We've Bounced Back like Tigger SB09 TR NEW 9/11 CLOSING TIME....

[mommytothreeboys]

My Dining Choices:

This is the 2nd trip using some version of the Disney Dining Plan

In June of 08 we used the regular DDP which included 1 TS, 1 QS, and 1 snack per night of our stay which equalled out to be 70 meals and 35 snacks between the 5 of us (Margaret under 3 didn't count) on the plan. that's alot of food huh? At first I was wary since it is alot of $$ but then we we justified the kid cost of $9.99 a night and we could go to 4 Character Meals and the kid price is over that $9.99 we thought this acutally could be nice. After doing the fuzzy Disney Math and charting all the meals and just knowing hey it's all paid for one last thing to budget and worry about down there besides the TS tips we went for it.

I have to say I really enjoyed it. It was so nice to take advantage of the many great TS and Character meals that we would probably have never done w/ out the DDP. So we strongly felt we'd use it again on future trips!

We loved the DDP on our first trip as well! We had never done character meals at all so it was nice to be able to do those...we probably would not have eaten at all the places we did if not for the DDP.

These were the TS choices to play w/:

MK-Liberty Tree Tavern
Cystal Palace
Tony's

Epcot- Princess Storybook Breakfast at Restaurant Akershus
Garden Grill

DHS- Sci-Fi Diner

Misc- Raglan Road
Boatwrights Dining Hall @ POR which was changed to Maya Grill at CSR
(POR was our first choice of resort, but it was all full so we got CSR)

We totally enjoyed the Sci-Fi at DHS. My boys loved the sensation of being outside and they still talk about the silly sci-fi movie clips. The food was not bad....just average, but the atmosphere was well worth it.

We did Liberty Tree when they had characters...DH was not impressed with the food. Not sure if things have changed now that the characters are no longer there.

My DH and I would LOVE to try Raglan Road. Not this trip though....we are also doing QSDP and only paying for one OOP meal. (The tips not being included in the standard DDP really tipped the scale for us.)

I SO want to do a princess meal, but that is NOT gonna fly in my house!

My QS choices:

These are not in stone but just what I'm thinking for now

CSR- Pepper Market

Marketplace- Earl of Sandwich
Cooke's of Dublin anyone ever eat here? we're Irish
so though this would be fun and make up for not eating at
Raglan Road

MK-Main Street Bakery
Columbia Harbor House
Pinocchio Village Haus

DHS- Studio Catering Co.
ABC Commisary (for soy milk if needed)
Backlot Express

Epcot- Tangierine Cafe in Morocco
Yorkshire County Fish Shop in England
Lotus Blossom in China
? Bakery in Norway
Liberty Inn in America
Sunshine Seasons (for soy milk if needed)

AK- Restaurantosaurus
Harambe Fruit Market

We are really looking forward to trying a lot of different CS places this trip. Many of the same ones on your list, particularly Columbia Harbor House, Pepper Market, Pinocchio Village Haus, Yorkshire County Fish Market, and Sunshine Seasons.

My DH and I absolutely LOVE Tangierine Cafe...the boys not so much.

Food Allergies:

I feel very blessed not to have to deal with this issue with any of my children. I can imagine it must be a struggle to keep that constantly in the back of your mind.

 

[mousescrapper]

So on Saturday morning before DH & I got up for the day we started talking about when or how we should tell the kids about the new trip to Disney...:

We thought about doing a Blue's Clues style game by hiding hidden mickey heads on some clues and have them figure it out.

Then we thought what about a scavenger hunt around the house leading them to the surprise.

and that's when DH says:

"I need to go to the party store and buy some balloons!"​

From there he came up w/ we have a scavenger hunt and the ending would be a suitcase w/ balloons in it...you know just like the commericals!

Because my Mom was coming by on Sat w/ some V-day gifts for the kids and dinner (my Dad is out of town visiting his sister) I thought we should do it today w/ her here.

In the afternoon we came up w/ 6 Disney inspired scavenger Clues that led the kids throughout the house. Like:

Go to the room where Lumiere sang to Belle....dinning room


What room would you find Remy the happiest? ....kitchen


and the last clue was go to the room where Lilo listens to her Elvis Records....the living room


When they arrived they saw this:

and they did!

Inside the suitcase they saw:

Mickey holding the letter from WDW inviting our family back!

The twins were instantly jumping up and down and screaming "Disney we're going back!"

