Resort question re: ASD kids

[kaffinito]

Hi There,

I am debating between WL, POP, and CBR for our last three nights at WDW this coming Aug/Sept. Which one would you pick for an ASD teenager and an ASD child? Last year we stayed at POR which turned out to be perfect, and this year we'll be at AKV and POFQ if that helps. I'm leaning towards POP because of the pool, but CBR has bigger rooms and WL has the boat to the MK. Any advice, comments or experiences you could share would be great!

TIA

 

[MinnieVanMom]

We like OKW and POR because of the boat ride to DTD each nite. The water and motor all help so much with the sensory issues and for a moment our little one calms down.

I guess I would say WL because of the closeness to MK and the boat.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would rule out Pop as it is designed to give people sensory overload. And often there are very loud groups of people there at night.

Also at WL you can get a room with a queen bed and a set of bunk beds for the kids.

 

[SueM in MN]

Also, how long is your trip and how long will you be at the other resorts?

What parks do you plan to go to on those days? If you plan to go to MK for most of the days, I'd vote for WL. The boat ride between WL and MK is very nice.
If you are planning to go to parks that you would need to take the bus to, I would say CBR would be nice. It is a relaxing resort and, like you said, the rooms are larger. (although, as was pointed out, you may be able to get bunk beds at WL). There are sandy play beaches - NO SWIMMING in the water though.

 

[kaffinito]

Thanks SueM. Yeah that's strange, right? All of those beaches at CBR and no swimming in the water. At least my kids will understand that without argument!

We will be there for 2 days at AKV, then 8 days at POFQ. We only have the last three days because I'm taking the youngest to the MNSSHP. The whole POP thing might not be so bad for just three days, and the youngest is dying to try it. For three days you would think the choice would be easy!

Thanks for all of the help so far! It's appreciated!

 

[SueM in MN]

have you ever done that many changes in one trip and have you been before to both of the other 2 resorts you are staying at?
We've done one change of resorts in a trip and that was kind of difficult (my DD is not ASD, but has some OCD tendencies).
Have you thought about what impact the change in surroundings might have on your ability to keep things predictable?

 

[kaffinito]

Good point, but the boys are used to traveling and staying at different hotels. To get them ready for the trip last year we all looked at a ton of photos and read descriptions of WDW so they would be sort of used to it before we went. I'm going to do the same thing this year with them. They also voted on the different hotels, although none of us can agree on the last one!

The predictability comes with our schedule (very loose and set around crowd avoidance) and the note cards for the oldest boy that has his personal info on it, my cell phone number, and the location and time of our dinner ADR. The youngest has his stroller and his stuffed dog, so he's happy. They both did great last year! As long as our routine has fixed and well defined parameters, then they can function within it. Both of them function better with time based routines rather than location based routines.

I think I will take your advice on CBR and book that. The rooms are larger, and their will be a lot of space there for them to roam in. WL and POP are looking like they will be too noisy, and we really need somewhere more quiet. Also, colors are a huge factor!

Thanks!
Karen

 

[toodycat]

I haven't stayed at the other properties, but I can tell you that our ASD son did not care for the boat back and forth to MK from WL. It was very noisy, even to me. If your kids have any sensory sensitivity, this would not be the place.

 

[lucigo]

All ASD kids are different...what does yours like? Mine absolutely LOVED Pop. He loves letters and numbers and was in heaven reading all of the giant words, playing on the giant keyboard and "sitting in the numbers" in the front of the resort. (Yes, hyperlexia...) The 2nd time we stayed there he had just learned to share with me by saying "look mom"...and as we were walking to our room he pointed at a giant cell phone and said "look mom cell phone is big!!!" Well that was all it took for me, I'm hooked on Pop!!

My son has his own Pop scrapbook that I made on shutterfly that I could share with you if you would like to see it. (BTW he was 4, almost 5 when we were there last.)

 

[ireland_nicole]

Just a thought re: CBR; it's great, we loved it last summer, but isn't the main pool still under a total redo? I think it's scheduled to be completed mid sept., but until then, the satellite (quiet) pools would probably be really crowded.
just my .02
Nicole

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

CBR is very quiet, so if you want quiet, I'd go with that one. If your kid doesn't have a problem with sand, the beaches are lovely to sit at. There are some grassy areas (prob'ly depending on where your room is) they can run around on, too, if you wish.