SW with 5yr. old child with autism

[Marthasor]

Hi! I'm thinking of taking my DS5 to SW for one day in late August. I have not been to SW in 33 years!! I am going to take a look at the park map and research the shows. I was thinking of making a lunch reservation at the Shark Grill (is that the only sit-down restaurant?) as cafeteria/counter service style restaurants don't work well for him.

We will not do any of the big coasters. I would like to come up with some type of touring plan. I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on touring SW with a 5 year old with autism? (he is high-functioning, but has low-frustration tolerance and high anxiety). He will probably have the stamina to sit through one show (if there is one you would recommend, please let me know!) and he typically can last in a park for about half a day (we typically arrive at rope drop, do attractions, eat lunch and leave).

Any thoughts, suggestions, recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Goseethemouse]

Not sure if this is at all helpful but please be aware that the "Soak Zone" will really, really soak you. On our trip it was way hot and I thought it would be nice to get a little wet to cool off - sitting there is the same as having buckets of icy, smelly water dumped on you. No big deal (though I am sure people were quite entertained to see us scrambling out of there) but something you might want to avoid with your son. Also some shows can get very hot so you might look into which would be most comfortable.

 

[Marthasor]

Not sure if this is at all helpful but please be aware that the "Soak Zone" will really, really soak you. On our trip it was way hot and I thought it would be nice to get a little wet to cool off - sitting there is the same as having buckets of icy, smelly water dumped on you. No big deal (though I am sure people were quite entertained to see us scrambling out of there) but something you might want to avoid with your son. Also some shows can get very hot so you might look into which would be most comfortable.

This is excellent advice, thank you!!! Yes, he would not handle getting soaked very well at all.

 

[angelmom27]

I will let you know what my 3 fragile x children like one also has a dual diagnosis of autism. FX is just like autism so its very similar in the functioning and anxiety.

My kids favorite show that they love is Blue Horizon. Dolphins, birds, acrobatics just fun and they love the music. My oldest like sea lions so they do pretty good with Clyde and Seymore. Its a comical thing so lots of laughing and silly stuff. I haven't done alure with the boys but my DD didn't do all that well. It gets dark and can be loud. Oh should add pets ahoy is a fun one and if he likes sesame street like my kids that is fun both are indoors so a nice break from the heat.

We ate at sharks right after the grand opening kids really enjoyed it. We did too. It is nice and the food is good. I just wished they had more lunch food options. Its a lot of seafood of course. Didn't think to ask if I could get a kids meal since they had better light options.

Definitely no soak zone. We avoid it. If he does like to play in water shamu happy harbor has a fun fountain play area and there are kiddie rides too.

The kids do ok with the shamu show but I think since its usually last they get a bit antsy.

The only animal feeding they like is the sea lion cause you throw the food. Just beware of the birds they do attack for the food. Two of my girls got pecked it on our last trip. They like seeing the sting rays and petting them they may get pretty wet cause they do splash up water. We have the boys wear swim trunks and a shirt so we can just take the shirt off for things like that. There is a shark feeding that I am sure you just throw the food but we haven't done it. Its always closed when we are there.

As for the new penguin antartica we haven't been yet so not sure if we will like it or not. May want to ask about avoiding the ride part and just see the penguins. At artic wild we don't do the motion side. Mostly since we have the LOs that can't but also not sure how the kids will react. So the walking side might be an option. Unless he likes rides where the seat your in moves to the movie to make it feel like you are there. Turtle trek is a 360 degree 3D movie. It is nice but my kids don't like the glasses and my DD never stays in it.

Can't think of anything else. If I remember something I will let you know. I think you will be surprised he might do really well and last a good time there. My kids rang in the new yr this yr there.

 

[Marthasor]

I will let you know what my 3 fragile x children like one also has a dual diagnosis of autism. FX is just like autism so its very similar in the functioning and anxiety.

My kids favorite show that they love is Blue Horizon. Dolphins, birds, acrobatics just fun and they love the music. My oldest like sea lions so they do pretty good with Clyde and Seymore. Its a comical thing so lots of laughing and silly stuff. I haven't done alure with the boys but my DD didn't do all that well. It gets dark and can be loud. Oh should add pets ahoy is a fun one and if he likes sesame street like my kids that is fun both are indoors so a nice break from the heat.

We ate at sharks right after the grand opening kids really enjoyed it. We did too. It is nice and the food is good. I just wished they had more lunch food options. Its a lot of seafood of course. Didn't think to ask if I could get a kids meal since they had better light options.

Definitely no soak zone. We avoid it. If he does like to play in water shamu happy harbor has a fun fountain play area and there are kiddie rides too.

The kids do ok with the shamu show but I think since its usually last they get a bit antsy.

The only animal feeding they like is the sea lion cause you throw the food. Just beware of the birds they do attack for the food. Two of my girls got pecked it on our last trip. They like seeing the sting rays and petting them they may get pretty wet cause they do splash up water. We have the boys wear swim trunks and a shirt so we can just take the shirt off for things like that. There is a shark feeding that I am sure you just throw the food but we haven't done it. Its always closed when we are there.

As for the new penguin antartica we haven't been yet so not sure if we will like it or not. May want to ask about avoiding the ride part and just see the penguins. At artic wild we don't do the motion side. Mostly since we have the LOs that can't but also not sure how the kids will react. So the walking side might be an option. Unless he likes rides where the seat your in moves to the movie to make it feel like you are there. Turtle trek is a 360 degree 3D movie. It is nice but my kids don't like the glasses and my DD never stays in it.

Can't think of anything else. If I remember something I will let you know. I think you will be surprised he might do really well and last a good time there. My kids rang in the new yr this yr there.

Thank you SO much! This is so incredibly helpful.