Disney question!!! | Autism PDD
You got a grump. We went to Disneyworld about 6 weeks ago and this is what happened.
We went to guest services @ Epcot with our pediatrician letter in hand. I nicely asked about the special needs pass as my son has autism.....oh wait I said "I would like information about the spec..." She cut me off with a woosh of her hand! She said "You know this isn't so you can cut in the lines". I was stunned and just stood there for a second. I offered the letter from the doctor and she again she "whooshed" her hand at me. She was darn rude|!!!! We only had one other issue with a castmember and other than that EVERYONE at Disney was great with my son!!!! I sent a letter to disney headquarters about both incidents we had still waiting on a reply.
Pangle - you need to make your dining reservations this very second! Seriously, people call 180 days ahead of their check-in date if they are staying at a WDW resort and lots of time slots for normal dinner hours may already be taken. I got up at 5:50am to make ours precisely 180 days before check in!
Use the sit-down credits for dinners, not breakfasts to maximize your plan's dollars, although you might like a character lunch. Here are our favorites:
- MK - Crystal Palace character buffet, has Pooh, Tigger, and that crew
- MK - Liberty Tree character dinner has Mickey, Goofy, etc
- Cinderella's Royal table has princesses for bfast and lunch, but you are unlikely to get in there. People use the atomic time clock to book it! BUT...you can try. Dinner there has no characters, but is cool eating inside the castle. It does take 2 sit down tickets, though. I'd skip it.
- Disney Studios-ask for the Fantasmic Dinner Package for either of the two restaurants that offer it. Only takes one credit, but it comes with a ticket to primo seating for the Fantasmic laser and firework show. Hollywood and Vine has characters like Little Einsteins and Jojo, and has grown up buffet food plus kiddie buffet stuff. Also, if the only open slot is at 4PM, take it. You can go do shows and rides between the meal and the Fantasmic show. Everyone at the park gets to see the show free, however, you wait FOREVER to get seated...its like a giant amphitheater. The package really gets you a nice viewing spot.
- Grand Gathering - when you have 8 people in your party or more, you get preferential treatment on a number of things. If you plan to do Epcot and watch their laser light show called Illuminations, you can use 2 dinner credits for their international dinner. It has some characters there that offer your kids a chance to get up and dance with them, plus after the meal, the whole dining room leaves the building and goes to a private viewing area for the fireworks and laser show. This is a better way to spend 2 credits apiece than the castle
- Mickey's Backyard BBQ is held across the lake from MK at Fort Wilderness, about 15 minutes dock to dock. This is an outdoor event under canopies, but the characters put on a singing and dancing show. Extremely popular and availabe tuesdays, thursdays, and saturdays. This takes 2 credits, though.
- Hoop Dee Doo musical review - similar to Mickey's BBQ, but indoors. There are no characters, but a bunch of cowboys and cowgirls that put on a comedy, singing, dancing show. They get people out of the audience and turn them into can-can girls, bandits, etc. Kids love it. 2 credits.
The Grand Gathering people are extremely helpful. 407-939-7526
Go buy or check out the book the Unofficial Guide to Disney World! The new edition just came out. If you like what I have typed for you, you will get down on your knees and weep for the info in this thing. The website rocks, too.
LeAnn,you my friend are a God-Sent
The book should be here tomorrow
I am so excited. My unclewho is paying and was planning all this didnt want to make reservations due to his fear the kids might get cranky and us not make it but I called the travel agent today and she is trying really hard to get us into one dinner show a night and also Cinderellas for breakfast(my oldest dd wants too) we are staying at the Animal Kingdow Lodge and are trying to get an upgrade on our room so we can do the safari...he had also just got us 1 park per day tickets and I had her upgrade to hopper tickets. She also got us tickets to the halloween party...thanks to you, I just assumed it was free
How is DownTown Disney? Do you feel the sitter service they provide is trustworthy for a couple hours?
