In a detailed, 65-page ruling, a federal appeals court said a trial is needed in a legal battle about whether Disney theme parks have taken adequate steps to meet the needs of customers who have autism and cannot wait long times for rides.

A lower-court judge had granted summary judgment for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts — ruling without holding a full-blown trial — in lawsuits filed on behalf of people with autism. But a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on Friday sent the case back and said some key issues need to be resolved in a trial.