In May of 2004 we made a daring excursion to Disney World! With encouragement we received by reading great web sites that discuss the possibilities of Disney World with Autism and with the help of one of our therapists, Binky who traveled with us, we were able to pull it off. We enjoyed the trip so much, and the Disney staff was so respectful of Jack we decided to join the vacation club, which is the Disney timeshare. In April of 2005, we returned, this time traveling with Grandma Nina and Grandpa Gary.
On each occasion we stayed in a 2 bedroom villa, once at the Old Key West resort, and once at Saratoga Springs (our home resort). Jack bunks in the pull out bed with his brother and has generally slept well.
Flying with Jack is usually pretty easy, although on our 2nd trip, Jack struggled with his ears on both descent into Orlando and once again taking off from Orlando on our way home. But thanks to candy, playdoh, musical toys and squishy toys, Jack does quite well during the flight
Because of Jack's diagnosis we are able to get a family disability pass which allowed us to enter all rides through the Fast Pass Entrance, or through the exit gate where Fast Pass wasn't available - and believe me that helped Jack really enjoy the rides.
Jack loves the swimming pool the most and by the end of our April 2005 trip he was fully dunking his head under water and attempting to swim! At the parks, Mickey's Philharmagic is Jack's absolute favorite. Noah and Dad love Buzz Lightyear and Sophie loves Journey into Imagination and It's a Small World the best.
The chefs at any Disney restaurant are able to suit Jack's dietary restrictions. Any morning they are able to make him dairy and soy free waffles, or pancakes, and we can usually get a brownie for desert just for Jack.
Here are a couple of web sites that guide the way for families traveling with a child with autism:
