To take my 5 year old autistic daughter to the NYE London fireworks?

[MumOfOneAllAlone]

Hi everyone

I'm posting as I need really some advice. I'm an east londoner but I've never been to the NYE fireworks.

It's just my daughter and I, and she LOVES the NYE fireworks which we watch from home.

Tickets are £20 each and are released on my payday.

She is a very sweet girl who has autism so is pre verbal. I'd take her in her buggy and would go to the accessible area. She'd have ear defenders, a big coat, blanket and her tablet.

Has anyone done this? I imagine it'd be packed but is it out of the question considering her autism? And her age?

She doesn't love crowds but will be okay in her buggy with her blanket over her head (she always does this). We could take the tube close to home and then I'd pay surge price for an uber so we don't have to walk home in the dark.

I hope I don't sound like a bad mum. She really will love the fireworks and it could be a great memory for her. But if it's gonna be too much bother, I'd keep her home.

TIA ❤️🎄

Oh thank you! I'll take a look now, as I'm still on the hunt for things to do during next weeks half term/bonfire night 😊 x

Hi to anyone that might see this

Following this thread, I was wondering whether anyone had been to the Morden fireworks on bonfire night?

They've got a session at 6.30 or something for kids as well as a later session for adults. The 6.30 session sounds perfect for us, and it seems like they have good parking options

I think it would be easy to get in and out if need be, plus we wouldn't have to get there hours early

Thanks @lyingpaintsample - I checked out the event but they weren't doing fireworks and it seemed quite involved - I wasn't sure whether dd would be comfortable engaging with so many neurotypical children, rather than it being just us ❤️

Thanks all x

Sounds like the Morden one is worth trying this year.

No, that sounds like utter madness, you've already said she doesn't like crowds so why take her to THE busiest night in London??
Not everyone is going to be mindful of you and your autistic dd!

Are you referring to my original post 😄 or are the Morden fireworks reallt the biggest fireworks in London? 😳😳

I've bought tickets and I've got the insurance so I can cancel if we get there and it's too much x

@MumOfOneAllAlone NYE of course.

And do you really get a refund on the tickets you have bought for Morden if you get there and decide not use them? That seems a risky thing for an event organiser to do.

They said if there's a reason you can't attend, you're protected. If i can't go because my dd will suffer, I think that's a fair reason

This one should have parking, be specifically for kids, be earlier in the day and have a way I can leave if she hates it

I think it's what I was looking for 🥰

I'll be surprised if you get a refund based on their T&Cs. You booked knowing your dd is autistic and doesn't like crowds, that's not covered in the refund policy if you decide not use them on the day. They are quite specific on what they will refund for.

Just go and try it.
It s money spent either way
You won't get refunded if you leave after 5 minutes
But you will never know if she enjoys and copes unless you try it

DD is Autistic and 15, I wouldn't take her

I hope you both have a great time.

But don't bank on a parking space, unless you've booked it.

My local park, and where I previously lived, is heaving at these firework events even though ticketed. Crowds are well marshalled and it's well controlled but many of the streets are closed to traffic.

I should clarify, if we get there and it seems heaving/we cant park then we'll leave. I'm not expecting to go and leave after a few mins and then ask for a refund 😄

Thanks x

Thank you x

if I can't park or it seems heaving as we arrive, I'll drive us to mcdonalds and then home, I am worried about it but this is the most accessible option I've managed to find

OK, I hope it works out.

And I was being nosey at the terms as I've been a part of organising a local event and we weren't this generous with our refund policy! 🙈

😄 it's alright, it makes more sense now I've clarified

And thanks, I really hope she likes it too

Hi everyone, or anyone who might come across this thread in future. Just a final update from me

I followed the advice recieved on this thread and completely ditched the NYE fireworks idea. Instead, I took my daughter to the Merton fireworks, London today. We just got back.

It was a crazy drive, omg, about 2 hours each way, due to traffic, as I'm in east London and it's in south.

But, as we have a blue badge, they had ample parking and it was just a short walk from the car park to the area of the park showing the fireworks

She had a wonderful time! And it was my first time going to a fireworks event too 🤭, so fun. She did want her buggy about halfway through but was so happy. Thanks for the posters who recommended a bonfire night event instead. Im hoping to make this a yearly thing (although ill find an alternate route) x

Anyway, if anyone sees this later, Merton Fireworks, south London is quite good for SEN kids. They had two shows, one at 6.45 and one a bit later. The first one is specifically for families.

we did have to walk on grass so I would check with the council first about wheelchair access. Thanks again 🙂 x

So glad you had a good time 🎇🎆

Great update! Glad it worked out

That was quite some drive for you - maybe next year there will be an event a bit closer!

I'm so glad that you and your daughter enjoyed the night and thank you for reporting back

@MumOfOneAllAlone Thanks for the update, I'm smiling so much knowing you both had a good time! Amazing to see you challenging yourself but still being very mindful of what works best for your DD. Very proud of you both ❤️❤️ (also you're never all alone on Mumsnet, we are right here with you😃🎉)

So glad it went well OP!! 😍😍

Thank you so much @LyingPaintSample 🥰, I'm so happy we did it

And thank you🥺, I'm definitely loving mumsnet and I was stunned by how kind everyone was x

Ah that's great news well done OP! Im glad you had a good time! And well done for giving it a go!

For next year - if it's closer there's a place in Kent that does silent fireworks, it's the farm park with the dinosaurs, just off the m25 if that is an easier drive.

Aww brilliant glad you had a good time!