If you’re a parent of an autistic child, you probably already know how tricky live events can be. Between the crowds, the unexpected sounds, the lights, and the general unpredictability of large arenas, a night out can feel overwhelming—both for your child and for you.
That said, we recently took our daughter to Disney On Ice, and to our surprise, it turned out to be a really positive experience. I wanted to share what helped us prepare, what we wish we’d known sooner, and how we found tickets in advance (which made the whole process less stressful).
Let’s Start with the Honest Warnings
Before I get to the tips, I want to be upfront. These shows are sensory-heavy. That’s not always a dealbreaker, but knowing what to expect really helped us decide how to approach it. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Flashing lights and spotlights: There are moments of full-arena lighting, spotlight effects, and light sweeps across the crowd.
- Loud sound effects and music: It’s not rock-concert loud, but there are some surprising bursts of volume (especially during big entrances or special effects).
- Theatrical fog: A few scenes use fog machines and even low-level pyrotechnics to create magical effects on the ice.
- Cold temperatures: It’s an ice arena, so bring layers, blankets, perhaps socks, mittens—even if it’s summer outside.
- Crowds and long lines: Entry, bathrooms, and concessions can get busy. You’ll want to arrive early and plan to stay seated once you’re in.
If any of these are potential triggers for your child, it’s okay to wait until they’re ready—or try a shorter event in a smaller venue first.
How We Made It Work
Here are some simple things that helped us prepare for the experience and made it smoother for everyone:
- Watch clips at home: We watched some Disney On Ice videos on YouTube ahead of time, so our daughter knew what to expect—what the arena looked like, the characters, the volume level.
- Bring noise-canceling headphones: Total game-changer. Even when she didn’t wear them the whole time, just having the option made her feel more in control.
- Plan a quiet exit strategy: We chose seats near an aisle in the upper sections, which made it easier to step out for a break. No stairs, no pushing through a crowd.
- Snacks and comfort items: Her favorite blanket and a familiar snack in a sealed bag were allowed through security, no problem.
- Prep your exit plan: As tempting as it is to beat the crowd at the end, we left five minutes early—just before the lights came up and everyone stood up at once.
Getting Tickets Without the Chaos
One of the things that helped reduce our anxiety was buying tickets early, before the general sale. We used this fantastic Disney On Ice presale codes page, which had all the upcoming show dates, broken down by city and presale type. There were multiple presales listed—venue codes, fan club codes, even special access for certain credit cards.
We checked the presales listed on presale.codes/today to get the best shot at choosing seats that worked for us—fewer crowds, quieter corners, close to the exits.
By buying tickets a little early, we avoided the panic and got to pick seats that fit our family’s needs.
Final Thoughts
Not every outing needs to be a big event, and it’s okay to skip things that aren’t right for your child right now. But if you’ve been thinking about trying something like Disney On Ice, I’d say—give it a look. With a little planning and the right tools, it might just be the kind of night your child remembers for all the right reasons.
If you do go, I hope these tips help you feel a little more prepared. And if you’re just starting to look at ticket options, check out what’s available today or head straight to the Disney presale codes via this link here.
You know your child best—and with the right setup, these memories can last forever.
