DAS or no?

[Ursula J]

Hi all. First, I want to thank everyone here for helping me navigate taking my dad to WDW in 2021 using and ECV and DAS. He passed in April of this year, and I will never forget the joy he experienced on that trip. He loved Disney and held a special place in his heart for the Tree of Life at AKL. I'll never see it again without thinking of him and that trip. So please accept my belated thanks.
I have a question that I'm going to try to ask in good faith and from a place of sincerity, so if I screw something up in my wording or in the question itself, please know I am trying my best.
I have serious anxiety, and since my father's passing, I've been experiencing panic attacks. These can be brought on by anything, but I know one trigger is crowds. I believe I *can* power through if I plan on removing myself whenever I start feeling the panic. But in talking to my therapist, she explained that being able to "push through" isn't always the best solution since it takes much more energy, and, in many cases, time. She asked me to think about how a trip would go if I could minimize that particular trigger, and it kind of blew my mind. I don't ever want to use accommodations I don't legitimately qualify for. For others with severe anxiety, how do you decide whether to request DAS?

 

[Mirabell Rose]

Ursula,
Thank you for sharing your story about your Dad. It struck a chord with me. My mother passed away in 2021. I was able to take her on a Disney trip shortly before she found out she had a terminal illness. I will never forget that trip and am SO happy we were able to go.

Individuals with a brain based disorder may qualify for a DAS depending on the severity and how it impacts your ability to function. Finding that out is why she asks about what would minimize a trigger. The things that minimize may fit into the category of accommodation. Not everything that helps may need an accommodation.

Let me see if I can give you an example. I have a child whom when she was young had autism and thus severe anxiety at being around strangers. Her doctor had us get a pediatric wheelchair (when she outgrew her stroller) with a sunshade. When we got in a crowd at a public place, we let her use headphones and an iPad and put a blanket over the stroller so she could be ‘alone’. All of that we could do on trips to Disney without a DAS. What we did need a DAS pass for was so that we could keep her in the wheelchair under her tent as we waited in line ques. Pediatric wheelchairs are often confused for strollers and they put special tape on it to clarify it was a wheelchair. That was a reasonable accommodation. When we ate in restaurants, we would try and find places where we would be able to sit in a corner, but if not the tent under the chair again could be used. Granted it meant only finger foods for her, but it worked. It would NOT have been a reasonable accommodation for us to ask them to clear a corner of the restaurant for her, but staying in her wheelchair was reasonable.

So think about what you might do now that helps you deal with a panic attack. Do headphones and soothing music help? Probably can do that without a DAS. Maybe you are fine in open que’s but closed ones like the Mermaid ride trigger you. A DAS might be an option. You wait the same amount of time, but away from the enclosed crowd.

Yes, there are always a few people who rant about those who abuse a DAS. Everything has some complaints. But that doesn’t mean you or the vast majority of others are doing that. You are asking to be able to simply have an accommodation to do something a little differently, not faster or better, so you can also enjoy the park. Good Luck! I hope you find a way to have an awesome trip.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

I am sorry about the loss of your father. I went through the same with my mom so I completely understand. For DAS, you basically have to ask yourself what will happen if you have a panic attack in a long line of people? Can you calm yourself down in line? I have had anxiety since my mom passed, but as long as I'm with my husband, I can calm down with breathing exercises. Not everyone is that fortunate and panic attacks can be crippling. If crowds are your trigger, then I think DAS would be helpful for you.

 

[RoseGold]

DAS can only do so much. Even with DAS, you are still at WDW. There are still crowds everywhere, even if you don't wait in a single line. If your trigger is crowds, I can't think of a much worse choice than WDW.

