First-timer Vet w/ PTSD: Need tips on where to de-stress

[Mrs_Valar]

Hi all,
My husband and I are planning our first trip to Disneyland for the Friday before Thanksgiving. He's a combat vet with PTSD, and crowds stress him out, but he knows I love Disney and he's willing to give this a try. I am in desperate need of suggestions for quiet areas where he can take 15-20 minutes to be away from the crowds and de-stress some intermittently throughout the day.
Thanks all!

 

[smartlabelprint]

Have you looked into 4 Paws for ability service dogs for vets?

we will be getting our dog for our kids in the spring.

In the meanrime, stay at a close hotel/motel on harbor and go back to the room as needed. We could only spend about 5-6 hours in parks for our kids with sensory issues.

 

[Mrs_Valar]

Have you looked into 4 Paws for ability service dogs for vets?

we will be getting our dog for our kids in the spring.

In the meanrime, stay at a close hotel/motel on harbor and go back to the room as needed. We could only spend about 5-6 hours in parks for our kids with sensory issues.

We actually volunteer with a service dog training organization, and he's always felt that he doesn't want to get one simply because it would just do a lot of sitting around day after day (he works in a cubicle), and he doesn't feel it would be fair to the dog.
Congrats on getting a service dog for your kiddos. They're so fantastically helpful.

Good idea about staying nearby- we'll be hiding there for the fireworks at the very least.

 

[azdisneylover]

I would suggest if you are close to the GCH, pop into the Craftsman Grille (formerly Whitewater Snacks). Very relaxing to sit outside - covered patio area behind the register area.
DCA - Perhaps getting a table inside Flo's. The trail behind Grizzly River Rapids. Nice, quiet area.
DL - Mr. Lincoln on Main Street, outside table by Pizza Port Planet, Hungry Bear in Critter Country ( lots of tables away from people).

 

[smartlabelprint]

We actually volunteer with a service dog training organization, and he's always felt that he doesn't want to get one simply because it would just do a lot of sitting around day after day (he works in a cubicle), and he doesn't feel it would be fair to the dog.
Congrats on getting a service dog for your kiddos. They're so fantastically helpful.

Good idea about staying nearby- we'll be hiding there for the fireworks at the very least.

You can get special clear ear plugs that drown out some sound. I’ll try on our next trip because sunglasses are a Challenge with earmuff headphones.

 

[lalasmama]

Quiet places in Disneyland for a breather....

Big Thunder Mountain Trail between Fantasy Land and Frontier Land.

Far back corner of Hungry Bear restaurant seating.

Oddly enough, Tom Sawyer Island can be pretty quiet!

The back areas on Mark Twain Riverboat.

The upper back area of the walkway of Launch Bay/Innoventions.

There's an area between Launch Bay (on the far left) and Autopia' s entrance (on the far right of it) with some planters. It's not quiet, per se, but it's never crowded.

There's the "boat dock" in Fantasy Land, across from the Matterhorn, behind the Fast Pass machines. Typically not crowded, but there are crowds visible.

Between the parks, the picnic area is usually almost deserted.

Quiet places in California Adventure....

Grizzly River Trail... Just keep following it past the ride, past the turn off for Pixar/Paradise Pier, and after that, it gets quiet.

Animation Academy (the building itself). It plays clips of movies on huge screens, and that's loud, but not sudden. It's never crowded, and it's cool and dark, and they have soft chairs. And if it's not time for a Turtle Talk with Crush show, the waiting area for that is pretty chill.

In the back of Paradise Park (by the Garden Grill or whatever they call it now) the restaurant seating is often quiet.

 

[Disney Rose]

I find the Launch Bay is a good place to escape the crowds and find some peace. It’s rarely busy and I just quietly wander.

 

[Becca1007]

So I visited the first aid area for the first time on this trip (toddler had a bad bloody nose) and they actually have an area where you can sign in and lay down if you are overheated or not feeling well. So if you need a quiet spot that is probably the best place, quiet, air conditioned and very peaceful.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I highly recommend checking out the disABILITIES forum here on the DIS. There should definitely be people there with experience in this area that can give you more ideas on how to make your trip the best it can be. Tips off the top of my head: rope drop (not to SWGE) for lowest crowds and use MaxPass for the most FastPasses for bypassing lines. Stay away from World of Color (unless you buy the dessert package with seats, those are away from the crowds and perfect for people with this type of issue), Fantasmic (unless you do the dinner with seating package at Riverbelle Terrace), Main St during fireworks and Main St shops right after fireworks.

If he starts having a problem and you don’t know where the nearest quiet place is talk to the nearest CM, they might be able to direct you/take you to the nearest place he can find some peace and quiet. I like the train all the way around the park for a break without leaving the park if you want to “do” something while relaxing.

Depending on the severity you may want to consider looking into the Disabled Access Service where he could get return times for rides and wait somewhere else besides in the line itself. To use that program requires approval from Disney in person at City Hall or Commerce Dept and he would have to explain what happens to him physically/mentally/emotionally if he has to wait in lines with crowds in enclosed/small spaces. They can also answer questions about the program and help him determine if it would help him or not.

