Sailing Disney Cruise Line with Autism
Disney Cruise Line is accessible for those with Autism. DCL
is aware that there are those with Autism and those with other issues that impact their ability to wait in
lines or be in crowded environments.
First off there are many quiet spaces where you can retreat
and regroup when over stimulated. The lounges are not always crowded and a
quiet place to sit can be found. Head to the outdoor eating area for the Buffet
and often there is a quiet table off to the edge. Often the lobby is a nice
place to find a chair and just relax. Your cabin is never far away and is a
safe zone.
Let’s talk step by step:
For kids especially I’d work with talking to them about what
will happen at each step of the trip long before going.
Getting Ready:
Online Check-In
I recommend you do this as soon as you can. At this point it is 30 days out from your cruise but no later than 72 hours before your cruise. Do it early so you can pick the Port Arrival Time that best suits your needs. DCL recommends picking a later Port Arrival Time because there are fewer people and lines are not as long. I’ve personally found that does not matter as much. Pick the time that fits you. Prepare for waiting. Boarding does not start until at least noon, but you will need to go through the process to board and that takes time. More on Embarkation Day later. I actually find being in the port pleasantly exciting.
What to pack:
Appropriate clothing for ports you will be at, Swimsuit for warmer climates, PJs, Clothes for playing around the ship and in the Kids Club, Clothes for Dinner if you wish to dress up, Clothes that are appropriate for your Port Adventures.
What to Expect on Travel Day(s):
For Travel to the Port and Back:
Comfort toy/plush. Activities to keep them busy during travel, coloring books, crayons, tablet with downloaded movies/games, games. Change of clothing in case something happens. (Wise for adults as well as kids.) In original packaging sealed snacks that will be accepted by TSA.
We all know those with special needs may wonder off. A note with pretendant information like, name, special needs, parent/guardian name and contact information, airline, flight number, gate number, connecting flight information, destination airport, destination hotel information if staying at one, port information, ship name, date of sailing. Teach the child to give this to someone who is in uniform or with a airline, security ID badge, or worker in an airport shop or restaurant. Limit WHO they will give it to so that it is someone who works at the airport.
Preparation:
Talk to them about what will happen at the airport. Tell them that the airline people will take care of their checked in bags, so they don’t worry when they see them taken away.
Explain the TSA procedures so they will be more apt to stay calm during the process. They will have to wait in line to have their bags with their comfort toy/plush and other items checked and they will have to go through at least a metal detector and maybe an x-ray scanner.
Consider getting Trusted Traveler Numbers of some kind. They cost about $85 per person and last up to 5 years, if you plan on traveling a lot, they are worth it. Some credit cards offer it for free. It cuts down the TSA line dramatically.
Travel to the Port:
What to pack on Embarkation Day:
Things they will need for themselves until you can get into your cabin. Comfort toy/plush, Activities to keep they busy while waiting to board the ship (same types of things as travel day), snacks to hold them until they get onto the ship, maybe a second copy of the travel note or just a note with the parent/guardian contact information and the cabin number, name of the ship, sail date.
What to Expect on Embarkation Day:
You will arrive at the Port at your designated time. At this time, they are not letting you into the port more than 15 minutes prior to your arrival time. If your if your Port Arrival Time is 10:45am do not be at the port before 10:30am. Try to be no later than 15 minutes past your Port Arrival Time. Tell the Port Terminal Staff you have special needs and ask if there is a quiet place to wait.
You will give your check in bags to the porters who will take them onto the ship. They will be delivered to your cabin later in the day. You will be checked in and then asked to wait until it is time for you to enter the port. You will go through TSA security, just like the airport. It is actually a little more relaxed than at the airport so is less stressful. Once inside the port you will wait for your Boarding Group number to be called! While you wait you may be able to go get pictures taken with a backdrop or characters. The characters were taken away during the Pandemic but may have returned. It also depends on the port you are sailing out of if the backdrop is accessible before getting into the boarding line or after. If you are at Port Canaveral, I highly suggest taking a picture with the model of the Disney Magic! It is 25 feet long and on one side it is cut out so you can see the insides of the ship!
