Family With Medals; RunDisney 10K; Stitch Hat; Lilo and Stitch Costume
  • On Apr 25, 2013
    Janelle Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We are planning a trip in oct and this will be our first trip I have a son that is 6 and has autism and a daughter that is 5 we can't wait but I'm a little scared to take on this trip. How do I plan on making the most of our 9 day trip w/ little meltdowns

    Hi Janelle!

    October is by far, our children's favorite time of year to go! If you're interested, make sure you check out Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!

    As for making the most of of your vacation, I can relate. One of my son's has Sensory Processing Disorder and negotiating the parks can be a challenge if you're not prepared. Here are some of my tips for visiting:

    1.  Talk, talk, talk about the trip. Talk about the plane (if flying) and what to expect on the plane. Takeoff and landing are most difficult for him. We keep lots of distractions/drinks/chewy treats handy and work on breathing and visualization. If driving, talk about the route you'll take and the stops you'll make along the way. Even making a countdown chain to mark off milestones as you drive would be a great help for the "are we there yets?" that inevitably happen.

    2.  Order a (free!) Disney Vacation Planning DVD and let him watch it and ask questions, if he has any.  If you need help answering those questions, just stop back by here.

    3.  If your son is sensitive to noise (as mine is), make sure you bring some ear muffs if you plan on enjoying the fireworks shows. Ours are from Baby Banz,.

    4.  If you anticipate that he'll have issues with queuing, stop by Guest Relations and ask for a Guest Assistance Card. This card will allow him and members of his party to queue in a (generally speaking) quieter, less crowded environment.

    5.  Make sure you bring things from home to make the hotel room feel like home.  

    Have a magical vacation!
    Amanda
thumbnail image for Amanda

Meet the Panelist: Amanda, Texas

I am a former Kindergarten teacher turned stay-at-home Mom to my 2 boys and daughter.  I've been married to my High School sweetheart since 2000, and we consider ourselves experienced Walt Disney World travelers with little ones. Learn More About Amanda

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