We had Michael read the letter outload about how the MouseScrapper Family is going back in March for Grandma's Birthday Gathering! They were equally thrilled it was coming so soon and that both Grandma and Ja-Ja were coming too!

But in the midst of all the excitement Mae was not happy....

We stopped and tried to figure out what was wrong She was sad and thought now we were not going for her birthday (like I had said before I knew about this one) next year. After several hours and a talk w/ Daddy in her room she began to come around. She was insistent she didn't want to go because she has to take showers and then to my ears utter dismay...she blurted "It's to much Disney"

Oh no....could one of my kids really think that? I was worried.


But by the night and definatley the next afternoon her tune began to change after watching the planning DVD she really became excited and learning she was to have breakfast w/ the Princesses one morning she became finally!

and today she keeps asking and saying "I can't wait to go!" "I wish it was sooner" "how many days?"

I'm glad that is over.

So now everyone is on board and we are excited to go!

Here a couple more pictures from later that night of the kids being excited to go:

Oh and wouldn't you know it that of course Michael asks "hey where were the fireworks?"

 

[mommytothreeboys]

"I need to go to the party store and buy some balloons!"​

From there he came up w/ we have a scavenger hunt and the ending would be a suitcase w/ balloons in it...you know just like the commericals!

What an AWESOME idea!! Great job with the surprise! Now you can all be excited together!

 

[nu2wdisneyw]

What a GREAT way to tell them. I was trying to keep my trip a surprise, but my oldest son found my planning binder!!! I acted just like I didn't know what he was talking about!!! On the cover is says "First Family trip to Walt Disney World...Planning Binder". He replies, "Mom, this will not be my first trip, remember when we went when Jah was a baby?" Take a look at pre-trip report for that explaination. Needless to say...I responded by saying "please don't read things that don't belong to you." I have to do a better job at hiding things if the details are going to remain a secret!!!

 

[KathyRN137]

Yay!! Your idea of balloons coming out of the suitcase was great!!

I laughed when you mentioned Michael wondering about the fireworks...so typical and so funny!

Awww, Mae! She's in that "sensitive phase" now, isn't she? It just took a little while for the shock to wear off....sounds like everything is okey-dokey now!

Kathy

p.s. PM me if you want some advice on the eczema... you may not remember, but I work with a dermatologist....

 

[MaryAz]

Great clues and surprise. Love the balloons in the suitcase idea!

 

[DisMomAmy]

I'm not DISing today because I have a big deadline for work (the bookkeeping thing) and need to get an account cleaned up by Wednesday morning. But I HAD to come read your post when I saw it in my inbox. Actually I read it from my inbox, but had to come over to see the pictures.

What a great way to surprise them - and fantastic that DH was so excited to create the fun!! Not all of our DHs are as enthusiastic about Disney...

Sorry about Mae's reaction... glad she cheered up a bit. That's exactly why I want to tell the kids a couple weeks ahead vs. the morning of as DH would prefer. You never know how they are going to react.

 

[mousescrapper]

Thanks for joining in on the post suprise

Aldine created her own countdown w/ some sticky notes in her room by her calendar the other day too. So the fun is really beginning now!

mommytothreeboys, new2wdisneyw, KathyRN, MaryAz, the balloons were a big hit, they stayed up through Sunday! DH is generally always happy to help w/ games, suprises and stuff like that. It really was funny how he just jumped up in bed and said "I have to get balloons!"

Amy hope you get the project done...I know what you mean about not alot of DIS time this week.... I'm triple head of the school's big end of the year school Exploremore Day and we have tons to finalize up before the end of the week and then before Spring Break, so I'm little

Hope to talk about ADHD & ASD soon.

J- Love to be IRISH

 

[Villainess]

I'm joining in! Love the suprise w/ the balloons!

 

[mousescrapper]

I'm joining in! Love the suprise w/ the balloons!

glad you are here!

 

[mousescrapper]

Traveling with Aspergers (high-functioning Autism) and ADHD:


Our son Michael….

Michael neither is just an Aspie or a kid w/ ADHD…nor is he a boy who loves tackle football or playing in the dirt. Michael is who he is in the Perfect Design that God planned for him, before I even knew his name.

But yes the diagnoses above or label’s are part of him, it has always been there it just wasn’t known to me, him, or the world till 2007.

That year is very significant when it comes to these boards too. It may seem like a short 2 yrs ago, but it was months of denial, pain, frustration, anger, hurting, crying, and then joys, smiles, understanding, comforting and living.

