Aspies Take Disney- Hollywood Studios Part 2

I'm going to start with one of the high points of our first day.

We loved "Magic of Animation." The opening film is nothing intense. It provides lots of funny moments due to the genius decision of featuring Mushu as co-host. The animator that talks during the film is actually there- I had thought it was all pre-done, but they interact with the video image. A few children might even think that the conversation is really happening as Mushu jumps between screens. Of course they throw in a preview for their latest animated feature and an art gallery featuring it. This may be an advertising technique, but the gallery is actually fairly interesting. I just wish I could have gone in the days leading up to ''Princess and the Frog," "UP," or "Tangled" instead of being stuck with "Brave."

Once you exit the theater, you are free to roam around the rest of the building. The lines for the drawing class were absolutely ridiculous. They seemed small at first but the group size they let in at a time is quite small. These are half-hour classes, so be prepared to wait. We decided we just didn't have the time to do it. While there, you can also meet a bunch of characters. The Incredibles, Pooh, and Fantasia Mickey are always there. We also saw Daisy and Stitch walking around, but those characters switch out throughout the day. There are little stations where you can record your voice in a VERY brief scene as a Disney character, take a personality test to find your character match, and 'paint' a character on a screen. "Animation" is a really cool place to escape the heat and it can eat up a lot of extra time you might have.

The first thing we did, as you might guess, was "Muppet Vision 3D." This was a wonderful little film that definitely falls into the 'mislabeled as 3D but actually 4D' category. There's a wonderful surprise that comes down from the ceiling and at one point you feel a light sprinkle of water. The ending is a loud one- fireworks and a cannon blast- but it doesn't seem as overbearing as one might think, especially if they know what is coming. The new 3D character (Waldo) was pathetic. A little animated bug flying around doesn't exactly cut it based on Muppet standards. However, there's a great scene with Beaker and lots of other giggles as Waldorf and Statler provide side commentary and a few other characters surface in real time, including a penguin orchestra. We all enjoyed this movie.

If it's pouring then go ahead and spend a little time in "One Man's Dream." This is a mini-museum of Walt Disney's career that includes models and pieces of a few attractions and parks at multiple resorts. It's a little dark in places and a few displays have fairly creepy elements but this isn't the tone of the whole exhibit. There's a video at the end. We didn't watch it but it's supposed to be about Walt's life. I don't know what the live stage show "Disney Junior!" is like at all. It has a large building all to itself. I remember "Playhouse Disney! Live" being too much for me when I was little, but this new attraction might be different.

"Rock 'n' Roller Coaster" sends you upside down at extremely high speeds in a dark building with loud rock music blaring in your ears as you ride. We passed on this one. We also didn't do "Star Tours." This attraction's existence alone proves that there must be more obsessive fans than I thought. It takes place in an indoor ride simulator and may feature battles and loud noises, depending on which experience you get. The characters all creep me out to the point where I can't even look at them. But if your family loves the Star Wars films, they should do this. The other scary ride at the Studios is "Tower of Terror." I don't think I have to elaborate on this one, which is great because it gives me nausea just typing the name. Use the FASTPASS system for all three of the attractions I just mentioned.

A decision I regret is skipping "The Little Mermaid." The Ursula puppet is huge and creepy and the show can get dark, but there isn't anything here that wasn't in the movie. We heard there were laser effects (?) which would have been too much for another family member. The wait is also very long with no FASTPASS available. The best part of the Studios does utilize the FASTPASS option, though. (Get at least one by lunch because they always sell out by then.) Enter "Toy Story Mania." This ride was a complete blast. We had a great time on it. I liked the feel of the turns in the actual ride. The queue is huge and the line sometimes even goes outside (it can be over two hours long.) Get here first thing in the morning then grab a FP or two from the machine. You might not be able to get another one depending on the return time marked on your FP ticket. The ride does take place in the dark, but you don't even notice that as your focus is intent on the large, bright screens with targets in front of you. This ride is one of the best attractions of both Disney World and Disneyland. It is an absolute must-do.

This rounds out Hollywood Studios; next will be Epcot. As always, please comment with any questions you might have or comments regarding your own personal experiences!

Aspies Take Disney- Hollywood Studios Part 1

My favorite park happens to be Disney's Hollywood Studios. We visited this one first and I just love it, probably because it reminds me in part of California Adventure (my favorite park out of both Disneys). A good amount of the park's attractions can be done inside, which is great if you are expecting inclement weather.

