A Disney vacation can be a thrilling experience, especially for families eager to visit the Happiest Place on Earth. But those of us with a family member on the autism spectrum, the thought of tackling a new place with no routine and no way to acclimate your loved one to their new surroundings with the possibility of over stimulation around every corner…it can be overwhelming to say the least. According to the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), 87% of families with someone with ASD do not take family vacations. That is heartbreaking.

Not even on the plane yet and B is over this whole “flying” business

Planning Ahead is Important

Proper preplanning is crucial for a successful Disney vacation, especially when traveling with someone with a sensory processing disorder. Here are a few of my top suggestions:

• Download the My Disney Experience app: This is going to be invaluable tool throughout your vacation, especially if you are staying at a Disney World resort (more on this in just a bit). It’s going to show you real-time waits for rides and attractions, make dining reservations, check out your Photo Pass pics, and more. You’ll be able to search through the map of the property and even chat with a Cast Member!
• Research the Parks: Understanding the unique attractions and experiences in each park can help reduce anxiety. The Walt Disney World property is twice the size of Manhattan and is home to 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, 4 full size golf courses, 2 mini-golf courses, 1 massive outdoor shopping and entertainment center, more than 30 resorts, and more. Needless to say, it can be overwhelming even for the neurotypical. Having at least a general idea of where things are located is going to give our ASD loved ones a sense of security and provides reassurance.
• Stay at a Disney World Resort: This is one of the biggest tips I can provide you with. Navigating the massive property can be tricky but when you stay on property you don’t have to worry about the logistics of navigation because you have unlimited access to the many forms of complimentary transportation provided by Disney. There’s busses, boats, the monorail and the skyliner. These are going to be your best friend when getting from point a to point b. I recommend staying at a resort near the theme park you will be spending the most time at. We are a big Magic Kingdom and EPCOT family so we tend to stay at one of the three resorts on the monorail line. I’m partial to the Grand Floridian but we did stay in a Club Level room with a Theme Park View at The Polynesian a few summers ago and WOW! It was one of our favorite stays!

Disability Access Service (DAS)

I want to preface this section by saying that there have been changes made to DAS in the last few months that seemed very promising but actually turned out to make things much more difficult for the people that need DAS the most to actually get approved for it. I’ll try to update this in the future if and when additional changes are made, but for now, just know that getting approved for DAS can be a process and getting through the approval process can be a headache.

• Pre-Register for DAS: You can register online up to 30 days before your check-in date and needs to be done prior to your arrival as there is not currently a way to register for DAS in person. (You can do the video call the day of, but I wouldn’t advise it.) You do need to have a valid theme park admission ticket and your My Disney Experience account created before you schedule the call.
  I’ll link a separate blog here with a how to as soon as it’s ready.
  You’ll have a video call with a Cast Member trained in the process. The person that has the diagnosis must be present for this call but they should have someone else with them if they are under the age of 18.
  • If you are approved for DAS you’ll be able to schedule return times for select attractions.
  • If you are not approved, I would suggest registering for another virtual session with a CM and try to explain the need in a bit more detail without giving away personal information. There isn’t an official appeal process at the moment so it’s really up to the CM you’re speaking to.
• DAS Stroller Tags: When you arrive at the park you’ll want to head over to Guest Relations to get your big red stroller tag. This will allow you to bring your stroller through the queues that allow it without having to park it at the queue entrance. Not all rides allow this because not all of the lines are able to allow you to safely navigate them in a stroller, but we will discuss these during your planning call.
• Documentation: You do not need to provide a doctors note or any sort of documentation to qualify for DAS but you do need to be able to describe the accommodations that you or your loved one needs in order to navigate the vacation smoothly. The more information you are willing and able to provide without disclosing your medical information, the better off you’ll be.

Find Sensory-Friendly spots in the Parks

One of the things I appreciate about the Disney Parks is that they recognize that sensory overload happens and they’ve planned in advance for a lot of them.

This little cave at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of our favorite reset spots. There are benches, plenty of shade, and a great view of The Tree of Life!

• Quiet Zones: These can be a bit of a hunt during heavier crowd times but I promise they are there. Check out this post on my Instagram for a breakdown of our favorite spots in each park!

• Baby Care Centers: You’ll find these in each of the 4 theme parks very near the First Aid center. They provide changing tables, nursing rooms, and seating areas equipped for families and can often give you a quiet(er) place for a rest and reset.

Bring Comfort Items

Familiar items from home can significantly provide a sense of comfort during your trip.

• Favorite Lovey or Snuggly: Our daughter (who is neurotypical) had a stuffed zebra named Zoey that she took everywhere. Zoey had a pacifier on the back of her head and was a regular companion on our adventures, no matter how close or how far away from home we went. Luck for us, we were able to convince our daughter that Zoey actually really liked hanging out in the hotel room so she could watch her favorite Disney Jr. shows. This allowed us to not have to worry about her falling out of the stroller or being left at a restaurant. Our daughter is now 10 so this was pre-Apple Airtags but if we were to travel with Zoey now, she would 100% have an Airtag attached to her. It allows you to trace the location within a foot. And if Zoey had gotten lost then we would make sure to file a claim with Lost and Found. They have a surprisingly high return rate!
• Noise Canceling Headphones: You’ll thank me when the nightly fireworks display begin or you find yourself in an especially loud show. It will make your trip more enjoyable and avoid audio overstimulation.
• Fidget Toys: Pack some putty, a sensory spinner, or pop it (our sons personal fav) so that you have a small, compact distraction on hand when you need it.
• Weighted Blanket: While it doesn’t typically get very chilly in Orlando, the weight from the blanket can provide comfort during your downtime.

