Photo credit: www.adrienneshouse.com
Planning a Disney family vacation can be stressful and overwhelming. But it does not have to be. Over the course of the next few weeks, we are going to dive into the best tips, tricks and information that you need to know about going to Disney with your Special Needs Child- from a mama who has done it! Claire Evans is going to be sharing her secrets to making it work, showing you that Disney is possible for all! Hopefully this series will give you the confidence and information that you need to take a magical vacation! So let’s begin…
Should you stay in the park or outside of the park?
I say stay INSIDE the park and here is why:
Did you know that Disney World Resorts have Accessible Rooms for no extra charge? Reserving an Accessible Room at one of the park’s many resorts offers you and your child a ton of upgraded features to make your stay even more manageable. The rooms are a tad bit larger to accommodate wheel chairs as well as special equipment.
Some of the features of an Accessible room at Disney World include:
- Grab Bars at Toilet and tub
- Open Bed Frame
- Lower Toilet Height
- Portable Raised Toilet Seat Available
- Wheelchair-Accessible Route in Room
- Roll in Showers
- Telephone with Volume Control
- Communication features for Guests with Hearing Disabilities
Staying in the parks also allows you the usage of park transportation. The monorail is, by far, the most wheel chair/stroller accessible mode of transport, but the buses also offer lifts for transport. The least wheelchair friendly mode of transportation is the boats. It may be best to avoid staying in a Disney World resort that only offers transport to the parks via boat if you have a wheel chair or stroller.
Making your Reservations:
Call, don’t book online. I highly suggest that you call Disney Travel to make your reservations. Before you call, make sure you have the following information and items:
- Names, ages and birthdates of everyone going on vacation
- Your child/children’s disabilities and what accommodations you will need
- Travel Dates, how many days Park Tickets you will need
- Credit card information for reserving your package
- Notebook and pen to write down information that you are given.
The reason why you should call and not book online? You need to be able to tell them all about the special accommodations that you need. This cannot be done online. You can book an Accessible room online but it does not guarantee that you will get all of the features that you need. Calling ensures that they know exactly what you need to make your trip as magical as possible.
Also, if you are traveling with someone that has allergies, you can request an allergy clean of the room before you get there! You can find more information about that HERE.
What to bring and how to pack:
This is going to vary from person to person based on each person’s needs. But you want to plan for accidents, extra days and emergencies. I highly suggest starting a Disney Box well ahead of time. Each month, add items to the box that you want/need to bring with you that need to be pre-purchased. I am a big supporter of spreading the cost over a few months to lessen the blow! Some of the items that I have in my Disney Box right now are:
- First Aid kit (Bandaids, Neosporen, Sun screen, Moleskin, etc)
- Medications (Tylenol, Benedryl, etc)
- Bubbles and glow sticks (To keep kids occupied in line)
- Safety Tats for making sure if your child gets lost, your information is on them
- Extra supplies for my Special Needs child (Bolus syringes and gravity bags for G Tube feeding, etc)
- Baby Banz Ear Banz for over stimulation and loud noises.
I like to plan and being able to make a list and add to the box slowly, not only helps me spread out the cost of purchasing extra supplies but also helps me to not forget anything that we may need. Also, when packing for each person put an entire outfit in a gallon size zip lock bag and write their name on the bag. I am taking tops, bottoms, under garments, and socks. This way there is no searching for anything, it is all together in one neat bag. And when you are leaving the room to head into the parks, you can grab a bag to throw in your backpack for emergency clothing changes in the parks.
Packing a Park Bag:
When choosing a bag to bring into the parks with you, you want to consider how you will be transporting your special needs child through the parks. If it is by wheelchair then you want a bag that can easily be attached to the back of the wheelchair. If by stroller, then you want a bag that can easily fit either hanging off of the stroller or in the under basket of the stroller. (I will be explaining all of your options with strollers and wheelchairs in an upcoming post). In this bag, you will need everything that you will need for the day to not only make your special needs child comfortable, but to make you comfortable. Section items off using zip lock bags because before you can enter the parks, you will have your bags checked by a cast member. Zip lock bags make it easier for the Cast Member to check the contents of your bag while keeping it organized. I like to use color coded bags (I have 3 children and each child gets their own color).
Practice Walking!
That’s right! Practice Walking! The average person walks 12 to 14 miles PER DAY visiting the Disney World Parks. I don’t know about you, but I would not be able to handle one day walking that much! The best thing to do for you and your children is to start walking and increasing your distance every time you do. Almost like you are training for a marathon. Bring the kids along and get them use to walking before you get to Disney. Not only will you all be getting great exercise but you will be in much better shape to handle a day in the parks!
If your child is wheelchair bound or will be in a stroller the majority of the day at the parks then practice pushing them while you walk. My daughters and I have been walking and talking about everything we want to do and see while we are at Disney. An amazing bonding moment as well as special time spent as a family!
Prepare them for the sights and sounds Disney.
