Cinderella Castle 50th Day
  • Dec 20, 2024
    Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I am trying to plan a trip to Disney world for a family of 4 ( includes 2 kids) and am overwhelmed by planning this out. My son age 9 is autistic. Is there additional help or services for special needs children?

    Welcome to planDisney! Thanks for reaching out with your great question. How wonderful that you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort! You’re sure to create some amazing memories at The Most Magical Place on Earth!

    While a trip to The Most Magical Place on Earth is exciting, I understand that the visit can be a little overwhelming. Luckily, Disney offers a variety of services to make your visit as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

    When I start planning our trip, my first step is to jump on the Walt Disney World website and use the Build Your Vacation tool at the top of the Walt Disney World Resort homepage. There you are able to enter your vacation dates, total number of adults and children in your party and you can search all resorts or just one if you have a favorite. You are then able to see the cost per night and can select the package option if you'd like. The page will then populate the total cost of resort and tickets. Before checking out, you'll be able to select a base ticket or the Park Hopper Option!

    Though we are unable to put you in touch with a travel agent directly, booking with a travel agent is another great way to maximize your visit to Walt Disney World Resort and they are pretty easy to find! Simply type "Authorized Disney Vacation Planner" into the search engine of your choice. Using the term "Authorized Disney Vacation Planner" helps ensure that you find a travel agent approved by The Walt Disney Company and knows the ins and outs of planning your magical vacation. These travel agents are well-versed in all things Disney and can help you book park tickets and map out your theme park reservations, book advance dining reservations and suggest activities for your family during your stay.

    For your son, Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS) is a great program designed to assist Guests who have difficulty tolerating extended waits in a traditional queue environment due to a disability. Here's how it works:
    1. Pre-arrival registration - Guests can register for DAS via a live video chat with a Disney Cast Member up to 30 days before their visit. If DAS is provided after a conversation with a Cast Member to determine eligibility, the Guest with a disability (or a parent/guardian) will participate in the registration process. This requires having a photo taken of the DAS-registered Guest. DAS registration maximum party size is the registered DAS Guest and up to 3 additional party members, for a total of 4 people.
    2. If approved, after you’ve registered and entered the theme park, you can request your first return time right in the My Disney Experience app on the day of their visit. The app allows Guests to select an attraction and a return time based on the current standby wait time, enabling them to enjoy other experiences while waiting.
    I hope you find this information helpful as you prepare for an exciting visit to Walt Disney World Resort! Please feel free to reach out to me directly with any specific questions you may have. I would be more than happy to help you plan your Disney days! Thank you again for visiting planDisney. Have a magical day!

    Kay
thumbnail image for Kay

Meet the Panelist: Kay, New York

Hiya Pals! I’m Kay from beautiful Upstate New York. I’m a wife and mom to three beautiful musketeers. We are avid Disney fans and consider Walt Disney World our second home. We got married at Disney and have celebrated many milestones there and I cannot wait to help you plan your magical vacation! Learn More About Kay

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