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
What makes things a bit easier for my son is that I know the parks like the back of my hand. I travel to Walt Disney World an average of 4 times each year from our home in Texas because I find having recent first hand knowledge allows me to give my clients a better experience. But you’re in luck- you don’t have to be a travel agent in order to navigate Disney World like a pro because you found me! This comprehensive guide will give you practical tips and insights to help you navigate your adventure in a way that everyone gets to enjoy the magic without stress or worry.
In the spring of 2024 my son was diagnosed with severe ADHD and high functioning autism. With my background in education I had a fairly good idea of what the diagnosis was going to be so it wasn’t a shock per say, but it did give me a new outlook. With the benefit of hindsight, I was able to see that his meltdowns weren’t *actually* fueled by not getting something he wanted or hanger, but rather overstimulation and other factors that often come into play with those with an ASD diagnosis. A lot of things started to make sense that had been covered in a haze of “what the hell just happened?!” and I was able to reflect on ways that I could help make our annual Disney trips more comfortable and enjoyable not just for our son, but for all 4 of us. And I’ll let you in on a not-so-secret secret: I also have ADHD and may be on the spectrum myself, so these tips aren’t just for kids- I actually use more of them when I travel to the parks solo.
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:
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.
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!
Familiar items from home can significantly provide a sense of comfort during your trip.
Food preferences and sensitivities are always an important consideration and generally fairly simple to navigate on your Disney World vacation.
Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is one of our favorite character dining experiences! And how cute is B here?!
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.
I’m working on creating set of these specific for theme park vacations so be sure to keep an eye out for those soon!
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).
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!
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.
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.
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!
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
What makes things a bit easier for my son is that I know the parks like the back of my hand. I travel to Walt Disney World an average of 4 times each year from our home in Texas because I find having recent first hand knowledge allows me to give my clients a better experience. But you’re in luck- you don’t have to be a travel agent in order to navigate Disney World like a pro because you found me! This comprehensive guide will give you practical tips and insights to help you navigate your adventure in a way that everyone gets to enjoy the magic without stress or worry.
In the spring of 2024 my son was diagnosed with severe ADHD and high functioning autism. With my background in education I had a fairly good idea of what the diagnosis was going to be so it wasn’t a shock per say, but it did give me a new outlook. With the benefit of hindsight, I was able to see that his meltdowns weren’t *actually* fueled by not getting something he wanted or hanger, but rather overstimulation and other factors that often come into play with those with an ASD diagnosis. A lot of things started to make sense that had been covered in a haze of “what the hell just happened?!” and I was able to reflect on ways that I could help make our annual Disney trips more comfortable and enjoyable not just for our son, but for all 4 of us. And I’ll let you in on a not-so-secret secret: I also have ADHD and may be on the spectrum myself, so these tips aren’t just for kids- I actually use more of them when I travel to the parks solo.
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:
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.
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!
Familiar items from home can significantly provide a sense of comfort during your trip.
Food preferences and sensitivities are always an important consideration and generally fairly simple to navigate on your Disney World vacation.
Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is one of our favorite character dining experiences! And how cute is B here?!
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.
I’m working on creating set of these specific for theme park vacations so be sure to keep an eye out for those soon!
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).
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!
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.
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.
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!
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