Just a big bunch of thanks!

Hey Ali! We just got back from Disney. As a mom w/ an ASD son, they are so very accomodating!
Best character meals: Chef Mickey and Crystal Palace.
Our little guy loved Animal Kingdom the most. And if you are doing the dining plan - Tusker house is great for lunch.
HTH! Jackie

Wow guys...I KNOW it will be a complete BLAST! Can't wait to hear all the MAGICAL details! Have FUN!!!! -Karla

I am so, so, so jealous. We took a girls trip a few years ago when AJ's little girl, Grace, was four. I had been a few times before, but it was a completely different experience with a child--the autographs were the way to go. She absolutely LOVED it. Believe me, Heather and I got our exercise literally running through the park to find characters while pushing Grace in the stroller. Two things that we did--started her out with a character that was more human, Mary Poppins. She had a bit of a fear of costumes at that age and it helped her warm up to the idea--plus she was a HUGE Mary Poppins fan at that stage. Second, we always had a stroller. She would walk often, but at four, her little legs got tired much faster than ours did. We were able to get one right outside the park and it was a lifesaver!!

So excited for your family! We just took our 5 and 7 yo last month for the first time. We live in Ohio and drove 32 hours round trip over a 4day weekend to go. It was SO WORTH IT!!! My best advice is to take a break from the park mid day. And snag a paint brush at Tom Sawyer's Island. My kids each did and turned it in to the raft operater and each recieved a pass for our entire family to skip ahead in line at a ride. And use Fast Pass! At the end of Oct. when we were there they were having record high's. It was 92 our day at Disney. We froze water bottles before we went and stored them in a locker at Disney to stay hydrated. That was our biggest challange-staying hydrated. Have a blast!

hi Ali,
You are going to have TONS of fun on your vacation! I work at Walt Disney World, and would be totally happy to get you and your family in for free if you let me know which days you are planning to go (tickets are almost $60 a person!). I would definately take Simon to both Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom if I were you, they are both great parks for kids. Epcot is more of an adult park, but is more calm than the other parks, and have a few cute rides for kids.. including the new Nemo ride, which is awsome! Vacation should be for parents too, and Epcot (where I work) is my favorite :) Also, if you call the restaurants ahead of time, they can accomodate almost any dietary needs (such as gluten-free diets), and even if you do not have the time for that, just let them know when you check at the restaurant or let your server know. If you have any questions, feel free to ask, and again, I would be more than happy to let you guys in for free!
Camilla

Be sure to take a signature book with you - Simon could even make one in advance! The new EK products would be great for this...have a character on every page, and then make it a "game" to see how many of those characters he can find and have them sign that page...would be a good way to prepare him also!
(Good places to see the characters - after you enter the magic kingdom (more of the "boy" characters; at Epcot, when the countries open, there is a parade and TONS of characters around for signatures (Chip and Dale, Goofy, Donald, Mickey, Minnie,etc.)
Have a ball!! It is still one of my favorite places to visit :)

My entire family went to Disney World last December. It was the first vacation my whole family has taken together in over 20 years and it was AWESOME!
Definite do's - Very Merry Christmas Parade, Breakfast with Pooh, Chef Mickey, and Animal Kingdom (It's a Bug's Life)
If you are at any of the parks when they first open - they always have several characters out front to meet and greet the arrivals - great opportunity to get pics and meet your favorites without having to stand in an autograph line!
We cut up our own acid-free paper to get autographs on and were then able to put them in our scrapbooks with pics of the character.
Another suggestion, if you have time, is to spend one day at Universal Studios in Whoville - the entire place is done up like the town in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and if you have an opportunity to see the Grinch show, it is amazing - he is VERY much like Jim Carrey in the movie that came out a couple years ago. I'm a HUGE Grinch fan so that was definitely my favorite part of the entire trip!

Oh, Ali - you're gonna LOVE it! We went this summer, and I'm still looking at all this STUFF, wondering, "How would ALI create an amazing scrapbook about such a magical vacation???" Now, I'm going to put it off (with good reason this time!) and see how you put together your album!
Yay! God has answered a scrapbook prayer!!

I hope you guys have an amazing time. We went with our 7 and 3 year old to Disneyland in May. Not only is it a ton of fun for the big people but the wonder and excitment with the little ones is beyond compare. I'll pray that Simon has a blast : )
Thanks for all your inspiration.

I'm sure you have heard this already but make sure you eat in the castle! You have to make reservations now... My DH and I went to Disney on our honeymoon and we had dinner at the castle very COOL! I believe they have a morning session too! Simon might not be into the princesses but I think it would a fun experience for the whole family. You guys are going to have a blast!

Hi Ali- You will have SO MUCH fun at Disneyworld! I haven't ben able to read thru all the comments, so I apologize if this advice has already ben given. We were there in February with my 5yo son and niece. Food in the parks is INSANELY expensive. We splurged at mealtimes in the restaurants but you may want to pack some snacks and drinks for all of you. We took things like granola bars, fruit snacks, Teddy Grahams, raisins, juice boxes etc either just to tie us over until meal time or if we just wanted a snack in the middle of the day. With Simon being on a special diet, you've probably already thought of this. But don't forget Mama and Papa!:) The other thing I did was make each child a small 7x7 album already predecorated with Disney borders (Princesses for the girl, and Disney "friends" for the boy). Then when there was a character meet and greet the kids were ready with pen in hand. With each character, there is a photographer that will give you an ATM looking card. This will have all the pictures that were taken by their photographers. The prints are expensive and don't believe them when they tell you you can upload them to other sites for delvelopment. Take your own photos (like I need to tell you that!). Lastly, HAVE. A. BALL!!!!!!

