Hello, I need some opinions...

22 posts / 0 new

Mon, 01/27/2014 - 16:24

hdlove424225

Offline

Joined: 01/27/2014

Posts: 8

Hello, I need some opinions...

Hi my name is Heather. In November we are going to WDW with my family. There will possibly be a total of 19 of us going. I have been about 5 times, but I haven't been since 2006. This will be my 13 year old sons third trip, but my 5 year old sons and my husband's first time. My 5 year old son is autistic, with a lot of sensory problems, he does not like very many rides. We plan on doing a lot of character meets and my mother is only interested in shopping, so she will take him a few days. My question is, what is a must-do for my husband's first visit. He loves rides, so I know we will be hitting as many of those as we can. We are on a STRICT budget, so not too many restaurant meals for us. We will most likely be driving from MA, and we are booked into a family suite at Art of Animation. We will be bringing a lot of our food with us, so really only snacks maybe in the park. My husband really has no clue as to the caliber of WDW, he is trying to compare it to like six flags....lol. I feel as though my last visit was so long ago, that there is a lot of newer stuff that I've never seen, any suggestions for us?

Mon, 01/27/2014 - 16:37

kathys

Offline

Joined: 12/01/2013

Posts: 694

Wow I can't imagine driving from MA as I live in MA as well. Well that being said first rides...am sure we all have our own special ones but here is some of my favorite must do: Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Carribean (at MK) Test Track and Soaring (both at Epcot) Toy Story, Movie Ride, Rock and Roll roller coaster and Tower of Terror (at HS) and Safari Ride, Mount Everest and Dinosaur (AK) just to name a few. But I would suggest you if you go to this site it list some of the key rides: http://themeparks.lovetoknow.com/Disney_World_Ride_List.

I could go on and on about my favorites rides but these are some that I always must do and I hope the new ride at Fantasyland The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Ride (which is a roller coaster) will be open when am there in May.

__________________

[url='http://www.mickeypath.com/']

[/url]

Mon, 01/27/2014 - 19:09

VelcroPooh

I also think the various parades and fireworks are must do's.

Mon, 01/27/2014 - 19:20

hdlove424225

Offline

Joined: 01/27/2014

Posts: 8

We live on Cape Cod, when we were kids, my folks drove twice. But I've been by plane since. We are still looking for transportation options, but if all 19 of us are going, flights all together might be difficult to come by, not to mention expensive. My mother and brother (who are doing the planning), are going to look into all options.

I know I want to go on Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean. I haven't been on either since I was about 15. Last time I went Pirates was closed, and my son was afraid to go on Space Mountain. Haunted Mansion is my absolute favorite, and Splash Mountain a close second. I want to go on Everest, Test Track, Rockin Roller Coaster, my son couldn't go on last time I was there, so we skipped them. I'm going to make myself go on Tower of Terror, just because I have to do it once in my life, lol.

I have been showing my 5 year old son stuff on you tube, in hope of preparing him for what he will see and hear. My husband wants to be completely surprised, but I was hoping to have some knowledge of stuff going on, that we should make an effort to see. Maybe shows, or which fireworks are the best etc...

Mon, 01/27/2014 - 20:15

VelcroPooh

If you're going in November (depending on what dates) you should also be able to do the Christmas party if you would like to.

Mon, 01/27/2014 - 20:32

hdlove424225

Offline

Joined: 01/27/2014

Posts: 8

I'm hoping to be able to do the Christmas Party. I'm looking forward to it. I'm hoping to be able to catch as many parades as we can, my 5 year old loves parades. We will arrive November 9th, and although not formally announced yet, the past few years the Christmas Party has started that week. I've got my fingers crossed.

I feel like I'm doing a lot more preparation and planning for this trip. I so badly want my 5 year old to love WDW. He already likes a lot of the characters, and is really looking forward to shopping with my mother, but I want him to have more than that lol. I also want my husband to see and do as much as we can. My husband is a big kid, so I know he will love it.

Mon, 01/27/2014 - 20:48

alicemouse

Offline

Joined: 10/22/2013

Posts: 2832

I know that some kids who have autism are startled by loud noises, so if that describes your son, I would recommend trying to do Wishes at MK before trying the other fireworks shows because it is the farthest away from the audience and doesn't feature live fire effects or other things that might be startling for kids. If you're concerned about your little guy handling the fireworks, maybe even hop the monorail over the the Polynesian and watch the fireworks from the beach. The speaker system plays the Wishes soundtrack and you an still see the castle with the fireworks exploding in the background, so it's like being in the park except it's quieter, farther away, and MUCH less crowded!

