Fireworks

[NJDisneyGal]

Are any of your little ones scared of fireworks? We went to a relatively small, local show on the 4th and my 3 yr old freaked out a bit toward the end. She wound up sitting in the car with my husband so I could stay and watch with my 4 yr old. Obviously that won't be an option at Disney. We aren't going until Oct so there will be a couple more opportunities to see them before we go so I'm hoping she gets used to it but if not does anyone have any tips to deal with the fear? Or even good places to watch them in the parks where we can get inside quickly if she gets scared?

 

[Jack&Ryan'smom]

OH my...you might be in trouble! When we went in Sept. my DS was 2.5 and he was terrified of the fireworks!!! In Epcot I had to sit on the ground holding him and covering his ears while he sobbed and in MK during the MNSSHP the same thing. They are very loud if you are in the parks. What ended up working for us was we went over to the Poly beach to see Wishes...we sat on the beach...had some adult beverages too!! We also got to see the light up parade on the lagoon...that was a FUN night!
Foward to 9 months later on the 4th last week DS was still having a heart attack about the fireworks

 

[crjack]

When my DS was little, the noise of fireworks was overwhelming to him but he did like the lights and bright colors. What worked for us was having him use a cd player and the headphones helped to drown out the noise. (Of course everyone around us had to listen to him singing away to his favorite songs!)

If it's just the noise that is scary for your DD give it a try and see if it works.

Best of luck. My DS is now 13 and is still a little noise sensitive but he loves to watch fireworks!

 

[Aliceacc]

My youngest is terrified of the noise.

I'm planning to try some earplugs.

If they don't work, one of us will get her back to the Poly before they start. If they're still loud from the beach I'll get her back to our room and put on the TV.

Being scared out of your senses isn't part of the fun family vacation I'm planning. If it means I miss out on fireworks (or even Fantasmic) I can live with that.

 

[wrighter]

Add me to the list of moms with a child who is terrified of fireworks. She loves watching them, but the noise is just too much. (She has issues with most things that make loud noise.)

I'm going to get those headphones that hunters use - the big yellow ones - that block out noise. (I thought about earplugs - much smaller and easier to transport - but I'm not sure about sticking something in her ear. That might just make more trouble.)

I do like the idea about a small ipod type thing for her to listen to her own music. I might have to consider that. Do you think there's someplace I can download Disney music?

Try not to worry too much - just "adapt and overcome." Good Luck!

 

[NJDisneyGal]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I may try some headphones or earplugs and just have an escape plan if it doesn't go well. Although sipping adult beverages while watching at the beach sounds like a great pre-emptive strike. We may just do that.

 

[NJDisneyGal]

Being scared out of your senses isn't part of the fun family vacation I'm planning. If it means I miss out on fireworks (or even Fantasmic) I can live with that.

Oh gosh, I forgot about Fantasmic. I made ADR's for the dinner package. I wonder if I should cancel. Is it pretty much a given that she'll be terrified?

 

[DevilDuckie]

Are any of your little ones scared of fireworks? We went to a relatively small, local show on the 4th and my 3 yr old freaked out a bit toward the end. She wound up sitting in the car with my husband so I could stay and watch with my 4 yr old. Obviously that won't be an option at Disney. We aren't going until Oct so there will be a couple more opportunities to see them before we go so I'm hoping she gets used to it but if not does anyone have any tips to deal with the fear? Or even good places to watch them in the parks where we can get inside quickly if she gets scared?

No fear for my kid, just a sensitivity to noise. Get the little one some earplugs and see if that helps. It's probably more about pain than anything else.

 

[Aliceacc]

Oh gosh, I forgot about Fantasmic. I made ADR's for the dinner package. I wonder if I should cancel. Is it pretty much a given that she'll be terrified?

I don't know. But I keep telling my husband that there's nothing at WDW I can't walk away from. If she gets too scared, one of us takes her out. Case closed.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

My children are still terrified and they are 5, 7 and 9. It's the noise the flashing light as well as the smoke. They did fine at fantasmic though. It should be noted we were NOT up close.

I figure that there are so many other things to enjoy at disney that I'll just focus on the other things.

 

[DbleTheFun]

We use peltor Ear Muffs and have never had a problem. They sit on their heads, like the ear protection that construction workers have, but made for small children. (Gweneth Peltrow has them, and I saw them in people... that is how I discovered them)... they are GREAT! We also use them on the plane, when the boys fall asleep, so that they dont get distrurbed by announcements.

They are better than earplugs IMO, cause they dont fall out, and the boys dont seem to mind them at all.