Spring Break with Sensory Issues and Anxiety

[GraceLuvsWDW]

We are traveling to WDW for our spring break, March 19-24. We usually travel in non-peak times and this is the first crowded time we've been. I am stressing over the crowds and how they will affect
1) my daughter who has SPD, excessive anxiety, and some developmental delays
2) the friend and daughter we are traveling with and
3) our touring strategy.
I have never obtained a GAC before but am definitely leaning towards getting one for this trip. My questions are:

Can my daughter stay in her stroller throughout the lines?
Where will her stroller be at the end of the ride?
And if we're with another child how do we deal with "why can't I ride in my stroller too?"
If she can't stay in her stroller, how do I deal with holding her/redirecting her with the longer wait times-any tricks? She's not interested in video games and my daughter absolutely will not stand for excessive periods, I guess I could have her sit on the ground? Would you recommend carrying a towel or blanket she could sit on?
If my daughter has an anxiety episode in a line or attraction, are there exits I can use/will they let us sit near exits/and are the exits easy to find and clearly marked? And if our friends are still in the line and she calms down is it bad manners to rejoin our group in the line or would we need to go to the end?
Will we be separated from the people we are with/will they be penalized or not have the "true experience of the ride" if we use the GAC?
At character Meets, how do you deal with 60-90 minute waits? My daughter would never last that long, so should I just save that for the next trip?


Sorry for all the questions that have probably already been answered here but I just want to be prepared. We are taking breaks each day and won't be in the parks for more than 4 hrs at a time. I just don't want to hinder our companions' experience but want to spend time with them at the parks and on the rides.
Any help/advice is appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

And one more thing: her medications are liquid. Do I just trust that our bags will arrive and put them in the checked luggage or is there an exemption from the 3oz rule for medications?

Thanks!

 

[bookwormde]

Reading the “sticky” treads at the top if you have not already is a good start. Reading some of the past Autism/Aspergers threads will give you a more good ideas about both GAC and managing queue issues along with lots of good ideas for anxiety management.

You can also get a tag to designate the stroller as a wheel chair if your daughter needs to manage her anxiety and other disabilities.

I get a GAC for my DS Aspergers, which while we use to only rarely (we use a lot of fastpasses and avoid crowded times), it allows us to wait in a quiet area until it is our turn. Just a note it is not intended to lessen wait times so having favorite activities available is a big help.

While there are no “formal” accommodations for character greats the CMs are usually great, so having the GAC and explaining your child’s special needs will help in that area also, again reading some of the past treads will give you an idea of the “practical reality”.

Sounds like you already know the go early take the mid ay off and go back to the resort and swim, relax and even stake a nap and then head back later when it is cool and the crowds ease up.

bookwormde

 

[ireland_nicole]

meds are exempt for the liquids restrictions. NEVER leave meds in checked luggage. You'll be fine with them in your carryon.

The stroller as w/c GAC will allow you to take her w/c in line. Your friends child will not be able to, as the accomodation is not required. Perhaps have her mama talk to her beforehand. I don't recommend sitting for most lines because they are usually moving pretty consistently. Except those before a show, then you wait in place and then all go in at once.

I also recommend a good touring plan/fastpass strategy absolutely essential esp. during spring break. I have used TGM and touringplans.com and love them both, they offer different perspectives.

If an alternate entrance is required for your DD, the GAC would cover her and up to 5 additional party members. If you have more than that, I would recommend the good touring plan to avoid long waits.

The best way to avoid long character lines is, imho, character meals. They have been a Godsend for us.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[saveaquarter]

You've gotten some really great advice so far, and there's a tip I got from someone in a thread I posted with similar questions that I wanted to pass on. If your daughter does have a severe meltdown or anxiety attack, the first aid stations could provide a good place for you to take her to get away from the noise and stimulation of the park to calm down and recollect herself.

Good luck with everything! I'm sure you guys will have a wonderful trip

 

[Selket]

If your daughter and another child want to be in the same stroller it seems you could rent a double and use the "stroller as wheelchair" tag on that stroller.

I highly recommend the Tour Guide Mike touring plans and advice. That has really helped me to avoid the most crowded parks and seeing attractions with minimal wait times.

Have fun!

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

meds are exempt for the liquids restrictions. NEVER leave meds in checked luggage. You'll be fine with them in your carryon.
REDACTED FOR BREVITY

Have a great trip!!!

Might I add that you MUST declare them to TSA as you go through security, or they MIGHT cause you a "slight" delay.

Check with the TSA web site and travelers "know before you go" section.

A Lot of people actually print out the requirements, and take them with them on the trip. Sometimes the TSA personnel are not aware that some of the rules have changed.

Also, good luck on the spring break trip!!

 

[LMC]

I have the same issue of the "why can't I's" with my two typical children when my special needs child needs a WC. DS does not use a WC all the time but when we are at WDW for 10-14 days he eventually has to have one. SO, the inevitable comes from my other two kids as to why they can't "ride". I don't even rent them a stroller anymore as the two of them can't fit into a double (ages 8,10). So our days are really stressful. And, they just don't get it when one of us parents takes special DS off to do what he wants to do with his GAC and they don't have the benefit of being with someone with the GAC for some things. They LOVE the fast thrill rides and my other child LOVES the shows and parades so it's always a difficult trip so I know your concerns. Are there some small toys you can take or an Ipod or something if the kids don't like the small video games? My youngest child likes to play with small figures and such (bakugan are his thing right now) and these type things keep him occupied forever. Oh, and this particular child has (as the doctor told me) a very extreme case of ADHD and he was not on medication on our visits to WDW so don't ask how I made it thru with that and an ASD MR/DD child too!

 

[SueM in MN]

You got a lot of good advice already, but I have a little more.
If you haven't seen it, check into post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. It is all about GACs (Guest Assistance Cards) and actually answers most of the questions you have.

A touring plan is really a good idea because if the lines are busy, it will be busy outside the lines too. A touring plan can help you avoid the busy-ness in both places.