Dining Tips

Food preferences and sensitivities are always an important consideration and generally fairly simple to navigate on your Disney World vacation.

• Make Dining Reservations: Minimize wait times by snagging a dining reservation in advance. If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, you can make these starting 60 days prior to check-in. Keep in mind that there are characters present at many restaurant locations, so if this is not something you or your kid are a fan of, be sure to take this in consideration prior to making your reservation. You’ll also be able to notate dietary needs or restrictions when you make your reservation but for added peace of mind, mention them again to the host when you show up for your reservation and to your server.
• Pack your favorite snacks: You are welcome to bring food and drinks into the parks so if there is something that you know your neurospicy companion will eat, pack it in your park bag for the day.

Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is one of our favorite character dining experiences! And how cute is B here?!

Visual Aids and Social Stories

Individuals on the autism spectrum often find comfort when they know the plan and have an idea of what they can expect when going into a new situation. Having these on hand before your trip can often alleviate stress and give those on the spectrum reassurance of whats to come.

• Visual Schedules: When you hire me to plan your vacation I create a ride by ride itinerary based on current wait times in the parks. Not only does this allow my clients to spend significantly less time waiting in long lines but it also gives you a great visual of what’s coming up next, helping to set expectations and ease anxiety. We can even make a physical version on a key ring so that our ASD friends can have a hand in walking you through your day!
• Social Stories: Social stories walk you through a new experience, what to expect, possible feelings, and provide a framework for a smooth experience. These are usually best when broken down piece by piece like “What to expect at the airport” or “What happens when I meet Mickey Mouse” so that each event is explored in depth and throughly.

I’m working on creating set of these specific for theme park vacations so be sure to keep an eye out for those soon!

Choosing the Best Time to Visit

Everyone wants to go during “the slow time” but to be frank, there isn’t really one anymore. My general rule of thumb is that if everyone else is in school then they aren’t at Disney World. For this to work though you have to be familiar with the various school schedules of the majority of the world. If only you knew someone who has that information already assembled (wink).

• Off-Peak Times: Again, if everyone else is in school then they aren’t at Disney World. There are usually a few weeks in late August-mid September and late spring that crowds can be expected to be lower than usual, but this isn’t a guarantee. We can usually work around crowds but listen to me when I tell you that there isn’t enough money in the world to put me at Disney World the week of Thanksgiving or anytime between Christmas and New Years Day. If you want to experience the stunning spectacle that is Disney World during the holidays, avoid the actual holiday itself and you’ll more than likely be just fine.
• Schedule your time in the parks efficiently: Arriving early in the morning or staying late into the night will often times give you a lower crowd level to navigate through in the parks. But here’s another secret: mid-afternoon is usually nap time for the little ones. If they are in their resort room napping, they aren’t standing in line in front of you. Make the most of it!

Flexibility is Essential

As much as we plan and prep, there are going to be moments that just can’t be scheduled. A little bit of adaptability is going to go a long way to making sure that everyone has the best vacation ever!

Character Interactions in a Comfortable Way

These are generally a highlight of any Disney adventure but it can also be overwhelming. Having a plan will make sure everyone has an enchanting experience.

Meeting Donald Duck at a distance. A loves character
photos while B needs a little, uh, space.

Participating in Extra Ticketed Events

There are so many after hours events with a limited number of tickets available for each event. Adding these to your schedule will require preplanning as they do often sell out far in advance, but it’s not impossible by any means.

• Visit During the Holidays: I still stand by what I said earlier about the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas-New Years Day, but Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a fantastic opportunity to explore Magic Kingdom with lower crowds and holiday magic. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party will not only bring out more rare characters for you to meet and greet but it will also give you the unique opportunity to Trick-or-Treat in the park!
• Other Special Events: EPCOT is host to a regular rotation of festivals throughout the year. (Festival of the Arts or the Food and Wine Festival are two of my personal favorites!) These festivals offer unique food, arts and crafts, concerts, and more and can be a great way to give those with varying interests something to look forward to.

Your Disney Vacation Awaits!

Are you ready to plan your spellbinding, spectacular Disney World vacation? Of course you are! With these tips and tricks, you’re sure to have a smoother, more relaxing escape for everyone, especially those on the autism spectrum. If you’d like to experience an even more personalized level of service then let’s chat about partnering together on your vacation! I am the owner and CEO of Vacations Worth Melting For and we specialize in creating unforgettable memories filled with magic and bliss. Click “Let’s head to the castle” on our website to schedule your complimentary consultation today!