Trip Report (Completed!) This is Autism - When you add a little Pixie Dust!

Hi Everyone!

This will be my first trip report so I am a little nervous. Our family is heading to Disney World in 6 days! It will be myself, my husband and our 2 daughters: Julia who is 11 and Hope who is 4. Hope has severe Autism and SID (Sensory Integration Disorder). Some people think I'm crazy to take Hope to Disney with all of her issues, but I have found Disney to be the greatest therapy for her - she does some amazing things while we are there. This will be her 3rd visit after being diagnosed. I hope I can offer some encouragement (and a little humor) to others who have special needs children and are hesitant to visit Disney.

I have done a pre-trip report on my blog - I don't know if I am allowed to post the link here. I will try to catch up here over the next couple of very busy days! So if any of you are up for the journey with us - welcome!

mary

 

[Figment Forever]

I'm really enjoying your trip report.

However, every time I read the title, all I see in my head is King Leonidas from "300" screaming, "THIS... IS.. AUTISM!!!!!!"

Sorry about that!

 

[Figment Forever]

I'm so in!! Awesome report thus far!!

Thanks for reading! I am looking forward to hearing your adventures as well!

 

[Raven66]

Enjoying the trip report. Hope has a beautiful smile. I love the picture of Julia dancing with Dale. Very sweet. Looking forward to the rest.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Sorry about that!

Oh, don't apologize! It just gives me a smile before I even start to read the latest installment of the report.

 

[Tiggerish]

Lovely photos from CRT, and Garden Grill, too. Hope seems to have really enjoyed the princesses, based on her smile. I especially like the photos of Julia with Pluto and Chip, very sweet.

 

[SweetEvangeline]

Your daughter reminds me so much of my Grace. We take her on so many rides and attractions that stretch her comfort levels. I feel it is extremely important with our special needs kiddos to assume that they can handle it rather than the other way around. The first time we took her on Splash Mountain, she gripped my arm for dear life on that last drop and I felt horrible for scaring her. We took her back the next year and tried it again. She got on willingly, but as soon as the boat started climbing the hill, she started with "uh-oh, uh-oh...all done, all done". She's a trooper and never has a meltdown over things like that, but I think we will avoid that ride this year. Still to this day when we ask her if she wants to ride the big boat, she immediately says "all done". That kid has a memory like a steel trap! My DH and I think it is important for her to understand that we are there to protect her and would never do anything to hurt her or cause her harm.
The pictures of her ignoring the characters for her food are exactly like Grace, too. She really couldn't care less about any of the characters if she is eating! Kudos to you for pushing the limits, but knowing when and where to draw the line. No one else can know our kids like we do, right?!

 

[LondonGopher]

Am enjoying your TR enormously! Thank you for your detailed "reporting" on the GAC stuff. Might open eyes on both sides...I, too, am "mean" with my kid (who also has sensory issues). He knows if he's tall enough, he must try it once. At the very least it makes for some amusing ride photos - well, amusing to me anyway...(insert evil grin here).

And what a pretty Snow White!

 

[Figment Forever]

Enjoying the trip report. Hope has a beautiful smile. I love the picture of Julia dancing with Dale. Very sweet. Looking forward to the rest.

Thank you!

 

[Figment Forever]

Lovely photos from CRT, and Garden Grill, too. Hope seems to have really enjoyed the princesses, based on her smile. I especially like the photos of Julia with Pluto and Chip, very sweet.

Thanks - yes Hope seems to be a "princess" girl.

 

[Figment Forever]

Your daughter reminds me so much of my Grace. We take her on so many rides and attractions that stretch her comfort levels. I feel it is extremely important with our special needs kiddos to assume that they can handle it rather than the other way around. The first time we took her on Splash Mountain, she gripped my arm for dear life on that last drop and I felt horrible for scaring her. We took her back the next year and tried it again. She got on willingly, but as soon as the boat started climbing the hill, she started with "uh-oh, uh-oh...all done, all done". She's a trooper and never has a meltdown over things like that, but I think we will avoid that ride this year. Still to this day when we ask her if she wants to ride the big boat, she immediately says "all done". That kid has a memory like a steel trap! My DH and I think it is important for her to understand that we are there to protect her and would never do anything to hurt her or cause her harm.
The pictures of her ignoring the characters for her food are exactly like Grace, too. She really couldn't care less about any of the characters if she is eating! Kudos to you for pushing the limits, but knowing when and where to draw the line. No one else can know our kids like we do, right?!

