking at people and she missed the whole thing.

Most trips we take are 2-3 days and I always come back feeling like "never again". Not this one. WDW made us feel like VIPs. ANYthing my dd needed to enjoy a ride or show, they did. We only had to leave ONE show as there was laughter and there were a few rides that she refused just from the warning signs. I knew she would enjoy Splash Mtn but she was terrified of the drop at the end. So I couldn't talk her into it. She adored Soarin' because of the movie and never realized we were high up in the seats but was very upset at Mission Space-green as she felt that she was going to fall. She refused many rides after that one! She had wanted to pilot the ship and talked about that ride nonstop before she got on it.

I made sure we ate on a regular basis and never skipped a meal. We never did get back to the room in the middle of the day as I planned though. We just took frequent breaks--more for me than her. The walking was tough on my feet and my ankles were swollen all week and still are. I did too much walking but she was enjoying herself so much, I couldn't not do it. She just doesn't tire like I do.She did sleep well all week and napped most days which is unusual for her!

I purchased walking and running padded socks for the trip but any other suggestions for next time? Investing in a good pair of shoes is my plan for the next trip for sure!

Some kids with special needs might not appreciate all of the attention but my dd LOVED the attention from the cast members. They made her feel special all week, not just on her birthday. But some kids may not enjoy complete strangers treating them like family! Because of her birthday button, every cast member spoke to her by name. the parade stopped a few times while cast members wished her a happy birthday. When she was having a hard time or melting down, it seemed to help focus her attention away from whatever was upsetting her.

That's it for my long update. We got back to the airport on the 8th day but coudln't drive home because of the weather and slick roads. So we had to stay an extra day away from home--unplanned. She didn't much care for that but didn't have much time before falling asleep to think about it!

 

[bookwormde]

Glad to hear you and your daughter had a good time, WDW and the CMs add that magical “edge” that makes experiences and progress possible that otherwise might not be.

Thank for the report

We are looking forward to the campfire on the beach at BC in June

bookwormde

 

[KirstenB]

I'm so glad you had a great trip!! There's so much planning that goes into a trip to WDW with a special kiddo. I remember some of your questions and thoughts in the weeks leading up to the trip. I was hoping it would go well. It's especially nice to hear about how well she interacted with others, and the characters. Too cool about STitch!!

 

[mechurchlady]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1874043
Please post some baby steps and other little miracles from your trip on that thread.

Cries long and hard with joy unspeakable. TOLD YOU SO. You worried and planned and thought so hard about this trip and look how it went, wow. I tell people to overplan trips and you did that, always knowing what to do.

I am so happy that she was happy with the campfire and for them steps forward. She went farther than you thought, the little birdy is flying on her own, amazing aint it. Congratulations on the great trip and big hugs and a pat on the back ot a great mom. I am proud of you. I see lots of people asking for advice but few heed our words of wisdom but you sure did.

Big hugs to you
Laurie

 

[Bugsmom73]

I am glad you had a wonderful trip.

 

[berries]

I was driving my mother nuts with overplanning in the weeks before the trip. It is what I always do. She said that no one could enjoy having every minute planned--I did! And dd likes to know what to expect. We ended up splitting from grandma about the 3rd day as she wanted to wander around and we had our plan to stick to. Plus dd was refusing to ride the most popular rides and wanting to ride the little rides. Not to mention Grandma wasn't getting into the characters and autographs and dd enjoyed that almost more than the rides!

My mother tended to rush us when dd needed to slow down. At times she needed a moment to enter a ride. The CMs understood and let her take her time or let a person go ahead of us first.

It was hard to direct dd's attention to things like the giant dinosaur at Animal Kingdom, so I walked right up to his leg even though it was out of the way so dd could see him. Grandma was so mad that I left the path to do that. But dd got to see the dino and loved it!

What would I do differently next time? Probably go alone just the two of us and only go for 3 or 5 days at the most. 7 days was too much for me and my tired feet. Take those mid-day breaks for naps next time! Bring a foldable chair for me as standing waiting on parades and fireworks was hard while squatting and standing! Not pack so many clothes--those bags got heavy! Fly out from the airport nearer to us. It is smaller but alot closer! Bring a wide brimmed hat--that sun was so bright in my eyes! Not worry about the plane--those workers were wonderful to us and even offered to get ME a wheelchair as I was so sick from the turbulence. I didn't use it as someone else might need it worse than me. I just sat for a while.

One of the best things I did do was print out tips and secrets for each park--dd read them all and I could quickly divert her attention from something that was upsetting her to finding a secret hidden mickey, etc.

I remembered someone saying that First Aide stations and Baby Centers were great for downtime and calming down but dd refused to go to either because she say the sign saying "BABY".

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1874043
Please post some baby steps and other little miracles from your trip on that thread.

Cries long and hard with joy unspeakable. TOLD YOU SO. You worried and planned and thought so hard about this trip and look how it went, wow. I tell people to overplan trips and you did that, always knowing what to do.