Maybe try to watch the parades (Main Street Electrical is beautiful and Festival of Fantasy will be running by then and it looks amazing!) from Frontierland where the crowds tend to be lighter. If you want a seat for the parades, sitting on the edge of the planter boxes in Liberty Square will get you close to the front of the rope and provide a comfortable way to stake out a great spot.

__________________

Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch

Find me on Facebook

Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.

Mon, 01/27/2014 - 21:05

hdlove424225

Offline

Joined: 01/27/2014

Posts: 8

Oh I may have to go to the Polynesian!! He is startled by loud noises, and because of that he doesn't like fireworks. I'm thinking
Of bringing his ear buds and music. That's how we usually handle loud places. The Polynesian sounds like a better idea. I am trying to find a map of parade routes, my son is in an adaptive stroller (a kind of wheelchair, looks like an umbrella stroller on steroids), he had an undiagnosed neuromuscular disorder that makes walking extended amounts very difficult, compounded with sensory problems, he doesn't get too far on his own. I want to be able to stake out a place for him to be in his wheelchair, and not have a bunch of kids come stand in front of him (it happens all the time). Does anyone know of a site that has maps I could maybe print out, or do parade routes change?? I haven't actually done any of the parades at Disney since I was a kid, my older son didn't really want to see them when we went.

Mon, 01/27/2014 - 21:57

VelcroPooh

Oh I'm sorry. I thought we were talking about for your hubby during the times your Mother had your son. I echo what alicemouse said. Liberty square is a great spot and there are many places where you can put him in his wheelchair where no one should get in front of him. Straight in front of the ropes and there is walls and such for you to sit on behind him.

Mon, 01/27/2014 - 22:36

hdlove424225

Offline

Joined: 01/27/2014

Posts: 8

I guess I was talking about both lol. I want to enjoy what we can all together with my son. But I really want my hubby to see that Disney is so much more than just ride hopping. Like I said before he is thinking six flags, I know it's so much better than that. He can't even wrap his head around Disney themed hotels. I showed him a quick video of the Disney resorts, and he was wondering why all that for an amusement park??? On the other hand I feel a little out of touch with what's new at Disney.

Tue, 01/28/2014 - 02:39

JMUDukz

Offline

Joined: 03/28/2012

Posts: 822

I think a must do for your husband would be the World Showcase at Epcot. Also a good place to get some snacks ( you may arrive the last day or so of Food and Wine Fest - I'm not sure of the dates for this year off the top of my head).

__________________

Tue, 01/28/2014 - 08:04

PhillNYC

Offline

Joined: 01/13/2014

Posts: 186

My absolute must-do rides (multiple times!) are ...

Splash Mountain
Haunted Mansion
Thunder Mountain
Tower of Terror

Those are all a big tie for my favorites!

__________________

First Visit ... 1977!

Thu, 01/30/2014 - 14:52

Ian

Offline

Joined: 01/09/2013

Posts: 7

If could be as so bold as to offer up a GREAT website for planning. www.easywdw.com. They have touring plans and maps along with parade routes and timings for openings and fireworks/shows!

Great resource!!! I hope you have an amazing time! These Cheat sheets are also amazing

http://www.easywdw.com/cheat-sheets/disney-world-cheat-sheets-maps-touring-plans-and-wait-times/

Ian

Thu, 01/30/2014 - 15:24

DisneyDee27

Offline

Joined: 04/02/2012

Posts: 1600

go to the library (or a bookstore) and get a Birnbaum guide book to show your hubby. I would recommend paying for the meal plan ahead of time, that will help with your budget and it allows you to pick places to eat knowing it'll its paid for already. Part of people being stressed out is seeing the prices for stuff. I say prepay for it then go big!

__________________

Member of the 6 castle club and working to pay for my next Disney vacations: 1/5-10/18, September 2018 for my 50th and 2018 the year of Disney cruising.

Thu, 01/30/2014 - 18:09

Jrangerrn

Offline

Joined: 10/07/2013

Posts: 126

yeah WDW is Nothing like Six Flags!! we live in NH and I can't imagine driving! Ugh. Mostly because I just want to get down there and not "waste" precious vacation days traveling. Something to think about for the future is we use a South West visa and earn points for our tickets and fly SouthWest out of Manchester. We use the card for all out purchases including groceries (and pay off the card end of the month). This year we only had to pay $200 out of pocket and used points for the rest of us (family of 5). We wouldn't have had to pay anything if hubby had gotten the tickets right away but he waited a few hours and the prices had gone up.

