Going to Disney with an autist child - Our experience!

So we went to Disney 3 weeks ago. After Spring break and before the school break for the Summer. DS will be 3 at the end of next month. So he was free.

And I must say, we had a wonderful time.

I was so worried about the plane, sleeping arrangements, food, etc...


Turned out DS LOVED the plane, LOVED the monorail, LOVED all the rides.

Two things made a life so much easier:

- We decided to stay at the Polynesian. It's on the Monorail system. It was a breeze to hop on with the stroller. We knew we had a short trip and we would only go to MK and Epcot

- We had a special pass for DS and his special needs.
I never felt guilty using it. The lines were long. For once, we got a "break". And honestly IT made our trip as enjoyable as it was. PLEASE take advantage of it. Nobody gave us a hard time. Although I had heard on review forums that some parents would be mad about those using the passes. I admit I did not experience this. But I had already decided not to acknowledge anyone who would make such comment and not let it bother me. In the end, I did not heard anything. Disney is amazing when it comes to that.
I had a letter from my PED stating that DS was autisic. The DIS board section on disabilities has a template that your PED can use. We went to the guest relations desk at the park. We got our special pass. Up to 5 people with a child with special needs can go with that pass.


Due to DS not eating table food, the fact that we stayed at the Polynesian was also helpful. We could just go right back to the resort and use the microwave (we had one in our room and one of the place to eat downstairs also had one).

It was so much stimulation for DS that it took 1 week for him to "calm down". Lots of stimming, etc.. He was distracted in his therapies. But the following week, he was back into it.

Re: Going to Disney with an autist child - Our experience!

Glad you had a good time!

Re: Going to Disney with an autist child - Our experience!

so glad you had a good time

Re: Going to Disney with an autist child - Our experience!

Im so glad you had a great experience Sophie. It looks like Disney does a lot to accommodate families of children with special needs - so refreshing.

Re: Going to Disney with an autist child - Our experience!

I am so glad that you all had such a good time.

Re: Going to Disney with an autist child - Our experience!

Re: Going to Disney with an autist child - Our experience!

so glad you all had a great trip!
We took DS to Disney in March of 2009 (just magic kingdom).
I had NO idea about the passes. Its good to know for next time. I will say DS was pretty good.
Even for DD the passes may be a good idea.
Thank You so much for the heads up.

Re: Going to Disney with an autist child - Our experience!

glad you had a GREAT time... we are planning on going next year right before DS turns 4.

Re: Going to Disney with an autist child - Our experience!

Glad you had a good time. I love how Disney is with special needs!

Re: Going to Disney with an autist child - Our experience!

Thanks for the tip. We are bringing DD for the first time in November and we'll definately be using this!! : )