Travelling with a child with autism can be a complex and challenging experience. Children with autism often have sensory sensitivities and can become overwhelmed in unfamiliar environments. Finding a vacation destination that caters to their needs can make all the difference in ensuring a successful and enjoyable trip.
Travelling can be stressful for children with autism, and it can be difficult to find destinations that cater to their needs. However, with careful planning and research, it is possible to find vacation destinations that are autism-friendly and provide an enjoyable experience for the whole family. In this article, we will explore the top 13 autism-friendly vacation destinations.
- Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. However, for families with children with autism, it can be a daunting experience. To make the trip more manageable, Walt Disney World offers a Disability Access Service (DAS) that allows guests with disabilities, including autism, to schedule a return time to ride an attraction. This service allows families to avoid long wait times and reduces the stress of waiting in lines. The park also provides sensory-friendly experiences, such as quiet rooms, and special dietary accommodations for guests with specific dietary requirements.
- Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, is the first theme park in the world to be designated as a Certified Autism Center. The park offers a variety of accommodations for guests with autism, including sensory guides, noise-cancelling headphones, and a quiet room for guests with sensory sensitivities. The park also offers a low-sensory parade and a character meet-and-greet program that allows children to meet their favourite Sesame Street characters in a low-stress environment.
- Legoland in Winter Haven, Florida, is another autism-friendly vacation destination. The park offers a variety of accommodations for guests with autism, including a quiet room, a sensory guide, and a ride accessibility program that allows guests with disabilities to bypass the regular queue. The park also provides sensory-friendly shows and events, such as a fireworks show with muted sound and no flashing lights.
- Beaches Resorts is an all-inclusive resort chain that offers a variety of accommodations for families with children with autism. The resort offers a Sesame Street-themed program that includes a low-sensory parade and character meet-and-greets. The resort also provides sensory-friendly activities, such as a quiet pool and a sensory room.
- Royal Caribbean Cruises is another vacation option for families with children with autism. The cruise line offers a variety of accommodations for guests with autism, including priority check-in, priority boarding, and a dedicated autism-friendly playgroup. The cruise line also offers sensory-friendly movies and shows, as well as a quiet room.
- Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas offers a variety of accommodations for families with children with autism, including a quiet room, a sensory guide, and a dedicated autism-friendly playgroup. The resort also provides sensory-friendly activities, such as a quiet pool and a sensory room.
- Great Wolf Lodge is a hotel chain that offers a variety of accommodations for families with children with autism. The hotel provides a sensory-friendly room with a calming color scheme, as well as a sensory room and a quiet room. The hotel also offers a low-sensory storytime and a low-sensory character meet-and-greet.
- Aquatica in Orlando, Florida, is a water park that offers a variety of accommodations for guests with autism, including a quiet room and a ride accessibility program that allows guests with disabilities to bypass the regular queue. The park also offers sensory-friendly events, such as a low-sensory breakfast with Sesame Street characters.
- The San Diego Zoo offers a variety of accommodations for guests with autism, including a sensory guide and a quiet room. The zoo also provides sensory-friendly events, such as a low-sensory morning at the zoo and a low-sensory animal encounter.
- The Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, offers a variety of accommodations for guests with autism, including a sensory guide and a quiet room. The center also provides sensory-friendly events, such as a low-sensory rocket launch viewing.
- Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, offers a variety of accommodations for guests with autism, including a ride accessibility program that allows guests with disabilities to bypass the regular queue. The park also provides sensory-friendly events, such as a low-sensory parade and a low-sensory character meet-and-greet.
- The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, offers a variety of accommodations for guests with autism, including a sensory guide and a quiet room. The museum also provides sensory-friendly events, such as a low-sensory day at the museum and a low-sensory Ford Rouge Factory Tour.
In conclusion, these top 13 autism-friendly vacation destinations offer a variety of accommodations for guests with autism, including quiet rooms, sensory-friendly events, and ride accessibility programs. Families with children with autism can find vacation destinations that provide an enjoyable experience for the whole family by doing careful research and planning. By choosing an autism-friendly vacation destination, families can ensure a successful and stress-free trip.