Snow White's Scary Adventures update

[Disneyfan1981]

Well, thank you very much for your kind words. I have been extremely fortunate in that I have a job as a software developer that has allowed me to move to the other end of the country to be where I think he has the best chance of improving, and which has also allowed me to work from a home office and thus have extremely flexible hours allowing me to participate closely in his education. Every little bit helps, and the improvements we have seen in the past two years have come in no small part because of the wonderful CMs in Fantasyland.

Speaking of which, Ben asked to go again today and rode twelve more times. That brings his grand total to 987, making it pretty much fait accompli that next Saturday will be SW1K. I'll be on the phone with guest services tomorrow to see how we can make it a special event. I am hoping to be able to have Snow White herself go on the ride with Ben. I am also sneaking into the park without him during the week to get a bottle of the pirate candy he loves (the big bottle with the map in it that they sell at POTC). He hasn't gotten that in months, so it will be a real treat for him. I'll be sure to post pictures and a write-up of the big event.

Let me just say that you are really a great dad. One day when I have kids I hope I can be as dedicated to them as you are.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

Wow. I am so glad I came across this thread. The OP's story of sharing SWSA with his/her child has really lifted my spirit. I am so glad to read that your special child is showing some improvemnet in classroom interaction. Please do keep us posted about ride #1000. I will be hoping some pixie dust falls your way.

BTW, my family considers SWSA to be our "guilty pleasure". me, DW, DD8, and DS5 usually ride it 6-8 times on every WDW vacation.

 

[Lokheed]

For anyone interested, this is what Ben looks like when he is waiting to ride SWSA:

Ben in line for SWSA

 

[netenyahoo]

Ahhhh! It makes me so happy to see someone so happy. Good luck with getting Snow White to ride with him. I wish your family all the best! Thank you for sharing your story.

 

[Ashitaka]

Wow! 1,000 times! I so hope Snow White herself will ride with him. If so, please take and share pictures.

Good luck on Saturday!!

 

[daveemtdave]

What a cutie......THIS is what makes DISNEY Magical -- Hey what am I talking about I get that way just seeing Snow White in person myself HEHE --

 

[thimblekisses]

For anyone interested, this is what Ben looks like when he is waiting to ride SWSA:

Ben in line for SWSA

How cute!!! He sure looks happy.
Remind me how old Ben is again, please?

Please do keep us posted on SW1K, I can't wait to hear all about it. Please take pictures!

Does Ben like the Snow White movie, too?
Bless you for being such a wonderful parent. I hope I can do as well some day and I hope I may be as blessed as you are. Kudos to you for all you do for your son.


*100th post!

 

[tk421-sw]

*100th post!

Congrats!:king:

 

[shakes20]

Cool thread! I am also anxiously awaiting word on your son's 1000th visit to Snow White!
It's great to hear all of these stories of family members and friends who have special needs and find joy in WDW. My son is in the autistic spectrum (PDD if anyone is interested) and I am constantly amazed at the things that he loves to do in the parks. Unfortunately, characters are not one of them (we have a video from 1900 Park Fair where he is hiding under the table to avoid talking to Sleeping Beauty!) He does not do as well with the dark rides, instead he prefers the fast ones (BTMRR and TT are his favorites). We have also gone with some friends whose youngest son is profoundly affected by autism and MR, and Disney is his absolute favorite place on earth. Strangely enough, I think his favorite thing to do is ride the Disney busses. He is always asking us "Disney bus?" and we have to tell him "Soon, Michael, very soon." (his family will be joining us in WDW on May 8th)
One of my favorite experiences in WDW is watching the expressions on my children's faces as we wander around the parks, and Michael's is extra special, he really comes out of his shell whenever we are there. Just hearing stories from others who have similar experiences warms my heart and makes me miss Disney even more. Thank you so much for sharing you story and letting me experience a little bit of his joy through you!

 

[egionet]

For anyone interested, this is what Ben looks like when he is waiting to ride SWSA:

Ben in line for SWSA

Ben looks adorable in that picture. It's an old pic too, before the rehab! And as everyone else has been saying, let us know what is happening with the 1000th ride. I definitely would like to see what old Fantasyland will do for you!

 

[Lokheed]

Ben looks adorable in that picture. It's an old pic too, before the rehab! And as everyone else has been saying, let us know what is happening with the 1000th ride. I definitely would like to see what old Fantasyland will do for you!

Yeah, that's actually from his tenth birthday, so it's a little over a year old. You can see his birthday button in the picture.

