Frustration, tears or overwhelm are things many caretakers worry about when traveling with autistic and neurodivergent individuals. Our guess is you’ve spent months or even years wondering if a Disney theme park vacation can work for your family.
We’re here to offer a hand with advice for navigating Disney Resorts, planning with sensory-friendly rides in mind and explaining your options for services provided by Disney.
Dreams and plans can truly take flight with our help at Get Away Today, whether you’re planning to visit Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim or any family vacation. We want to be your best friend in travel.
Sensory Friendly Rides and Activities
We understand that many autistic people have sensory differences, including over or under sensitivity to different sensory stimuli like light, sound, crowds and temperatures.
Walt Disney World Resort does a fantastic job identifying attractions with various sensory experience details like:
- Scent or Smell - some rides include artificially introduced odor and/or operational fumes
- Lighting Effects - certain attractions include specialty lighting and other visual effects
- Loud Noises - many rides include startling or surprise noises (noice cancelling headphones are highly recommended)
- Periods of Darkness- some attractions have low light or portions with total darkness
- Bumpy - certain rides include sudden movement related to the story of the attraction, along with simulated movement or small dips
- Fast or Swift Forward Motion- some attractions include constant speed or sudden bursts of speed
- Lifts Off Ground - ride vehicle is raised in the air or track is at a higher elevation with limited visibility to track
- Wet Water Attraction - strong possibility of Guest coming in contact with water
- Element of Surprise - components of the experience that are not clearly identified in queue area or on the attraction
- Type of Restraint - rides vary of the style of restraint used but can include a shared lap bar, individual lap bar, shared lap belt, individual lap belt, individual over-the-shoulder, or no restraint
Accessible Environments in the Parks
Everyone needs a break from time to time. When a new situation causes distress or discomfort, it’s important to have a plan and a place to step away for a moment.
Luckily there are many places you can go to take a break, relax and take some downtime.
Magic Kingdom Park Break Spots
- MainStreet: Center Street
- Adventureland: Area near Swiss Family Treehouse; Area next to Pirates of the Caribbean restrooms
- Frontierland: Miner’s Cove; Area near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure restrooms
- Liberty Square: Area behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe; Area next to The Hall of Presidents
- Fantasyland: Area near the Wishing Well; Area outside Pete’s Silly Sideshow
- Tomorrowland: Pathway near TRON Lightcycle/Run leading towards Fantasyland; Area between Space Mountain and the Rocket Tower Plaza Stage; Area near Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
- World Celebration: Locations throughout central hub; Imagination pavilion near restrooms
- World Nature: Area between the Seas with Nemo and Friends and the Coral Reef restaurant
- World Discovery: Area near Mission: Space and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- World Showcase: Mexico-Accessible ramp to right of pavilion; Norway-Corridor between Norway and China pavilions; China-Area next to the Temple of Heaven; Italy-Seating nook next to Pizza Al Taglio; The American Adventure-Corridor between Joffrey’s Coffee and Regal Eagle Smokehouse; Japan-Garden seating area; Morocco-Near Restaurant Marrakesh and Lamps of the Wonder; France-Between France and the United Kingdom pavilions near water; United Kingdom-Garden area; Canada-Garden walkway towards Le Cellier Steakhouse
- Sunset Blvd: Area next to The Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant; Courtyard near Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
- Animation Courtyard: Near the restrooms
- Pixar Place: End of block near archway
- Toy Story Land: Corridor between Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: Area next to First Order Cargo; Area between Oga’s Cantina and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run; Corridor next to Toydarian Toymaker
- Grand Ave: Corridor next to Muppet Vision 3D; Pathway between Muppet Vision 3D and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
- Echo Lake: Area by Adventure Outpost to the right of 50’s Prime Time Cafe
- Discovery Island: Locations throughout
- DinoLand U.S.A.: Areas around Finding Nemo the Big Blue… And Beyond! Theater
- Asia: Maharajah Jungle Trek (locations throughout); Pathway next to Caravan Road leading to Africa
- Rafiki’s Planet Watch: Locations throughout
- Africa: Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, locations throughout
Disney World Autism Pass
Walt Disney World is an inclusive vacation destination that welcomes people of all abilities. One of the ways they do this is by offering the Disability Access Service, often known as “DAS.”
This service allows guests to request a return time for attractions and enjoy that wait time dining, shopping or exploring in places other than a standard queue.
“Disney Parks have an unwavering commitment to providing a welcoming, inclusive environment and accessible experiences for our Guests. DAS is one of the programs offered at Walt Disney World Resort theme parks intended to accommodate those Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.”
Please note only Disney issues DAS pass directly, but we have gathered this information to help prepare for the application process should you feel it meets your needs.
The first step is to register for a video chat. You will then speak with a Cast Member via live video to determine eligibility as soon as 30 days in advance of a park visit. All eligibility for this service is done through video chat in advance.
While this service continues to evolve, here are a few more things to know about DAS at Disney World:
- DAS is intended to accommodate only those Guests who, due to a developmental disability like autism or similar disorder, are unable to wait in a conventional queue for an extended period of time.
