Child scared of fireworks

[Kayleebug]

My DD4 is TERRIFIED of the noise of fireworks. She liked looking at them, but that's about it. We discovered this on one of the trips we've taken to Disney. She started screaming at the top of her lungs, "GET ME OUT OF HERE!" The last time we went in December, we brought a pair of foam earplugs. She still cried a little, but we made it through. I guess we were trying to get her to face her fears. She also cried during the stunt show at MGM and anything and everything else that had loud noises. I talked to her pediatrician about it, and he assures me that she is fine. He said that some people are just sensitive to loud noises. I thought about getting the ear plugs that are rubbery (kindof like silly putty consistency). I don't know if they would block the sound out better than the regular ones or not. Any idea? I'm desperate to get through fireworks and other loud noises without her screaming!

 

[rgribik]

my second dd was terrified of all noises until she was about 7. even now at 11 she will still plug her ears at fireworks. stay away from the little mermaid show as it is super loud, and we had to leave when she was little. most pictures of her in the rides she has her ears plugged with her fingers. The soft plugs do work, but mine wouldn't let them in her ears very long. Don't worry she will outgrow it. Many fireworks, I only got to see from the windows(at dis and local fireworks), we hid in stores, in bathrooms, in the house or car They worst time was not in Dis, but in Texas, my uncle took us onto his military base for a special air show, and just as we got on the tarmack, they started to do a reenactment of a bombing---she went crazy. she was about 5 at the time, she screamed turned upside down in the stroller, plugged her ears, needless to say we ran out of there no airshows for us until she was much older. We found the best thing to do was let her plug her ears, because that was what made her feel better, and not make too much of an issue out of it. Good luck

 

[isla bonita]

We just left the park before the fire works came on. All three of my children had problems with fire works.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

My youngest DD has always been afraid of fireworks and loud noises also. The earplugs sound like a good idea.
Maybe stay away from Its Tough to be a Bug. That's the one DD screamed "Get ME Out of Here". It was very loud, and she freaked. She was 8 at the time.
Maybe someday she'll outgrow it!

 

[CA Disney Fans]

My DS10 is still bothered by the noise of fireworks, but enjoys watching them. Even with earplugs in his ears he covers his ears and wants someone else to cover them. The rubbery ear plugs work good. Have you thought about going to a restaurant like Ohana to watch Wishes from your table?

 

[minkydog]

My youngest(10) doesn't do fireworks either. He's autistic and we can't make him understand. We've tried the earplugs, etc. but the only thing that works is to leave before they start. One of us stays with the other kids and the other goes back to the hotel with Christian for a nice warm bath. No tears.

 

[crjack]

4 is stil pretty young so that seems normal to have noise issues. My son had them (and still does occasionally) until he was closer to 7 or 8.

If she likes the fireworks themselves, (lights, colors, etc.) and it's just the noise issue can you try having her where headphones and listen to music while she watches them? That actually worked for my son. We brought a favorite cd with familiar songs and he listened to those with a headset and watched the fireworks with us. Even though some noise may have filtered through the music seemed to off-set it enough where it wasn't an issue. (His singing along was more of a noise issue for the rest of us!)

Good luck!

 

[MichelleChell]

I have the same problem with my daughter. We are going in July and we are plan on seeing the fireworks. We are going to get her some earmuff things they sell at gun stores or sporting good stores. They are to block noise from guns and look like the old style head phones. They make them in small sizes for kids. I plan to use them on rides and shows that might scare her with loud noise.

 

[carone0318]

My ds (5 - turned in Feb) doesn't like the noise of the fireworks either. We have gone to Disney every year since he has been born. Last yr when he was 4 we were in MK and I had the ear plugs for him (they're like puddy and form to his ear) well not good enough, he still was petrified. Whenever we were at MK and Wishes was about to start, ds and I would race to the Emporium and window shop in the store until the fireworks were over and then meet up with dh and dd. One thing that I can truly say I love doing with my ds is spending the extra points (DVC member) and getting a Boardwalk view room and stand out on the balcony and watch the Wishes fireworks from there. It is our special time together. We can watch the whole thing without hearing them. Illuminations on the other hand, still too loud from the balcony, we watch them from behind the doors.

This yr's trip he is 5 and we are trying to sell him on - now that you are a big boy who is starting Kindergarten this year you can watch the fireworks with the noise. It may work or I might be shopping again! At least we already have the boardwalk view room (just in case )

 

[kathyincanada]

I just turned 38, and I *still* plug my ears at fireworks! I've been doing this for as long as I can remember. I never much liked fireworks because of the noise (I was also afraid of the vacuum cleaner and the garbage truck!), but plugging the ears made it tolerable.

