Persons with disabilities...and Disney?

Mommy2cooper

Mommy2cooper

Member
My husband is a disabled combat vet. Being around large crowds is really uncomfortable for him. I talked with Disney before I made the reservations and they said no problem they'd work with us. Now I wonder how this will work? Any ideas?? I admire my husband for being so great and going because our little boy wants to go, but I really don't like the idea of him being uncomfortable or even having panic attacks and such...I'm really nervous about this as it is our first trip ever to Disney...

Also forgot to add my son really wants to see the Fantasmic show...and fireworks. Hubby however needs to be on an end isle...otherwise he starts having serious anxiety and that in combination with fireworks could be dangerous for panic attacks...how would this work?
 
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Mommy2cooper

Mommy2cooper

Member
Original Poster
That's what I was sorta' thinking...I figured we'd take advantage of the pool right after lunch and rest time. Go back to the park afterwards and then back and sleeeep LOL
 
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tlev

tlev

Well-Known Member
I too want to say thank you to your husband for his service. I hope you have a very enjoyable vacation. I read about your reservations at Chef Mickey's and T-Rex. Make sure that you carefully read the reviews about both of those places. Chef Mickey's can be very, very crowded and very loud. My family LOVES T-Rex, but your husband might find himself uncomfortable there with the meteror showers, dinosaur noises and dim lighting. You can read reivews at various internet sights that will help you determine if these are the best dining options. As other have suggested, be sure to take advantage of extra magic hours. If you arrive early there are minimal crowds. Same as if you return to the park later in the evening for extra magic hours. Enjoy your trip!!!!
 
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diznyboyz

diznyboyz

Well-Known Member
Mommy2cooper said:
Thank you! I've been you tubing rides LOL....I am going to look at the resort map and find the building and hopefully they'll allow me to request it. I hear they try to be more accommodating for disabilities even at the resorts...
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I have a 17 year old autistic son. I can tell you when you are at Disney, the cast members understand each individual situation. They have been nothing but helpful. You guys will have a great time. Take advantage of every moment of your trip and you will return home with wonderful memories. My son's first trip was at age 8 and he is now 17! And when you are at Disney, the atmosphere helps take you away from your everyday life and places you in a totally stress-free relaxing vacation. Have a wonderful trip!
 
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C

connie254

New Member
When you check in, explain again that you want a quiet area. Each bldg. looks like a T and the back side is quieter. Look at the map on allearsnet and other places. When they show you where your room is at, ask for another room, before you accept the paperwork and walk away.
The first park you enter, go to guest services and ask for the DAS card. I haven't been at WDW since they started this, but be pretty firm as to why your husband needs it. He needs to be there because his picture will be taken.(My son is autistic and we have gone 11 times. The CMs just need to know what your husband needs-stay away from close quarters/crowds/loud noises, etc not his diagnosis)
I have gone during busy times and not so busy times. MK is crazy on Sundays year round so try to plan around that.
Can your husband give you a signal of some sort that he needs to be out of the situation? I have had to remove my son a few times and just motion for a CM to help me get out.
Any ride that your children would enjoy but not your husband, he can wait in line with you, then ask the CM at the last minute to get him to the exit-otherwise known as the "chicken out". Happens all the time at tower of terror so it won't be a big deal.
 
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PigletIsMyCat

PigletIsMyCat

Well-Known Member
thanks to your family for your sacrifices for our freedom.

chef mickey's can get loud and boisterous. think a bunch of shouting kids waving their filthy napkins around. you may want to note on the reservation that you'd like a table not in the middle of everything. i've sat faaaaar from the buffet with our back against a wall and it's been a bit calmer for me.

connie's idea about a signal when he needs a time out is a great idea. maybe a code word? all cast members will be very helpful in getting you guys or just your husband out of line when necessary. there are always chicken exits :) i've used them myself.

mediative breathing has helped me avoid panic attacks in the past. if i'm able to recognize the impending signs, i work on controlling my breathing (exhale longer than inhale resets the parasympathetic nervous system. pranayamic breathing can help as well - 10 second inhale, 10 second hold, 10 second exhale) and it can help alleviate the panic. it is not always easy to do, especially in crowds, but it has helped me a lot in crowds at sporting events, malls, and even disney.

and like others have said, knowing ahead of time that you guys won't see everything is good - set that expectation. it will be busy that time of year. choose the most important rides and characters as a family. if your son wants to meet a lot of characters, it may take a lot of time.
 
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OnyxNine

OnyxNine

Member
I have an application on my phone that gives the wait times for most of the rides. It has helped me a lot to plan which attraction i want to go to, when i go to the parks with my mom. She has her issues with crowds too. Of course at her age we also avoid some rides, so we have time to go where the wants to go.
As for fantasmic, even if you have a FP you may consider start doing the line early. Last time i saw it, the show was at 7pm, and ppl were already on the line at 5pm, including those w FP.
 
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Mommy2cooper

Mommy2cooper

Member
Original Poster
It seems crazy to wait in line that long to see something. Last time I did that was for black friday LOL. I wonder if we use the DAS for that if it'd make it ultimately easier for dh??
 
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pixiesteno

pixiesteno

Well-Known Member
Thank your hubby and thank you, too. One thing you will want to know is there are fireworks that go off in the middle of the day at the MK that are linked to the castle show. The show times will be listed on the flyer that you can pick up with the map as you enter the MK. So have him prepare for that with the show times. There is fireworks involved at Illuminations at EPCOT. There are plenty of places that are quiet within the parks that you can take a break at, one at the MK is located to the right side of the castle in the rose garden, there is a pavilion that usually quiet. You can preorder maps of the parks and these will show you restrooms, baby care centers and many of those areas have benches outside for breaks. I know that the restroom adjacent to the Pirates of the Caribbean is usually a very quiet area. Push-comes-to-shove and he really needs to talk with another military member he could probably find a someone at the Shades of Green Resort (adjacent to the Poly) which is run by the DOD for military members. Oh, another great place to chill is to grab a boat from the MK to the Fort Wilderness Campground. There is a beach, you could rent a boat, grab a wagon ride in the evening around the campground, take a horseback ride. The Fort is a very relaxed place on Disney. I have been working on all of these things for when we get the chance for our DS, DDIL and grandchildren to go as DS served two tours in Iraq with the USMC so we are very familiar with the triggers. Enjoy your trip!
 
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NiarrNDisney

NiarrNDisney

Well-Known Member
pixiesteno said:
I have been working on all of these things for when we get the chance for our DS, DDIL and grandchildren to go as DS served two tours in Iraq with the USMC so we are very familiar with the triggers. Enjoy your trip!
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Thank your DS for us!

I just sent Mommy2cooper a pretty extensive list of quiet spots and suggestions for her DH, would you like me to copy and send it to you as well so you can take a look at it for your DS?
 
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pixiesteno

pixiesteno

Well-Known Member
NiarrNDisney said:
Thank your DS for us!

I just sent Mommy2cooper a pretty extensive list of quiet spots and suggestions for her DH, would you like me to copy and send it to you as well so you can take a look at it for your DS?
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That would be nice, thanks. It will still be a while as the Army is in the process of flying him to S. Korea for a year.
 
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