disney world autism

Disney with Special Needs: They Say It’s Your Birthday

Taryn Disney Vacation Planning, Special Dining Needs at Disney, Special Needs at Disney World , , , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

What could be more magical than being at Disney World? Celebrating something special at Disney World, of course. December 29 is Tutu’s birthday, so in honor of her, I thought we’d talk about getting celebratory at Disney when you also have to manage your special needs. This isn’t just about birthdays. Anything is worth celebrating when you’re at Disney and we’ve done birthday, anniversary, and milestone trips. We’ve seen people celebrating everything from finishing school to getting a new job to finalizing a divorce. That last one might be the most depressing celebration, but if you’re going to celebrate, go for it at Disney!

Let’s blow out some candles and get to partying… Read more

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Disney with Special Needs: Dare We Go for the Trifecta?

Taryn Disney Vacation Planning, Special Needs at Disney World , , , , , , 0 Comment

If you’ve been with me for a while you know that my family was planning a trip to Disney for Thanksgiving but ended up having to change our plans. Womp, womp. That was a pretty difficult pill to swallow, and definitely put a damper on our holiday. Now that we’re a couple of weeks separated from that fateful day, though, I’m looking at it with a totally new perspective. We didn’t get to go for Thanksgiving, but that means that I’m still getting to be excited and looking forward to going. Yay! Read more

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Disney with Special Needs: Is It Really Time to Leave?

Taryn Disney Vacation Planning, Disney Vacation Tips, Special Needs at Disney World , , , , , , , 0 Comment

Arriving at Disney World is one of the best moments of life. For my family, the trip has been upwards of 14 hours in a car (or train, but that’s a whole other talk) and months of preparation, and we’ve been ticking down the milestones for several states. When we finally see that first billboard held up by a white-gloved hand, and then the first mention of a resort, and then, oh, then, the “Where Dreams Come True” arch, it is a glorious moment. There are often tears. I want to fling myself out of the car and do a dance. It is wonderful. But even among all the giggles and cheers and tears and kisses and hugs, there is a dark cloud looming. We try to ignore it. We push it away and refuse to let it dampen our spirits. But it’s there. The worst, most miserable, most terrible, horrible moment of a Disney Vacation — when it ends. Read more

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Disney with Special Needs Park Breakdown: Digging for Gems on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Taryn Disney Vacation Planning, Special Needs at Disney World, What to Do at Disney World , , , , , , , , , , 0 Comment
Photo via https://flic.kr/p/rkv7mr

I’ve made my way out of Tomorrowland and skirted around the back past the Tomorrowland Speedway and behind the Mad Tea Party on my way to New Fantasyland. Speaking of which — do you ever wonder if they will ever stop calling it “New” Fantasyland and the entire area will just morph into one cohesive “Fantasyland”, or if it will stay this way and be like a New York/New Hampshire/New Mexico type situation? These are the things I contemplate. Read more

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Disney with Special Needs Park Breakdown: Blasting Off with Space Mountain

Taryn Disney Vacation Planning, Special Needs at Disney World, What to Do at Disney World , , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

Last time we talked about how to make it through what can seem like a sensory gauntlet on Main Street U.S.A. Today we are going to take a moment to gaze lovingly at Cinderella Castle and then take a right and head into Tomorrowland. I am a big lover of Tomorrowland. It has fabulous music. Things are shiny. And it is home to two of my very favorite rides in all of Disney World — the PeopleMover (which just so happens to be the first Magic Kingdom ride that Tutu, Hubby, Baby, and I rode on our first trip, and then the first Disney World ride we brought Bubba on on his first trip) and Space Mountain. Read more

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