tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post369446993332979568..comments2024-03-17T12:02:12.410-04:00Comments on Love That Max : Disney Cruises and kids with special needs: a review of The FantasyEllen Seidmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-40069076708660126302018-04-04T21:37:53.787-04:002018-04-04T21:37:53.787-04:00I have always enjoyed/appreciated your posts about...I have always enjoyed/appreciated your posts about Max’s adventures! I am catching up on this one because I’m considering a cruise, as we went to Aulani in Hawaii this past Christmas, and I could not have been more pleased! The characters are “on vacation” in Hawaii, as well. It’s a less formal arrangement to meet and greet but I can tell you for certain my youngest (who has autism) LOVED seeing the characters. Even better: the Disney characters have an innate sense that their guest has extra needs. They are patient and loving and kind and it made this old worn down Autism Mom of two tear up over the experience (and we are decidedly NOT Disney World people). HIGHLY recommend a trip to Oahu Aulani and stay at a property nearby for sanity’s sake (the Aulani is way too much overwhelming sensory overload). Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08509460469864151628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-9082169189304592362015-12-21T11:56:42.951-05:002015-12-21T11:56:42.951-05:00Thank you for your review. I was a little nervous...Thank you for your review. I was a little nervous about Christian's first cruise. (he's four with sensory issues), but after your review I think it will be ok. Maybe I should get him earphones too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-38246192184685815142014-04-22T10:39:44.658-04:002014-04-22T10:39:44.658-04:00Ellen this is so reassuring. I know you said a Dis...Ellen this is so reassuring. I know you said a Disney Cruise would be awesome but now I am actually excited. Travelling with May is so unpredictable, and the info here is really helpful. <br />Also - I'm buying May Max's headphones for her birthday this week. I saw the link in this post. I've been online today looking for them - so this helped me twice over. Thx!Stacie Lewishttp://www.mamalewis.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-57749651117614900952014-03-27T13:52:45.691-04:002014-03-27T13:52:45.691-04:00you are so kind for letting the world know all the...you are so kind for letting the world know all these valuable tips and advises.<br />God Bless you and your family<br />:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-72098944116442015252014-03-02T09:50:21.365-05:002014-03-02T09:50:21.365-05:00Hotty "handicapped" is a antisocial word...Hotty "handicapped" is a antisocial word! In this day and age it is NOT okay to use that word. Normal decent people dont use the H word. It is NO better then the MR label. Shame on you- you should know better!! Get with the times please. Taranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-17819584670460349772014-01-20T11:16:02.786-05:002014-01-20T11:16:02.786-05:00Your blog was very interesting and helpful as we w...Your blog was very interesting and helpful as we were considering a Disney Cruise next year. However, after reading the comments, I don't think this will work out for us. We have a (soon to be) 18 year old daughter who uses a wheelchair due to her Leukodystrophy condition. She is incontinent and uses (diapers). While she is 18 years old, she truly enjoys more childlike activites and loves the Disney Princesses. She would not be able to attend the 'clubs' or use the swimming pools. Suddenly doesn't sound like near as much fun. Sad that special needs children (and their families) are so limited on vacation choices.Terrinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-62909242495655457772014-01-17T18:38:41.708-05:002014-01-17T18:38:41.708-05:00After they turn 13 they are no longer allowed in t...After they turn 13 they are no longer allowed in the clubs regardless of the needs that the child has. We found this out on our last Disney Cruise. It broke our heart to know that it would be our last one for a while considering the policy's that they have. But we respect that they have to adhere to what corporate says. I would, however, recommend a Disney to cruise to any family regardless of needs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-64958808746932840532013-09-14T11:55:19.628-04:002013-09-14T11:55:19.628-04:00Thank you so much for all of the great info! I hav...Thank you so much for all of the great info! I have a bolter too and had concerns about leaving him at the club- but this makes this hovering mama feel a little better about it! :) Would hate to go and not feel relaxed about leaving him. WISH there was some way to pay extra to get one on one attention. Another concern I have already is how do you let your child (who is a flight risk) go down the water slide? I am a nervous wreck to let him out of my sight at all and I don't know how you would let them go down that deck high water slide (which of course he is dying to do) without letting them out of your sight? Anyone have suggestions for that? Also- with the rooms with balconys-does it have child safe locks for nighttime? I am sure it does but these are the kind of things that stress me out that I would want to be sure about before booking a trip. Thanks thanks and thanks! :) Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-74489874595733214392013-06-01T14:39:26.595-04:002013-06-01T14:39:26.595-04:00Hotty