Hey there, Stephanie! Welcome to planDisney! Your visit is less than a month away—can you believe it?! It warms my heart to see such care in making sure your nephew's Disneyland Resort visit is as comfortable and magical as possible. You've come to the right place for a sprinkle of planning pixie dust!
You asked about options to help with line waits and crowded environments, and Disneyland offers a helpful service designed for these situations. For assistance with managing traditional queue waits, which can be challenging for Guests with autism, Disneyland offers the
Disability Access Service (DAS). This service is designed for Guests who have difficulty waiting for extended periods in a traditional line. Instead of waiting in the physical queue, DAS allows eligible Guests to receive a return time for an attraction, similar to the current standby wait. This means your nephew can enjoy other, perhaps quieter, areas of the park, have a snack, or take a break, and then you can all head to the attraction's entrance at your given return time. It’s a great way to experience the fun without the stress of waiting in a traditional queue.
You can
register for DAS in one of two ways: either through a pre-arrival live video chat with a Cast Member as soon as 60 days prior to your park visit, or by visiting an
Accessibility Services kiosk in person once you arrive at the parks. For either registration method, your nephew will need to be present, and it's helpful to have your park tickets linked to your Disney account beforehand.
Beyond DAS, which helps with waiting in lines, there are several ways to make the overall experience more comfortable and less overwhelming for your nephew. I highly recommend exploring Disneyland's incredibly helpful
Sensory Experience Details Guide. This resource describes the unique sensory aspects of each attraction—such as loud noises, darkness, or strong smells, for example—to help you choose experiences that will be the best fit for your nephew.
Planning for breaks is also vital. Disneyland has some quieter spots perfect for a little downtime; for instance, the dock located behind
Edelweiss Snacks is a great place to enjoy respite from the stimulation. The
Accessibility Planning Guide is a fantastic resource to find these quiet locations and also offers tips on what to expect while visiting the Disneyland Resort, from the moment you arrive at the park right up until it’s time to go home. Even finding a tucked-away bench can offer a moment of calm, and the map feature of the
Disneyland mobile app can be your guide to scouting these locations. Remember that bringing familiar comfort items from home, such as a favorite small toy, noise-canceling headphones, or sunglasses, can also make a world of difference in a new and stimulating environment.
Stephanie, your thoughtful approach to planning will surely pave the way for a wonderful and memorable visit for your nephew. Remember that friendly Cast Members throughout the resort are always ready to assist with any questions or needs that may arise in the moment. I truly hope these tips help you both have an absolutely enchanting time! Please don't hesitate to visit us again if more questions pop up while you plan!
Have a magical day!
Cody