As an autism mom and certified autism travel planner, I have over 40 years of experience navigating Disneyland. My love for the park runs deep, rooted in fond memories of summer trips with my grandparents and siblings.

I truly believe Disneyland is the Happiest Place on Earth, and today, it’s where I create new core memories with my own children—a 13-year-old son with autism and an 11-year-old neurotypical daughter. We visit several times a year as Magic Key holders, and over time, we’ve discovered strategies that make the park enjoyable for our family, especially for my son, who has level 1 autism, auditory processing disorder, ADHD, and social anxiety.

While these tips are based on my personal experience as a mom and frequent visitor, they’re designed to help any family visiting Disneyland with a neurodivergent child who requires additional support. Here’s what works for us:

1. Request DAS Before Your Trip

The Disability Access Service (DAS) can be a game-changer for families like ours. It’s one of the main contributors to our success at Disneyland. DAS is a service that supports guests with developmental disabilities, like autism or similar, who are unable to wait in conventional queues for extended periods. This has been especially helpful for my son, who struggles with long waits and being in close quarters with crowds. I highly recommend registering for DAS before your visit via the virtual request process. For more details, download my DAS guide.

2. Understand Your Child's Limits

Before diving into your plans, take time to assess where your child is right now. Consider their current capabilities and comfort level. How is their stamina for walking or standing in lines? What types of rides do they enjoy? Does your child have any sensory sensitivities to loud noises, bright lights, or sudden movements? I suggest reviewing rides on YouTube before your visit to get a sense of what might be comfortable for them. You can also check out my Sensory Guide, which offers explanations of each ride and non-ride attraction in Disneyland and DCA to help you plan based on your child’s specific needs.

It’s crucial to meet them where they are and avoid pushing anything that could negatively impact their experience or lead to a long-term aversion to Disneyland or traveling in general. Be patient, meet them where they are, and celebrate the things they enjoy. If you're traveling with a larger group or extended family, it might be helpful to develop a divide-and-conquer plan in case your child needs a longer break or some regulating time.

3. Plan Your Days as a Family

Involving everyone in the planning process is important and helps set expectations for the trip. As a family, we decide which rides to prioritize and what food and restaurants to try. This way, my son gets the structure he needs to feel comfortable.

4. Communicate and Set Expectations

As I mentioned, planning together makes it easier to set expectations and communicate. I like to over-communicate with my kids about what’s ahead. The night before we head to the park, I remind everyone of our morning plan—what rides we’ll hit first and where we’re going to eat. I also tell them that while this is our plan, sometimes rides can break down, so we might need to adjust. My son benefits from the structure, but being flexible when things change is super important, too.

5. Take It Slow—There’s No Need to Rush

We’re lucky to visit Disneyland often, so we’ve learned to take our time. Even if you’re not a frequent visitor, you can still enjoy the park at a slower pace. Focus on your must-do list, take breaks, and don’t feel pressured to fit everything in. Slowing down can actually enhance your experience. Rushing can be stressful and might lead to overwhelm or even an emotional meltdown, so it’s best to take it easy.

6. Use Lightning Lane to Stack with DAS

If the park is busy, consider purchasing Lightning Lane passes to maximize your time and pair them with DAS for even faster access through lines. This combo is especially helpful on crowded days. You can use Lightning Lane and DAS together, stacking Lightning Lane reservations every two hours. On busy days, DAS return times can be an hour apart for each ride, so fitting a Lightning Lane ride in between DAS rides helps you make the most of your time and enjoy as many attractions as possible.

7. Research Food Options Beforehand

Disneyland has some great food options, but it helps to check menus ahead of time, especially if your neurodivergent child is a selective eater with specific safe foods they prefer. There are kid favorites like chicken fingers, pizza, and pasta throughout both parks, so knowing which restaurants offer those can be really helpful when planning. Remember, you’re allowed to bring your own food and drinks (just no glass containers), and a soft cooler can be stored in a locker. Quiet spots like Tom Sawyer Island or the picnic area outside the main gates of Disneyland near the tram are perfect for a peaceful meal.

One big tip is to use mobile ordering ahead of time. This way, you can plan in advance, and you don’t even have to be in the park to place your food order. My kids’ favorite breakfast spot is Galactic Grill; we usually order while on the monorail heading to Disneyland, and the food is ready when we arrive. Also, if you’re taking a midday break and coming back for dinner, that’s a great time to mobile order so your food is ready when you return. You can find out which restaurants offer mobile ordering on the Disneyland app on the Welcome Page by clicking Order Food.

8. Pick Either Rope Drop or Park Close

You don’t have to be at Disneyland from open to close. Choose either rope drop or staying until park close, and make sure to build in time for rest. If you’re an early morning family, I recommend getting to the parks at opening time; you can accomplish a lot with reduced crowds during the first couple of hours. We’re more of a slow morning family, so we usually arrive between 9 and 10 a.m., then take a break in the afternoon to recharge before heading back for dinner, fireworks, and to close out the park.

If you want to do both the early morning and stay until close, I highly recommend taking that afternoon break at the hotel. Everyone needs some time to rest and recharge—20K steps add up really quickly at Disneyland!

9. Take Breaks and Explore Non-Ride Attractions

Rest is essential, whether at your hotel or in a quieter spot in the park. We like to visit Tom Sawyer Island for a break from the crowds, and the kids enjoy running around through the caves. There are also private restrooms and picnic tables there if you want to take an extended break for a snack.

Disneyland offers plenty of non-ride attractions that can serve as great sensory breaks. In addition to Tom Sawyer Island, consider a slow boat ride on the Mark Twain Riverboat, walking through Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, or exploring the Tree House in Adventureland. Over at Disney California Adventure, we love visiting the Animation Academy and playing at Redwood Creek Challenge. There are plenty of options for taking a break from the crowds and rides.

If you need a more private space in the parks, you can use the family companion restrooms. Additionally, there are some quiet spots on the grounds of the Grand Californian Hotel that you can visit without being a guest. The Disneyland Hotel also has extra space near the gazebo, which is great if your child needs to run around—just check that no events are taking place.

10. Be Flexible and Enjoy the Moment

Remember, the goal is to create magical memories at your child’s pace. Embrace everyone’s needs, including sensory considerations, and be flexible. With a bit of advance planning, you can make Disneyland enjoyable for everyone, no matter their neurodivergence. Just focus on the fun and cherish the moments you share together!

Conclusion

These tips are designed to help families make the most of their Disneyland experience. Remember, the park is all about fun and creating memories, so don’t hesitate to reach out to the Guest Relations Cast Members—they're there to help. Disneyland is a special place for me, and I hope you experience the same magic and create lasting memories with your family!

How to Do Disneyland with a Neurodivergent Child