Autism and The Disney Dream

[rockwellqz4]

We've booked a four-night cruise on the Dream in February 2015 - our first one! Our younger daughter (11) has high-functioning Autism and isn't a big fan of loud noises, crowds, or sand on a beach. What other pitfalls will we have watch out for with a cruise? How is Disney with providing reasonable accommodations for special neeeds guests on a cruise or during excursions? We used to get the old GAC card when we went on previous trips to WDW, and we now understand that whole program is now different.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Looking forward to a great sail!

 

[aaarcher86]

We've booked a four-night cruise on the Dream in February 2015 - our first one! Our younger daughter (11) has high-functioning Autism and isn't a big fan of loud noises, crowds, or sand on a beach. What other pitfalls will we have watch out for with a cruise? How is Disney with providing reasonable accommodations for special neeeds guests on a cruise or during excursions? We used to get the old GAC card when we went on previous trips to WDW, and we now understand that whole program is now different.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Looking forward to a great sail!

What kind of accommodations are you looking for exactly? The GAC was changed to the DAS, but that doesn't really have anything to do with DCL. They're good with helping/subbing foods. Most of the things you listed there isn't much they can do - you'll have to keep her comfortable in crowds, with noises, around sand...

This is from the website in regards to kids clubs and things:

Children with Disabilities
Youth Activities are open to children ages 3-17 who are fully potty trained, able to interact comfortably within our counselor-to-child ratio groups and with peers of their own physical size. Teen and tween activities are also available in separate areas away from younger children.

Parents may make a request with the Youth Activities team onboard to have a child with disabilities partake in modified participation for a limited time period during the cruise. Our ability to fulfill the request will depend upon the child's needs, the availability of counselors, program participation and other applicable considerations. Disney Cruise Line cannot guarantee that all special requests will be accommodated.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate anyone with a contagious disease or who shows symptoms of illness; children who require one-on-one care; a child or adult who wishes to participate in an age group much younger/smaller than their physical age/size; children who need the attention of a counselor with special training; or children who need counselor-assisted medical attention.​

 

[Vidia2]

We've booked a four-night cruise on the Dream in February 2015 - our first one! Our younger daughter (11) has high-functioning Autism and isn't a big fan of loud noises, crowds, or sand on a beach. What other pitfalls will we have watch out for with a cruise? How is Disney with providing reasonable accommodations for special neeeds guests on a cruise or during excursions? We used to get the old GAC card when we went on previous trips to WDW, and we now understand that whole program is now different. Any advice would be appreciated! Looking forward to a great sail!

One thing I noticed on our last cruise was that they had a viewing area for shows (pirate party, etc.) that were on the pool deck that was reserved for people who used mobility devices. On the smaller ships the area is in one of the gazebos next to the stage. I'm not sure what area they use on the bigger ships. I've only been on the Dream once and don't remember the area by the stage very well. If you need a special area for the shows, I would ask about this as it gets very crowded during the shows. You could ask at guest services. We didn't need to use it but we may in the future if we encounter problems.

There is no GAC/DAS so we only planned two characters that had lines and went early enough that we could sit while waiting and have more space around us. We rarely do characters in the parks unless there's a Fastpass or our son can wait outside the line.

 

[Schmeck]

We've booked a four-night cruise on the Dream in February 2015 - our first one! Our younger daughter (11) has high-functioning Autism and isn't a big fan of loud noises, crowds, or sand on a beach. What other pitfalls will we have watch out for with a cruise? How is Disney with providing reasonable accommodations for special neeeds guests on a cruise or during excursions? We used to get the old GAC card when we went on previous trips to WDW, and we now understand that whole program is now different.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Looking forward to a great sail!

First, you'd have to be able to explain what accommodation you will need. On a ship it is going to be nearly impossible to avoid crowds, and they blow the horn when departing, so be aware of that too. Sand - well, don't plan on going on the excursions/Castaway Cay then? Although there are paths on the island that she could walk on, but I'm sure there is sand on them to some degree.

If you stay on board during the excursion time, the ship should be less crowded though.

 

[cgncga]

We've booked a four-night cruise on the Dream in February 2015 - our first one! Our younger daughter (11) has high-functioning Autism and isn't a big fan of loud noises, crowds, or sand on a beach. What other pitfalls will we have watch out for with a cruise? How is Disney with providing reasonable accommodations for special neeeds guests on a cruise or during excursions? We used to get the old GAC card when we went on previous trips to WDW, and we now understand that whole program is now different.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Looking forward to a great sail!

We've sailed on the Disney Dream twice with our now 10 year old daughter (high functioning autism, epilepsy, growth issues, and low vision). She was almost 9 and almost 10 during the two cruises. The kid's club (Oceaner's) was great with her on both cruises--although she liked it better the first time than the second. The kids on the second cruise didn't believe her when she told them her age so, with her autism, that just turned her off the clubs. However, the staff in the clubs was great with her both times. Given her multiple challenges I am leary of sending her to the tween club so she'll stay with Oceaners on our Alaska cruise this summer.

