If you've got (a kid with) sensory issues, you should probably avoid...

[CaliKT]

I'd love some advice from any of you on the spectrum and/or with sensory processing issues, and any parents of kids of the same.

My six-year-old son has sensory-processing issues. I know that loud, overstimulating environments just make him hoopy. Last time I took him to Disneyland, he freaked out in the elevator on Haunted Mansion -- not because he was scared, but because everyone screamed. Certain loud restaurants make him crazy. I'm planning on getting a GAC so we can wait in a quiet area/avoid over-stimulating pre-shows when necessary, and I'm planning on letting him take plenty of breaks either back at the resort or at places like Tom Sawyer's Island where he can just sort of let off steam. But I would love some advice on places that might set him off just so I can be on extra alert or perhaps avoid them altogether. For instance, I've been trying like crazy to get a reservation at Chef Mickey's, but then when I read it described as really loud, I wondered if maybe I should let that particular ship sail....

Alternatively, any advice on nice, quiet, soothing places in the park -- HA, right? -- that we can go to help him regulate would be helpful.

 

[livndisney]

I'd love some advice from any of you on the spectrum and/or with sensory processing issues, and any parents of kids of the same.

My six-year-old son has sensory-processing issues. I know that loud, overstimulating environments just make him hoopy. Last time I took him to Disneyland, he freaked out in the elevator on Haunted Mansion -- not because he was scared, but because everyone screamed. Certain loud restaurants make him crazy. I'm planning on getting a GAC so we can wait in a quiet area/avoid over-stimulating pre-shows when necessary, and I'm planning on letting him take plenty of breaks either back at the resort or at places like Tom Sawyer's Island where he can just sort of let off steam. But I would love some advice on places that might set him off just so I can be on extra alert or perhaps avoid them altogether. For instance, I've been trying like crazy to get a reservation at Chef Mickey's, but then when I read it described as really loud, I wondered if maybe I should let that particular ship sail....

Alternatively, any advice on nice, quiet, soothing places in the park -- HA, right? -- that we can go to help him regulate would be helpful.

If you are going to WDW, I have to caution you there are not many "quiet areas" to wait. Truth be told, the rides that do have "other" waiting areas are just as loud and stimulating as the line. I think Sue has a list in the sticky at the start of this thread of the rides that do have another waiting area. I know she has a picture of the "quiet" area at Monsters. It is the same room as the regular line and just marked with a chain rope. It is just as loud,and crowded.

What may work better for you than a GAC is a good touring plan and good use of fastpass. These ideas will keep you out of crowds in lines and in the parks themselves.

As far as Tom Sawyer Island-the crowded boat ride over was too much.

Quiet places-

Epcot-
Garden maze in the UK (when band not playing)
Open grass area just outside International Gateway Turnstiles

AK
Paths around the Tree of life

HS
Area in front of LMA(in the morning there is no one around)

MK
Rocking chairs in front of Hall of Pres
People mover

 

[krisnme]

We are WDW vets, but had not tried Stitch, now I know why! DS is almost 20 and does pretty well with stimuli now (finally got to see tough to be a bug!) but stitch was so overwhelming it was all I could do to keep him from bolting in the pitch dark. He was really unhappy for a while after that.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I think the shoulder harnesses are what puts Stitch over the top. If you were being held down...literally...I think people would find it more tolerable. Not good by any means, but tolerable.

 

[CaliKT]

Thanks, yep, I am hoping not to use the GAC at all, just having it in my pocket as our last resort based on recommendations by others. Obviously the best strategy will be to avoid lines whenever possible and take LOTS of breaks. We have successfully gone to Disneyland numerous times, so I basically know what we're getting into in terms of sensory overload

 

[herdtoDisney]

I'm an adult and although I have no 'official' diagnosis, I defenitely have sensory issues and always have . We did Disney in Feb so I learned a few things!

