Preparing For an Adventure

The first thing that I do before going on a theme park trip is pack my adventuring bag. That’s what I call the gray backpack with about four pockets that I bring with me to the parks. I usually use this bag to hold anything that I need for the day as well as have room for if I get something like a new pin or t-shirt and don’t want to just carry around the shopping bag. What you will need in your adventuring bag may vary, and Disney even gives their own tips on what to bring for someone on the spectrum on their own website. But, here is what I usually pack on these adventures:

• My Cellphone (Loaded With Any Apps I Need for the Parks)

• My Wallet (Holding My Cards and Cash)

• My Asthma Inhaler (A Necessity For an Asthmatic)

• A Face Mask (Stay Safe During Current Times)

• A Pair of Earplugs (For Hearing Protection)

• A Back-Up Battery For My Phone (Very Necessary Considering How Much I Film)

• Sunscreen (Avoid Sunburns Out There)

• A Clear Blue Water Bottle (Stay Hydrated)

• A Small Sketchbook (For Autographs and Passing Time)

• A Couple of Pens (For Autographs and Passing the Time)

• An Amazon Kindle (Loaded With Comics and Ride Textbooks)

• Any Equipment For the Blog (You probably won’t need this)

My adventuring bag consists of two kinds of items: utility items and calming items. Utility items are things like my phone, wallet, and asthma inhaler are basically stuff that are important to bring along for any situation, not just a theme park trip. Obviously, you need access to your money, phone calls, and anything for an emergency on you at all times. So, these items are things that I must bring with me no matter what, when I head out of my house.

Calming items like my sketchbook, earplugs, and Kindle are important in a different way: they can help me deal with the large crowds. For most things in my day-to-day life, I do not need to bring all of these items with me. But, depending on the situation, I may need to bring something to block out the noise or give me a chance to slow down despite the chaos. Some neurodivergent people prefer fidget toys or other hands on stuff to keep them occupied. I personally prefer books and sketching as my way to stay calm.

If I were to suggest anything, I highly recommend bringing earplugs or headphones if you are Autistic or just at all sensitive to sound. Loud noises and overwhelming crowd sounds are the biggest issues that you will experience right away at any theme park. One of my dear friends usually brings her earbuds to listen to music, and I usually bring rubber earplugs that are useful for concerts and workshop floors. But, I also have seen a lot of Autistic adventurers in the parks wearing noise-canceling headphones (again usually synched up with music or a video on their phone or tablet). Whatever feels comfortable for you, bring some form of hearing protection if you want to spend a day at the parks.

Also, bare in mind that you will be walking around the park all day. So, overpacking your adventuring bag is a bad idea. Make sure that whatever you bring, be it a utility item or a calming item, can easily fit in your bag and doesn’t add too much weight. Not only will this make walking around the parks easier, but it saves room for any potential souvenirs that you may want to bring home.

Beyond your adventuring bag, you want to make sure that you are dressed comfortably for days of long walking and standing. Wear clothes that are cozy for you based on the weather for that day. In preparing for the most recent trips I did, there was a forecast for rain on the days I was planning to go. Rainy days at Disneyland aren’t terrible, and they do not completely shut down your plans. But, obviously, certain outdoor activities like character meet-and-greets as well as outdoor shows and parades would definitely be canceled if the weather looks rainy. So, just in case, I packed an umbrella with my stuff and dressed more appropriately for wet weather. And definitely wear shoes that are comfortable for long walks. I usually prefer wearing a good pair of running shoes or a pair of Sketchers boots (not sponsored), but you may prefer something else.

Beyond your adventuring bag, you want to make sure that you are dressed comfortably for days of long walking and standing. Wear clothes that are cozy for you based on the weather for that day. In preparing for the most recent trips I did, there was a forecast for rain on the days I was planning to go. Rainy days at Disneyland aren’t terrible, and they do not completely shut down your plans. But, obviously, certain outdoor activities like character meet-and-greets as well as outdoor shows and parades would definitely be canceled if the weather looks rainy. So, just in case, I packed an umbrella with my stuff and dressed more appropriately for wet weather. And definitely wear shoes that are comfortable for long walks. I usually prefer wearing a good pair of running shoes or a pair of Sketchers boots (not sponsored), but you may prefer something else.

The last thing you need to do before going on a theme park trip of any kind, especially if it is your first time going to the park, is to do some research about the park itself. Disney and other theme parks such as Universal Studios actually have webpages on their websites on what features are available in the parks for Autistic people including what attractions and shows include. However, I have found that when experiencing something new for the first time, my favorite thing to do is to watch videos on the rides. There are tons of theme park press channels like Attractions Magazine and SoCal Attractions 360 that have high quality ride-through videos of attractions at various theme parks around the world. While watching videos may spoil potential surprises that may be on the ride or in the show, these videos are great ways to gauge the interest of you or anyone in your group to try something new at the parks. Plus, pretty much every theme park has a Guest Services or Guest Relations office at the front entrance of the park (like Main Street’s City Hall at Disneyland), where you can get anything you need as a disabled person. The employees at the front desk and around the parks are always there to help you out as needed.

Disneyland Resort has a system called the Disability Access Service, which is a system that allows you to return to attractions later without waiting in the line. Basically, you go to a cast member who gives you a return time for an attraction based on the current wait time. And then, when that time arrives, they will let you in through an alternative entrance. This system is especially useful for people who get anxious in lines, so I highly recommend using this system when you can. And, the best part is that you can register for this pass online as early as 30 days and as late as two days before your visit to the Disneyland Resort. And if you don’t register online, you can pick up the same pass on the same day at either of the Guest Service locations.

Universal Studios Hollywood has a similar system called the Attractions Assistance Pass (AAP). You can get this pass the day that you arrive at Universal Studios by visiting the Guest Services building when you enter the park. The system works about the same way as the Disability Access Service: you get one pass for your group, a crew member gives you a return time for attractions with over a thirty minute wait, and then you enter the ride after a certain amount of time. The coolest thing I learned is that you can use this pass also for mazes at Halloween Horror Nights (which was the first time I got to try out this system).

As someone who likes being prepared and having plans for things, these are the random stuff that I have to consider each visit. How early do I want to be in the parks? How much do I want to eat in the parks? Should I consider breakfast before leaving? What are the major rides, shows, and experiences I want to do that day? And, most importantly, how can I handle the random events that may make the day go in a way I didn’t expect?

That final point about randomness can mess with me personally. But, I have tried focusing my thinking to accept that anything can happen on these trips, good or bad. Even when I have potential headings of where I would like to go before I head to the park, I have to be ready for the possibility that I may change my mind once I am there. And, honestly, this new thing of trying to create personal blogs and videos about what I am doing definitely makes me more aware of where these plans can change. But, if I want to enjoy my day regardless of new habits and random events, I just have to roll with it. And, I will admit that at this time, I am still learning how to best roll with these situations.

Now that you have an idea of what to pack in an Adventure Bag as well as how to prepare yourself, it’s off to the next adventure.