Concerned about sensitive dd at parks!

[lindsmom]

Hi everyone - my husband and I are finally going for our first trip with our dd6 in April - whoo hoo! The problem is, she is REALLY sensitive - and by this, I mean she has only watched one whole disney movie (Cinderella), and that one, we nearly forced her, so that she could see it has a happy ending. We've tried Aladdin, Nemo, Mermaid all to no avail. Oh, she did watch Beauty & Beast in three segments, with tears ending each "session" Argh!

We're concerned that when we get to the parks she will either a) go running, screaming, from any characters she sees and / or b) refuse to go on any thematic rides. I do realize that snow white and potc are out. But we frankly don't want to travel to Disney to ride Small World all day. Yikes! Any advice for toughening up our little petite flower? Thanks!

 

[Camster0307]

I wouldn't "force" her to do anything she's not willing to do. There are enough "happy" rides you can try: the Pooh ride;IASW;Dumbo; and shows such as Mickey's Philharmagic(?) or CountryBearJamboree. As far as characters go: the first year we went to WDW, my youngest was 2.5yrs.old and terrified of all the characters. We let her observe from a distance. After a few days, she was a little less frightened;by the last few days, she was gladly hugging them all (except for Eeyore - that took another year! )

 

[CastleCreations]

First of all, try not to worry. If she see's that you're stressed, she will pick up on that. Do you have a Disney store close by? Maybe take her to the mall and point out different characters in the store, and keep bringing her there. The stores in magic kingdom sort of have the same feel, so maybe she feel a little more comfortable when she sees some familiar things. Also how about looking at videos of other peoples vacations on Youtube. (happy ones) This way she can see what to expect and how Happy the vacationers are...Good luck with your little one...

 

[lindsmom]

I really like the Youtube suggestion. I had picked out a few of the ride videos, (for dh and I to get psyched about the trip)...but I don't want to scare her. So I'll go hunting again for "happy" videos! And Camster - it's good to hear she may come around by the end of the week. And thanks for getting back so quickly! It's always good to hear we're not the only ones...

 

[my3disneygirls]

Awww. Your sweet little one. I took my middle girl when she was three, she saw all of the Disney movies and I didn't think much of it. My poor little one cried through the Little mermaid show, POTC, which I had never been on and the drop at first scared me. Mom and I realized we had to be careful and asked about the great movie ride. We told him that DD was fearful and asked if it was scary. He said no and it would be fine. Well after we got hijacked by and armed mobster it was all over, she totally freaked. My Mom was so mad that the CM said it was OK for a fearful child.

I hope that my experiences can help you and your little one. You have this site and as another poster mentioned You Tube to help plan the rides accordingly. Now middle DD goes on so many rides that even I don't want to go on, so take heart she may grow out of it. Just start introducing new stimuli slowly.

 

[livndisney]

You can order the free planning DVD from the Disney site and give her an "idea' what to expect. Another one to consider is the Sing a long songs. They have one that was filmed in Disneyland, but it shows some rides and lots of interaction with the characters.

My DD was nervous, but was fine once she was able to watch from a distance. Now she LIVES in the parks.

 

[PrincessKell]

hi there. We first took our dd when she was 3.5 and she was very nervous of all the non people Characters, except Peter Pan (she didnt like him, she hadnt seen the movie in full yet.) We are going for Thanksgiving now she is 5.5. She says that she wont be scared of Mickey and friends, but in the back of my mind I am thinking it will happen. If she really isn't scared it will be heaven sent! My dd has high functioning Autism. Which we didnt know at the time of our last trip. So this time we are going to just relax and take our time. If she isn't game for it, that is ok. We have four days and there is plenty to do with out seeing characters or riding on a lot of rides. Find out what "extra" things they will be doing. I know when we go they have Reindeer round up. Some crafty things. you can look around at all the "happy" and pretty things point them out make it a game.

We have the planning dvd, and have watched over and over and over and over. I might have to get another one! Its a great trip builder.

you just have to take the things your dd does like, and totally UP play them to the MAX!!
Good luck and you will have fun!

 

[Keara'sMom]

We took my dd when she was 5, and she was scared of lots of things--mostly rides, not characters. We did end up riding Small World and the carousel a whole lot, and it did get frustrating for us (I have to say, I wasn't always patient...). Please, please whatever you do, avoid the Tiki Bird show at MK! My dd loved the theme song for that, and I had seen it several years ago and thought nothing of taking her. It was one of the first things we did at MK, and it was horribly frightening for a sensitive kid! We had to leave with her screaming! After that, she hesitated to try anything. She screamed through Peter Pan, for example. The 3-D movies were too intense as well.

That said (and here's the positive), she had a wonderful time once we decided to follow her lead and not force anything. She particularly enjoyed the interactive play areas and most all of EPCOT and AK (except for the rides, of course), and we made sure to give her lots of ice cream.

