WOC and Asperger's

[Minuet888]

my 5 year old is autistic and had trouble with crowds and waiting etc. We ate dinner at Ariel's and had a Guest Assistance card for him. We asked a xastmember what to do with our son and explained his problems.
We sat in the handicapped section. There wasn't a lot in the handicapped section but it is a wide open area and he didn't feel as claustrophobic and he got to sit down the entire time. He has a vtech and PSP that he plays if he is waiting or is in an overstimulating environment (took him to a Giant's baseball game, wide open area but too much noise and too many people) so when he gets antsy he plays the vyech or psp, it allows him to redirect and focus on something smaller and it works like a charm.
so my suggestion is get a guest assistance card and ask to sit in the handicap section.

EDIT: to answer the questions of the poster above me we didn't wait in line long before we were taken to our section we just kind of timed it right. Once we were seated it was about an hour (I think) then they had the pre-show but I'm not sure if they have the pre-show anymore. But as I mentioned my son had things to keep him focussed and entertained plus they sell merchanside things so we bought he wanted so he had something "fresh" to play with.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Looks like most of the options have been covered!!

We stayed at the PPH & asked for a park view room. We were able to watch the show from our room (the music is sychronized on the tv)....you aren't able to see any of the projections but it's still a wonderful view.

To see the show from the viewing areas, you can either get the "free" FP's up at GRR or do the picnics or the dining packages. Every colored area has the handicapped sections. The person with the GAC is able to sit on the benches, while the rest of your party stands behind them.

It's a beautiful show & hopefully you'll be able to experience it & your son enjoys it!! Good luck!!

 

[BethanyF]

I would love for my DS12 (high functioning autism and anxiety disorder) to be able to see WOC without the sardine-like standing conditions. How long did you have to wait in the line before you could show the CM your GAC, and then how long did you wait in the disabled section before the show started? I would love to try this in June, but I need to prepare my daughter for the time we will have to wait.

We were able to use my son's GAC (and blue FP's) with no line waiting. We did have to wait 30 minutes or so for the show to start.

What we did was get FP's each morning (we were staying at VGC) in case DS was up to trying to see the show. On our second day, he wanted to try so we headed in that direction about 40 minutes before show time. When we got there, we showed the CM the GAC and he directed us to a section that was empty at the time and said DS (the cardholder) was the only one allowed on the bench if the area filled up. If it didn't fill, we were welcome to sit on the bench as well. At the end of the show, we stayed in the section until we were kindly asked to move along so they could start letting the second show in. The wait was just long enough to let the crowd somewhat disperse so we could move out of the area without too much of a crowd crush.

It worked out great for us. Granted it was chilly the night we went, so that may have contributed to the lower crowd.

 

[disneydenisel]

Thank you for the replies ! I am excited that we can get the FPs (we are staying at VGC, so I should be able to dash over there to get them) and use the GAC to get a spot where she can sit without being a sardine. Is there a color of FP that is better than any other? I suppose I have to reread the WOC Superthread before we go in June.

She can listen to her iPod with her headphones while waiting. I imagine it will be crowded, but maybe there will be two shows in the summer?

Thanks again. Less nervous now .

 

[nunzia]

Thank you for the replies ! I am excited that we can get the FPs (we are staying at VGC, so I should be able to dash over there to get them) and use the GAC to get a spot where she can sit without being a sardine. Is there a color of FP that is better than any other? I suppose I have to reread the WOC Superthread before we go in June.

She can listen to her iPod with her headphones while waiting. I imagine it will be crowded, but maybe there will be two shows in the summer?

Thanks again. Less nervous now .

..I know I already said this, but since you are staying at VGC do not forget that 6th floor viewing area. It was very peaceful and uncrowded when we were there, really neat view of the fountains (not projections) music piped in and bathrooms right there. This is also a great option if you want to see the show multiple times and not be in the crowd.

 

[OrthoDad]

I wish everyone the best of luck in deciding what is best for your special needs kids.

Our 2 sons have CP, in wheelchairs, and we have used the disabled section for WoC. While it IS better than the standard viewing area, it is not a wide-open space, either. We were packed in there pretty tight. And, we had to get there fairly early as well, since we needed to get to the front of the section, so that no one was standing right in front of the wheelchairs.

Now, this may have been because of the time of year when we were there, but it was a long wait, with a lot of people there.

Again, I hope you find something that works for your family.

Wade

 

[Minuet888]

I wish everyone the best of luck in deciding what is best for your special needs kids.

Our 2 sons have CP, in wheelchairs, and we have used the disabled section for WoC. While it IS better than the standard viewing area, it is not a wide-open space, either. We were packed in there pretty tight. And, we had to get there fairly early as well, since we needed to get to the front of the section, so that no one was standing right in front of the wheelchairs.

Now, this may have been because of the time of year when we were there, but it was a long wait, with a lot of people there.

Again, I hope you find something that works for your family.

Wade

we weren't crowded in our area, we were there the first week of August. Maybe we were in a different colored handicapped section or there just was as many handicapped people for that showing. Sorry that you were squished that day, but it was a decent open space for us

 

[FireWoman]

I have an Aspie DS8, and we just returned from DL. We enjoyed WOC, and found that the handicapped area would be ideal (I didn't know about GAC, but that would've helped in a lot of instances...), since it was pretty vacant at the later showing. Also, since my DS is sensitive to sound and overstimulation, we enjoyed (a great deal!) the fireworks from in between DL and CA. He loved it. It was loud, but not a killer.

 

[KPeveler]

Sometimes for Fantasmic they will have people with GACs in the wheechair viewing - this area is all the way to one side and is usually VERY crowded. Only wheelchairs are allowed to be along the front rail, with everyone else standing behind. Even people with GACs are not allowed along the front. Most of the area has bushes along the rail, so you cannot see while sitting on the ground. There are sometimes benches but they are so far down you can barely see Mickey from there. I would not count on this as an option for a child with Aspergers, especially with sensory concerns. I have sensory issues in addition to my wheelchair and I get there extra early so as to be beside one of the rope or rocks, so I have a little space.