Want to see Fantasmic with autistic son....

[cinda-wella]

We are going to Disney World in December, and we'd like to see Fantasmic with our kids (10, 8, & 2) . My 8 year old is autistic, and last year when we went to Disney , we were able to get the assistance card, which helped tremendously with rides, etc. (he has great difficulty standing in lines, having people next to him, etc)

I have no idea how to get into Fantasmic though , as we've never tried before...I keep reading about 2 hour lines , and all the seating fills up (my son has to use the 'stroller-as-a wheelchair' option on his disability card)

Has anyone here had any experience with this type of situation?

Thanks so much!

Me Dh ds (10) ds (8) dd (2)

 

[melomouse]

Hi Cinda - Welcome to the DIS!

My DS is on the autism spectrum(Asperger's) and has been going to WDW since 8. We always book the Fantasmic dinner package at Hollywood and Vine because buffets are better for him, the walk over to the special entrance is a short walk, and the wait time is about an hour - or less. DS sits in the 3rd row and my biggest challenge has just been keeping my $ in my pocket because he wants all the light-ups and more snacks even tho he just had dinner.

If your DS has sensory issues, you may want to be further back, since there's lots of water and noise and flashing of lights and explosions.

Hope this helps!!

melomouse

 

[KathyRN137]

Hi! We saw Fantasmic! twice with our autistic son; once at age 5 and once at age 6. The first time, we went during a "slow" time of year and got pretty good seats (or so I thought) in the middle without much wait. Even though we brought ear protectors to muffle the noise, our DS was NOT enjoying it! There is a lot of mist that is carried by the breeze onto the audience and the heat from the pyrotechnics was uncomfortable for him--I had not considered these special effects; only the loud music/noise.

The next year, we sat in the handicapped reserved seating (using the GAC). It was so much better!! The seats were at the top (back) rows and we had great views, were further from the mist/flames, AND, we were some of the first to exit the theater ahead of the end of night crowds (and thus first in line for the bus back to the resort!)

Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

If you are using a stroller as a wheelchair, you will be sitting in the very back seats in the amphitheater. The very back row has a combination of spaces for wheelchairs, ECVs and, in your case, strollers being used as wheelchairs, to park. There are a few seats next to the empty spaces for people to sit next to the wheelchairs, etc. The 2 rows just in front of that last row are for the rest of your party to sit. If your child wants to sit with you, you could park his stroller in the spot and have him move down to the bench.

If you wait in line before they start allowing people into the theater, you might wait for 2 hours. They usually start letting people into the theater about 1 1/2 hours of so before the show begins. So, you are not usually waiting in line for that long. Once the line starts moving, you will be sort of slowly walking in and then waiting in your seat until the show starts. Even that isn't as bad as it sounds; there is Disney music playing, they sell food and popcorn.

Whether all the seating fills up or not is kind of variable. We usually get there about 1 hour before the show begins and have always been able to get seats, even during Spring break time (with someone using a wheelchair). On our last trip in March, we could see that when the show began, there were still some seats open along the farthest area.

 

[timom]

My 5 yr-old boy 's just got diagnosed as PDD and we are planning to Disney. Just want to know how to get the assistance card. I have short note from the pyschiatrist certify my son's diagnosis but should i need to get a formal letter? Also, we will go to the waterpark. Can I use the assistance card in the water park? and any recommendation which park is more suitable for kids?

 

[dzorn]

We also used the Hollywood and Vine dinner package to allow for less time waiting for the show to begin. DD doesn't use the stroller as wheelchair option so I'm not sure about that. DD is autistic and I would reccomend atleast 2/3 of the way up. The front is not the way to go for this show. With the water and fire, smoke it would have been overwhelming to her if we were up front.

Denise

 

[tacomaranch]

Dear Timom,

You don't need a dr's note. I was so worried and we got on last time. Go to guest assistance at the park enterance. Tell them your DS condition and the limitations. That is what they need to know. Ex: cant wait with people around, can't stand in sun, can't stand long.

They will issue a GAC based on what is needed to accomodate your child's issues.

Then go to the CM's and show it to them at the ride. It lets them know you need some assistance.

Good luck,

 

[mlwear]

We are "planning" to try to go to the late Fantasmic show. I read the wait is usually shorter? Can anyone verify if this is correct? Other than it being late what obstacles do I have going to the late show. Also, is there any seating that will allow me or DH to get him out of there fairly easily if it is too much stimulation for him? I've never been there and am just trying to picture the thing mentally. (btw, DS 8 is autistic) TIA

 

[SueM in MN]

We are "planning" to try to go to the late Fantasmic show. I read the wait is usually shorter? Can anyone verify if this is correct? Other than it being late what obstacles do I have going to the late show.