 

[SeattleTink]

So I visited the first aid area for the first time on this trip (toddler had a bad bloody nose) and they actually have an area where you can sign in and lay down if you are overheated or not feeling well. So if you need a quiet spot that is probably the best place, quiet, air conditioned and very peaceful.

I was going to suggest the same thing. The people that work in the first aid station are always so kind and helpful too. Also, a great place to fill up your water bottle

 

[hyperminimalism]

You'll want to know when the fireworks are going off, too. There are some rides that you can't hear the explosions from, like IaSW (but I can imagine that ride being a little stressful...still pretty long though at 15 minutes, if he can handle all the singing). But the back trails like near Big Thunder or even the Star Wars Launch Bay building. I always find it to be quiet and cool in there. There aren't any lines (except if you wanna see some of the characters). You can just meander and look at all the neat things they have. It's dimly lit so no bright, glaring lights, and you can spend a good amount of time there just hanging out.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

A couple of other places to think about, too:
- Disneyland Park - When you first enter the park, on the left side, is Tour Gardens, where people gather in the morning for tours. To the side of the kiosk are some tables that are quiet, and a couple of benches behind - it's quiet
- To the left of the entrance to Disneyland is a picnic area that is pretty quiet

 

[kristensideaoffun]

Hi all,
My husband and I are planning our first trip to Disneyland for the Friday before Thanksgiving. He's a combat vet with PTSD, and crowds stress him out, but he knows I love Disney and he's willing to give this a try. I am in desperate need of suggestions for quiet areas where he can take 15-20 minutes to be away from the crowds and de-stress some intermittently throughout the day.
Thanks all!

My husband is also a combat vet with severe PTSD, and LOVES Disneyland. Crowds tend to freak out my husband, especially if people start pressing up against him. This usually becomes an issue if we are waiting in line for a ride. It’s usually just my daughter and I with him and we always try to make a “buffer zone” of space between the people in front of us and the people behind us, but there has been a couple times when he has nearly had a panic attack when we’ve been stuck behind and in front of people that have no concept of personal space and continuously pressed against us. I’ve found that just politely asking for space usually works, but there’s been times when we’ve just had to get out of line. He also likes to carry a backpack. It’s like a security blanket for him and also helps create space between him and other people.

The fireworks are fine with my husband if he can see them and we aren’t in a space with people pressed up against us. We sat at a table outside a restaurant in SWGE last time and decided that was the ideal place for him. He has issues with the Fantasmic shows sometimes. Again, if he can see it, it’s fine. If we aren’t planning to watch Fantasmic, we try to be on the opposite end of the park or gone all together. Be aware that a MASSIVE amount of people leave the parks all at once after the fireworks. We happened to be trying to enter when everyone was leaving. My husband panicked and made a beeline for the guest services building at the front of the park. They let us sit in there until the crowd had dissipated.

Also, be aware that they shoot cap guns on the Jungle Cruise ride. You can hear the gun shots if you are near the ride.

People above already mentioned some great quiet places that we’ve utilized in the past when we all need a break.

 

[Indiana Scott]

Slightly off subjecty but one of the most relaxing times we had was having dinner at Mimi's on Harbor (10 minute walk fro gates) . We went early (4:30~5) and were about the only people in the place. It was cool and quiet and a huge break from the noise and bustle.

 

[tarheelalum]

The far end of the seating area at the Hungry Bear restaurant. Its a quiet, tranquil setting and usually not many people are around.

 

[5forMickey]

Thank you for his service, I’m so sorry he has to deal with that.

 

[disneymum58]

duplicate, deleted.

 

[disneymum58]

There could be an issue with fireworks when staying too close. I find that it is very loud when the fireworks start when I am staying at a Harbor Hotel. BWPPI or Tropicana are the hotels close by I've stayed at where the fireworks can be still heard.

Good idea about staying nearby- we'll be hiding there for the fireworks at the very least.
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[crystal1313]

Also, be aware that they shoot cap guns on the Jungle Cruise ride. You can hear the gun shots if you are near the ride.

I thought of this as well and the Columbia also shoots off a cannon (at least, I believe they still do) that you can hear on Tom Sawyers island and Hungry bear and I would guess maybe even in Galaxy's Edge?

Really great suggestions in here for quiet spots. If we are in DCA, I also like to go sit in the lobby of the Grand.

OP, I hope you and your husband have a wonderful trip. Thank you for your service.

 

[VandVsmama]

There could be an issue with fireworks when staying too close. I find that it is very loud when the fireworks start when I am staying at a Harbor Hotel. BWPPI or Tropicana are the hotels close by I've stayed at where the fireworks can be still heard.

Good idea about staying nearby- we'll be hiding there for the fireworks at the very least.

One option to get around that is to use a white noise app on your cell phone. Use with earbuds and it can drown out a lot of background noise. We use it without earbuds when we're asleep in just about any hotel room.