WOC Strategy for my DS?

[Luv Bunnies]

DS19 has Asperger's and does not like being touched or bumped by people he doesn't know. We have avoided WOC so far because it seems like a crowded mob scene and he thinks he would be uncomfortable. We have seen Fantasmic several times. A few times we staked out a space early and made sure he had plenty of space with our family surrounding him. On our past few trips, we just went up as the show was starting and either sat at the Riverbelle Terrace or stood off to the side.

We would like to see WOC on our trip in December. What is the best way without being crammed in? We don't necessarily have to stand in the main area and would be fine off to the side. What are some good areas that we can walk up to and still get a decent enough view of the show?

 

[Itinkso]

We watched from the bridge leading to Paradise Pier. If he stood at the rail with family members beside him, he wouldn't feel hemmed in by others. The viewers were only two deep, at most, while respecting the personal space of others.

If he is tall, you can walk up and stand behind others on the bridge. The CMs tape off the viewing area so it doesn't impede traffic on the bridge and there was quite a bit of space. I stood behind another family's stroller (sleeping kid inside) and only one couple stood behind me at almost an arm's length away.

 

[CassieF]

The bridge is a good option, or if you get a DAS card the accessible seating area is significantly less crowded and should allow him space.

 

[Eeee-va]

Several years ago I was actually quite crowded on the bridge, with someone directly behind me, not minding when she touched me, etc.

That said, the area is probably less crowded now and I'm guessing if I (or my mother) would have addressed it with the woman, she probably would have backed off, and there WAS plenty of room for her to stand elsewhere, so yeah. If your group is big enough you should have no problem surrounding him and giving him a "bubble."

There is alternate viewing near Mickey's Fun Wheel--it's not the ideal viewing area because you can't see the projections great, but it will be deserted, so if no crowds is the main priority, that's an option.

Last I heard, there was non-FP space near Ariel's Undersea Adventure that's free for walk-ups, so that would be a possibility too.

 

[Aladora]

We've done WoC four times, twice doing the WCT dinner and twice doing the Carthay dinner. We always go get a spot around 1 hour before the show and have had zero issues getting a spot right up at the railing. I've never found it really crowded and DS (9 yrs old ASD) has never had an issue with people in his personal space. I know that many people do not find the WOC dining worth it in regards to to the viewing area, but I won't watch it from anywhere else.

Three of the four times we have gone have been with our son and if he has been bored waiting, one of us takes him on a ride but we also let him bring his Nintendo DS and play while we wait. The last time it was just me and my SIL so we just sat and chatted while we waited.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Hi, I'm also a 19 year old with autism. I would also try the FP plan

 

[Midnightred]

We have 2 boys with Autism, and we did the WOC dinner at Ariel's. I highly recommend this even though some posters say you don't have to. I felt in our situation it was a must! We waited in the area for less than 1 hour before the show started. I like you are now, was really worried about the crowding, but this just wasn't the case. If I were you, I would save a little protected spot by the rail. When the show starts, let him get by the rail, and you all stand around him to envelope him in. There will be so much activity around, he's going to have plenty to look at before the show starts and will be occupied. My kids like the ear protecting headphones to block out some of the sounds. We all enjoyed WOC and it was the highlight of our trip.

Midnightred

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Thanks for the suggestions! We don't use a DAS because DS is very capable of waiting in lines. It's more of a personal space issue with him. We usually have him stand between us in lines and he's fine. I was more concerned with WOC and how many people try to cram into small spaces. I would hate to get an FP, wait in line, then have him be uncomfortable because people kept cramming up next to us. I think we'll try the PP bridge, or the area in front of Ariel. I did see that area a couple of months ago and it looked like a good option. If it gets too crowded for him, I can easily take him to do something else while DH and younger DS watch the show. Then we won't have wasted a lot of time in line or buying a meal package.