Disney is too LOUD!

[bitbangr]

My family, including my DS with Asperger's (including sensory issues), just spent a great week at Disney, but we would never have survived without....EARPLUGS!

It seems like we spent a lot of time saying "what?" because unless you're within 3 feet of each other, it's impossible to hear, even without earplugs.

Disney/MGM gets the deafening award--the whole park seems to be LOUD. After "Lights, Gears, Action" (or whatever the car stunt show is--probably the LOUDEST thing there) we wanted a snack, since our ADR for lunch was some time away, so we walked down New York Street to find one and encountered a band (Mulch Sweat and Shears?) which my DS and I had to retreat from. We found refuge near the exit to the Backlot Tour in an alcove with some benches.

We had another close encounter with a loud band in Epcot, which we had to find a way to route around by cutting through Innoventions.

Even the character lunch we went to at the Garden Grill, which the Unofficial Guide listed as "very quiet" was loud due to normal restaurant noise and the sound effects from "Living with the Land," which it overlooks.

In any case, I'll be putting those notes on a survey (if they give me a chance) Disney has asked us to fill out online, but I wanted to warn other folks with sensory issues to PACK YOUR EARPLUGS!

Richard

 

[xyzabc33]

. This is a very good point that doesnt seem to be covered in the travel books and I (not having any sensitivities myself would not have noticed) that omission

Friends of ours are joining us on a trip down this fall for thier first trip and the father gets horrible (with a capital H ) migraines at the drop of a pin and I warned the mom to get him some earplugs so he wont be miserable the whole time he is there. I suggested the kind you use at a rifle range. LOL

I did find some of the shows to be a little over loud but those with hearing loss(my other half included) probably find them to be at a comfortable level.

But in that aspect you kinda have to adjust yourself to what is there and prepare for it. Doing your homework ahead of time and asking questions of others who have experienced the parks is a valuble resorce and can save you a bunch of hassles later.

VERY GOOD TIP BIT and give that kid a hug!

 

[MidgeD79]

I totally agree. We learned the hard way that we need to bring earplugs.

 

[Friendly Frog]

I also agree. I am of average hearing, but it seems the parks have become very loud. I may bring earplugs my next trip!

 

[dawnball]

Yeah, we had to leave FOtLK in the middle because I could feel my eardrums moving painfully with the music. I trekked up to Guest Relations to complain, and they seemed to think that I was crazy. I have normal hearing to slight hearing loss and found myself running from a lot of the shows and music at WDW.

It seemed like everytime I found a nice shady bench to sit on and relax a little, some musician or another set up in just the right spot to blast my eardrums. I have a couple of sets of NR33 headphones packed for DD and I, and I'm considering ordering earplugs to go under them.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Yes, the parks can be loud, especially for those of us with sensory disabilities. Last time I was there, I couldn't stand Illuminations. They had the sound on those speakers turned up to deafening!!!! It was so painful! I am planning my upcoming trip so we are not in the parks for the fireworks shows. (I'm not a huge fan of them, anyway, since I've been to Disney so much. It isn't a loss for me.)

What type of earplugs do y'all use? I need to get some, not only for my trip (just in case) but for other things like ball games and such that are also too loud.

 

[andijean]

I am so glad to see some other people who feel this way. We have been going to Disney every other year with our kids and DS7 has Sensory issues and anxiety issues. The first time we went after DS was diagnosed we went out and got earplugs b/c he could not function with the amount of noise. We were just shocked how over stimulating the noise was in magic kingdom just walking around. We thought it was just us b/c we are more sensitive to it b/c of him. The earplugs make a huge difference in his enjoyment level.

I have a question for you all. My son's sensory issues have decreased now that is getting older and able to modulate himself better and tell us what he needs. But the auditory overload is definitely still an issue for him. We just went to an indooor lacrosse game a couple of weeks ago and it was HORRIBLE. He could not take and was practically suffering b/c of the noise. This was a wake up call for me to make sure I bring the headphones to place like this and definitely to Disney. My question is have you all found some earplugs that work well. We used the moldable ones from the drug store, but when I actually tried them myself then didn't decrease the noise that much. So, we have been using headphones...like the ones you wear when mowing the lawn. They just are quite big and noticeable. What have you all found works in the earplug department and where did you get them?

