Please help

[bocaj1431]

The 3 trips we have taken to DW have been in Sept. This year it will be Late June. It is just myself and my son, who has Autism. I had planned for using RD with the thought that we could get a lot done and then leave at 1 for a break. My only concern was trying to get him up that early.

I just saw a video from easy WDW of the RD for MK and Mine Train tips. I was shocked at the amount of people. My son has a difficult time being around large crowds of people moving quickly like shown in the video. He gets very anxious and can lead to breakdowns.

Would a possible alternative be going in the evenings around 8pm (they just extended hours in MK to 12 and 1 AM.). Would we be able to get 4 - 6 rides in without hour long waits? Or is this just wishful thinking.

Also with FP+, when you arrive at your given time, for example 9 am for mine train, do you have to wait in the FP+ line for another hour to get on the ride?

 

[kmb584]

The 3 trips we have taken to DW have been in Sept. This year it will be Late June. It is just myself and my son, who has Autism. I had planned for using RD with the thought that we could get a lot done and then leave at 1 for a break. My only concern was trying to get him up that early.

I just saw a video from easy WDW of the RD for MK and Mine Train tips. I was shocked at the amount of people. My son has a difficult time being around large crowds of people moving quickly like shown in the video. He gets very anxious and can lead to breakdowns.

Would a possible alternative be going in the evenings around 8pm (they just extended hours in MK to 12 and 1 AM.). Would we be able to get 4 - 6 rides in without hour long waits? Or is this just wishful thinking.

Also with FP+, when you arrive at your given time, for example 9 am for mine train, do you have to wait in the FP+ line for another hour to get on the ride?

At 8pm on a night when MK is open until 1am it'll still be fairly busy but not as busy as mid-afternoon. You'll be able to get those 4-6 rides in without 60 minute waits. With FP+ you're not held in the queue until the end time. Ex: FP+ is scheduled for 9a-10a, you enter at 9a and will board as soon as you're at the loading platform. That may be 5 minutes or 15, but they won't hold you until 10a.

 

[vicki_c]

You should pop down to the DISabilities forum below this one. Your family may be a good candidate for getting a guest assistance pass (it has a new name but I don't know what it is) to help deal with your son's autistic issues at the parks. The folks in that forum are the experts on that, so I would check there.

 

[bocaj1431]

At 8pm on a night when MK is open until 1am it'll still be fairly busy but not as busy as mid-afternoon. You'll be able to get those 4-6 rides in without 60 minute waits. With FP+ you're not held in the queue until the end time. Ex: FP+ is scheduled for 9a-10a, you enter at 9a and will board as soon as you're at the loading platform. That may be 5 minutes or 15, but they won't hold you until 10a.

That is good to know. One hour in a line is just something my son simply can not do. thanks

You should pop down to the DISabilities forum below this one. Your family may be a good candidate for getting a guest assistance pass (it has a new name but I don't know what it is) to help deal with your son's autistic issues at the parks. The folks in that forum are the experts on that, so I would check there.

Good idea. I will check there too. thanks

 

[dsneprincess]

I would suggest going in at RD or close to it and scheduling your FP+ for your 3 must dos. I would leave when it gets unbearably crowded in the early afternoon and return later at night. MK at night is spectacular and often not as crowded. We had great success with this strategy President's week.

 

[Momof2Singers]

You should pop down to the DISabilities forum below this one. Your family may be a good candidate for getting a guest assistance pass (it has a new name but I don't know what it is) to help deal with your son's autistic issues at the parks. The folks in that forum are the experts on that, so I would check there.

I 100% agree with this, and there are many posters there with autistic children. The pass is not as great as in years past because of all the abuse, but it is still better than nothing.

You would have to explain to your son that you are getting a time to come back and you WILL get to ride or see someone. The new system requires you get a time to return (only one attraction until you use it) a time to come back and you will be in the fast pass line. They will put either his picture or yours on the pass. You may want to think about who will be riding with him

Also, please book your other fast passes too. Night may be a better option if he can stay awake until late. Even if there are a lot of people, it will be less distracting in the dark. It always seems less crowded to me when its dark, probably my imagination.

Hope you have a wonderful time

 

[nat8199]

I think that if you showed up right *after* RD you could let all the crazies have made their way up main street and walk into the park with much less of the crowd. By 9:05 they should be pretty far away from the entrance. Then you can just walk you way to wherever you are going and still have the benefit of the relatively empty first couple of hours.

 

[prudence64]

I would do the 3 fp in the late morning while getting as much done at rope drop. I haven't seen anyone saying they waited more thn 15 minutes with fp and usually it's more like 5. You can show up anytime during that hour and ride. When noonish hits if you've used your 3 fps, I'd go to the kiosk and get one more for the evening and come back later.

 

[preemiemama]

I think that if you showed up right *after* RD you could let all the crazies have made their way up main street and walk into the park with much less of the crowd. By 9:05 they should be pretty far away from the entrance. Then you can just walk you way to wherever you are going and still have the benefit of the relatively empty first couple of hours.

I agree with this- wait until after 9 and then head someplace OTHER than Fantasyland! If you like any of the Mountains, this would be the time to do them with little to no wait. You could also use your FP+ after 10 to ride the mine train and 2 other “popular” rides before the crowds started to pack in for the day.

I think the DISabilities board would also be a great resource for the new guest assistance card- sounds like this would be beneficial to you as well.

Early (9:00-ish to noon) and then later (after 7-8:00) would be the best times to avoid crowds on rides. We usually go back to the hotel to swim, nap, relax until dinner and then head out again…this is a great way to take advantage of the late night hours that are available in the summer.

MANY people line up on Main St. to see the parades/fireworks/castle show so if you avoid that area as much as possible you should be in better shape for less crowded areas near the rides. After the fireworks (10:30?) a lot of people leave the park altogether.