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

[lucigo]

My 8-yo loves his Peltor earmuffs. I have a hook on his stroller and he grabs them whenever he thinks things might get loud. We got to watch fireworks at the castle for the first time this year!

 

[Justin Jett]

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.

Good luck!

 

[Buckeye Princess]

My daughter uses these.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I7NX5E/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details

The first time we used them she was constantly looking at me with smiles because she was able to enjoy things that usually made her cower and hide. At the end of the day she handed the to me and said, "Here are my happy phones mommy. They make me happy."

 

[wuv tigger]

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.)

I 2nd the:

earplugs, afternoon breaks, TV or coloring in the lobby and a crayola wonder doodle pad

 

[lucigo]

I 2nd the:

earplugs, afternoon breaks, TV or coloring in the lobby and a crayola wonder doodle pad

I thought I had the only 8-yo who brought a magnadoodle to the parks. Whatever works!!

 

[55Red416]

Avoid The Great Movie Ride's Gangster storyline or bring headphones or ear protection if not avoidable.

Basically, the character comes up, pops off about six or seven blanks right in the driver's seat of the car, takes it over for a few scenes, and then moves on.

DS6 was glued to the seat motionless until our original CM got back onto the ride.

*SPOILER ALERT*

The storyline starts when you enter the "bad neighborhood" and the first CM exits the tram. Shots are exchanged between the CM and another live character who is playing the gangster up the stairs immediately to the left front of the tram car. You don't see the live action character move until the first few shots are exchanged. Gangster comes down, gets onto the tram, drives and makes some comments until the Raiders of the Lost Ark scene. He'll say something like "I'm going to go get the goods" and walk up stairs to the right at the middle of the tram where he and a hooded figure will fight. The hooded figure will doff their costume and reveal themselves as your original CM. The rest of the ride is pretty much tame from there.

 

[danicaw]

My 8-yo loves his Peltor earmuffs. I have a hook on his stroller and he grabs them whenever he thinks things might get loud. We got to watch fireworks at the castle for the first time this year!

My daughter uses these.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I7NX5E/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details

The first time we used them she was constantly looking at me with smiles because she was able to enjoy things that usually made her cower and hide. At the end of the day she handed the to me and said, "Here are my happy phones mommy. They make me happy."

I agree with both of the above. Our 8 year old DS has SPD and these headphones are awesome. We have 2 pairs.
The other thing we do is watch ride videos ahead of time... youtube has tons of ride along videos - then he knows what to expect. We also get the kids guide to Disneyworld a month or two ahead of time and let him read it. Then we make a plan. We found that a list of rides we will go on with check boxes works better than a set touring plan... as we aren't always able to do things in order. And he knows that if its still on the list we will come back to it (I hope that makes sense).

 

[CaliKT]

Awesome advice! I bought a pair of the Peltor earmuffs, which arrived yesterday, as well as some earplugs. I hope they work out -- if so, I'll buy a pair for him to use at school, too. (Last week, a kid broke some glass in his classroom, and the custodian's industrial vacuum cleaner freaked him out for the rest of the day.)

I think we will definitely avoid the Great Movie Ride... I haven't been on it in ten years, but I can't imagine that he or his brother would like the part from Alien. I also have the Kids Guide to Disney World. Can't wait to spend some time on the plane going through it with him and looking at all the rides!

 

[fakereadhed]

Avoid Dinosaur! Forgot how overwhelming it was and had to put some $ in the Therapy Jar after DS got off that one.

 

[preschoolmom]

I'm so glad I read this thread! I was reading to post my advice, but I think I got more advice in return! Thanks, Everyone - I'm going to look for headphones for my son!

That said, the one ride my son really struggled with on our last trip was It's a Small World. He just says it is too loud... I didn't see anyone else mention this one!

 

[lovethattink]

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.

Please feel free to check out my trip report disney done differently in my sig. My son has a host of sensory issues and we go to Disney alot. Each person is different, so what may over excite one person may not affect another.

My son has a GAC. He has problems with noises, people touching him, blinking lights, sudden sounds, sudden lights, darkness, and textures.

We have a Convaid Cruiser medical stroller for him. It gives him the security of his own space. We bring ear phones to block out sounds.

In my bag I bring:
-gum for him to chew
-a light or glow stick if we get stuck on a dark attraction
-a brush for Wilbarger Brushing
-hand sanitizer
-a few legos or lego people
-Post-It notes to cover the toilet flushers
-wet wipes if something gets on his skin
-chlorox wipes

He absolutely cannot handle It's Tough to be a Bug at AK or Captain EO at Epcot. We don't do parades or fireworks.

Surprisingly, he loves Star Tours and there is so much sensory input in there. He also loves Test Track, again tons of sensory input and the queue is very loud.