Planning our first Disney trip, looking for autism tips

[Treysar]

Hi! I'm new to Disboards. We are a family of 5 plan I on visiting Disney next October. My kids will be 8, 6 & 6 when we visit. My twins have autism.

Just thought I would say hello. I'm sure there are plenty of autism threads and I will go search through them now. If anyone has suggestions for me, or can point me to threads that have been very helpful to them, I would appreciate it.

Thank you!

Treysar

 

[OurBigTrip]

Congrats on planning your trip!

Does autism affect or limit their ability to wait in lines for attractions? Are they sensitive to visual/auditory stimulation? How are they with crowds of unfamiliar people?

The answers help everyone give you ideas about coping strategies, possible accommodations, etc.

 

[Treysar]

Thank you for your reply! They are both pretty different. One guy has a hard time staying still. Well, I guess they both do, but one guy in particular. Most sounds don't bother them, but every in awhile something will. Crowds are ok are long as it's not being trapped like, body to body. I think lines would be difficult, as they are difficult at the nj shore and the wait is usually under 5 minutes. I'm kind of worried about 5 people, 3 of them kids. 2 of them Autistic, one who isn't, who will be stuck alone on rides. Ugh.
I guessing would be good to know of a quiet place to head off a major meltdown. I heard nursing rooms are good for that. I'm worried about changing the diaper of a 6 year old. Where can I do that? I guess they will have to lay on the bathroom floor, or maybe I can find a private place outside and use a blanket? Of course that's a year away, maybe he will make some major progress by then.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Thank you for your reply! They are both pretty different. One guy has a hard time staying still. Well, I guess they both do, but one guy in particular. Most sounds don't bother them, but every in awhile something will. Crowds are ok are long as it's not being trapped like, body to body. I think lines would be difficult, as they are difficult at the nj shore and the wait is usually under 5 minutes. I'm kind of worried about 5 people, 3 of them kids. 2 of them Autistic, one who isn't, who will be stuck alone on rides. Ugh.
I guessing would be good to know of a quiet place to head off a major meltdown. I heard nursing rooms are good for that. I'm worried about changing the diaper of a 6 year old. Where can I do that? I guess they will have to lay on the bathroom floor, or maybe I can find a private place outside and use a blanket? Of course that's a year away, maybe he will make some major progress by then.

Depending on where you stay, you'll be able to book ride times for three rides per day 30-60 days prior to your arrival (Fast Pass+)

The Disability Access Service, or DAS, provides a way for those whose disability makes it difficult to wait IN the line still access the attractions, and it is best used in conjunction with FP+. This post provides more details. If you choose to request a DAS, you need to be able to tell the Cast Member how the disability makes it difficult for your child(ren) to wait IN the line. Their diagnosis isn't important, it's their need that determines whether or not a DAS will be issued.

If issued, you will go to an attraction, get a return time, which is the standby wait time minus ten minutes, then you can do other things while you wait. When your return time arrives, you return to the attraction and enter the Fast Pass+ line to board the attraction.

There are companion restrooms in the parks, and the First Aid station can provide private rooms for your diapering needs.

 

[lanejudy]

to the DISboards!

As a PP indicated, the most helpful suggestions will depend on how the ASD manifests for each of your children. Here are some links that might help you get started thinking about what could help.

Guide to Guests with Cognitive Disabilities
WDW - Disability Access Service (DAS) thread pinned near the top of this forum (the first post has the basics, you don't need to read the full thread)

Many families dealing with ASD kids find one or more of the following suggestions helpful:

• use of headphones to block noisy stimuli
• use of a stroller-as-wheelchair or wheelchair to provide a "safe haven" for the child to escape the crowds or stimulating environment
• watching YouTube videos to know what to expect
• bringing fidgits or small hand-held toys as distraction, particularly reserving these items for use only when waiting
• comfort item (stuffed animal, blankie, etc.)
• snacks and drinks
• taking rest breaks
• planning down-time outside the parks or resort-only days
• some families find character meals are a good way for their child to see characters without the lines, others find such meals overstimulating -- so you'll have to decide what works best for your family
• I'm sure others can add to this list

I don't recommend trying to use the nursing areas for avoiding a meltdown -- you may be turned away so those spaces can be utilized by infants for feeding. The first link above has some quieter spots around the parks that might work. Or head back to your resort for a break. Possibly First Aid if you simply need a quiet space for someone to lie down. You can also use First Aid for diaper changes if they can't be changed standing up in a restroom stall.

