re: Extra days at Disney-What to do?

Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:" That was all super helpful   Thanks! Then I had to google what a dole whip was lol Looks yummy!! ... [snip!] ... let my older son do it? With him having autism, I might have to stand with him, but I know it would make his entire life  "

if you have any documentation that'll help you get what you want no matter where you are... but you can always go to the other guest services location to get a different card if the one you got from the other location wasn't what you wanted/needed just don't mention you already got a card... but since they are cracking down on a lot of guest assistance cards (since there's been a lot of abuse of them) it'd be smart to bring any documentation if you have any.

If you haven't already call Disney Dining for a reservation cuz Goofy's kitchen is so popular you might end up not getting in if you don't have a reservation... if you don't have it the number is (714) 781-3463 and make sure to bring your autograph books and cameras!!!

You can always go up to one of the cast members and explain it'd make his trip so magical if he could be chosen. As Cast Members we love making "magic moments" I know they were my favorite part of being a cast member   plus as a guest Disney's always made my "magic moments" extra magical   so it's always worth getting there early and asking or you can also see if they can help you at city hall  

I hope you guys have a great time!!! post pictures when you get back!

Quoting Martha Marshall:" if you have any documentation that'll help you get what you want no matter where you are... but you ... [snip!] ... or you can also see if they can help you at city hall   I hope you guys have a great time!!! post pictures when you get back!"

Oh I will for sure! I can't wait, we've been talking to the kids about it for months, prepping them (well, my oldest anyway).

I'm bringing his dx from the hospital, and his therapists (speech, OT and behavioural) are all writing letters for me outlining his issues and his needs.

I'll call for reservations tommorrow! I want to make sure we get in for at least one meal there, maybe two.

I went to Disney when I was 9 and just loved it. I was old enough to know it wasn't real, but there, I thought it was. When we planned our wedding, I knew it HAD to be there. Called for months and months and kept getting told that they would have the pricing the next month and I could book then. Then, got some poor man on the phone who said "Oh, sorry mame, we are no longer doing the intimate weddings" (this was in 2003 I see they are doing them again now)

I was a mess! I was crying so hard and he kept saying "It's not that big of a deal mame" He put me on with someone else, who put me on with someone else who said "Well, we aren't doing them, but this is the happiest place on earth and we have been leading you on to this dream for a while now. We'll do it for you. You will be the last one." It was fantastic! Everything I wanted, and then got home to a credit on my credit card bill - they said since we were the last intimate wedding they were doing they gave us a discount. I ended up paying just over $1200 for the wedding with the flowers, harpist, wedding planners, minister, cake, keepsake cake topper, champange and the special edition watches we got that you could only get if you got married there.

It's my magic place   My kids will love it!

Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:" That was all super helpful   Thanks! Then I had to google what a dole whip was lol Looks yummy!! ... [snip!] ... let my older son do it? With him having autism, I might have to stand with him, but I know it would make his entire life  "

My MIL just went in early May of '12, she took my boyfriend's niece who has Autism as well (5 years) and the "alternate access" card did nothing for them in DCA. They basically told her that since it's newer, all the rides are handicap accessible and she'd have to wait in the regular lines like everyone else. She had all her documentation and everything, in DL however, she was able to get into the shorter lines. Not sure if the women she spoke to in DCA was being a jerk but that's what she was told.

Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:" Oh I will for sure! I can't wait, we've been talking to the kids about it for months, prepping them ... [snip!] ... edition watches we got that you could only get if you got married there. It's my magic place   My kids will love it!"

If you're contemplating doing 2 character meals I'd suggest also doing the Minnie and Friends breakfast at the Plaza Inn (you get to see some of the classic characters that don't frequent Goofy's kitchen as often and it can be extra fun since it's in the park not at one of the hotels...) if you had girls I'd suggest Ariel's Grotto with all the princesses... but boys really don't enjoy it as much plus it's pretty much the most expensive food in the parks (excluding the Carthay Circle Theater that just opened and Club 33 that you have to have wayy too many connections or a lot of luck to eat at)... good but it's not all you can eat so I don't think it's as worth it as some of the other options... unless you have a few little princesses that it would mean the world to.

