WOC and Asperger's

[Ctsplaysinrain]

I need some advice on this as well. We will be going next week Thurs- Sat.I will be there with my DH and 2 sons- 13, 15.
My older son has Asperger's- he cannot handle crowds especially chaotic ones.. We can never see the fireworks or parades at WDW. We will be staying at Paradise Pier. I have looked at the menu's for the picnics and the restaurants and I'm not sure I see any menu items that will work for the kids either- very, picky... Ariel's looks like a possibility but since it's a princess meal- I'm sure this will just upset them. We cannot even walk near the castle at WDW anymore because of all the "princess hysteria" his obsession with this is worst than most teen boys. If we get the dinner res- is it true you still are standing in a crowd to watch WOC or is it like the dessert party at WDW? - only time we have ever been able to watch the fireworks... It would be best perhaps if we can stand somewhere out of the crowds and still kinda see the show.....or at least somewhere we can escape easy if needed.. Anyone have any strategies and advice they can offer?

 

[ShaunaM]

.. the princesses do not come to Ariels for the WOC meal they are there earlier in the day. I have not done WOC yet but from what I gather you are still in a "crowd", standing room only where as F! you can pay for preferred seating.Perhaps one option would be to watch WOC from behind back by the fun wheel...you would probaly miss a lot of the aspects ofthe show but it would certainly give you less crowds and an escape route.

 

[LavenderPeach]

The WOC dinner at Ariels does not have the princesses, that is only for lunch now. But it is still crowded in the preferred dining area. I think it's probably slightly less crowded but there are definitely crowds. I've never watched it from anywhere else so I can't help with other non crowded possibilities. I know some people have just watched the show from the back, which means you see the fountains but not the projections but i don't know how crowded it is back there. Hope that helps.

 

[katesorad]

I need some advice on this as well. We will be going next week Thurs- Sat.I will be there with my DH and 2 sons- 13, 15.
My older son has Asperger's- he cannot handle crowds especially chaotic ones.. We can never see the fireworks or parades at WDW. We will be staying at Paradise Pier. I have looked at the menu's for the picnics and the restaurants and I'm not sure I see any menu items that will work for the kids either- very, picky... Ariel's looks like a possibility but since it's a princess meal- I'm sure this will just upset them. We cannot even walk near the castle at WDW anymore because of all the "princess hysteria" his obsession with this is worst than most teen boys. If we get the dinner res- is it true you still are standing in a crowd to watch WOC or is it like the dessert party at WDW? - only time we have ever been able to watch the fireworks... It would be best perhaps if we can stand somewhere out of the crowds and still kinda see the show.....or at least somewhere we can escape easy if needed.. Anyone have any strategies and advice they can offer?

You're definitely still within the crowd for sure. Is is quite possible, though, that if you call guest services, they may be able to come up with an alternate plan for you to watch World of Color, especially if you were already planning on possibly paying for one of the dinner packages.

 

[sonnyjane]

The WOC dinner at Ariels does not have the princesses, that is only for lunch now. But it is still crowded in the preferred dining area. I think it's probably slightly less crowded but there are definitely crowds. I've never watched it from anywhere else so I can't help with other non crowded possibilities. I know some people have just watched the show from the back, which means you see the fountains but not the projections but i don't know how crowded it is back there. Hope that helps.

Just confirming everything Lavender said. WOC dinner does not have princesses, and yes, the preferred area is less crowded than the general viewing areas, but the entire pier area is quite crowded during WOC, especially during the line-up (or as I like to refer to it, "herding") process. As Lavender said, I suppose you could stand on the opposite side, but you wouldn't be able to see the images or hear the sound as it is intended, which is a huge part of the show Maybe call them and see if they have recommendations for this? Surely you're not the first.

 

[krash2501]

My DD8 also has Asperger's and we took her to see WOC last Oct.
We did Arial's and got to stand in the dinning section. It is very crowded and at time people are literly standing almost on top of you. For our daughter we had to put a snuggy like blanket with a hood on it so that she could focus on the show more instead of seeing everything thats going on around her. This worked fairly well. The hard part for her was the waiting, and the line up to wait... I had my wife take her out of the crowds from time to time to calm her down untill the show started.

Hope that helps

 

[LisainCalifornia]

Hi Debbie,
I have a daughter with Aspergers. She is 14. Do you get a Guest Assistance Card for your son? We get one for our daughter, and that is how we are able to do Disneyland with her. We had never used our GAC for show, but we used it for the World of Color the last two times we were there and it worked perfectly for her. The first time around we ordered the picnics, and got our fastpasses that way. Once we got in (blue section) I went to a cast member and presented our GAC, and she led us over to a roped in enclosure (wheelchair access) and that is where we see the show from. It was perfect for my daughter, because although the crowds were very big, this is a rectangle of space that doesn't get too crowded, so she didn't feel so anxiety ridden about the experience.

