We are leaving for WDW on 10/22 and cant wait! My son is 5 1/2 and this will be his first trip! I havent been there in 15 years myself, long overdue! We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge from 10/22-10/29. We are going to MNSCHP on 10/26! and cant wait it sounds like sooo much fun! I am a single mom by choice, i adopted my son when he was an infant and I promised him the day i took him home, that I was going to take him to disney world! I am finally making good on my promise! He was only 1 pound 7 oz when he was born and spent 3 months in the neonatal intensive care unit where I work as a nurse. His biological mother abandoned him right after his birth. I fell in
love with him and decided to take him home to love. He truely is a special boy and I love him so much! His only residual effect left is he has ADHD and is on medciation and I am a little worried about all the stimulation he will recieve and the long waits in line. If anyone has any suggestions, or has been there with a child like this.....I would love some advice. We cant wait to go!! This is such a dream for us!

Eileen, look at the link in my signature. There is a page about taking sensitive kids to the parks. I have taken several sensitive kids through the parks, adn my biggest piece of advice is to go at their pace, don't expect them to go at yours, and prepare to make it short. The kids' clubs are great with special needs kids and terrific for evenings, so you can have a chance to have some time on the bigger rides. I hope you have a lovely time.

Our oldest daughter is 12 and is ADHD. Her sister is 10 with either bi-polar or ausperger ( high functioning autism) waiting for doctor to figure out which one. :rolleyes: We have no problem with the older one as long as she is on her medication. she loves WDW and can hardly wait to go again. Her sister we have to go find a place for her to calm down like back at the hotel or sometimes a quiet spot int the park. Then she is ok. You know your son best and know the sign when he needs to sensory unload. Take him back to the hotel for a swim or even play in a fountain (bring extra clothes). Let him run around Tom Sawyer's Island orat AK there is the bone yard to play at or take a hike on the trails. Epcot has a viking ship to play in Norway. Just have fun. He's going to love it.

you should be ok in the lines in Oct. I'm not sure about the party. depends on how he does in crowds.I would say maybe do rides and things during the 1st parade, then unwind for the evening by watching the 2nd parade. Just check to make sure they r having both parades the nite you attend.Have a great time!!! oh yeah a great place to calm is on the people mover in tomorrowland.there is a all natural snack place there too.I believe the puch carts with icecream have a sugar free snack now too.

THanks for the info! As I am a diabetic, the sugar free info is great for me!
Good idea about the parade, I will ask when we get there, then it will be more enjoyable for both of us! Thanks for the response!! :D

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I am thrilled for you and for the wonderful boy you have adopted that you are taking him to disnyland.My advice is to take time to let him take it all in. Bring a stroller if you can so he can rest, and you can take it easy and push him. I know he may be big for a stroller but it will make it easy on you if you do so both can rest, have something to hold all your stuff in andyo can lean on it when you get tired :)
ADHD kids are full of energy, so I bet he will tire him self out just running from ride to ride. They also tend to get over stimulated so be prepared, and bring something he enjoys to keep him intertained while waiting for rides, a game boy, etc.I did not relize my boy would get so over stimulated and will know better nexttime to go at his pace,and let him run until he is ready to sit back in his stroller, also I plan on taking him back to the motel to swim if possible during the noon hours so he can calm down.
Take his favorite snacks, and before you go tell him all about the rides so he can pick out the ones he really wants t go on. I plan on doing this for my kids so we all get to enjoy the ones we want to go on. Have a great time and take lots of pictures!! ( I mean it I want to see pictures :) Be Blessed **Karla