Fastpasses are wonderful You still wait but not as long. In one case, Soarin', I got a fastpass late and even though it was for late in the evening, the line was so full. I actually got down one row of waiting and had to have the CM let me out-I was panicking. Next time (next Feb ) I will get that one first. Like a PP mentioned, a good touring plan is good to have.

Although I love Splash Mountain, the tunnely waiting line was hard for me to handle. It's noisy. So is the waiting line for Test Track, all that clangy music. I had a hard time with that. The dinosaur whatever it's called ride at AK was tough too. Being an adult, I keep it together and don't freak but I kind of want to

I actually did easily find places to sit and be calm. The parks have benches and walls all over that you can sit on and chill. I don't enjoy noisy restaurants so wwe just don't go to any. We also dine earlier (rather than peak times) so less noise and stress that way.

I found the rides easier to handle early in the day and later as well-the EMH was great as the lines and crowds were much smaller. Less time in line and less noise and stress in line!

 

[digiMom]

Best place: The Boneyard (if the music is OK) http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/animal-kingdom/attractions/boneyard/

Worst: It's Tough to be a Bug

Essential: Earplugs

Possibly: A stroller (safe place)

Helpful: Afternoon breaks (swimming, any of the resorts have TVs in the lobbies, etc.)

 

[blue65829]

As an adult with some sensory issues I can't stress enough how beneficial it is to have ear plugs - or in the case of someone younger maybe noise canceling headphones?

I brought them for the first time on our last trip and was so much more comfortable, and also found that on occassions where I felt like I might need some down time, what I really needed was just to quiet the world and keep going about my business!

 

[SDSorority]

I second staying away from It's Tough to be a Bug. It was too much for me.

Other places that got to me this past trip:

Raglan Road at dinner time (LOUD band playing- I had to excuse myself 2 times to calm down)

All of the Main St. parades (we walk through the stores to avoid them)

Some good spots are:
The Boardwalk- If you're at Epcot or DHS you can hop on a friendship boat (pretty chill) and get off at the Boardwalk (or you can walk there).

Lobby areas of the: Boardwalk, Yacht/Beach, GF, WL, AKL, Swan/Dolphin, GF. We didn't love the Contemporary as far as sound/stimulation goes, but we were able to go up a floor to the convention area. There wasn't a convention going on at the time and they had a very good seating area with an out of the way bathroom that was AWESOME.

AND, earplugs would have REALLY been beneficial, but I kept forgetting them in the room!! Next time they will be on me at ALL times.

I had a really hard time this past trip for some reason.

 

[Lisa0620]

Volume was our biggest problem, I knew we'd need earplugs for things like Lights, Motor, Action but I didn't expect to need them in the Tiki Room and on the Jungle Cruise! Next time I'm just going to stuff my purse full of them! 3-D shows were a problem for us too, just too intense (even Mickey's Phil.) He did "okay" by taking off the glasses, but didn't enjoy it. A couple of queues that felt claustrophobic were Soarin' and Toy Story Mania at the end where you are in the striped tent area. Not enough that we have to avoid them, but enough to talk about "what to expect" before we get in line (even true w/ FP.)

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

A quiet place we enjoy is the garden area behind the stores in France in Epcot. There are several benches and the flowers are beautiful!

 

[nadira36]

First, it depends on where on the spectrum he sits. Our DD has SPD, but we've been managing it with a strong sensory diet and an Actual gluten-free diet. We'll be taking her for her 4th trip (5th b-day) in 2 weeks.

Things we've done - bring head phones/earmuffs/silicone earplugs - anything for those moments when it's just too much and no where is okay.

Warn in advance. The ride will be dark, with loud sounds, people might scream. Would you like to put the headphones on?

Also if we see things are getting hairy, we take a break. Either in a quiet area of the parks, or back to the resort.

We also found that the more time spent in the pool, the easier the rest of the trip was. So we tried to start and end days in the pool as much as possible.

