Please forgive me, I am not being unkind here, but is he having FUN? Does he like going to Disney parks? Maybe the parks are just not his thing? I have a nephew with Aspergers, and the parks are sure not his thing. (he prefers going fishing, or something quiet and calm, like that). My sister and her family had to accept that, and plan trips that would work for them.
My son has autism and Downs, we are here now too. (he is obsessed with the Disney parks, and the rides, characters)
I hope it gets better, I feel your pain. I have had my own problems this trip, I am here alone with my adult 22 year old son. Pushing him around, showering him, etc. We had one complete toileting disaster at the Studios, the details will not be mentioned here, just let me say he needed a change from head to toe.
While I'm so sorry for your experiences too
, it does make me feel better that ther are people out there that understand and can help each other, even if only as a listening ear.
Yanno? We're home now and I'm not totally sure.
I CAN tell you he does love more quiet activities, usually. The ferry was a favorite. But he has an incredible love for The Big Cheese. that was a must so we had to get to him. He will hardly wear an item of clothing w/o Mickey on it. I swear, we didn't do this!
On the Halloween party night, our first night there, as we were leaving, early of course (but obviously after a WAY too long day for him) we stopped in to see Mickey. We KNEW we had to do that and promised him he'd meet Mickey. So in line we waited. Not terribly long thank heavens. He was a bit unruly, he clearly had reached his limit, hours ago (though we did take a several hour mid-day break). But once he saw Mickey his entire demenor changed. He smiled, cried, grabbed Mickey's nose to kiss it and hug him, then he put a Mickey hat on! One thing he would NOT do before or since actually. To meet Mickey, he felt he needed ears on.
The next morning we were at a character breakfast but it was early and it as Cape May. Nice an quiet (at 7:AM anyway
). He smiled when he saw Minnie but we were able to buffer him from all characters by being on the bench/booth seat and keeping him next to me. He was happy w/ Minnie and Donald...and then, Goofy. Well, we thought it would be OK, Goofy encouraged him to come out and for my DH and the 2 boys to take a pic. Yeah, bad idea. He didn't want to have anything to do w/ characters after that... until our last morning when we did O'Hanas (for Mickey of course) and my DH and I had to trade off as he was in total meltdown from the time we went into the resort.
DH came back w/ him just in time for Mickey...and again, a magical exchange. I cried, very umbarassingly actually. After that though, he was melting down again and I had to take him out. Bless the staff, they were very comforting and actually only charged us for 2 people, not 4. We never asked for that but bless them for doing it. Cape May actually didn't charge us for Daniel either as he didn't eat a fruit loop nor did he come up from laying on the bench after the "Goofy Incedent".
ANYWAY!. Back to answering that quetsion.
Monday, we deicded to do just a few hours in MK before we had to fly home. I wanted my oldest to be able to do more of that Wizards game he LOVED. So we went back to Fantasyland where we knew Daniel had the Tea-cups he loved. He liked Dumbo and this time, he pointed and at and shimmied out of his stroller to run at the carousel. That one was new for him. He didn't ride it when we first got there, but perhaps, by this last day of our trip, he was opening up to the ideas.
Anyone see a trend in his favorites? Tea Cups, Dumbo and Carousel.
Yeah, not surprising given his love of spinning things (including himself) since toddler-dom.
I got LOTS of pix. I'll share a few when I upload.
We are planning a
DCL in Dec. of 2014. Now, as to whether we bring 1 or both kids or none, is still in question. Schooling being the main issue (my oldest will be 15 then), but of course, I'm just not wanting to spend the whole cruise in our cabin, again. My mother is WONDERFUL and could watch the kids at our house if it came to that. But I hate leaving them home. Lots can happen in a few years so who knows!
I DO know, this kind of trip will NOT be repeated. We'll be more prepared next time.
On the plus side since we've been home, he's thrilled to be back in his routine and his dresser drawer that we keep all his light up toys is, of coruse, bursting, but he's THRILLED with it.
That's what it's about right?