Thank you Len Testa and the folks from the Unofficial Guide

Lokheed

Lokheed

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
This morning Benjamin had a very special treat. He was joined on his rides at Snow White's Scary Adventures by Len Testa and several other folks from The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. (For those of you keeping track, as of today Ben is up to 1139 rides on SWSA.)

Len was very nice. He had sent me an email asking if we minded him meeting Benjamin, and of course we accepted. I mean sheesh, the Unofficial Guide is how we survived our first visits to the park with Ben. Where else can you research things like "where can I find french fries in the World Showcase?"

We were more than a little surprised and flattered when we hooked up this morning and the crew from the Guide came bearing gifts. A signed copy of the 2006 edition, a baseball cap, a t-shirt signed by lots of cool people, some collector's pins... it was just pretty dang cool.

And I gotta be honest, it was really nice to hang out with a group of people who understand exactly what it is like to see and do the exact same thing over and over and over again in the park.

So anyway, this picture is for Len and the crew. It was a real treat meeting you. By all means look us up again whenever you are in town.

http://www.jamesaxler.com/images/ben_unofficial_guide.jpg
 
dandaman

dandaman

Well-Known Member
Wow! :sohappy: Hope Ben had a very good time!

I can't imagine riding it more than 50 times in my lifetime, myself :hammer:
 
Kwit35

Kwit35

New Member
So how many times do you usually ride per trip? Does Ben tolerate other rides? If so, which ones does he like the best? He is a cutey! Do the CM's all know him?
 
unkadug

unkadug

Follower of "Saget"The Cult
That does sound pretty darn cool !!

I wonder if next years Unofficial Guide will have a special section on riding attractions 1000+ times ?
 
Lokheed

Lokheed

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Kwit35 said:
So how many times do you usually ride per trip?
Click to expand...

We've lived here now for 2 1/2 years, and are in the parks 3-4 times per month. On a typical visit to the Magic Kingdom, he rides SWSA anywhere from 6 - 15 times.

Kwit35 said:
Does Ben tolerate other rides? If so, which ones does he like the best?
Click to expand...

The rule we have established is he can go on SWSA three times, and then he has to go do something else. (He is autistic, btw.) He mostly likes Fantasyland, and particularly likes Mickey's Philharmagic, Dumbo, and Pooh. He will also go on Peter Pan and Small World on occasion. Often we can also get him over to Tomorrowland, where he likes the TTA and Buzz Lightyear. Lately I have even managed to get him over to Epcot, where he especially likes Spaceship Earth. Today he was in such a good mood he even went on Soarin' for the first time, which was huge. He seemed to like it, so hopefully we can get him over there again. I think he is always going to use SWSA as his touchstone grounding spot, but the more we can get him to expand his horizons the better.

Kwit35 said:
He is a cutey! Do the CM's all know him?
Click to expand...
Several of the permanent CM's know him on sight. The interns rotate through so quickly that just as they get familiar with him they tend to disappear. But everyone treats him very well. We couldn't ask for a better place to bring him, where he is happy and engaged and willing to expand his language and social skills.
 
Lokheed

Lokheed

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
unkadug said:
I wonder if next years Unofficial Guide will have a special section on riding attractions 1000+ times ?
Click to expand...

All joking aside, I gather that Ben is going to appear in next year's Guide. Which is pretty wild. :)
 
Kwit35

Kwit35

New Member
I work at a residential school (pictured in my Avatar). Alot of the kids have autism. We use ABA and it would be so awesome to use Disney as a reward. For now, we use the pool, gym, snacks, music, computers...for rewards.
It is funny, my 5 year old is still scared to death of Snow White. The ride that is. She likes POTC though, go figure. We will be there the 26th (tradition), maybe we will see you. :)
 
unkadug

unkadug

Follower of "Saget"The Cult
Lokheed said:
All joking aside, I gather that Ben is going to appear in next year's Guide. Which is pretty wild. :)
Click to expand...

:sohappy: That's GREAT !!

Would that be the 2006 edition or the 2007 ?
 
Nemo14

Nemo14

Well-Known Member
Lokheed said:
This morning Benjamin had a very special treat. He was joined on his rides at Snow White's Scary Adventures by Len Testa and several other folks from The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. (For those of you keeping track, as of today Ben is up to 1139 rides on SWSA.)

Len was very nice. He had sent me an email asking if we minded him meeting Benjamin, and of course we accepted. I mean sheesh, the Unofficial Guide is how we survived our first visits to the park with Ben. Where else can you research things like "where can I find french fries in the World Showcase?"

We were more than a little surprised and flattered when we hooked up this morning and the crew from the Guide came bearing gifts. A signed copy of the 2006 edition, a baseball cap, a t-shirt signed by lots of cool people, some collector's pins... it was just pretty dang cool.

And I gotta be honest, it was really nice to hang out with a group of people who understand exactly what it is like to see and do the exact same thing over and over and over again in the park.

So anyway, this picture is for Len and the crew. It was a real treat meeting you. By all means look us up again whenever you are in town.

http://www.jamesaxler.com/images/ben_unofficial_guide.jpg
Click to expand...
That is so cool! Did Ben understand who they were
 
unkadug

unkadug

Follower of "Saget"The Cult
Kwit35 said:
Well 2006 is already out. Saw it yesterday.:wave:
Click to expand...
I thought that 2006 was already out, I just wasn't sure.

So, I guess we now have another reason to buy the 2007 version.:wave:
 
S

Scott M

New Member
Ben appears to be a very courageous and brave young man. :king:

Aside from all that he deals with, he's willing to ride Snow White's Scary Adventures multiple times! I have enough trouble getting through that attraction just once without that witch getting to me.

All kidding aside, you appear to be very courageous and brave yourself. It's easy to see where Ben gets it from.

Scott
 
B

Brent

New Member
Wow the total is going up fast. You & Ben were so lucky to meet the crew from the guide. Glad to see your doing well & I hope I run into you two when i'm down there in jan.
 

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