Theme Parks
Whether your child’s need is behavioral or physical, most major theme parks have guidelines in place to accommodate your entire family. The key to a fun-filled day at a theme park is advance planning and communicating with the park’s Guest Services Department. Services vary greatly from park to park. Examples are valet parking for Special Needs guests, portable kennels for service dogs whose handlers are enjoying a ride, a decreased wait or no wait policy for guests who cannot tolerate long lines, and wheelchair accessible swimming areas. Some services, such as a guided tour for visually impaired guests or sign language interpreters might require as long as four weeks advance registration. Theme parks might have criteria that have to be met before certain services are offered in an effort to decrease abuse of accessibility accommodations. Many have posted their policies and guidelines on their Guest Services websites, hard copies are sometimes also available by mail. The best way to ensure your child gets the most out of their park experience is to discuss their unique situation with a guest relations coordinator who can guide you in planning your activities.
Here are links for Guest Services at some major Florida theme parks:
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Services for Guests with Disabilities [1]
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/guests-with-disabilities/ [1]
Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center ADA Information [2]
http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/ada-information.aspx [2]
Busch Gardens, Tampa
https://buschgardens.com/tampa/park-info/ [3]
Busch Gardens Special Needs and Accessibility Guide [4]
https://buschgardens.com/tampa/park-info/accessibility-guide/ [4]
Universal Studios, Orlando
Universal Studios ADA Information [5]
https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/plan-your-visit/accessibility-information [5]
Sea World
Park Accessibility Guide [6]
https://seaworld.com/orlando/help/guests-with-disabilities/ [6]
While this is a brief listing for Florida, we realize and understand that most every theme park in the United States has a policy in place to accommodate Americans with Disabilities. Please check your local park’s websites for details.
More Traveling Tips
- Avoiding Meltdowns During Theme Park Vacations [7]
- Free Access Pass to America the Beautiful [8]
- Encourage Traveling for All Without Limits [9]
- Traveling with Special Dietary Need [10]
- APPyTrails: A Road Trip with Apps [11]
- Pittsburgh Int’l Airport Unveils the Largest, Most Comprehensive Airport Sensory Space in the World [12]
- Dollywood: First Theme Park in the World to Open Calming Room for Kids with Special Needs [13]
- Travel Tips for Parents of Children with Sensory Integration Issues [14]
- How Will We Eat? Summer Traveling Tips [15]
- Make-A-Wish Is Not Just for Sick or Dying Kids [16]