- Welcome Message and select excerpts of our first year blog
- Our New Blog
- Contact us
- Travel Advice
- Guidelines for travel agents
- Flying-all you need to know before you book your next plane ticket>
- Cruising-planning the perfect cruise>
- Car Travel
- Traveling by bus...in style
- Hotels-Creating the ideal autistic friendly hotel room>
- Packing -101>
- Ask away -Autistic Globetrotting Free advice service>
- Tid bits-travel advice from our readers in 100 words or less
- Autistic Travels' Golden Rules
- Guidelines for travel agents
- Autisticals-a personal view of autistic travel
- US 10 best in
- The 10 best of Boston
- The best 10 of Hilton Head,South Carolina
- The 10 best of New York
- The 10 best of Alaska
- The 10 best of Texas-San Antonio and Galveston
- The 10 best of Santa Fe and the surroundings
- The 10 best of Arizone-Grand Canyon
- The 10 best of Colonial Williamsburg,Jamestown and surroundinds
- The 10 best of Washington D.C.
- The 10 best of Las Vegas
- The 10 best of Boston
- International 10 best
- Mini autisticals- the darnest travel stories you'll hear
- The Sleeps-our biased and un biased hotel reviews
- The Eats-Tasty challenges from around the globe
- The Shops-what you can buy next
- Collector's Corner-How did these travel trinkets become a collection
- Recommended products
- Giveaways
- Monthly news roundup
- Interviews
- Q&A with Jackie Longino founder of Aspietravel
- Q&A with Tal managing director of ALUTEVA-autistic hotel in Israel
- Eva Bronstein-Greenwald-special needs travel agent and founder of We Belong
- Q&A with Trip it's
- Q&A with David Intercontinental Tel Aviv
- Keri Bowers- film producer of 'Normal people scare me'
- Jamie Grover-Autism on the seas
- Peter Shears
- Clive-guide dog extraordinaire
- John Brown of 'Devyn and Dad' -an inspirational adventure across the United States
- Rose Niehaus Olsen Morris inventor of the safety sleeper bed
- Annette White,counselor for Camp Autism
- Colin Brennan-Canada's new singing sensation
- Dennis Debbaudt-autism safety expert
- Gisela Sedlmayer- author of 'Talon'
- Q&A with Jackie Longino founder of Aspietravel
- Inspirational travel stories by our guest writers
- Danette Schott's-Revisiting family vacations
- Brian R. King-Meltdown at the airport
- Joy's visit to the Aquarium
- Denise Klipsic-An incredible encounter with Princess Tiana
- Tanya Savko- Hope on a river
- Tiffany Robison-Great Wolf Lodge
- Fiona Westner Ramsay -Making-room-for-autism-in-your-canoe
- Laura Shumacher-Traveling with autism: a true story
- Phyllis Fanzo Lombardi-s -Vacation Time with Joey
- Kristina Chew-18 Miles On the Bikes At the Beach
- Jeff Katz-Chicago
- Margaret Ann Franklin's visit to the Great Northern Carousel in Helena Montana
- Claire Sarcone-Chessington the aspie way
- Elaine Hall-Tips for summer vacation
- Steve LHeureux -Autism "Outings" need to be planned and appropriate
- Kelly Green-The Gardens of Gilroy
- Wolfie Blue-Tips I learnt by traveling with my family
- Gluten free Disney cruise experience
- Danette Schott's-Revisiting family vacations
- North,Central and South America-pictures,videos and AG's tips
- Arizona,The Grand Canyon
- Alaska Cruise-USA and Canada
- Florida,Orlando-Universal Studios-looking for Harry Potter
- Florida,Orlando-Macy's mini parade in Universal Studios
- Florida-Everglades Park ,Miami,Key West
- Hawaii's big island with a glimpse of Pearl Harbor
- Louisiana,New Orleans-French Quarter,Christmas Parade,Nanchez Steamboat
- Louisiana,New Orleans-in the footsteps of Katrina,Garden district
- Massachussetts-Boston ,New England Coastal towns of NH and Maine
- New York-NYC
- New Mexico-Santa Fe and Bandoliers National Park
- Pennsylvania-Philadelphia
- Texas-San Antonio and Galveston
- Canada-Niagara Falls,Montreal,Quebec,Toronto
- Caribbean-Bahamas- the Atlantis resort
- Caribbean-Castaway Cay-Disney's bahamian paradise
- Caribbean-Roatan,Honduras>