Anyway I agree with The Birnbaum Guide! Love that book! It's on Amazon. If your husband loves roller coasters and such, Thunder, Splash, and Space Mountain; Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom; I love the Electrical Parade.

I would agree with bringing some headphones for your son, maybe some that are sound blocking? But those are usually over the ear kind.....

Jackie

Tue, 02/04/2014 - 14:30

hdlove424225

Offline

Joined: 01/27/2014

Posts: 8

Oh my goodness!!! Thank you so much!!!! I have been looking for stuff like this!!! I asked my brother, who likes to navigate the Disney site a bunch, but all he could find was interactive maps on the my Disney experience site. I was going to check them out, but it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. I'll check out these links, once my little boy goes to school this afternoon. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Tue, 02/04/2014 - 14:43

hdlove424225

Offline

Joined: 01/27/2014

Posts: 8

I personally would love to be able to fly. But my son will not be able to tolerate it. My mother is flying in April, to visit some out of state friends, and he gets all sorts of anxiety ridden if anyone brings it up. He doesn't want anyone to fly in an airplane under any circumstances. I'm not sure why, and he is unable to tell me why. I really don't mind road trips, and my husband likes to drive, my biggest worry is keeping the kids busy while they are awake. Surprisingly, keeping my 14 year old busy is more stressful than my 5 year old. My little guy just reads, and announced every sign he sees lol. He also had his leap pad, and books. My oldest has his phone, and tablet, but he doesn't like to read much, and without internet access (no matter how many videos we download) he will be miserable, lol. If we do end up driving we will most likely leave right after school, that way they will hopefully sleep most of the trip, it is roughly 22 hours. We adults are planning on a sleep/drive rotation so we don't have to stop for very long, just gas and meals. No final decisions are made yet, but we are looking into renting some vans, so everyone will fit comfortably. Also going to explore trains, and see if we can affordable flights for all (possibly) 19 of us.

Sat, 02/08/2014 - 17:27

nhshorty

Offline

Joined: 02/25/2012

Posts: 252

I'd also recommend picking up Birnbaum's WDW for Kids - it's got feedback on all the rides based on age groups, level of noise, fear factor, etc. It's a great reference to help you plan for appropriate rides for him.

Sun, 02/09/2014 - 07:57

Sally-Ann

Offline

Joined: 11/15/2012

Posts: 912

I would recommend having a look at Ron Miles book 3500, An autistic boy's 10 year romance with Snow White as he explains how they cope with Ben in the Park. It is a great read and may give you some tips.

__________________

Mon, 02/10/2014 - 19:08

hdlove424225

Offline

Joined: 01/27/2014

Posts: 8

Thank you all so very much!!! I will be making a trip to the book store real soon. You all have given me such wonderful information. Hopefully between now and November, I will be able to pull this trip together nicely. I just want us to all be able to enjoy ourselves, with as little stress as possible. I want my husband to take in as much as possible, but not so much that we won't have to go back to see more

Mon, 02/10/2014 - 19:18

Vettelover

Offline

Joined: 03/28/2009

Posts: 4658

hdlove424225 wrote:

Thank you all so very much!!! I will be making a trip to the book store real soon. You all have given me such wonderful information. Hopefully between now and November, I will be able to pull this trip together nicely. I just want us to all be able to enjoy ourselves, with as little stress as possible. I want my husband to take in as much as possible, but not so much that we won't have to go back to see more

Believe me, that will never happen.

__________________

Tue, 02/11/2014 - 12:33

Magic Days

Offline

Joined: 11/02/2012

Posts: 601

Last October the place between the flower boxes and the Christmas store was reserved for physically challenged and the only wanted their families right behind them so that might be perfect for your son. It is toward the begining of the night parade so less if a wait time and as others have said there is seating around the giant planters. Illuminations is another big show that if he has his earbuds playing his favorite music might not be so bad. We watch it from canada on the same level as the gift shop. There is a ramp and less people crowded around you. Wishes from the poly is fun. You will know how best to make sure your son enjoys all the disney magic. We did find the monorail to be our easiest way to get around with mobility carts so I would suggest using them to move between places if possible.

__________________

Primary links

Secondary links

Hello, I need some opinions...