 

[decheez]

Yes, Disney World is full of crowds and it can be triggering. I have similar issues to you. I've had severe anxiety and panic attacks for about a dozen years now. Sometimes it's worse, sometimes it's better. Sometimes I can handle the sounds and crowds better than others. I find the general crowds aren't too horrible as long as I'm able to move away when necessary. I find that being in line is worse depending on the people around me. Even something as simple as the way somebody speaks can trigger a panic attack for me, so if I'm in a line for too long right behind them? Yeah, not good. I seem to max out around 20ish minutes in line before I get to the point of having to escape or have a melt down. Sometimes longer, sometimes shorter. So I do take advantage of DAS. I think I started getting it about 5ish years ago now. Before I used DAS there were certain rides I just wouldn't stand in line for and I would 'make the most of it' and only do rides with shorter lines or fastpasses. Sometimes I'd go in longer lines and it would just be so emotionally exhausting. Or I'd have a melt down/panic attack which would often ruin the day for me.

I didn't really understand the DAS system and how it might help. A cast member actually explained it to me after I had an epic panic attack at the park one day. It has made a huge difference in being able to enjoy the parks and not feel like I'm either missing out on half the experiences, or becoming emotionally burnt out.

I most recently went in January this year. I've never been denied a DAS and I've always clearly explained what my difficulties are being in the lines. So if you feel this is something that could help you get more out of your Disney vacation I highly encourage you to use the system.

 

[ttintagel]

I don't ever want to use accommodations I don't legitimately qualify for.

With very few exceptions, they don't just automatically hand out DAS to everyone who requests one. As long as you answer their questions truthfully, you don't need to worry about getting an accommodations you don't qualify for. If they hear your answers and believe that you qualify, that means you do qualify.

 

[mamabunny]

Hi all. First, I want to thank everyone here for helping me navigate taking my dad to WDW in 2021 using and ECV and DAS. He passed in April of this year, and I will never forget the joy he experienced on that trip. He loved Disney and held a special place in his heart for the Tree of Life at AKL. I'll never see it again without thinking of him and that trip. So please accept my belated thanks.
I have a question that I'm going to try to ask in good faith and from a place of sincerity, so if I screw something up in my wording or in the question itself, please know I am trying my best.
I have serious anxiety, and since my father's passing, I've been experiencing panic attacks. These can be brought on by anything, but I know one trigger is crowds. I believe I *can* power through if I plan on removing myself whenever I start feeling the panic. But in talking to my therapist, she explained that being able to "push through" isn't always the best solution since it takes much more energy, and, in many cases, time. She asked me to think about how a trip would go if I could minimize that particular trigger, and it kind of blew my mind. I don't ever want to use accommodations I don't legitimately qualify for. For others with severe anxiety, how do you decide whether to request DAS?

Hi. I’m so very sorry to hear about your dad. My first trip back after I lost my mom, I went into MK knowing that I was going to probably ugly cry as soon as I saw the Castle… and I did. But for me, it was also healing, to be back in one of her favorite places on earth.

She only had happy memories at WDW, and I stop on her special “spot” every time (Disney handy-dandy marked it with a survey marker in the pavement ) and blow her a kiss. Not gonna lie, even now - more than 12 years later - I get emotional for a moment. But it is followed immediately by a sense of comfort, because this is where she would be if she could be. With us, on vacation, laughing and having a great time.

°O° °o° °o° °o° °O° °o° °o° °o° °O°

With or without a DAS, technology is your friend now. There are all sorts of things you can consider (maybe discuss with your therapist?) that might be helpful.

@Mirabell Rose mentioned headphones - even inexpensive noise-cancelling headphones (in-ear, over the ear, or bone conduction are some options) can help make your auditory space feel less crowded. Some can affect how area music, and parade music, as well as ride/attraction music & other audio sounds, so take that into account.

One of our family members now uses Loops, and they have proven to be very helpful at Disney World. She can even stay for fireworks at MK now, something she has not been able to do for quite some time.

= - = - = - = - = - =

If you find that you are unable to speak, technology has you covered here as well.
We have a family member who has anxiety, and everyone who travels with her has an app on our phones called "Emergency Chat". The logo for it looks like this:

It's an app that will let you text someone when you are too overwhelmed to speak.