Oh since your boys' love star wars check at city all when the Storm-troopers will be out and if Vader will be out and where and when.
I know the feeling about Disney being your happy place. I used to come all the time when I was younger with my dad... and since my parents were divorced it was extra special that we'd go there together... and then more recently my husband proposed to me there (by the snow white wishing well... we both know it's "been done" but it's my favorite place in the park... always has been, always will be and since I had NO idea he was going to propose then (since we were already planning our wedding) it was a HUGE surprise) and it was during a parade so it was blocked off (they typically block the area off in case anyone is injured during a parade so the EMTs can take care of them away from the crowds) and they were going to kick him out but they let him stay... so it became this extra cool thing cuz my friend led me around over to where you walk to the wishing well... and another one of our friends' girl friends (who I hadn't met at the time) was standing there holding a bouquet of roses behind the rope and she waved us over and told me to take the roses and walk around the corner... so here I thought I was going to help someone get proposed to rather than be proposed to myself! it was so cute!   definitely a go to spot every time we're in the parks... when we took DS for his first trip we all tossed in a penny (well we tossed one in for DS cuz he was only a month old at the time...)

Quoting MyAngel'sMommy(::" My MIL just went in early May of '12, she took my boyfriend's niece who has Autism as well (5 years) ... [snip!] ... able to get into the shorter lines. Not sure if the women she spoke to in DCA was being a jerk but that's what she was told. "

They're trying to crack down on people abusing the system... and in most cases all they are supposed to give you is a wheelchair access pass rather than a pass that will let you cut lines... but usually with proper documentation you can get the pass you need... most likely the person in DCA was a new hire so they were pushed in their training to just give the wheelchair passes

You have to go to Medeval Times!! :-)

Quoting MyAngel'sMommy(::" My MIL just went in early May of '12, she took my boyfriend's niece who has Autism as well (5 years) ... [snip!] ... able to get into the shorter lines. Not sure if the women she spoke to in DCA was being a jerk but that's what she was told. "

From what I've been reading, you want to get it at DCA because all of their rides are handicap access, so you have a better chance at getting the alternate access pass instead. They are different stamps - the alternate access is 2 arrows that let you in through the handicap line in Disney, or the fast pass lane or exit in DCA. They would have given her the just handicap pass, which could be the issue.

Heck, if all else fails, I'll just go back and talk to them again   I plan on using this experiance as teaching for him and having him wait whenever possible (crappy wait=big pay off, should help get the concept across) but I am concerned by how he can get in close crowds like lines. If everyone is standing super close to him, especially if they are taller, he starts head butting their bodies - which tends to be groin level right now lol He's usually ok, but when he gets overstimulated, it's anyones guess how he'll react.

Quoting My boys = My life:" You have to go to Medeval Times!! :-)"

Do you know what they serve for the kids meal? With my son's texture issues he's very picky. Pirates said they serve chicken nuggets for kids, which is awesome because it's one of the few things he will eat!

Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:" Do you know what they serve for the kids meal? With my son's texture issues he's very picky. Pirates ... [snip!] ... very picky. Pirates said they serve chicken nuggets for kids, which is awesome because it's one of the few things he will eat!"

Hm, Im not sure.. Maybe it wouldn't a great idea.

when we went you get a massive chicken leg and no utensils :-P

Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:" From what I've been reading, you want to get it at DCA because all of their rides are handicap access, ... [snip!] ... tends to be groin level right now lol He's usually ok, but when he gets overstimulated, it's anyones guess how he'll react."

if you explain that and have documentation then you shouldn't have a problem getting that pass... you can get it at either park tho they have all the various stamps at both parks... and if you explain it and say you're park hopping usually you'll get what you want  

Quoting ~Julie Blue Eyes~:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:</b>" We won't be driving, so tour bus ... [snip!] ... if you are going to the Tiki Room. That is just my favorite. attraction! Oh, and drink a pineapple whip (or 5) for me!"

Me too! That's my fave!