If there are 2 shows, they start letting people into the amphitheater for the first show about 1 1/2 hour before the show begins. If you wait to get into line until the line begins moving, your wait in line will be walking slowly into the amphitheater. Once you get inside, you will be directed to seats and the rest of your wait will be sitting in the seats.

The second show may or may not be crowded. It depends on how many people decide to go then. The guests for the secong show have to wait in line until the guests from the first show have left and the amphitheater has been cleaned up. The CMs are pretty efficient and do it quickly, but you will wait in line until they "release" the area for seating.

Also, is there any seating that will allow me or DH to get him out of there fairly easily if it is too much stimulation for him? I've never been there and am just trying to picture the thing mentally. (btw, DS 8 is autistic) TIA

If you are using a GAC, they will seat you in one of the back 3 rows of the amphitheater. You can ask the CM to seat you on an aisle so that you can leave quickly if you need to.
When you are going in, look for the restrooms on your left just before you get to the seating. If you need a quieter place to go, that is a good place. You can stand outside or go into the restroom (where he won't see anything and the sounds will be a bit muffled). It's also a good "landmark" if you and your child want to leave, but the rest of the party wants to stay. Make sure everyone knows where it is and just head there after the show ends.

 

[dreamsofdisney]

Hi there...

We've gone to see Fantasmic at least once a year since '98 with my DS (now 13) who has HFA/Asperger's. One year, we used the GAC and the CM walked us along the side path instead of having us wait in the line (before they had opened it up for seating). They seated us in the back rows where it is wheelchair accessible, but my son was unhappy because he didn't feel like he was close enough to the "action." (We weren't using a stroller, but I felt that the seats were fine if you decide to use yours!)

The other years, we've just held off on lining up until they actually opened the "gates" so the people could begin seating. When we reached the CMs inside the amphitheatre, I showed them the GAC, explained my son's special needs, and asked if it would be possible to have a seat on an aisle in case we needed to make a speedy exit. They were very accomodating, and let us sit on the edge of a center section. During the seating process, there are usually announcements asking you to move in toward the center of the aisle and fill in all available seats. A couple of times, CMs came over and asked us to slide over, but I just let them know that we had been told we could sit on the aisle and they were fine with it.

One year, the CM even let us move to some available seats in the front row! My son loved it, but it did get a bit cold since we got wet during the show and it was February!

This year, we'll probably just try to sit toward the right side (stage left) and get an aisle seat so that we can avoid as much of the crowd as possible during the mass exit. That's been the hardest part!

Good luck and I hope you have a magical trip!

 

[mlwear]

Thank you so much SueM and dreamsofdisney. Very helpful information .
Re: the back three rows --I'm assuming this is the wheelchair accessible seating. A couple of ?'s for anyone who cares to reply. There are four in our party. Will we all be able to sit together or will we need to separate? Not a huge deal if DH and other DS have to sit apart from us, we are used to "making things work" and is the view from the back three rows good? (dreamsofdisney wrote her DS didn't feel like he was in the action, but what about the view of the action --DH and other DS may WANT to sit somewhere else.) Finally, for those that have autistic children or other "invisible" disabilities (or themselves have those disabilities) and have used wheelchair accessible seating, were you given a hard time by other guests who visibly are in need of the seating? I've never used the autism info. business cards, but wondering if this is a time I should bring a few.

Thanks for the restroom tip. I know we will have to bring earplugs and maybe sunglasses (?) but still am pretty concerned. It's these sorts of things that DH still has a hard time accepting that we can't be a "normal" family. If we have somewhere to escape, we should be able to make it work. Small pity party here -- I do get kind of tired of being the one stuck in the bathroom, lobby, car, etc. when we are trying to be a "normal" family. Then, I have to remember my inconveinience is far less than DS's. --OK pity party over. Time to get excited about our trip and get to planning, planning, planning.

Again, thank you for the replies and TIA to anyone with further comments.

 

[dreamsofdisney]

Re: the back three rows --I'm assuming this is the wheelchair accessible seating. A couple of ?'s for anyone who cares to reply. There are four in our party. Will we all be able to sit together or will we need to separate? Not a huge deal if DH and other DS have to sit apart from us, we are used to "making things work" and is the view from the back three rows good? (dreamsofdisney wrote her DS didn't feel like he was in the action, but what about the view of the action --DH and other DS may WANT to sit somewhere else.) Finally, for those that have autistic children or other "invisible" disabilities (or themselves have those disabilities) and have used wheelchair accessible seating, were you given a hard time by other guests who visibly are in need of the seating? I've never used the autism info. business cards, but wondering if this is a time I should bring a few.