- DAS doesn’t provide immediate access to experiences, but rather allows Guests to request a return time for a specific experience that is comparable to the current standby wait.
- The Guest for which DAS is being requested must be present during registration and must experience the attraction when redeeming a DAS return time at Walt Disney World theme parks.
Transportation Considerations with Autism in Mind
Review the free transportation options between Walt Disney World Resort hotels and the theme parks for maximum comfort.
For example, your family member may be more comfortable riding on a traditional bus rather than the Skyliner with gondolas that travel high above the ground. In this case, our travel experts recommend a hotel that’s connected to the theme park by shuttle bus:
- Disney’s Pop Century has its own shuttle for guests of this hotel only, which is another perk to avoid overcrowding and delays.
- Disney’s Coronado Springs is a moderate property situated almost perfectly between Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offers views of animals right from the resort, along with free bus transportation between theme parks.
Autism Travel Helps for Any Destination
There are so many things from your regular routine that still apply to life when traveling. But it’s easy to forget or think these tried and true tricks won’t work during vacation.
Here’s a reminder of some of the best tips for smooth travel.
Make a Schedule
Some children are flexible and will have no problem staying up later than usual or missing naptime while on a family vacation. However, this is certainly not true for all kids.
Children who are used to daily routines at home tend to do better with a vacation schedule. If your child has regular nap and meal times at home, try to stick with those same times on your trip.
Getting kids to bed at a reasonable hour can be especially important. While Sleepy makes a cute dwarf, starting the morning with an overtired child can almost guarantee a rough day at the park.
Bonus Disney Tip: You can still utilize Disney Genie+, with or without DAS pass to shorten your wait times on many attractions.
Naps and Breaks are Key
You may be tempted to make the most of every moment by packing your day full of activities and rides. But a “go-go-go” schedule is not often ideal in new situations and places.
As mentioned earlier, keep an eye open for comfortable places to take a break if you prefer not to return to your hotel. If you have a stroller, it may be the perfect spot for a quick snooze. Each Disney Park also offers a Baby Care center that is quiet, and stocked full of anything you may need for little ones.
Bring Snacks and Water
Keeping hunger and thirst at bay is vital to a happy theme park visit. While snack carts and shops sell all sorts of fun snacks and drinks, these can add up throughout your trip.
Not to mention, the time spent waiting in a long line may be the tipping point before a big meltdown. You can also use Disney’ mobile ordering feature at many quick service locations to get your food without waiting in a long line.
Bring Wheels
Even children who have grown out of or do not usually need a stroller may benefit from having one on a long, hot day at the park. Strollers are helpful for carting around small kids, providing sun shade, making carrying supplies easier, and can be a bed for napping in a pinch.
If you forget your stroller or don’t wish to pack one, most vacation destinations will rent them to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis. Having wheels while moving through the park with your family can make the experience much easier for kids and parents alike.
Bonus Disney Tip: Ask a Cast Member about the “stroller as a wheelchair” option should your child need to remain in their stroller while waiting in queues.
Pack for Success
Packing for a family theme park vacation is a tricky balancing act. You will want to be hands-free yet as prepared as possible. Here are some vital things to remember:
- Smartphone chargers as you’ll use phones for navigation, communication, and to take lots and lots of photos and videos.
- Plenty of snacks and refillable water bottles.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun protection hats.
- Jackets, sweatshirts, and umbrellas in case of bad weather.
- First aid essentials like bandaids, wipes, and hand sanitizer.
Follow Your Child’s Lead
While “luck favors the prepared,” all the planning in the world may not be enough to avoid being overstimulated. Tourist destinations attract a lot of people and can be loud, crowded, hot, and overwhelming.
Follow your child’s lead. Check-in with children, ask them what they would like to do, be alert for mood changes, and try to anticipate needs.
Bonus Disney Tip: Set realistic goals and be prepared to adjust them at any time. This may require skipping rides, leaving shows early, or eating snacks while in line.
More Ways We Can Help
Call us and talk to our team. We are prepared to answer many of your questions like the best time of year to visit, which Disney Resort hotel will fit your group, dining reservations and more.
Another way to savor success and avoid meltdowns is by giving yourself enough time to experience Disney without feeling rushed. For a family vacation full of quintessential Walt Disney World favorites, we recommend at least a 4-Day 1 Park per Day ticket so you can experience one full day at each of the main theme parks.
Our team would love to help you plan a memorable Walt Disney World vacation. Book online or call our agents at 855-GET-AWAY.
One way to do that is to take advantage of our Extra Day Free Disneyland tickets. With five days of Disneyland fun for the price of four, you can take your time, and take rests whenever needed without feeling like you’re wasting your vacation. Combine that with our Extra Night Free hotel specials, and you’ll save more the longer you stay. Our team would love to help you plan a stress-free Disneyland vacation. Book at getawaytoday.com or call our agents at 855-GET-AWAY.
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