Have a good trip!

 

[lindsmom]

Please, please whatever you do, avoid the Tiki Bird show at MK! My dd loved the theme song for that, and I had seen it several years ago and thought nothing of taking her. It was one of the first things we did at MK, and it was horribly frightening for a sensitive kid! We had to leave with her screaming!

This is one of my fears - that we will have to leave something with her completely freaking out, and she'll refuse to try anything after that. We've been to Storyland (for those that know it), and she finally loves every ride there, so we keep comparing it. But the dark rides, I'm afraid she'll lose it. So I know you all are right - we have to let her take the lead. I'm thinking of starting with dumbo / aladdin, then small world (so she sees the happy dark inside ride), and see how she feels.

Also, we (dh and I) and planning a Neverland club evening for her so we can go on all the rides WE want to.... then again, she may freak out there. Hmmm...

Oh, and we watched some youtubes tonight, and she seems to like them!

Thanks for the input!

 

[Princess Roo]

My son is not much of a fan of the story rides (especially dark ones) or of the characters getting too close, but there is still TONS to do! Two suggestions that I didn't see already posted...
1) Start with the outdoor rides that she can completely see before getting on (At MK: Dumbo, carousel, Aladdin's carpets, Tomorrowland speedway, teacups, train, Goofy's Barnstormer, etc.). She'll know what she's getting herself into and then if a ride unexpectedly freaks her out later, she will know that not all rides are that way, so it will be easier to get her to still enjoy other things. It's a Small World would then be a good transition into the darker ones, like someone else said.
2) Bring a small (not bright enough to bother other riders) flashlight that she can carry on the dark rides to have some control. DS especially seemed to need his in some of the ride queues. By the end of the trip, he didn't turn it on often, but he always wanted it in his hand "just in case".

 

[tinkandpan]

I too was going to suggest a little pen light - my ds was terrified of the dark rides when he was younger and we would let him shine it at his feet. Here is a run down of the magic kingdom and Epcot rides that might help based on our fearful ones experience:
FantasyLand
Very low Fear Level:
Carousel, DUmbo, Small World, Winnie the Pooh (even though it is dark, it is mostly happy, with the exception of the huffalunp scene and the rain scene- there is thunder and lightning)

Possible Fear:
Peter Pan (it is dark)

Avoid:
Snow White, Mickey's Philharmoic (seems harmlesss but it is really loud and many children seem to have problems with it).

TomorrowLand:
Indy Speedway is great

While the TTA (peoplemover) is a calm gentle ride, you do go in through Space Mountain and it is dark, some children do not like that part.
Buzz can be loud and scary to some
Obviously- Stitch, Space Mountain are too intense

Adventureland / Frontierland
Aladdin, Swiss Robinson Treehouse, Tom Sawyer (except don't go in the mines if you don't want the dark), Riverboat

Pirates is a little too intense, Tikki Birds (has the rain and dark scene), Big Thunder RR, Haunted mansion and splash mountain are all al ittle intense

In Epcot:
My Cautious Son loved: (it's easier to do this than go through them)
Nemo (there is one scary scene with the bonefish but it is over quickly), Three Cabelleros, The Land Boatride, (all the countries, and innoventions) but as for rides, the others were too dark for him until he got more comfortable.

 

[lindsmom]

Thank you all very much!
I'll be sure to bring a small light for her, and I'm going to try to bring some earplugs. Again, it's so nice to hear we're not the only ones...

 

[Keara'sMom]

Also, we (dh and I) and planning a Neverland club evening for her so we can go on all the rides WE want to.... then again, she may freak out there. Hmmm...:

We did a Neverland Club evening one night, and that was one of my dd's favorite times!

I agree with the PP who made the extensive list of what is likely to be too intense. We also did Cindy's breakfast on that trip, and my dd LOVED that! I do have to tell you that we returned when dd turned 8 (and again when she turned 9), and she was so much more willing to try things then. She still doesn't attempt the "thrill" rides, but that's just not her thing.

We're considering a trip this Jan for her 11th b-day....

Good luck!

 

[lindsmom]

We did a Neverland Club evening one night, and that was one of my dd's favorite times!

Oooh!Ooooh! Can I ask you about Neverland... your dd was 5 at the time? Was she by herself (meaning, no siblings / friends at the beginning of the night)? And she stayed there alright, no separation issues? And it sounds like she enjoyed it! What kind of things did they do? Sounds like movies (which, again, my dd is scared of), but they did crafts and such?! And was neverland a BIG space? Other posters have commented that it's one of the biggest areas. I'm asking, because it sounds like your experience may compare to ours. Thanks for any input you have on the Neverland club!