I am so happy that she was happy with the campfire and for them steps forward. She went farther than you thought, the little birdy is flying on her own, amazing aint it. Congratulations on the great trip and big hugs and a pat on the back ot a great mom. I am proud of you. I see lots of people asking for advice but few heed our words of wisdom but you sure did.

Big hugs to you
Laurie

 

[Disneylvr]

Thank you SOOOOO much for sharing your trip report! I am thrilled you had such a wonderful time. We too have experienced a true vacation with our DD in Walt Disney World because they are so accommodating to her needs.

I admit to giving up on the Disney bus situation as there is no way we can keep Madelyn from touching other people (without a meltdown occuring) and such on the bus. She doesn't understand personal space at all and will touch anyone, take things out of their shopping bags, purses... They just pack too many people on the buses. At least on the monorail she can stay in her stroller/pushchair. We rent a car and drive to all the parks now unless we are staying at a resort with a monorail or boat options.

 

[mechurchlady]

They do not allow folding chairs in the park but I am so glad you had fun. She is going thorugh the age when kids are grown up too much to be babies and it is normal for all girls. That is another step that though throwing a wrench in things is a good sign.

big hugs and chocolates.
Laurie

Does the apple really fall close to the tree?

 

[berries]

I KNOW! My mother even commented on that. Dd and I are alike. I like to have a plan rather than walk around. I want to ask for directions so I know where I am going instead of guessing! The crowds pushing and stepping ini front of the stroller during parades and fireworks was too much for me too! I like to take my time instead of rushing around. Dd does better with that too! One evening we sat and had a snack until the crowd dissipated a bit before leaving the park. It was so nice to do that instead of going with the crowd! Although we took our time, dd got to do most everythiing she wanted. Except swimming. The pools were crowded or it was too cool or I was just too tired to go to the pool after the parks. I told her we could swim at home but couldn't go to the parks at home.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I highly recommend the big clown show crocs with brand new cushioned all cotton running socks over bodyglide. I know it sounds stupid, but it sooooo works, I haven't had a blister since I started doing it.

For parade, illuninations viewing, if you have a stroller as w/c GAC and there is space, you could use the h/c viewing. That's what's worked best for our kiddos when it's crowded.

Congratulations!!! I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Leajess99]

I am so glad to hear that you had a good trip and was mostly melt down free. I so hate when people are rude and push their way in front of you after you have already been there.

 

[teachallday]

What do you advice for others with kids like your daughter?

 

[fausz4]

Glad the trip went well for you.

I have a mother like yours....I always tell myself that she really does mean well.

These are memories that you both will cherish for a long time...Congrats on planning a perfect trip for your family!

 

[berries]

You know I have a friend with a dd similar to mine. Around the same age with the same disability. They are so alike. My friend and I are totally different in our approach to dealing with our dd. My friend knows what her dd dislikes or what makes her uncomfortable as do I with my dd. But I insist and push my dd to do things, to try new things. My friend does not.

I have been pushing my dd into doing new things all of her life. If she hates it, then we don't do it again. Sometimes though...she LOVES it! How would she know if she didn't try it? Of course it was MUCH easier when she was younger than now. Now she can read and those warning signs made her so apprehensive (her word) that she was screaming at the entrance and refused to go on a few rides. I just knew she would enjoy some rides but just the warnings scared her so much.

My advice would be to be open to new experiences. If the child absolutely can't stand a show, leave. No biggie. At least try new things! I had no idea how much dd would love the characters but had a plan. We brought along a pen and autograph book so she planned on getting autographs. That broke the ice!

Don't be shy, ask for what your child needs to enjoy the experience. All they can say is no! If your room is too far from the food court and it is difficult to bring food back to your quiet room, ask if there is a closer room! We did and they changed our room. If your child needs to be seated close to an exit or in the front row so they can see, ask. If your child ONLY likes 1 ride in all of WDW, ask if they can ride twice. All they can say is no. If your child requests only one character and you don't see him, ask where he is or when he will be out.

Shows can be very loud as are some rides. Bring earplugs or some type of noise cancelling headphones.

Slow down and enjoy the surroundings. We took a break right at closing time so didn't have to rush out with the crowd and heard Stitch hiding at Magic Kingdom. No way we would have heard that otherwise. Dd loved that!

We didn't do the play areas at WDW even though it was so tempting. I was too afraid of losing dd there. The castmembers said that more kids are lost in those areas than anywhere else.

Don't stop your child from talking to everyone and anyone. My dd was speaking at least 5 languages by the time we left. It was the cutest thing! She would ask people what language they were speaking and would ask how to say ... and start talking to them in their language.

WDW isn't just about rides and shows. Stop and talk to some of the people in the different lands and at Animal Kingdom. We spent so much time in Africa just sitting and learning about life in Africa. Those are some of the best pictures I have of dd interacting with the castmembers there. I'll never forget her speaking Chinese in "China" at Epcot. If you have a child like mine, they love to learn new things. Since other people were just rushing by, dd and I had their full attention.

