Wishes Dessert Party - Autism & Fireworks

[A and J's Mom]

I have a 6 year old son with autism. He is absolutely terrified of fireworks, and we are trying to figure out a way that we could be in the park during fireworks at least for one night as a family.

I was wondering if anyone is familiar with the set up for the Dessert party? I thought maybe the rest of the family could go up to the rail and watch show, and I could sit at the back of the restaurant with DS. I'm not actually familiar with where the party is held. Do you think it is feasible that we could go to the back of the room at this point? Any idea how much of the noise he would hear? When I look at pictures, I can't tell if the location is actually closed off. It kind of looks open to the outside. Is this the case?

Any other ideas? We'll have him wearing headphones to help block noise, and we'll need to be able to go somewhere where he can't see the fireworks either.

Sorry for the rambling questions, and I appreciate any thoughts you might have!

 

[fitzpa]

We went to the Dessert Party this year with our 13 year old son with autism. It is at the Tomorrowland Terrace (Outside). Each party has a reserved table. He will be able to see and hear the firework from anywhere in the Tomorrowland Terrace. Each person will get a bracelet so that you can come and go into the Terrace. My son used to be afraid of the noises and bright lights, but can handle it now.

 

[CajunMomof3]

Just an idea (that has worked for us recently with DS8 with autism):
How about plugging the headphones into a cell phone with an app he likes? That way he will be distracted and entertained while the rest of the family can see some of the show...

 

[livndisney]

I have a 6 year old son with autism. He is absolutely terrified of fireworks, and we are trying to figure out a way that we could be in the park during fireworks at least for one night as a family.

I was wondering if anyone is familiar with the set up for the Dessert party? I thought maybe the rest of the family could go up to the rail and watch show, and I could sit at the back of the restaurant with DS. I'm not actually familiar with where the party is held. Do you think it is feasible that we could go to the back of the room at this point? Any idea how much of the noise he would hear? When I look at pictures, I can't tell if the location is actually closed off. It kind of looks open to the outside. Is this the case?

Any other ideas? We'll have him wearing headphones to help block noise, and we'll need to be able to go somewhere where he can't see the fireworks either.

Sorry for the rambling questions, and I appreciate any thoughts you might have!

The dessert party is not really indoors. It is held in more of an open air patio. There is a far corner that has a roof and walls but it is still open air. To be inside and away from were you can't see the fireworks, you would need to go into the restroom as there is not really place to be indoors nearby. There is a table service place on one side and Monster Laugh Floor around the corner.

 

[A and J's Mom]

Too bad the location is entirely open. I had started to look forward to those desserts! Maybe next time...

I do like the idea about plugging into my phone. I might need to load in a favorite Phineas and Ferb video and give him something "new" to do on the phone that night.

Thanks for the info and ideas!

 

[livndisney]

Too bad the location is entirely open. I had started to look forward to those desserts! Maybe next time...

I do like the idea about plugging into my phone. I might need to load in a favorite Phineas and Ferb video and give him something "new" to do on the phone that night.

Thanks for the info and ideas!

Have you considered viewing the fireworks from the poly beach or from the landing at the TTC? It is much quieter.

 

[Lisa71]

There are several fireworks cruises you could do as well as the aforementioned beach areas. The Pirates cruise or a private one would be nice.

 

[A and J's Mom]

I love the idea of going to the Poly or watching from a cruise. DS just isn't ready for that yet. He's terrified at the sight of the fireworks, so we need to be inside a building. I did a quick search and see that Tony's has an 8:45 opening the night we were planning on a 9:00 wishes. This will work out great. We'll go have a special "late night" treat of pizza. My husband and son can still enjoy the fireworks too. It isn't a dessert party, but the little guy will be happy!

Thanks for all the suggestions and help with the dessert party location info. It helped quite a lot.

 

[livndisney]

I love the idea of going to the Poly or watching from a cruise. DS just isn't ready for that yet. He's terrified at the sight of the fireworks, so we need to be inside a building. I did a quick search and see that Tony's has an 8:45 opening the night we were planning on a 9:00 wishes. This will work out great. We'll go have a special "late night" treat of pizza. My husband and son can still enjoy the fireworks too. It isn't a dessert party, but the little guy will be happy!

