Suggestions Needed

[Tink316]

You guys were all a great help to me in the past - I had the 19 yo son who we suspected was guy...and asked your thoughts on weather or not we should approach him - we did, and everything has been awesome since. Our son has been so much more outgoing, and has been comfortable enough to bring more of his friends to our home. So, thank you!

Although I don't post much, I'm reading you all the time, and besides gettings lots of laughs, I've also gotten some really good advice.

We're travelling to Disney (Oct. 11-18) with the entire family, husband and 2 boys. Our other son is 8. This is probably the last family vacation where all 4of us are together for a while.

Anyway...just wondering if you had some suggestions on must-do's while at Disney. We were there 10 years ago, and haven't been back since because our 8 year old was too young (and also has Down syndrome so the overload would have been too much for him).

So looking for some things we can do together...son with Down syndrome has low muscle tone, and does not like crazy movements on rides (so roller coasters are out for him, but don't worry the other 3 of us still plan on checking those out).

Thanks for any feedback.

T.

 

[OrlandoMike]

First of all for being such a great parent! It must have been hard to have that conversation, but it says a lot about you to have it!

As for your question...

Hmmm

Maybe a character meal or two? It may be the last time for your older son to act like a "child".

Perhaps you could rent a pontoon boat and spend some quality "family" time. Every resort that is on water has them to rent, my personal favorites are the MK resorts, its a blast navigating the waters in front of the Magic Kingdom!

Horseback riding at Fort Wilderness?

Mini golf. I like the Fantasia course the best.

DisneyQuest...before it closes. It's actually a lot of fun!

Cirque, great show, get the cheap seats in the back, you see everything much better!

That's all I can think of for now, I'm sure others will chime in!

Have fun planning your trip! Come over more often!

 

[I<3EvilQueen]

If you think that this is your last family vacation in awhile with all of you together, I would make sure that you use the Photopasses to get as many pictures of all of you together. Maybe in front of each of the Park Icons. Then order a set of them and frame them and give them out at Christmas so that everyone will have a family pic of the last trip.

Or get a set of mickey ears and each person gets to be the "Big Cheese" for the day and they make the decisions of what to ride, and what to eat etc...

 

[jlewisinsyr]

You are a GREAT parent!

I think the best advice to give for vacation is don't stress...just enjoy it, don't worry about catching EVERY ride or doing EVERYthing.

Maybe try to go to a Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween night, we did a few weeks ago and LOVED it and would definately recommend it for others.

 

[bubie2.5]

We went twice with my niece (she had Down Synd.) once when she was 5 and another one when she was 8. We didn't want to push her too hard so we got a stroller for her both times, the ones in the park are very sturdy. Due to her heart condition her mother got a special pass at guess services so that she and my nice would not have to wait in line. Since there's only four of you I would suggest getting the pass.

Rollercoasters were also not a good choice for her... beware of Dinossaur! at AK, it is a scary and bumpy ride. My niece used to love the Boneyard at AK, and The Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground at MGM more than the rides. But what she trully enjoyed with all of us were the firewoks. How about an Illuminations Cruise at Epcot?

I was the one that insisted on taking my niece when she was five, her parents were a little apprehensive at first but we were rapidly amazed at how much she loved it.

 

[PghLybrt]

I like the ideas!

We also take those photos with backgrounds. You know the ones where you can pose with nemo or some other character? Well we always do this, we have a collection. Except we take it very seriously to take these pictures very un seriously! For example we have one where they had all the villains in a tug of war. My girlfriend is pulling the rope, I am hanging onto her underwear (I pulled it out of her pants, she still had pants on. It is Disney after all!) and her younger sister was standing watching making a horrible screaming face. It still cracks me up. That’s just one of many (it is the only souvenir we get now). I think it makes a great memory.

 

[Tink316]

Wow! Thanks for the great ideas. I knew I could count on you guys.

We are definitely going with the attitude of not trying to do everything. I want to enjoy the time, and time feel like I need a vacation from my vacation. I want to enjoy the family time...and the Disney magic.

Also, thanks for the Dinosaur warning, 'cause he loves Dinosaurs...we may have tried it otherwise.

15 days to go! Who's counting???

I'll let you know how it goes when we return...and for anyone else, please feel free to share more suggestions!

T.

 

[Saxton]

I would suggest the rides/attractions that you can all do together so you can watch each other's reactions. Soarin' in Epcot is a good example - you sit in a row together and I always love watching little kids, well heck even adults! The reactions are priceless. Philarmagic in MK, Honey I Shrunk the Audience in Epcot, It's Tough to be a Bug in AK and Muppets 3D in DHS are also great for sharing an experience. Something I used to do with my nieces and nephew is rent boats. Your little guy will be too young to drive his own but you can rent a small canopy boat that you can all ride on. You could rent it at one of the MK hotels and then tool around there or rent one at Downtown Disney and ride along the river up to Port Orleans.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Also, thanks for the Dinosaur warning, 'cause he loves Dinosaurs...we may have tried it otherwise.

Then be sure to do Ellen's Universe of Energy at EPCOT! Your son will love it, and it is so tame, you may need an "energy" drink to stay awake!

 

[bubie2.5]

Then be sure to do Ellen's Universe of Energy at EPCOT! Your son will love it, and it is so tame, you may need an "energy" drink to stay awake!

Great idea!!

Dinosaur! was the only ride my niece hated, I don't know if it was how it shakes you up or the angry dinosaur, but it took a little persuating and a Mickey Bar to get her into another ride after that one.

 

[donald...really]

See if you can book a Wishes fireworks cruise. We took our family last year as a surprise and it was a very special evening. You have a big boat to yourself with a driver and a basket of snacks and cooler of beverages. You boat around the lagoon for about 45 minutes past all the resorts, over to bay lake and past the wilderness lodge and contemporary. You end up in front of the magic kingdom just as the fireworks are about to go off. They pipe in the music and you have the best seat in the house. It's a little pricey, but it makes for a very memorable evening. We loved it.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Seconding the idea of the character meal and definitely go for the pics -- Soooooo much fun for everyone in the group! The Wishes cruise sounds awesome too (too pricey for us to ever have done but still incredible). We like watching Wishes from the beach (have done it both from Fort Wilderness and the Poly)

 

[Tink316]

The Wishes Cruise sounds awesome...where do I get more info on the times/cost, etc? Depending on the cost, it's something I'd definitely consider.

Donald...your pugs are ADORABLE!!!

Thanks again everyone.

 

[ConcKahuna]

The Wishes Cruise sounds awesome...where do I get more info on the times/cost, etc? Depending on the cost, it's something I'd definitely consider.

Donald...your pugs are ADORABLE!!!

Thanks again everyone.

The basic cruise is $250 for a boat (up to 8 people). You'll want to be at the designated marina an hour before fireworks time, and the boat leaves half an hour before the fireworks. It's a one-hour cruise.