| Tips for Enjoying Walt Disney World With Your Child | | | | and overall more fun atmosphere. My son also |
| With Autism | | | | enjoyed the Boardwalk resort. I thought the Port |
| My son's speech therapist encouraged me to take him | | | | Orleans/French Quarter resort was also terrific, |
| to Disney World when he was three years old. "They | | | | although it's hard to beat the kid appeal of All Stars |
| have a special assistance card and they welcome | | | | Movies. Because my son is especially sensitive to |
| children with autism," she said. "And it will help his | | | | noise, I request a quiet room rather than a room by the |
| language development." Well, that's all the convincing I | | | | pool (at All Stars, pool music can be heard in some of |
| needed! On our first day, I was watching teary-eyed | | | | the rooms) and use a white noise machine. A free mini |
| as my son hugged Pooh and Tigger with the most | | | | refrigerator is available for medication, if needed. Tip |
| engaged, connected smile I had seen in months. Now | | | | generously each day and housekeeping may leave |
| Walt Disney World is our favorite vacation destination. | | | | "surprises" in your room. |
| If you've dreamed about taking your child with autism | | | | The Guest Assistance Card |
| to Disney World, but thought you or your child couldn't | | | | This free card helps a child with autism, who may |
| handle the challenges it can involve, I have one word | | | | become overwhelmed by long waits or crowds, enjoy |
| of advice, "Go!" The look on your child's face will be | | | | Disney attractions. To request one, go with your child |
| worth the effort and money you put into this trip. | | | | to Guest Services located inside the entrance of the |
| When you take advantage of the special | | | | park. Bring a doctor's note indicating that your child has |
| accommodations Disney offers to children with autism, | | | | autism. This card may allow you use the Fast Pass |
| you and your child will have a memorable time. Here | | | | Return line or alternate entrance for attractions and |
| are some tips for a magical vacation with Mickey | | | | use your child's stroller as a wheel chair, so you can |
| Mouse. | | | | wheel it right up to the rides. Typically, you'll wait only a |
| Planning Your Trip | | | | few minutes to board rides using the card. It will also |
| Two excellent resources are the annual guide book, | | | | give you designated seating at shows. If you show |
| Birnbaum's Walt Disney World, and the website, All | | | | your card to the costumed character's handlers, |
| Ears The web site includes tips for enjoying Disney | | | | Mickey or Pluto will understand that your child may |
| with children with autism, special diets, ride reviews, and | | | | needs special handling from his Disney pals. The card |
| more. You can make your own Disney picture cards | | | | fits nicely into a Samsonite boarding pass holder ($10, |
| from the site's photos to help your child get ready. | | | | Target), which is handy because you'll be showing it a |
| When to Go | | | | lot. |
| Avoiding peak season crowds and the summer | | | | Enjoying The Theme Parks |
| months is advisable. Take a few days off from school | | | | Given all the walking you'll be doing, it's fortunate that |
| (hey, this is therapy) to avoid the weekend and holiday | | | | Disney World is one place where no one will look at |
| crowds, especially if you can get a good airfare (e.g., | | | | you funny for having an older child in a stroller. We |
| $200 round-trip). Certain off-peak months, such as | | | | often park our stroller, walk around for a while, and |
| November, offer the best weather and lowest hotel | | | | come back to it when my son gets tired. If your old |
| rates. A great time can be had even for a brief | | | | Graco won't do, you can rent a special needs stroller |
| vacation of three days. | | | | to be delivered to your hotel (mobility equipment |
| Airport Strategies | | | | rentals.com). The park rental strollers are hard and low |
| No child with autism can be an angel while traveling on | | | | to the ground, like our Zoo rental strollers, but in a pinch, |
| an airplane, but preparing your child in advance with a | | | | they're better than nothing. |
| visual schedule and choosing a non-stop, morning flight | | | | Children with autism may prefer the more sedate rides, |
| will make the trip easier for him to handle. Pack your | | | | or even the monorail. My son likes most Magic |
| carry-on bag with water, chewy and crunchy snacks, | | | | Kingdom attractions, but his favorite rides are the |
| and sensory toys. If possible, arrange in advance to | | | | Tomorrowland Transit Authority, It's A Small World, |
| have your child seated next to a window, with no | | | | and he really enjoys visiting Minnie's Country House in |
| occupied seats in front of him. At the security gates, | | | | Toon Land. I like Epcot's World Showcase in the |
| go to the handicapped entrance, which will cut your | | | | afternoons and for dinner before dark falls. At Epcot, |
| wait in line. Since the alternatesecurity check tends to | | | | my son is enchanted by the garden railway trains in |
| be more thorough, you can ask the checker to touch | | | | Germany, and he also likes the slow-moving boat rides |
| your child as little as possible. At the gate, ask to seat | | | | in Mexico and Norway. Don't miss "The Land" boat ride |
| your child before the other passengers board the | | | | and Innoventions. If you tote a swim suit, your child can |
| plane. If desired, you can keep your child in a stroller or | | | | frolic in Epcot's fountain play area. |
| wheelchair right up until you board. As you board, warn | | | | Whenever possible, we leave the parks no later than |
| the attendants that your child may vocalize or squirm. I | | | | dinner time. The nightly parades and fireworks, while |
| find that an upbeat and loving attitude (rather than | | | | thrilling, are painfully loud. When you're really tired, taking |
| appearing anxious or embarrassed) earns more | | | | a taxi back to the hotel instead of the bus is worth the |
| tolerance for my son's unusual behaviors--I've never | | | | $10-$15 fare. If your child is still raring to go after dark, |
| been hassled about my son's behaviors on the plane. | | | | the hotel pools and playgrounds are an option. We like |
| If you're not renting a car, consider reserving a limo | | | | to wind-down by strolling around the All-Stars |
| ($100 round-trip) to take your family to your hotel. | | | | grounds--my child's favorite destination is Herbie, the |
| Another alternative is to take to the Disney bus, which | | | | Love Bug. |
| is typically provided in the resort admission. However, | | | | Keeping Safe |
| the limo stops at the grocery store, and you can save | | | | Does your child tend to wander? This helps me: I keep |
| a small fortune by buying snacks and breakfast foods. | | | | photos of my child in my backpack, put an ID tag on |
| Disney Resort Hotels | | | | him, and dress him in solid, brightly colored shirts so he's |
| I prefer to stay in the Walt Disney Resort Hotels, | | | | easy to spot (looks good in photographs, too!). If your |
| rather than off-site. But among these resorts, more | | | | child strays, immediately tell a Disney employee. They |
| expensive is not always better--we liked All Stars | | | | have special training and will find him quickly. |
| Movies ($80/night) much more than the Contemporary | | | | With these tips in mind, your family is on its way to an |
| ($250/night) for its superior pools, better food court, | | | | unforgettable Walt Disney World vacation. |