DL with sensory issues - Stroller ?

[msmama]

Hi all!

First I'd like to say that I hope I don't need this info, BUT, my son has some sensory issues and sometimes gets overwhelmed in large crowds. In our past WDW trips, I've always been able to put him in the stroller, pull down the sunshade and that's enough of a break for him.

He's getting old and bigger now and he doesn't fit in our stroller anymore (plus there is no way I'm lugging a stroller across the country). I'm hoping he won't need it, but, just in case, what is the height/weight limit for the DL strollers? He's on the slightly bigger side for 6 - 55 lbs, 47+ inches tall. Would he fit (tight fits are ok because it actually helps a bit with the sensory problems).

Baring a stroller, can you suggest any non-crowded places to go and decompress?

 

[Girimama33]

My DD has Sensory Processing Disorder, and I have a larger stroller that I keep only for Disneyland trips. Her need for the stroller is more so due to gross motor skill issues, but she does like places that are less crowded to take a break. We are going for a day in early May. I am not bringing the stroller, so I plan on renting one when we get there. We have used the DL strollers before, and the fit is okay (DD is similar height/weight to your DS).

Some good places for a break could be Pirates Lair in DL, Hungry Bear Restaurant (quiet, and can watch the action on the river), Innovations, taking a ride around the park on the DL Railroad. In DCA, we like going to Redwood Creek Challenge, Pacific Wharf and the Cove Bar. There is also a large seating area in Paradise Pier by Goofy's Sky School that would be a good option as well.
Hope that helps.

 

[Aladora]

DS's absolute favourite place to go to decompress when DL gets overwhelming is the Main Street Cinema. It's got low lighting, great AC and there are 6 screens showing black and white cartoons. It's also rarely crowded.

 

[scrapshappen]

We have a son with Sensory issues too. These are all great suggestions. One thing I am going to make sure we purchase before we go next time (or even on another cruise) is a pair of the ear protection muffs. Not sure what to do about the visual. He's nine (small for nine, but still nine). So a stroller is probably out of the question. Anyone else have suggestions for visual sensory integration?

 

[Aladora]

We have a son with Sensory issues too. These are all great suggestions. One thing I am going to make sure we purchase before we go next time (or even on another cruise) is a pair of the ear protection muffs. Not sure what to do about the visual. He's nine (small for nine, but still nine). So a stroller is probably out of the question. Anyone else have suggestions for visual sensory integration?

DS always wears sunglasses, even when it is not that sunny out. He always has a pair and I usually carry a spare pair since he has a habit of taking them off and leaving them. It's almost as if once an item leaves his hand, it ceases to exist!

 

[koolkat808]

I second the ear muff idea! My 5 year old does not like loud noises and crowds, and she normally does not care for parades and fireworks. We took a pair of noise reduction ear muffs to DLR and they worked like a charm. She could still hear, but was very comfortable in situations where she normally would not be. She enjoyed the parade, fireworks, WOC... without any problems! I know this does not address the crowd issue, but perhaps it would help by at least cutting back on one area of sensory overload.

We took sunglasses too, and had a sunglass strap so they would stay around her neck when she took them off... and I put them in my backpack when she went on rides. After losing several pairs of expensive sunglasses without a strap, this system seems to work well for us.

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

My nephew also has sensory issues attributed to his aspergers. Strollers have been so helpful. Also, my sister can always find a quiet nook somewhere! You'll be shocked at how many little quiet areas. One if my favorites for him was in DCA over by the redwood challenge area.

We've taken a stroller for him even when he was 7!

 

[2tinkerbell]

One of the best kept secrets that we discovered on our own was White Water Snacks. It was lunchtime and DD was hungry and several CS places were overwhelming and crowded. We walked out the private entrance in CA and over to White Water Snacks. Ordered our lunch quickly and in a somewhat quiet place. We sat outside at the picnic tables and decompressed. It was wonderful! We did it again this past January and while it was busier, it was still a great place to decompress.

The bench/trolley stop by the TOT is a great place also. Just as long as you aren't close to the parade time.

Another quiet place that we discovered is just outside the giftshop/Pooh Bakery - over to the side by the fench and we can sit on the planterbox facing the opposite direction from Splash and the Character Meet and Greet. In fact, we were sitting there decompressing and discussing our next move and eating a treat from the bakery and Tigger came bouncing over to us as he was going off stage. We had a great private interaction with him and Piglet, who was coming on stage.

If you read the Guest with Disabilities part on the Disneyland website, they offer some other places in the Parks that are quiet to get away and decompress.

 

[CateinPhoenix]

My son is 12 now and mostly has learned to handle the overstimulation more so than he was younger. But a nap and quiet time back at the hotel with the shades drawn are an absolute must for him on our trips. He likes the Pirate Island and the Wilderness Play area at DCA. Also the Animatation Academy building is good for winding down.