As to who rides with whom: WDW allows children age 7+ to ride alone while younger must sit with an adult. On rides with 2-by-2 seating, your oldest likely will be seated alone or with another guest. On some rides it may be possible to squeeze 1 adult plus 2 smaller kids into a single row. Is it possible your oldest is tall enough for some rides that the younger 2 aren't? You could do rider-swap for those, giving your oldest some special attention and double-rides without the younger siblings. You might also plan something special one-on-one for each of the adults to do with the oldest while the other parent hangs at the resort on a rest break with the younger ones.

As note, I see you've mentioned waits of 5 minutes are challenging. Even with a DAS or FP+ you may have waits of 10-20 minutes in the FP+. You'll need to be prepared to deal with those waits. Also, DAS is only used for attractions and not transportation or dining. Each of those can have waits as well.

Just some ideas to get you started. I'm sure others will share more as well. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Treysar]

Thank you for your help!

How does hotel choice affect how many rides you book?

 

[Treysar]

Good info lanejudy! Thank you!

 

[Treysar]

I think the hardest park is going to be for everyone else experiencing my kids behaviors. I'm hoping that people are understanding. I have only experienced mean rude people once or twice. Most others are understanding. My kids will wait but they will cry, yell, ask the same things repeatedly etc. they won't hit anyone (maybe some minor self injurious behavior but I am prepared for this) but they will have a hard time standing still, but we can distract them. I'll bring slinkys, or other toys to distract. It's hard to explain where we are headed and why we are on line, but hopefully they will get the hang after a time or 2. They truly enjoy rides at the shore and I think they will love it ar Disney. It just has to be a go with the flow situation because I just don't know how they will be. Imdont have any expectations.
What I do know is that they love fireworks, so choosing the Contemporary with a view of the fire works is probably going to be their favorite part.

 

[Treysar]

Can you see what ride you are going on from the line? Like, will they be able to see a sign for the ride? Or the ride itself? I bet it depends on the ride. One of my guys uses and iPad to communicate. I'm going to load it with pictures of each ride so I can show him what we are waiting for. That will help.

 

[gap2368]

if you need a quiet place ask a CM where one is they should be able to show you where one is they are all over and it really is not that hard to fined one on you own also first aid is a great place to change an older person

 

[OurBigTrip]

Thank you for your help!

How does hotel choice affect how many rides you book?

It doesn't affect how many you can book in advance, but how far in advance you can book. If you're staying off-site, then you can book 30 days ahead, as opposed to on-site, which allows booking 60 days in advance.

 

[Treysar]

OH, good to know! Thanks!

 

[HopperFan]

Highly suggest letting them watch YouTube videos of rides, shows, parades etc so they know what to expect and may recognize where they are. You can see some rides from lines but most will be themed type queues that will offer things for them to look at and sometimes play with.

YouTube - Big Fat Panda. This guy is great for videos. He has a wonderfully calming voice that my DS loves.

Here is one of the Lion King Show -

 

[Treysar]

OH thank you for the video! This will be very helpful!

 

[OpiesMom]

One thing I did with my kiddo was take her to the playground before going into a park - this was to run some energy out of her so she could actually enjoy the park. She is one of those kids that when in a new environment goes into overdrive and just can't do anything but run around.

The other thing we had was a stroller so she had a familiar place to retreat to. Disney is very over stimulating for her so we tried to make our time in the parks short.

We had to make our vacation fit her and try not to make her fit our vacation.