You can customize the opening screen (shown below) to help give the person you are communicating with more information.

You "text" with the other person, by handing the phone back and forth so you don't have to try and talk when you are not comfortable with speech in the moment. It's just another tool to have ready (like knowing that you can use First Aid at the Parks) in case you need it.

= - = - = - = - = - =

Disney is going to help you also: the My Disney Experience app has so much useful information for while you are in the Parks; not just maps (but handy!) but also wait times for rides, menus for dining venues, and so much more. There are far better posts covering the use of the app than I could muster here, but it is a great tool, and I highly recommend it.

°O° °o° °o° °o° °O° °o° °o° °o° °O°

As great as technology is, there are other things to consider.

Every member of our family always carries small individually wrapped alcohol swabs (my hubs is a T2 diabetic, so we always have plenty of these around) in case someone needs them. They are particularly effective on helping with nausea, but can also help when someone is feeling anxious; somehow the smell just “grounds” them.

Additionally, we all always have Extra-Strength Tylenol. Tylenol is particularly good at not only relieving pain, but for some people, it can help calm them if they are headed for an anxiety attack. Take 2 with plenty of water, and ideally a lil snack for the tummy.

Create your own privacy - grab a hat or a simple scarf (or a favorite hoodie) as well as a large pair of dark sunglasses. Using your headphones, wear the hat/scarf plus sunglasses (or hoodie + sunglasses) and you have created a private “zone” just for you that no one can really intrude upon.

Remember that First Aid (in every Park, marked on the map) is always your friend. Here you will find some of the nicest CMs at Disney World. You can ask for (generic) Tylenol, use the restroom, lie down for a bit, and cover your eyes (pending availability of cots) or just sit with trained professionals nearby in the relatively cool, calm atmosphere.

If you have the time (any maybe even if you don’t) try to build in some time for a “reality break”, and get out of the Park(s) for a bit. Go back to the Resort, and have a swim in the pool, or head to Disney Springs and grab a Starbucks you can sip from a quiet spot. Go see a movie at Disney Springs, or do some Resort-hopping, and visit some of the hotels; use any of the Theme Parks or Disney Springs as a hub to ride to any Resort hotel at Disney World.

Last but not least, I would certainly consider staying on property if I were you. That way, you only have to grab Disney transportation to get back to the quiet and privacy of your own hotel room; you won’t have to try to drive when you are potentially upset or overwhelmed. Consider a quieter Resort (if you can afford it) like POFQ in the moderate range, or WL or AKL in the Deluxe range.

°O° °o° °o° °o° °O° °o° °o° °o° °O°

Take tissues; Disney makes us all emotional on a good day. Go say “hello” to the Tree of Life, and wave to your dad for all of us too. Carry his joy with you, and try to remember to act your shoe size, not your age. Disney is for the child in all of us; I hope you get to play and truly enjoy your vacation

 

[Ursula J]

DAS can only do so much. Even with DAS, you are still at WDW. There are still crowds everywhere, even if you don't wait in a single line. If your trigger is crowds, I can't think of a much worse choice than WDW.

I totally understand and realize I was kind of vague about how crowds get to me. WDW has been my happiest of places for so long. I'm good as long as I keep moving--so if I'm in a big crowd walking between Peter Pan and Small World, I'm okay because I'm able to be in motion. I did *great* during Covid with the six feet distancing everywhere. In tighter lines where there's long periods of just standing, that's harder.

 

[Ursula J]

Hi. I’m so very sorry to hear about your dad. My first trip back after I lost my mom, I went into MK knowing that I was going to probably ugly cry as soon as I saw the Castle… and I did. But for me, it was also healing, to be back in one of her favorite places on earth.

She only had happy memories at WDW, and I stop on her special “spot” every time (Disney handy-dandy marked it with a survey marker in the pavement ) and blow her a kiss. Not gonna lie, even now - more than 12 years later - I get emotional for a moment. But it is followed immediately by a sense of comfort, because this is where she would be if she could be. With us, on vacation, laughing and having a great time.