Hi Ali- You will have SO MUCH fun at Disneyworld! I haven't ben able to read thru all the comments, so I apologize if this advice has already ben given. We were there in February with my 5yo son and niece. Food in the parks is INSANELY expensive. We splurged at mealtimes in the restaurants but you may want to pack some snacks and drinks for all of you. We took things like granola bars, fruit snacks, Teddy Grahams, raisins, juice boxes etc either just to tie us over until meal time or if we just wanted a snack in the middle of the day. With Simon being on a special diet, you've probably already thought of this. But don't forget Mama and Papa!:) The other thing I did was make each child a small 7x7 album already predecorated with Disney borders (Princesses for the girl, and Disney "friends" for the boy). Then when there was a character meet and greet the kids were ready with pen in hand. With each character, there is a photographer that will give you an ATM looking card. This will have all the pictures that were taken by their photographers. The prints are expensive and don't believe them when they tell you you can upload them to other sites for delvelopment. Take your own photos (like I need to tell you that!). Lastly, HAVE. A. BALL!!!!!!

Hey Ali--
I would encourage you to read a letter that Kelli Crowe wrote to Disney after taking her son with Aspberger's Syndrome there--if you go to her blog--kellicrowe.typepad.com--she has a categories section on the top right, choose random and scroll down to October 24, 2005. Her family had an awesome experience. It's great to read encouraging stories about companies that accomodate special children in such tangible and honoring ways. Thought it would encourage you, too, and maybe give you a tool to take advantage of!
Blessings,
Lori Carlson

You'll have a ton of fun Ali! One piece of advice I got when we took my 3 year old there was get there early when the park opens and when they open the gates, Hightail it for the back of the park where Its a Small World and all of those rides are...there will be no one there and you'll get in all kinds of great little kid rides real quick! Epcot is great but for my 3 year old it was a little grown up and very commercialized. We ended up going back to the magic of the Magic Kingdom with him for another day because it was just kindof over his head and not quite as magical as the MK. Have a blast!
K

Hi Ali! I have a suggestion for your Disney trip! We went to Disneyworld for the first time in September, and 2 of my 3 children are on the autism spectrum (my 10 year old and my 4.5 year old). Their autism doctor wrote a letter describing the accomodations they would need to make the trip more successful for them. I took the letter to guest relations right at the entrance and was given a 'Guest Assistance Pass' which allowed us to use an alternate entrance. When we did have to wait, it was in a more quiet and isolated area. Most of the time we waited less than 2-3 minutes! It made the trip so much better for the children, and therefore, for us too! The only trouble we had at all was at mealtime, because the waiting time and the crowds in the lines. We didn't try the character meals because my little one can't handle lots of loud noises, but we will try it next time when she is older! I hope your family has a wonderful trip, and enjoys the magic of Disney as much as we did! Jennifer

Ali,
This is a totally random question, but where did you get the cute green t shirt and cable knit cardigan you are wearing in your CK column?

HI Ali,
I'm so excited you are coming to Orlando (my home), I'm bummed not to be doing one of your classes - we've only just moved here from the UK so a bit shy and didn't want to go on my own - maybe one day you'll do a class in Orlando - or Clermont where I live. Now as far as disney is concerned you will have a great time and Simon will too. We took my son Harry last year for the first time he was just under 3 and loved it - especially the shows. My advice to you (hopefully something a bit different) is go to the Lion King show at Animal Kingdom - awesome!! Also in December you have the candlelight parade in Epcot - I've been told it's wonderful, truly magical..
One other thing, you must try and fit in Seaworld - Simon will love it, it's Harry's favourite place and you get to pet Dolphins and the Shamu show is amazing - very special. There's so much to do for children, a lot smaller than Disney but just as amazing (if Simon loves animals it's heaven). Anyway, have a wonderful time, we love it here and the weather is just perfect and Simon will be amazed (so will Chris and you.....) Have fun.

"and reserved a character breakfast with Pooh "
Nooooooooooooooo fair!!! I grew up with Winnie the Pooh (thus my poker online screen name: airPooh)
Heck, truth be known, I still have all my pooh bears stored away.
Man, I am soooo jealous. My childhood bud. I bet you Simon will totally love that.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh child hood memories....
:)
JFLO

so excited for you, and so glad you're watching the video. I think it helps tons for the little ones to understand what's coming. =) I'm guessing you got a LOT of advice- and sounds like you've booked some good meal spots. I suggest the Le Cellier in Epcot (canada) for a great meal. The cheddar beer soup is AMAZING!
Oh- and I think you guys will enjoy it all. SUCH good times to be had there. =)

I don't know if Simon has issues with loud noises or crowds, but I have a few suggestions:
- Watch the Wishes fireworks (in the Magic Kingdom) from the second story of the train station at the park entrance. It's a great view and not so crowded or loud. I mean, it's crowded but if you get there the requisite hour ahead of time, you should find a spot right at the rail so it won't feel as crowded.
- Get Simon used to the idea of these BIG characters that don't talk so they interact by goofing around and hugging kids. They're very good at backing off when they sense kids are scared, but it can still be scary.
- Schedule an afternoon respite.
- Read the DISBoards (www.disboards.com)! These people are nuts (in a good way) and they take Disney very seriously. I can't believe what they know.
- There is a grocery store at the Crossroads shopping center, near Downtown Disney. If you are having a towncar driver pick you guys up (I much prefer this over the Mears Shuttle though I haven't tried Disney's pickup service), they'll usually allow you to stop at the grocery store before taking you to your hotel. This store is great for picking up pop tarts, water, etc. so you can save on expensive snacks and breakfast.
- The Christmas shop in Downtown Disney (and one other place but I can't remember which one) sells "Guest of Honor" badges. They'll engrave it with whatever name you like. They look very "Disney" and it's really nice so the characters will know Simon's name right away. This often helps draw out a shy child.