Disney is loud and bright and overwhelming to a child with sensory issues. To prepare my girls for our trip to Disney, we have been watching videos of the rides on YouTube. This has given them all a sense of what to expect and also helped prepare my easily overloaded sensory child for what to expect. We usually carry around a pair of Baby Banz Ear Muffs to drown out noises that bother her or for times that she needs to have more quiet and less noise. But there is one Disney Magical experience that we are going to have to skip in person due to sensory overload. That is the nightly Fireworks show. Between the crowds, the loud bang of the fireworks and the bright lights of the shows, this is one thing that will overload her quickly. So, we watch it on You Tube with the sound turned way down and if she feels up to trying it one night, then we will. But with a plan for a quick escape if need be!
If you are flying into Orlando Know what you can and cannot bring on the plane:
I highly suggest you contact the TSA prior to your departure to find out what you can and cannot bring and to speak to them about what you child needs during his or her flight.
You can visit the TSA’s website by clicking HERE. They have a wide variety of information, numbers and links to help your travels go as smoothly as possible!
Stay Tuned! Next week we will discuss Food Allergies, G Tube Feeding and Breast Feeding in the Disney Parks!
This is the first in a series of posts about bringing your special needs child to Disney by Claire Evans. Stay tuned for next Monday’s post: Food Allergies, G-Tube Feedings and Breastfeeding.
While I understand that the Disney article was written from a general special needs standpoint, for children with dwarfism, I would add a few things. First, handicapped rooms have many surfaces 6 inches higher than normal, so this alone can make things more difficult for an LP child, teen, or adult. Second, in our multiple Disney experiences, the Disney boats posed no problem for strollers, wheelchairs, or mobility scooters. The Disney buses, however, were more difficult. Lifts/ramps on these buses are sketchy and it is not unusual to have to wait for a different bus (which can take 20 minutes). Also, except for large orthopedic strollers (which are essentially wheelchair substitutes), all strollers must be collapsed before it is allowed on a Disney bus. Third, Magic Bands make scheduling Disney rides easy for any person with dwarfism. I’m probably forgetting other important things, but am happy to see that you are getting good feedback.
Great ideas! Disney is such a magical experience that truly is unique to every single family/person. When planning a trip there it is definitely helpful to seek advice and tips. But I will note that it is such a large and unique place that everyone has different experiences each time. Also, what worked for us the last trip may not the next trip. Some things I will add to this is there are Baby Care Centers throughout the parks. There is a great one near the Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom. So if there is something missing from your Disney Box, say Ear Plugs..you can visit this center and chances are they’ll have some. When making your hotel reservation and your child or someone in your party has trouble walking long distances, you may want to get the hotel room that is closest to the elevator or to where you’ll be spending most of your time at the resort. As a parent with a disability and severe food intolerances, we had the best spur of the moment trip to Disney this past January. I learned a lot with having to work with the chefs for some of my meals and which part of the park at MK isn’t very food friendly. The Magic Bands are new and at first were a pain to figure out but ended up working well for us. I was told to meet with a cast member at Guest Services upon entering the park first thing. I was first in line and worked closely with one for a solid 30 minutes. Every family is different, so what worked for me may not work for you or even us next time. It depends on your situation and the cast member you’re meeting with. I am not able to criss cross the park when it’s our “allotted” time at rides, it’s best to walk around in order and at our pace. Along with some other health issues, the cast member was sure to make our experience a magical one for the entire length of our stay. We’ve had no issues with the boats or busses when using a stroller. The strollers rented at the parks cannot be taken outside of the parks, so I recommend bringing your own if possible because that hike to the busses is a long one.
Great information! Thank you so much for sharing!
Claire recently posted…Streetcar Named Desire Earrings by Miaclaire
We go to Disney World every year and it’s definitely a lot of planning, but if you do it right it’s totally awesome.
Hopefully this series of posts will help everyone have a magical time on their Disney Vacation and make planning a little bit easier!
Claire recently posted…Streetcar Named Desire Earrings by Miaclaire
These are all great tips. I think it’s so awesome that Disney has made all of their resorts accessible to special needs of all varieties.
Jennifer recently posted…Fifth Third Bank Can Help Teach You How To Get a Job – Contest
Isn’t it awesome! As a mom to a special needs child and a non special needs child, it is amazing to know that they both can go and have all of their needs met with a touch of Disney Magic!
Claire recently posted…Streetcar Named Desire Earrings by Miaclaire
What a great list of tips! I never would have known about all that walking at Disney! But it completely makes sense, that place is huge! And the tips for packing and the sensory ear covers are a must with my daughter and her special needs!
Amber Edwards recently posted…Minion Cocoa Puffs Marshmallow Treats plus Free Toy Inside!
