No matter your abilities, everyone deserves to have an incredible time visiting Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Adults and children with autism in particular may find planning a visit to the theme parks overwhelming, so we’ve put together this helpful guide with first-hand advice from visitors.
Read on for our top tips for visiting Walt Disney World Resort with autism to make sure you have the most magical holiday.
Summary: top tips for visiting Walt Disney World Resort with autism
- Get a Disney Disability Service (DAS) pass
- Have a look at the Accessibility Planning Guide & Recommendations
- Get a Stroller as Wheelchair tag
- Access shorter queues with Lightning Lanes
- Research the parks before you visit
- Make a detailed timetable for the day
- Use dining plans to experience attractions without the crowds
- Use Rider Switch
- Make use of the break areas
- Bring sensory comforts
- Plan what to eat in advance
- Avoid the busiest times
Is Walt Disney World Resort autism friendly?
Walt Disney World Resort is committed to providing support for guests with autism. The parks offer several services to help make your visit easier, including:
- Companion restrooms
- Quiet locations where you can take a break
- Dietary accommodations
- Sensory experience details for rides and attractions
- Programmes for accessing attraction queues
You can find out more about Walt Disney World Resort’s provisions for neurodivergent disabilities here.
Which Disney rides are suitable for guests with autism?
As autism spectrum condition (ASC), also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is such a broad spectrum, everybody is different. Therefore, some rides may be suitable for some people but not for others. Walt Disney World Resort has put together Sensory Experience Details for each of its rides and attractions so you can decide if it will be suitable for you or your child.
The guide includes details of:
- Scents
- Lighting effects
- Loud noises
- Periods of darkness
- Bumpiness
- Fast-motion
- Whether the ride lifts off the ground
- If you get wet
- If there’s an element of surprise
- What type of restraint is used
- How long the ride lasts
Walt Disney World Resort service for guests with autism
Walt Disney World Resort offers a number of services to help guests with autism have a fantastic visit.
Disney Disability Access Service (DAS) pass
If someone in your party has difficulty waiting in a conventional queue, it’s worth looking into Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS). DAS allows you to virtually queue for rides and attractions so you can explore the park while you wait for your scheduled time.
You can then return to the ride at the allocated time and go down the Lightning Lane entrance rather than the regular queue.
Family blogger Jane from Our Little Escapades obtained a pass for her son Ethan, who has autism, when they visited the Disney Parks. “The DAS pass was linked to the My Disney Experience app, which meant that I could go by myself to the ride entrance to get a return time for all of our group. This means that our son didn’t get distressed about having to leave the ride without being able to go on it.”
As well as being able to book a return time on behalf of your group at the attraction, family blogger Steph from Steph’s Two Girls says there are also numerous pop-up stations, which were perfect for accommodating for her daughter who has autism.
“In Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there are Guest Experience Team Umbrellas where staff provide DAS return times, instead of having to go to the ride to get a return time.”
How to get the DAS pass: On arrival at your first Disney park, go straight to Guest Services. A Cast Member will give you an electronic tablet so you can video chat with the relevant department about any additional needs. You can also do this up to 30 days in advance via video call to save time on the day. https://plandisney.disney.go.com/question/apply-das-uk-click-link-recognises-uk-loads-page-buy-578998/
It’s more effective to describe the person’s needs than to name their disability. For example, “I cannot wait for long periods of time in a queue, or I may get very upset” can be more helpful than “I have autism.”
A DAS pass will then be issued if Guest Services consider it appropriate. DAS passes are valid for the length of your ticket or up to 120 days, whichever is shorter.
Read the Accessibility Planning Guide & Recommendations
Before you get to the parks, have a look at the Accessibility Planning Guide & Recommendations to find extra information to accommodate your needs. The guide is available to view online or to print out if you’d like to bring a reference copy with you.
It contains information on accessibility and mobility, tips and information for attractions, and considerations for guests with additional needs.
Stroller as Wheelchair tag
Not all disabilities require a wheelchair all the time, but if you have a child or an adult who uses a pushchair (or ‘stroller’ in the US) as a mobility device, Steph recommends collecting a ‘Stroller as a Wheelchair’ tag from Guest Relations.
