We recently had a GREAT experience at Six Flags, http://autismparents.net/six-flags-autism-friendly-park/ , but I am wondering if we just benefited from their policy not being enforced???
You are supposed to go in thru the exit, and schedule a time to get on the ride. The idea is you have to wait as long as the regular line. The kid running the ride is supposed to estimate wait time in the regular line and pencil you in to come back after that time passes.
In actuality, this is WAY TO BUREAUCRATIC for the teenagers running the rides. We basically got right on most rides at the STL park, not because of their policy, but in spite of it.
If we had to go in thru the EXIT and then leave to come back, that is MORE likely to call a meltdown. Here we are at the ride, now leave. You would have to send one parent or someone ahead to schedule. Seems like in this day and age they could use technology to help with this. Like you scan disability tag at the ride and get assigned a time from computer, etc. They have a similar thing for the speed pass thing you can buy.
With that said, I cannot say enough good things about OUR experience.
P.S. Beautiful pictures of
P.S. Beautiful pictures of your little girl, and illustrating your blog.
Wow, we sometimes pass by
Wow, we sometimes pass by the Magic Mountain in Valencia. Wyatt really likes trains and the carousel, so we've been thinking about trying out some other rides with him. But we haven't wanted to deal with potential tantrum-causing "antecedents" like long lines and colorful merchandise.
When Wyatt was little, one of our friends had a pass to Disneyland and was always taking her son there. It seemed like her kid would get sick every time they went, and sometimes he would pass that on to us. So my husband and I started referring to it as "Disease-ney Land."
We used the speed pass
We used the speed pass system at Disneyland several years ago (close to when they first introduced it). We just loved it. My son was old enough and knew enough about his autism that time that he did not want us to do anything that was "special needs," so going to customer services with a doctor's letter saying he was autistic was out of the question. It would have caused the very meltdown we were wanting to avoid.
He really just wanted to fit in and have fun and the speed passes really helped him to do this. He also enjoyed going up to the pass machines and getting the tickets for our group (it made him feel like he was somewhat in charge of things I think). It also helped that he really loves midway rides and we had prep'd him for the journey by going to a number of small local fairs first. Using a variety of self-monitoring, relaxation techniques, he is now quite able to stand in a queue for reasonably long periods of time.
We've never taken him to a Six Flags park (at least I don't think so), but I think I agree with your assessment. An automated system would be a better idea than just providing another chance for some teenager to throw around their authority over our special needs kids (who are frequently victims of bullying anyway).
We have several rollercoaster parks on our list to get to; hopefully, someday soon.