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  • On Mar 29, 2024
    Sara from MN Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We will be in Florida April 2-5. I need help planning a Disney day or 2. I have a 15 year old son(typical) and a 7 year old son (Down Syndrome). My husband and I are ok to separate in order for both kids to experience Disney, but where do I start planni

    Hiya Sara!

    Welcome to planDisney! One of the best things about Walt Disney World Resort is how it aims to help families create memories together.  Planning a day for your family does require a bit more information but if you only have one or two days in the Parks then I suggest either picking one or two of the four main theme parks to explore or purchasing tickets with the Park Hopper Option and explore multiple Parks in one day. 

    Magic Kingdom Park has quite a few attractions and experiences ranging from the classic Dumbo the Flying Elephant to TRON Lightcycle / Run presented by Enterprise. When exploring this Park try to arrive as early as you can as wait times are the lowest in the morning. I would use the My Disney Experience Mobile App to track wait times throughout the day and find attractions nearby that will be fun to enjoy. An amazing parade that should not be missed which usually runs at 12 pm and 3 pm, is the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade! 

    If you wish to hop to EPCOT from Magic Kingdom Theme Park just take a free and fun ride on the Monorail! You are arriving during the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival which is such a beautiful event. It's my favorite due to the gorgeous gardens and topiaries decorating the Park. It's a perfect place for lovely family pictures! Consider enjoying Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind which is an amazing indoor roller coaster that plays a different song every time you ride. If you wish to enjoy this ride or TRON Lightcycle / Run you will need to join a Virtual Queue at 7 AM or 1 PM from your app. It's free to do this but you need to be a quick clicker to grab a "boarding group."  If you have a family member who does not want to board this attraction but can't be left alone then consider Rider Switch! Rider Switch is a great service available at many adventurous rides that lets guests take turns riding an attraction while letting the guest who may be nervous remain with an adult. 

    Disney's Hollywood Studios is a must for the Star Wars or Toy Story fan in your family. Don't miss Fantasmic! which is a wonderful nighttime spectacular! Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park does not need a full day to explore but it is very large and has fantastical and real-life creatures and lands to enjoy!

    I would be remiss if I did not let you know that your younger son may be eligible to be helped by the Disability Access Service (DAS). This service provides a solution for guests who may have difficulty waiting in a traditional queue environment due to a disability. It allows this special guest along with five more family members the chance to request a return time for various attractions. For example, let's say that your son wishes to enjoy a ride but the wait time for the standby line is showing a 45-minute wait. With DAS, you can reserve a return time about 45 minutes from that point. Just register at least two days before you arrive with DAS Advance or at Guest Relations when you arrive.

    I hope this helps! Happy Planning!
    -Nimmy
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Meet the Panelist: Nimmy, New York

Hey, it's Nimmy from New York! Just like my guy Jiminy Cricket I am your wisecracking and helpful guide to making the best decisions for your Disney vacation! My husband and I work very hard to journey to our favorite place on Earth, Walt Disney World Resort, as much as we can. We have traveled as just adults, with babies, kids, teenagers, and senior citizens. We have seen so many characters, eaten at amazing places, and consumed a ton of Dole Whips. So "give a little whistle" and let me be your guide! Learn More About Nimmy

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