Keeping this brief, sorry if wording is harsh just want it short as possible! ^^
DP is on the spectrum. Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, Anxiety, and a few others. Most rides were "we're riding this 900 times" "i refuse to even look at it" or "one and done". There were a handful of meltdowns and we got through it but now the question bodes:
The Incredicoaster. To ride or not to ride? There was a huge interest in riding it but also a lot of fear - meltdown right before park close on our last day right in front of the ride. We have plans for every other obstacle of a ride, but we can't seem to find a plan for this one.
We had an entire day set up to "work towards" DP getting on last time we went, or at least trying, but everything worked against us - including the ride breaking down when DP did feel ready to go on. When it came back up, DP was having a really tough time with a meltdown and we decided it just wasn't the time to try. There were so many clear signs that it was a "Don't go on it!" and we just gave up.
But this time there's more interest. I'm still worried though. Our plan was for a friend to ride all of DP's favourite and least favourite rides and then ride Incredicoaster and give the final yay or nay, but unfortunately, they're not able to make it and DP is upset. So, I'm asking here, can anyone else who has ridden (I haven't, myself) maybe provide a bit more feedback than "it's fast, high in the air, and there's a loop" because that seems to be about all the feedback we can get. The loop scares DP - but DP has an inversion table at home and loves to be upside down on it.
Does day/night make a difference for the light sensitivity? Is it better to go at night for pretty lights being a distraction from everything, or is that a headache and a sensory overload? I don't want to force DP to go on or not be doing well after, but DP's also worried about missing out.
In case it helps for general as to what goes over well/what doesn't:
Loves: Mator's, Space Mountain (but felt very spacially aware of the person next to DP and didn't like that. DP will sit alone next time), Pirates (first drop in the dark especially), Peter Pan (the feeling of flying), Ariel, Indiana Jones (bumpy, being thrown, loved how "even" everything was), Grizzly River Run,
Dislikes: Big Thunder (DP rode in the front, thought it was too slow and not bumpy enough. We'll be trying the middle row next time), Mickey Fun Wheel (terrified of Ferris wheels), Jumpin Jellyfish, Guardians (we rode a kids-version of a SuperShot at a fair before going to DL originally and that was a no-no so we didn't even try for Guardians as we had to leave the fair after the SS), Gadget's Go Coaster (rated almost as scary as Splash Mountain.. except DP would go on Splash again and not Gadget!),
"One and Done"/it's scary and uncomfortable or not liked but worth 1 ride: Soarin', Splash Mountain (this was a very huge deal the drop was a big problem but DP does want to try it again), Radiator Springs (DP's favourite was the bunny hills and going fast, everything else was considered boring), Goofy's Sky School (didn't like the hairpin turns and feeling like DP would fall over the edge. DP is worried about feeling like this on the Incredicoaster)
IF we do ride it, our plan is to ride it just before a breaktime. We're packing lunch, so we'd go sit in the World of Colour viewing area with a weighted lap pad and then ride Ariel after we co-regulate and get some food, - and in worst case scenario, we'd hopefully be able to leave the park through the Grand Californian and head back to our hotel to cool off for a couple hours. I'm not sure if we can transit through Grand Cal if we're not staying there, but it's the quickest exit out of the park we're aware of if it's too much. DP was hoping to be able to bring an iPod on the ride but I'd be worried about it being lost or damaged - and I doubt music would be heard over the wind and ride audio. DP doesn't like earplugs very much.
But is it
worth even trying? Or is it just going to put DP in an uncomfortable situation? DP doesn't want to ruin their vacation or feel like an amazing ride was missed out on, and is very anxious about withholding the rest of us from riding, but also does want to try it and they've been working up to it but feel very overwhelmed around it. We've repeatedly expressed DP doesn't have to ride, we can do rider swap if DP doesn't want to be left alone. DP can also ride Ariel endlessly, play the Pier games, or do something else while we ride Incredicoaster if we even feel like riding it - we can skip it completely, too. There are lots of ways we can work around it but they're not sure what to do, DP is very upset about it and has cried many times over the situation
and I suggested posting here about it in hopes of getting some insight.
so much for keeping this short! worry got the best of me.
<3
