Information for Guests with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
Check-In / Embarkation
Guests should complete online check-in on DisneyCruise.com at least one day prior to the sailing. During online check-in, Guests must choose a port arrival time. All Guests will go through a security screening process that includes bag X-ray and metal detectors prior to entering the terminal. Please be advised that the first 2 hours are typically the busiest and a later arrival time may be the least impactful. Staterooms are available after 2:00 PM. Other public venues, including restaurants, will be open upon embarkation.
Mandatory Guest Assembly Drill
To comply with international regulations regarding the safety of passengers at sea, Disney Cruise Line requires that all Guests participate in the Mandatory Emergency Drill on embarkation day. Please check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for the start time of the Mandatory Emergency Drill. At the start time, the ship’s alarms will sound, and everyone is required to make your way from your stateroom to your Assembly Station to check in. Crew Members will demonstrate how to don your lifejacket. However, you are not required to bring or wear your lifejacket to the Assembly Station. Be sure to pay close attention to the safety announcements provided during the drill so you and your entire party are aware of what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Please note, if a Guest has other questions or concerns regarding the Mandatory Guest Assembly Drill, contact Disney Cruise Line Special Services at least 60 days in advance of sailing at (407) 566-3602 or specialservices@disneycruise.com.
My Disney Cruise
This 30-page printable activity booklet is complimentary and available for Guests, available for download in the My Disney Cruise section at Sailing With Kids on a Disney Cruise. It features information for younger cruisers on what to expect from a cruise vacation. The arrival/boarding process, the Mandatory Guest Assembly Drill and highlights of the Disney experiences on board are all included. There are also fun activities children can do before and during the cruise along with helpful vacation tips for families to make the most of their vacation time at sea.
Theaters and Restaurants
Some theaters and dining locations feature audio and visual experiences that may be unexpected. If you have specific questions or concerns, contact Special Services at least 60 days in advance of sailing to discuss additional options.
Once on board, should you need additional information or wish to discuss seating options for theater or dining experiences, please contact Guest Services for assistance.
Crew Members will be available to assist Guests at the entrance to the Walt Disney Theater beginning 30 minutes prior to show times. Some of the shows may feature sudden flashes of light and strobe effects, loud sounds and the use of stage fog. Guests may request to hold an adequate number of seats in the theater if a member of their party has a disability that impacts their early show arrival. However, these seats must be released at showtime if there is a demand for seating. To minimize the disruption to the performers and other Guests, seats located in the back of the theater are recommended for those Guests who may need to come and go during the performance.
Family Movie Fun Time, in the movie theaters, is an opportunity to enjoy a family feature film in a relaxed environment. The ship will leave some lights on and turn the volume down as audience members are welcome to talk, leave their seats, move about and (most importantly) have fun!
Disney Character Greetings
If a family member’s disability impacts their ability to wait for a Disney Character, the Guest party should wait in the queue while the Guest requiring assistance waits elsewhere with another family member to reunite with their party when it is their turn to meet the Character. Single parents or guardians who are unable to use this option should notify a Character Greeter for assistance.
Water Slides and Attractions
To reduce expected wait times, Guests are advised to arrive just prior to opening or return near closing. Alternate entrances to these experiences are not available.
Debarkation
To ensure a smooth debarkation process upon returning to the homeport, please have all debarkation documentation, including customs forms (where required), prepared and readily available in advance of leaving the ship. Guests needing additional assistance in the terminal, please contact the nearest Crew Member. There are 3 debarkation options.
- Express Walk Off: In most homeports, Guests may carry their own luggage off the ship as soon as it clears Customs to avoid delays and lines inside the terminal. Please note that when utilizing this option, luggage cannot be placed outside of Guest staterooms on the prior evening. Additionally, porter services are not available with Express Walk-Off. For available breakfast options, please discuss with the Head Server at dinner on the night before debarkation.
- Mid-Point Debarkation: Typically, the lines for luggage retrieval and Customs inspection inside the terminal subside briefly once the second seating for breakfast has begun. This may be a good opportunity to leave the ship with minimal impact.
- Delayed Debarkation: Guests may remain on board (although not in their stateroom after 9:00 AM) and debark after most Guests have left the ship. Please pay attention to the final announcement calls for debarkation.
Additional Questions or Concerns
If you have other questions or concerns in advance of your sailing, please contact Disney Cruise Line Special Services at (407) 566-3602 or via e-mail at least 60 days in advance of your sailing to discuss additional options.
While on board, please contact Guest Services to discuss additional options.
Youth Activities Information for Guests with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
Youth Club Age Groups
Our youth club programs provide the opportunity for children to discover something special at delightfully themed onboard youth clubs. The secured Disney’s Oceaneer Lab and Disney’s Oceaneer Club are open only to children ages 3 to 10. Activities are held in separate areas for tweens (ages 11 to 14) and for teens (ages 14 to 17). Guests over age 18 years are welcome to enjoy our adult-exclusive events as well as family events on board.
Secured Programming Guidelines
Disney Cruise Line Youth Activities programs are available to children who are fully toilet trained, able to individually participate within our counselor-to-child ratio groups and can interact socially and comfortably with peers of their own age and physical size. We are unable to provide one-on-one counselor care, a counselor with specialty training or counselor-assisted medical attention.
Children who can self-address their personal medical needs can carry medically necessary supplies on their person, or they can store them at the youth club front desk. Additional participation guidelines and restrictions may apply in order to maintain a secure youth entertainment environment.
Open House
Open House is an opportunity for all to come and participate in a variety of Disney Cruise Line youth club programs. During this time, favorite programs are offered, and friends and family of all ages are welcome to come and participate. Consult the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for hours and program details.
Check-In / Check-Out Process
During secured programming, children ages 3 to 10 who meet the participation requirements will wear an Oceaneer Band to assist with check-in and check-out procedures. An authorized adult will be required to check-in or check-out. In the tween and teen venues, children are able to enter and exit during operating hours without restrictions.
Hygiene
When children enter the Disney’s Oceaneer Club or Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, they’ll wash their hands. At the entrance, children place their hands and forearms inside special handwashing stations, and soap and water automatically spirals around to clean them. If a child is uncomfortable using the station, sanitized wipes are available. All spaces have restrooms available within them. Please note that the toilet system on board uses a vacuum system that makes a loud noise when flushed.
Lower Demand Times in Spaces
Once aboard, Youth Activity Counselors can assist with providing recommended times when the spaces tend to be in less demand. Typically, the most activity in the spaces is mornings during sea days; in between dinner seating times; embarkation and the last evening prior to disembarking.
Programming
Spaces have many different programming offerings. Some activities might have louder noises or music as well as flashing or bright lights. Additionally, from time to time, Characters may be in the spaces. The spaces have activities that include Model Magic, iPads, headphones, and toys such as magnet tiles and Mr. Potato Head. In order to best assist, please alert a Youth Activities Counselor of specific needs or concerns.
From time to time, Crew Drills will occur while on board that do not require Guests to participate. However, the youth clubs will take the opportunity to practice with the children in the unlikely event an actual alarm were to occur. During the Crew Drill, if an authorized adult would prefer to pick up his or her child, they may do so following normal check-in and check-out procedures.
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App
In order to be able to contact authorized adults while children are in the youth clubs spaces, Counselors will send notifications via the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. Please be sure to download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app before you leave home and log in once on board the ship.