“The tag system enables you to use a stroller as a wheelchair, allowing you to wait in line for attractions, buses, and more, without having to fold the stroller up.”
If you’re unable to bring your own stroller to the parks, Jane recommends hiring one from Kingdom Strollers in Orlando.
Our top tips for visiting Walt Disney World Resort with autism
Top Tips | Details |
|---|---|
Save time in lines with Lightning Lane | Skip the regular line and join a shorter line for select attractions and experiences with a Lightning Lane pass. Enjoy multiple experiences with a Lightning Lane Multi Pass, or save time for one of the most in-demand attractions with a Lightning Lane Single Pass. This is especially useful if someone in your party finds queueing challenging. |
Research the parks before you visit | Prepare ahead of your trip to Walt Disney World Resort by looking at pictures and videos of the Disney Parks so you know exactly what to expect during your visit and there are no unexpected surprises. “My advice for parents of children with autism would be to research well before going,” says Steph. “YouTube videos of most rides are available if you think it would help your child to know in advance what is going to happen on the rides, for example, finding out how dark they are and how fast they go.” |
Make a detailed timetable for the day | For many people on the autism spectrum, knowing what is going to happen next is key for reducing anxiety and providing reassurance. If you prefer to have a plan, it’s a good idea to create a schedule or timetable detailing what attractions you’re going to do and when. Jane says, “I made a very detailed visual plan of what we were doing during our three-week holiday. Ethan would look at this if he felt anxious to know what was happening next. At times, this was like gold dust!” If you have a child with autism, it’s a good idea to get them involved in the planning if you think that will help them. They may relish the chance to have a feeling of ownership over the schedule. Sammie has been to Walt Disney World Resort 33 times with her grandson, who has autism. “He always takes charge of the daily schedule, planning what rides and attractions we’re going to do and when. He really enjoys being in control of the timetable, so he knows exactly what to expect and when.” |
Use dining plans to experience attractions without the crowds | If someone in your party doesn’t cope well in crowds, there are more relaxed environments where you can watch a fireworks display, meet Disney Characters, and much more, through the use of dining reservations. Jane said this was a big help for Ethan as it meant they could enjoy some of the unforgettable Disney experiences in a more suitable environment, “We booked dessert parties to watch the firework shows so that we didn’t have to wait for a long time in big crowds of people.” |
Use Rider Switch | Parties with two or more people may want to enjoy an attraction while another guest in their party waits with a non-rider. When the guests return, they can swap with the other waiting guests, who can then enter the attraction without waiting in the queue. This works well if you have someone in your party who doesn’t want to ride a particular attraction. Cast members can assist guests with this if needed. |
Make use of break areas | If you, or someone in your party, is feeling overwhelmed and needs a place to relax, there are several break areas throughout the parks. Here you can get out of the sun and enjoy a drink away from the sights and sounds of the theme park. |
Bring sensory comforts | Bringing sensory comforts can help to ease anxiety and help people or children with autism to feel comfortable in unfamiliar situations. Noise-cancelling headphones for loud areas, an iPad to play on, a sensory object or toy, and a favourite snack are all useful to have handy. |
Plan what you’re going to eat in advance | All of the menus for the restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort are available online, so you can choose what you’d like to eat before you visit. Restaurants can cater to many dietary requirements, so just chat to your server if there’s something specific you can’t eat. You can make dining reservations up to 60 days in advance or as soon as you make your booking if you’re staying in a Disney Hotel. |
Avoid the busiest times | If you or someone in your party struggles with crowds, try to plan your holiday outside of the peak times, if you can. Avoid school holidays, the summer months, and Christmas, and try to avoid visiting on a weekend. The weather can also be very hot during July and August, which can cause discomfort. |
With so much to plan in advance of your visit, it’s understandable that people with autism or parents of children with autism can feel apprehensive about a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, but don’t feel discouraged. By preparing well and making use of all the services that Walt Disney World Resort has in place, you’ll have a fantastic trip.
