Navigating Disney Cruise Line with Special Needs Family Members

Many people find trip preparation and planning daunting at best and that's understandable. Factor in travelling with a special needs family member and the planning takes on another dimension. Deciding on what to bring from home to make your loved one more comfortable and meeting their unique needs takes a lot of forethought and planning.

As Platinum Castaway Cay Members with Disney Cruise Line, having sailed on all four ships in the fleet, is testament to the fact Disney does it right. Why else would we keep returning and not travel with any other cruise line? Once you make your special requests known to them, Disney Cruise Line makes every effort to accommodate and make your trip as effortless as possible and positively memorable.

Here are a few things that I do to make my cruise 'magic'al, 'wonder'ful, 'dream'y, and 'fantas'tic!

Photo: JackiePsarianos

Make Special Arrangements:
I call Disney Cruise Line and make arrangements with the Special Reservations Co-Ordinator regarding the Youth Clubs. Although DCL does not guarantee one to one interaction with your child, they do make every effort to accommodate and provide an inclusive experience for your child. Also, you are free to accompany your child if you wish. That is what I do to help acclimate my son more effectively. Furthermore, download, fill out and fax the Special Needs Request form from the DCL Planning Center on their website, which also alerts staff to your child's needs. Once again, I highly recommend contacting the Special Needs Co-Ordinator for direct communication.

Although not at all necessary, but might be of comfort, bring along a doctor's note, it might be useful and never hurts. No one on the ship has ever asked me for a note, instead they do their utmost to make us feel at ease.

Quiet Time:
Allocate quiet time for your child, be it back in your stateroom, on the quieter open air decks on the comfy loungers while enjoying the ocean breezes or in one of the quieter lounges tucked away all over the ship.

Atrium Lobby sitting area.

 Photo: JackiePsarianos

My son Andrew was always at ease lounging here.

Photo: JackiePsarianos

The pods over at Vibe offer quieter, secluded spaces.

Photo: Disney Cruise Line

Loungers on the open air decks. They are typically not near the edge, rather against the ships wall.

Private Cabanas on Castaway Cay:

The best times we have had while visiting Disney Cruise Line's private island, Castaway Cay is renting a private cabana. Being in a cabana allows our family choices because of the convenience and amenities offered. You have a private, open aired room with a fan, mini-fridge stocked with water, soda and fresh fruit, comfortable sofas, a changing area, a covered deck with two loungers, a fresh water shower, a hammock, private beach all with loungers, umbrellas and water toys. You can get a ride over to Cookies Too for your lunch and with a simple buzzing of the button, the Cast Member will cater to your needs as often as you like. I was able to spend an entire day at Castaway Cay because when my son needed respite from the heat, he relaxed while watching his Disney movies in the Cabana. There was always someone around to supervise him. He greatly enjoyed the quieter beachfront and we loved that the ocean was shallow enough for him to tread water and have fun with the floats.

Photos: Jackie Psarianos













Room Service:
You can order room service if that is better for you. Guests in Concierge levels have unlimited room service food choices where as other guests can order from a bountiful menu. Also remember that if you are unable to dine in the dining rooms, the wait staff will bring your food up to your stateroom.

Wave Phones:
Make use of the Wave Phones, two are provided for guests in every stateroom (you can rent more at Guest Services). These are great for communicating with the Youth Club Counselors and with other family members on the ship and at Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line's private island. We also use these when lining up for the AquaDuck. My husband will wait in the line on the stack stairs while I watch my son in the family pool. When my husband is near the top, he'll call down to me and I'll then bring my son up to join the line. This really helps us as my son has the notion that he can hop on and off the stairs which is dangerous to himself and those around him, as well as annoying.



Disney Cruise Line's Navigator App:
This free Disney Cruise Line Navigator App enables communication with fellow friends and family traveling with you and even with new friends you meet onboard. It's safe and secure, not divulging private information. You can see all the activities and entertainment schedules, check the usage on your WiFi, locate Disney Character meet and greet times, check out Spa experiences, deck plans and much more. 

                                                                                     Photo of WavePhone: Jackie Psarianos

Dining Requests:
By calling Disney Cruise Line, or informing your own travel agent, you can request to be seated alone in the dining rooms. We do this to avoid any discomfort to other guests and we feel more comfortable too!

Enchanted Garden. We sat at the wonderful Teacup Tables.

Photo: JackiePsarianos

You can purchase noise reducing headphones for your child to be worn in highly audible stimulating areas. As well, bring along a portable DVD player, tablet or i-Pad with plug in headphones. We use this at dinner which keeps my child happy and quieter and allows us greater time at the dinner table without causing discomfort to others around us.



Ahoy!