Staying on site vs off site with Autistic child and on a tight budget

[Hasil72]

I really don't think you'll regret driving from Windsor Hills- I want to say it was less then 20 min. driving to MK (which was the furthest by a long shot)- you do have to go through the TTC and take the monorail or ferry, so theoretically by the time you've done all that it could be 45 door to door- but it doesn't at all feel that long to me. The other parks are way closer and you park right out front.

What I am doing is getting an AP for myself, that way our parking is included, I can get a TIW card for less than $100 which gives us all 20% off meals, and we get a discount other placed like WoD. I will be taking a trip also in June with just DS so it def. works out better for us.

As far as losing the magic, I think it helps to geta house with a disney theme, it helps us feel more like we're there. On the other hand, I love just reaching in the fridge when I want a drink instead of trudging to the food court, love having 3 bathrooms, REALLY love having the pool on the other side of the patio door (trust me, my body in a bathing suit is not something the general public should be forced to see LOL) and especially am enamored with parking the car right outside the front door- partiularly helpful with a kiddo who is either crashed out or in full meltdown mode. The 3/3 townhouses we rent generally run $99/night ( or less) which is basically the same as 1 room in a value- I personally think that savings is magical

ETA: I don't find the driving painful- we drive even when we're onsite because the busses with an overstimmed melting down child is just not happening for us- tried it on her first trip- will never, ever, ever do it again. honestly it doesn't feel any farther to WH than to the onsite hotels we used to stay at; I think it's like 1.3 miles off property or something; certainly not far.

Plus, and I know this sounds crazy, but I love driving under "the sign" every morning. There's actually a shortcut somewhere that shaves even more time off, but when we used to stay onsite, I passed under that sign twice a trip- once on the way in and once on the way out. When I stay at WH I pass under it on the way to every park, and goofball that I am, I get choked up every time.

I whole heartedly agree with everything she just said!

That being said, our December trip should be interesting. We're going with friends to BWV. 2 kids, 1 room, no escape.

 

[demarcilla]

We stayed @ Pop last trip with our then 6 year old autisic grandson. Sever to moderate autisum. We requested a ground floor as he hops and jumps alot. Also paid extra for a preferred room next to the pool. We like staying on site as someone can take one of the kids back to the room if needed via the bus. The rest of the group can stay at the park. We went with a group of 11.
The rides and shows we thought he would enjoy was totally opposite of what we thought. He didn't like the shows because of the noise. However the faster the ride ie splash mountain, big thunder mountain railroad, space mountain he loved.
We are going again this Sept. Now he is 12. This time we are staying @ Movies again requesting ground floor and preferred near the pool. We had gotten the Gac card the last time but never used it as we went during a light crowd level and fast pass is a good alternative. This time it will be with a group of 19. Lots of cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and grandparents for him to ride the rides with.
I would highly recommend staying onsite. I have stayed offsite many years ago but perfer onsite. You get the extra morning or evening hours at the parks, I love. Also if finances can alow do a character meal. I recommend Chef Mickey. He loved Mickey and all the characters that come around to the table.

 

[lucigo]

We stayed @ Pop last trip with our then 6 year old autisic grandson. Sever to moderate autisum. We requested a ground floor as he hops and jumps alot. Also paid extra for a preferred room next to the pool. We like staying on site as someone can take one of the kids back to the room if needed via the bus. The rest of the group can stay at the park. We went with a group of 11.
The rides and shows we thought he would enjoy was totally opposite of what we thought. He didn't like the shows because of the noise. However the faster the ride ie splash mountain, big thunder mountain railroad, space mountain he loved.
We are going again this Sept. Now he is 12. This time we are staying @ Movies again requesting ground floor and preferred near the pool. We had gotten the Gac card the last time but never used it as we went during a light crowd level and fast pass is a good alternative. This time it will be with a group of 19. Lots of cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and grandparents for him to ride the rides with.
I would highly recommend staying onsite. I have stayed offsite many years ago but perfer onsite. You get the extra morning or evening hours at the parks, I love. Also if finances can alow do a character meal. I recommend Chef Mickey. He loved Mickey and all the characters that come around to the table.

You might try getting him a pair of hearing protectors for the shows, we are finally able to enjoy them now that my son can wear his "ear muffs".

