Hi Julie! The book is fantastic!!!!! I'm going to focus primarily on the ring of social stories, plus I'll have a daily schedule for Alex. I got our "Guide to the Magic For Kids" guidebooks today - one for each of the boys, which will help with a lot of the in-park information for them. I'll post more about the books on my PTR.
I'd love to see the text you used for your social stories - and the visuals you used if you want to post those. Do you use Boardmaker software for any of your visuals? I have a 2003 copy and need to get the new version. (If only it included Disney pictures...)
For the visual I just googled images, I have to take a picture of that and post, but here are more of the texts:
(OH ps it doesn't transfer in the post but in the section of "I statements" I use bold print)
RAIN
It can rain a lot at WDW sometimes un-expectantly.
The rain may be light and last just a little bit, or pour and last a long time. Sometimes it can be a combination of both.
If it rains when we are in the parks we can try and stay in a restaurant, store or go in a show till it stops.
Well bring ponchos to wear when walking around.
If the rain is too hard or its becoming a bad storm we may decide to leave the park & go back to our room.
Well try to come back later.
If it rains, I will try not to get upset.
I will listen to my parents instructions of what I need to do.
If we have to stop what we are doing, Ill understand its no big deal and know well try to finish later or do it again
another time.
I understand if it rains I may get wet.
I understand when it rains, I need to stay with my
family, as lots of people will have ponchos on too.
Splitting Up
Sometimes we may need to split up and go on different rides or take a break and rest while others are doing different things.
You may be by yourself with just Mom, Dad, or Grandma or be with your sisters too.
We may split up to do shopping or other activities.
If someone is tired or if you need a break this may be a good reason to split up.
If we split up I will stay with whomever Im told to be with.
I wont be mad if Im not doing something like the
others.
If I get tired or need a break, I will understand it is best to split up and find a quiet place or go back to our room at the Polynesian.
I will listen and trust my parents if they say I need a break.
WAITING
There is a lot of waiting to be done while we are at Walt
Disney World...in lines for transportation or rides and
waiting to be seated at restaurants or for our food.
Sometimes the waits will be short and sometimes long.
Sometimes youll be waiting for someone in your family at a store or to get off a ride or getting ready to leave our room.
We know waiting can be boring and not very fun and may be hard for you. Well try and do everything we can to minimize it and make it fun.
When Im waiting, I need to remember it is no big deal it will be over soon and everyone else around me is doing the same thing.
I can read a book, look for treasure or hidden Mickeys, play I Spy, the 20 Questions game, or Guess What Disney
character I am? And many other things too.
When Im waiting I need to stay calm and not get frustrated at how long it may seem.
If Im having a really hard time I should say something to Mom, Dad, or Grandma and they will try to help me.
WHEN I CAN SAY NO
There will be times and situations you CAN say NO and other times when you can NOT. This will explain times you can and how you may be feeling.
If you are thinking of going on a ride and then at the last minute you feel you are scared or nervous to try it, talk it over with Mom or Dad. If you still dont want to go, now is a time to say NO I dont want to go.
If you ordered some food at a restaurant and it turns out not to be something you thought, talk it over with Mom or Dad and together if we all think its not very tasty, you can say NO I dont want to finish it.
If your in the middle of a show and it gets to scary or loud you can tell Mom or Dad and say NO I dont want to stay, I need to leave.
When I say NO I need to remember that if Mom or Dad think my decision may cause me to be more sad, mad or
unsafe, then I need to listen and understand if they dont
follow my no.
When I say NO I need to be calm and flexible, not mad or using quick thinking or listening.
I also need to remember sometimes Mom and Dad can say NO to me and I will listen and be cooperative and flexible with them.
A RIDE IS NOT WORKING
Sometimes a ride or show may stop working or be closed
un-expectantly. This may happen due to weather, mechanical or safety reasons.
If Castmembers can they will fix the problem and re-open the ride later. Sometimes it will just be closed the whole time.
We could even be in line or about to enter or get on when it shuts down or closes.
WDW tries to keep everyone safe and doesnt want anyone to get hurt, thats why they close things for repairs.
If a ride is not working that I wanted to go on or see, I will remain calm and be flexible.
I know that my parents will find out what the problem is if they can and if we can go on or see it at a later time.
If a ride or show will be closed the whole time we are at WDW (like Pirates of the Caribbean) I can be disappointed, but not get mad.
I will listen to my parents and they will figure out something else to do instead. (maybe I can even suggest something too)
I remember it can be sad but it really is no big deal as there will be so many others things to do!
STAYING TOGETHER
There are SO many people at WDW that it can be easy to get separated or lost.
