Playhouse Disney tips for autistic children

[Nik's Mom]

Hi,
My kids would love this show, but I'm worried about the seating. The kids wouldn't mind sitting on the floor, but they would have issues with other kids sitting so close. Does anyone have any tips? Would our gac provide any assistance?
Thanks,
Sherri

 

[livndisney]

There are a few benches at the back and on the sides that allow a little more "open space". Maybe that would work?

 

[Belle1962]

When we went in Feb 2006, we went to the very first show of PHD. It was less than 1/2 full. I would try to hit the very first one.

 

[Disneylvr]

Last year they allowed my daughter to stay in her stroller for the show and that REALLY helped. But granted she was only 3 at the time so I don't know what we will do next year.

 

[SueM in MN]

Last year they allowed my daughter to stay in her stroller for the show and that REALLY helped. But granted she was only 3 at the time so I don't know what we will do next year.

If you have a GAC (Guest Assistance Card) that allows a stroller to be used as a wheelchair, she would be allowed to stay in the stroller. That does help with being able to keep some 'personal space'.

 

[Nik's Mom]

My boys are 5 and 8 years old, but I could rent a double stroller and they would probably fit. That is a great idea! Thank you!

 

[SueM in MN]

My boys are 5 and 8 years old, but I could rent a double stroller and they would probably fit. That is a great idea! Thank you!

the double strollers are large (CMs have written that they will fit small 12 yr olds), so your 2 should fit.

 

[Hannathy]

But be courteous where you park it and not right in front of other small children sitting on the floor. Those things are huge.

 

[Disneylvr]

Last they allowed us to enter with the stroller before the other guests entered the show. The CM's instructed us to park our daughter in her stroller in the front row but all the way over to the right side. We are returning to WDW next year and she will be 5 and has outgrown the stroller we used last year. I was concerned that the CM's wouldn't allow guests to use WDW strollers as "wheelchairs." SueM is it true that they will? Never the less, we just bought a new Maclaren Volo umbrella to use this year in Silver Dollar City and hopefully it will be okay to use in WDW next spring so we won't have to rent a stroller. And SueM is correct. My daughter's GAC stated that we were allowed to use a stroller as a wheelcahir.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

With the "Stroller as Wheelchair" it will work for either a privately owned stroller or for a Disney one.

The "problem" is the tags are designed for one-time use with strong adhesive. If you have your own stroller it will remain on for the trip; if you use the Disney rentals you will need to get a new tag each day (or even more than once a day if you change parks).

 

[SueM in MN]

With the "Stroller as Wheelchair" it will work for either a privately owned stroller or for a Disney one.

The "problem" is the tags are designed for one-time use with strong adhesive. If you have your own stroller it will remain on for the trip; if you use the Disney rentals you will need to get a new tag each day (or even more than once a day if you change parks).

Thanks, Cheshire Figment. I meant to mention the tags. If the only accomidation you need is the stroller, you may get only the tag.

People have posted that they were able to use the Disney park strollers (even the doubles) with the "stroller as wheelchair".

 

[brergnat]

I don't know how the one in WDW is setup, but there is a Playhouse Disney Live show in DCA at Disneyland.

My (almost) 3 year old son is autistic and honestly, the hardest part of taking him to this show is getting him to sit through the whole thing and pay attention to the stage. He is always looking at the lights, bubbles, everything else BUT the show.

However, the carpet has "aisles" and you are not allowed to sit on the aisles (they're not real aisles, just different colored carpet). I found that sitting towards the back, in an area where two aisles come together to form a corner is a great place, since you will have no one behind you or next to you. You can put yourself near the aisle (so your DS doesn't go in the aisle during the show) and your kids between you and your husband. They should be fine. For the most part, people respect others' personal space just fine.

 

[mickeymom1]

i have done this show 2 different ways with my son (with a gac). either he sat in his stroller all the way in the back of the theatre (wheelchair seating), or we were one of the first ones let in and we sat all the way in the front and i sat behind him so noone would sit too close. when the theatre really gets full, they try to have everyone slide really close, but i usually leave a little "buffer space" between him and me. this way he has a little comfort zone.

the show is very interactive, so being in the stroller is sometimes difficult because they can't jump & dance and kids will be sitting on the floor directly in front of them and standing up to dance along with the show. but also, kids go up front to dance throughout the show, so if you are sitting up front on the floor these kids might be close to your kids.

i hope this helped a little and you can decide which might be best for your guys depending on what their needs may be!

 

[starbox]

Here's video of the show (@ DL, but it's very similar) if that helps at all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX6s2pe3T7g

 

[Kirlinale]

We were given the option of remaining in the stroller/wheelchiar or using the benches. My DD is not autistic but has other issues, however, we opted to sit on the floor to enjoy the show. We were placed to the FAR right and actually this area seemed to be where most of the kids with disabilites were sitting. I will say this theatre is DARK, LOUD and Can be Chaotic. I would get a bench or stay in the stroller, wait until they close the doors and if you find a 'good' space to sit you can always move. We actually had no problems on the floor and sat near to a child with Severe Autism , his mother just let us know what he would possibly have problems with or do if he was over stimulated.. She was really nice .. he had no problems and they sat in the back and could always walk back to the wall if necessary. We are going back in August and plan the same strategy .. using the stroller until it fills then try to find a good place to enjoy from the floor. My DD has intractible Epilepsy, cognitive and visual intergration issues, an inoperable brain tumor , low immunity and suffers from low muscle tone and has coordination difficulties, she is especially sensitive to noise , darkness and sudden movements.. we had no problem sitting on the floor for this , she sat on my lap for the first few minutes then was ok to move off on her own.

I HTH...