 

[aggordon2]

Our ds is 9 and he is diagnosed with PDD-NOS. The last two times we stayed at CSR and he had a blast there. The pool has a mayan pyramid and a waterslide. The rooms are very comfortable with 2 queen beds in each room. Since he is on GFCF diet and his twin is allergic to eggs and dairy, staying onsite and with the dining plan is our best bet. We never had any trouble with the bus system, in fact our son loves to ride the buses.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

We have 2 kids on the spectrum. DS24 is now considered to be a low funtioning adult. It is basically having a permanent argumentative 16yr old. DD is 15. We have been through alot over the years. We usually rent points from a dvc member. We like OKW for a resort. It is very laid back and relaxing. When we go back to the resort for a mid day break or at the end of the day we can feel ourselves relax the minute we step on the property. My kids love the sandcastle slide there. Even walking to the bus stops can be relaxing. It lacks the hustle and bustle of some of the other resorts and the parks. You feel like you are in another world. You can either ask for the HH area, near the main pool, or ask to be near one of the quiet pools. Do build breaks into your day. Do mark the first aid stations and other quiet spots in the parks on a park map. Keep him hydrated. More meltdowns occur when they are dehydrated, tired, or stressed. Let your child help plan the day. Let them watch videos of the parks and rides. This helps in making them feel more secure about it as they will feel more familiar with it. Either get a trip planning DVD from Disney or go to U tube. Don't be afraid to get a GAC card. This will make a difference. You will still have to wait to get onto a ride but it is and alternate entrance that will help when worried about overstimulation. I would also suggest getting a copy of Open Mouse by Passporter. It is a guidebook for people with disabilities. It includes every kind of disability you can think of. To me it is like my disney bible and I won't go there without it. Hope this helps. We will be there the last week in May. Hope to see some of you there. Disboard members use the lime green mickey head to tell each other apart. I think those of us who frequent the DISabilities board should also use another color. Maybe I will get some shrinky dink material and make one to hang on a lanyard. What do you think.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

Almost forgot. I get some luggage tags. Put my kids names on them. Their diagnosis, meds and my cell phone # on it. We attatch them to their belt loops. Decorate them with some of their favorite dis character stickers. Even though they are older they leave them on because they know that they are for their saftey. When they were younger they left them on because they decorated themselves so they took ownership of them. PM me if you are not sure how to go about this. Both of mine have siezure disorders but are well controlled with medicine.

 

[lucigo]

We have 2 kids on the spectrum. DS24 is now considered to be a low funtioning adult. It is basically having a permanent argumentative 16yr old. DD is 15. We have been through alot over the years. We usually rent points from a dvc member. We like OKW for a resort. It is very laid back and relaxing. When we go back to the resort for a mid day break or at the end of the day we can feel ourselves relax the minute we step on the property. My kids love the sandcastle slide there. Even walking to the bus stops can be relaxing. It lacks the hustle and bustle of some of the other resorts and the parks. You feel like you are in another world. You can either ask for the HH area, near the main pool, or ask to be near one of the quiet pools. Do build breaks into your day. Do mark the first aid stations and other quiet spots in the parks on a park map. Keep him hydrated. More meltdowns occur when they are dehydrated, tired, or stressed. Let your child help plan the day. Let them watch videos of the parks and rides. This helps in making them feel more secure about it as they will feel more familiar with it. Either get a trip planning DVD from Disney or go to U tube. Don't be afraid to get a GAC card. This will make a difference. You will still have to wait to get onto a ride but it is and alternate entrance that will help when worried about overstimulation. I would also suggest getting a copy of Open Mouse by Passporter. It is a guidebook for people with disabilities. It includes every kind of disability you can think of. To me it is like my disney bible and I won't go there without it. Hope this helps. We will be there the last week in May. Hope to see some of you there. Disboard members use the lime green mickey head to tell each other apart. I think those of us who frequent the DISabilities board should also use another color. Maybe I will get some shrinky dink material and make one to hang on a lanyard. What do you think.

We frequently wear autism awareness shirts to the parks, and have met many from our planet at the parks. Last week I had a great conversation with a family from Canada who were waiting with us to get on Soarin. I think we were all a little disappointed when it was actually our turn to go and we had to stop talking LOL