Any MUST DO things you recomend?? There will be six of us, 3 grown ups, 1 5yr old(dd) a 2 year old(Trinity) and also my baby boy who will be 1 while we are there. SORRY ALL...I kinda stole the thread
Im just so excited I feel like a kid!! ...now only if I could just lose a little weight in 3 weeks.... ~
Nicole - glad you are getting fired up! It is so much fun just planning the darn thing. Downtown Disney is fun for grownups, but I would'nt take the kids. The Cirque du Soleil show there is one I haven't seen yet, but the two others I have seen are phenomenal. We've never gotten a sitter, so I have no report on that. Make sure you let the agent know its your 1 year old's birthday. At that age he is still kind of a bug and won't care, but your older kids will. Also remind the desk clerk about that when you check in. They will deliver a baloon bouquet to your room with an autographed picture of his favorite character. He will also get a pin-on button to wear (which is too unsafe for babies), so TELL everyone you meet it is his day. They will let him "drive" the jungle boat and have the whole boatload of people sing to him. Every place you eat, he'll get a cupcake with a candle. Measure your 5 year old in the next week or so if she is on the small side. Some rides require the kid to be 39 inches tall. If she is emotionally a daredevil, but physically too little, you can buy her some (no offense to your child!) street-walker-platform-shoes. Let her run around in tennis shoes until its time for the ride (say, Big Thunder Mountain - the small roller coaster). Pull out the platforms from the backpack and chuck in the tennies. Let her clack her tacky little self all the way to the measuring area. If her head hits 39", she's in. You can swap out shoes after the ride. What not to miss: a break in the middle of the day! Your kids are too small and too many to go full bore all day. The spectro magic parade is not to miss, nor is the Wishes fireworks show at MK. If they've been at the park since 9AM, they will never make it without tantrums or tears. The Fantasmic thing is also at night, as is Illuminations. Do not miss Mickey's Philharmagic at MK. Its a 3D show that is just superb...you can even smell the apple pie! Kids will love Peter Pan and Pooh. Let me PM you since we are boring everyone to tears, here!
Measure your 5 year old in the next week or so if
she is on the small side. Some rides require the kid to be 39
inches tall. If she is emotionally a daredevil, but physically
too little, you can buy her some (no offense to your child!)
street-walker-platform-shoes. Let her run around in tennis shoes
until its time for the ride (say, Big Thunder Mountain - the small
roller coaster). Pull out the platforms from the backpack and
chuck in the tennies. Let her clack her tacky little self all the
way to the measuring area. If her head hits 39", she's in.
You can swap out shoes after the ride. Reading the first post had me nervous, this is our first trip to DW and I was thinking about asking her ST or OT to write us a note for a pass, just in case we needed one...tho she has no official DX she does have SPD and disruptive behavioral disorder, long line would make for a very unhappy girl. We are going the 2nd week in Sep, so I am hoping there wont be too long of lines...also taking DD who is 5 and my DS will be spending his 1st b-day there
Can you rent strollers there? I need a double one. Hate to pack one and take up a bunch of space if we can rent one. Can you rent strollers there? I need a double one. Hate to pack one and take up a bunch of space if we can rent one. [/QUOTE] Definitely rent the double stroller there, it makes life so much easier. Not only will it free up space in your car, but there are trams and subway type things to get from parking to the actual park and trying to drag a stroller on there plus little ones is a big pain. Just carry the kids until you get in the park and then rent a stroller, much easier. Also they have transportation that goes from your hotel to the various parks. I STRONGLY suggest you check out the book The Unofficial Guide to Disney World and use one of their touring plans. [/QUOTE] DITTO! This book was a godsend. We went spring break and prepared for the worst but between the pass and this book it was a piece of cake! BTW - the pass is good for 7 people. Well-That sounds like a great experience. I hesitated even thinking about getting a card/pass. However, I never, ever, abuse privileges of any kind and am always following the rules. I might like to maybe enjoy a privilege or two!!! My son will have just turned three at the time, and we will be a party of 8!!!! Me, my husband, 11/9 year old girls, 7/4/3 year old boys and one almost 18 year old mothers helper!!! Not sure how it will work with such a large group. We never get away and it will be during Christmas break, so I know there will be crowds. Just thought if it could take some edge off it will help. I can't get him to hand me a ball much less wait in line for an hour. Ditto. We went to guest services and got the pass. No cost. They were very polite and accomodating. Didn't ask for any kind of proof. What they sent you is the official statement about the pass. I think that actually might be written on the pass. You can use the pass at all of the Disney Parks. They have to say that, otherwise