How to Prepare a Child with Autism for a Walt Disney World Trip
- Practically Perfect Pixie Dust
- Jan 1
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 1
How to Prepare a Child with Autism for a Walt Disney World Trip
Planning a Disney vacation with a child on the autism spectrum can feel overwhelming—but it is possible to make it magical with the right prep. Over the years, we’ve learned how a little extra planning upfront made a huge difference in helping our neurodiverse family member not only tolerate Disney… but truly enjoy it.
Here are some of our best tips for helping kids on the spectrum feel more comfortable, confident, and excited about their Walt Disney World vacation. We would like to add that autism is a spetrum disorder, and there is no exact formula for every child. Use your instincts on what will work for your child and family.
1. Involve Them in the Planning Process
🧠 Including your child in the planning from the very beginning helps ease anxiety and build anticipation. We learned early on that surprise trips were not a good idea for our family. Our son needed to know:
When we were going
Where we were staying
What we would be doing each day
Giving him that information helped him feel secure and allowed him to process the changes well in advance.
2. Front-Load Expectations with Visual Schedules
Having a general itinerary for each day was a game-changer. When he was little, we created a simple visual schedule and a made a notebook with photos of the parks, rides, and characters. This helped him understand what to expect.
Now that he's older and more familiar with Disney, he doesn't need that same level of support. But in the early years, it was critical.
🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Even a simple printed daily plan or checklist can help reduce anxiety for many neurodivergent travelers.
3. Watch Videos of the Parks Together
Watching ride-throughs and walk-throughs on YouTube helped ease our child’s fears and built up his excitement. Some great options include:
Disney+ shows like Behind the Attraction and The Imagineering Story
YouTube ride videos for previewing attractions
A dated but fascinating episode of Modern Marvels about Disney tech (still available on YouTube!)
These videos helped him process the sensory experience ahead of time and made everything feel more familiar.
4. Use Printable Maps to Create a Sense of Control
Holding a physical map gave our child a sense of orientation and comfort. Today’s apps are great, but back then, paper maps were our go-to tool. You can still:
Download printable maps from the Disney website
Buy large-format maps on Etsy or eBay for planning and previewing at home
Let your child help “navigate” during the trip—it gives them a sense of control in an unfamiliar environment.
5. Lean Into Their Special Interests
One of the most powerful tools we used was connecting our son’s special interests to the trip. At different times he was obsessed with:
Star Wars → Hello, Galaxy’s Edge!
Marvel → Character meets and Avengers merch!
Trains → The Walt Disney World Railroad
History and science → EPCOT’s pavilions, Spaceship Earth, and exhibits
Whatever your child loves—whether it’s animals, space, or transportation—there’s probably a Disney tie-in. Use it as a bridge to build excitement.
Every Child Is Different—Trust Your Instincts
Autism is a spectrum, and no two individuals experience it the same way. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula when it comes to Disney trip planning. What works beautifully for one child might not work at all for another.
Use your instincts. You know your child—or loved one—best.
That said, we've found that taking the time to prepare, preview, and personalize the experience can make a world of difference. Whether you're traveling with a young child or an adult on the spectrum, thoughtful preparation can set the stage for a more relaxed, enjoyable, and magical vacation.
🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: There’s no “perfect” Disney trip. But there is a version that works beautifully for your family—and we’re here to help you find it.
We’re Here to Help
We spent years searching for the kind of resources we needed to confidently plan Disney trips with our neurodivergent child. That’s why we’re building the blog we always wished we had.
🧩 🧩 More Resources for Neurodiverse & Accessible Travel
Looking for more tools to make your trip smoother, more inclusive, and full of magic? Check out our full set of planning guides:
🧠 Disney Travel with Neurodiversity – Sensory-friendly strategies, prep tips, and calm spaces across Walt Disney World.
♿ Limited Mobility at Disney – Stroller-as-wheelchair policies, ride transfer info, and ECV tips for every park.
🎟️ Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS) Guide – What it is, who qualifies, and how to use it for a smoother park day.
❌ Managing a Disney Trip Without DAS – Alternative strategies if you don’t qualify under new DAS rules.
🧭 Accessibility at Disney Overview – Your hub for all things inclusive, from visual aids to service animal policies.
🌤️ Beat the Heat and Rain: Survival Guides for Every Park – Tips to navigate Florida weather without getting overwhelmed.
🧚 Pixie Dust Pro Tip: Bookmark this page or save it to Pinterest so you have everything in one place when it’s time to plan!
🎟️ If you want personalized support, we’d love to help. As authorized Disney travel planners, we can help you customize your trip around your family’s unique needs—with no extra cost to you.
Pixie Dust Hugs,
Bren, Lyn, and Kim
P.S. Planning your own magical getaway?
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