As some may know from reading my trip report, our last trip to WDW wasn't as magical as I would've liked it to be. Though he's always had some issues, it wasn't until this trip that my son's recent autism diagnosis became something that changed the way we vacationed.
In order to best explain my question I (somewhat unfortunately) need to share a little detail as to what made the trip so rough. Generally, to keep my son happy, the trip essentially became a very expensive shopping spree with more time spent in shops than visiting rides/attractions. We also had a very scary event happen on our first night where my son attempted to leave my car whilst going 45mph down World Blvd. When things were going well and we weren't shopping it was because we were spending time at the AoA pools.
Though we didn't realize it in the moment we've since come to realize that most of the problems we experienced in January were most likely due to sensory overload (something we hadn't had issues with in the past). Generally the craziness of days in the parks, waiting in lines (or waiting for our DAC to tell us it was time to come back), the masses of people, the sheer volume (sound) of being in a Disney park and a mix of the anxiety he experienced as a result coupled with his excitement of being back in his favorite place was just too much for him.
Because we frankly can't afford to drop $3k on a trip and then spend an additional $1.5k on "stuff," we had to make the decision to not return for a bit until we can get some of these things a little better under control.
Of course this decision has lead me to investigating other vacation options, both Disney and otherwise. I keep coming back to the option of a Disney Cruise but quite honestly am not sure what to expect. I've read lots of trip reports and gotten the DVDs but I'm still not sure. My husband's biggest concern is a bit morbid and regards the ability to take a leap into the ocean but I'm not sure I share that concern.
After all that explanation I guess here are my main questions:
1) Is there something similar to the DAC in place on the cruises that potentially allows for some sort of considerations to be in place such as possibly having a person who works with my son or, for lack of a better way of putting it, is his shadow while he attends the "kids only" type things?
2) Is the atmosphere on the ships a little less crazy than being in the parks? Is it more laid back? Are there more relaxing/quiet options for kids?
3) Understanding the age "limits" put on the kids only activities, would there be consideration given to allow a child who is in age at one place but in maturity at another (i.e. my son is 9 but would probably enjoy activities meant for those a little younger more than those meant for his age)?
4) Is food always available throughout the day or only at specific meal times? Is food included in the price of the cruise?
5) Just how many souvenir shops are there on the ships?
6) Assuming we chose an option that took us to Castaway Cay, what exactly is that time off the ship like?
Answers to these questions as well as any other information you think may be helpful would be unbelievably appreciated. I'm already suffering from a bit of Disney withdrawal and if cruising would be a good option for us it's something I'll start to consider more seriously. Thanks in advance to everyone!
In order to best explain my question I (somewhat unfortunately) need to share a little detail as to what made the trip so rough. Generally, to keep my son happy, the trip essentially became a very expensive shopping spree with more time spent in shops than visiting rides/attractions. We also had a very scary event happen on our first night where my son attempted to leave my car whilst going 45mph down World Blvd. When things were going well and we weren't shopping it was because we were spending time at the AoA pools.
Though we didn't realize it in the moment we've since come to realize that most of the problems we experienced in January were most likely due to sensory overload (something we hadn't had issues with in the past). Generally the craziness of days in the parks, waiting in lines (or waiting for our DAC to tell us it was time to come back), the masses of people, the sheer volume (sound) of being in a Disney park and a mix of the anxiety he experienced as a result coupled with his excitement of being back in his favorite place was just too much for him.
Because we frankly can't afford to drop $3k on a trip and then spend an additional $1.5k on "stuff," we had to make the decision to not return for a bit until we can get some of these things a little better under control.
Of course this decision has lead me to investigating other vacation options, both Disney and otherwise. I keep coming back to the option of a Disney Cruise but quite honestly am not sure what to expect. I've read lots of trip reports and gotten the DVDs but I'm still not sure. My husband's biggest concern is a bit morbid and regards the ability to take a leap into the ocean but I'm not sure I share that concern.
After all that explanation I guess here are my main questions:
1) Is there something similar to the DAC in place on the cruises that potentially allows for some sort of considerations to be in place such as possibly having a person who works with my son or, for lack of a better way of putting it, is his shadow while he attends the "kids only" type things?
2) Is the atmosphere on the ships a little less crazy than being in the parks? Is it more laid back? Are there more relaxing/quiet options for kids?
3) Understanding the age "limits" put on the kids only activities, would there be consideration given to allow a child who is in age at one place but in maturity at another (i.e. my son is 9 but would probably enjoy activities meant for those a little younger more than those meant for his age)?
4) Is food always available throughout the day or only at specific meal times? Is food included in the price of the cruise?
5) Just how many souvenir shops are there on the ships?
6) Assuming we chose an option that took us to Castaway Cay, what exactly is that time off the ship like?
Answers to these questions as well as any other information you think may be helpful would be unbelievably appreciated. I'm already suffering from a bit of Disney withdrawal and if cruising would be a good option for us it's something I'll start to consider more seriously. Thanks in advance to everyone!