Inside the parks...the noise from the rides

[thelittlemermaid]

I was wondering if someone could tell me how the noise is in the parks, more the ride noise, like walking by them.

Why I ask is, DD gets really upset at very noisey rides. Last year we went to my hometown fair and she threw a FIT! I have never seen her so scared in my life and this little girl has been through alot with having Down Syndrome and a hole in her heart. When we were on the Midway with the games and everything else she was fine. Once we got around the rides, that was the end of the trip.

DH was asking about ear plugs for her. Once I told him there is no way they would stay in her ears all day {she would pull them out} plus I would think if they stayed in a child's ear for along time that would hurt their hearing, wouldn't it?

I just keep getting this image in my head of her going nuts cause of noisey rides and her and I spending all of our time at the hotel. I know one thing that would keep her calm would be Cinderella. But I really don't think Cinderella is going to follow us around for our entire trip. Maybe if I Cindernap her, LOL!!! Just kidding!!!

Any advice would be apperciated!!
TIA!!!

 

[CrazedDisFan]

Your daughter is absolutely adorable!

To be honest, I don't remember any loud ride noise from any of the rides. My youngest dd is bothered by loud things also, although she was 6 last trip, but nothing bothered her. The music in the Animal Kingdom parade is louder than any other parade, in my opinion. You may wish to sit a little farther off the path for that parade, if you watch.

 

[disneysteve]

I really can't think of any rides that are particularly loud. As you cross the bridge in Frontierland, you will hear folks screaming from Splash Mountain, but the ride itself isn't noisy. Back by Big Thunder, its not that bad since the ride is not right by the walkway.

In Epcot, you can see/hear the cars whooshing by when you are outside of Test Track.

 

[CEDmom]

Your DD is such a cutie pie . My DD also doesn't like noise. She has to cover her ears in a public bathroom because of the noise. She wasn't bothered at either WDW or DL last year and she has been bothered at carnivals. There are plently of quiet out of the way places in the parks if she starts to get overloaded. I'd just let her set the pace and you'll all be a lot happier.

Have a great trip .

 

[HopperFan]

My son has Down Syndrome and since having a tumor removed from his ear last year is highly sensitive to noises. (he never liked certain pitches of noise anyway so this has made it worse).

He did absolutely fine in terms of all the rides. I can't think of one that he was afraid of. People screaming in close proximity was something else, but that is rare at DW.

There are disposable ear plugs (they gave us some at EPCOT first aid) that are soft and mold-able, that would be more comfortable in her ears. Can't hurt to try if you find you need it. I don't believe it will hurt her hearing at all.

Some of the shows are very loud in terms of volume of music etc. My son would hold his hands over his ears, but not miss watching the show.

BUT he did have a complete panic situation when Wishes fireworks started. They are the loudest I have ever heard, and we have gone to alot. If you want to see it, I would recommend you be a far away as possible and consider the ear plugs.

ps We keep a cd player with us at all times in case. We got this neat rubbery (like scuba diver material) cd holder that is like a fanny pack he can wear. Discovery Store $5)

 

[thelittlemermaid]

CrazedDisFan...Thank you so much!!! She has truely been my angel since she was born, literally. Let me explain. Before finding out that I was pg with her my grandpa commited suicide. Then 3 months after having her, I lost my mom to Cystic Fibrosis. If it hadn't been for DD and knowing that she needs me, I am sure I would not be here today.

Anyways, thank you for the replies from the both of you! I apperciate it more then you will ever know. We have been planning this trip to get away cause of all the heartbreaks that my family, especially me, have been through. And defintaly want to see WDW as a family. Sure won't be a family trip if half of the family always had to stay in the hotel room.

TA!!!

 

[thelittlemermaid]

HopperFan...
Thank you for your reply also!!
You just posted right before I did. LOL!!!

The fireworks are another thing we have to worry about. But I have a feeling by the time they go off, DD and I will be back at the hotel cause she will be tired {more then likely I will be to LOL!!}

If she happens to be wide awake around the time for the fireworks, I will defintaly be going to the First Aid center for some or see if I can find some little enough for her ears before leaving.

TA!!!

 

[HopperFan]

Sounds like she was given to you for very good reason ! You need each other !

My Down Syndrome son is now 20 and his favorite place in the entire world is WDW. He lives for each trip. He is treated like royalty there !

I think you will have a magical trip !

 

[thelittlemermaid]

CEDmom...A big thank you to you also!!! Your DD is a cutie also!!

My DS saw the new pic of her in the pool and just loves her "Littlefoot" floation device. LOL!!! I'm pretty sure that was the name he called it. LOL!!!!

 

[Lollipop Mom]

My son is particularly sensitive to loud noises too. He had no problem with anything at WDW. He didn't like the Tomorrowland Speedway cars much b/c he said they were too loud but they weren't loud enough to upset him, just loud enough not to want to do it again if that makes sense.

We did ear plugs for the fireworks and he was fine with that (he's 4 though so he is older and we could explain that the earplugs would make the "booms" softer and he could have a lollipop during the show...which makes everything better ). One thing that is loud enough to upset some kids in Fantasmic at MGM. Just a warning.

In my pre stay at hom mom days I was an audiologist. I can tell you that no, wearing earplugs even all day will not cause any problems with their hearing. I can't imagine that she would need them all day but if she did it won't cause a problem. They just turn the volume down overall so she should still be able to hear you without you yelling. Just make sure you get her attention and speak to her from right in front of her and she would more than likely be able to hear you even with them in.