°O° °o° °o° °o° °O° °o° °o° °o° °O°

With or without a DAS, technology is your friend now. There are all sorts of things you can consider (maybe discuss with your therapist?) that might be helpful.

@Mirabell Rose mentioned headphones - even inexpensive noise-cancelling headphones (in-ear, over the ear, or bone conduction are some options) can help make your auditory space feel less crowded. Some can affect how area music, and parade music, as well as ride/attraction music & other audio sounds, so take that into account.

One of our family members now uses Loops, and they have proven to be very helpful at Disney World. She can even stay for fireworks at MK now, something she has not been able to do for quite some time.

= - = - = - = - = - =

If you find that you are unable to speak, technology has you covered here as well.
We have a family member who has anxiety, and everyone who travels with her has an app on our phones called "Emergency Chat". The logo for it looks like this:

It's an app that will let you text someone when you are too overwhelmed to speak.

You can customize the opening screen (shown below) to help give the person you are communicating with more information.

You "text" with the other person, by handing the phone back and forth so you don't have to try and talk when you are not comfortable with speech in the moment. It's just another tool to have ready (like knowing that you can use First Aid at the Parks) in case you need it.

= - = - = - = - = - =

Disney is going to help you also: the My Disney Experience app has so much useful information for while you are in the Parks; not just maps (but handy!) but also wait times for rides, menus for dining venues, and so much more. There are far better posts covering the use of the app than I could muster here, but it is a great tool, and I highly recommend it.

°O° °o° °o° °o° °O° °o° °o° °o° °O°

As great as technology is, there are other things to consider.

Every member of our family always carries small individually wrapped alcohol swabs (my hubs is a T2 diabetic, so we always have plenty of these around) in case someone needs them. They are particularly effective on helping with nausea, but can also help when someone is feeling anxious; somehow the smell just “grounds” them.

Additionally, we all always have Extra-Strength Tylenol. Tylenol is particularly good at not only relieving pain, but for some people, it can help calm them if they are headed for an anxiety attack. Take 2 with plenty of water, and ideally a lil snack for the tummy.

Create your own privacy - grab a hat or a simple scarf (or a favorite hoodie) as well as a large pair of dark sunglasses. Using your headphones, wear the hat/scarf plus sunglasses (or hoodie + sunglasses) and you have created a private “zone” just for you that no one can really intrude upon.

Remember that First Aid (in every Park, marked on the map) is always your friend. Here you will find some of the nicest CMs at Disney World. You can ask for (generic) Tylenol, use the restroom, lie down for a bit, and cover your eyes (pending availability of cots) or just sit with trained professionals nearby in the relatively cool, calm atmosphere.

If you have the time (any maybe even if you don’t) try to build in some time for a “reality break”, and get out of the Park(s) for a bit. Go back to the Resort, and have a swim in the pool, or head to Disney Springs and grab a Starbucks you can sip from a quiet spot. Go see a movie at Disney Springs, or do some Resort-hopping, and visit some of the hotels; use any of the Theme Parks or Disney Springs as a hub to ride to any Resort hotel at Disney World.

Last but not least, I would certainly consider staying on property if I were you. That way, you only have to grab Disney transportation to get back to the quiet and privacy of your own hotel room; you won’t have to try to drive when you are potentially upset or overwhelmed. Consider a quieter Resort (if you can afford it) like POFQ in the moderate range, or WL or AKL in the Deluxe range.

°O° °o° °o° °o° °O° °o° °o° °o° °O°

Take tissues; Disney makes us all emotional on a good day. Go say “hello” to the Tree of Life, and wave to your dad for all of us too. Carry his joy with you, and try to remember to act your shoe size, not your age. Disney is for the child in all of us; I hope you get to play and truly enjoy your vacation

@mamabunny , you are a treasure. Seriously. I am so grateful for this. I'm going to think about what kind of "emergency kit" I can make that would help me in the moment but also help me not worry about getting the panic attacks (lord, what a cycle). We decided to stay at Boulder Ridge in a 1 bedroom (rented points) because I wanted the space/quiet/trees. Especially on MK days, it's easy to take breaks.
I'm also going to spend some more time visualizing the places we'll be and think about what will be hardest. I know I do much better when I'm able to keep moving.
We go in December, so between now and November I can do my best to prepare and decide wheter to apply.

