WDW now.

[alizesmom]

We actually made it this time and are having a great time. Park attendance has been low which is good for us. Special things noted so far:

CMs go out of their way to interact with our kids which is not the norm in the "real" world.
First Aid has been a wonderful spot to change and feed our larger diapered kids.
We go at a much slower pace than we did pre-special needs and it's kind of fun.
Bus rides have been awesome.

Helpful things for us are:

Getting the deluxe dining plan so we could schedule sit down meals which gives everyone recovery time.
Splurging on Animal Kingdom Villas which is why the bus is less crowded.
Accepting that there is no way we can do everything we would like to do.

Negatives we've found:

To get the dining plan we had to pay for all of us even though the kids don't eat by mouth.
It's still almighty hot this time of year.

Overall we've found WDW to be a place to throw off our cares and feel like any other family there.

 

[SueM in MN]

We stayed at AKL Kidani last Spring. It was pretty amazing. Hope your time there is amazing too.

 

[bookwormde]

Great to hear you made of back and are having a good time

The villas are great

The issue with dining plan and individual with disabilities who can not eat WDW food is one of those areas that Disney needs to address.

In the end there is probably a very good case that is Disney requires you to purchase a plan for those that can not consume standard food that they need to either allow the person to be exempt or provide food in the form that accommodates the person's needs

 

[SueM in MN]

The dining plan doesn't work for everyone - even without any disabilities.
Many people don't eat the quantity of food provided for in the dining plan, so it doesn't make sense for them.
There is no requirement to have the dining plan in order to eat at sit down/full service restaurants. The dining plan is just a choice that makes sense for some people and not for others, so there is no requirement to 'do' anything to make it accessible.
And, there are some accommodations for guests eating at the full service restaurants - addressing allergies (at least common ones) allowing appropriate foods to be brought in for that guest, and they will do things like blend food for people who need a different texture.

CMs do have some ability to make exceptions for not charging for people at buffets who do not eat and are not on the dining plan. I have no way of knowing, but expect that won't go away. Doing it at the restaurant at the time allows them to prevent abuse because the server can see the person is not eating. (This is only for buffets - at other restaurants, the person who doesn't eat just would not order food.
In the past, for people on the dining plan, there was no restriction on who used the credits so anyone else in the group could use them.
I have not heard anything about how dining plans will work with Magic bands and RFID cards - will they be 'tied' to an individual and only able to be used by that person? I don't think so, but don't kno.

 

[alizesmom]

Sue, you are so right about the dining plan. We did not need to use it. I like the convenience it offers me. Mea culpa!

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue, you are so right about the dining plan. We did not need to use it. I like the convenience it offers me. Mea culpa!

No reason for mea culpa! LOL

I just didn't want people thinking they needed to get it in order to eat at the full service restaurants.

It would be nice if there was some allowance for people like your family who want the convenience if the dining plan, but have family members who actually don't eat.
Unfortunately, I don't know how they would be able to do it and limit it to people who actually have a need based on disability.

 

[ttintagel]

Accepting that there is no way we can do everything we would like to do.

Oh, that's a hard one for me! But so necessary, and I have so much more fun when I'm able to do it!

It's still almighty hot this time of year.

That's a real bummer. I'd love to go this time of year: low prices and crowds, early MNSSHP, free dining (usually), cheap flights, and my birthday; but the weather in Florida in September is just murder on my arthritis. I wouldn't be able to function.

So glad you're having a good time. It makes me feel good just hearing about it!

 

[ksso32006]

Good point about the slowing down... It's hard to do..