Disneyland autism guide
Visiting the Happiest Place on Earth
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It can seem overwhelming to navigate the complexity of Disney parks for anyone, let alone while managing the needs of a person with autism or a related condition. But “The Happiest Place on Earth” has made great strides to live up to its reputation. By providing accommodations such as sensory friendly spaces, Advanced Pass and Return Time scheduling, assistive technology and compassionate cast members, Disneyland can be a great place for kids with autism. Here’s how to make the most of it.
Planning ahead for a trip to Disneyland
The best place to start is Disney’s Services for Guests Who are Neurodivergent resource for those with disabilities, including autism, to explore before you step foot into the park. This makes it clear the park operator is aware that the parks are sensory stimulating and may be challenging for some people because of crowds, dark and loud theaters and attractions, lights and noises, and waiting in line.
Next it is key to create a Disney account and download the official Disneyland app on your mobile device. From there you want to register with disability access services (DAS). This can be done virtually up to 30 days prior to your visit which spares your party from standing in line, but you can also register with DAS at an accessibility kiosk while in the park.
Important to note: When registering, either online or at the park, the autistic individual must be present. A Disney cast member will ask a few brief questions to determine eligibility for autism. To qualify for a DAS pass at Disneyland you need to explain the disability and how it presents challenges for navigating the parks. For example, standing in long lines may create anxiety for autistic individuals. Autism qualifies for a DAS pass. Proof of diagnosis is not needed.
Once you are approved for DAS, you qualify for several accommodations that make for a fun and less stressful experience at Disneyland and California Adventures.
- The Advance Pass allows you to schedule a time window for up to two attractions per day including popular rides such as Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Matterhorn Bobsleds and Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: Breakout which typically have wait times over one hour.
- The DAS Return Time scheduling, which appears on the Disney app, can be used from the minute you enter the park until you leave each day. You can use this to request a return time for up to one ride at a time which will drastically reduce the amount of time you’ll spend waiting in line. With some clever planning using both the Advance Pass and Return Time accommodations, you may avoid meltdowns from endlessly waiting in line.
I liked the cars ride and the Matterhorn. Having DAS made an enjoyable experience for me because I didn’t have to wait in long lines that make me anxious.
- Samantha, a 13-year-old autistic person
Choosing hotel accommodations
Disneyland has three great resort hotels on property:
These hotels have advantages to others including early park entry hours, which help minimize exposure to crowds, and access to the Disneyland Monorail which, just steps from the Disneyland Hotel, can spare you an extra mile or two of walking through the Downtown Disney District to and from the parks each day.
On average you can plan to walk 6-10 miles each day within the park so saving a mile here and there can help a lot. Each hotel has restaurants and enchanting pools which are welcome respites when you need a break from the excitement of the parks. Since the hotels are close to the parks, you can break the day into morning and evening park visits and plan a nap or downtime midday to reduce overstimulation. Disneyland Resort Hotels may cost a bit more than the Good Neighbor Hotels but, considering the advantages, they can help create a less stressful experience.
Tip: Look for great deals through travel sites and Costco Travel.
What to bring & setting expectations
To prepare your party for the fun and excitement of Disneyland, plan to bring some key essentials and make sure everyone knows a little bit about what to expect once you’re in the parks. This can help reduce anxiety for individuals with autism since they may initially feel uncomfortable with new or unfamiliar experiences.
Familiarize yourself with the main areas of each park using the park maps and create a visual schedule with the list of attractions and events you want to experience before you go. For example, if you have younger members of your party, you may want to spend several hours in Fantasyland where there are rides suitable for smaller guests like Dumbo the Flying Elephant or Alice in Wonderland, character visits, and even princess meet and greets in the royal hall. If you have adventurous people in your party, you may want to spend more time in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge where you can ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and where you may see R2-D2 zipping around or storm troopers talking with guests. To reduce the amount of time walking, it can help to devote parts of the day to specific areas of the park.
Consider which devices, toys, and food you want to bring to help everyone feel as comfortable as possible while in the park. If you have picky eaters in your party, prepare food in advance and bring it with you. Disney allows outside food and non-alcoholic beverages inside the park provided they comply with resort rules. It’s quick and easy to make sandwiches and bring pre-packaged stacks to enjoy throughout the day. There are several spots where you can have a break, reduce stimulation and refuel. Fidget toys, ear plugs or headphones, and / or electronics can be a lifesaver should you have to stand in line for rides or wait for shows and parades to start.
Be ready to navigate crowds and make sure everybody knows how to contact one another in case you are separated. It may be helpful to wear similar T-shirts so party members can easily spot one another or nametags with contact information on them. If you have an autistic individual who tends to wander, ensure they always have identification on them. Show everyone what cast members look like, hint they almost always have on a Disney name tag, and let your party members know that if they become lost, they can ask any cast member for help. Cast members are incredibly friendly and helpful. They can help lost party members reunite.
Disability accommodations at the park
When the big day finally arrives, if you followed the above planning steps, you feel assured that most of the planning has been done. This helps the vacation organizer relax a bit and enjoy the experience much more than if they had to figure out all these details while at the busy parks. After passing through security and showing your digital tickets, open the Disneyland app, look for the DAS option and schedule your first Return Time. If combining the Advance Pass and Return Time accommodations, it is likely you will be able to experience all the attractions on your visual schedule.
There are several accommodations in the park to make the day enjoyable. Disney accessibility services provide assistive technology, a Disney Handheld Device, that provides audio descriptions, assistive listening and handheld captions for people that may have vision or hearing disabilities. It is best to bring your own headphones for comfort. If you have a trained service animal, Disneyland welcomes dogs and miniature horses that are housebroken and capable of assisting an individual with disabilities. Service animals can even join you on some rides! Some attractions may be scary for service animals so make sure you understand the sensory experience details. Both Disneyland and California Adventures have companion restrooms that provide additional space and privacy for individuals with a caregiver. You can find their locations on the Disneyland app.
Preventing a meltdown at Disney
Even with planning, there may be times an autistic individual struggles in such a busy place. Set realistic expectations for how long it is best to stay at the park and take breaks throughout the day either in quiet areas of the park or by returning to your hotel for a nap or swim. If a person begins to meltdown while waiting in line, ask a cast member for help. There are exits in every line and you can leave any time before getting on a ride. You can also do a rider swap where one person waits in line and swaps with the autistic individual just before boarding the ride. This helps reduce anxiety that may build up while waiting in longer lines.
If rides are too overstimulating, there are several other activities to enjoy while at Disneyland and California Adventures. There are shops and restaurants in every area. Disney characters can be found all over the parks; it can be fun to meet your favorite ones and collect autographs. Performances, events and tours happen often throughout the day. The parades are fascinating displays of art, dance, and music. And a great way to finish the day is by watching the nightly fireworks show at Disneyland or the World of Color water and light show at California Adventures.
By planning in advance, knowing what to bring and setting realistic expectations, you and your party including individuals with autism can have a great time experiencing the Disney parks in Anaheim, California.
For more travel tips, check out Autism Speaks Traveling with Autism.
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