 

[RoseGold]

We go in December, so between now and November I can do my best to prepare and decide wheter to apply.

I went the first week of December 2021, which wasn't even considered as heavy as 2022. Never again.

I was completely overwhelmed with the crowds, and I go 3x a year or more to WDW and don't consider myself particularly sensitive. I would find some park videos from December to see if you think you can handle it. Peak WDW is a lot.

 

[mamabunny]

I went the first week of December 2021, which wasn't even considered as heavy as 2022. Never again.

I was completely overwhelmed with the crowds, and I go 3x a year or more to WDW and don't consider myself particularly sensitive. I would find some park videos from December to see if you think you can handle it. Peak WDW is a lot.

Ok I'm giving away my secret here, but - believe it or not - the week *after* Thanksgiving is not bad at all.

We arrived the Wednesday before Thanksgiving last year, and it was a full on crazy-pants OMG why-did-we-do this moment. We spent most of the that holiday weekend either at the Resort, or resort hopping, going out to Ft Wilderness to goof around (and see Hoop Dee Doo); just finding all the places that the people weren't, until Sunday... when everyone started checking out. By noon on Sunday, the Resort felt nearly empty, and we were walking onto rides like we owned the place. Monday through Thursday, it was fantastic. We left on Friday morning (so 8 days after Thanksgiving) and felt like we had a great trip.

Bonus extra: We got a great tip from a CM, who told us to be sure and try the special Thanksgiving Dinner on the menu at our Resort hotel (on this trip, we were at POR) and boy were they right! It was so good that we were happy to see it on the menu again the next day - and we all had it again! They had it on the menu for several days - I believe it was from at least Wednesday. to Friday or Saturday.

BonusBonus extra: We checked the MDE app regularly that holiday weekend, and saw that people were often dropping ADRs within a couple of hours of the meal, so we had zero trouble grabbing dining anywhere we wanted; one of us would stalk the app for our preferred dining location, and by doing that, we snagged Space 220 for lunch. On Thanksgiving Day. It was fantastic!

 

[Euby]

Ok I'm giving away my secret here, but - believe it or not - the week *after* Thanksgiving is not bad at all.

I'm glad to see this. I'm going to be at Pop from Sun 11/26 until Sat 12/2.

I've never gotten a DAS in trips past. I'll be using an ECV to help with my mobility as I have for the past several years (Thanks Gold!). This year though things are bit different for me so I'm thinking of getting a DAS. I'm having problems being in crowds since the pandemic. I'm ok if I can separate myself or move somewhere else. But things like crowded elevators make me anxious. It's one thing to be able to leave a WDW queue when you are mobile, I can't imagine trying to leave one in an ECV. I'll be traveling solo, so I won't have any "human shields". I'm really leaning towards trying to see if I can get one this trip.

 

[DisneyOma]

What we did need a DAS pass for was so that we could keep her in the wheelchair under her tent as we waited in line ques. Pediatric wheelchairs are often confused for strollers and they put special tape on it to clarify it was a wheelchair. That was a reasonable accommodation.

Just wanted to point out that DAS and "stroller as a wheelchair" (or the tag to let you use it in the queue) are two separate things. You do not need DAS to get the tag for a stroller/pediatric wheelchair.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I'm glad to see this. I'm going to be at Pop from Sun 11/26 until Sat 12/2.

