Good mail.

Ali, I am so happy that you are going to take a real vacation!, you guys deserve some rest.
I am sure that little Simon will enjoy it, and you too!, the walks are long and a bit tiring but is worth it, make sure you wear comfy shoes and clothing every day and also, take a jacket! you may think that Florida is not cold but you will be surprised, we went in Christmas time 3 years ago and it was super cold!, the only bad thing that I can say about Disney and Orlando is that they don't have nice food, well... at least not affordable everyday meals, don't know about the expensive restaurants in or out of the parks. The best meal that we had was at Wolfgang Pack's restaurant, everything else was pretty awful so watch out!, but I do want to mention that we absolutely loved the smoked turkey legs that you can get in any of the parks.
Our favorite one was Epcot and Magic Kingdom and we really loooooved downtown disney in the night time (specially the Ghirardelly coffeeshop!)
Ali, enjoy your trip, please give Simon and the Disney gang a big hugh from me!
Yanah

The best is the Unofficial Guide to DisneyWorld. Totally invaluable. Keep in mind about the fastpasses-Simon may not be interested in the rides that use the fastpass. Read as much info as possible before you go, even then it will be overwhelming for you and Simon. When our kids were little we did early morning stuff and then swam and napped in the afternoon then went back for dinner and evening entertainment.

Hi Ali,
My best tip - get the book "PassPorter's Walt Disney World for Your Special Needs" by Deb Wills and Debra Martin Koma; it is fantastic for families with a kid on the autism spectrum. Info about quiet places, gf/cf food, etc. And you probably already know you can request a Guest Assistance Card at Disney City Hall at the first park you visit; it will be good at all the Disney parks you visit and help reduce your wait times. I would have skipped Epcot with my ASD son; it just wasn't interesting enough to him. It would have been more fun to go alone with my husband. Have a great time!

I just went to WDW for the first time last December. You have to do Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party if at all possible. There's nothing like snow on Main St. Also, Osborne Lights in MGM Studios is fantastic. All of the fireworks shows are good, but if Simon doesn't like the really loud sounds, the Holiday Wishes can be seen from the Polynesian, The Grand Floridian, or the Wilderness. Illuminations in EPCOT can be seen from the Boardwalk I believe. Even better, if you plan it right, I think that you can ride the monorail around and see both shows at the same time. Anyway...I could go on for hours about this. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! As you can tell, I love to talk about it! :

I highly recommend signing up for access to TourGuideMike.com and getting the book "PassPorter's Guide to WDW for your Special Needs".
Mousesavers.com, allearsnet.com, and the disboards.com are also great sites.

I've stalked your blog every day forever, but just got the nerve to post :) Love the AEZine I got today. You continue to inspire me. I'm late, but I was so inspired by the canvas article in CK not too long ago and finally did a holiday one. Thanks for opening my eyes to new things.

How exciting, here's my 2 cents as an annual pass holder and almost native Floridian: Since you're going in December, take note of the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. The Magic Kingdom is basically unavailable those night unless you buy the additional ticket to the party and they generally sell out before the day of. In other words, call in advance to get tickets. It costs more but it's totally a once in a lifetime thing. There's a parade with floats and characters you won't see any other time. I think there's a bakery float that has the smell of baked things pumping out of it!!! They also give you free cookies and hot chocolate throughout the park and there are tons of characters with more of an opportunity to get pictures (not that we're into that or anything, haha) and autographs.
The new Finding Nemo (ride, I think) is open at EPCOT. It'll be crowded but Fast Passes are fantastic. But since Soarin' in nearby to Nemo you can Fast Pass one and waint in line for the other. By the time you get done waiting in line your Fast Pass should be active.
Here's a link to a tips page: http://hometown.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm
You can have breakfast with the Little Einsteins and Jojo's Circus characters at the Hollywood & Vine diner in MGM.
And if you stay at one of the park resort, know that you can get into any of the other resorts on property (except Swan & Dolphin) for free. In other words, you don't have to book the most expensive hotel to eat, shop or check out decorations. OH! DECORATIONS!! Hotel hope to see all the cool gingerbread houses! The Polynesian and Grand Floridian have AMAZING displays! And you can get to them both by hoping on the Monorail from the Magic Kingdom's front gate.
Most of all, take advantage of the phenomenal guest service that Disney gives. You can call them and tell them that it's your first time, that you're traveling with a child and what you guys are into and they'll get you in on the coolest stuff! The best stuff I've found out about has been by chance or by cast members giving me tips.
And just one last thing...when the fireworks go off at the Magic Kingdom at night, my favorite place to be is either at the Crystal Palace (cause they don't mind if you leave your table to go out on the patio and get an unobstructed view) and you're far away enough that the noise isn't so bad; or on Dumbo because you're in the center of where they launch from AND you're in the air, it's intense!
Okay, that's probably overload so I'll let you digest. Can you tell I get excited over this? I must have been like 30 times and I still get nuts over it. We're going December 4th to preview the new Finding Nemo show at MGM and I can't wait!!!

