ASD kids and "Sounds Dangerous?"

[PinballFamily]

Anyone have experience with this? We'd love to hear what disboarders with kids on the spectrum have to say about it!!!

From what I've managed to read/learn, this is a very dark theater with (only? almost only?) sound effects that are piped in through headphones. We're not big Drew Carey fans - we at least know who he is, but the kids don't. We hear it is cool in there, which might be very nice on a hot day (!) - but we're wondering if the sensory pieces (the dark, a movie, itchy headphones, sound quality, etc. might make it difficult for our kids. I know we could always leave if the kids hate it (!), but would appreciate any tips and hints on this attraction before we get there.

Thanks!

 

[freckles and boo]

My sister and I went last year (no kids or husbands) and we did Sounds Dangerous. I would NOT do this with my daughter, who is five and is high-functioning for a number of reasons. First of all, it isn't all that exciting. Second, she is a runner and I would have to sit on her if she freaked out either about the sound or the dark. It just wouldn't be worth it to us. Yes, the AC is nice, but I remember waiting quite a while to get inside and the experience wasn't that long. I would not include it on the "must do" list.

 

[AJKMOM]

I took my autistic son, but held his hand the whole time. He seemed to like it, but his was a teenager and likes to wear headphones. I hate to say it, but it is pitch-black in there, and if your child hated it, I don't know how you would get out. You literally cannot see your fingers on your hand in front of your eyes.

 

[bopper]

An idea to see if they might even possibly like it...as you exit Sounds Dangerous, you are put into an area with some interactive sound activities. One of them is sort of a little booth you go into, and the lights dim and you hear sounds very much the same sort of thing as Sounds Dangerous. As this is not completely black and you could exit at any time, you could see how that goes. You may have to explain to a CM that you would like to try this as I am not sure if it easy to get in that area without seeing the show first. If that goes well, you could try the Sounds Dangerous...perhaps making sure to go to the end of a row near an exit, and possibly even bring a flash light or something so you could get out. I always close my eyes so I wouldn't think you would be disturbing people if you quickly left. Also if you talked to a CM about an "escape plan" that may help.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with the others.
For the first portion of the show, there is sound and video. The story is that Drew Carey's character is doing a live TV show where he is working undercover trying to catch some bad guys. He is supposed to be wired for video and sound, but after a few minutes the video goes out and the audience is left in pitch darkness.
Sounds come through the earphones - sometimes one earphone at a time, sometimes both. The sound is balanced so that the action sounds like it is taking place on one side or the other, in front of or behind you. There are times where the sounds make you think Drew's character is in danger. At the end, the 'camera' comes back on and everything ends happily.
Sometimes the earphones are not working correctly, so you may not be able to hear all the sounds correctly. I've never taken my earphones off, but if you do, I think the theater is quiet (and dark too).

If you go, I'd suggest one of your party go to the show first to decide if it is appropriate at all for your kids. It is not that popular a show and doesn't usually fill up, so you will have to wait for the next show, but usually not longer than that.
I'd second the suggestion to ask the CM at the entrance to direct you to the end of a row and point out the exit to you in case you need to leave. (You exit at the other end of the theater from where you entered, so choose a row and move all the way across to the end.

I also recommend the play area at the ride exit. It has quite a few interesting things to try out.

 

[mamaminnie]

Of course it all depends on your child but I'd say skip this one. It is very very dark inside and that combined with the sounds can be very overwhelming for all kids (not just SN ones).

We had to be escorted out by a CM with a flashlight.

YMMV.

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

I'm sorry to say but I thought it was the worst attraction in disney, not worth the a/c. We did'nt know much about this attraction in ducked in out of the rain. My DS did not like it he is autistic, as others said it is pitch dark and if you can't follow along with what they are doing it does'nt make sense and you have to sit through the whole thing due to the extreme darkness. Many other better things to do in MGM.

 

[PinballFamily]

Everyone - thank you so much for sharing info and advice! You guys are great!

To hear that it "isn't worth the AC" is real valuable input! (For us, that would be the Stitch's Great Adventure attraction...! Ugh! Months later, the kids are STILL complaining about that one.) We may try to get into the end - and try the booths and other things you all suggested. Or else, just skip it...sounds like it may not be worth the potential trouble. There are so many other fun things to do!

 

[SueM in MN]

To hear that it "isn't worth the AC" is real valuable input! (For us, that would be the Stitch's Great Adventure attraction...! Ugh! Months later, the kids are STILL complaining about that one.)

As bad of comments people make about Stitch's Great Adventure, more people like that than like Sounds Dangeous.