Finally On the Ship:
As you board the ship a Crew Member will call out your family/group name and welcome you onboard! You will then pause in the Main Lobby and see Captains Mickey and Minnie greet you. After that you will be required to participate in the Muster Drill. This is a virtual Muster Drill. One member of your party will be required to go to your assigned Assembly Station. You will scan the QR code there using the app on the mobile device or check in with a Crew Member who is there to assist. Before 4pm you will be required to watch a video either on your mobile device or on your stateroom TV about your Assembly Station and the use of Life Vests.
You are free to do as you wish! Explore the ship, go eat brunch in the open sit-down restaurant or the buffet upstairs, swim, grab a soda at the drink station by the buffet on the pool deck, check out the kids clubs, look at the Navigator App and find all the fun things you wish to do and just relax!! Your cabin will be ready between 1:30-2pm. You can go to check your cabin out then. The sail away deck party will be on the pool deck. Be aware this will be crowded and noisy!! Go one deck above and watch from above if you wish or find a quiet spot on the deck, sit in your cabin and watch the shore slip away!
Dinner and the Live Stage Show end this busy day! Or!! You can do the later entertainment and check out the kids club!
Kids Clubs:
Kids Clubs on the Disney Cruise Line are set up by age groups. There is no one to one assistance for an individual child. All children in the Kids Clubs must be potty trained. If you child needs medication the Crew is not allowed to administer medication. If your child can take the medication by themselves, they can take it in with them or leave it at the main desk in the Kids Club for when they need it.
Your child will be expected to go into the club with their age group. It does not matter what their capabilities are. This does go both ways. You have a child that is 14-year-old but immature they can’t go in the younger club. You have a 12-year-old that is mature and functions as a 14–15-year-old they cannot move up to the older group. Once they are 18 they can no longer go to the kids club.
Disembarking day:
You will make a choice to carry off all your bags yourself or hand over some of the bags to your cabin host the night before. If you carry your bags off yourself, it is express walk off and you can eat a quick meal and leave. If you hand stuff to your cabin host you need to wait until your character/color group is called.
If you check your bags make sure you keep your Citizenship Paperwork, ID, medication, valuables along with all the things you will need for the morning and until you can get to your bags in the port. If you are flying I suggest, make sure you have everything for the trip home so you don’t have to open any of your bags that you gave to the host.
If you choose to wait for you group to be called talk to a Crew Member and ask for help finding a quiet space to wait until your group is called. Maybe one person will wait in line while the other sit in a quiet spot.
My Personal Suggestions:
Before you go:
Make sure you share with your family what to expect traveling, airports, hotels, ports and the like. Tell them what TSA check is about and why it is important.
Explain what will happen on Embarkation/Boarding day:
From arriving at the port and going through the security to finally sitting down in the cabin.
I do suggest that you watch the Sail Away Deck Party. It can build excitement and make everyone feel included. As stated before it can be crowded and noisy so go UP one deck where it is calmer or stand in the back where you can at least see the screen.
Check out the kids clubs to spark interest.
Open up that Navigator App and pick what you will be doing during the cruise! Look for things to be done several times so you can plan and keep lots of open time. Favor things you want to do and set reminders.
Keeping in Touch:
The DCL Navigator App has a chat feature. If your child is not with you and has a smart phone, they can contact you. If they do not have a smart phone, they can ask any crew member to contact you.
For more information
check out this link to Disney Cruise Lines help for those with Autism.
Do you want to book a Disney Cruise Line or other Disney Vacation? Let me know!
Carolyn@EliteMemoriesTravel.com
https://www.facebook.com/CarolynsPixieDustedMemoriesAtEliteMemoriesTravel
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