people would expect immediate access to a ride. Not really fair to the general public - our kids CAN tolerate some waiting, otherwise they would never leave the house. Be super polite when you use the card with the CM at the line entrance...just ask if there might be a quieter or less lengthy line you could use. They will usually send you right over to FastPass where you WILL wait a bit, but its fine. Quick. You can do this with the photos with characters too. They usually will say, okay, we'll let you know and stand you off to the side. Then, they will let like the next 2 kids in line do the character, then you & any other special needs kids. They do this whole thing pretty smoothly so you are not stoned to death by the throngs of parents. You can also use this to sit in handicapped seating so that you are close to the door when a 3D movie or some show lets out (or your kid cannot handle it and need to bail). Show it to your server at the restaurant and s/he will expedite your order. Everyone is sooooooooo kind. We DID get immediate access once to a ride. It was extra Magic Hours start-up time and although we were staying at a DW resort, didn't know we had to go get orange wrist bands. We waited in line for Pooh (we try not to use the card unless its necessary - trying to teach our kids to wait) and when we got to the CM, he said - oh gosh! you need a wristband to stay in line! The line for the wristbands is over there. And there it was, the line from hell. We got out of the Pooh line, and Cole started crying and saying, "I want to ride Pooh, please! Please!" over and over and over. God, he was crying! DH got in thw wristband line with Jack while I hauled Cole and his card to the CM up front. Told her what happened. She gets down on one knee and asks my son, "Cole, sweetie? Do you want to go see Pooh right now?" He snuffles "yes please" in between sobs, and she says FOLLOW ME! WHERE'S DH? I show her DH and she tells him she'll be back. She takes Cole and me past the FastPass line, behind the exit area, and onto the loading zone. She gives some secret baseball hand signal and they stop loading. With big smiles on their faces for him, they put Cole and me in the very front seat, and she tells us she'll take us back to DH after we have a great ride. Okay, I AM NOW THE ONE IN TEARS. My kid went from despondency to pure, starlit joy in 30 seconds flat. When we exited, she took us to the front of the wristband line and banded us. When I asked where DH and Jack were, she said right after we got on, she banded them and immediately put them on the ride too. I have never kissed another adult woman on the lips, but nearly did so right then! Disney World is awesome! If you are going at Christmas, it is going to be very, very crowded. I STRONGLY suggest you check out the book The Unofficial Guide to Disney World and use one of their touring plans. That special needs pass will cut down your wait time, but not entirely. Also, that pass is only good for 5 people, I think, so maybe you OUGHT to bring a doctors note just as extra ammo. They may write on your card that you guys are a big family. The crows wandering about are something to know about, too. Following the book's suggested "itineraries" for which rides to go to and when, you can literally trim hours off the wait times, particularly on crowded holiday weeks. They also have a website where you can input the actual date of your particular trip, which park you want to see that day, and even which touring plan you like (one is called Dumbo or Die in a Day!). The program spits out a specific itinerary for your family on that day. Recommends eating places, tells you where to watch parades, etc. The site is touringplans.com, and most of their tips are free. To get a custom plan printed out, I think its 7 bucks for the whole year. Well worth it to know how to avoid the crowded lines! Also, you CAN bring snacks, nonalcoholic beverages, and even a small cooler into the park. The wait times at the food places may be bad - a little juice box or pretzels while you wait would really help your son out. We are headed back for Mardi Gras week and am already fired up! I have read alot on this board about great trips and experiences at Disney. So tickets are bought and house in check, I wrote and asked about the guest pass and the person wrote back: The Guest Assistance Card is available to our Guests with non-apparent, Did I get a grump?? Do I have to purchase one????? I mean now I am nervous. Thanks Im pretty sure she is tall enough but either way, Desting(my oldest) has a hard time going on the little kids Veggie Tales rollercoaster at DollyWood. So I dont see her wanting to go on anything fast or scary at all
That did remind me tho of the last time I was at DollyWood and they had just opened a new huge rollercoaster, I was nervous about it even. There was this little boy next to me in a pair of those shoes with the wheels in them his dad had him take the wheels down so he would be tall enough (he was 6) so he got to ride He also had his hair spiked up.No way if he took off those shoes and flatened out his hair would he have been able to ride. He rode next to me. The whole time I wasn't freaking out about the coaster but about if he flew out of his seat if I could reach him!! I know it was impossible but I went theu every senerio in my mind...