I would have loved to try "American Idol Experience," but that takes a lot of time if you get accepted. I also wanted to watch it but I would have been the only one so this was skipped. I'm sure it's loud because of the music and the lighting effects seem true to the show. We also skipped over the over-a-half-hour-long "Backlot Tour," as it culminates in an explosion and flood. Sounds fun, right?

"Beauty and the Beast" was a fun break from the rain. I do wish that more than two of the actors were actually speaking their lines (most noises and lines were pre-recorded and blasted out of very, very loud speakers.) I also think that the costumes limited the characters at times, most significantly the Beast who seemed like he didn't know what to do other than throw his hands in the air every scene, but that's to be expected. They did a great job blending the songs 'Belle' and 'Gaston' together. Somewhere between finally getting the DVD and the 3D release I grew rather tired of the 'tale as old as time.' I feel that I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I hadn't seen any form of it in a while.

"Fantasmic!" includes fireworks, fireworks, fireworks, and some worthwhile special effects as well. It would probably be very entertaining to watch from a closed in (soundproof) surface, but this sensory explosion takes place in a spot as open as can be. Actually, that's not a bad thing. But still. Included in this show are villains in their creepiest forms: Evil Queen as the wicked old lady, Maleficent's dragon, and Jafar's snake. There are also appearances by princesses, but the show does have a dark feel. It's an interesting idea, but the noise, noise, noise is rather offsetting and prevents the experience from being as enjoyable as it could be, especially for our family.

"The Great Movie Ride" is just another example of how Disney tends to forget that their theme park is named DISNEY World. This could have been a wonderful blend of Disney moments from the classics like The Jungle Book to modern successes such as Tangled. However, they only incorporate Fantasia and Mary Poppins. The rest of the auto-animatronic filled ride consists of a mishmash of old movies. Kids should be fine with the likes of the two movies previously mentioned and Wizard of Oz. However, the trams are taken over by 'gangsters' and 'bandits' and there's even an Indiana Jones scene in there. What I find truly unsettling is the inclusion of Alien. If that film is anything like its R-rated prequel (I've seen plenty a foul ad for that) I refuse to touch it and neither should Disney. This is another one of those rides Disney places a precaution on, for this very reason. This ride is great for old movie buffs but those who aren't will become bored (this is really, really old technology folks), creeped, or both. Disney does- and should- include a few rides that offer more of a thrill factor to appeal to adult park-goers. This ride idea just doesn't seem like that type of thing, though. It seems like a fun family time where everyone can cool off. Sadly, this isn't the case. I would love to reinvent this ride.

If I had been allowed on "Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground" I so would have done it. It reminds me of the general feel of A Bug's Land in Cali. There are lots of slides and things to climb with a giant Playdoh container visible from the area outside. I'm sure there's a height limit though. This park is also home to a couple of stunt shows. "Indiana Jones" has pyrotechnics, fire, explosions, crashes, fights, etc. Not something for me. From what I've read, the attraction is outdated and only really interesting the first time around. This isn't the creepy Disneyland ride but it still isn't for the faint hearted. "Lights, Motors, Action!" is basically the same thing with cars. Lighting McQueen is even featured nowadays. The idea of it, a glorified car chase scene with interesting facts regarding how such scenes are filmed, isn't a bad one. Nevertheless, there's still a bunch of fire and pyrotechnics. This was closed when we were there.

My next blog will cover a few of the more popular rides and attractions at Hollywood Studios. It should be coming shortly.

Aspies take Disney- Magic Kingdom Part 4

The last part of the Magic Kingdom is Tomorrowland. One of the park's biggest and most popular attractions, "Space Mountain," is here. The entire ride takes place in the dark and features music (I don't know if it's loud or anything.) It gives a true illusion of being in space. This is definitely one to use FASTPASS for and I'd probably utilize the ride swap option, too as it is very intense. Roller coaster people love this. Non-roller coaster people become nauseous. Also in Tomorrowland is the Astro Orbiter. This is very similar to the Dumbo ride with one key difference- it takes place very, very, very high in the air. The view is great but will probably be too much for those that don't like heights.

