What extra magical experiences are there for a group of people w/ disabilities?

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I may have an opportunity to volunteer for an organization that takes small groups of people (about 6-8 I think) with developmental disabilities on vacations and I may escort a group to WDW. I was wondering what extra special things that Disney may do to give these folks an extra magical experience. I would like to know any experiences anyone might be aware of that I could be minful of and be able to arrange if possible. Thanks.

 

[Bete]

Hopefully, some others can chime in. I know the Wish Foundation pulls some amazing situations for their guests there, but how it would work with others who knows.

Think about Guest Assitance cards for your group. I'm not sure about your specifics, but this could really help you tour the parks.

My best idea would be to arrange for a special fireworks cruise for MK or Epcot. You have to do advanced planning and resrvations for this and of course it's high priced, but it may be a good experience. There is a slight safety issue with being in the water; so, I'm not sure if this would fit your circumstances. There 's some unsteadiness getting in and out of the boat; so, you may have to help each person in and out. You would have a devoted boat; so, I think that would be special and nice.

If anyone in the group uses a wheelchair, it would behove you to use the handicap designated areas for the parades. This would help with some lines for rides and such, too.

You might be able to take a private, extra tour at extra cost where you could be on your own for a Disney tour. I'm not sure if 6 to 8 people are enough to be in a group by themselves, but you could ask. There's a lot of offering of tours.

Keep in mind if there are meltdowns that you can go to the first aid stations at each park to have a small break.

Good luck.

 

[Eeyore5]

Find out what the interests of the people going are first. Then look at tours based on that. My dad (who has Asperger's) love anything garden related so we did the behind the seeds tour with him. It was the highlight of the trip form him.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I think I'm confused as to what exactly you're looking for.

Are you wanting to know if Disney will treat them to some special activity because of their special needs? That doesn't happen. Disney bends over backwards to give people with special needs EQUAL access.

Are you wanting to know what activities that can handle people with developmental delays from those that you can pay extra for (like anybody else would)? That will really depend on the degree and type of disabilities among those in the group, not to mention the actual interests. You need to know how long they can realistically participate in/follow along with things like tours or stay in one place or handle motion for things like boats. It will be very important to know how they handle fireworks as these are frequently a source of meltdowns for people with various types of delays (though some really love them; you really have to know your group).

I suspect that you're falling into a trap that many parents fall into the first time they take their young children. They want to create this perfect, extremely magical experience for their kids as this is a once in a lifetime trip. What they fail to realize is that the trip itself already IS a magical experience. With developmental disabilities it's often important to remember that less is more. There is SO much new and exciting as well as overstimulating. There really isn't a need to add in more.

Reading the book Open Mouse by Passporters would probably be helpful for you to understand what kinds of things will work well for your group as well as what kinds of things to avoid as well as general planning for WDW with special needs. I read it before our first trip with our almost 13 year old who has Asperger Syndrome (it also helped us learn more about WDW with food allergies before I found this board but that isn't an issue you're concerned about) and it was EXTREMELY helpful.

If you know more details about the group then we can give you more specific help. What a wonderful thing you and this organization are doing.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

I've been to WDW nearly a dozen times and taken my daughter twice so I am quite aware of what to expect and how to make a memorable experience... I guess I'm not really sure what I'm exactly asking but just what anyone would recomend for this type of experience or what anyone else has experienced... thanks

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Oh and I'll check out that book

 

[mellers]

My suggestion, if budgets allow, would be to do a character breakfast, but find out first if anyone is afraid of them.

 

[loadsapixiedust]

If this will be a first time trip for the group I think you need to be careful not to overpower them with new experiences and stimuli. WDW can be pretty full on for anyone sensitive to sensory overload. I think just being in the parks will be enough for most people visiting for the first time. It's easy to forget that when you are a frequent visitor.

You might like to concentrate on ways to help them keep the memories they make like scrapbooking, collecting pins or autographs, making a video diary and having plenty of photographs. A few special experiences like character meals could be arranged, you can use Photopass to ensure you get some great photos of the complete group with characters etc You could ask if Disney would set up a character meet and greet just for your group, I'm not sure if they can do this. I would write or email Guest Relations and see what else they can suggest.

Whatever you plan I'm sure you will have a great time.

 

[SueM in MN]

My suggestion would be to find out what each person who is going thinks would be special, rather than trying to come up with some special activity. And, then try to include at least one of the things that each person wants to do if possible.

Some people have posted about how they had some amazing plans, but their child ended up not really caring about that, but LOVED the monorail or the train and would have ridden either of those for hours and hours.

I agree with the others that just being in the park may be quite overwhelming, especially if none of them have been to WDW before. The Photopass idea is good, but buying a Photopass is kind of expensive and none of them may have the money to do that (even sharing the cost). The Photopass photographers will take a picture with your own camera for you, so that you can get pictures of the whole group. The scrapbooking idea is great and will help them to talk about the experience and share it with others when they get home.

The disABILITIES FAQs thread can help you out with some information. That thread is toward the top of this board, or you can use the link in my signature to get there.
There is information about Guest Assistance Cards in post #6 of that thread and you will also find information about specific conditions/concerns in post 3 with access information in posts 11, 18, 19, 20 and 21.

It would be helpful to have more information about the types of disabilities the people have in order to give more suggestions. Things like whether they also have physical disabilities, can they all walk enough to transfer to attractions, what level of understanding they have, etc??