there is a reason Disney Cruise dont allow c...Hotty there is a reason Disney Cruise dont allow children who arent potty trained into pools. Its to reduce the risk of poo in the pool and it is not discriminatory either. Nor is it unlegal. tharahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06178926420365797564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-83394141162754420472013-03-24T20:00:48.274-04:002013-03-24T20:00:48.274-04:00Just to add a little bit of info about the "M...Just to add a little bit of info about the "Mickey Band" (electronic wirstband), it does include GPS type system that allow the counselor to monitor at all time where the kids is. While it can not literally locate the kids anywhere on the boat, the system generates an alert when a kid is signed in the kids club but is not phisically in the club anymore. Safest system i have ever seen :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-90984165906893212842013-01-25T12:17:36.914-05:002013-01-25T12:17:36.914-05:00We were thinking of going on a Disney Cruise. We w...We were thinking of going on a Disney Cruise. We were on one in 2008. They were horrible with our dietary needs for one of the children. The attitude was simply don't let her eat that. No mention of alternatives or anything. We now have expanded our family again. We now have twins with special needs. The one is blind and has CP. I called asking about their policy on the pools and was told it didn't matter if it was a special need/disablity if the children weren't potty trained they couldn't go into the pools at all. How can I take them on a cruise with their sisters and tell them you can't go into the pool but your sisters can? Its discriminatory! They have told me there's no exceptions. The twins are 2. Having special needs and medical problems that you don't know if they'll potty train ever is not something we can change. The one twin absolutely loves the water and she's the one who is more handicapped. I think its wrong of Disney and I don't completely understand how its legal. This is why we haven't gone on another Disney Cruise. Now the theme park in Orlando we go to every year and spend over a week there. They are awesome and very very accomodating with our expanded family and special needs children. The Cruise Line not so much!<br /><br />Hottflylips@yahoo.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-81090328867202864172013-01-16T10:35:46.345-05:002013-01-16T10:35:46.345-05:00In the county where I live they have collaborated ...In the county where I live they have collaborated with project lifesaver for the bracelets. Www.projectlifesaver.org. Ours is part of the sherrif office and they have to do a battery check monthly. The antenna can locate a mile radiusWe are going to get a medical bracelet and when my daughter is older and get her a bracelet when she starts public school and we have transportation to consider. The program has located over 2,000 people!<br />I happened to stumble across this program and I don't think too many are aware of this great technology!Mixed Up Chromosomeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09358053240002718339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-44849988960404956792013-01-16T07:17:47.864-05:002013-01-16T07:17:47.864-05:00So happy you had an amazing time.
I've had t...So happy you had an amazing time. <br /><br />I've had the pleasure of cruising on the Magic and Wonder it was several years ago before Sophie was born. It was truly amazing although I would be nervous now to even think about putting her on a cruise ship. It's very comforting to know how accomodating they are but I should already know that as Sophie's Make a Wish to Disney was wonderful. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-84419712139836759512013-01-16T05:50:55.174-05:002013-01-16T05:50:55.174-05:00I need to go buy a lottery ticket! That sounds li...I need to go buy a lottery ticket! That sounds like a lot of fun!Felicianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-42738969706171248172013-01-12T13:24:37.314-05:002013-01-12T13:24:37.314-05:00Thank you Ellen for this detailed adventure with M...Thank you Ellen for this detailed adventure with Max. I am a Disney Travel Planner (specializing in Disney World) but I have been hesitant about taking my son on a Disney cruise. I know first hand about special needs in the parks, but after reading about Max's cruise, I am inspired to put a cruise back on my "must do" list for my son! <br /><br />Ann Honeycutt<br />Travel Planner with Instant Impressions Travel Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02445200871761861023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-73050103399004359872013-01-11T21:45:30.812-05:002013-01-11T21:45:30.812-05:00Excellent question. I try to prepare as best we ca...Excellent question. I try to prepare as best we can. The month before we left, we'd had Max's blood taken to make sure he had good levels of his anti-seizure meds, so we felt secure about that. I knew they had a Health Center onboard with doctors/nurses (think about how many older people go on cruises—I figured they HAVE to have good medical staff). After the grand mal seizure Max had when he was two, I always carry a letter with me from his neurologist explaining to doctors what to do in case of major seizure, plus we have Diastat. I have dreams of taking the kids to Europe and I have definitely thought, What if Max has a seizure? But I won't let that stop me, For one, I'd call ahead and make sure I knew about local hospitals. For sure, I would still worry. But Dave and I both love travel and think the the kids learn so much from it, and so, we go for it. <br />Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-17403768853460009802013-01-11T21:34:24.463-05:002013-01-11T21:34:24.463-05:00Oh, Shell, I can't imagine, my heart just drop...Oh, Shell, I can't imagine, my heart just dropped when I read that. Yes, he'd be safe and secure (and happy!) in the kids clubs.Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-25552983282594730492013-01-11T19:01:22.256-05:002013-01-11T19:01:22.256-05:00Fantabulous post Ellen. Now to convince Disney to...Fantabulous post Ellen. Now to convince Disney to base a ship in Australia.....<br /><br />I completely agree about the special character meet and greet for special needs kids. With BIG cocktails for their parents!!! We had the same issue at Disneyland in California in December with characters :(<br /><br />Michelle from Australia xxMum2twopreciousgiftshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15007154408088837824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-27104480896716602252013-01-11T12:51:13.450-05:002013-01-11T12:51:13.450-05:00Looks like so much fun. And the smiles on your son...Looks like so much fun. And the smiles on your son's face. Priceless!Out One Ear - Linda Atwellhttp://outoneear.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-15960366039373374562013-01-11T10:57:11.925-05:002013-01-11T10:57:11.925-05:00It looks like you had a blast! I had the same ques...It looks like you had a blast! I had the same question about the kids' clubs others had since I have one who likes to bolt(I really and truly thought I had lost him forever a few months ago- one of the worst experiences of my life). So, it's nice to hear how secure it is! Shellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06811697675090627618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-22412871949239833782013-01-11T10:38:38.034-05:002013-01-11T10:38:38.034-05:00They have them on the boat. We also went on a disn...They have them on the boat. We also went on a disney cruise on the disney dream. We have seizures and a shunt and have a lot more walking issues than max does. We are in a adaptive wheelchair and we loved it. nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16943446751465263123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-17803342101044244362013-01-11T09:56:32.132-05:002013-01-11T09:56:32.132-05:00I never take my child anywhere for fear that he ma...I never take my child anywhere for fear that he may have a seizure & need emt & a hospital... How do you deal with that worry? :(Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-71241667167616925242013-01-11T09:41:29.992-05:002013-01-11T09:41:29.992-05:00This is a very thorough detailing of your first bl...This is a very thorough detailing of your first blog about your cruise for those of us who can only live vicariously through your amazing experiences such as ski vacations, trips to museums, and on and on. Don't get me wrong you and all of the families who live daily with special needs kids should have this opportunity as all deserve it. However, Ellen, most do not have the financial resources to do this type of vacation or ANY vacation. My granddaughter's 120 doctor visits last year plus all her many therapies leave no expendable cash for my son, daughter-in-law, and other granddaughter to vaca on a luxury ship to the Caribbean! It's sort of like an in your face blog sometimes and makes some of us moan. Am I happy for Max? Of course, just looking at his sweet smile brings a smile to all of our faces!<br />PJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14278614937927105775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-76370876289430601592013-01-10T21:38:21.627-05:002013-01-10T21:38:21.627-05:00No kid could escape even if they were Houdini'...No kid could escape even if they were Houdini's offspring! The ONLY way out of the clubs are through the front gates, and they are secured. In order for a kid to leave, his parent has to be present and give a password. I guess a child could try to make a break for it if they were hovering near the gate and another child was leaving, but staffers really do keep an eagle eye on kids and of course, if you were to alert them to the situation they would keep an extra eagle eye on him. ALSO: Kids are given a special electronic wristband at the start of your cruise that contains basic ID info. They need this to be checked in and out of the club. It also monitors where they are, at any given point, within the clubs area (I don't believe it works as a tracker outside of them). Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-401303964563152307.post-76471151108332709452013-01-10T21:36:17.747-05:002013-01-10T21:36:17.747-05:00Yes, that wristband is able to track the kids with...Yes, that wristband is able to track the kids within the kids clubs. The primary purpose is to ID them so they can be checked in and out of the clubs. In terms of counselors and parents staying in touch, on previous cruises the ship had given us beepers but now every stateroom comes with two Wave phones, and counselors were able to text or call us on those if necessary. A tracker bracelet for kids at home sounds genius! Let us know if you find one.Ellen Seidmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01433429847255621203noreply@blogger.com