I really wanted to try "Buzz Lightyear," but it was closed temporarily. The technology is slightly older than that of Toy Story Mania. However, the ride is the same idea: you ride through different scenes shooting at targets trying to rack up the highest score. It's very dark but there's plenty of light to see what you're shooting with your laser. If Zurg creeps your kid out, this ride has to be skipped. If not, go ahead and try your luck!

Down the road is "Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor." I loved this attraction. It's a great way to cool off and you can even text them a joke to use in the show. The wait feels worse than it is. Don't take one look at the line and walk away. It doesn't move until the previous show ends and the theater opens, but once it does you move really fast. The second waiting area is nice; a short informative/humorous video plays and you even get a glimpse of Mike's 'dressing room' door, if you look for it. Once inside, you are seated in a rather large theater and the show begins. The monsters react to you through similar (or possibly the same) technology as "Turtle Talk." Audience members are selected via hidden cameras to represent Boo, Sulley, Mike(?), and Randall onscreen for a retelling of the story of sorts and there is always one particular guy that gets picked on. I'm fairly sure that only adults get picked during the show, other than Boo. There's usually another audience member or two that gets selected to do something foolish or because of their look; 'Santa' was in our theater. Don't let this deter you if you're shy. There's a very small chance of being selected and it's mostly just a few 2-second cutaways. It's all in fun, and this show is fun indeed.


We probably love Stitch more than any other family does or ever could. However, after LOTS of negative reviews from all kinds of people (including mega-fans) we decided against seeing "Stitch's Great Escape." I truly do believe we made the right decision. Many Aspies will dislike the restraints that trap you in. If this was an actual ride, the restraints would make sense. However, this is just a video show with the help of an auto-animatronic Stitch. The entire experience is so dark and full of effects that even Disney warns that it might be scary. The worst effect takes place when Stitch burps chili dog into the air. You can't escape the ghastly smell. I've also heard that you feel pressure from the restraints during different parts of the show. As much as I love Stitch, it wasn't worth the risk.


"Tomorrowland Speedway" is fun, but not necessarily worth the mass lines that build up. Your best bet is to go here first thing. We had no wait, even though the screen outside said we would. I found this ride to be a tad harder to control than Disneyland's "Autopia." Two people fit in each car and, of the two, only one can influence the drive. Don't be afraid to let the kids get behind the wheel. A track runs beneath each car to help you stay in line, but even the most experienced drivers can jerk all over. Usually a ride will feel less jerky or uncomfortable if you know that you're the one controlling it. The final part of Tomorrowland is the "People Mover." It's a relaxing full-circle ride that lets you see every part of Tomorrowland. This isn't very exciting nor is it popular, so lines are small. Ride this if you need a break from the heat or if there's extra time on your schedule.


That wraps up the Magic Kingdom. We probably spent a full day's worth of time between the two days we hit it (we took advantage of the Park Hopper option.) It all depends on just how much your family is willing to do.

Aspies Take Disney- Magic Kingdom Part 3

Fantasyland is my favorite segment of the Magic Kingdom. To get there from the front of the park you walk through the Cinderella Castle. This is an experience by itself. Murals telling the Cinderella story cover the left side of the wall while blue curtains drape over the right side. There's a popular character dining place inside, but to eat there you have to book a reservation very early- typically at least half a year in advance! Once inside, you can do all sorts of Disney things. The carousel is fun and tends to have a very short wait. It, too, has little pictures depicting the Cinderella story. And if that isn't enough Cinderella for you, head over to the Cinderella fountain. It's small but fairly easy to spot. This is where you can typically find Fairy Godmother and, I believe, the Stepfamily.

Towards the front left side of Fantasyland is Mickey's PhilharMagic. Donald travels through classic Disney movies (songs, to be more precise) in order to track down the famous sorcerer's hat. I was nervous beforehand but the show turned out to be completely worth it. This film is advertised as 3D but as you will find out once inside it is definitely 4D. *I'm putting a minor spoiler warning here but if your Aspie might be bothered by said effects you might want to read on: You feel rather strong blasts of wind as bottles open during Be Our Guest. There is also wind during A Whole New World but it is lighter and was actually soothing to me. You can kind of smell the French food as Lumiere begins to sing. Just before Part of Your World there is a splash and water tickles you. Nothing big, if anything cooling on a hot day, but if unexpected potentially uncomfortable. The ending might be a little loud; I'm not sure because I covered my ears as a precaution after learning what happens. For once, no fireworks or anything, but something happens nonetheless.* Parts of it are dark (as 3D tends to be) but it really wasn't too bad. The wait time tends to just be the amount of time it takes for the previous show to finish. I surprised myself by really enjoying this show.

