Disney Part Two: We're Only Happy When it Rains

1/1/2014

It was raining when we stepped outside today. Not the rain that falls hard and has you running for cover but that umbrella-defying mist that cools you off. It was perfect. We knew that the rain and the New Year's Day hangovers would keep most people away and we were right. As we parked just outside the gate we walked up to the line you see below.

Things were looking up and with risk of ruining the suspense of this post, we had a fabulous time at the Magic Kingdom. So good, in fact, that we are going back at least two more times before we leave! We didn't make it on many rides and we didn't see many shows but our girls were happy and if you are a parent you know that that is what constitutes success these days.

We started off on the right foot and headed right into guest services to get the Disability Access Pass for Kate. I will post a picture of it above because her photo turned out really cute but for the life of me I cannot see how it is any different from a FastPass. Ultimately, we headed to a ride we were interested in and the hostess standing at the end of the line would write down a time that we could come back and enter the FastPass line. The time she would write down was always equal to the wait time of the ride. We could only do one at a time and we could not stack our card to line up rides for the whole day. This system is balls, as they say, and I won't bother with it next time. Waiting was brutal for Kate and we had to spend much of our time trying to calm her down as we stood outside of an attraction. Enough of that, on to the good stuff.

We signed up both girls to do Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique. We had no expectations of Kate but we felt we owed her a chance. As we waited (<------there is that word again) our turn, we could see Kate getting agitated and asking for the pirate duds of a little guy who was waiting for his sister. The conversation went like this:

Me: Kate, you can be any princess you want. How about Belle or Aurora?

Kate: Princesses are sweeping (sleeping). I piwate!

Me: We can't do the pirate makeover here, Kate. How about you pick a princess?

Kate: I piwate! Gwacie Pwincess!

Me: Pirates are all gone, Kate. Princess or no costume, ok babe?

Kate: Fine. I Pwincess Sophia!

Me: Perfect! (Phew)

Grace chose Belle and was in her glory for the entire hour and Kate shocked the hell out of us when she let the 'Fairy Godmother brush and style her hair! No joke, none of us are allowed to touch her hair. Her therapists work on hair brushing programs with her. When they see the video below their jaws will hit the floor.

A total Disney success for us. Grace was so thrilled and we were beyond happy that she was able to enjoy her day without too many disruptions.

Grace enjoying some Daddy time while Kate napped at the park.

It wasn't perfect by any means. There was the Buzz Lightyear ride. Buzz is Kate's man and she adores him but this ride was too much and resulted in the mini-meltdown and mid-park nap you see below.

Don't fret though. Soon after....this happened! Success. I could watch this video over and over.

23 Comments

Grama

1/1/2014 10:00:15 am

So happy to see the girls having so much fun! Kate is doing amazing:)

Gord

1/1/2014 10:24:44 am

Awesome day.

Kim Wallace

1/1/2014 10:32:48 am

Wow! love the teacup video! We also took our girls (twins; one ASD) to BBB and the one with ASD decided to sit and watch instead. Funny because I can do her hair just fine! I think it was all the fuss there...too much stim. So glad your daughter got to experience this. Maybe the noise calmed her...like white noise. DAS not worth it? We had to change our trip (otherwise we'd be there now too!), to February and was worried about the pass. Not the same as in the past :(

Lucy LeBlanc

1/1/2014 11:56:32 am

The teacup video is one for the memory vault. Hearing the girls' laughter and seeing those beautiful smiles is what a family vacation is all about. The adoring look that Grace gives Kate at the end of the video is just icing on the cake. Thanks for sharing this wonderful moment.

Tara

1/10/2014 01:47:32 am

Yes, this plus the fastpass plus seems to be our best bet. It isn't as great as the old passes were. The fast pass plus allows for 3 rides, one extremely popular and two lesser rides that can be set from home or "on the fly" at the park (if there is space for the ride you want.) It is funny to me though that on New Years Day you post a picture of a near empty park, and the pictures from the local news show it as packed. We went by magic on Dec 27th (we were going to Hollywood on the Disney bus) and the parking lot was pretty full. I think the next day we saw parking on the grass. The week between Christmas and New Years is the very worst time to go!

Anon

1/13/2014 01:09:53 am

I'm not sure if this is insensitive of me but I have to say I'm a little appalled that you were so ungrateful with what the Disability Pass provided you. I understand how difficult autism is to deal with but there are plenty of children that don't deal well with that aspect of Disneyland--with mental disabilities and without. Many of those children don't have the option to get a pass like this so I don't see why you think you and your family should get more privileges just because your daughter has an especially hard time waiting.

Valentina

1/13/2014 02:09:13 am

The whole point of the pass is to allow guests with disabilities to have an easier, less stressful experience in the parks. The fact that this was not how it went for them means that the pass that they got that was supposed to help was not doing its job, which means she's perfectly entitled to be unhappy with the system.

