Spring Break, Autism, and what to splurge on?

[peterpanandwendy]

Hi everyone! I'm back! It's been three years since I last surfed Disboards, and our little family is now planning our trip for Spring Break

Some things have changed since our last trip in 2014, so I have a bunch of questions for you pros

We are coming from Canada, and I have booked the Tropicana this time because you can't beat it for proximity and we will have a severely autistic 4 year old that I will either have to carry or push in a stroller. Usually we do HoJo (love you HoJo!) but I'm not sure about that walk late at night with a heavy preschooler.

So that leads to my next question... I've read the disability section on Disney's website, but if anyone has a personal story or anecdote about visiting Disney with a child with disabilities I would love to hear it! Please share what worked for you, what didn't, what they loved and didn't love, and how you managed the day. My little girl is 4 and non-verbal with very low muscle tone and coordination, so she can't walk far and tends to wander if she does. She loves music and lights.

We are the type that takes things slow and easy, stopping for churros or a show or a leisurely ride on the Columbia to take a break. We don't race around trying to fit everything in as quickly as possible.

We will also have our developmentally typical son (6) with us, and we are celebrating out tenth wedding anniversary (we had our honeymoon in the park) so we would like to splurge on one special thing. We've done the goofy' kitchen thing, and we've eaten at Blue Bayou but this time because of our daughter we want to avoid any fancy dinners, as she has trouble sitting and can't feed herself and it is not very relaxing for us and can be destracting to others trying to have a nice meal. But, we would be interested in a character breakfast or a dessert package or something like that.

Thanks everyone for your help!

 

[Aladora]

Hi everyone! I'm back! It's been three years since I last surfed Disboards, and our little family is now planning our trip for Spring Break

Some things have changed since our last trip in 2014, so I have a bunch of questions for you pros

We are coming from Canada, and I have booked the Tropicana this time because you can't beat it for proximity and we will have a severely autistic 4 year old that I will either have to carry or push in a stroller. Usually we do HoJo (love you HoJo!) but I'm not sure about that walk late at night with a heavy preschooler.

So that leads to my next question... I've read the disability section on Disney's website, but if anyone has a personal story or anecdote about visiting Disney with a child with disabilities I would love to hear it! Please share what worked for you, what didn't, what they loved and didn't love, and how you managed the day. My little girl is 4 and non-verbal with very low muscle tone and coordination, so she can't walk far and tends to wander if she does. She loves music and lights.

We are the type that takes things slow and easy, stopping for churros or a show or a leisurely ride on the Columbia to take a break. We don't race around trying to fit everything in as quickly as possible.

We will also have our developmentally typical son (6) with us, and we are celebrating out tenth wedding anniversary (we had our honeymoon in the park) so we would like to splurge on one special thing. We've done the goofy' kitchen thing, and we've eaten at Blue Bayou but this time because of our daughter we want to avoid any fancy dinners, as she has trouble sitting and can't feed herself and it is not very relaxing for us and can be destracting to others trying to have a nice meal. But, we would be interested in a character breakfast or a dessert package or something like that.

Thanks everyone for your help!

Hi there! There are a lot of similarities between us! We're also Canadian (Victoria, BC!), we have a son with autism and we also had our honeymoon at Disneyland! There are some differences though, DS is higher functioning than your little girl is and he is older than she is. He is 12 but we have been taking him to DL since he was 6. Oh, and our honeymoon quite a bit before yours.

We tend to let DS take the lead on where he wants to go and what he wants to do but we also have used our time in the parks as a teaching opportunity. His first trip he was not able to understand the concept of time and waiting was very hard for him, slowly over the course of our trips we have been increasing the time he is able to wait in lines and our trip this past August we were able to do 30 minute stand by lines.

On big thing for us is to take a mid-day break. The first 3 or 4 trips, DS was so tired that he would nap but the last 7 or 8 trips he just used the time to relax and decompress from the morning. We were then able to go back to the parks in the late afternoon and enjoy a few more hours.

Definitely get your DD's stroller tagged as a wheelchair, it sounds as though not only will she not be able to walk but it also sounds as though the safety of the stroller might help her not to get overwhelmed by the crowds. Your family might benefit from using the DAS although if the stroller as a wheelchair tag solves any line related issues with your DD, then a DAS won't be needed.

For any rides that your DS wants to go on that your DD is either too short, not able to or not willing to ride then definitely ask for a rider swap. One parent can ride with your DS while the other stays with your DD and then your DS gets to ride again with the other parent.

I'm not sure how your DD does with crowds and noise but character meals can be fun or they can be a bit much. The Surf's Up with Mickey can be a ton of fun but the Minnie and Friends breakfast at the Plaza Inn is great and you tend to see a lot of characters there.

There is a World of Color dessert party but depending on when you are going, the show might be too late for your DD.

Please feel free to ask any other questions you think I may be able to help with, either on this thread or in a private message to me.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Go to DCA and request a DAC and stroller tag. They've always been nicer than DL about issuing. Our kids have sensory issues but not ASD.

We only aim to spend about 5 hours in the parks a day. We throw an afternoon nap in the middle.

