What Is Your Favorite Resort For An ASD (autism) Child?

[OKWMom]

IWe aren't DVC members but may look into buying points to use or just making regular reservations to stay there. I know housekeeping is limited at OKW but is that the same case if you are a regular guest not using points?

If you stay on points either as a DVC member or as a guest/renter of a DVC member, the limited housekeeping schedule applies. If you are staying as a regular guest, booked through CRO or travel agent, etc., you receive daily housekeeping. This includes not only a full room cleaning daily with fresh linens, but a refill on your coffee packet and the single box of detergent left for you in the laundry room, as well as the other soaps, paper towels, etc.

ETA: Mousekeeping will also load and run the dishwasher with whatever dishes are in the sink when they arrive.

 

[SueM in MN]

Besides what OKWMom posted, you can also pay extra to get daily housekeeping if you are staying on points.
We actually like not having daily housekeeping. We don't have to worry about when they will come or about where things will be when we get back. If you just pick up a bit each morning, it's not that hard to keep things neat. If you want clean towels, it's also easy to throw a load into the washer.

 

[tacomaranch]

I wanted to also mention that at any DVC with a wash machine they give you only 1 box of detergent.

I go to the budget board and on the freebies of the week. Find ones for detergent samples and keep ordering them. Single use packets that are sealed for the flight down. It just makes life easy.

On a recent visit thing went a bit wrong and we didn't get our towel service but I called and we had more towels than I knew what to do with

I don't make my beds at home and never on vacation either. I heard on NPR that it helps keep bed mites down if you don't make your bed. I told my mom and she stopped coming in to my house and making my bed .

Having a full kitchen is just wonderful! We bring our own starbucks and coffee filters. Get the little round ones and make your own good coffee then sit out on the porch at sunrise and watch the sun come up.

OKW has several water ponds and a waterway. They also have a very nice boat that takes you to DTD. Our DS really loves the boat!

Even though I own at OKW I have had to also rent points and there is a good tutorial at the DVC section.

Good luck, April

 

[Tissa]

DVC was the only way to go for us, the kitchen because of the limited food he eats and the washer/dryer because he will only wear something for a few hours and decided that it's dirty and need fresh clothes.

Last trip we rented a house and now that is the only way for us to go. It was such a blessing for us to have our own pool. He would swim everyday after we got back and I didn't have to worry about him splashing or bothering other people. He was the happiest that he's ever been at WDW and he only rode one ride.

 

[Disneylvr]

I read all of your replies to my DH and I think he is convinced to give OKW a try next year. Now I am just waiting for the 2008 packages to be released so I can make reservations!!!! Thank you everyone!!!!

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

good luck with your trip planning!

 

[Newcastle]

I know I'm a bit late to respond however I just wanted to add my vote for the Beach Club villas. SAB is amazing and with the zero entry section, sandy bottom pools and sandy areas to build sand castles, it makes for a great sensory experience and is better in terms of accessibility (not sure if your daughter is one to fully submerse herself in the water so the zero entry option is great - I don't think OKW has that option but I could be wrong). Of course, you will have the kitchen and laundry facilities if staying at a villa and while it may not be as large as the OKW villas, I imagine there would still be enough room for an inflatable mattress. With respect to transportation, you would probably want to avoid the buses but keep in mind that if you have park hopper passes, you can walk through Epcot and board the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. Some people think it's a bit of a hike but we actually enjoyed the trip (it probably took us about 45 minutes from the door of our villa to the entrance to Magic Kingdom). Also, being able to walk to the entrance of Epcot within mere minutes was great and we also walked to MGM (maybe a 20-min walk and very peaceful). We managed to avoid all buses and the only time that we drove was to go to Downtown Disney. As for fireworks, even if you don't get a great view from your room, you can walk down to the beach or to the bridge that connects BC and BW and get a decent view of the fireworks. I was surprised at how much we enjoyed the location. We went in early May this year and the resort wasn't very busy at all. It seemed that SAB was only really busy on the weekends and even then, we would go after 4:00 and it wasn't busy at all.

Sorry if I'm complicating matters but we really did enjoy the convenience of the location especially given the transportation issues.

 

[Dina]

We have two children with autism (we've taken 4 trips with them-- different resorts each time)--- by far our favorite has been OKW for reasons already mentioned. By far, the absolute worst was ASMo. Staying at ASMo with our children led us to buy DVC--- we bought it on the last day of that trip.

 

[pcparamedics01]

[

So I am asking those of your with more ASD/Disney experience what is your favorite resort for your child and why? WIth ASD each child is so unique but our DD is for the most part a sensory seeker, she loves swimming/moving water, loves the park trams/monorail (we haven't tried the boats), cramped situations (like buses) can be overwhelming to her, she doesn't like fireworks up close but will watch them from a distance. We havepretty much counted the Value resorts out because DD will need a more quiet, calming environment after visiting the parks. But we are open to any of the moderates, and hope to have enough saved to consider DVC or Deluxe accomodations as well.[/QUOTE]

I thought HH so far. A lot more serene and calming for my HFA son

 

[ckdipp]

I Know I'm way late on replying. 2 of my 3 children are ASD and they are each very different in their abilities and needs from each other so it makes it a challenge to find a solution that works for the whole family. Not anything different than most of you have already experience, I assume.

We are DVC members and have stayed at Beach Club several times. It was awesome for all of us. Close enough that we could get to any parks early in the morning and return to the resort by lunch time and prior to melt-downs. The walk to Epcot and/or MGM were very convenient. The boradwalk area provided many things to do outside of the parks and with minimal crowds, noises and other stimulations that was not wanted. Yet enough "action" and fun for those in our group that wanted that.

Fireworks could be enjoyed from a distance for the boys that needed that and yet those of who wanted a closer view could walk to see them in World Showcase or from the bridge between BC & BW.

The pool (Storm-a-long Bay) at Beach Club is just wonderful. There is so much to it that everyone in the group is satisfied. The sand, walk in areas (non-full submerged) were fantastic. The slide and pirate ship and rafting river kept others very active. The more severe of my sons LOVED the whirlpool area of the pool - he called it the "toilet" cause it swirls around like a flushing toilet and he could float in it and get some mild pressure therapy and relaxation all at one time!

We are headed down in 14 days (but who is counting) and will be staying at Boardwalk this time. And then in 3 more months going back and staying at OKW.

Hope you enjoy whatever decision you make!