Outside the theater you can get FASTPASSes for Pooh and, at least temporarily, Dumbo. Dumbo is being renovated as part of the New Fantasyland which will include a small circus-themed section, Belle's and Ariel's castles, a new restaurant, etc. I really want to see it but I doubt I will as going back to this particular Disney isn't a priority right now. There will very soon be two (same) Dumbo rides up and running. They were both already built when we visited. I love Dumbo; it's such a fun little romp. Get to this section as early as possible and the wait will be minimal. The queue is very, very large so I can only imagine how busy it gets later on. If you can't get here first, make sure to grab your FASTPASS and return in the time it tells you! Dumbo is basically "Magic Carpets" with ears, you even control it with the same type of lever. It's still nice to do even if just once, especially if you have younger kids with you. "Pooh," on the other hand, was a nightmare for me in California. I heard that since then the Heffalumps and Woozles part has been cleaned up-and lightened up, for that matter- which is good because that was definitely the creepiest part (eerie chanting in pitch black with neon creatures jumping out at you. Umm, I'll pass.) It has become a gentler ride. However, it still has the thunderstorm that washes them (Piglet? I think?) away. And it's not exactly the quietest little storm either. Scenes like this are naturally intense for young children. Just keep that in mind when you board the oh-so-adorable hunny pot cars.

"It's a Small World" absolutely terrified me in Disneyland. The light-up electrical dragon at the beginning (which apparently isn't at this one), the creepy dolls chanting out that annoying little song, the time periods in the dark (which apparently are much more frequent at this one). I let the parents go on it and waited at the exit. Some kids will probably think it's fun or even *shudder* like the song. But different things bother different people and I don't believe I'm the only tyke who has been frightened by it before. Make sure to tell the little one(s) about the darkness before you ride. If you're one of those people that get creeped out by dolls (it's funny, as an avid AG collector I'm typically not) sit this one out. There's an island of penguins, which I gotta admit sounds cute. This is across from "Peter Pan," another one I skipped (I'm just not a fun person to take to a theme park, am I?). The line for it is always crazy. I was by it around 11am and noticed it had reached an hour. Again, FASTPASS comes to the rescue! If you like the movie, this ride will be a really cool experience. I've been told that there aren't many special effects at all here but it does get dark. I've never seen the movie all the way through so the darkness and pirate-y stuff is enough to keep me out, but I'd probably brave it if I liked the story. Somehow I think liking Tinker Bell and being equated to her personality-wise doesn't count.

How did I forget my favorite ride in all of Disney? Why of course, "Mad Tea Party" is part of Fantasyland! It is located next to Dumbo. If you get queasy easy, second thoughts might be appropriate, but it isn't as bad as you might think. You control how fast your cup spins via a wheel in its center. There are different tracks the cups sit on but each of them feels the same. One morning we rode at the same time as Alice and the White Rabbit, which was great because I was literally first in line to meet them. This seems to be the trend in this park: early in the morning, common meet-and-greet characters ride the attraction that matches their movie. I think this happens at "Pooh" and possibly "Peter Pan," too. It's a really fun touch.

My final Magic Kingdom blog, Tomorrowland, should be coming tomorrow as I'll be spending the rest of tonight blocking out the world as the thoughtless neighbors shoot off illegal fireworks as they do every year.

Aspies take Disney- Magic Kingdom Part 2

I'm going to try to cover at least two sections in this particular post, which shouldn't be hard because the ones I'm thinking of right now aren't exactly that big or significant.

Ahh, Frontierland. Home of two of Disney's biggest thrill rides. Also home to absolutely nothing that I did on my vacation. I honestly don't even think I stepped through the gate. "Splash Mountain," as I've heard, contains many little audio-animatonic creatures and a few caves before the big splash. If you love log flumes, you'll love this one. But if you have contacts or a fear of heights (or simply getting drenched to the bone) this is certainly not for you. There's no solid way to stay dry on this thing so plan for the soaking you'll receive. Needless to say, I didn't give this one a try.