Call beforehand and ask about any rides your child has their heart set on. Buzz Lightyear ride was closed down and our plans were to be there 2 days straight for that ride. So the last day we were there, I was frantically calling to find out if it would be open. Thank goodness it was! My dd would have been sorely disappointed otherwise! It would have saved me lots of walking if I had known beforehand! (It was a total bust though. Dd was so mad and melting down, she rode it twice and still couldn't figure out how to hit the targets! The Toy Story ride was much better.)

Find out where your child's fave characters are. As the maps only show character spots but do not name them. Find out where each hangs out so you know before you get there! That sneaky Stitch must have been hiding as we didn't run into him until the last moment before we left WDW! If I had known where he normally was, it wouldn't have been such an issue!

Allergies: Only ONE chef came over to our table and we had 4 reservations. He came over at a buffet so I really didn't need THAT chef to come over! Print out the list of foods and their ingredients. not sure if you have to ask but I received an email from WDW of the food carts items and ingredients.

Bring cash. I normally don't and was upset that the carts selling items and the Mickey balloons took cash only.

If your chld is in meltdown mode, get on a boat. We never had a crowded boat and it was nice to cool down and calm down. If you can, bypass the WDW bus transportation! That was bad! Lots of crowds and lots of waiting in line. Don't rush to the bus...there will be more buses coming.

Tell your child beforehand exactly how much they can spend and when they can buy items. We agreed dd could spend money on her birthday and after but not before. So no toting items around and keeping up with them until almost departure day! We talked about this in the week leading up to our trip. That she only had so much money to spend and when it was gone, it was gone. So she had to choose wisely. My dd doesn't really beg for items though so YMMV. She asked for one item the whole time. But we did bring glow sticks wth us for her. Anything glow in the dark will keep kids occupied as you are leaving the park at night.

I kept dd in the stroller for entering the parks so I could easily scan the cards to get us in and then roll her in.

Dd fell asleep during a pre-show and when we came back, I asked if she could skip the pre-show which she had already seen. They let her do this. (I was afraid she might fall asleep again!)

You'll never know what your child's favorite will be so try a little bit of everything. I had no idea how much my dd would love Figment!! That was the one stuffed toy she wanted and one of the shows she requested twice! She also loved the Stitch show that most kids hate and are scared of. We rode/saw it 3 times, each time we were there.

Don't get out of a ride until your child is out. One ride I was not sure if it coudl stop or not and dd was not moving! They had to stop the ride but we finally got off. This is one where they had slowed down the ride so entering for dd would be easier. So they knew ahead of time to watch for this I guess. It was a bit scary!

I had trouble buckling my seatbelt in time for the ride to start at Test track and if my dd had not been able to buckle herself, I don't know how I would have had time for both of us! So expect to rush buckling up on this one! This is another ride that my dd loved and I was unsure about for her.

I tried to make plans to go to each park on slow days when the crowd would not be so bad. but I did want dd to see Fantasma and the other shows so a couple of days, we were there on very crowded days. If you prefer least crowded days, don't go during special shows like that!

Florida DOES get cold! The first 2 days of our trip it was freezing! Then it was too hot the rest of our trip. I ended up wrapping dd in my sweatshirt as hers was not keeping her warm enough.

If possible avoid food courts. Too many people, too many lines, and hard to control the stroller and the food tray! Stand in line to pick your food and then stand in line to pay. Too long of a wait for dd each time. Long lines every time we were there! The restaurants at WDW were much better! Essentially no wait.

Read through the details or watch the rides on youtube so you know what to expect and can tell your chlid what to expect. I about freaked when a hoodlum with a gun jumped in our car right beside of us!! Thinking OMG what did I get dd into!?!? She said she wasn't scared but I was. When he looked at dd and said "What you looking at kid?", I about died.

We had a great trip and someone back home said see she has grown up so much. I told them if not for the GAC, dd would not have been able to ride any rides at all. There is no way! She surely wouldn't have seen any characters! When other people were being crowded into a tight space, we were able to be in an area where no one was touching dd. That right there produced so many sighs of relief from me! As I knew dd could never do that.

 

[teachallday]

Thank you VERY much. My little princess , although younger than your daughter, has many similarities. What I learned from your pre-trip questions and from this post trip information is GREATLY appreciated.

I am glad to hear that you and your daughter had an enjoyable trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

glad to hear things went well for you.
and a very nice report

 

[fausz4]

I am trying to decide if I should get a GAC for DS with AS. He is very high functioning and I am just not sure if he needs it for the lines and the waiting. The last time we went we went with my Dad who was in a ECV - so we went in the WC line and didnt have to wait.

I guess I should get one and only use it if needed.

What did you bring to get the GAC...I know it can be different for each disability/situation...but what did bring.

Thanks