Definitely take your stroller.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I would splurge on the woc dessert party. That is the only way my severe disabled dd could even manage to see it. And she really enjoyed it. The lots get a giant flow with the show cup that entailed her. Its not a lot of time sitting around waiting, so I suspect she will be fine. If you have not already done so, start working with your insurance to get approved for a special needs stroller. It will make your life so much easier. Assuming your dd can walk, a maclaren major would likely be a good fit.

 

[Malcon10t]

Go to DCA and request a DAC and stroller tag. They've always been nicer than DL about issuing. Our kids have sensory issues but not ASD.

We only aim to spend about 5 hours in the parks a day. We throw an afternoon nap in the middle.

Definitely take your stroller.

not sure about the comment about dca guest relations being nicer than Disneyland s as they are both staffed by the same guest relations people. I have several friends who work GR and sometimes they are at DL and sometimes DCA. The lines are shorter in DCA though.

 

[peterpanandwendy]

Thanks everyone!

Aladora, I may pick your brain as we get closer for sure! I am worried world of colour etc will be too late for her, but as you said, if she has the security of her stroller she tends to be okay. We've travelled a lot with her (we are close to Vancouver and have a travel trailer and did a three week camping holiday of Banff and Drumheller this year), so she seems fine with long days and crowds and tends to fall asleep easily even in busy restaraunts lol. But having her stroller is important for us, so how do we get it labelled as a wheelchair?

We do have a special stroller for her that we would be bringing along.

We have never done Minnie's breakfast, but I've always heard great things. I've actually never eaten at the Plaza, ever. So maybe that will be a good one to try.

 

[Aladora]

Thanks everyone!

Aladora, I may pick your brain as we get closer for sure! I am worried world of colour etc will be too late for her, but as you said, if she has the security of her stroller she tends to be okay. We've travelled a lot with her (we are close to Vancouver and have a travel trailer and did a three week camping holiday of Banff and Drumheller this year), so she seems fine with long days and crowds and tends to fall asleep easily even in busy restaraunts lol. But having her stroller is important for us, so how do we get it labelled as a wheelchair?

We do have a special stroller for her that we would be bringing along.

We have never done Minnie's breakfast, but I've always heard great things. I've actually never eaten at the Plaza, ever. So maybe that will be a good one to try.

Please feel free to contact me, I am more than happy to help!

The stroller as a wheelchair tag can be requested at either City Hall in DL or the Chamber of Commerce in DCA.

My very best advice for you is to think about what she uses at home that allows her to cope with the challenges that comes with her special needs and make sure that you have those things for her. For example, DS has always had issues with light sensitivity and he always wears sunglasses so I make sure that I pack a pair plus a spare.

 

[smartlabelprint]

not sure about the comment about dca guest relations being nicer than Disneyland s as they are both staffed by the same guest relations people. I have several friends who work GR and sometimes they are at DL and sometimes DCA. The lines are shorter in DCA though.

In DL they won't give us the DAC. They just want us to hve the stroller. Our kids don't feel comfortable in the stroller. Just because theyre in one at times doesn't mean we should only get the stroller pass. I've given up on them at city hall. We prefer DCA.

 

[gottalovepluto]

WOC dessert party may not be for you since you said sitting isn't for your DD & the party's main focus is sitting to enjoy the show which itself is 20-25 after you've eaten dessert. Also I don't know how much she'll be able to see from her stroller at WOC.

I'd consider opting for that Plaza Inn character breakfast- an early reservation. That way you don't lose energy transiting between the hotels & parks, you're in the heart of Disneyland when you exit & by making a reservation earlier in the day (not in the last 90 mins) you can see characters at the breakfast at your own pace. (People who go in the last hour or so have found themselves rushing as characters leave and are not replaced because breakfast is winding down.)

And absolutely go to guest services in one of the parks at the start of your first day as suggested above. You'll for sure need the stroller tag and probably a DAS (DAS because it sounds like your DD can't wait in long lines even with the stroller? If that's the case you'll need to explain why DD can't wait in long lines, autistic won't be an explanation as they don't want the diagnosis, they need to know the specific reasons DD can't wait in lines).

I hope you all have a magical trip!

 

[gottalovepluto]

My very best advice for you is to think about what she uses at home that allows her to cope with the challenges that comes with her special needs and make sure that you have those things for her. For example, DS has always had issues with light sensitivity and he always wears sunglasses so I make sure that I pack a pair plus a spare.

That is SUCH good advice! Also backup safety-blanket type devices. What makes her feel safe? Slip a spare into your suitcase just in case. One of my autistic fam member's main coping devices was actually her baseball cap. She went nowhere without it, honestly we didn't understand how important the cap was as a safety blanket to her until she lost it to an ocean breeze & that ruined her trip (not DL obviously). She was inconsolable & a replacement hat she did not recognize was not ok. We have forever regretted not noticing this before hand and bringing along another of her baseball caps that trip.

 

[Piglet99645]

We have never done Minnie's breakfast, but I've always heard great things. I've actually never eaten at the Plaza, ever. So maybe that will be a good one to try.

I love, love, love breakfast at the Plaza. However, with a 6year old and a child in a stroller, keep in mind that it is a buffet with several different lines...... so you will probably be getting food for four people while one of you stays at the table with the kids.... It can get tedious. When I had little ones and we did this, I would get a tray and hit each station individually, getting items for 4 off each station and running them back to the table in 2-3 trips. I much preferred this breakfast option once my kids got old enough to carry their own stuff.