Illuminations viewing

[shepatken]

Hello all,

Just wondering . . . does anyone have any great ideas for quieter fireworks viewing areas??? I know, kind of an oxymoron, but I've got a 4 year old and a 2 year old who really like to see fireworks, but get scared with the loud booms. Maybe an indoor vantage point?

Thanks in advance for your great ideas. Feel free to email me directly at shepatken@aol.com.


Sheila

 

[donna in Oz]

Welcome to the DIS!!

Perhaps you could make Priority Seating at a restaurant around the World Showcase to coincide with Illuminations. Rose & Crown would be a good choice, and I believe I read on these boards that Japan is also a good place for this purpose.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

I was wondering the same thing. My son is autistic and is very sensitive to loud noises. I have heard that you can view the fireworks from the Boardwalk. How is the view and can you hear the music?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Crazy Kanga
I was wondering the same thing. My son is autistic and is very sensitive to loud noises. I have heard that you can view the fireworks from the Boardwalk. How is the view and can you hear the music?

You can see the fireworks in the sky from Boardwalk, but, not the laser show and the music is hard to hear.

As to a quiet place, there is really nothing inside. The Rose and Crown has outdoor seating, but, that is first come first serve "if you are lucky" kind of seating. Also, if your kids are sensative and cry or get scared it would ruin the experience for others. It did happen to us once and as much as I understood the child's fear I was a bit resentful towards the parents that did not move so everyone's experience was not ruined. That, IMHO, was a selfish action on their part (and no, I am not saying you would do the same thing. ) There are areas around the Rose and Crown that are not attached to the restaurant where you can sit, but, you need to get there very very early.

 

[lsutigger2]

Once we watch Illuminations in the general area of Canada. It was located back from the railing along side the lagoon, next to a rose garden area or the area were you go down to the Canada attraction. Kind-of as you make the curve around the lagoon. Since it was back aways from the lagoon, it was a bit quieter. The view was okay, you could see the fireworks and most of the laser stuff, etc. With small ones who don't like loud noises, this might do.

Good luck and thanks for being considerate of your kids!!

 

[jimmytammy]

Our DS9 is very sensitive to loud noises. I dont know of any places that you can get away from the noise except inside which takes away from the effect of what Illuminations is all about.

That said, try cotton or earplugs where it doesnt completely drown out everything but can definitely take the decibels down a bunch.

 

[tebright]

I have an 11 year old autistic son who is also very sensitive to the noise. He does not like fireworks for this reason. He likes to look at them but can't stand the noise.

This is what we are going to try....we are going to do an Illuminations cruise probably by ourselves as to not bother others and bring earplugs along with a headset type thing for his ears. He also is aware of people looking at him as he get older for some of his quirky behavior and he is starting to verbally tell other kids and adults to "stop looking at me" when they do. Sometimes he is not very nice when he does this. It's kind of sad sometimes because he is so aware of his surroundings but can't help the self stimming and the sensitivity to noise. We are going in December so I hope this works.

Good luck.

 

[Badger Brent]

Thanks for sharing your stories and situations you have to deal with. I noticed that even around test track area the noise levels were fairly loud. I would look into maybe the Japan pavilion upstairs. I've never done this, but inside may be an option. The headphones idea sound good. What about playing the illuminations soundtrack during the show on a portable cd player? Good luck with whatever options you use!!

 

[tebright]

The CD with music is a great idea. I think I will try that.

Actually my son made some headway last night. The fireworks started in my local neighborhood last night and he wanted to go outside and watch them. They are about 10 blocks away from where I live. Well, he actually sat on my lap outside and watched and kept telling me how "he did it". He even had to call his mommom on the phone last night to tell her...lol. It was cute, just wanted to share.

 

[dgaston]

Those victories are great. It sounds like this is something he'll work with you -- and that's important too.

 

[Crazy Kanga]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I think we will try the headset idea. We just happen to have the Illuminations/Tapestry CD already and he loves it. I think that will be our best bet along with watching from the Canada area. Last year we watched from the Odyssey area and it was still too loud for him. He kept his hands over his ears the whole time and I know his poor arms were tired. We tried ear plugs for some of the shows too, but I think they bothered him just as much as the noise. Hopefully the portable CD player will be the ticket.