Nor did I brave "Thunder Mountain Railroad," which had actually broken off its real tracks when we were in Disneyland. I'm sure that was a one-time maintenance issue, but it still keeps me far away. It's just one of those things that sticks in your head irrationally. Anyway, I'm not one for coasters and I've heard this is a bumpy one with lots of excitements along the way. Coaster-loving parents and siblings will want to try- and, most likely, love- this, but if big rides tend to be too much for your kid this will be no exception.

I'm no expert on any other parts of this section; not that I'm an 'expert' on the previous two either, I guess. The idea of Frontierland just isn't my thing to start with. For those who like it, I'm assuming the small amount of attractions is made up for just in the time it takes to get through those two big lines. Both of these offer FASTPASS. Use it. I cannot even begin to describe how much of a (FREE) benefit it is with big rides like these. Also, if the thrills are too much for young parkgoers but the rest of your party wants to experience them, use ride swap. Don't be afraid to ask for and pull out the Guest Services Card for those with disabilities if you think this will become a continual problem.

Let's move on to Liberty Square. It's a much quieter, less congested place than a good deal of the park which is nice as the crowds can become very frustrating here. This is where you can meet Tiana- she has her own little gazebo- and, when the mood strikes Disney, Naveen. If you haven't caught onto my frustration over the inconsistency of princes to meet (particularly my favorite ones) then I'm sorry that I haven't been frank enough. :D The riverboat is a relaxing, enjoyable ride. We didn't do it here because it wasn't important enough to fit in our schedule but liked it in Disneyland. Kids will be bored by "Hall of Presidents" and possibly even creeped out by the collection of audio-animatronic presidents talking to you. It seems milder than Cali's version but still not something I'd be into. I really don't think I have to explain why "Haunted Mansion" is one to skip. It's not that easy to find, which was nice for me because I didn't have to look at it even from afar. Columbia Harbor House is a great little restaurant. If you dine upstairs, certain windows are 'blocked off' so that you don't get distracted by the crowds and feel like you're in a real seafood restaurant. If you're like me and get grossed out by basically any fish to swim your way, don't worry. Their chicken is good and their fries are amazing. I also liked their apple crisp. Honestly, I liked everything I ate at Disney. I would go back just to eat their food...

...anyway. Onto good ole' Main Street U.S.A. This would be a really cute place to shop, snack, and see if you can run into any characters on your way into the park. I say 'would be' because that just simply isn't possible during the busier seasons. The crowds are thick throughout Disney World and that's just something you're going to have to deal with. That being said, a walk down Main Street is nowhere as calming and nostalgic as it should be during summer. It's hard to move at times and there are even people that push and shove to get their way. We treated it as an obstacle course and tried to get through as fast as we could; sadly, this was not at all Walt Disney's intention nor how it should be. I wanted to see the parade but simply wasn't able to because we were on the train. It's supposed to be wonderful. Anywho, the train was okay, but nothing exciting. It takes you on a full circle if you want it to and there are little things to look at along the way, but I could have skipped it. It's not intense at all, so if your little one loves trains you're going to have to ride it. If they don't like it once they're on, don't worry. There are two stops along the way for them to get off early.

One final word. Go to the Town Square Theater right by the entrance and snag your FASTPASS. Here, you can meet Mickey and the princesses. You have to chose just one line, though, and since Mickey's already at Epcot's character spot with a bunch of others I'd go ahead and try for the princesses. You get three for a similar wait time. The princesses change out depending on the day. I was quite annoyed when I learned that Rapunzel, my favorite princess, had the Fairytale Garden taken from her by Pixar's new kid on the block, Merida before Brave even had a chance to come out. (Not to mention that the transition got rid of, you guessed it, my other favorite prince: Flynn Rider!) I didn't think I'd be able to see her but was tipped off by Fairy Godmother (some less popular characters make unexpected appearances throughout the day, which is great because they also tend to have the smaller lines) that Rapunzel would be in the Theater that day. And she was. It was definitely worth the five or ten minute wait with FASTPASS. Belle and Cinderella were also there, which was nice. You don't get to see who you'll meet until you're inside the entrance, but if you pull out your card a cast member might be able to let you know beforehand. I'd hate to wait that long for people I'd already seen.