While we are at WDW we will be staying together for just about everything. Mom and Dad will know times that we will split up or there will be times we need to split up last minute.
Only Mom, Dad and Grandma can decide when we are not all together.
There may be a show, or ride you are not interested in, but need to stay with us.
There may be a ride or show you dont want to go on but need to stay together and wait for those who are going.
Being Together is fun and will keep us safe.
If there is a time that I want to do something different or see something I want to look at, I can NOT wander off or RUN AWAY if Im mad.
I will understand that staying together and sometimes even holding hands is for my safety and so Mom & Dad will know where I am at all times.
I will not argue or become mad if Im told to wait and stay together. I will stay calm and use my flexible thinking.
PENNY PRESSES
There are so many Penny Press Machines around WDW and designs, it would take years to get them all
Most Penny Press Machines have multiple designs (usually 3 at a time) and some have quarter presses.
This will be a fun hunt and souvenir to take home from your trip this year.
We can buy a Penny Press keepsake book and are bringing enough money ( 2 quarters & 1 penny per press) for about 20 different designs.
You will have to think before you decide as when the money runs out thats all you get. Mom has a master list for you to look over too if there are certain designs you really want to look for.
This collection can be added to over many more trips to come, so dont worry that you wont fill your book on this trip.
I understand I only have enough money for about 20
different designs (presses).
I will not get mad when I run out of money knowing I have a great start to this collection.
If the machine doesnt work and I lose my money in it or the design doesnt look quite right I wont get mad. Mom or Dad will give me some replacement money.
IN RESTAURANTS
**Some restaurants are called table service-you wait to be seated and food brought to you or a buffet (like Red Robin) AND counter service-you order in a line at the counter and take food to your table (like Mc Donald's).
**In both places well having some waiting: for a table and our food.
**At some meals there will be music, games, and characters roaming around.
**In just about every place we eat (except) Pizza Planet you NEED to order off the childs menu.
**We will always try to find a table or request one in a quiet area or near a wall or window. This may require us to be patient and wait a little longer.
I need to remember my manners when we are out eating, the rules are the same as at home.
I need to sit thru the whole meal even when waiting for
others to finish.
I need to eat food with silverware not my fingers unless Im eating a sandwich or pizza
I need to be calm and flexible while waiting, I can always read a book or play a game with someone.
I also need to eat quickly and not goof around during meal times unless Goofy is at my table.
IN THE AIRPORT/ON THE PLANE
In the AIRPORT:
When we get there, we leave our suitcases with a worker at the curb and he checks our tickets.
Then we go inside and have to wait in a Security line. We put all our bags, sweatshirts, shoes, etc on a moving belt that goes thru a machine. We walk thru a little doorway then pick up all our stuff at the end.
Grandma will take longer because of her knee (metal plates in it).
Then we will go to our Gate, where we board the plane. There we wait in chairs until time to leave.
You and Mom will board last so you wont have to wait on the plane as long.
Coming home well have to get our suitcases from pick-up it may take awhile.
On the PLANE:
You need to stay in your seat the whole time unless you have to go the bathroom.
You need to wear your lap (seat) belt the whole time too.
The Flight Attendants will bring a small snack and offer a small drink.
I must keep my bag with me the whole time (except when going thru the Security Line).
I will stay with my family and not wander off.
I will listen to my parents and use flexible thinking if I start to feel nervous or tired with waiting.
WHAT IF IM LOST?
Because WDW is so big and there are so many cool things to look at and lots of people all around, you could get
separated. Here is what to do if that does happen and how to stay together and not get lost
If you think you are LOST, stop right where you are and do not go looking for us, we ARE looking for YOU!
Call out our first and last names: XXXXXXXX & XXXXXX" .
Look for a Castmember they have oval nametags on with mouse ears on them. Tell them you are lost, ask them to call your Dads cell phone # XXXXXXXX
How not to get lost...stay together, hold hands, do not wander off, ask before you want to look at something different.
If I get lost, I will try to be calm and stay put.
I will call out my parents names and look for a Castmember (with a nametag on) for help.
I will tell a Castmember my name and give them my id card.
I will trust them and know they will help me find my
parents.
I will remember to stay together so I dont get lost.
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Hope that helps,
J-
I've been thinking about what I can do for Alex (and I'll make one for Zachary too) to help with the trip. I'm a little worried about putting our itinerary in writing for the whole week in case we change things up... I'm thinking of maybe giving him one day at a time?? But then he'll wonder when he's going to see his favorite rides - kwim?? 
I'll look again in March, hoping this time the HEAT won't be as much of a factor and we can enjoy some of the magical small things....
