Disney with Anxiety Issues

[Misha72683]

Now that we're getting closer to the date, I'm trying to figure out logistics. My husband is bi-polar with severe anxiety as well and my older son is ADHD with severe anxiety (so am I, but mine manifests inward and shouldn't cause issues at Disney).

My husband has issues with unfamiliar situations and crowds make him very anxious. My son is sensory sensitive, doesn't like icky feeling things but is also very sensitive to loud and sudden noises. He is very resistant to new things, so I've been talking Disney up and he's very excited. I'm 50/50 on how I think he'll react to the characters, he's excited by them in theory but the last time we went to an amusement park he didn't want to go near them (though he wasn't scared of them and they weren't characters he was familial with either).

I'm trying to figure out what the best game plan for the two of them (and the other 3 members of our party) is. We are staying on site and I fully expect that my husband at least might need to go back to the hotel and take a break. I don't want to over-plan, but at the same time I want to be prepared.

 

[gap2368]

I would bring ear plugs or the big ear things for your son ( I listen to music a lot due to the sounds noise around me) since you are staying on sit it is a very easy buss ride back to the hotel take a break as a whole family there are a lot of things at each hotel the pool has activities throughout the day ( normally for noon to nights ) take as many breaks as you need even if it is just in the parks, I would not plan that much ask you family what there 3 must do rides are at each park get them to list the in order then try and do your fast pass with the rides they like if you are thinking of doing a sit down meal have each person chose a place to eat and have one sit down meal a day this will give you some down time to unwind. I hope this helps

 

[3Gsandme]

Your husband will probably just need to be sure to be honest with both you and himself about his limitations. I get anxious in the same sort of scenarios your husband does, but there's enough positive for me, at Disney, that it really doesn't bother me at all. Now, Costco on a Saturday? I'll hyperventilate, but I don't feel as trapped at Disney (though I can't tell you why). For your husband, I would focus on finding a few places in each park that are quiet that tend to be low crowds. Carousel of Progress, for instance, in the MK, is usually cool, dark, not too loud and not too crowded. You can load into the attraction pretty quickly and it's 15-20 minutes long which actually gives you a good break. Does he work with a therapist? If so, this is the time to make sure he's working with him/her on some coping techniques. My phone really helps me cope a lot. I can play games on the phone that engage me enough that I can break my panic loop. If he doesnt do it, I would highly recommend he try it. In early October the crowds shouldn't be too terrible, so that should help too.

For your son, I just wouldn't push too much. Not all kids love the characters and that's okay. I'd maybe start with letting him view a show or parade so he gets a feel for their size and then see if he wants to meet anyone later in the trip. I'd also allow him to view ride videos on youtube so he's familiar with the aspects of the ride, especially if he doesn't manage sudden surprises (noises/drops/things jumping out)

 

[minnie mum]

I'll second the recommendation for noise cancelling headphones or ear plugs for your son. You didn't mention his age, but they make them for both adults and children. I would think an afternoon break at your resort would be essential to get away from the crowds, noise, and overstimulation in the parks. Use rope drop to your advantage to get several rides done before the crowds and standby lines build.

 

[Aladora]

We've never done WDW, only DL/DCA but midday breaks are essential for us. DS needs a bit of quiet time to decompress from the morning and then he is good to go back for the late afternoon/evening.

WDWinfo did a series on the best places to take a break in each park, you might want to take a look at them!

Best places to take midday breaks within the Magic Kingdom

At the very end of the article, there is a link to the next park.

HTH!

 

[gap2368]

We've never done WDW, only DL/DCA but midday breaks are essential for us. DS needs a bit of quiet time to decompress from the morning and then he is good to go back for the late afternoon/evening.

WDWinfo did a series on the best places to take a break in each park, you might want to take a look at them!

Best places to take midday breaks within the Magic Kingdom

At the very end of the article, there is a link to the next park.

HTH!

there are a lot of good places that they have but Pathway From Tomorrowland To Storybook Circus is a smoking area so if you do not like smoke do not go there

 

[mamabunny]

In addition to the other great suggestions, may I add that viewing YouTube videos (and videos from other web sites) about specific attractions and general character interactions might give both your son and your husband an added ability to prepare for the trip?

