Hi Carin,
Welcome to planDisney! As a mama of an Autistic Mouseketeer myself, I just want to send a big hug and let you know that everything is going to be okay. I remember the mix of feelings after we received my son's diagnosis, and I think that a Disneyland Resort adventure will be a great reminder that your family is super special and all of the moments you spend together are what matter most. I can think of no place better to celebrate his third birthday, either! With a complimentary
birthday button, an adorable (and scrumptious!)
Mickey Mouse Celebration Cake, and the literal Happiest Place on Earth to enjoy, it will be incredible!
While the
current policy does state that
all Guests ages two and up must wear a face covering in all indoor locations (including on some attractions) and in enclosed transportation vehicles, face coverings are optional in outdoor spaces. My advice? If you have an Occupational Therapist (OT), I'd ask for their help with helping your son become comfortable with a face covering. If not, Hakuna Matata...no worries! You can simply do an internet search for tips from an OT on wearing masks. I'm sending pixie dust that between now and November, he'll become more comfortable with face coverings and be able to tolerate them for short periods of time. As my fellow panelist Tiffanie points out, the great news is that there are
lots of wonderful things to do that are outdoors where you won't even need to worry about face coverings! Of course, you know your son best, so if you need to postpone your visit until a later date, please feel free to do so!
I would be remiss if I didn't also share some of the fantastic
services that Disney offers for Guests visiting with disabilities. If you're concerned about his ability to wait in a standard queue, I'd encourage you to look into the
Disability Access Service. Oh, and this
guide for Guests with cognitive disabilities is jam-packed with helpful tips to make your visit as smooth as possible. I'm happy to share that thanks to these wonderful services, my family has found our Disney vacations to be incredible for
everyone and my Autistic son loves our visits just as much as the rest of us!
Thanks so much for bringing this really important question to us here at planDisney, Carin, and please feel free to come back and see us again if you have any other questions. I hope that you, your son, and your entire family have a truly magical vacation!
Missy