At TPG, we feel strongly that travel should not only be accessible to all, but enjoyable for all. In honor of World Autism Awareness Month, we highlight cities and attractions around the world that are working to create destinations that welcome all visitors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism. Every year, more and more destinations join the list of places dedicated to meeting the needs of every visitor, where they can have fun while feeling welcomed, cared for, and respected.
To that end, these institutions have partnered with the International Certification and Continuing Education Standards Board, an organization focused on the differences between autism and cognition. In addition to healthcare and public safety training, IBCES has a robust certification program for cities, zoos, restaurants, theme parks, hotels, museums, and other tourist destinations that serve people with autism. Developed.
Planning your next vacation? Here are 12 autism-friendly destinations.
Beach resort
beach
The Beaches brand includes three family-friendly all-inclusive resorts in Negril and Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, and aims to welcome all types of guests, including those with autism.
These resorts are designated as Highly Certified Autism Centers and staff receive special training from IBCES. Not to mention, each property offers kids camps, custom dining options, sensory-friendly areas, and sensory guides. The guide details the sensory stimulation levels of Beach His Resort’s various amenities and activities, including activities led by popular “Sesame Street” characters.
The resort also offers one-on-one certified staff members called “Beach Buddies” to support families during all or part of their trip, and expedited “Fast Track Arrival and Departure Services” . Both services incur additional charges.
Mesa, Arizona
visit mesa
Mesa is the first autism-certified city in the United States. This designation allows visitors to find autism-friendly attractions, hotels, restaurants, and more throughout the city.
The city’s website includes a directory of certified accommodations, restaurants, and attractions. If you check in at any of our 5 accredited autism centers during your visit, you can download a mobile passport with a list of attractions and win special prizes.
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At nearby Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), visitors with special needs can visit a specially designed sensory room and request a complimentary “Compassion Cacti” lanyard, so staff need extra assistance. You can easily recognize people.
Visalia, California
Visit Visalia
In December 2022, Visalia, California achieved the designation of a Certified Autism Area after a year-long collaborative effort between Visit Visalia Tourism and local hotels and attractions.
Visalia has an up-to-date list of certified autism centers on its website, as well as details on what those hotels and attractions need to achieve that certification. These requirements include employee training, accommodations, and amenities such as sensory guides, quiet spaces, and limited low-sensory events.
The city also participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, which provides visitors with free sunflower-print lanyards. This alerts staff at local hotels, restaurants, and attractions that special equipment may be required.
legoland
legoland florida resort
As of the 2023 operating season, all LEGOLAND resorts nationwide are certified autism centers.
Employees at Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven, Florida. Legoland California Resort in San Diego. and Legoland New York Resort in Goshen, New York, are specially trained to help guests with autism and other sensory disabilities enjoy their theme parks. In the case of Legoland Florida, all three of his hotels on site are also certified autism centers.
In addition, Legoland New York and Legoland Florida offer quiet rooms, and all three resorts feature sensory-friendly areas and sensory guides for all attractions. These guides rate each attraction’s sensory level for touch, taste, sound, sight, and smell. Visitors can also request a priority entry pass called the Hero Her Pass for guests with disabilities.
peppa pig theme park
peppa pig theme park
Peppa Pig Theme Park, located next to Legoland in Florida, opened in February 2022 as an IBCCES certified autism center.
Peppa Pig Theme Park continues to train staff in sensory awareness and educate them about the needs of visitors with autism. Additionally, the park has a detailed sensory guide on its website, sensory signage at each attraction, and priority entry passes for visitors with special needs. There are also areas designed for people with autism, including an indoor theater that shows episodes of Peppa Pig in a dark, quiet room with comfortable cushions.
A second Peppa Pig theme park is scheduled to open this year in the Dallas-Forth Worth area of Texas. The new location will likely offer similar autism-friendly services.
seaworld orlando
seaworld orlando
SeaWorld Orlando has been an IBCES Certified Autism Center since World Autism Day 2019. The theme park, along with Aquatica Orlando Water Park and Discovery Cove all-inclusive day resort, combines thrilling, kid-friendly rides with aquatic animal viewing and education. Provide training to the entire staff on autism awareness and sensitivity. This way, all visitors can enjoy the wide range of fun and educational experiences SeaWorld has to offer.
