Blog Posts Tagged Children

The “Perfect” Age for Disney

1/15/2021 • Tips, Walt Disney World • I grew up going to Disney World. My parents took me, my brother, and two sisters multiples times while we were young. We went at different times and when we were of different ages. The first time my brother (the youngest of the four of us) made the trip was when he was 4 years old. During that visit, I was 12 and it never crossed my mind if Jared was old enough to go or could have gone when he was younger. Fast forward a bunch of years. Just 10 weeks after I gave birth to my second child, my husband had a work trip taking him to Florida so the kids and I tagged along and we took them to Disney.  Some of my friends and family said my baby boy was too young while others said no you are fine. That is a question that so many […]

How to Tackle Sensory Overload at Disney!

1/16/2017 • Cruises, Disneyland, Tips, Walt Disney World • It wasn’t until my oldest son, who is living with Fragile X, was almost 3 that I began to have a greater understanding of his sensory integration challenges.  Fragile X is the leading cause of inherited intellectual impairment and the leading known genetic cause of Autism. I was attending an education workshop, and I participated in an exercise that helped me understand what someone with Fragile X/Sensory integration challenges experiences. I began to view the world with a different perspective.  On our next trip to Walt Disney World, It was as if I was experiencing it for the first time.  Guests are immersed in their experience even before entering the gates.  Our senses are constantly bombarded.  As my son grew older, it was clear that the sensory input, at times, was too much.  If we wanted to continue to enjoy traveling to Disney destinations, we needed to come up with […]

Tips for Navigating the Disability Assistance Service

12/19/2016 • Tips, Walt Disney World • For families like mine, the Disability Assistance Service has allowed us to navigate and enjoy the many attractions and characters throughout Walt Disney World.  My oldest son was diagnosed at birth with Fragile X Syndrome, the leading cause of inherited intellectual disability and the leading known genetic cause of autism.  Although he enjoys all that Walt Disney World has to offer, it can quickly overwhelm him.  My family is incredibly appreciative of this service.  I have compiled a list of what are the most frequent questions {and answers} that I have received while assisting guests in planning for their vacations. What is the Disability Assistance Service (DAS)? A service for guests with a disability to schedule a return time that is comparable to the current standby wait for the given attraction.   Where do I obtain the DAS? You may visit Guest Services at Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios […]