We just got back this last weekend from a 6 night stay and did all 4 theme parks with my 4 year old autistic son that concluded July 4th. Stayed at AS Movies and used special assistance card quite a bit. If anyone has any questions I'd be glad to answer as these boards were so helpful to me.
It was quite hot and crowded obviously while we were down there and my little guy had plenty of meltdowns but it went well. The special assistance card essentially let us fast pass every ride or show and even sat front row in the handicap section for Lion King show. At the rides with no fast pass they would take us on via the handicap access. As a matter of fact his stroller was considered a wheel chair. They would let the ride cycle a couple times it wasn't like immediate access to the ride which caused a couple meltdowns. Little guy didn't understand there was no one in front of us but we couldn't get right on. But being by yourself in most areas made it much more manageable. Most CM's weren't happy seeing the stroller approach a ride line until they saw the pass then were more than happy to assist. With the card we got to do most things which I fealt uncomfortable while watching everyone else deal with the very long stand by lines. But most of those people did no research and weren't even using fast passes. Besides it was obvious without the card we would of been able to do a couple rides first thing each morning and that's about it.
What I learned: in the summer don't do all day at the park, from MK to Movies it was too much effort and time to return on bus for nap so we either did first thing in the am until he pooped out or came in mid day until close. Any special dinner had to be character dining. Only thing that would keep him in his seat. Loved Chef Mickey's. Tried Sci-Fi but he was all over the place checking out the cars. At the resort be careful of path back to room with the pool and playground. He could'nt grasp we can't go swimming at midnight or swinging in the pitch blackness of the night.
It was quite hot and crowded obviously while we were down there and my little guy had plenty of meltdowns but it went well. The special assistance card essentially let us fast pass every ride or show and even sat front row in the handicap section for Lion King show. At the rides with no fast pass they would take us on via the handicap access. As a matter of fact his stroller was considered a wheel chair. They would let the ride cycle a couple times it wasn't like immediate access to the ride which caused a couple meltdowns. Little guy didn't understand there was no one in front of us but we couldn't get right on. But being by yourself in most areas made it much more manageable. Most CM's weren't happy seeing the stroller approach a ride line until they saw the pass then were more than happy to assist. With the card we got to do most things which I fealt uncomfortable while watching everyone else deal with the very long stand by lines. But most of those people did no research and weren't even using fast passes. Besides it was obvious without the card we would of been able to do a couple rides first thing each morning and that's about it.
What I learned: in the summer don't do all day at the park, from MK to Movies it was too much effort and time to return on bus for nap so we either did first thing in the am until he pooped out or came in mid day until close. Any special dinner had to be character dining. Only thing that would keep him in his seat. Loved Chef Mickey's. Tried Sci-Fi but he was all over the place checking out the cars. At the resort be careful of path back to room with the pool and playground. He could'nt grasp we can't go swimming at midnight or swinging in the pitch blackness of the night.
