New Dawn Vacations - Kelsey's Travel Blog #Safety

My Guide to Traveling with Autism

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 10:26:56 -0400

Just as autism has a spectrum, traveling with autism can vary from person to person. Here are my general tips and resort recommendations, but I believe that each trip should be crafted for the individual person. If you'd like help curating a trip that's made for you, set up a consultation at the end of this post!

My general tips:

1. Always plan the trip with pacing in mind

Many people will plan a trip around the main sites they want to see, and often they want to see as much as possible. But slowing down is the way to go. For example, I know when I travel to Disney that I can only handle one park day. The overstimulation and physical exhaustion is too much for me, so I know that I need to give myself time to recover afterwards. I will purposely plan in a day with zero plans.

2. Request assistance from TSA Cares

We all know airports are the absolute worst. It can be so overstimulating, crowded, and just generally a new environment for people who are more inexperienced in traveling. With TSA cares, you can contact them 72 hours before your flight (here's the form) to discuss potential accommodations. They also have a TSA Notification Card, that you can print out to give TSA a "heads up."

PS. Another accommodation to consider is picking up the sunflower lanyard that signifies hidden disabilities. At the time of this post, 350 airports and 31 airlines participate in this program.

3. Always consider cancellation policies

It can be really helpful to have flexible cancellation when plans need to change on the fly. Every company has different cancellation policies, so if this is important to you, make sure to keep this in mind when choosing resorts, transfers, activities, etc. It might be worth paying a bit more upfront to have flexible cancellation. Another option to protect your investment is purchasing travel insurance.

4. Always buy the travel insurance

I know it sucks paying for something else when planning a vacation, but travel insurance is going to protect your investment. For many us traveling is one of the most expensive things we ever do. And as we know, life is unpredictable. If you don't want to lose the thousands of dollars you spend on your trip, get the insurance. It's worth the few hundred bucks.

Family resorts that cater to children with autism:

Beaches Turks & Caicos and Beaches Negril

Both of these resorts hold Advanced Certified Autism Center status for their kids' camps, and staff complete ongoing training in sensory awareness, communication, and emotional regulation. The Sesame Street experiences are built around Julia, an autistic Muppet, so the character programming itself models autism. Both resorts offer a downloadable IBCCES Sensory Guide that rates every activity for sensory impact before you book a single excursion.

T&C Sensory Guide

Negril Sensory Guide

On price, Beaches runs per person, all inclusive. Negril starts around $395 a night for an adult in a Grande Luxe Double room, about $75 more per child, and climbs to roughly $1,550 a night for a beachfront Firesky Reserve Villa. Turks and Caicos starts closer to $420 a night per adult in a standard room and can run $1,000 or higher in its Treasure Beach Village suites. Add about 22 percent on top for tax and service.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort

This is the first theme park resort to earn Certified Autism Center status, and the designation covers the whole park: LEGOLAND Florida, the water park, the Peppa Pig Theme Park, and all three on site hotels. Front line staff are trained to support sensory sensitivities, and there is a sensory guide plus low stimulation break areas built into the park itself rather than tucked away as an afterthought.

LEGOLAND Sensory Guide

On price, nightly hotel rates run in the mid range for this list, averaging somewhere around $300 a night in slower months and climbing toward $380 during the busiest stretches, with the exact number depending heavily on which of the three hotels and what season you book.

Resorts that cater to the general autistic community:

It's definitely easier to find accommodations that are made for children with autism, not necessarily adults. As many of my clients are adults, I wanted to make sure I included this section as well.

Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal, Dubai

Both Dubai properties hold the IBCCES Certified Autism Center designation, and more than 90 percent of guest facing staff have completed Autism and Sensory Awareness training. Each resort has downloadable sensory guides for rooms, restaurants, and the Aquaventure water park, plus quiet zones scattered through the property, including lounges, outdoor cabanas, and the underwater Explorers Club theater at The Palm. You can submit sensory related requests online before you ever arrive.

Atlantis Accessibility Guide

On price, Atlantis, The Palm starts around $250 a night for an entry level room, though suites climb into the thousands. Atlantis The Royal, the newer and more luxury forward of the two, starts closer to $460 a night, though most guests report paying over $1,000 a night once you factor in season and room category.

Discovery Cove, Orlando

This is the first certified autism center animal interaction park and day resort in the US, which matters if swimming with dolphins or getting close to rays and tropical birds is part of your plan. There is a dedicated quiet space with adjustable lighting for breaks, and a sensory guide covering how each experience affects the five senses.

Discovery Cove Sensory Guide

Day admission is all inclusive of breakfast, lunch, snacks, non alcoholic drinks, select beer and wine, and gear. Pricing here works differently than the others. Discovery Cove prices through a live calendar that shifts by date, so there is no one flat rate, and the dolphin swim package costs meaningfully more than the non dolphin day resort option for about 30 minutes in the water. This is a day resort, not an overnight stay, so I usually pair it with a nearby hotel, like the one below.

DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld

This certified autism center hotel sits within walking distance of SeaWorld. Staff complete the full IBCCES certification program specifically to serve guests with autism and other sensory needs. It is also the most budget friendly option on this list by a wide margin, with nightly rates typically running somewhere between $60 and $125 depending on the night of the week and season, and an average closer to $100.

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

This one is not marketed as an autism specific resort, and it is not officially adults-only, but it is built around nightlife and entertainment rather than kids' camps, which makes it feel different in practice. Its concert venue, The Chelsea, and its restaurant and lounge, Beauty & Essex, are both certified sensory inclusive through KultureCity. Staff there are trained on sensory needs including autism, ADHD, PTSD, and dementia, and the venues keep sensory bags on hand with noise reducing headphones and fidget tools, plus an onsite quiet room to step into if things get overwhelming.

