Howdy Alisha!
Welcome to planDisney from a fellow Texan. I think one of the most magical things about
Walt Disney World is that Walt wanted it to be a place for absolutely everyone. His vision for the parks was one in which families could go and feel as if they were transported away from the world into fantastic lands that could only be found in film or on the pages of a book. I think we can find many things for your family and son to enjoy on your trip, so let’s get to it.
Alrighty, the first thing I would like to share with you is that there are many accommodations that might be available and work for your son. You can learn more about them here on the
Accessibility at Walt Disney World Resort website. You might also want to explore whether the
Disability Access Service is an option you would like to learn more about and whether he qualifies for it. In my experience, Cast Members will always do their best to accommodate families with children who have special needs.
Ok, next, I would make a list of the Disney-themed lands he is most interested in and prioritize them at each park. At the Magic Kingdom, there are rides and experiences for all levels of excitement. For example, the Jungle Cruise is a whimsical boat ride that everyone can enjoy. Although the Haunted Mansion is filled with 999 happy haunts, it might be a little too much for him since it is a dark ride. There are also so many fun characters, like Mickey and his pals, that he can meet and take pictures with. If he loves animals, then Animal Kingdom is going to be right up his alley. Kilimanjaro Safari is a great ride where the whole family can ride through the African Savannah and see animals up close. You can also take the walking paths through areas like Gorilla Falls or Wilderness Explorers - Maharajah Jungle Trek. The Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond shows are also so much fun. Over at Hollywood Studios, he can step into the world of Star Wars at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or shrink down to the size of a toy at Toy Story Land. If he’s up for a thrill ride, then he’s going to love Slinky Dog Dash. At EPCOT, you can find one of my favorite attractions, Soarin’ Around the World. This attraction simulates flying over the world’s many wonders. You can walk through Journey of Water, inspired by Moana, where you can see water come to life, bubble, and dance.
The last thing I would suggest is to check out some of the rides on
Disney+ where he could see a POV of some of the most popular rides. This might help to determine what he would enjoy as well. You can also find many walkthroughs and videos of the parks on Disney’s YouTube Channel and see what piques his interest.
Alisha, I hope this helps with your planning for your visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth, and that you have an absolutely magical time. As you learn more and have further questions, please do stop by here at planDisney, where fellow panelists and I will be happy to assist.
See ya real soon,
Robert