The SeaWorld Orlando website provides information about the park’s Quiet Rooms and Hyposensory Areas, in addition to the park’s Skip-the-Line Accessibility Program. You can also download a sensory guide that details each attraction at SeaWorld Orlando.
One of several family-friendly hotels in Orlando, the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld is also designated as a Certified Autism Center. This makes it a convenient option for families with children with autism.
sesame place
John Bailey/The Point Guy
Sesame Place locations (one in Philadelphia and one in San Diego) are the only theme park where you can visit the friendly characters who call Sesame Street home. They are also a certified autism center.
In addition to the necessary training and sensory awareness guide, Sesame Place allows visitors to meet Sesame Street resident Julia, who has autism. Julia has been a prominent character on the TV show ‘Sesame Street’ since 2017.
RELATED: First look at the brand new Sesame Place theme park in San Diego
six flags
Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Six Flags operates more than 20 theme parks across the country. In 2020, Six Flags became the first family of parks to earn the Certified Autism Center designation across all of its locations.
Related: Celebrate National Roller Coaster Day on one of America’s 10 Best Coasters
The park partnered with IBCCES to eliminate the challenges of visiting theme parks with children with special needs and make all guests feel welcome.
Each park has its own sensory guide, customized menu options at dining locations, sensory-friendly spaces, and warm, helpful staff. Some locations also offer sensory-friendly days for quieter, more personal meet-and-greets.
morgan’s wonderland
morgan’s wonderland
Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio is the only “ultra-accessible” theme park in the world. Rather than providing accommodations for guests with special needs, Morgan’s Wonderland was specifically designed for guests with mobility issues, neurodivergent or special needs. This includes guests with autism.
The park features more than 25 accessible attractions, playgrounds, and interactive elements, as well as an accessible splash park called Morgan’s Inspiration Island. For the 2024 season, Morgan’s Wonderland has invested his $6 million in new attractions including a 4D cinema, roller coasters, boats and zip lines.
Morgan’s Wonderland is always free for guests with special needs. If you’re bringing friends or family, you can purchase a day ticket or take advantage of the park’s summer pass. This pass gives you access to theme parks and water parks all summer long for $40 per person.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is the first JW Marriott property to earn the Certified Autism Center designation from IBCES. This family-friendly resort in Palm Desert, California features five pools, two golf courses, a tennis club, and a 12,000-square-foot arcade area.
Related: TPG’s Ultimate Guide to Palm Springs, California
For guests with autism, JW Marriott Desert Springs offers sensory kits that include weighted blankets, sound machines, fidget toys, and a map of sensory deprivation areas around the property.
Visit Greater Palm Springs offers a helpful autism travel guide to area attractions on its website.
Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge in Maryland.Great Wolf Lodge
In 2023, Great Wolf Lodge Indoor Water Park Resort partnered with IBCCES to develop sensory guides for all 19 Great Wolf Lodge locations across the United States. This sensory guide is available online and details the sensory levels of all attractions, slides, pools, rides, shows, and more. Activities. It also provides information on the location of quiet areas.
The guide provides visual, olfactory, auditory, tactile, and taste ratings for individual attractions and experiences. This will help the family be best prepared for what to expect during the visit.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Tara Chief/Point Guy
In July 2023, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida was designated a Certified Autism Center by IBCES. To achieve this certification, Kennedy Space Center staff completed training to best accommodate visitors with autism and sensory sensitivities.
In addition, visitors can use sensory guidance signage at attractions and activities throughout the complex or take relaxing breaks in low-sensory areas. You can also prepare for your visit using our online sensory guide.
conclusion
These 12 cities, resorts, and attractions are doing everything they can to meet the needs of travelers with autism.
For a complete list of IBCCES certified locations, visit the organization’s online Autism Travel Directory.
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