I've never gotten a DAS in trips past. I'll be using an ECV to help with my mobility as I have for the past several years (Thanks Gold!). This year though things are bit different for me so I'm thinking of getting a DAS. I'm having problems being in crowds since the pandemic. I'm ok if I can separate myself or move somewhere else. But things like crowded elevators make me anxious. It's one thing to be able to leave a WDW queue when you are mobile, I can't imagine trying to leave one in an ECV. I'll be traveling solo, so I won't have any "human shields". I'm really leaning towards trying to see if I can get one this trip.

I would also start budgeting for G+. That way if Disney says no accommodations, you have a backup plan already in place and don’t need to worry about enjoying your trip.

Be ready for the buses. Our ECV user didn’t usually have issues but he was getting worried by the end of our trip about buses as so many people were coughing around him in Nov. At one point a lady bent down for something in her bag and literally coughed in his face, it was like he was invisible on the bus. In retrospect I wish he’d brought masks just for the bus. And yes, he got Covid the day after we got home.

 

[mamabunny]

I'm glad to see this. I'm going to be at Pop from Sun 11/26 until Sat 12/2.

I've never gotten a DAS in trips past. I'll be using an ECV to help with my mobility as I have for the past several years (Thanks Gold!). This year though things are bit different for me so I'm thinking of getting a DAS. I'm having problems being in crowds since the pandemic. I'm ok if I can separate myself or move somewhere else. But things like crowded elevators make me anxious. It's one thing to be able to leave a WDW queue when you are mobile, I can't imagine trying to leave one in an ECV. I'll be traveling solo, so I won't have any "human shields". I'm really leaning towards trying to see if I can get one this trip.

Just remember that the DAS doesn’t magically eliminate crowds, or protect you from crowded areas. It doesn’t take you straight in to the front of the line; It just gives you a different place to wait - you may still find that you wait in queues once your return time has rolled around.

I’ll give you a real example from January of this year. We were at Disney specifically for the Arts festival at EPCOT (my personal all-time favorite festival!) and WOW it was crowded! I know that was partly because it was right as the festival opened, and so not only were there lots of Guests there, but it was crowded with tons of influencers and content creators as well. The other Parks were all quite calm by comparison, but EPCOT was just.so.busy. Luckily we were there on a long enough trip that we could (and did) duck in and out for a few hours at a time, so that we never got too overwhelmed.

My point is that DAS really wasn’t helpful in EPCOT during that time for some folks with crowd-related anxiety, because everything was so busy and crowded. There was no avoiding people, in any queue. Or anywhere, really.

A lot of what is going to influence your experience is time of year and what kind of shows/attractions you are there to enjoy. If you don’t care about TRON or Guardians or Remy’s, then it may not be as much of a problem for you. If you are there for all of the latest and greatest, that might be a different story.

Maybe go through this entire thread, (as well as some of the other threads here that specifically mention anxiety) and see if any of the coping strategies discussed might be helpful - like the hoodies+sunglasses to help create your own little personal zone of calmness. Since you have time to think about what things might actually work - and you have time to maybe even practice using those things, or behaviors to make you feel more comfortable - I would give some of them a trial run to see what really makes you feel better and safer.

(Also remember to bring a jacket/hoodie anyway - it can get cooler at night in late Nov/early Dec through Jan/Feb, especially around the lakes. When you are moving on an ECV, it’s like “wind chill”. My hands *always* get so cold!)

 

[DisneyOma]

At WDW right now - some LL have been pretty long. I've had a bit of a hard time but luckily my daughter checks in with me when she sees/hears me getting anxious.

 

[YodaGirl]

Hi. I’m so very sorry to hear about your dad. My first trip back after I lost my mom, I went into MK knowing that I was going to probably ugly cry as soon as I saw the Castle… and I did. But for me, it was also healing, to be back in one of her favorite places on earth.

She only had happy memories at WDW, and I stop on her special “spot” every time (Disney handy-dandy marked it with a survey marker in the pavement ) and blow her a kiss. Not gonna lie, even now - more than 12 years later - I get emotional for a moment. But it is followed immediately by a sense of comfort, because this is where she would be if she could be. With us, on vacation, laughing and having a great time.

