Suggestions/Advice for Autistic kiddos?

[AverageSuperMom]

We're not even planning on going till next summer, but I try to get all my research, etc done way way ahead of time so I have plenty of time to prepare my son for what's coming up.

1. How does the guest assistance pass work? Is it similar to what's been implemented at WDW?

2. Which are the cleanest restrooms in US? In IOA? He has a thing about restrooms, especially public ones.

3. I know the Mummy ride has a lot of smoke/fire but what about the other rides? He won't do anything with smoke/fire because it kinda freaks him out.


Thanks in advance.

Supermom

 

[Lynne G]

I have never used a guest assistance pass, but I think USO's is similar to Disney, that you get a time to return or go through the express line depending on the wait times.

Cleanest bathrooms would be those near areas not used as much. I'd try to stay away from those near restaurants and the ones in Hogsmead have sounds of the potter character in them. (Moaning Myrtle). I found most of the women's bathrooms were clean, and I can ask my DS if your kid is a boy. But he has not said that a bathroom had been bad that I can remember.

There is a fire breathing dragon in both potter rides, Gringotts and Forbidden Journey. Also, the fire breathing dragon on top of the bank where the Gringott's ride is. Also, Disaster has some smoke, as well as Poseidon's show, with has smoke, water, and fire.

To get a good idea of the rides, many are found on youtube. Maybe have your kid review them to know what to expect.

I hope your family has a great time. If you can afford it, I'd stay at one of the deluxe hotels, at least one night, as you get an unlimited express pass that is valid the day you check in through the day you check out. So, even one night would get you 2 days of unlimited express pass. That pass gets you to go into the express lines of all but 3 attractions and the train.

Though you do not say when you are traveling in summer, the lower crowds are generally the last week of August into the first week of September. If you can, I'd try to go in the middle of September or a time when most schools are still in session. From about the 2nd week of June to the third week of August is a busy time, even at Universal. Since it will also be hot, I'd try to get in when the park first opens, then take a break in the afternoon, and return to the park in the evening.

Get a map of both parks, to get your kid more familiar with what he/she will see.

 

[hpfan100]

The guest assistance pass allows you to enter through the express pass line or get a return time. They have alternate entrances if stairs are an issue and I'm sure they have options for those with sound/other sensory sensitivities. I would look up video rides on you tube so you have an idea what rides have smoke/fire effects or other effects that will be a challenge for you family. After that focus on the rides/attractions that your family will enjoy and plan to have a great time. I find the restrooms near the water rides to be the only ones that are not so tidy especially as the day progresses. I found universal's guest assistance to be easier to use and more helpful than Disney's when I used it a few years ago. I had a visual physical injury and they went above and beyond to help me enjoy rides and not have to circle back and forth. It was great as I got very fatigued easily.

 

[schumigirl]

Never really seen an untidy bathroom at Universal.

There is a lot of steam around the Hogwarts Express too......may look a bit like smoke to your son.

 

[bumbershoot]

2. Which are the cleanest restrooms in US? In IOA? He has a thing about restrooms, especially public ones.

I personally have never seen a messy bathroom at Universal.

There is a fire breathing dragon in both potter rides, Gringotts and Forbidden Journey. Also, the fire breathing dragon on top of the bank where the Gringott's ride is. Also, Disaster has some smoke, as well as Poseidon's show, with has smoke, water, and fire.

So many yesses. I hope he's not a HP fan. Or if he is, maybe this can help him work past the worries in the next year+.

 

[AverageSuperMom]

I have never used a guest assistance pass, but I think USO's is similar to Disney, that you get a time to return or go through the express line depending on the wait times.

Cleanest bathrooms would be those near areas not used as much. I'd try to stay away from those near restaurants and the ones in Hogsmead have sounds of the potter character in them. (Moaning Myrtle). I found most of the women's bathrooms were clean, and I can ask my DS if your kid is a boy. But he has not said that a bathroom had been bad that I can remember.

There is a fire breathing dragon in both potter rides, Gringotts and Forbidden Journey. Also, the fire breathing dragon on top of the bank where the Gringott's ride is. Also, Disaster has some smoke, as well as Poseidon's show, with has smoke, water, and fire.

To get a good idea of the rides, many are found on youtube. Maybe have your kid review them to know what to expect.

I hope your family has a great time. If you can afford it, I'd stay at one of the deluxe hotels, at least one night, as you get an unlimited express pass that is valid the day you check in through the day you check out. So, even one night would get you 2 days of unlimited express pass. That pass gets you to go into the express lines of all but 3 attractions and the train.

Though you do not say when you are traveling in summer, the lower crowds are generally the last week of August into the first week of September. If you can, I'd try to go in the middle of September or a time when most schools are still in session. From about the 2nd week of June to the third week of August is a busy time, even at Universal. Since it will also be hot, I'd try to get in when the park first opens, then take a break in the afternoon, and return to the park in the evening.

Get a map of both parks, to get your kid more familiar with what he/she will see.

Thanks so much for the reply.

Unfortunately, going in September is just NOT an option for us because of school and work. I work for our local school district as a child nutrition specialist (aka lunch lady ) and my husband works in retail so there's really only the summer and any school breaks (Spring break, for the most part) when we can go. Because of my husband's job, travelling anywhere except on a real emergency from about mid-September through around January is verboten even if you have the vacation time (which he generally does as he accrues more per year than he can ever use).