Are there any tours or experiences that are autism friendly? We have a 16 year old son and we would like to find something all 5 persons in our party can do? His sister turns 19 when we are down there and we are looking to do something special.”

Hi Carrie!

Thank for your bringing your question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! I am so happy that you will be at Walt Disney World soon, celebrating your teenagers. As a Pediatrician, I know no two children are alike, and I know that nobody knows your son's individual boundaries and limitations as well as you. With some careful pre-planning, I am sure you can all enjoy a magical visit to the happiest place on Earth!

I would personally recommend starting your trip planning by calling Disability Services at (407) 560-2547 or sending an email to disability.services@disneyparks.com to give them a little more information about your son and his preferences and needs. I know the cast members will be able to provide even more information as your trip draws nearer, including helping determine whether your family would benefit from the Disability Access Card, which would allow you to bypass potentially difficult long waits in line, keeping your focus on the magic and celebration.

Within the resources available on the Disability Services page, I especially find the Attraction Details for Guests with Cognitive Disabilities very helpful, as it outlines the potential triggers and concerning elements within each attraction at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Regarding special tours or experiences, I am sure that there are many offerings that would appeal to your whole group or could be tailored to fit your needs. The cream of the crop is the private VIP tour.  If that is not exactly in the cards, there are other non-private but no less magical tours available within VIP tour services including some laid back non-attraction centered offerings such as the Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP tour. Also, consider browsing over to the Enchanting Extras page to view other park experiences special offerings which could be perfect ways to celebrate your soon-to-be 19 year old! These include nature experiences for the animal lovers in the family, such as specialized dining and private and semi-private safari experiences.  Lastly, I highly recommend that you check out Disney Floral & Gifts for some additional special touches to make your 19 year old's birthday as magical as possible!

So Carrie, I hope that these tips and ideas fill you with excitement for your upcoming trip, and also with reassurance that your Walt Disney World Resort vacation can be tailored to every family member's needs.

Wishing you a pixie-dusted experience from start to finish,

Clara