Actually...The seats in the back were wheelchair accessible and they allow guests of the people to sit with them in the rows in front of them. The seats are in the very back of a large amphitheater, but they are dead center and once the action gets going, the view is great! My DS just wanted to be closer where he knew he'd get wet and have a closer view of the costumed characters...full submersion!

I know there are probably many people out there who will say they have never been questioned about sitting in the accessible section with their family member who has a "hidden" disABILITY. We haven't been so lucky. Not only is my son's autism "hidden," he's quite verbal. We've had people at Fantasmic, during parades, and other rides or attractions where we've used the accessible entrance question us as to why we were there. We've even had some people who were using wheelchairs be quite rude and tell us that we don't belong there! I just keep my GAC out to flash. A few times I've explained that he has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. (If I was feeling feisty and they were particularly rude, I've said "He has a neuro-biological disorder...What's your excuse for [your behavior?") As my DS gets older, he is very self-conscious and doesn't like to talk about his Autism, so I won't be using that technique! I'm currently in the middle of receiving a "probable MS" diagnosis myself, so my son is fine with using the GAC because he knows it will help both of us.

One last note...If we had been seated in the wheelchair accessible seating and someone who was using a wheelchair needed the space because that area was full, we wouldn't hesitate to move to another section. We realize that with all of our challenges, we are fortunate to have the ability to walk down a few more rows and sit anywhere we want.

 

[mlwear]

ITA with moving so that a person needing a space for a wheelchair and their party can have that area. Where else are they going to go? Opposed to us, we may have to go to an area more difficult, but not impossible. I hope everyone would do that; however, I'm sure there are a few that don't get it. I like to think that everyone with disabilities and their caregivers/families have some sort of bond and would help each other whenever possible. I truly have found that to often be the case. (This may be why people become so upset with those not in need using spaces designed for those who are.) But, yes, I do worry because my son is VERY verbal. Still so many think autistic = mute. My son has communication "oddities" and difficulties with expressive language. I'm sure others reading this board know what I mean: lots of echolalia, doesn't control volume well, vocalizations, very often communication is inaccurate. I haven't had anyone comment in a while that "he looks normal", but I think we may just be past that point. He flaps a lot, though. Last thing I want is some debate with a stranger over where we can sit and having to explain details with my son present.

Anyway, thank you for the info. about the view.
I'm glad your son enjoys it so much

 

[dreamsofdisney]

mlwear-->

I just posted this thread...You might want to read!

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1149644

 

[SueM in MN]

The back 3-4 rows are the designated seating for special needs. People who are using wheelchairs are sitting in the very back row, where there is space to pull in wheelchairs and ECVs. There are some seats scattered here and there in the back row, so that someone can sit next to the wheelchair. The rest of that person's party sits in front of them in one or two rows. The farther down seats and ones that are not being used by the wheelchair parties are used by people with a variety of special needs - including people on the autism spectrum and people who can't go down steps easily for a variety of reasons. Since the CMs "place" people in those seats, the people right around you should either see that you are there when they were "placed" and the CM is OK with it, or if they were there before you, they will see the CM "place" your family there. We've been to Fantasmic at least once every year since it opened and have never seen anyone who was told to sit there by a CM bothered by the other guests. There are a lot of people who just see the empty seats and try to sit there without being directed to do so. In most of those cases, someone has called over a CM to deal with them.

If you choose to just find seats, when they ask people to move over, they generally (at least all the times we've been there) ask people to move to their right (but you don't have to leave the section you are in). So, if you are sitting on a right hand aisle, you won't have to move. If you are on the left, people will expect you to move over.

You may run into ride people, but for every rude one, there are probably 10 nice ones; and just because someone is using a wheelchair doesn't mean other guests leave you alone. My DD has multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy which she uses a wheelchair for. We've dealt with our share of rude people.

 

[mlwear]

Thank you SueM. This is making sense now.
I certainly believe you, but it is beyond my thinking that people can be rude to a person (let alone a child) in a wheelchair. It's very sad.

 

[Andy too]

Our autistic son is sensitive to loud noises, but loves Mickey and all the Disney movies. He loved fantasmic. Our strategy was for one of the adults and the rest of the kids to sit and save spots for my wife and my son. It isn't unusual since people are up buying food, etc. This worked well for us.

 

[cmwade77]

One thing I have seen on here, is simply ask at Guest Relations, they may be able to help, perhaps with giving a reserved wheelchair seat or some other accomodation that would work. Bottom line is you never get anything if you don't ask.