Thank you!

I see you are going in October? I will look forward to your TR!

 

[Figment Forever]

Am enjoying your TR enormously! Thank you for your detailed "reporting" on the GAC stuff. Might open eyes on both sides...I, too, am "mean" with my kid (who also has sensory issues). He knows if he's tall enough, he must try it once. At the very least it makes for some amusing ride photos - well, amusing to me anyway...(insert evil grin here).

And what a pretty Snow White!

Yes - I love the ride photos!

 

[Figment Forever]

Ok - I finally figured out Photo Pass! lol Here are a couple from our first 2 days. Here is Magic Kingdom on Day 1.

 

[Figment Forever]

Photo Pass Pictures from Day 2 Epcot:

 

[Tigger19]

Love this trip report!
The last picture you put up there from test track is making me lol! The man at the front is hilarious! Hahaha

 

[Figment Forever]

Love this trip report!
The last picture you put up there from test track is making me lol! The man at the front is hilarious! Hahaha

Isn't he hysterical? I usually try to crop around other people in our pictures, but not this one!

 

[Figment Forever]

Day 3: September 20th Animal Kingdom & DTD


Animal Kingdom has never been more than a one day park for us. But Julia has come to like a lot of the rides and is a dinosaur fan so this year we planned to spend 1 ½ days there. Today was our full day. The hours were 9-7 which I liked. I don’t think we have been there when it has closed later than 5.

Hope was not in the mood for a photo!

We arrived a little past 9 and went right to get fast passes for the safari. We had breakfast ADR’s at Donald’s Safari Breakfast at 9:30, so with our fast passes in hand, we walked over. There was no wait and we headed right to Donald for our picture. I like this breakfast, but I think the driving force to pick this meal was the picture package. I love the fact that with PhotoPass+ that you get all the photo packages included. We had the pictures sent back to our resort so we didn’t have to lug them around all day worrying that they might get damaged. Breakfast was yummy.

A typical breakfast for Hope... She loves her fruit - and she will eat everything on the plate!

Julia's typical breakfast... 4 croissants and a couple of mouthfuls of eggs.

The characters were great.

It’s nice not to have to stand in line for Daisy.

And now... a word about autograph books.


This was a contentious subject for this trip. A few weeks before we left, Disney Parks Online ran a sale on 2013 dated merchandise. It was all 40% off. So I thought I was doing something great when I purchased (2) 2013 autograph books. Unfortunately, when they arrived, they were really just photo albums not an autograph book. I tried to convince Julia to use them anyway but she would have none of it. And since she had her own money to spend, I didn’t argue too much and so she purchased one when we arrived and I got one for Hope too.


I also realized another item I forgot to bring from home – an autograph pen and marker. So I had to purchase one of the thick pens with a Mickey head that somehow jumped from $3.95 last year to 5.95 this year. My husband enjoyed pointing out we had 4 autograph books and a $6.00 pen.

When we were having breakfast at Norway yesterday, Julia caught a glimpse of another autograph book that looked handmade. I admit it was really pretty. I told her she could construct one for our next trip. 4 autograph books were the max for this trip. (Maybe not...)

 

[Goofnut1980]

Great report!!!

 

[Figment Forever]

With our bellies full, we went to catch our safari. Ross actually ran ahead and got fast passes for Expedition Everest.

Now I hate to admit it, but I miss the old poacher skit. As corny as it was, I liked it. But our guide was good and provided great details.

Hope hates animals so I was happy to see her looking around and not wanting to get off the ride.

When we were done, we headed to the Lion King Show.

I am almost embarrassed to admit that last year was the first time we saw this show. I am not sure how we managed to miss it before because it is truly an amazing show. We were seated in the lion section – Hope in her stroller. To my amazement, Hope began to “watch” the show. Up until now, Hope would sit in her stroller and stare out at “things” – whatever would catch her attention. She would find a flickering light just as entertaining to look at as an entire company of Broadway performers. So when I saw her eyes on the action of the show and shifting her head to see certain players I almost fell off my seat! At one point, one of the actors jumped right in front of her into a kneeling position and held up his hand to “high five” – and she did it! We also had a plan that at the end of a show when the audience would clap – whoever was sitting next to Hope would take her hands and encourage her to clap as well. Just magic! By the end, I had tears in my eyes.