My husband has HUGE anxiety issues about going to new, unfamiliar places. Viewing YouTube videos, and other video reviews helps him tremendously before we travel. He has to know what to expect. It helps him that I have been to WDW enough times that I can point to places on a map, and say "OK, they were standing about HERE when they shot that video".

The other strategy I might employ if I were in your shoes is to be aware of where the First Aid Stations are in each park. They can give you a much needed space to cool off, and find a bit of quiet. Any Cast Member should be able to direct you as well.

 

[tinkerpea]

Definitely get the noise cancelling head phones.
I get the snug make for my son they come in great colors and fold up, so they fit in my bag,
I always went up first when it came to characters, and explained to a handler cm about sons condition.
They are amazing when they know about it.
When i was a friend of Alice and Tinkerbell we was trained how to interact with children that have all sorts of disability. In This situation it would mean allowing the child to come to us in their own time. Talking encouragingly to the child to get them to interact before any sort of personal space was closed in on.
We also wouldn't touch the child. Unless they came up to us, generally the character has enough experience to see how well the interaction is going.

Also make sure to take time out from crowded places, even simply going to the room for an hour closing curtains and putting on the TV worked wonders for my son. Who is now 12, I would usually go and collect a qs meal. And have him chill out in the room to eat. As qs places can be packed full! And so noisy this will probably help your dh too.
Then chill by the pool later in the evening when it's quiter.

 

[ttintagel]

kennythepirate dot com is the best resource online for knowing what characters are likely to be in what places at what times. Minimizing any surprises might help. Although you don't see too many characters just out in the open with no warning except during parades. For meetings, maybe "face" (human) characters might be less stressful than "fur" (animal) characters?

Seconding previewing rides on youtube to know which ones have sudden noises. The Haunted Mansion and Journey into Imagination are the ones that spring immediately to mind.

 

[ttintagel]

I always went up first when it came to characters, and explained to a handler cm about sons condition.
They are amazing when they know about it.
When i was a friend of Alice and Tinkerbell we was trained how to interact with children that have all sorts of disability. In This situation it would mean allowing the child to come to us in their own time. Talking encouragingly to the child to get them to interact before any sort of personal space was closed in on.
We also wouldn't touch the child. Unless they came up to us, generally the character has enough experience to see how well the interaction is going.

I could tell this just from watching characters! So nice to have it confirmed by one of their friends! Seriously, they are amazing at interacting with people of all ages with all kinds of disabilities, and gauging what kinds of interactions are or aren't likely to upset a guest with special needs. I have so much respect for them.

 

[tinkerpea]

I could tell this just from watching characters! So nice to have it confirmed by one of their friends! Seriously, they are amazing at interacting with people of all ages with all kinds of disabilities, and gauging what kinds of interactions are or aren't likely to upset a guest with special needs. I have so much respect for them.

It's one of the most rewarding parts of being a "friend" and one I miss the most,I'd still be happily doing it if I had not followed my darling hubby with his military career.
But at least it led to Princes of my own.

 

[Rivermonster]

I too have anxiety issues and ADHD. I will say that many years ago, I had a full-blown panic attack in Fantasyland, and a CM came with a wheelchair and took me to a first aid station where I was able to rest in a bed until my "rescue" meds kicked in, and I was in a better place emotionally.

I would advise against any of the shows that have any loud noises (LMA! and Indiana Jones) come to mind, as well as attractions like Stitch's Great Escape, which for me at least, results in sensory overload. Space Mountain kind of has a loud part at the beginning with flashing lights before the ride vehicle is launched into "space." As others have suggested, I would recommend checking out ride videos on YouTube. Dinosaur is another attraction that might be hyper-stimulating to him.

You also might want to investigate getting the DAS pass for your husband if crowds make him antsy. While it doesn't bother me now, there was a time when being packed in a queue would have made me terribly claustrophobic and anxious.

When you say your son has an aversion to "icky" things; what in particular does he dislike? Would sitting in a wet seat on Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids bother him?