Our next trip was Thanksgiving week (it was a madhouse at DL--more people than we had ever seen) and we didn't do the picnics. Instead we just got fastpasses by Grizly River Run in California Adventure. Even with the massive crowds, we got our fast pass in under 5 minutes (we got Blue section again), and I was glad we didn't pay for the picnics that time. It was easy, actually!

This time we knew how it worked, and we didn't line up hours early like the first time we saw WOC. We lined up at the time it said to be there on the fast pass, and once we got in we showed our GAC, and we were placed in the disabled section again. It works very well.

If I were you, I wouldn't worry about the premium dining at Ariels. It sounds like your child would not enjoy it. The picnics are not so much for the food, but the ease of getting a fastpass without standing in line for it. My kids didn't really like the picnics either, but I was glad to have the fastpass that first time.

 

[momstable]

My DS17 has NLD, same spectrum as Asperger's, and he would not have dealt well with the crowding for WOC. (Took DS13 without older boy).

If you can utilize the GAC pass, as the other poster suggested, that might work. Other things to think about, the show has intense special effects. It projects scenes of Disney films...including princess ones. The fire effects are intense enough to feel the heat. Also watching the later showings might be less crowded then the earliest one.

On possibility, when I stayed at Paradise Pier in September (with friends), we could see WOC from our room window. It was at a distance and from the back, but we were able to clearly see the water and fire effects, though not the film clips. You might have your son watch it from the hotel one night and get his feelings on whether he would be comfortable with a more up close view the next night.

As for food. Yeah, mine is very picky, too. Mostly about texture, but some about flavor. I'm pretty sure he doesn't taste the same tastes I do when he eats. Ariel's is decorated with fish and ocean life not Ariel or princesses. The chefs are amazing about creating stuff that will work for you. We have had a lot of food issues over the years and Disney has been amazing about working with us. Plain chicken breast...they'll do it. Naked pasta noodles - they'll do that, too. They won't adjust the price, however, so you have to be prepared to pay too much for what your kid will eat. We have had very good luck with the Goofy's Kitchen buffet. I wish you the best luck on this.

Having said all that, this last year I've had annual passes for me and my younger son, left the older one at home with daddy. That way my fellow Disney lover kid and I could make some Disney memories without having to cater to the needs of the older son - who had quality time with his dad in the familiar home environment. Win-win. We had to wait until he was old enough to deal with being by himself during the day, however.

 

[nunzia]

There is a viewing area at the Grand Californian..I don't know if PP guests have access, but maybe that is something Guest Services can help you with. It is very pretty up there and not crowded at all..at least it wasn't when we were there, and they have restrooms. However, the projections are not seen very well at all. This could still be a good compromise for you, so you can see the show but not have your son so agitated. Any WOC options will be crowded and yes, there are loud noises and many different effects. My grandson who has Aspergers did just fine with Fantasmic, and he didn't seem super bothered by the crowds, but each kid is different. If the problems are really severe could one parent do something else with your son while the other watches a show and then switch off another night? At this point ,I'd say the Grand Californian viewing area might be your bestn bet...unless they have an area that can be away from the crowds for these types of circumstances.

 

[Love Tink]

Does anyone know if there a similar area, where you can use a GAC card, for Fantasmic?

I have two ADHD sons and we've always just used touring strategies to deal with lines, and never thought our situation required a GAC. But shows and parades are the worst. Trying to get them to wait a long time, sitting still, in close quarters is really difficult. More than once we've given up. Being able to access an area where there was a little more elbow room would be wonderful.

 

[iheartdisney]

I've watched it under the Silly Symphony Swings, and it is a pretty good veiwing area. You can kind of see the projections, but not the circle ones that pop up. The music and fountains are beautiful though, which is my favorite part! The CMs will come along and turn the benches down there around so they face the water, and then it is like your own private veiwing box!

 

[iheartdisney]

Does anyone know if there a similar area, where you can use a GAC card, for Fantasmic?

I have two ADHD sons and we've always just used touring strategies to deal with lines, and never thought our situation required a GAC. But shows and parades are the worst. Trying to get them to wait a long time, sitting still, in close quarters is really difficult. More than once we've given up. Being able to access an area where there was a little more elbow room would be wonderful.

I'm not 100% positive, and someone can correct me if I am mistaken, but last trip while we were camping out in the "sitting" area, CMs were directing those with wheelchairs down to the dock that the mark twain/ columbia sail from during the day.

 

[sonnyjane]

Does anyone know if there a similar area, where you can use a GAC card, for Fantasmic?

