Knott's Berry Farm and Autism

Knott's, we've been going for years, it was and has been fantastic therapy for my boys.  They learned how to stay with me, deal with crowds, waiting, and some social skills.   See my boys are thrill seekers, and like the caliber of roller coaster available at Knott's Berry Farm (mom not so much in love with that part).  So I sacrifice my nerves and suck it up and get on rides that scare me from seeing them from the freeway.

So if you're looking for a gift to give a family or child with autism that you may know.  I would suggest a Knott's Berry Farm Season Pass.  Why a season pass you ask?  Well they're affordable, $90 for the entire year, with no black out dates.  They have light crowds a lot of the time that make the park not the sensory nightmare some other places can be.  It's a great way to get the families out and participating in the community.  Knott's has stepped up their Autism game even since we have had passes the last 4 years.  The disability pass lets you plan your day, and they give you boarding pass times to enter rides at the exit, which makes the whole experience possible for us.  However, my children have learned to wait at Knott's and have patience, we can tolerate a 15- 20 minute line if a ride is highly preferred. 

There are usually great musical performances, there are a lot of quiet places to chill or take a sensory break if need be.  They have a gluten free menu in many of their restaurant facilities within the park. They're famous for their Fried Chicken and Boysenberry and since our diet is extremely limited and picky - the chicken strips at Knott's are second to none and a favorite in our family.  So it meets all my criteria ;)

Knott's Berry Farm also offers Kid Track, which is a child identification in the God forbidden instance you get separated from you child, it will help them get back to you immediately. 

I have found Knott's to be a life skills therapy for my two boys with autism, that has really helped them move forward and onto bigger things, that I never expected.  It has rides and attractions that are appropriate for all ages, and that's what I love.   This was their foundation, and stepping stones, that gave them the ability to go to the moves, to Sporting events, to small community concerts, so many doors it opened up for them.  Was it easy, absolutely not?  It was a place that made a lot of the success that they have now possible.  For that I will always be grateful. 

We started in Camp Snoopy years ago, and have grown up in that park, to now everyone being tall enough for Silver Bullet.  Those were the toughest years of autism,  the staff at Knott's was always helpful and offered their suggestions that would make our experience easier, and even went above and beyond in some instances. 

I can't speak enough about Knott's we are there about once a month throughout the year, so we hit up all their different seasons.  The fall from Camp Spooky and the Haunt, and winter for Merry Farm are our favorites, but Easter Time is beautiful in the park and Camp Snoopy has a great Easter Egg hunt.

Oh and I almost forgot the dining pass.  $99 added to your season pass and you can eat lunch and dinner at the park every visit.  If you're aware of theme park food, it's expensive, this is the deal of the century!

So if you're stumped on what to get a family or a child you know, this would be a gift of ability, growth, and life skills that every kid especially those on the Autism Spectrum could use.

3 Date Weekend

Sometimes with autism, our family doesn't always get to spend our time away from the house together as a family unit, so occasionally we divide and conquer activities accordingly.  

So this weekend, there was much football on to be watched, college and professional, and the husband wanted to partake in that.

Recently on Saturdays my little Jackson and I go to church with another family and usually dinner after church.  Jackson is enjoying spending time with his buddy from school, and it is a great opportunity for social interaction with other peers, but especially that he is learning about God and stories from the bible.  During the week he'll throw out little passages to me, for example "Jesus is God in human form".   So yes, he is getting something out of it, and I have been loving the messages especially what we got this week.  All about forgiveness, and starting over, and how to succeed in your faith by having a mentor, a pal, and a newcomer, to grow roots in your faith.  I always enjoy my "date" with my little guy even if he wants to be with his buddy and ride with him in his car!  My baby is growing up, and I couldn't be more happy for him

This morning the husband and I had a babysitter, and had planned to take the Harley out for a ride, but for us Orange County folk temperatures in the 40s and 50s are too cold for me to be out on a motorcycle early in the morning.  Call me wimpy or not Harley worthy, I don't care, I'm almost 50 and I know what makes me comfortable.  The husband and I arrange date days every week.  Need it or not, we need a respite from autism.  Even when we don't want to go out, or be with each other, we still go out for a few hours to recharge the batteries, it's extremely precious time for us.

We headed up the coast to an old established restaurant in Newport Beach for brunch.  We went to Newport Landing and it was a great choice.  I know you're thinking, buffet food, well it was a brunch and the selections were fantastic, and a wide variety of food, and everything from the soup, salads, sushi, eggs, prime rib, were delicious.  I was pleasantly surprised and am looking forward to going again.  They have a $3, $4 and $5 happy hour during the week, that makes the price right for us so we will hit that up for sure.  If you haven't been in decades, I suggest you go back, if you have never tried, you MUST.  The view and the food, and the company with the husband in the restaurant were all so pleasant it was a totally enjoyable morning.

I couldn't miss an opportunity with my oldest son Franklin who hadn't been out of the house in a few days, I took him to Knotts Berry Farm.  Our season passes expire this week so I was squeezing a little fun in this afternoon.  Knott's is normally pretty mellow and it has a lot of thrill rides, that he just loves.  Today was extremely crowded, but we were still able to get on 3 of his favorite rides, and a snack before heading home for dinner.  Knott's is also having a New Years Eve party until 1am this Wednesday if you're looking for something fun to do.

We have one more week left of Christmas vacation, and I'll keep the week full for the boys with therapy and play dates.  I am prepping for a 21 Day Sugar Detox that I'm starting with a friend on January 5th.  I'm going to have to use the blog for accountability, since sugar has become a nightmare of a problem for me, and I worked too hard to get fit and lose weight to give it all up, so I'm going to try this route, and hope I make it.

KNOTT’S BERRY FARM OFFERS MOM A FANTASTIC BRUNCH AND FREE ADMISSION TO THE PARK

If you are looking for something special to do for Mom on Mother's Day this has been a favorite of my family for the last several years, the food is delicious, and the opportunity to play at a World Class Amusement Park afterward is amazing.  

Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant has been a favorite family destination for Mother’s Day for over 70 years and this year they are offering moms free admission to Knott’s Berry Farm with their brunch purchase.   

           

This year Knott’s Mother’s Day Brunch will be offered at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant, Spurs Chophouse and Wilderness Dance Hall all of which will include all of mom’s favorites including a breakfast station featuring made to order omelets, Belgium waffles, and cheese blintzes with Boysenberry sauce.  The carving station will be presenting roasted turkey, honey glazed ham, and prime rib carved to order.  Hot buffet items will include filet of salmon, sweet hickory pork ribs, old fashioned apple stuffing, cheese enchiladas, vegetarian lasagna and of course, Mrs. Knott’s famous fried chicken.  Knott’s Mother’s Day Brunch also includes unlimited champagne.

Knott’s Mother’s Day Brunch prices are $32.95 for Adults, $24.95 for Seniors (62+) and $17.95 for Children (3 -11).  Every mom in the party will receive a voucher for a free ticket to Knott’s Berry Farm, valid May 12, 2013 only. Reservation for Knott’s Mother’s Day Brunch can be made by calling (714) 220-5055. 

            For more information on all Knott’s has to offer, visit www.knotts.com.

           

About Knott’s Berry Farm:

The Knott’s Berry Farm property includes Knott’s Berry Farm theme park with dozens of rides, shows and attractions; the 321 room Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel with 20,000 square feet of meeting space; the Knott’s MarketPlace shopping and dining area and the 13-acre Knott’s Soak City Water Park.