Best of luck to you and your family. I hope I've offered at least some helpful advice! May you guys have a fun and fabulous vacation to WDW sprinkled with lots of pixie dust

 

[DisneyBaby60]

Now that we're getting closer to the date, I'm trying to figure out logistics. My husband is bi-polar with severe anxiety as well and my older son is ADHD with severe anxiety (so am I, but mine manifests inward and shouldn't cause issues at Disney).

My husband has issues with unfamiliar situations and crowds make him very anxious. My son is sensory sensitive, doesn't like icky feeling things but is also very sensitive to loud and sudden noises. He is very resistant to new things, so I've been talking Disney up and he's very excited. I'm 50/50 on how I think he'll react to the characters, he's excited by them in theory but the last time we went to an amusement park he didn't want to go near them (though he wasn't scared of them and they weren't characters he was familial with either).

I'm trying to figure out what the best game plan for the two of them (and the other 3 members of our party) is. We are staying on site and I fully expect that my husband at least might need to go back to the hotel and take a break. I don't want to over-plan, but at the same time I want to be prepared.

We just returned with my 14-yr old son who has Asperger's with sensory sensitivity and anxiety. We've been many times but it was our first time with the new DAS system. Disney now publishes a guide specifically for guests with cognitive disabilities - it includes a breakdown of every ride in the park and what to expect regarding water, noise, drops, surprises, etc. (here's the link: https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...bilities-services/wdw_cognitive_guide_rev.pdf). My other tips, in addition, to what others posted, be sure you know when the parade and fireworks times are and plan accordingly. Especially in the Magic Kingdom, it can become very, very easy to get trapped; on our trip last week, even, knowing it was coming, we somehow managed to get pinned into a corner behind a building in Liberty Square during the Electric Parade. Fortunately, a cast member allowed us into a shop that was technically closed when I asked for help. We also found a good break from rides (if your child is interested) is the Sorcerors of Magic Kingdom game. You pick up cards and instructions linked to your MagicBand at the firehouse next to guest relations in MK, then visit portals around the park to play and win more cards. And totally agree with other suggestions posted - WDW posts a list of quiet places to hide (We like Tom Sawyer Island, the train around MK, the "zoo areas" of AK, etc). We saw lots and lots of headphones on kids and adults. And yes, the characters are well-trained and amazing with kids with disabilities; they wait to be approached. You can also tell them or the CM with them that your son is shy or be as specific as you like; we were always pretty open and said he has autism, he adores you but might be completely overwhelmed, and that worked fine. Hope this helps and enjoy!

 

[gap2368]

yes the fire works paradise can be more crowded then lines I too got stuck some where and was a lowed in a store that was closed because of the fire works the CM in the store was so nice to me I got to go behind the conter to watch the fire works one of the best view I had.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Also, be aware that the pool activities at the resort can be overwhelming-lots of noise with the kids playing the pool games, splashing, shouting, screaming--all in good fun, but it can be too much for some. If you son doesn't want to play, then try one of the smaller pools.
The hotel activity sheet will tell you when those games run--typically 2 or 3pm, lasting one hour.

 

[ttintagel]

Just noticed that this guide has a list of attractions with loud noises and other surprises:

https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...bilities-services/wdw_cognitive_guide_rev.pdf

(Although I notice it doesn't mention the simulated gunfire and cannon fire in Pirates of the Caribbean, and thunder and lightning in the Haunted Mansion. Although I guess it could be argued most people would take those for granted, it would have been nice to include them for total park newbies.)

 

[smiths02]

Just noticed that this guide has a list of attractions with loud noises and other surprises:

https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me...bilities-services/wdw_cognitive_guide_rev.pdf

(Although I notice it doesn't mention the simulated gunfire and cannon fire in Pirates of the Caribbean, and thunder and lightning in the Haunted Mansion. Although I guess it could be argued most people would take those for granted, it would have been nice to include them for total park newbies.)

This is a great list! I just wanted to add that Mission Space is a pretty tight and enclosed space (even the tame side)

I might also look into anything where you might have strangers close to you (if that would be a problem)...some eating is communal (Biergarten) and some rides you might be pretty close to other people (Kali Rapids, for instance)