Thanks!

 

[lunabkat]

Andijean

havve you ever looked into programs called Fast ForWord and Metronome? My dd has CAPD and I swear, after she ran the 1st FF program she was like she was comfortable in her own skin for the first time. It really helped her, she would cry at the idea of going to the audiotrium for a presentation because the noise level was so great and it was too loud and too "buzzy" for her, talk about stress. These programs really helped her and they are programs that can help all age levels reduce the "background noise" issue, the FF program teaches the brain to listen for the sounds its missing and helps to clarify the hearing of the person. Its wonderful, just a thought, I had to share such a great invention!

 

[bitbangr]

andijean,
We used the foam type earplugs--I got a box of 80 at Lowe's before we left (we only took about 8 pairs with us), but we only actually used 3 pairs because we re-used them. These are VERY commonly available, and reasonably cheap.

They're sort of hard to get in the ear canal correctly, especially for a 7-year-old's ears 'cos you have to REALLY squish them down as small as possible, then quickly pop them in and hold them there as they expand. I do wonder if the pressure on the ear canal makes him feel better, too.

I chose them because that's what we've used around home when I'm running loud machinery and DS wants to watch/help, so I knew he was OK with them. They have a 32dB reduction, which was the highest of anything Lowe's stocked. The earmuff-type ones that I use (since somebody ALWAYS wants to talk to me when I have them on) rate at around 25(?). I saw some Earplanes at Meijer and they were rated for 20, but were designed for kids' ears.

Richard

 

[coolkidhann95]

. I'm confused now because I have really sensitive (Sp?) ears and sensory (sp?) issues and WDW does not seem to bother me.

 

[Poppinsme]

andijean,
We used the foam type earplugs--I got a box of 80 at Lowe's before we left (we only took about 8 pairs with us), but we only actually used 3 pairs because we re-used them. These are VERY commonly available, and reasonably cheap.

They're sort of hard to get in the ear canal correctly, especially for a 7-year-old's ears 'cos you have to REALLY squish them down as small as possible, then quickly pop them in and hold them there as they expand. I do wonder if the pressure on the ear canal makes him feel better, too.

I chose them because that's what we've used around home when I'm running loud machinery and DS wants to watch/help, so I knew he was OK with them. They have a 32dB reduction, which was the highest of anything Lowe's stocked. The earmuff-type ones that I use (since somebody ALWAYS wants to talk to me when I have them on) rate at around 25(?). I saw some Earplanes at Meijer and they were rated for 20, but were designed for kids' ears.

Richard

I use these earplugs also and there great. My DH works around heavy machinery and brings me a box home from work. I work night shift so to sleep in the day time I need earplugs and these work fabulous.

 

[LauraAnn630]

Thanks! My son has issues with noise and sunlight. I will bring earplugs too!

Funny thing is it dosent always effect him. Will this go away as he gets older?

He qualified for a special needs school because of the sensory issues and behavioral issues. He acts like a dog often and will not listen at all. He acts like he dosent hear us. People have told me he might a touch of aspburgers. (sp)

Now the school is saying no. I just had to drag him to the van in my pjs to go to school. Then I got locked out in my pjs! Other DS was sleeping and it took him 5 minutes to let me in!! This is his 3rd day of school. Ill be dressed tomorrow!! LOL

I was sending him to montessori and they never said a word to me!! They could of suggest an evaluation!!

I just kept thinking hes smart, he knows his abc's, 123, colors, shapes...ect...

But the other issues including speech are holding him back.

My question is...

Can the sensory issues go away? I know his speech will improve. I pray his behavior will get better.

