Hi, Julia! Thanks for bringing your question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.
Like you, I am also the mom of a child on the autism spectrum. One of the reasons why my family returns to the Walt Disney World Resort yEAR after yEAR is that they have so many helpful accommodations in place for
guests with disabilities. I love the way that the Walt Disney World Resort makes the magic accessible to everyone!
As you know, every person on the autism spectrum is different. My son is not particularly sensitive to loud noises, so he typically enjoys viewing the various
nighttime spectaculars from inside the theme parks. Our family loves attending the
Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing for a breathtaking view of the
Happily Ever After fireworks at Magic Kingdom Park. Since the dessert party's reserved viewing area is not crowded at all and we don't need to arrive far in advance to save our viewing spot, this option works extremely well for my son. However, watching the fireworks from inside the park can be noisy and might be a bit much for your little Mouseketeer.
I think that the
Pirates & Pals Fireworks Dessert Voyage could be a great alternative fireworks viewing option for your family. Watching Happily Ever After from a boat on Seven Seas Lagoon will be much quieter than watching from inside the park, however, it still may seem a bit loud to your little guy. I would recommend bringing along a pair of noise-canceling headphones for your son to wear.
For an even quieter and more low-key fireworks viewing experience, you could also consider watching from one of the nearby Walt Disney World Resort Hotels. The beaches at
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa offer amazing fireworks views. There is also an observation deck on the fourth floor of
Disney's Contemporary Resort that is a great place to take in the show. All of these spots are open to all guests, even if you are not staying at that particular resort hotel, and they even pipe in the show music so that you get the full effect.
As you prepare for your vacation, I would recommend familiarizing yourself with accommodations such as
Disability Access Service (DAS) that might be helpful to your family. You might also find this
Guide for Guests with Cognitive Disabilities to be useful as you get ready to experience the magic of the Walt Disney World Resort. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to visit us again.
See ya real soon!
Samantha