Living with Michael for who is and who he will be!

I first joined the boards when it came time to begin planning our family’s 2nd trip to WDW in the summer of 2008. Just a month previous to me joining was when I first heard the word “ASPERGERS” and ADHD in the same sentence with my son’s name.

It was a partial relief to have come this far and have that piece of the puzzle, but I wasn’t ready. I didn’t know what to do….

In the midst of trying to figure this out, the Disney boards became I place of unseen comfort, a community I didn’t know existed, and a group of friends I have yet to place my eyes on…who have “held my hand” and have helped me through it. People like KathyRN, DisMomAmy, DisMomAmy9761, and more.


Some background info on Michael. He’s going to be 10 in May, he’s in 4th grade, he’s a twin to Aldine and the trip in March will be his 3rd. Looking back since birth and more so at age 2 DH and I always worried something wasn’t quite adding up for him and it was even more apparent against his twin sister. Now they were both behind physically w/ developmental growth and Michael had some speech issues. At first Aldine was being treated for PT/OT for a serious physical delay in walking. Well Michael of course was tagging along and the therapists started to notice he was struggling too. At first it seemed so subtle but as he grew, Aldine was grasping age appropriate skills and Michael was slipping behind. Once in pre-K things became more apparent and then definitely 3 years later in 1st grade. He was first diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder…after full fledge doing everything for that, we began to see more things that weren’t being helped. Finally in 2nd grade he was seen by a developmental psychologist and then that summer (07) he was diagnosed by a psychiatrist with the above disorders. This diagnosis was a long time coming and as hard as it is, it’s good to know and understand ways we can try and help Michael learn and cope with the many things that cause hurtles in his young life.

Which brings us back to Disney…

No child with any form of Autism or on the PPD-NOS spectrum are alike and Michael is no exception unlike my Disfriends little boys (Billy & Alex) Michael is a sensory avoider. He likes things quiet, calm, in routine, tangible. He doesn’t like to wait and has a hard concept of how long something takes. Crowds make him uneasy and unexpected things can really throw him for a loop.

You may be thinking right now…”why bring a child like that, to a place that is all those things…loud, crowded, a sensory overload for even those who do not have struggles …?”

Like most stories I’ve read, somehow, someway Disney is Magic! It is that Magic these children crave on a daily basis…and help them be kids and enjoy life to the fullest.

But one must still be prepared and as my role as Mom, I am. Again for this trip I will be making Michael his own special Disney guidebook catered to his interests and needs for a trip such as this.

Things that are tough for Michael while at Disney can be:

Crowds: feeling to “tight”

Lines and waiting: even if it’s something he wants to do, it’s extremely hard, he may just rather pass (but then feel let down)

Noise: he’s very sensitive to loudness and if he’s just the slightest bit “off” a noise he’s even used to can really bother him

Things not going according to plan: w/ Aspergers when you have a preoccupation or thought about something and it doesn’t go according to that thought in your head….uhoh

Over stimulated: he is generally a sensory avoider, something hard to do at Disney.

Feeling “lost” overwhelmed w/ the amount of choices: hence the need for a plan!

What to do?

Utilize Disney’s accommodations for children and adults like Michael to help w/ the lines and crowds ***which went extremely well in 08

Have a guidebook for him, allow him to help plan and navigate while we are there

: When a need arises and he’s starting to have trouble, we’re lucky there will be 4 adults on this trip. DH & I discuss situations like this in advance so we are not mis-communicating in the moment and then make it worse for him

Be flexible, but have a plan and routine that mimics as close to his normal home routines as possible. Like when he takes his medicines, eats, snacks, allow down time before bed, and reading or alone breaks.

Have a travel kit: that has his personal items he resorts too. i.e. his oral chewy tube, sound deafening headphones, book, crackers, pencil and notebook

I’m sure there is more and that’s why I love the boards to always get fresh new ideas.

Thanks for reading and listening and being part of what makes Disney special for me and my son!

J-

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Michael neither is just an Aspie or a kid w/ ADHD…nor is he a boy who loves tackle football or playing in the dirt. Michael is who he is in the Perfect Design that God planned for him, before I even knew his name.

A beautiful and true sentiment....well put! It is not an accident that Michael is who he is. He will be a blessing to you and your family in a way no other child could.