 

[lunabkat]

If he has a true issue like Central Auditory Processing Disorder or Asperger's, it won't "go away" but he may find his own, limited way thru the forest, so to speak. Some disorders aren't tested for until the child is 7 or so because of the amount of information they need the child to give them during the test. My daughter did not speak much and had a slight speech problem but has always done the "ignore" thing off and on, I believe it coincides with whether or not the child is actively "filtering" all the noise in their ears to listen for a familiar voice and pick out the words the person is saying, or maybe has had enough and isn't trying to listen at all, its really exhausting to be filtering for for words all the time. I would recommend having him tested, by your choice of doctor, if your insurance will cover it or you have the money to pay them yourself. Who knows who the school will use, my guess is who ever is cheapest. Just because its a school, don't assume they are going to do what is best for your child because THAT may cost too much money.

Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease so keep talking, just try and remain as polite as possible. Its a fine line between pushing too hard and suffering the consequences and not pushing hard enough and getting nowhere. Right in the middle is being taken seriously, knowing what you are talking about, and realistic expectations of exactly what the school can/will do for you. You may have to do alot of it yourself if you want your child to remain on track and happy at school. Good luck.

 

[jbird327]

I have found many attractions to be way too loud - Tiki birds, Stunt show, all the fireworks, some of the movies, the announcements on the train, even the light parade in the evenings on the lagoon. I always wear the -32db plugs to concerts, movies and now at WDW. It just seems that in the past 15 years, someone turned up the volume. My daughter, who has Fragile X, is also very sensitive to loud sounds, but will not tolerate earplugs. She just won't go into anything that is loud.

 

[jamesmommy]

I have found many attractions to be way too loud - Tiki birds, Stunt show, all the fireworks, some of the movies, the announcements on the train, even the light parade in the evenings on the lagoon. I always wear the -32db plugs to concerts, movies and now at WDW. It just seems that in the past 15 years, someone turned up the volume. My daughter, who has Fragile X, is also very sensitive to loud sounds, but will not tolerate earplugs. She just won't go into anything that is loud.

Can she do the headphone styled ones? We have a friend whose daughter can only tolerate that type, she hates to have the ones in her ears.

Amie

 

[jbird327]

Can she do the headphone styled ones? We have a friend whose daughter can only tolerate that type, she hates to have the ones in her ears.

Amie

She use to wear those when she was younger, but now at 15, she is too 'fashion conscious' to be seen in public with those on her head.

 

[LauraAnn630]

My son had problems with Philarmagic and Fantasmic. Im hard of hearing and Philarmagic is to loud for me! I really think they can turn it down just a little.
We just love it tho!

Will definately need ear plugs and sunglasses!

Thinking back on a time when we needed to bring a booster seat that we strapped to the chair and buckled my DS (age 3) in so he wouldnt run away.

All that runnin' I did chasing him and Im still fat and sassy!

 

[hookedup]

My ds (almost 7) is an Aspergers kid (and SUPER auditory defensive) and he hates having earplugs in his ears. We tried a lot of different earplugs, and tried the over the ear sound muffling earphones (like they sell at home depot) but he hated them all.
Finally one day while visiting Sharper Image (my ds' favorite store on Earth!) he tried on some of their sound canceling headphones and loved them. They take a AAA battery and can have the noise canceling feature without actual being plugged into music - but you still have the cord attached. They are much more "normal" looking than the construction type of headphones. Of course my ds in NOT fashion conscious
The Sharper Image brand has a cord that can't be removed and we tuck it in his pocket - people are always asking us what sort of music he is listening to. The much more expensive Bose brand ones (which are super comfy) have the option to unplug the cord and still have the white noise, sound canceling feature.

 

[SueM in MN]

We just got back and noticed several kids with earcups (not sure what to call them, but the ear protector type things that cover the whole outside of your ear).
We did think everything was louder than before. Whether it actually bothers someone is going to depend on what frequencies of sound bother that person.
Even someone with a hearing loss might find some of the attractions loud; it would depend on what frequencies they are missing.