On price, rates vary a lot by date and room type, but budgeting examples run from about $290 a night at a $200 base rate up to roughly $460 a night at a $350 base rate, once the resort fee and taxes are added in.

Everyone deserves to travel

Everyone deserves to travel to places where they feel comfortable and safe. Your needs shouldn't feel like a burden. If you're looking to work with someone who understands, I'm your girl! The first step is to set up a consultation to see if we are a good fit. Happy traveling!

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Resources to Bookmark Before Your Next International Trip

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 09:43:32 -0400

1. Register with STEP Before You Pack a Single Bag

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is a free State Department service. You enter your trip dates and destination, and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate knows you're there. If a hurricane, protest, or health crisis hits while you're abroad, STEP is how they reach you with real information instead of trying to figure out the local news in a language you don't speak.

While you're on the site, pull up the country-specific page for your destination at travel.state.gov. It covers entry requirements, local laws worth knowing, and the current safety advisory level.

2. Check the CDC's Travel Health Notices

The CDC keeps a running, destination-by-destination list of Travel Health Notices: outbreaks, recommended vaccines, food and water advisories, the works. It's worth checking before every international trip.

For each destination, it will tell you what vaccines and medicines are recommended, non-vaccine preventable diseases, how to stay healthy and safe there, a suggested packing list, and guidance for after your trip. I really like the packing list to let me know what over the counter medications may be good to bring with me.

3. Look Up the Legal Landscape

If you're LGBTQ+, this one matters more than any packing list. GayOut's Gay Travel Index ranks destinations by actual legal protections and local attitudes, not vibes from a travel brochure. It covers marriage recognition, anti-discrimination laws, and whether same-sex relationships are even legal there.

If your trip is in Europe, go one layer deeper with ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Map. It's published every year and ranks every country on the continent across specific categories: anti-discrimination law, family recognition, hate crime protections, and legal gender recognition. It's a more country-by-country breakdown than a single index score, and it's worth a look before you finalize any European itinerary.

This isn't about avoiding joy or staying home. It's about walking in with accurate information so you can make your own call on how openly you travel: hand-holding, matching rings, which neighborhoods to stay in. Knowing before you land beats finding out the hard way once you're there.

4. Don't Forget About Travel Insurance

Most people buy travel insurance for the trip cancellation coverage and forget the part that actually matters most overseas: emergency medical evacuation. A sprained ankle in a country with great hospitals is a non-event. A medical emergency somewhere remote, without evacuation coverage, can run six figures.

Let's Build This Into Your Next Trip

I build every one of these checks into the itineraries I plan for clients, so you're not doing this research alone at midnight before a flight. If you've got an international trip on your mind, book a complimentary consultation and we'll plan it with all of this already handled.

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Travel Hacks: Safety Edition

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 18:47:55 -0400

Travel Safety Hacks Every Jetsetter Should Know

Travel is supposed to be exciting, not nerve-wracking. But let’s be honest—navigating a new city or country can feel a little overwhelming. Safety doesn’t have to kill your fun though. With a few clever hacks, you can protect yourself, your belongings, and your peace of mind while still living your best vacation life. Here’s your guide to stress-free, safe travel.

Before you leave for your trip:

Make Digital Backups of Everything

Take photos of your passport, ID, and credit cards before you leave. Store them securely in the cloud or email them to yourself. If your wallet or bag goes missing, you’ll have all the info you need without going full panic mode.

Secure Your Home

Grab a digital plug or an old school timer to set at least one lamp to go on and off when you're gone. Leave your outside light on as well. When your home is dark for days at a time, anyone casing the area will notice. Also, have someone grab your mail. That's another sign crazy people are looking for.

Register with STEP

Definitely do this if you're traveling internationally. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) connects you with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in case of emergencies. Free peace of mind, and you’ll get safety alerts while abroad.

Get Travel Insurance

You never know when something can happen. Travel insurance makes those moments suck a lot less. Boring? Yes. Essential? Also yes. Insurance can cover medical emergencies, cancellations, and even lost luggage.

While You're Traveling:

Try to Blend In

Wearing a “I ♥ Paris” t-shirt while wandering Paris? A pickpocket’s dream. Keep flashy jewelry and designer bags at home, and dress like you belong—even if your inner tourist is screaming. The less attention you draw, the safer you’ll be.

Use Crossbody or Anti-Theft Bags

Pickpockets love backpacks and open totes. Instead, invest in a crossbody bag with zippers or an anti-theft backpack.

Keep Cash and Cards Separate

Never put all your money and cards in one place. Use a money belt, your hotel safe, or stash some emergency cash in a random spot (yes, even your sock works). That way, if something goes missing, you’re not stranded.

Use Hotel Business Cards

Grab a business card from your hotel’s front desk before heading out. If you get lost or your phone dies, you can hand it to a taxi driver and get home without playing charades in a foreign language.

Don’t Flaunt Your Tech

Walking around with the latest iPhone out is like waving a neon “steal me” sign. Keep gadgets out of sight unless you’re actually using them. And no, that airport charging station isn’t safe either—bring your own power bank.

Choose the Right Ride

Only use licensed taxis or rideshares you can verify in the app. Double-check the driver’s name, photo, and plate number before hopping in. And always sit in the backseat—it’s safer and gives you space if things get weird.

Secure Your Hotel Room

Travel locks, door wedges, and double-checking those flimsy hotel latches are small steps that make a big difference. Also, don’t answer the door unless you’re 100% sure it’s staff. If you didn’t order room service, don’t let it in.