HP Studio tours, autism?

[ofcoursehesthefuckingfarmer]

DS has HFA. We really want to take the DC to the studio tour.
We're thinking of booking the first slot but he really struggles with queuing and the proximity to people.
Is there a queue jump facility? Any quiet areas if he gets overwhelmed?

The only part where you are really in close proximity to lots of people is the first room where you are brought in and listen to a talk/videos/pics on the walls. Sounds as though he might struggle with that. I'm sure a word with the staff would mean you could skip that bit, or be close to the door? Queues to get in are limited due to the timeslot arrangement and not too crammed in. Other than that the o ly queues are for green screen broom sticks (which is a bit rubbish anyway and easily skipped past).
The gift shop exit might also be an issue due to the number of people in there - probably worth asking if there's an alternative way out.

The staff generally seem very accommodating and as for the tour you go at entirely your own pace. There are lots of places where you can find a bit of space if needed in my experience.
I hope you and DS enjoy!

I went with a large group of young people with SN. They were very helpful, we went first in the first room. Apart from the very first couple of rooms it's all free flow. You just wander around at your own pace. There are some optional extras (at a price) as you go around, e.g. Green screen broom flying video but we just avoided them as my DS2 doesn't like queues.

If your DS can make it through the first sections, standing in a room with large screens giving a bit of info, then moving into a small cinema type room watching the 'stars' introduce the tour, (all rather dark and loud) then moving into the grand hall, from then on you just wander freely around the exhibits. There is a route to follow but it's all very informal. If you don't like something, hurry through it on to the next section. Hope you enjoy it. The shops are extortionate but apart from that all good fun.

Thank you, I'll see if we can get near the door and take his ear defenders for the cinema bit.

We went last August with DD (8, HFA) who is massively into HP. Absolutely agree - book the earliest slot possible and try to be first in the "first" room. We stayed overnight in the nearby Hilton and it was a 10/15 minute journey in the morning, anything longer would have just added to the stresses of being off routine. Ear defenders were a must, in the first couple of rooms and when she just needed a few moments of calm. There is also a forbidden forest area which, while not busy, was a MAJOR trigger for her. There are incredibly helpful employees stationed all over the place who are really willing to help should you need on the way around. Half way round is a cafeteria which was crowded due to bad weather. I was prepared with food for her, the selection wasn't too bad but we are so limited with what she will eat. There are tables outside that seem a little calmer if you are lucky enough to nab one. Free flow of people through the main areas is great as you can take as long as you like to look at things. Biggest meltdown / trigger area for us was the gift shop at the end, as with any gift shop it was crowded, noisy and mind blowingly visually overwhelming. Shame we had to end there rather than having an escape route as it tainted an otherwise wonderful day. I hope you have a great trip should you book it!

There is a queue to get into the building as well. We went last year, and security has tightened considerable in the 4 years since we last went. IMO the bag checks are the most thorough I have ever experienced.

You then have to queue to get into the first room which is quite dark.

Once you are in you can avoid the queues, but I'm not sure how you can avoid them entirely.

I think it would be a good idea to contact the studio and ask how they can make the trip easier for you and your son, and which is the quietest time slot.

A word of warning - the shop gets very crowded. You have to go through the shop when the tour finishes as that is the exit, and I'm not sure you can avoid it, unless a member of staff lets you out through a fire exit.

Ah, I see I cross posted with KittyBelle re advice about the shop. Even for NT people it is overwhelming. I think there should also be a way of exiting the studio to bypass the shop.

Lonicera - couldn't agree more about them needing to let certain people out of a separate entrance. There are plenty who would still want to visit the shop!

Also a good suggestion to contact the studio prior to visiting.