Hi Sharon,
Welcome to planDisney and greetings from a fellow mama of a Mouseketeer with autism. I see that you're wanting to visit The Most Magical Place on Earth soon and I would LOVE to help make your Disney dreams come true and find the best way to make this trip possible for your family!
First, let's talk budgeting. The biggest pieces of your budget are transportation, lodging, and ticketing. My family of seven always drives, but if you'd prefer to fly, I'd check all the value airlines and see if you can keep that cost as low as possible. As far as lodging goes, it sounds like a
Disney Value Resort would be perfect for you. You still get to stay right in the middle of the magic, and you'll find the same excellent customer service and attention to detail that you'll find all around the Resort, just at a lower price point. Win-win, right? If you check the
Special Offers page, you'll even find a couple fantastic deals to help you stretch your Disney dollars! As far as
theme park tickets go, any Mouseketeers under the age of ten do receive a discount, and kiddos under the age of three are free! With the main pieces of your trip planned for, that just leaves dining, souvenirs, and any extras. I'm happy to share that
Guests are able to bring their own food and drink into the parks, so that can definitely save you some money there, and there are lots of very low cost souvenirs to collect during your trip. One of my family's favorite souvenirs is actually a
pressed penny! Finally, you'll be pleased to know that once you've purchased your theme park admission, you'll find all the magic you need. All of the attractions are included in the cost of admission, and you'll have plenty to do in the theme parks to fill your days with magic and fun!
Now, let's also talk about helping your kiddo with autism feel comfortable. My family has always found Walt Disney World Resort to be a magical vacation destination for
everyone, and a big reason for that is that they offer fantastic
resources for Guests with disabilities. I'd definitely encourage you to look into the
Disability Access Service. If your Mouseketeer struggles with waiting in lines, that could be a game changer for your family! It has helped us avoid many meltdowns throughout the years, and I'm so grateful! I'd also encourage you to feel free to bring things that could feel calming for your little one. I often bring a sensory brush, some earbuds, snacks, and sensory toys for my guy, and I'm happy to share that he loves our Disney vacations just as much as the rest of us!
I hope this helps get you started, Sharon. Please don't hesitate to come back and see us again as we're always here and happy to help. I hope that you and your family have a truly magical vacation this
spring!
Missy