In the midst of trying to figure this out, the Disney boards became I place of unseen comfort, a community I didn’t know existed, and a group of friends I have yet to place my eyes on…who have “held my hand” and have helped me through it. People like KathyRN, DisMomAmy, DisMomAmy9761, and more.

I was in tears at this point. How awesome to have a support system of women you may never see in person but who help you carry the burden in a special way.

Like most stories I’ve read, somehow, someway Disney is Magic! It is that Magic these children crave on a daily basis…and help them be kids and enjoy life to the fullest.

Yay!

Thanks for reading and listening and being part of what makes Disney special for me and my son!

J-

This post is really moving. It's not just the beautiful resorts or the well kept parks...there really is something about Disney that makes it truly special. That "thing" may be different for each of us, but we can share in our appreciation of it just the same! God bless you and your family!

 

[DisMomAmy]

What goes around comes around... I'm finding a lot of comfort in my DISfriends right now as we are going through Zachary's issues.

 

[KathyRN137]

In the midst of trying to figure this out, the Disney boards became I place of unseen comfort, a community I didn’t know existed, and a group of friends I have yet to place my eyes on…who have “held my hand” and have helped me through it. People like KathyRN, DisMomAmy, DisMomAmy9761, and more....


I’m sure there is more and that’s why I love the boards to always get fresh new ideas.

Thanks for reading and listening and being part of what makes Disney special for me and my son!

We all see so much of our own precious children in each others'.... I think that's why we feel such kinship when reading about each others' adventures!

I love to read about your trips and the preparations that go into them. You have given me so much as well! Thanks, Scrappie!

It's all worth it to see their eyes light up and to feel their joy when at Disney!


Kathy

 

[MRYPPNS]

I just have to say that I've gotten most of my information about how kids with Aspergers and Autism behave (in general) from you 3 ladies. And just being aware of it helps everyone. DH had an experience in Magic Kingdom with a little boy where DH was just confused by it. After, I was able to tell him why I thought the little boy behaved the way he did, and it was like a light bulb went off for my DH in understanding what happened.

 

[Villainess]

Michael sounds like he is a beautiful child - as ALL God's children are. I know that the DIS helped me out when I was having DD testing for autism last October. Her diagnosis is anxiety. Her pediatrician isn't satisfied with the diagnosis and wants to see how she will be when she begins ballet classes, more playgroups, etc.

 

[mousescrapper]

mommytothreeboys Amy Kathy Heidi & Villainess

hugs all around!

Next Monday I take Michael to his psychologist appt, this is my first time sitting in for the whole one DH has gone the last 3. Knowing I have not only my friends and family here but all you makes things seem more managible.

Villainess Michael has anxiety issues too...it's sometimes hard to know what will make him more anxious or less, but just by being w/ you DD and watching and listening you should be able to see a pattern of things that maybe hard for her. and together hopefully you can have a plan that works for each of you

Ok I did some more daily touring plans yesterday, should have time to get more done tonight...hard to believe next week I will enter my 30 day mark. lot's do to do.

Have a great weekend all!

J-

 

[DisMomAmy]

Can I do an almost 30 day dance???



(I'll save my funny dancing man for next week...)

Ooooo... that means I'm almost at 60 days! I guess I'll be doing a lot of dancing next week!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

mommytothreeboys Amy Kathy Heidi & Villainess

hugs all around!

Next Monday I take Michael to his psychologist appt, this is my first time sitting in for the whole one DH has gone the last 3. Knowing I have not only my friends and family here but all you makes things seem more managible.

Villainess Michael has anxiety issues too...it's sometimes hard to know what will make him more anxious or less, but just by being w/ you DD and watching and listening you should be able to see a pattern of things that maybe hard for her. and together hopefully you can have a plan that works for each of you

Ok I did some more daily touring plans yesterday, should have time to get more done tonight...hard to believe next week I will enter my 30 day mark. lot's do to do.

Have a great weekend all!

J-

Just wanted to comment on how amazing it is that we all just seemed to find each other...at least for me! I had no idea that either Villainess, DisMomAmy or mousescrapper had kids with anxiety issues. And I never mentioned Dan's till I saw the stories of their children....funny how life works!

 

[rodeo65]

I am so glad I found this thread!! We too have a son recently diagnosed with ADHD and are planning our first WDW trip with he and his sister in June. I have only skimmed through today but am excited to read a few planning / coping tips for managing through the parks. I'll look forward to reading through the whole thread over the weekend.