Kathy in Canada

 

[mlwear]

DS8 is autistic and fireworks have always been terrible. Last year we used silicone earplulgs and watched from the beach at the Poly. First time he has ever "enjoyed" them. A far away distance and the noise isn't bad and earplugs and he was fine. (Pretty much same advice as CA Disney Fans). I love idea of headphones with music (or Ipod ear buds) we may try that this year.
I carried his earplugs everywhere we went. They came in handy a number of times.
I agree with an above poster It's Tough to be a Bug scared my child too.

 

[TandyR]

My older DD hates the noise of the fireworks. She is turning 10 in July. My younger DD likes the fireworks. (Which is odd since the younger one is the one who is diagnoused with sencitivity issues.)

Any how what we do is DH takes older DD to the boat dock at MK (we have only stayed to see the fireworks at MK) and older DD loves watching them from there. So they wait for us there and then we catch up with them either on the boat dock or over at Wilderness Lodge.

 

[marcij]

I have the same problem with my daughter. We are going in July and we are plan on seeing the fireworks. We are going to get her some earmuff things they sell at gun stores or sporting good stores. They are to block noise from guns and look like the old style head phones. They make them in small sizes for kids. I plan to use them on rides and shows that might scare her with loud noise.

These worked best for my oldest son when he was younger. He has sensory issues (a lot with hypersensitive hearing do) so the earplugs still bothered him -- the way they felt. Completely covering the ear with the headset type thing was what worked best for him. For those of you who tried the earplugs unsuccessfully, you might try the headphones.

 

[Merriwind]

We had many years of watching fireworks from the beach at the Poly or the dock at GF to keep DD8 happy. This past year was the first time she would watch Illuminations in the World Showcase; we caught the end of Wishes at MNSSHP coming out of Space Mountain. Distance works for us. I'm not a fan of loud noise myself, so it's fine with me. There's always time, so I don't push.

BTW, I have read that sensitivity to loud noises can be a sign of high intelligence! So good for all your fireworks-sensitive kids!

 

[bdklein]

As a parent of 2 kids, both of which are bothered by loud noises, I am really confused. If your child doesn't like fireworks or loud noises, why take them to see the fireworks or shows with loud noises? Am I missing something? It seems to me that the parents are being selfish; there are plenty of things to do at WDW that don't involve loud noises.

 

[Kae]

My kids wear earplugs 4 & 7 last time we went. they also wear them in some rides PotC. And at home they wear them at the movies.

Watching from the beach is a good idea.

Kae

 

[Kayleebug]

As a parent of 2 kids, both of which are bothered by loud noises, I am really confused. If your child doesn't like fireworks or loud noises, why take them to see the fireworks or shows with loud noises? Am I missing something? It seems to me that the parents are being selfish; there are plenty of things to do at WDW that don't involve loud noises.

My DD cries to see the fireworks. When she gets there and it starts, she cries again. She WANTS to see the fireworks. I'm trying to let her do something that she wants to do. I don't see how that's selfish at all. I'm trying to make it so she can tolerate the noise.

 

[Kayleebug]

4 is stil pretty young so that seems normal to have noise issues. My son had them (and still does occasionally) until he was closer to 7 or 8.

If she likes the fireworks themselves, (lights, colors, etc.) and it's just the noise issue can you try having her where headphones and listen to music while she watches them? That actually worked for my son. We brought a favorite cd with familiar songs and he listened to those with a headset and watched the fireworks with us. Even though some noise may have filtered through the music seemed to off-set it enough where it wasn't an issue. (His singing along was more of a noise issue for the rest of us!)

Good luck!

I really like this idea. I hadn't thought of that. DD has said that she wants a CD player. Maybe this will be the perfect time to get one.

 

[CA Disney Fans]

As a parent of 2 kids, both of which are bothered by loud noises, I am really confused. If your child doesn't like fireworks or loud noises, why take them to see the fireworks or shows with loud noises? Am I missing something? It seems to me that the parents are being selfish; there are plenty of things to do at WDW that don't involve loud noises.

My son likes to watch the fireworks, he just doesn't like the noise. I'm not at all forcing him to watch them. He loves Fantasmic, but knows there's fireworks in it. But he's seen it so many times, that he knows when to cover his ears, so it doesn't bother him as much.

I don't think I'm being selfish in anyway. My husband and I value our son's opinion and listen to him if he prefers not to do or see something.

 

[TandyR]

My DD also really wants to see the fireworks but she is scared of the noise. It is my job as a parent to figure out a way she can see them with out being scared.

bdklein, I am insulted that you would imply that I would do anything but put my DD needs first. I am doing what she wants. I am trying to balance her fears and her desires. I have seen fireworks before. I don't need to see them again. I am a DVC member I will be able to see Disney Fireworks long after my DD is grown and out of the house. There is no need to force her to do anything at WDW that she doesn't want to. We do the best we can to let her see them without hearing them.