101 Dream Vacations

“Luck favors the prepared, Darling.” -Edna Mode

Top Items to Pack and Prep When Traveling With My Son With Special Needs

A Blog Series on Traveling With My Son With Special Needs

By:BethAnn Hefner

Edna Mode knows what she is talking about. Any parent of a child with special needs knows that even a simple trip takes some major preparation.We can’t just throw a bunch of stuff into a suitcase and hope for the best. Sometimes I feel like Santa Claus; I make a list and check it twice. Actually, I check it about 100 times.

My packing list was broken down into 3 categories: the airplane, the hotel, and the park. Here is my list of essentials to consider when creating your packing list:

Airplane

1. Medication for the whole day should be kept in your carry-on. If the airline loses your luggage, you still have the medical essentials you need. Also keep in mind if you need something to help your loved one take medication. I always pack an applesauce squeezer and spoon in my bag.
2. Ipads and earphones- make sure you have items downloaded onto the Ipad in case your airline doesn’t offer wi-fi access.
3. Preferred snacks- my son doesn’t like what the airline has to offer so we pack his favorites like goldfish and gummies.
4. Soothing items like stuffed animals, chewy tubes, or weighted lap blankets can help your loved one feel comfortable and calm during the long ride.  

Hotel

1. Food! Even though my family uses the Disney Dining Plan when we go to Walt Disney World, I still have some food in the hotel room for immediate need. There are several companies in the Orlando area that deliver groceries to the resorts. I order drinks, small breakfast items, and applesauce so my son can take medication.
2. Nightlights can be purchased at many dollar stores and can offer your loved ones a comforting feeling when they wake up in the middle of the night in a strange, new room.

Park

1. A stroller is so helpful to have for my son. He has mobility issues and tires easily. We don’t like to drag his adaptive stroller with us so we order an adaptive stroller from Kingdom Strollers to use during our stay. They deliver right to our resort and pick it up there when our visit is done. Walt Disney World also rents strollers, wheelchairs, and motorized scooters in the parks but the downside to that is, you can’t take it out of the park.
2. For kids who are sensitive to heat, a cooling towel can’t be beat. You can run it under a faucet, wring out the excess water, snap it and you have a chilled towel that can take the edge off of the summer heat!
3. No matter how well you work the Fast Pass+ and the Disability Access Service programs, there will still be some wait time in lines. When kids get antsy, cell phones come to the rescue. To make sure you have enough battery for the day, don’t forget to pack an external phone battery.  

My packing list is extensive so these are just some of the items we can’t live without. Do you have suggestions for items you can’t live without? Please feel free to email me at BethAnn@101Dreamvacations.com or connect with me on my FaceBook page, 101 Dream Vacations by BethAnn.