Aspies take Disney- Magic Kingdom Part 1

Last week our family took a vacation to Disney World. We were worried ahead of time how different sensory elements might bother certain members of the family for health-related reasons, but decided to take the plunge anyway. The trip was great, but I'm still a much bigger fan of California's original theme park than Orlando's.

I've decided to review what each park has to offer in a way that might be helpful to some other Aspies out there and see if I can throw a helpful hint or two in as I do it. For length concerns I'm just going to start off with the Magic Kingdom, Disney's most iconic- and my second favorite- park.

I didn't spend much time in Adventureland- it kind of creeps me out- but it's one of the smaller places in the park anyway. Pictures alone have been enough to deter me from "Pirates" (a lot of darkness and, uh, well a lot of sneering pirates) and we simply didn't have enough interest to justify "Jungle Cruise." I've heard that the cruise is funny but can get wet and also ends in darkness mixed with tigers, but for a better idea of it you should probably ask somebody who's actually been on it. :) We did "Enchanted Tiki Room" in Disneyland. It hasn't changed much in that time; it still features a doozy of a thunderstorm and creepy tikis that sing at you. That mixed with the loud (and I feel that I must add, annoying) music was enough to send me flying out of the place years back. There are fun little singing birds that host the musical show, so I guess if you're really a bird person it would probably be fun, or at least cute. I haven't been in there in a long time, but my dad tried it and confirmed that it was still a little much. Once again, this may be something that you'll have to judge for yourself. And now it's occurring to me that I'll have to separate even this blog up into a few parts. Me and my love for detail.

My favorite parts of Adventureland are the princess-y parts. This might not make sense (princesses and fairies in the middle of the jungle? What?) but still:) Even my mother, who doesn't quite share the Disney love, fell in love with Pixie Hollow. It's a fun little place where you can meet Tinker Bell and one of the other fairies from the new series. This fairy is switched out throughout the day, so you might not get to meet your favorite one. The one I met I'd barely heard of before, but she really got into her character so I didn't mind. The room itself is full of oversized mushrooms, grass, etc. and is really pretty. The wait is in an AIRCONDITIONED room where clips of the fairies play. It was a surprisingly nice place. Ariel and Eric are right next door; their wait is outside but covered and shaded. The princes seem to come every other time a princess receives guests (Disney's smart enough to have a schedule of appearances but not kind enough to tell you specifics other than main characters).

However, the best part to me is "Magic Carpets of Aladdin." For those of you worried about getting spit on by a camel, don't fret. The stream is small and it's nearly impossible to get hit by it even if you try, which we did several times between our two rides. Like Dumbo, you can move the carpets up and down as you fly. This basically puts you in control of your ride experience, which is great. Younger riders can keep it low and steady and those of us wanting to have a little more fun -or just to give the parents a jolt- can go up and down and up and down as much as they please. Well, not really as much as they please, because sometimes the levers are a tad bit difficult. As you're waiting, make sure to look at the design of the ride's center. It's well decorated. We were fortunate enough to come early and see Aladdin and Jasmine ride; they move off to the side early on for character greetings. Take note that Aladdin is surprisingly enough one of the hit-or-miss princes. For those still wanting to get wet, there is another camel at the front that spits on you when you walk away, provided you're standing in the right spot.

My tips here: get here early for character greetings as lines pile up fast. No matter how big a fan of Tinkerbell you or your daughter is, don't miss her meet-and-greet or you'll miss the fantasy fairyland inside. If your little boy loves pirates, make sure he knows about different parts of the ride- please, ask around for HONEST opinions; many people try to make stuff sound less intense than it is just because they liked it (idk if this is the case, just saying)- before letting him on but don't rule it out, as I've heard it's an excellent experience for the movies' big fans. Don't skip over the carpets. It's always a short wait and if nothing else it's fun to try to get hit (or not!) by that camel. Try the Dole Whip, unless you're like me and don't think fruit and ice cream should cross worlds. It's a one of a kind taste experience that's supposed to be very, very good.

That's it for part one. Well this is taking longer than I thought and I didn't really even do stuff in this park...

Stay tuned for MKP2, which might be coming quite soon!:D

A Day at the Movies

Let's just start by saying that 'going to the movies' was never really something I did with family and friends. There was a quieter theater by where we used to live that I would go to at times, but it was still kind of loud. Loud enough to discourage frequent movie-going. When we moved, that became an even bigger problem. Movies had just naturally been getting louder and louder, and finding a place for the family to go (even if just once a year) seemed unlikely if not impossible.