 

[Hoodie]

A stroller is VERY helpful, especially ones that have a sun screen that can be pulled down. My guy used it more than his little brother just to "get away" for a bit. We spent a lot of time at the playgrounds in the parks and a lot of time on Tom Sawyer Island. It was a great place for him to just run around and much quieter than the park.

As for their behavior, don't really worry about it. You will see a LOT of kids, even those not on the spectrum, crying, whining, etc. Disney is overstimulating for everyone. Most people will be pretty understanding. It's important to build in breaks/quiet time.

Another thing - snacks/food. I brought enough for the entire day, including meals, for him as he RARELY eats anything"unknown." Nothing is worse than having them overstimulated AND hungry.

 

[Baklava]

Thank you for your reply! They are both pretty different. One guy has a hard time staying still. Well, I guess they both do, but one guy in particular. Most sounds don't bother them, but every in awhile something will. Crowds are ok are long as it's not being trapped like, body to body. I think lines would be difficult, as they are difficult at the nj shore and the wait is usually under 5 minutes. I'm kind of worried about 5 people, 3 of them kids. 2 of them Autistic, one who isn't, who will be stuck alone on rides. Ugh.
I guessing would be good to know of a quiet place to head off a major meltdown. I heard nursing rooms are good for that. I'm worried about changing the diaper of a 6 year old. Where can I do that? I guess they will have to lay on the bathroom floor, or maybe I can find a private place outside and use a blanket? Of course that's a year away, maybe he will make some major progress by then.

One way to offset this will be to do some special time with one parent and just your oldest. Take turns taking him off for a ride or an experience on his own to balance.

 

[ErinTwinmom]

I also have twins with autism. Mine are 5. If at all possible I recommend strollers tagged as wheelchairs even if you also get das. Not only does it act as a sensory buffer and prevent running but it lets you keep your calming devices close to you and not in stroller parking.

 

[opusone]

We first went to Disney World when our autistic son was about 5 or 6, and our main strategies were:
1. stroller-as-wheelchair for many of the reasons listed above
2. avoidance of lines to the greatest extent possible due to sensory issues (combination of FP+ and DAS now seem to work pretty well for this)
3. many breaks

Everything went really well. There were a few occasions when my son and I (or my wife) would head back to the hotel earlier than planned, but that was easy.

For breaks, we would:
1. Sprinkle in various shows throughout the day: we got to relax for a while (oftentimes in air conditioning) before the show started, and some of the shows have fairly open floor plans for stimming/pacing/flapping, if needed
2. Go back to the hotel during the middle of the day for a 2-3 hour break. I don't know which parks you plan on visiting, but we found that staying at one of the Epcot area resorts (Boardwalk, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Dolphin or Swan resorts) helps with breaks for two of the parks (Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios) since you can easily walk or take a boat to and from those parks.
3. Take full days off during the week. Again, I don't know how long you are going for, but our rule is never to have more than 2 days in a row at amusement parks. Now, "full day off" doesn't really mean that. We might go to one of the water parks for a few hours, or go hang out in Disney Springs for a couple hours, or even eat in one of the parks for dinner, but no long lines and no amusement rides. The main point is we have a nice, lazy morning and usually an early evening on these days off such that we rest-up.

Plus, time at the hotel (either #2 or #3 above) often meant time at the hotel pool which was a big hit with our son (especially at the Yacht or Beach Club which has the best pool of any of the hotels).

I would definitely think carefully about your worries/concerns/triggers for each son, and on your first morning at Disney, go to Guest Relations at whichever park you go to and succinctly discuss your concerns with them. They are very helpful and will give you their thoughts and/or options to address your concerns (including showing you a map with locations of the family restrooms).

Our son really had a good time. He is now 10, and we are now scheduling our 4th trip there. Each time, we have had less and less to be concerned about, and he always has a good time. BTW, his neurotypical older sister really enjoys these trips as well!

 

[gap2368]

I also have twins with autism. Mine are 5. If at all possible I recommend strollers tagged as wheelchairs even if you also get das. Not only does it act as a sensory buffer and prevent running but it lets you keep your calming devices close to you and not in stroller parking.

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