Disney Magic questions..

[SomeDisneyMagic]

Can anyone offer me any advice on taking my autistic child on one of the staycation cruises.

We've never cruised before so I'm completely unsure what to expect.

Main issues we have is noise sensitivity and really busy areas.

We wouldn't be able to leave our child at the kids clubs - is there much else to keep them occupied during the day?

Can we request a dinner table just for ourselves? Are there "plainer" food options?

Is there any option for priority boarding like at the airport?

What about WiFi? Would we be able to use our usual mobile data?

Seems like an amazing opportunity but I just need to make sure we can make it work for our needs.

[amy56]

You can definitely request a table on your own - I would also let them know of your sons sensory issues, as whilst we’ve never NOT had a table to ourselves when we’ve requested one, it isn’t guaranteed, but I reckon in your case they will make it happen. There is also lots of basic food options, and again, the chef and servers will prepare special things if you just let them know, so I don’t think you will have a problem there.

The problem with these staycation cruises is we don’t really know much about them - how many people will be onboard? So will it be crowded - hopefully not. How many activities will be available? How will shows etc work? I’m hopeful they will limit attendance and they will assign tickets for shows so everyone gets the chance even with social distancing, but that is my hope rather than a certainty- but smaller numbers should hopefully mean less crowds for things, and I am guessing they will do their upmost to stop large crowds to anything due to Covid, which should help with noise, but again that’s me guessing rather than knowing.

My children and I have had wonderful times on all of our cruises and neither of my boys are bothered about the kids clubs, but equally we usually sail in great Caribbean weather which makes the pool a huge draw and as I say above, there are usually plenty of activities - but the British weather and the unknown points above make it harder for me to answer all of your questions. I just don’t know enough at this point to reassure you, but I’d love to think you will love DCL as much as my whole family do 👍

[SomeDisneyMagic]

Thank you, really helpful!

Yes the uncertainty isn't helping... I wonder if Disney will release further information before bookings open.

My child is exempt from wearing a mask but will Disney recognise that. What happens if the child gets overwhelmed before boarding and we can't do the lateral flow test etc. I have so many questions!

[HiddenMickey35]

At our first times cruise with Wonder Disney we were worried about our son as he have dyparaxia, with motor hand problem. At Florida, he disliked any rides in park. We realised about the cruise but turn out he love it very much.

We went back again as our 5 times and now he is looking forward to next one.

Honestly, I don't think you will have problem with this cruise and I am sure it will be great times.

Can anyone offer me any advice on taking my autistic child on one of the staycation cruises.


Kids club are very good but depend how old your child My deaf daughter love it but now she is adult

Your autistic child should be okay I am sure the staff are well with it

We've never cruised before so I'm completely unsure what to expect.

Main issues we have is noise sensitivity and really busy areas.
Depend, if noise, doing something different

We wouldn't be able to leave our child at the kids clubs - is there much else to keep them occupied during the day?

My two kids one dyparaxia, one is deaf both of them loved it very much. there will be some news under your door and tell you what it is on so you can have look and make plan it, bring your highlight pen

Can we request a dinner table just for ourselves? Are there "plainer" food options?
Yes, you can, my son was fussy eater but waitress know what to do if your child favourite foods they will served it . My daughter was writing to asked that she want chocolate cakes then waitress bring it every day for her!

Is there any option for priority boarding like at the airport?

When you arrive, they will give you number to following and don't forget when you walk in ship, staff will ask your name and where you come from? she announcement and staff will clapping their hands

What about WiFi? Would we be able to use our usual mobile data?

wifi I think you have to pay for it but I am not sure about mobile data

Seems like an amazing opportunity but I just need to make sure we can make it work for our needs.

I am sure you don't have to worry too much, as it is best cruise and great fun for everyone, watch out you will be addict with this cruise !

Disney cruise are wonderful, very clean and staff are lovely and they did provides us two interpreters for me, my husband and my daughter which was excellent and now I don't know about this times because in UK not USA.

Going for it

[HiddenMickey35]

If you need more question, just ask

I just thought maybe you can read

Updated: Everything You Need To Know About Disney Cruise Line

Maybe that would be help

[JessBlu]

Depends how far she ship goes off shore, but international waters are only 10 miles off shore, we get phone signal on our little sea boat a good deal of the time from normal masts so you might not need data.

My kids got a bit bored on the magic not sure I would do it with them again, would do it as adults only.

[maznorm]

I don't have any advice but we are in a similar situation. I am desperate to know about the wifi situation as I understand DCL charges quite a lot for their wifi. I am hoping that we can still use our own data for my daughter (she loves slime videos on youtube). I think she would really struggle without it. She would also not handle the kids club even though she would love to. She would get overwhelmed very quickly. She is 13 and I've read that over a certain age they are allowed to check themselves out, which the thought of pretty much gave me palpitations. She loves Disney though and I would love for her to be able to do something like this. There is just so much to think about that wouldn't even occur to other people. For instance, they say there are fruit bowls etc on the ship but I would need to prepare her in advance for what fruit is in them.