- Caribbean-Grand Caymans-Hell,Turtles,Wild Hens and Stingrays>
- Mexico-Cabo San Lucas(Mex Riviera)
- Mexico-Puerta Vallarta (Mex Riviera)
- Mexico-Acapulco and Manzanillo
- Mexico-Mazatlan(Mex Riviera)
- Mexico-Playa del Carmen's Xcaret eco park>
- Mexico-Tulum and XelHa Eco Park
- Yucatan,Mexico- Chichen Itza,Cozumel's Paradise Beach
- Arizona,The Grand Canyon
- Europe,Asia,Australia and New Zealand,Cruise ships-pictures,videos and AG's tips
- Australia-Sydney and Melbourne
- Austria-Salzburg
- Belgium-Antwerp ,Brussels
- Canary Islands-Lazarote
- Croatia-the walled town of Dubrovnik
- Denmark-Copenhagen
- France-Normandy's D day beaches>
- France- Cannes,Nice,Eze
- France-Paris
- Finland,Helsinki
- Germany-Munich,Dachau
- Germany-Romantic Road
- Ireland-Dublin
- Ireland -Cork,Blarney,Kinsale>
- N. Ireland-Belfast>
- N. Ireland's Giant Causeway
- N.Ireland-Carrick -a -Rede-rope bridge>
- Italy-Venice,Pompeii,Rome
- Italy-Florence,Messina and Taoramina
- Israel-Jerusalem>
- Israel-Masada and the Dead Sea>
- Israel-Tel Aviv>
- Morocco-Casablanca
- New Zealand-Rotarua
- New Zealand-Fjord Park,Dunedin,Christchurch
- New Zealand - Auckland and sheep farm
- The Netherlands-Amsterdam,Delft,The Hague,Rotterdam,Madurodam
- Sweden-Stockholm and the Archipelago
- Russia-St Petersburg's Palaces
- Scotland-Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh
- Scotland-Edinburgh>
- Scotland-Inverness>
- Scotland-Loch Lommond,Luss,Sottish sheep show>
- Spain-Barcelona
- Spain-Cadiz and Seville
- Spain-The Alhambra Palace,view of Malaga
- Tasmania-Hobart
- UK-Liverpool and the Beatles>
- UK-London>
- UK-Stonehenge,Bath,Warwick Castle,Stratford on Avon,Oxford
- UK-Guernsey>
- Carnival -Legend
- Aboard the Carnival Legend
- Carnival -Ecstasy
- Carnival- Fascination
- Carnival Spirit
- Celebrity-Century
- Crown Princess>
- Sapphire Princess
- Royal Caribbean-Brilliance of the Seas
- Royal Caribbean-Mariner of the Seas (parades)
- Royal Caribbean- Mariner of the Seas
- Australia-Sydney and Melbourne
- Monthly guest's -Travel videos and pictures
- Web sites and blogs we follow
- Face Book discussions
- Guest Book
Tiffany Robison- Visiting the Great Wolf Lodge
![Picture](/uploads/4/4/4/8/4448415/8333956.jpg)
Tiffany Robinson lives in Wichita Falls, Texas with her husband Daniel and her three sons.; Mason 12, Johnathan 11,and Christian 9). Although two of her sons are on the autism spectrum and require a GFCF diet ,she still enjoys going camping and traveling to waterparks with her family.
Check out her blog http://www.autismparent2parent.com/
Check out her blog http://www.autismparent2parent.com/
![Picture](/uploads/4/4/4/8/4448415/515369.jpg)
At first glance, this place seems to be the least autism-friendly place to vacation!\
However, once you start experiencing it. You find that your kids (even the ones w/ ASD) are having a BLAST! Here are some tips and reviews based on our experience.
1. Choose a weekday! We went on a Saturday night (you get two full days of water park for one night stay). It was crowded on Saturday (almost DOUBLE the people than Sunday!) The crowd can be overstimulating for some, and can keep you from getting a "home base" table to keep your things. We found that when it was that crowded, the outside area was less crowded and easier to keep tabs on the kids while playing outside.
2. Make check-in a breeze! Send ONE person from your crew (the one who holds the credit card) to check in and get the information and wristbands. The wristbands are VERY IMPORTANT as the adult bands double as a room key, and all bands are your "entry" to the water park. If you lose the band, it is 30 bucks to replace! You may check-in and use the facilities at 1pm, but your room may not be ready until 4. Our check-in was a breeze, and our room was available right at 1. I would not advise taking the whole crew, luggage, etc. to wait in line. One family member staying in the car with the kids is the best idea.