We invested in a pair of Baby Banz ear muffs and they travel with us everywhere, even to the movies. They fold up and are very compact yet really give my daughter the protection she needs from loud noises. (and she occasionally wears them when her baby sisters are being too loud! LOL)
Claire recently posted…Streetcar Named Desire Earrings by Miaclaire
I’ve always loved the ziploc trick, even for older kids- it just makes sense, saves time, and especially saves tantrums with picky children! I never knew there were so many great features in a handicap accessible room at Disney- I’m going to tell my cousin to look into this for their next vacation. Thanks for the great tips!
I am doing the ziplock trick for myself on our next trip! That way I can plan my outfits ahead of time!
Claire recently posted…Streetcar Named Desire Earrings by Miaclaire
I have never been to Disney with my family. I would love to learn more about how to plan a trip to Disney on a budget..say like 3-4k. I feel like it would cost us too much!
Amy Desrosiers recently posted…Al Fresco® Sweet Italian Style Grilled Chicken Fajitas
I am planning a trip for a family of 4 for around $2k. Stay tuned, this is just the first part of a 5 part series! The last post will greatly interest you!!!
Claire recently posted…10 pack Hair Tie Grab Bag by Miaclaire
This is awesome information you are bringing special needs families! It’s tough to plan a Disney trip, and with their special circumstances, you’re helping to relieve some of that stress!
Debbie recently posted…Beat the Heat With a Microwave #FastFreshFilling Copycat Burrito Bowl
Some really good tips. It always takes good planning to take a special needs person to any place away from home.
Aubrey recently posted…What to Look for in a Family-Friendly Hotel Abroad
My friend has been thinking about taking her daughter to Disney. She has Autism and loves our local theme park. I will have to share this great post with her.
I also have a Pinterest Board called “Everything Disney”. I have pinned every article that I have found on going to Disney inducing anything special needs related. Hopefully if she needs more specific information, then she can find it there!
https://www.pinterest.com/clairelevans/everything-disney/
Claire recently posted…Streetcar Named Desire Earrings by Miaclaire
I am happy to hear how great Disney is for disabled people. I did not know how accessible Disney is.
Tammy Roy recently posted…6 Steps to Better Sleep
These are awesome tips! It is great that Disney has made it possible for children with special needs to still visit the resort!
12 to 14 miles a day? Holy wow! Definitely some great tips for visiting Disney. Thanks!
Danielle H recently posted…Honey Bunches of Oats NEW Breakfast Biscuits – A Perfect Road Trip Snack
These are some really great tips. We have yet to take our daughter to Disney, she also has special needs. But we hope to take her soon. These tips will come in handy!
Mistee Dawn recently posted…PillPack can make managing your medications easier.
I hope this 5 part series helps you create a magical vacation for your daughter!!!
Claire recently posted…Streetcar Named Desire Earrings by Miaclaire
These are awesome tips. I have lots of friends traveling there this summer so I’ll be sure to share.
Sarah @ Must Have Mom recently posted…No Bake Icebox Berry Cheesecake Recipe Decorated With 4th Of July Flag!
Believe it or not I have never been to Disney! I want to go but I always seem to end up at some other park. But I do know that a lot of planning goes into it. I have several friends who go every year.
dawn recently posted…NANCY’S MANGO RUM CAKE! WINNER OF THE BEST MANGO RECIPE DISH CONTEST
It’s great to see that Disney is so accommodating of families with special needs children. Every kid should be able to experience the excitement of visiting a theme park!
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert recently posted…CPK Inspired Thai Peanut Chicken Pasta
What wonderful tips. I know when we went to Disney I was absolutely exhausted. I had no idea how far the average person walks but judging from my aches I know it was an overwhelming amount. One thing I remember clearly is the fact what ever you purchase they can send it directly to your room. I loved that because souvenirs make a trip. Thank you for sharing. I hope your family has a wonderful time.
Laura H recently posted…Amwell: Live Doctors visits on your time in your home #ad
I LOVE that we could shop and not have to worry about what to do with our packages while in the parks. Definite perk of staying inside the parks in a Disney Resort Hotel!
Claire recently posted…Streetcar Named Desire Earrings by Miaclaire
Great info! I’m so glad Disney has so many benefits for families – it is such an experience and they really try to make it easier on everyone. It is such a fun place so its nice to not worry
Felicita Moncada recently posted…NEW Wild Kratts: Super Sprinters DVD and Cheetah Power Companion Toy
Wow….Its a complete package of useful tips. I like the point that you have mentioned i.e. Portable Raised Toilet Seat Available. I am also thinking to hire a portable toilet service so that it will be an easy and a hygienic one.
Toilets and urinals are a natural requirement for any place where people may stay on for a while. The absence may cause discomfort and confusion especially when it comes to children and elderly people.
All of your tips are definitely helpful, but I specifically like the tips about preparing for the Disney experience. Being prepared for what you might come across during travel and within the actual park seems to be extremely important. I know that I would be totally lost if I wasn’t prepared, so I couldn’t imagine having the added complications. I’ll definitely have to share this with my aunt, so she can prepare for her kids when our family goes on our big Disney trip this winter.