Walt Disney World is a family-friendly destination that goes above and beyond to accommodate guests with special needs. Families with children on the autism spectrum can rest assured that Disney has many measures in place to help make their trip go as smoothly as possible. Along with the accommodations Disney offers, there are some measures you can take to help make the most of your vacation.
Pre-Travel
Plan with a Professional
It’s important to find a travel agent who understands your family’s unique needs. Whether your agent has personal experience with autism, is a Certified Autism Travel Professional, or both, you want to ensure he or she is equipped to help you plan and organize to meet your child’s needs.
Choosing a Resort and Room
When staying onsite, there are many options available with regards to resorts. Some things to consider when choosing your resort are noise and activity level, ease of transportation, food court options, etc. You will also want to consider room location and type. Do you need ground floor, close to transportation, larger space? These are all considerations your travel agent can help you work through and choose the best option for your family.
Apply for the Disability Access Service (DAS) Program
DAS is one of the programs offered at the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks intended to accommodate guests who, due to a developmental disability such as autism or a similar disorder, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time due to a disability. You can pre-register via live video call 2 to 30 days in advance of your park ticket, or visit Guest Relations when you arrive at Walt Disney World resort.
Preview the Parks
It’s important to take time to preview the parks before travel. Downloading the Accessibility Planning Guide & Recommendations is a great first step. Becoming familiar with which rides are eligible for ride switch, DAS, and Genie+ can help you feel more prepared when you arrive. You can also spend time exploring park maps on MDE (MyDisneyExperince) app and attraction lists to determine what rides your child will be able to ride. Watching POV YouTube videos can be a great way to get a feel for each ride and help your child prepare. Some rides may have bright, flashing lights, periods of darkness, loud noises, etc. that might trigger a negative reaction from your child. It is important to share with your travel agent things that your child fears so he or she can help you avoid any rides or other attractions that might be an issue. The Disney Sensory Guide is a great resource as well.
Plan a Visual Schedule
Creating a visual schedule can help your child prepare for your trip. Start with the activities that you know will occur, such as how you will travel to the Walt Disney World Resort and to the theme parks, the time you plan on entering the theme parks, and/or the times of parades and shows you plan to experience. Park times and show times can be found on your MDE app. Next, fill in the remaining times with possible attractions and use a question mark or a change card to build flexibility into the schedule. Review the visual schedule with your family member before your visit so they have an idea of what to expect and learn the routine before they arrive.
Practice Waiting in Line
Waiting in line is a regular part of the Walt Disney World Resort experience. While the DAS program can help eliminate some longer waits, you will still find yourself waiting in some lines. Discuss and practice this with your child while at home or places they are familiar with like the grocery store to help them prepare.
Packing for Your Trip
Disney permits you to bring food into the parks, so be sure to pack your child’s favorite snacks to help reduce meltdowns and ensure they have a snack they enjoy.
If your child has language delays or difficulty communicating, pack a contact card and a fun Disney lanyard for them to wear. If they are sensitive to things around their neck, you can also consider a band or bracelet with contact info.
Noise-reducing headphones can be essential in the parks and even traveling on Walt Disney World transportation. If your child is not accustomed to using these headphones, prepare them ahead of time by having them wear the headphones in public for short periods.
If your child has any toys or stuffed animals that he or she is attached to, be sure to bring those along. Having a familiar item may provide comfort and bring a sense of security to your child.
Cooling towels or neck fan can be helpful during warmer months if your child does not handle heat well.
Allow your child to help with packing. It’s important to let them bring clothing and other items along that they want to have on the trip.
During Your Trip
Companion Restrooms
Companion restrooms are available throughout the Disneyland Resort and feature single-stall gender neutral restrooms that provide additional space and privacy for individuals with a companion or caregiver. Manual flush toilets are available in some companion restrooms for Guests with sensory needs.
Take a Break
Should your child become overstimulated or need some down time, there are several quieter locations available throughout the parks where they can “take a break.” It may also be a good idea to take a midday break back at your resort for some down time while the crowds (and temps) are higher.
Relax
Don’t try to do it all while you are at the parks. Try to make sure you incorporate the rides your child is most excited about and in between take breaks, watch a show, or eat a snack. Let’s be honest, there’s no way to do it all in one trip, so just focus on making magical memories with your family.
Use a Stroller
There are many miles of walking involved in a Disney vacation. To avoid exhaustion and meltdowns, renting a stroller can make a huge difference. You can bring one from home or opt to rent one while on property. If your child has outgrown a typical stroller, there are larger strollers options available for those with special needs. Your travel agent will be able to give you recommendations on the best rental options.
Meeting the Characters
Meeting characters can be overwhelming to some children. Talk to your child about the characters they want meet. Look at pictures of characters prior to travel that they will meet at character dinings or meet and greets. Disney trains these characters extensively to work with children with special needs, so you can expect that they will be accommodating and also know when to not push. For character dinings, we suggest going during times between peak meal time to avoid the restaurants being super crowded and louder.
Fireworks
Some children have a big fear of fireworks. You may want to consider noise canceling headphones to help. For some children, there is nothing that will make them want to watch the fireworks, and that’s okay. Consider leaving the parks about 30-45 prior to the show to ensure you are out of the park and well on your way to the resort before they start, or find an indoor show or shop to visit that is a good distance away while the show is going on. If they handle fireworks better at a distance, consider staying at a resort with a view of the fireworks so you can still enjoy them from a distance.
Dietary Accommodations
Walt Disney World Resort can accommodate most food allergies, intolerances and special dietary needs at dining locations across the Resort. Special requests can be made ahead of time when booking a dining reservation, or by speaking with the chef or manager on duty at most restaurants.
Time Savers
Make use of the programs in place to help you reduce your wait times. Use the DAS program if your child qualifies. You can also purchase Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes to skip the lines. Ride switch is great to allow parents to each ride a certain ride that their child is unable or unwilling to ride without having to wait in line twice. Mobile food ordering can also eliminate long waits for your food. Your travel agent will be able to give guidance on all of the best ways to save time and make the most of your visit.
In Conclusion
Walt Disney World is truly a magical place, and we believe everyone should have the chance to experience it. While your trip may look different from others, please keep in mind that the point is to make magical memories with the ones you love. A Disney vacation is not a one size fits all. It is something different for everyone. If you are ready to dive into planning your Disney vacation, we are ready to assist with all of our tips and tricks along with our customized planning services to make it the very best vacation possible for you and your family!
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