Pirates cruise and autism Question.. help needed

[robin09]

Well, Disney doesn't know the answers I need so here I come to the Disboards and their knowledge.

I'm going in August with Dh, DD8 and friend and her DS8. BOth children have aspergers (hfa). My DD ALSO has adhd, ocd. I read about the pirates and it looks great BUT>>> no parents are allowed. I called Disney several times and was put on hold quite a bit and passed around. I was told there were 2 Cms and then I was told there were 3 Cm's. Noone seems to know the ration to kids and adults. Noone knows if the Cm's are good with autistic children, they do know that 1 Cm is a lifeguard.

DOes anyone know about this "cruise". Please help.. thanks so much.. I really couldn't do Disney if it weren't for you guys!

 

[Hannathy]

I'm not sure what you are asking. Your children would have to be able to function in a group and stay with it and follow directions. There is no one on one constant attention. They pair up the kids ie the buddy system, but the activities are group activities. The CM ratio probably depends on how many kids whether it is 2 or 3 CM's. I think when my DD did it there were 3 but I didn't really notice or care. I think you would be the best judge of whether they could stay with the group and follow instructions.

 

[robin09]

I'm not sure what you are asking. Your children would have to be able to function in a group and stay with it and follow directions. There is no one on one constant attention. They pair up the kids ie the buddy system, but the activities are group activities. The CM ratio probably depends on how many kids whether it is 2 or 3 CM's. I think when my DD did it there were 3 but I didn't really notice or care. I think you would be the best judge of whether they could stay with the group and follow instructions.

Well, considering you didn't understand my question , you did a great job answering it! Thankyou so much! Stay with the group, nope... short attention span and does what she wants.... Off to find something else for her to do! Thankyou so much! I knew I could count on fellow Disers!

 

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

We sent our autistic son who was 5 (almost 6) on the cruise. I was worried but he did great (CM said he cried a bit at first but them had a blast). Alot depends on your child's level of functioning and adaptability. I also called ahead of time and told them that he was coming and what my concerns were. I also went over it with the CM's when I got there (notice the anal retentiveness coming through loud and clear).

We are going back in May and both son's will be taking the cruise.

Good luck and hope he has a great time!

 

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

Opps meant daughter, guess I had son on the brain. Tried to edit but the boards are acting kinda funky today...

 

[robin09]

We sent our autistic son who was 5 (almost 6) on the cruise. I was worried but he did great (CM said he cried a bit at first but them had a blast). Alot depends on your child's level of functioning and adaptability. I also called ahead of time and told them that he was coming and what my concerns were. I also went over it with the CM's when I got there (notice the anal retentiveness coming through loud and clear).

We are going back in May and both son's will be taking the cruise.

Good luck and hope he has a great time!

Gee, now I'm definitely confused! LOL... nothing new about that. Does she also have adhd?... DD has both, and usually does whatever comes to her mind, she doesn't think first. Was the CM attentive? I'm so nervous about letting her go (and her friend too), but I know I need to let her "grow" up. Just a nervous mommy I guess... Thankyou for your input!

 

[TinkTatoo]

My two went in 2005 DS has HFA and was 8 and DD has Aspergers and she was 7. They were buddied up separately (at the request of my DS) and from memory there were 3 CM's on board. As Hannathy said, if your DD and her friend can follow instructions and stay with their group then they should be OK. We explained to the CM's about the autism and they said they would page us if we were needed. We weren't and DD said she enjoyed it but DS wasn't too keen.

 

[robin09]

My two went in 2005 DS has HFA and was 8 and DD has Aspergers and she was 7. They were buddied up separately (at the request of my DS) and from memory there were 3 CM's on board. As robin09 said, if your DD and her friend can follow instructions and stay with their group then they should be OK. We explained to the CM's about the autism and they said they would page us if we were needed. We weren't and DD said she enjoyed it but DS wasn't too keen.

Hi Tinktatoo....Thankyou for the info.. I am Robin09 ( OP ). It's really hard for DD to do exactly what is asked of her. Very impulsive , and needs one instruction at a time. ANYway, where did you get your autism bracelet? if you don't mind...

Thanks again,

 

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

Gee, now I'm definitely confused! LOL... nothing new about that. Does she also have adhd?... DD has both, and usually does whatever comes to her mind, she doesn't think first. Was the CM attentive? I'm so nervous about letting her go (and her friend too), but I know I need to let her "grow" up. Just a nervous mommy I guess... Thankyou for your input!

"Good luck and hope he has a great time!"

Sorry about the confusion in the last line of my post I put that I hoped "he" had a great time, referring to your daughter, when I saw the post I realized I forgot the s. I have 2 sons with a daughter on the way.

I was EXTREMELY nervous to let him go, it was the first time I had ever let him do anything like that, but I have found that it builds confidence in them and it also helps them learn to function without us there holding their hand. I can't really say how attentive the CM was, but she did give me a full report, so I would have to say that she kept a pretty close eye on him. Remember, these CM's are resposbile for a boat full of kids, some with disabilities, they would have to be very careful, not only for the potiential loss of their job but the personal liability as well. I am also pretty sure that there is not much they haven't seen or dealt with. It is usually us worried Moms on the pier who have the toughest job!

 

[cupcake]

Note that DCL, like WDW, has special services (a person/people who expressly help guests with special needs arrange their trip). You can ask the regular reservations folks to ask the special services person to call you if you feel you have questions that need to be resolved prior to your trip. They were very helpful in getting us situated and got back to us promptly with info they didn't know (e.g., shower bench dimensions).

Have a great trip!

Cupcake

 

[robin09]

"Good luck and hope he has a great time!"

Sorry about the confusion in the last line of my post I put that I hoped "he" had a great time, referring to your daughter, when I saw the post I realized I forgot the s. I have 2 sons with a daughter on the way.

I was EXTREMELY nervous to let him go, it was the first time I had ever let him do anything like that, but I have found that it builds confidence in them and it also helps them learn to function without us there holding their hand. I can't really say how attentive the CM was, but she did give me a full report, so I would have to say that she kept a pretty close eye on him. Remember, these CM's are resposbile for a boat full of kids, some with disabilities, they would have to be very careful, not only for the potiential loss of their job but the personal liability as well. I am also pretty sure that there is not much they haven't seen or dealt with. It is usually us worried Moms on the pier who have the toughest job!

I know I will be on pins and needles the whole time she is gone. But as you said it will give her confidence. Do you know how many kids went on the ship?

Thanks alot for your input....

 

[robin09]

Note that DCL, like WDW, has special services (a person/people who expressly help guests with special needs arrange their trip). You can ask the regular reservations folks to ask the special services person to call you if you feel you have questions that need to be resolved prior to your trip. They were very helpful in getting us situated and got back to us promptly with info they didn't know (e.g., shower bench dimensions).

Have a great trip!

Cupcake

Hi Cupcake, Do you have a number I can use? When I called Disney I get such a runaround.... 3 phonecalls, passed from person to person, on hold all in all it took about an hour and a half to get no answers!

 

[TinkTatoo]

Hi Tinktatoo....Thankyou for the info.. I am Robin09 ( OP ). It's really hard for DD to do exactly what is asked of her. Very impulsive , and needs one instruction at a time. ANYway, where did you get your autism bracelet? if you don't mind...

Thanks again,

Hi robin

I realized my mistake just after I posted and changed the name

I got our bracelets from the Autism Society of America and I wear one when we are in the parks (the kids refuse to wear them )

Good luck with the cruise