I would have opted to see the show again, but I was out voted so off to Dinoland we went.

We stopped for a Mickey Pop.

We got fast passes for Dinosaur, a Julia favorite, and rode Triceratops spin while we waited.

Ahh one mistake was walking into the gift shop. Remember the autograph book from Norway? Well, it wasn’t homemade after all. Sure enough, there it was in the gift shop, at the register on display and of course, Julia wanted it so badly! I couldn’t say no. Julia does not ask for endless toys and trinkets. When she sees something she really likes, she knows it. So I found myself on line to purchase 2 of them. Yes, I got one for Hope too. It was just so darn nice! Ross shook his head. “6 autograph books?” My response: “Yes dear, 6 autograph books.”


Once we managed pass that issue it was on to Expedition Everest. Hope was spared – she didn’t make the height requirement.

But that wasn’t true for Dinosaur – she got to travel back in time with us. It is certain that time travel is not for her!

 

[Goofnut1980]

I just got back 3 weeks ago.. and dont go back for 8 more weeks... it can't come fast enough... I love the pictures and the report! Looks like everyone is having a blast!!!

 

[Figment Forever]

Since we felt we didn’t traumatize her enough with Dinosaur, we headed to Kali River Rapids. The cast member who double checked her height said she was to be the captain of the boat! We had no idea what she was talking about. Turns out, if I am correct, it was a cue for the cast members boarding her to lower down an added lap bar for security. Pretty cool I thought. I started singing this kiddie tune – I think it’s from Yo Gabba Gabba – “We’re going on a boat trip…” Poor Hope she kept shaking her head and saying “no!” But again, the trooper she is, she did it!


Hope was relieved to see Nemo the Musical & It’s Tough To be A Bug.

We headed back to Dinoland...

While Julia and I rode Dinosaur again, Ross and Hope did the triceratops spin.

Time to leave Dino Land.

Our one magic shot of the trip...

Then it was time for dinner. We were hungry. We ate at Yak n Yeti – the sit down restaurant. Our ADR’s were for 6:30 with the park closing at 7:00.



I really like this restaurant. I think the food is amazing. Julia got the tempura shrimp, Ross ordered beef and broccoli and I got the steak and shrimp platter. We all shared with Hope who got the kids lo mien meal. She loves broccoli! Everything was delicious and I think we cleaned all of our plates! The fried wontons for dessert are just soooo yummy!


If I were rating this restaurant on food alone, it would be a 10. It’s weird, I don’t know if it’s just me, but Yak N Yeti just has a different feel than the other restaurants in Disney. The service is good but not Disney. I don’t know if that makes sense? For example, Hope had apple juice with her kids meal. I ordered her a refill and was told I would be charged for it. Really? A kids apple juice? I totally understand if I wanted a milkshake or spectialty drink, but apple juice? No other restaurant had this policy. The server also made it a point to remind us that gratuity was not included in the bill. I understand that this is their part of their pay, but sometimes, it comes out really tacky and annoying.


Another reason why I love leaving the park late because it is so cool to walk out of Animal Kingdom when it is empty. If only the photopass guys were still in front of the tree.


I was so happy to see that there was a bus running directly to DTD. Usually we would have to hop a bus to AKL and then to DTD. So this was really convenient. Of course, the bus dropped us off at West Side area only. But even that was fun. We needed to walk off our Y&Y calories and we had never seen Westside. Julia got a cherry ice. I managed to pick the one spot that didn’t take the Dining Plan. We bought a few souvenirs and had them sent back to the resort – really like this service! Then it was time to head back. We took our first ride on the boat that goes to POFQ. It was so much more enjoyable than the bus!


We settled in our room and then made a quick trip to the food court to refill our mugs and Ross found what was to become his favorite quick service snack: the ice cream cookie sandwich.

Another day gone…

Up next: Magic Kingdom & the Splashdown Meltdown