That said, if you use the right touring plan, you can get through busy days with minimized waiting. THis is the best 7 bucks I've ever spent! I copied the free piece you need and stuck in below. The first number is the crowd level, the next column is which parks they DO recommend that day, next column is where the crowds will be the worst, last column in special events going on...usually an evening party. Monday September 10 looks a bit icky, but your other days are pretty good. If you are choosing a day to rest at the hotel, I'd shoot for this level 6 day. Oh, and it looks like you will be there for the season's first Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party on the 14th! You are either crazy or just laden down with too many children if you miss this. F U N. Gotta buy extra tickets...better make sure with DW that they aren't sold out yet. http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=0
For all you FL residents--How is the weather around Sep. 10-15? Also we are going with a package that includes your meals, do you think we should make resevations? I was worried about making plans and something happining with DD and having to cancel.I am worried about what they offer,since so eats so less...hate for her to only eat junk all week. One more thing---I notice there are alot of shows to attend...any that you all would recomend for a 1,2 and 5 yr old?? I really wanted to see Cirqu de So le(sp?) Not to sure if the kids would dig it. Our hotel offers sitter services but dont know the age range and REALLY would be nervous to leave Trinity. My uncle is going also,he said he would watch the kids one night so we could go to the Downtown part...hows that area?? >>>The stroller pass--we went to the guest services desk (this was at SEA
I have to disagree with this advice. I'm sorry, but the height
restrictions are there for your child's safety. While a "slight"
height increase from a shoe's sole isn't a big deal - wearing higher
"platform" type sneakers/shoes to make it in the ride can cause the
ride's restraints to hit at the wrong place and could increase the risk
of injury to a child. Just my thoughts on this as a frequent
Disney park goer.
breeze to Sea World) was also a sign we hung on the stroller that
essentially made her stroller a wheelchair. So, we could sit in the
handicap seats (by the door, and also for Sea World at the top) & bring
stroller where they usually are not permitted. This was a HUGE help, and
we'd have missed out on the shows w/o it.
I will warn you...there may be times that you get looks & may even
overhear comments. This woman looked at me & my family &
commented to her father (loud enough to be sure I'd hear her) "This is
supposed to be ONLY handicapped seating!" I just glared at her, and
the show began. Mind you, at this point, dd was sound asleep in her
stroller getting a TUBE FEED! The lady couldn't see this, but still, come up
to me & gently say "this is ony for handicapped" & then I can explain WHY
I am here. What really ticked me off...her father wasn't even really
handicapped, well, I mean not permanently. He had a cast on his lower
leg. 
After they left, I told dh what she had said, he was floored. I was
thankful I waited until after they left to tell him! Hello Sea World
security... 
Have a GREAT trip! Tell us all about it when you get back. We are
planning to head there in the spring.Is that a sign you get there?No...you don't purchase it. You go to guest services (right outside of the gate) tell them that you need a pass for your special child. They ask what would make your life easier - you say he has a hard time standing and waiting in the heat...bypass lines. That's all there is to it. I took a letter from our ped. neuro. with the dx and that he has a hard time waiting, but didn't need it. We go all the time to Disney...we have season tix to the annheiser-busch parks too.
special assistance needs (i.e., autism, heart condition, etc.).
Depending on a Guest's need, this card may provide a variety of
assistance such as allowing Guests to wait in a shaded area, or
providing admission to our attractions through auxiliary entrances,
where applicable. However, the intention of this card has never been to
bypass attraction wait times, or to be used by Guests with a noticeable
service need.
Fri, 07 Sep '07
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WORLD), explained dd's diagnoses (had med letter to back up, which we
did not need) & they gave us both the pass for lines (didn't need, park
was not too crowded when we went, yey!) & the stroller placard. It was to
show the staff when we were going to shows, so we could be seated in
the handicapped area. The rule at Sea World is for strollers to be parked
outside of the auditoriums (or whatever those stage & bleachers places
are called!), so to even get through the entrance w/ a stroller, we needed
that pass.
I would call Disney ahead of time, & ask if they offer this type of service.
Find out also about the rules on the ride pass--at Sea World, they asked
for dd's height (34 inches or something at the time) & the pass was
specifically written for those rides ONLY. So, there were only like 3 or 4
rides we'd have gotten a break on--if she was too short/young for a ride,
we (I guess obviously) could not use that pass. Just an fyi...
HAVE A BLAST!! Each time I hear about positive experiences, I get more
excited for our trip. Honestly, had it not been for this board & everyone
talking about their trips to Sea World, Disney, et al, and how they survived
it (lol!), that's the only reason we took a chance & hit Sea World. We made
great memories & had an awesome time.
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