Thanks for all the suggestions and help with the dessert party location info. It helped quite a lot.

Glad you found something that works. If that doesn't work, Captain Cooks is the food court like area at Poly. It is inside and right near the beach area. It connects to the lobby so your son could be totally inside away from fireworks.

 

[buckeev]

Try not to fret too much. Our 13 y/o autistic son was absolutely terrified of fireworks at that age! He is now the first to get in line for fireworks, parades, characters...etc.
Every kid adapts-changes at his or her own rate, but be encouraged, it should get better.
The headphone/ earbuds worked good for us too..(noise canceling). On our 2003 trip, while in the parks I carried a portable DVD player and extension cord to keep it charged just for him to block out many noises he couldn't tolerate at that point in his life.
Best of luck, and blessings!

 

[Mikey'swife]

The good thing is that under the patio type cover your child can seat and while they can see and hear they are more secluded. My son laid his head in my lap while the family went to the rail to watch. He was ready to go but he could tolerate it since he was not in the thick of a crowd.

I would request a table towards the back so when the crowd goes forward one parent can stay at the table.

Good luck.

 

[ElizabethG]

My DS hates them too. Oddly, that was one of my biggest reasons for buying DVC. We can watch them from our room at BLT. DS will watch them from inside, but not from the balcony. If we are in the park, we just go into one of the stores. Last time we tried to time it to be on Haunted Mansion during the fireworks. We missed most of them and it was easy to get on the ride because everyone left the line to watch the fireworks.

 

[of2dbeach]

I posted this too because my DD* is very sansative yet not Autistic. Her brother is 18 and Autistic and he LOVES the fireworks but she freaks totaly out. this time we are going to try getting her a Ipod for her bday and see if that help her. we tried my DH headphones we use at the Races and she said she could still hear them and coward in the kitchen under the table this 4th of July
We have used ear plugs and they didnt work either. I will ask my sons Behavior Specialist if he knows of anything else we can try even being in the stores didnt help her. Sucks cause thats my special time , but she is getting better

 

[SweetFeetandTailwind]

Awww I feel you on this....we were stuck in Fantasyland last Christmas during fireworks and everything was roped off so my son just screamed and had tears rolling down his face. I do plan to buy headphones ahead of time this year and I think maybe ducking into Tony's for pizza is a great idea!

 

[kylmac]

I feel for you-both of my kids (dd12) and (ds9-autistic) were both terrified of fireworks-we left WDW early or during the fireworks because of bad timing with both children crying. DS now is okay with them and can handle them better from the BLT tower. He stims mostly anyway and does not even watch them. The idea of a distraction will probably work best-our ds loves to watch movies from my ipod so the headphones are a great idea as well. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Elizabeth

 

[persimmondeb]

The dessert party works well for us, but my DS16 enjoys the fireworks, just not the crowds. Add in chocolate, and he's in heaven.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

The crowd at the dessert party likes to take over the railings, even though everyone was given specific seating. You are still outside, I don't think he would be interested in this type of setting. The fireworks will be loud in this area.

Dinner at Tony's sounds like a much better idea. You can always get him some dessert from there.

 

[Muddypaws]

It was during Wishes last February that my autistic ds11 watched fireworks for the first time. Normally we will bring his DS or an iPod with good headphones and he will crawl under a jacket or a blanket when the fireworks go off. Worked well for everyone - our dd10 got to watch the fireworks and we could keep our son close by, but he wouldn't be bothered by the sound and lights. Last year, though, he voluntarily came out from under a jacket and just put the orange foamy ear plugs in to mute the sound. He still stuck pretty close to us (preferably with mom or dad's arms tight around him), but it was a big step for him that took a lot of pressure off of everyone.

 

[zaksmom]

When my son was younger, the fear of the sight of fireworks was really the anticipation of the loud sounds. He's pretty much worked through it now. In the past he has used an ipod with earphones and then ear muffs over it - the kind people use when on the rifle range. He still takes the earmuffs whenever he has concerns that something might be loud.
I have also read that watching the fireworks from the ferry boat landing on the Ticket and Transportation side of the water is very pretty. Then you can just walk to your car after it is over and avoid the huge crowds.
Have fun.