REACH Session-1: Accessing Theme Parks with Autism

Everyone’s experiences with theme parks can be different, and as with most things, our community needs to advocate for what we need. By being prepared and speaking up for the needs of yourself or your children in a respectful and appreciative way, many accommodations and special access supports can be provided.

– Plan in advance
– Contact those with experience accessing the parks with their family and benefit from their knowledge.
– Search and watch YouTube Disney videos to become familiar with the layout
– Create a social story and review it 5-10 times (or more) before your visit. Use photographs (get pics from the web)
– Be ready with first/then cards to help if things get a little frustrating on the day you’re there.
– Using velcro so that the order can be rearranged if needed, create a task-analysis of sorts with the order of the day so that your child can refer to it for structure.
– Share with the staff in the Guest Relations office some of the anticipated challenges your child may have and which rides/shows would be the most important to him/her so that your Fast Passes can be set up accordingly.

Use info from this Disney site for additional information – and HAVE FUN 🙂
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/guests-with-disabilities/?fbclid=IwAR3iFUCh8Anm5Cpm2oALxvVIIIYuVL6d8mXLG2unDlUThdaZNnvfaaDgEMQ