 

[Justin Jett]

The July 27, 2011 "Ben's Show" episode of the "DIS Unplugged" podcast covers tips and experiences with sensory issues at Walt Disney World.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/podcast/roundtable313-072711-ben.mp3

 

[CaliKT]

Awesome, thanks for all the tips. I will definitely be investing in a bunch of ear plugs.

 

[retired and happy]

Our now 15 year old can't tolerate loud noise, and we have had trouble with the Back Yard BBQ for several years. He eats as the introductory music plays, but watches the stage carefuly and starts to panic when the band arrives. I usually have to take him out to the fence behind the serving area where we can still hear the music, but not to the extent as inside the pavilion. This year we are going to try a headset designed for shooters. Don't know if he will wear it for long, but if he gets used to it and realizes it helps him sit and eat more, the headset might solve our problem. I doubt he would tolerate earplugs as he cannot stand for any one or anything to mess with his eyes or ears. Wish us luck.

I saw Drew Brees on TV at the Super Bowl a couple years ago. He was walking around the field after the game holding his small son. The son was wearing a headset and seemingly doing well. It was later reported he had a similar averson to loud noise.

 

[mom2maggie]

Maybe its super obvious - but Wishes! My daughter has some sensory/noise issues (cannot tolerate loud/suddenly loud noises) and fireworks, etc. make her HYSTERICAL. If she knows there will be fireworks, she will spend her entire time tense because she's waiting for the loud noises. I am buying her noise cancelling ear protection this time - she loves the fireworks themselves, just not the BOOMS. She won't get to hear the music from Wishes, but she'll get to see the show.

 

[Justin Jett]

Maybe its super obvious - but Wishes! My daughter has some sensory/noise issues (cannot tolerate loud/suddenly loud noises) and fireworks, etc. make her HYSTERICAL. If she knows there will be fireworks, she will spend her entire time tense because she's waiting for the loud noises. I am buying her noise cancelling ear protection this time - she loves the fireworks themselves, just not the BOOMS. She won't get to hear the music from Wishes, but she'll get to see the show.

Something that I learned to do:

If you have an iPhone or iPod Touch that the noise canceling device can be plugged into.....the iHear app would allow her to hear the music, but control the volume herself.

Another idea is to get the CD of Wishes and put it on the MP3 player. Then she can play it during the show.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

Hi. Our 12 yr old has SPD. The one true thing that gets us through our Disney trips are headphones. He brings his headphones with him pretty much wherever he goes. I believe you can find them in the hunting department at Wal Mart for about $7.00 a pair. With these we don't worry about the earplugs but when we forget his headphones at the hotel when we went to Universal one year a nice lady gave him a brand new pair of earplugs and they did help but he missed his own headphones.

He avoids stitch, honey I shrunk the audience and anything 3d/4d. The fireworks he is fine with as long as he has his headphones. His wheelchair (he has mobility problems as well)is his safe spot while waiting in line so I would recommend a stroller for a safe spot.

 

[Sunbeamblue2002]

Hello, I have a son with Sensory Intergation Disorder and I can't agree more on a good set of earphones like they use in hunting, constrution site type. Ours fold up really nice and are easy to carry. He has had SID since he was 3 but ever since we've gotten those earphones he is a different kid. Ear plugs made the situation worse in our situation as he hated things in his ears and was always playing with them. Invest in a good pair that will last a while and try that out at home at some event and see if they work. Good luck to you and have a great trip.

 

[autismmom1]

I also would suggest that if your child wanted to see the fireworks, but the loud booms are a problem, try watching from the Poly beach! They have speakers that pipe in the music, and the booms are definitely muted from the distance.

Also, Journey Into the Imagination (Epcot)seems to be overly loud. And avoid Dinosaur (AK). My son used earplugs, but it the sound paired with the dark/light atmosphere threw him for a little while.

My son used to be so sensitive to sound that he would pitch a fit in restrooms with the auto-flush toilets and airdryers...today he can handle just about anything, as long as he is prepared in advance.

Good luck!