Do you by any chance have any contacts left in Fantasyland? I tried calling Guest Services to see if they can do something special, and all they would say is on that day when we arrive at the park check in with Guest Services. They didn't seem to be interested in working out anything special in advance.

 

[Tom]

Yeah, that's actually from his tenth birthday, so it's a little over a year old. You can see his birthday button in the picture.

Do you by any chance have any contacts left in Fantasyland? I tried calling Guest Services to see if they can do something special, and all they would say is on that day when we arrive at the park check in with Guest Services. They didn't seem to be interested in working out anything special in advance.

How typical - way to lose the magic Guest Relations! I'm sure they get a bazillion requests for special this and custom that. I just wish they could really know the whole story. Best of luck and hopefully some CM on here can help out - I would expect that of the classy ones that are on here

 

[thimblekisses]

We've put the word in to some of the cast of Cinderellabration to see what they can do. Perhaps Snow White could join Ben after a Cinderellabration show. . .? It's just a hop skip and a jump around that castle to SWSA. Maybe she could do it?

 

[egionet]

Yeah, that's actually from his tenth birthday, so it's a little over a year old. You can see his birthday button in the picture.

Do you by any chance have any contacts left in Fantasyland? I tried calling Guest Services to see if they can do something special, and all they would say is on that day when we arrive at the park check in with Guest Services. They didn't seem to be interested in working out anything special in advance.

I honestly don't really keep in contact with a lot of people who are still there. I still talk to one coordinator. So I'll try to hit him up and see if there is anything that he can do.

Erik do you know anyone??? I know you've been gone from Fantasyland longer than I have, but you never know!

 

[Victoria]

I give you lots of credit - you take the time to be with your child and share "Snow White" over and over again LOL - if all parents of children with special needs focused in on this type of learning experience, it would make a difference. Unfortunately, I see the opposite - parents who take NO TIME with their child. You and your child as well as your family are role models. Believe me, you are blessed.

You took the words right out of my mouth. I teach Autism spectrum (and other emotionally and behaviorally challenged) children every day and have seen more than my fair share of parents who dont care to really understand or take the time to do things like this with their special needs kids. I can only wish that more parents like you will come along every year. As far as being concerned that maybe 1000 times is too much, I wouldnt be worried. If it is the one thing he loves, it gets him out of his comfort zone, and lets him experience a busy, noisy place regularly, go with it.
Sidenote: Actually, I am somewhat suprised that he can even tolerate a place like WDW...i know so many kids that are set off by just walking down a crowded hallway, nevermind WDW...the place can even give me a horrid headache when its too crowded.
Anyways, congrats on the 1000th ride..wish I could be there to see it. I hope that Guest Relations is willing to work with you and make the day very special for him. (I guess you just have to put you faith in the Magic of Disney and hope for the best)

 

[tk421-sw]

We went strait to the source and just to let you in... Snow White will be exscorting Ben over to SWSA after Cinderellabration, and will ride the 1000th ride with him! We have connections!, haha. Anyway, I should be able to get the whole special event on film, and if I do, it will be at the top of the list for video Updates! Im so glad we were able to work it out. I really hope he enjoys it! Thanks!

 

[Lokheed]

Actually, I am somewhat suprised that he can even tolerate a place like WDW...i know so many kids that are set off by just walking down a crowded hallway, nevermind WDW...the place can even give me a horrid headache when its too crowded.

That was our big fear on our very first visit to the park. We figured either he was going to love it a much as he loved his tapes of WDW, or he was going to go into complete overload meltdown and it was going to be a miserable experience for everyone involved. Fortunately, the moment he walked through the front gates and out onto Main Street for the first time he was deleriously happy and knew exactly where he was. Over the past two years we have certainly had our share of days when he got overwhelmed by crowds and noise, but honestly not anymore than you would expect from any kid his age. The simple truth is that when he is in the Magic Kingdom he is the happiest kid on the planet. He will avoid particularly crowded areas, but at this point he knows his way around so well that he can duck into the lesser-used side routes without missing a beat and get to where he is going.

 

[Ashitaka]

We went strait to the source and just to let you in... Snow White will be exscorting Ben over to SWSA after Cinderellabration, and will ride the 1000th ride with him! We have connections!, haha. Anyway, I should be able to get the whole special event on film, and if I do, it will be at the top of the list for video Updates! Im so glad we were able to work it out. I really hope he enjoys it! Thanks!

Yeahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Good luck tomorrow!! Can't wait to see photos of Ben and Snow White!

(btw tk421-sw: finally realized what your screenname is from. Very nice.)