 

[Missin'Disney]

Hi all....I definately say to follow her lead & not force anything. Another suggestion i have is the Swiss Family treehouse...my DD's (4 & 6) loved it this year! I just wanted to comment on the Neverland club for those that are interested. My girls absolutely loved it....we actually brought them there just to play (we have a 4-month old too so no private time for DH and I) but they BEGGED us to go back every night, and we let them go twice...(cost for two kids becomes prohibititive for multiple repeat visits!) I didn't find the space too large...it was just right in my opinion. The girls have their choice of Deluxe princess dress-up outfits, as well as lots of crafts and pretend play (nice kitchen set-up). My girls enjoyed watching the Disney movies (they played Cars one day and Peter Pan 2 another day). They had their choice of turkey and cheese, mac-n-cheese, chix fingers along with carrots or applesauce and a drink as well. It was well supervised by mature people and I noticed the bathrooms were immaculate. We were very pleased with it overall. Just wish they gave sibling discounts!

 

[Keara'sMom]

Oooh!Ooooh! Can I ask you about Neverland... your dd was 5 at the time? Was she by herself (meaning, no siblings / friends at the beginning of the night)? And she stayed there alright, no separation issues? And it sounds like she enjoyed it! What kind of things did they do? Sounds like movies (which, again, my dd is scared of), but they did crafts and such?! And was neverland a BIG space? Other posters have commented that it's one of the biggest areas. I'm asking, because it sounds like your experience may compare to ours. Thanks for any input you have on the Neverland club!

I'll share what I can! DD went with her cousin, who was also five at the time, so they had each other. My dd has never had separation issues--frankly, she used to get upset when I picked her up from things, not when I dropped her off! I just asked my dd if she remembered what she did at the club, and she said that they did crafts, played games, ate hot dogs, and watched Disney tv shows (not the scary movies). She said that they played with these big brick blocks (hollow), and she had fun! She did ask to go back, but we didn't have time. I think now, she'd be too old to really enjoy herself, but then it was great.

 

[Dreamer & Wisher]

Don't forget that there are activities to do that are in the resorts...
Tea Party at Grand Floridian

Campfire sing a long at Fort Wilderness with Chip n Dale, They aren't out during the whole event and it would be easy to leave if DD got upset. They show a movie but we left before it started.
ALso there is a petting zoo and hayrides at Fort Wilderness
Hoop Dee Do Revue Dinner show is loud but nothing Scary happens.

Swimming at the pool if it is warm enough.

Rent a Surrey Bike at PO Riverside, or BoardWalk Inn

Hope you have lots of Fun!

 

[jdcthree]

Awe, what a sweetie! We went to Disney for the first time when ds was 4, and It's Tough to be a Bug completely freaked him out!! He's been afraid to do anything 3-D for the last two years, but he is coming out of it now, lol. He is a sensitive guy, but some things I think will bother him don't bother him at all. It's all about reading his cues, and I'm sure your dd will be fine since you are already trying to make sure she has a great time.

A hint about characters - for ds character meals seemed much less threatening than actually having to walk up to a character. You are sitting down with your family and you only get up and hug the charcter if you feel like it. The meals actually helped ds warm up to meeting all kinds of characters!

 

[jentydoug]

My 2 year old son was fearful of some of the rides even though this was his 3rd trip. What we found out was that he was more sensitive of the loud noises during the rides then the darkness. We purchased a pair of ear plugs and before any ride he would put them on. After the first ride with ear plugs he was no longer scared as long as he had his ear plugs in during the rides.

 

[Nancyg56]

We took my DGD when she was four. She loved the Disney movies so it never occurred to DD or to me that we should worry about her. DH was very concerned becasue a friend took his little girl, she was terrified and only wanted to swim. He is still complaining and has never gone back

Well we made a backup plan so that we would have resort activities if she was afraid and then headed to Chef Mickey's for a character meal. It was love at first sight for her but I observed that the characters are very good at determining if a child is receptive before approaching. The children are in charge of their approach

We really did not go to many attractions that first trip yet it was the best vacation any of us can remember. She got to go on the open attractions such as Dumbo and the carousel, and was not fond of the closed in attractions. Small world, Pooh, and Mickey's Philharmagic was about all she did. She watched the parades and fireworks, met characters and was generally enchanted with the other things that Disney offers in the parks. She also liked her meals, especially the character meals and 'Ohana.

I would suggest that you follow her lead as others have also said and let her guide you. Because you are thinking about this ahead of time you will have your "backup" plan in place as well so that your vacation is magical.

That year when we returned experienced Disney fans would have been disgusted that we did not maximize our park time, (we really did resemble confused and lost visitors), but we knew exactly what we were doing and that we would come back again. We spent our trip enjoying a little girl who was totally immersed in the Disney Magic. I know that you will feel the same.

Have a great time!