Ahoy there, Lorry Ann,
Welcome to planDisney! I’m glad you sailed by with your question and so excited that you are considering a
Disney Cruise Line vacation for you and your special crew.
There are many
benefits to booking a Concierge stateroom on a Disney cruise. You will enjoy exclusive check-in stations and seating areas in the cruise terminal along with priority boarding including front-of-the-queue entrance at the cruise terminal. One great time-saver is that you will be able to check your kiddos in for the
youth activities at the Concierge Check-in. Once on board, you can visit the Concierge Lounge and speak with the onboard Concierge Team for help with dining, onboard events, or Port Adventures and priority tendering at ports, if applicable. It is also nice to have a quieter space reserved exclusively for Concierge Guests in the Concierge Lounge and seating areas while you relax or grab a snack.
While none of these or other Concierge services are specific to Guests with special needs, as a Concierge Guest, these services may be of great help to you as you navigate your cruise with your children.
Lorry Ann, Disney Cruise Line and Disney Park destinations strive to make vacations welcoming, accessible and inclusive for every Guest, so there are a few resources I want to share with you that will be helpful no matter what stateroom category you decide on. First,
children, ages 17 and under, with special needs are welcome into the Youth Clubs and Nursery. There aren’t specific programs or counselors for children with special needs, but the Crew certainly works to accommodate children in ways they are able so they can participate and have fun. I suggest that you attend the Open House at the clubs on embarkation day and speak with a Crew Member about any questions you may have. Just check the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app once on board for locations and times.
More than anything, I think you will find your cruise most enjoyable for you and your family if you have as much information as possible as you begin your planning, so I have a few more resources to share! To learn about other accommodations, check out the
Information for Guests with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the wealth of information for
Guests with Disabilities on the Disney Cruise Line website under the "Help" tab. And finally, I recommend that you complete a
Special Services Information Form or contact the
Disney Cruise Line Special Services team at least 60 days prior to your cruise to discuss any specific questions or concerns you may have.
I hope this helps you with your planning, Lorry Ann. I trust that your cruise will be one of many magical memories! Please stop back by and allow us the pleasure of helping you navigate any other planning questions you might have. We are always on board to assist!
Wishing you smooth sailing,
Shannon