How freakin' FUN is that gonna be??!! WOWZERS!! And you'll be sporting your fun, new camera bag?!! You have many seriously fun times in your life. Peace and blessings!

Disney Rocks! We took our 5 year old and 2 year old last year to Walt Disney World. One of my Disney expert friends recommended the Birnbaum 2006 Walt Disney World travel book. It's great. It has maps and descriptions of all the parks. The trip was for our son. Our daughter was too young at the time. We planned our trip around his likes. Read whatever travel book you get with Simon and Chris to get opinions and most of all excited about going. It's a great way to learn about the parks before you go. There are so many must-sees, but you have to decide what's best for the three of you, mainly Simon. If you are wanting to do Character dining or special restaurants, make those reservations now!
My one big photo tip is to minimize the use of the Disney photo pass. The photos are quite pricey. You only have a month or so to view them and then they are gone.
Just remember to have a MAGICAL time!

How exciting for you and your family! I highly recommend the Unofficial Guide to Disney...TONS of great info on how to maximize your time and minimize your wait in lines. Heck they even give you a "plan" showing you what order to do things in...may sound anal, but with small kids...minimizing the wait is KEY! Oh and the other bonus...it tells you how to score a really cool character dinner at the Contemporary without reservations. You may have enough time to make them now, but Christmas time fills up fast! Have fun!!!

I don't know if anyone mentioned this yet, but Simon is probably elible to get a special pass (a la someone with physical handicap) to get on the rides first without having to deal with long lines. Other parents of kids with Autism have talked about it on allearsnet.com
Hope this helps,
Mary Beth Renze

just go with the flow Ali - these things are best experienced blind the first time becuase you will go again. Its fun to do you own little bit of discovery. We have been 3 times (and we fly 11hours there from the uk)but we actually love Seaworld the most.
Whatever the choices you make Ali - simon is in for the time of his wonderful life x

You have to get Mickey ears. Buy them at the Magic Kingdom, in the traditional characters section of the park- there is a souvenir stand with all the Snow White stuff in it, they will embroider your name for free. But you have to purchase your ears there. So cool to watch them operate the sewing machine!
Also, in the Downtown Disney section, they have a great Lego shop, with lego statues outside, and a lego play area- its a total must do! Best part of it is all of Downtown Disney is free.

Oh girl...I usually am not a commenter, but I had to break that rule. My husband and I, the big nerds we are, LOVE DisneyWorld.
Check out the mecca of all things Disney at:
www.disboards.com
Also, for the ultra-nerd in me, I love the WDWToday podcast which you can get at iTunes.
Staying on Disney Property totally rocks. Tons of 'perks' like free transportation to/from airport, between parks, extra hours, etc.
If Simon would like 'character interaction', do a Character Breakfast at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort. It's so fun to see the kids get all giddy and excited!

OIW...... YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!
I am so excited for you.
Enjoy the MOST well deserved break.
But you know, I am NOT complaining that you worked SO hard this year, otherwise I would not have met you in Sydney. And THAT would have been a tragedy {grin}...
Disney... wowsers, I hope you all have a blast.
Bx

WE have gone to disney twice as a family..once when our twins were 14 months and again when our twins were 3 and our "baby" was 14 months...some of the best memories of family time ever!
Anywho, the best disney book ever is "the unofficial guide to disneyworld" which is easily available on amazon and any major bookstore...it seems like Simon is about my girls' age...definitely rent a stroller while in the parks! Such a win win.
have fun!

We bought "Disneyworld for Dummies" and it had some GREAT advice! A little pricey, but worth it for the tips! Have fun!

Hi Ali, I am so happy to hear that you are coming to the Tampa area. My local scrapbook store is Ruban Rouge, hopefully you will have a chance to come see us soon. The scrapbook shoppe is a great store, you will enjoy your time there. Disney- make sure you make a reservation to have dinner with the characters, it is a blast, and good food as well. I hope you enjoy your trip. Amanda
http://hartshappenings.typepad.com/

Disney tip:
Go to the park when it opens, hop on the train, go to the opposite side of the park's entrance, and have a great time!
Less crowds!
J

give mickey big hugs from us. have an awesome time!!!