3. Make a schedule! Think of who will be with the kids and who will be at the table watching the stuff (if you don't buy a locker). Determine if you will eat meals at the resort, or go out to eat. Prepare your children ahead of time so you don't have meltdowns when it is time to leave the water park. Rotate "duties" so parents don't get burned out! We are making an HOUR by HOUR schedule next time we go!!
4. Take advantage of their other activities! They have a little area where kids can do crafts and play bingo for prizes. They have an area just for teens to play guitar hero and x-box. They have a grown-up spa, and a kid's spa! They have a show in the main lobby a few times a day, and they have bedtime stories at night. They also offer a "MagiQuest" game that my kids BEGGED to play, but we didn't allow them to.
5. Get prepared for NOISE!!! You can imagine what it will sound like with hundreds of children screaming at an indoor water park... and it is very loud in there! (It is MUCH better outside though). There is no music playing at the water park.. which I am used to, so that was weird. Furthermore, be prepared for the possibility of noisy children and teens running down the halls when you are trying to sleep. We actually had to call the front desk because kids were slamming luggage carts into our door. The "MagiQuest Game" takes place ALL over the hotel, so if you are the unfortunate person that has to be in the room closest to the "hidden staircase" I am soooo sorry!
6. Make the staff autism aware! When checking in, tell the front desk if your child has sensory issues prohibiting them from wearing a wristband. They worked with us and allowed me (as his parent) to wear the child's wristband with our own.
7. Go GFCF! - You are not allowed to take outside food into the water park area, but you can have outside food in your hotel room (they even have mini fridges and microwaves in the room). We took GFCF breakfasts, snacks and drinks to keep in the room, and if the kids wanted something from the snack bar, they ate french fries. Our kids were too busy playing to worry about their food.
Overall, it was a GREAT trip, and we will definitely try to go again!
However, once you start experiencing it. You find that your kids (even the ones w/ ASD) are having a BLAST! Here are some tips and reviews based on our experience.
1. Choose a weekday! We went on a Saturday night (you get two full days of water park for one night stay). It was crowded on Saturday (almost DOUBLE the people than Sunday!) The crowd can be overstimulating for some, and can keep you from getting a "home base" table to keep your things. We found that when it was that crowded, the outside area was less crowded and easier to keep tabs on the kids while playing outside.
2. Make check-in a breeze! Send ONE person from your crew (the one who holds the credit card) to check in and get the information and wristbands. The wristbands are VERY IMPORTANT as the adult bands double as a room key, and all bands are your "entry" to the water park. If you lose the band, it is 30 bucks to replace! You may check-in and use the facilities at 1pm, but your room may not be ready until 4. Our check-in was a breeze, and our room was available right at 1. I would not advise taking the whole crew, luggage, etc. to wait in line. One family member staying in the car with the kids is the best idea.
3. Make a schedule! Think of who will be with the kids and who will be at the table watching the stuff (if you don't buy a locker). Determine if you will eat meals at the resort, or go out to eat. Prepare your children ahead of time so you don't have meltdowns when it is time to leave the water park. Rotate "duties" so parents don't get burned out! We are making an HOUR by HOUR schedule next time we go!!
4. Take advantage of their other activities! They have a little area where kids can do crafts and play bingo for prizes. They have an area just for teens to play guitar hero and x-box. They have a grown-up spa, and a kid's spa! They have a show in the main lobby a few times a day, and they have bedtime stories at night. They also offer a "MagiQuest" game that my kids BEGGED to play, but we didn't allow them to.
5. Get prepared for NOISE!!! You can imagine what it will sound like with hundreds of children screaming at an indoor water park... and it is very loud in there! (It is MUCH better outside though). There is no music playing at the water park.. which I am used to, so that was weird. Furthermore, be prepared for the possibility of noisy children and teens running down the halls when you are trying to sleep. We actually had to call the front desk because kids were slamming luggage carts into our door. The "MagiQuest Game" takes place ALL over the hotel, so if you are the unfortunate person that has to be in the room closest to the "hidden staircase" I am soooo sorry!
6. Make the staff autism aware! When checking in, tell the front desk if your child has sensory issues prohibiting them from wearing a wristband. They worked with us and allowed me (as his parent) to wear the child's wristband with our own.
7. Go GFCF! - You are not allowed to take outside food into the water park area, but you can have outside food in your hotel room (they even have mini fridges and microwaves in the room). We took GFCF breakfasts, snacks and drinks to keep in the room, and if the kids wanted something from the snack bar, they ate french fries. Our kids were too busy playing to worry about their food.
Overall, it was a GREAT trip, and we will definitely try to go again!