She is also on a gulten free diet, and the dining room staff was fantastic with giving her gluten free options, bringing out her favourite (loaded baked potato) and bringing her dinner out early. Even though we had the early dinner seating, she needed her food ready almost as soon as we sat down, and our servers figured that out very quickly. They also always made sure that we could easily get her a gluten free breakfast and lunch.

We have been very impressed with the Disney Dream and how our daughter's needs have been accomodated. Now saying that, she is high functioning, and doesn't need 1:1 support in the clubs.

Catherine

 

[twinmum]

My only suggestion is to ask Guest Services for advice. We have enjoyed 2 cruises on the Dream. One of our DS has cerebral palsy. For the first cruise, I didn't ask for advice but on the 2nd cruise I asked for assistance with the aqauduck and a food demonstration. In both cases, we received the assistance we needed.

I wasn't always sure WHAT to ask for, WHAT we needed. Once I explained some of Mark's needs/interests, they were very happy to help.

PS I did end up speaking with someone 1-2 levels up from the lovely CMs who staff the desk - their suggestion.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Keep an eye out when booking excursions. Most of them are in foreign countries and run by foreign providers who have been contracted to provide excursion services to DCL. They have no duty under ADA to provide accommodations. Disney will have in their description an indication whether or not wheelchairs can be allowed on certain excursions. DCL may be able to get in contact with their contractors and find out what other kind of accomodations may be possible.

 

[lanejudy]

We've booked a four-night cruise on the Dream in February 2015 - our first one! Our younger daughter (11) has high-functioning Autism and isn't a big fan of loud noises, crowds, or sand on a beach. What other pitfalls will we have watch out for with a cruise? How is Disney with providing reasonable accommodations for special neeeds guests on a cruise or during excursions? We used to get the old GAC card when we went on previous trips to WDW, and we now understand that whole program is now different.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Looking forward to a great sail!

Welcome! I believe your family can have a wonderful cruise. First there never has been anything like the GAC (or DAS) onboard DCL ships.

There are loud noises -- I'd be careful about being up top (pool deck or the outside deck above) when entering/exiting a port as the horn will sound. It is LOUD. Does your DD use noise canceling or noise reducing headphones? It might help at the parties as well - Sail Away Party, Pirates Party, etc.

There are crowds. You can speak with DCL's Special Needs department -- I honestly don't know if they can provide a reserved area to watch deck parties or not, but it doesn't hurt to ask. But rest assured, there are always quiet places onboard -- it's a big ship. Be prepared, the pools are VERY crowded. Best times are morning, staying onboard while in port, or during dinner. These are the best times for the AquaDuck as well.

Not much I can say about sand other than the ship is quiet while in port at Castaway Cay, but most areas are open -- restaurants, pools, AquaDuck (no lines!), lounges, etc. At other ports, you'll want to plan non-beach activities or stay onboard (again, a good time to use pools and the AquaDuck).

As to accommodations for excursions -- I guess you'd need to be more specific about your concerns related to a certain excursion. There's only so much that can be done, as DCL doesn't actually "provide" the excursion, generally they contract with a regular vendor (and you often can book the same excursion directly).

At 11 years old, your DD will be eligible for both the Oceaneers Club/Lab (ages 3-12) and Edge (11-14). Most likely they'll allow her access to either, though if the cruise is particularly full of one age group, they may require her to choose. She's high-functioning with regards to her autism, but developmentally she may prefer the kids space or the tween space. I suggest you check both out the afternoon that you board, and even look up online to give her some idea of what to expect.

Dining times are either "Main" (~5:45pm) or "Late" (~8:15pm). If she does best sticking to a regular schedule from home, there are lots of other options -- Cabanas is a buffet for breakfast or lunch but open sit-down for dinner (no assigned times), fast food near the pools, room service. And you can ask your MDR server to bring her food quickly so she can eat and leave if she'd like -- for late dining they have "Dine & Play" where a CM will come pick the kids up midway through the meal, or for early dining many just do this on their own.

In our experience, the evening theater shows were not super crowded, but the lobby area at the entrances is packed right before the doors are opened. I'd actually suggest not arriving too early and you'll avoid those crowds.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[summerrluvv]

We went last September with my son who was 14 at the time. We requested our own table at dinner because you are normally seated with other families. My son has severe anxiety around strangers, so it would have been completely uncomfortable for him to dine with strangers. Not to mention he likes to eat and run, so long drawn out meals don't work for us. We often left before dessert. So if you think eating with strangers will be an issue, I would definitely call and request a table alone.

The later shows were completely packed when we went. It was really hard to find seats to be honest. I found the earlier show to be less crowded. We opted for room service one night and skipped our main dining room meal so we didn't have to deal with the crowds after dinner at the late show.

No special arrangements for the Pirate Show on the deck. We actually had some kids squeeze right in next to my son (rude parents), and he REALLY disliked that so moved away and wasn't able to see anything. That was such a bummer, since he loves pirates.

The lines for the AquaDuck were shortest during port days. We stayed on ship while in Nassau and rode over and over. My son LOVED it!