Shhh. Don’t tell the kids but we are planning our first trip to Walt Disney World.
But having sensory kids (or those also on the Autism Spectrum) may need some additional help to enjoy the visit. With all of the sounds, smells and crowds, it really can set up a sensory kid for an all-day meltdown.
Here’s a guide published by Walt Disney World Resort to help you navigate the park and help ensure everyone has a truly magical time.
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RELATED ARTICLE: Disney World Made Me Cry
For more Disney tips and reading:
The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2024 (Unofficial Guides)
Birnbaum’s 2024 Walt Disney World for Kids: The Official Guide (Birnbaum Guides)Disney 100 Years of Wonder Storybook CollectionWeird But True! Disney: 300 Wonderful Facts to Celebrate the Magic of Disney
We just went to Disneyland a month ago and were so impressed with the Disability Access Card program. It really made our experience much more enjoyable.
So glad to hear that. We are going this winter and I’m definitely going to have to figure out what we need.
We went this past April during spring break when it was super busy. We didn’t get the access card the first day, but it worked out well anyway. We arrived right after the park opened at about 7:30 and got on a bunch of rides with little to no waiting. It was really quiet and peaceful for the first couple of hours. It started to get packed and noisy at about 10:00. we lasted until noon (hello sensory overload!) so we left and spent the next few hours swimming at our hotel. We went back to the park at 7 pm for dinner and stayed until midnight. Lots of people leave after the 9:00 firework show, so we were again able to get on lots of rides with little to no waiting. My kids were only 5 and 7 and had no problems staying up this late, but it did mean we didn’t make it back to the park until 2:00 the next afternoon so we got access card that day.
Great tips and good to know! Thanks for sharing with the group.
We went with a 12 year old with autism and adhd in June 2019. We were extremely disappointed with having to take over 30 minutes to find where to get the green card because the place we were told to go was shut. We then had to stand in yet another queue for another 25 minutes, then another 15 minutes to get the card. This is absolutely awful with autism and adhd!
It was extremely hot unfortunately which no one could control however many staff were unhelpful and frustrated. Queues for the more popular rides were over 45 minutes which again is so difficult for autistic and adhd children. We couldn’t book our place, go for a walk and return as we can in the Uk and most of Europe and USA. We had to wait which was really difficult and draining especially in high temperatures. Other families were struggling and one mother was actually brought to tears. This is not an autistic friendly environment