Disney World - Part 1

Last weekend Seth and I took Ben & AJ on a trip to Disney World.  This has been much anticipated (by me) as we booked this trip over 9 months ago!  We were fortunate in that we had a timeshare and miles for our airfare so really only had to buy theme park tickets.  Grandmom and Pop-pop had the wonderful and very important task of keeping Thomas happy and safe while we were away.  They came up and stayed with him while we went on our adventure.

We had some special visitors join us in Orlando - Uncle Jon & Aunt Cori came for 3 days and spent time with us at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom.  It was very nice to have quality time - and for us to have someone to push that 100 lbs stroller around all day ;-)

While I wish we could say the trip was a success I can safely say we won't be returning any time in the near future.  Both Ben & AJ have sensory issues and I didn't fully take into account how that would come into play at the parks.  Which as most of you know Disney is more an experiential place.

Thankfully (and what a blessing this was) I received a Guest Assistance Card that allowed us to go to the front of the line.  I was able to do this as Ben is on the spectrum.  Now my boys don't have problems waiting in lines and I thought this may be unfair to use.  But after seeing how terrified Ben was waiting in the line, where it was dark, loud, and his anxiety was building, I realized that this was what the pass was intended for.  It certainly helped alleviate some stresses and without this I think our trip would have been a complete failure.  So hats off to Disney for this!!!

Sunday, our first night we spent in Downtown Disney - we had reservations at the TRex Restaurant but one small look (and listening) of that place sent them in to a tizzy!  Meltdown central!  Instead we walked around for a bit and raced cars at the Lego store.  Both Ben & AJ created cars that WON their races.  Future engineers??

 Monday we visited Epcot - I thought this would be a good place to start so that they wouldn't be disappointed if we went later in the week.  WRONG!  Every ride was dark and scary and the near sight of Mickey & Minnie nearly sent them insane.  We did enjoy Turtle Talk with Crush, however, and I liked the beers in Germany in the World Showcase.

AJ, camera right, pulled his pants down to take a leak... thankfully Uncle Jon caught him in time! 

Learning about cranberries:

Her- "I can see myself in a few years still doing this..."  - AJ- "how do you see yourself?!"

We were hoping to stay for the Lights Show but they were losing it by 6pm and got out of there before dark.

(Ben, happy to be leaving the park!)

Tuesday was Hollywood studios.  We had a character breakfast scheduled in the morning with Handy Mandy, Oso, June from Little Einsteins, and Jake from Neverland Pirates.  This could have gone one way or another, and well, it went wrong.  Ben was so brave and actually gave Jake a hug and fist pump.  AJ screamed uncontrollably until we had to remove him from the restaurant and he ate his breakfast on a bench while Ben chalked Mickey. 

We hit up Toy Story (sensory overload - AJ refused to ride!) then Muppets Movie (where AJ took off his glasses- 3-D was too much for him!!) and had a nice time at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground.  Things couldn't have ended on a better note so we bolted before noon and went back to the pool to enjoy the afternoon without worries.

Read more about our trip in PART 2