°O° °o° °o° °o° °O° °o° °o° °o° °O°

With or without a DAS, technology is your friend now. There are all sorts of things you can consider (maybe discuss with your therapist?) that might be helpful.

@Mirabell Rose mentioned headphones - even inexpensive noise-cancelling headphones (in-ear, over the ear, or bone conduction are some options) can help make your auditory space feel less crowded. Some can affect how area music, and parade music, as well as ride/attraction music & other audio sounds, so take that into account.

One of our family members now uses Loops, and they have proven to be very helpful at Disney World. She can even stay for fireworks at MK now, something she has not been able to do for quite some time.

= - = - = - = - = - =

If you find that you are unable to speak, technology has you covered here as well.
We have a family member who has anxiety, and everyone who travels with her has an app on our phones called "Emergency Chat". The logo for it looks like this:

It's an app that will let you text someone when you are too overwhelmed to speak.

You can customize the opening screen (shown below) to help give the person you are communicating with more information.

You "text" with the other person, by handing the phone back and forth so you don't have to try and talk when you are not comfortable with speech in the moment. It's just another tool to have ready (like knowing that you can use First Aid at the Parks) in case you need it.

= - = - = - = - = - =

Disney is going to help you also: the My Disney Experience app has so much useful information for while you are in the Parks; not just maps (but handy!) but also wait times for rides, menus for dining venues, and so much more. There are far better posts covering the use of the app than I could muster here, but it is a great tool, and I highly recommend it.

°O° °o° °o° °o° °O° °o° °o° °o° °O°

As great as technology is, there are other things to consider.

Every member of our family always carries small individually wrapped alcohol swabs (my hubs is a T2 diabetic, so we always have plenty of these around) in case someone needs them. They are particularly effective on helping with nausea, but can also help when someone is feeling anxious; somehow the smell just “grounds” them.

Additionally, we all always have Extra-Strength Tylenol. Tylenol is particularly good at not only relieving pain, but for some people, it can help calm them if they are headed for an anxiety attack. Take 2 with plenty of water, and ideally a lil snack for the tummy.

Create your own privacy - grab a hat or a simple scarf (or a favorite hoodie) as well as a large pair of dark sunglasses. Using your headphones, wear the hat/scarf plus sunglasses (or hoodie + sunglasses) and you have created a private “zone” just for you that no one can really intrude upon.

Remember that First Aid (in every Park, marked on the map) is always your friend. Here you will find some of the nicest CMs at Disney World. You can ask for (generic) Tylenol, use the restroom, lie down for a bit, and cover your eyes (pending availability of cots) or just sit with trained professionals nearby in the relatively cool, calm atmosphere.

If you have the time (any maybe even if you don’t) try to build in some time for a “reality break”, and get out of the Park(s) for a bit. Go back to the Resort, and have a swim in the pool, or head to Disney Springs and grab a Starbucks you can sip from a quiet spot. Go see a movie at Disney Springs, or do some Resort-hopping, and visit some of the hotels; use any of the Theme Parks or Disney Springs as a hub to ride to any Resort hotel at Disney World.

Last but not least, I would certainly consider staying on property if I were you. That way, you only have to grab Disney transportation to get back to the quiet and privacy of your own hotel room; you won’t have to try to drive when you are potentially upset or overwhelmed. Consider a quieter Resort (if you can afford it) like POFQ in the moderate range, or WL or AKL in the Deluxe range.

°O° °o° °o° °o° °O° °o° °o° °o° °O°

Take tissues; Disney makes us all emotional on a good day. Go say “hello” to the Tree of Life, and wave to your dad for all of us too. Carry his joy with you, and try to remember to act your shoe size, not your age. Disney is for the child in all of us; I hope you get to play and truly enjoy your vacation

This is so incredibly helpful! I don't really struggle with anxiety so much, but some of these tips will be beneficial for my situation. Thanks! <3