I have two ADHD sons and we've always just used touring strategies to deal with lines, and never thought our situation required a GAC. But shows and parades are the worst. Trying to get them to wait a long time, sitting still, in close quarters is really difficult. More than once we've given up. Being able to access an area where there was a little more elbow room would be wonderful.

Good question. I'm not sure, but there is a separate viewing area for wheelchairs for Fantasmic!, just like for WOC, so it's worth asking! The one I'm thinking of is near the area where you board the two ships in Rivers of America. I'm not sure if they have multiple areas or not. Maybe some of these parents that have already commented have also used the GAC at Fantasmic!

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

Thanks for all the advice.... I see there a few options.. Since our first night is a Wed, we will try and scope things out- we do get a GAC or we will set up near the Silly Swings etc... The dinner seems like the worse choice since not only will it cost $$$$ for the 4 of us- I do not see any benefits from it...

 

[Love Tink]

I remembered why I haven't been as worried about Fantasmic! I've read that while you wait there, you can set out a blanket and sit to hold an area and people don't mind if the kids join you closer to showtime.

Whereas at WOC it sounds more like you all need to get there early to get your spot and then hold it to your last dying man. That's a lot harder in our situation, and has me worried (obviously).

 

[Funball]

I remembered why I haven't been as worried about Fantasmic! I've read that while you wait there, you can set out a blanket and sit to hold an area and people don't mind if the kids join you closer to showtime.

Whereas at WOC it sounds more like you all need to get there early to get your spot and then hold it to your last dying man. That's a lot harder in our situation, and has me worried (obviously).

Actually on WOC it's not like fantasmic, they do not even let you in the area to mark your spot.it's not the same waiting agenda like fantasmic and fireworks for WOC.. it's different.. you have a ticket (FP), that tells you what time to line up, then maybe 30 later they bring you in to your section and you stand there and watch the show.

 

[roobug]

Thanks for all the advice.... I see there a few options.. Since our first night is a Wed, we will try and scope things out- we do get a GAC or we will set up near the Silly Swings etc... The dinner seems like the worse choice since not only will it cost $$$$ for the 4 of us- I do not see any benefits from it...

Actually the dinner might be worth it depending on how sensitive to crowds your son is. We have done WOC 4 times with our sons (one has Asperger's) The times we did the dinner packages were by far the easiest - the Wheel chair area is bigger for the dinner package, it's farther away from the water, there is a large space behind and next to the benches if it does get a little crowded, also there is a planter in front of the area so there are is not anyone standing right in front of you, or behind you. The other WC areas are smaller, and some are REALLY close to the water, and all the other ones have people right in front of them and are fairly narrow so if it's crowded it feels REALLY crowded.

 

[Midnightred]

So glad you posted this! I have 2 autistic sons I am taking to DL this July, and after reading the responses, I just don't feel like they will enjoy the show that much. Maybe we will just shoot for fireworks. I love the tip about the FP, and then the disabled seating area, thanks. MY boys are 7 and 9 yo, and the youngest one is much more severe.

Cheyenne
DLR July 2011
First trip for my family, I haven't been since 1989!

 

[cmwade77]

Does anyone know if there a similar area, where you can use a GAC card, for Fantasmic?

I have two ADHD sons and we've always just used touring strategies to deal with lines, and never thought our situation required a GAC. But shows and parades are the worst. Trying to get them to wait a long time, sitting still, in close quarters is really difficult. More than once we've given up. Being able to access an area where there was a little more elbow room would be wonderful.

For Fantasmic! there is a section for wheelchairs, it is not the best viewing area, but it could work.

For WOC, you could see it from the back (by Toy Story Mania), again, you definitely will not get the best view, but even with the GAC there will be crowds near you. I would suggest calling Guest Relations and asking them what they suggest you do, they are usually extremely helpful with things like this.

 

[disneydenisel]

Our next trip was Thanksgiving week (it was a madhouse at DL--more people than we had ever seen) and we didn't do the picnics. Instead we just got fastpasses by Grizly River Run in California Adventure. Even with the massive crowds, we got our fast pass in under 5 minutes (we got Blue section again), and I was glad we didn't pay for the picnics that time. It was easy, actually!

This time we knew how it worked, and we didn't line up hours early like the first time we saw WOC. We lined up at the time it said to be there on the fast pass, and once we got in we showed our GAC, and we were placed in the disabled section again. It works very well.

This is great information! We are planning a trip to DLR in June and we haven't been there since 2004 (I think). I would love for my DD12 (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.

Since you didn't get the picnic, did you eat afterward or beforehand?

Thanks for any tips. Is there a good thread for folks like us who haven't visited DLR for 7 years ? We are comfortable at WDW but DLR is starting to make me nervous...