Then, one or two years later, we stumbled upon AMC's Sensory Friendly Films program. It was amazing. Select movies were shown at a low sound, medium light level, and high tolerance for talking/moving around/other such behavior. The lights and movement limitation parts of movie theaters never really bothered me. The noise, however, was unmanageable. This program allowed me to see certain movies while they were still in the theaters; BEFORE they came out to DVD where I could hopefully rent them. I loved it. The only problem was that I still couldn't go with friends. I don't tell anybody besides family about my AS, and even if I did (which I never, ever would!) they wouldn't exactly be happy about going to a low-key, 10 am show. It wasn't the optimum situation, but it was a start.

Then came The Muppets.

I have to preface the following with this statement: I’m not a big fan of the original Muppet TV show. I don’t hate it; I just don’t love it. But this movie looked cute and, hey, it was something to do on a Saturday morning (it was being offered as part of SFF). I never expected how much this movie would eventually mean to me and my family. Yes, it is incredibly corny, but that’s what’s expected from a movie like this. The corniness was dealt with in a humorous way. Before I knew it I had fallen in love with all of them- from poor little Beaker to Gonzo the Great to Walter, the newest addition to the Muppet family.

I immediately sensed a strong connection with Walter (and no, I don't believe he has Asperger's.) Watching parts of his childhood made me think about parts of mine: never TRULY fitting in; losing yourself in a cast of characters that meant the world to you and gave you a sense of belonging; going overboard on your special interest to the points where people think you're being ridiculous, but you don't let it really get to you and hang onto it for dear life- it's kind of all you have. Of course, it helped that they had Jim Parsons (Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory, the best TV character and TV show ever created) play his human counterpart in the song "Man or Muppet."

My mom couldn't come with me and my dad to the sensory showing because she had a commitment somewhere else that day. We told her all about it and, as she was a fan of the show as a kid, she wished she could have gone to see it with us.

There's a little movie theater by a small, local mall that has always seemed like it could be an option for us. It's not a very fancy operation, but it's still a theater. A few months ago, after some things we had read and a lot of courage being summoned forth, we decided we wanted to try it out. By the time we were able to catch a movie (Winnie the Pooh was our choice as we figured it'd be a quieter movie anyway), the one we wanted to see was already out of the theater. Nothing else had popped up that was worth watching twice or, if it hadn't made it to SFF, even once. After I saw The Muppets it hit me. I could go with my mom to try out the little theater. If it worked, I got to view this spectacular Disney creation once more and she would have a chance to see it. If not... then we'd be disheartened, but oh well. I was terrified as I walked down the dark hallway to the individual theater room. We opened the door and started walking up the side ramp. That's when the miracle of all miracles happened. The noise level was about the SAME as at SFF.

Right then... so many doors opened.

The tickets/concessions were cheaper. There would be more than one chance to see each movie that I wanted to. I could see ANY movie that I wanted to. I could go see a movie with friends. I could go see Beauty and the Beast in 3D. (You better believe I'm counting the days down till that.)

As we got back into the car after the credits rolled, we both cried.

The Muppets was the first movie in almost ten years I saw twice during its run in theaters. On the day that it comes out on DVD, we are going to the store and buying it. This movie means the world to us. Not just because it is a great movie, but because it is symbolic of that life-changing moment when I could be in a regular theater room, watching a movie like regular people do. I can feel tears welling in the corners of my eyes all over again as I type. Over Christmas break I am going with a friend to go see Chipwrecked. We're both avid Chipmunk fans, no matter how weird that may sound. The point is: this will be the first time since ELEMENTARY school that I am going to a movie with somebody my age... and it means a lot. More than words can say or that this blog can try to emphasize.

~~The bottom line: Don't be afraid to try a small, local theater in your town to see if the noise level is different. It very well may not be. But, if it is, a whole world of opportunity will open up. If the theater just doesn't work for you, check to see if you have an AMC theater in your town and if it offers Sensory Friendly Films. It truly is a great program. Also, don't miss your chance to see The Muppets while you still can. I promise you it's worth your while.~~

My corny take on my mom's so-called "Pearls of Wisdom" ;).