A trip to Walt Disney World can be a positive, rewarding and magical
expeirence for
children with autism and other special needs.
Any Disney vacation requires
some planning, a little extra effort to satisify your special child will pay
off greatly when you get to the parks.
A Note from Your Doctor:
One of the first things you should do is to obtain a letter from your
child's primary physician that explains your child's specific condition and any
special needs the condition implies.
Some children with autism (mine included) are unable to wait in long
lines for more than a few minutes, or in queues surrounded by a large number of
people. Your doctor's letter should be explicit enough to explain your child's
condition to the Disney Castmember reading the letter.
Disney Guest Assistance Card
Bring your doctor's note to any Guest Relations window at any Disney theme
park and ask for the Guest Assistance Card. The Guest Assistance Card is a
special pass designed to allow you to wait in a separate, non crowded area
apart from the regular queues at most attractions. One card is good for all
four parks, you do not need a separate card for each park. You should also pick
up a copy of each park's Guidebook for Guest With Disabilities (also available
online at http://www.DisneyWorld.com.
Type in guest with disabilities FAQ in search tool and browse through
results.
Additional Tips
Here you will find hotel, restaurant and transportation tips.
Make sure you take scheduled breaks throughout the day. Whether you nap or
swim in the pool either maybe just what is called for to give an over-
stimulated child the break needed.
A set of earplugs brought from home may help children with loud music or
sound effects in some attractions.
If you will be using a shuttle service from the airport to the hotel ,
consider using a towncar service instead. Shuttle and bus services make many
stops dropping guest off at multiple hotels, it is not unusual for the trip to
take up to two hours . A towncar will drive you directly to your hotel.
If you are interested in a meal with Disney characters find reviews on the
different locations and choose a suitable meal and location. Cinderella's Gala
Feast at the Grand Floridian is a loud, jovial, and boisterous affair that may
overwhelm any child.
When ever you can make Priority Seating for meals and ask for a table by
the window or exit.
Children with Sensory issues may enjoy the "deep pressure" sensation of
the sandy beaches and whirlpools found at select Disney resorts. The wave pool
at Typhoon Lagoon gets rave reviews from many.
Pin Trading with Disney Cast members can offer a safe opportunity for
children to work on their social skills. It can even help a shy child come out
of his shell some.
If you have any tips you would like to share with us please feel free to
share them with us.
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Articles
Tips
for Autistic Children
at Walt Disney World
By Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa
Tips For Traveling With
Special Needs Kids
by
Lisa Simmons
 |
PassPorter's
Walt Disney World For Your
Special Needs guidebook
Travel in
confidence with PassPorter's Walt
Disney World For Your Special
Needs, offering over 400 pages of
information, photographs, maps,
charts, and honest advice by
Disney experts Deb Wills and
Debra Martin Koma! Our guidebook
covers 24 special needs
categories, embracing dietary
choices and hundreds of medical
and mental health issues,
including yours! |
Travel
Links for those with Special Needs...
(All outside links open
in a new window)
- Toll-Free Hotline For Air
Travelers With Disabilities
The hotline will provide
general information to consumers
about the rights of air travelers
with disabilities, respond to
requests for printed consumer
information, and assist air
travelers with time-sensitive
disability-related issues that
need to be addressed in
"real time." The line
is staffed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Eastern time, seven days a week.
1-800-778-4838 (voice) or 1-800-455-9880
(TTY)
- International
Travelers with Disabilities
Find out how accessible
specific destinations are for
travelers with disabilities
- The
Immunocompromised Traveler
Includes specific precautions
for HIV-infected travelers,
prevention, treatment, and
vaccination information
- Breastfeeding and
Travel
Information ranging from air
travel to vaccinations. Includes
a checklist and a travel health
kit for pregnant travelers
- Traveling
with Children
What to do before taking
children to other countries
- International
Adoptions
Information on procedures for
adopting a child from another
country and bringing that child
to the United States
- Special Needs Car
Safety for Children All
children deserve to be protected
as occupants in motor vehicles in
restraint systems appropriate for
their size and development.
However, some children who have
certain medical conditions or
procedures require special
consideration when selecting
restraints.
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