In July, writer Dave Chapman, visiting from the UK, visited Disney World in Orlando, Florida with partner Amy and son Jamie, who has autism. Planning a trip to Disney World Orlando can feel overwhelming for any family, but when your child is autistic, the challenges—and rewards—are unique. We are sharing personal experiences and practical tips to help families prepare, enjoy, and make magical memories without unnecessary stress. Our son Jamie, 10, has diagnosed autism and sensory processing disorder and suspected ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). His main struggles are around food, unexpected changes to routine, loud noises and anxiety of new spaces.
Preparation
Jamie and the family have always loved Disney, and we often talk about going to Disney World, but it always felt like there were too many hurdles in the way.
Our journey began two years before the actual trip. We started small, day trips to UK-based theme parks, Legoland and Gulliver’s Land, followed by a weekend at Disneyland Paris and a week in Portugal. These mini adventures helped us practice coping with flights, busy airports, theme parks surroundings and new environments. Gradual exposure was key to reducing anxiety and building confidence.
If your child has sensory challenges or conditions such as ARFID, as Jamie does, careful planning is essential. Research food options, pack familiar snacks, and prepare for unpredictable moments. Disney offers flexibility, but having a plan makes a world of difference. Our son’s diet is really limited, so we packed plenty of his favorite snacks. But we were pleasantly surprised to find that Orlando supermarkets have a huge section of full UK snacks, something to keep in mind for next time!
Journey
We chose an early morning flight from London Heathrow to Orlando via Virgin Atlantic. Early flights helped minimize anxiety buildup and increased the chances of our son sleeping during the journey. Virgin Atlantic provided excellent support, addressing our concerns and making the booking process stress-free. A short face-to-face conversation instore with an experienced Virgin staff member helped ease some concerns.
One invaluable tip is to use Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard. This discreet sign signals that the wearer may need extra assistance. It allowed us to move through check-in and security quickly, reducing waiting times—a major win for our son, who said “he felt like a VIP!” You can purchase these lanyards online for a small fee, and they work at Orlando International Airport too.
In the Parks: Disability Access Service (DAS)
Our first stop was Magic Kingdom. At City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A., we registered for Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS). This service is a game-changer for families with autistic children or children with any additional needs. After a short interview with a cast member, DAS was added to our My Disney Experience app. However, preparing your child for the wait is important as wait time varies, as you are unable to book a slot. DAS lets you book one attraction at a time and wait virtually instead of standing in long lines. Once you finish a ride, you can book another. This allowed the family to explore shows and shorter attractions while waiting for popular rides. It reduced stress and gave us freedom to enjoy the parks at our own pace. Where lines were unavoidable, we had a bag full of activities to keep Jamie distracted.
The app gave us the flexibility to plan our visit in advance, with Jamie helping to choose activities he felt comfortable with. We also used YouTube videos so he could get familiar with the rides and park layouts before we arrived.
Day-to-Day Park Life
Disney parks are sensory-rich environments—exciting but overwhelming. We learned that regular breaks are non-negotiable. Escape the heat in air-conditioned spaces and plan downtime. Epcot was our favorite park, it’s much quieter and many attractions are indoors. Soarin and Frozen Ever After were highlights for our family.
We opted for early park entry at all parks and left after lunch to avoid peak crowds. Staying in a rental home at ChampionsGate, about 25 minutes from Disney, gave us a quiet retreat. Having a calm space for recalibration was crucial. Our home included a Disney themed bedroom for Jamie, family areas and private pool. We also had access to pools, a gym, and a sports cafe at a private members club 5 minutes up the road as part of our booking. Perfect for relaxing on non-park days. Non-park days were an absolute must for Jamie.
Favorite Family Experience: Discovery Cove
The family highlight was visiting Discovery Cove. Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive luxury day resort offering unique, limited-capacity animal encounters in a tropical paradise, focusing on relaxation and nature rather than rides, with highlights like snorkeling with tropical fish in the Grand Reef, hand-feeding exotic birds in the Aviary, and floating down the Wind-Away River. It was a complete change of pace, and snorkeling was an amazing experience. I have never seen Jamie so at ease with animals. He became very emotional at the end of the day crying when we left, but through happiness and sadness that it was over. A key tip, arrive early if you want to take advantage of breakfast and go easy on the free nature friendly sunscreen. A waterproof camera would be a great addition, something we will be purchasing on our return visit in 2026.
Top Tips for Families
- Follow Facebook pages and social media influencers for hints and tips.
- Get a Sunflower Lanyard for smoother airport and park experiences.
- Download the My Disney Experience app before your trip and plan your days.
- Register for DAS at Guest Relations in any Disney park on day one.
- Schedule rest days and take plenty of breaks and stay hydrated in parks. Avoid full-day park visits—half day’s work best.
- Bring familiar snacks, noise-cancelling headphones and comfort items for your child.
- Celebrate Small Wins
Disney World can be magical for families with neurodiverse children—with the right preparation. Focus on your child’s needs, embrace flexibility, and celebrate small victories. Every smile, every moment of joy, makes the effort worthwhile. With planning and patience, your Disney adventure can be unforgettable.
To contact the author, email davechapman14@yahoo.co.uk.