And for the record, anyone who has a good reason to need a pass like this is able to get one, so it's not like anyone who's in a similar situation and can't handle waiting wouldn't be able to get the pass.

1/13/2014 02:09:40 am

christina

1/13/2014 05:49:19 am

"problems with waiting" is putting it mildly. Having taken classes of children with autism to public amusement parks and getting "accommodations" or passes- they are a pain to get. Part of the reason people get the passes is to, shocker, save the PEOPLE IN LINE the "annoyance" of being in line with a child who is having a meltdown every time the line stops moving. EVER. TIME.
The new pass system at Disneyland and Disney in general is not good at all for those with autism or those with conditions in which waiting in a line for a long period of time is hard emotionally and physically.The hassle of getting the pass is often not worth the "benefit" you assume it gives. That fact that you have decided to be "anon" shows that yes, you do know you are being insensitive.
Furthermore, I don't recall reading anything about her saying she wanted more privileges. She stated that the pass she received was did little more than a fast pass would, was much more cumbersome, and next time she wouldn't go that route as it appeared to cause more hassle. This is not the first family with a child who has disabilities that has said this and they won't be the last.
Disability access is about leveling the playing field, not giving people privileges. If more people understood that, this world would be a much better place.
Kate and family- keep rockin' it.

Liz B

1/3/2016 04:56:42 pm

Wow anon... Walk a day in the life and you'd know there are no breaks for kids with special needs only moments of joy and occasionally some understanding and a sprinkling of fairy dust when you
get a 'perk' the rest of our lives perks do not fly in abundance... Give me a break.. A Non special needs kid has the rest of their lives to beat the lines, back pack in Europe, dance freely at their wedding... Give folks a break... This pass makes it accessible to kids who may never cope.

1/13/2014 02:06:49 am

As a Disney cast member, it makes me really sad to hear that their new pass wasn't as useful as it could have been. I would say the return time works for some people but obviously not everyone, and while it's better than no pass at all, I wish they hadn't had to get rid of the old system (I don't know if you're familiar with it, but you would get a pass that was basically an automatic fastpass to every ride). Unfortunately, with how many people would take advantage of it, it really did need to go because it wasn't doing anyone any favours.

Alternatively, I think Disney could learn some lessons from Universal's attractions assistance pass. It's the same system (where you get a return time which is the current wait time minus 15 minutes), but any time you go to a ride with a wait time of less than 30 minutes, you go in straight away.

Jacoby

1/18/2014 08:41:39 pm

As a Disney Guest Relations Cast Member and a Universal Studios Guests Services Team Member, the pass works very much like Universals assistance pass in that any attraction that is 10 or less they don't have to wait on the line. Universals is 15, not 30 as you put it.

I am sorry that the pass hasn't worked for you on your trip but I do hope you give it a try next time you come back. Feel free to ask a Guest Relations Cast Member about any tips that may help you around the park. Remember, you do not have to bring your daughter to the attraction in order to get the time written down. Many families tend to use the "send the spouse while we ride a smaller wait time ride" route and that usually helps out a lot. Sorry again! I am glad you did have a somewhat magical time!

Christna

1/13/2014 05:40:06 am

Ok, the teacup video! OMG! I not only love K's reaction but GRACE's reaction to her sister's joy is amazing! So sweet! Grace is obviously enjoying herself and also checking in on her sister! Sisterly love. SO great!

Kate

1/13/2014 06:35:38 am

A thought on hair brushing.
I noticed that when Kate was getting her hair 'princessed' she was watching herself very intently in what I'm thinking may be the mirror? Perhaps being able to see what was happening helped her to integrate the sensations? Just a thought that may or may not be helpful in the future.

Laura

1/13/2014 08:51:09 am

As a previous Disney cast member, That video is what Disney is all about. I'm so glad you caught it on camera and can view it over and over to perhaps give you that boost you need when having a bad day. I've loved reading your blog - a total inspiration and a complete eye opener… The world can learn a lot from your words and I do hope people realise how hard things can be. I think what people, like 'Anon' above forget is that Disney is meant to be the happiest place on earth… for everyone. If Disney can give that family that has to deal with a disability day to day something to help their vacation easier… they will. Disney is for all to enjoy, take the stress away from everyday life and help make moments like this. I don't know if you already know this but the first aid and baby care centre has quiet rooms and beds and I'm sure they'd be more than willing to give you access to if you ever go in the future.

I'm sad the new pass didn't work well for you; people were abusing it far too much and it certainly spoilt things for the people who really did need it. I hope they readjust their policies for when you next decide to visit.

You have to absolutely beautiful daughters, thank you for sharing your Disney experience… I know from my own experiences that your girls will have touched the hearts of many cast members during your visit!

Sam

1/13/2014 03:03:42 pm

After reading your letter to "Daddy" I was interested to read about your Disney World experience. I'm a primary/elementary school teacher and for the past six months taught a boy with autism. When I took over the class I found out that his family were planning a trip to Disneyland (from Australia) in the next lot of school holidays. Having travelled to LA within the year prior, I shared my knowledge of the old GAC card with his mum (a fellow teacher at the school).

Hearing the stories of their trip still makes me beam about how well my little friend went. His mum said it was the first time since his diagnosis that they felt like a normal family and that Disney is truly the happiest place of Earth. Seeing the look Grace gave her sister gives me some insight to how my little friends older brother viewed him on the trip and explains some of the changes in him after such a positive experience with his brother.

It is truly a shame that Disney had to change from the old system as I know if my little friend was going this year (or hadn't been told about the GAC) it would have been a vastly different experience for him and his family.

Some people like anon obviously just don't understand autism and how breaking routine is hard enough for most children with autism without the added stress of waiting.

Go Kate :)

Karla link

1/13/2014 10:51:32 pm

We discovered Tom Sawyer's island and it is a bubble of calm in the midst of all the stimulation. Our little sensory challenged grand daughter loved watching the parade from there, surrounded by water and trees, with no crowds to struggle with. It had a great view, and offered trails and wooden play areas to run around on to expel

1/13/2014 11:02:28 pm

Oops, I cut my comment off mid sentence. The island is perfect for expelling energy, taking a break from the excitement, and getting grounded. Our little one always does better when she had a chance to escape to nature and play in the dirt. She was a scruffy looking, but happy little princess when we ferried back over to the rest of the park.

We learned to follow her cues and ignore most rides, spending our time wandering around and exploring all of the the details that snagged her attention and imagination like the Mickey Mouse shaped brass fence posts. Her version of a visit to Disney wasn't typical, but she had as much fun pursuing the details that caught her eye as most kids would have had had on rides.

Dana

1/15/2014 02:23:37 am

I have just started reading your blog because my little sister is disabled not with ASD but with lupus and Cerebral Palsy. I actually have years experience working with children with ASD and they are by far the most inspiring individuals to be around. Anyway, I am commenting because of your complaints about the disability pass at WDW. We actually go to Disney every year because this is one of the only places that is about 100% wheelchair accessible and when we went this past year we were very unpleased with the disability pass. My little sister is 23 but it is still hard for her to sit in lines to wait to go on a few of her favorite rides. Unfortunately I believe the reason Disney changed this service is because of people abusing the system. Before when the pass let you skip the line we would get all the "nay sayers" giving us looks and making comments about what makes us so special. One of the only things my little sister still gets excited for is to go to Disney and one thing that helped our whole family out was being able to skip the lines for her 5 favorite rides. I just want people to understand that children with disabilities don't get to go and do as much as they want. Going away is a large privilege that only happens once maybe twice a year and it is enjoyable and exhausting all at the same time. I know, unlike most families, when we go to Disney we can only take my sister to the park for a few hours a day because she gets too over stimulated and will have a melt down in the middle of the park. One thing that we really enjoyed before was that we were able to get on and right off the 5 rides she actually enjoyed and now because of others abusing the system we can no longer do that. It may seem unfair to others and even on the plane ride we get looks because we skip the lines but I also think about how all those "lookers" are probably on their second vacation of the year when we are just finishing up our one and only for the next year.

Ashleigh

1/16/2014 12:58:17 pm

Like a lot of other people, I was directed here by a link from your "Dear Daddy" post. I just had to comment on the hair situation - as an ABA therapist here in California, I completely understand what a HUGE success that was. I'm not even her therapist and my own jaw dropped when I read that sentence and saw the picture. My sister has autism, too, and I know how much of a family/community disability it is (or should be) so, from one loved one to another, (and from an ABA therapist to a mom!) I just wanted to say how truly happy I am for you that you daughter made this step!! GOOD JOB KATE! (:

Also, the teacup video brought tears to my eyes. When my sister was younger, she LOVED Disneyland. You put it perfectly when you said that making the girls happy made everyone else happy. There is a light inside Kate that shines so bright in that video. I'm so happy for you that you have this to watch when things get tough.

Keep your head up and give Kate a high five for me!

1/16/2014 01:00:13 pm

Also, the comment about the mirror was a good suggestion. I always tend to go the play route first, especially with the little ones. Maybe a dress up day, side by side with her sister (and a peer??) with people doing their hair, too? Good luck!

Sherry

1/16/2014 05:08:36 pm

Next time get the handicap pass but also use regular fast pass. We found out that by using both and staggering them it did cut down on the wait time.

Doughty

1/17/2014 11:29:33 pm

As the mom of an autistic 2.5 year old, I could watch that teacup video all day, too!! It's those moments, isn't it? There's nothing like it.

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Disney Part Two: We're Only Happy When it Rains

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