One type of earplug that is GREAT for little ones are the Doc Martin's. They almost feel like very soft moldable wax. You can pinch off just a little bit and mold it into her ear. You can make it so it fits flat and won't be easy for her to remove. Because you mold them to her ear they are more comfortable than trying to use adult plugs in her ears.

 

[jcemom]

You'll have a terrific time! There is almost no "ride noise" at all, nothing like a County Fair or Carnival at all! Most of the rides are indoors, and the ones that aren't are spaced apart far enough that noise isn't an issue at all. (Of course, ON the rides it can be an issue.)

Just wait until you see the look on your DD's face! (She's adorable, by the way!) A suggestion for the fireworks may be watching them from the Polynesian...somewhere a bit "removed" so that they aren't loud.

 

[HopperFan]

I just picked up some of the ear plugs similar to what I got at Disney at Walmart.

Called "Hearos", a pack of 16 "Ear Filters" plus a carrying case was $3.26. You roll them in your finger until a thin cylinder, then put in hear, hold it and it bounces back in shape to fit the ear. Much more comfortable than those plastic things.

Website is www.hearos.com

 

[campingcorgi]

We have a noise-sensitive 4 year old and after a search on the internet this is what we got:

http://www.sensorycomfort.com/noise.htm

We just carry these along and when she needs them she lets us know! We've used them in the line for Pooh and in many rides and shows and always for fireworks and parades.

Your daughter is probably too young for this yet but you may want to keep them in mind if you still need something when she is a little older. We've been using these for about a year now and it really helps us all enjoy WDW!

 

[Jacksmom99]

My son doesn't like loud noises, but loves rides. Last year however, he refused Goofy's barnstormer and the Test Track because of the noise outside while waiting in line. (he had been on both rides the year before at age 3) I would caution you not to walk near the Test Track with her, the cars zooming above are loud to those who don't like loud noises and little ones can't tell where the noise is coming from. Goofy's barnstormer was a problem while we were waiting in line for it b/c the track goes right over the line. It is VERY loud. If the rest of the family wants to go on, I'd suggest not waiting with them and taking her over to the judges test to meet the characters! Also, some of the shows are very loud as stated by other posters. We are going to bring ear plugs for DS this year who has agreed to wear them so that he can enjoy his rides again!

 

[moinab]

A great place to watch Wishes with little ones that are sleepy and/or noise sensitive is from the TTC. We discovered that if you stand near the ticket kiosks, you can see the fireworks and hear the soundtrack. Of course, it's not the same as being in the park, but it's a great option for those of us who, for one reason or another, can't watch from inside the park. This is best if you are staying offsite, because as soon as it's over, you can hop right on a tram and beat the crowd out. If you are staying onsite, I believe watching from the Poly beach is another option, as a PP mentioned.

I'll second the warning about Test Track. The zooming cars spook my kids, too.

 

[CindyAnn]

Both of my children hate loud noises, but both of them rejected the earplugs I had so thoughtfully provided on our WDW trips, too. Actually, during our first trip with children (DS was 2 1/2) I was amazed at how loud everything was, when I considered it from his point of view. However, on a noisy ride he was perfectly happy if he leaned his head against us, blocking one ear while we covered the other with our hands.

DD is especially bothered by the noisy automatic Disney toilets that flush when you least expect it. The first time one flushed while she was sitting on it she pretty much launched into orbit. I take a pad of post-it notes with me and use one to cover the flashing light while the toilet is in use, and then take the note off after she's left the cubicle. I can't begin to tell you how much easier it is to have the post-it note rather than crouch over the toilet in an awkward position covering it with my hand. Even now that she's 8, that will be one of the first things on our packing list.

Hope you and your DD have a wonderful trip!

 

[ahutton]

Our DDs hate loud noises too. Here are where we had problems in June.

In MGM - Little Mermaid - there are some very loud sections and that combined with the special effects really stressed out my 2 year old. We know about this going in, she sat in my lap, one ear to me, and I covered the other in the loud parts. Indiana Jones has a couple loud explosions but we told them ahead of time and they were okay.

In EPCOT - Imagination ride - there is a section towards the end where the lights go out and there is a boom sound - neither girl liked it. It startled me too.

In MK - entering into Liberty Square - if the Riverboat is right there and the horn blows it is very loud. The train whistle can be loud at the edges of the parks.

I've heard all the 3D movies are loud - we decided to skip them.

For a super quiet place in MK unless the train rolls through - there is a walkway between Tomorrowland and Toontown, shaded with benches and it is a nice place to let the kids unwind.

 

[flowerpower]

Your daughter is beautiful and I'm glad your family will be able to go to Disney.

My experience:

I started going with my mom and my daughter back in 2000 when my daughter was 4 yo. I was not prepared for how many attractions we would have to leave because my daughter was so sensitive to the loud noise and freaked out (she had never had this happen before).

The next year I tried two different types of earplugs with minimal success. Finally in 2002, I bought a pair of headphones, that construction workers use,at Lowe's and it turned out to be the best $20 I ever spent!! As she has grown older she is using them less, but she experienced rides and attractions she would never stay in before!! Last year, we got to see the MK fireworks and Fantasmic and she was so happy that she finally got to see them!! I hope you make out with whatever you decide to use.

Have a great trip!!

[Just as an aside, my 49 yo S-I-L has Down Syndrome and her favorite place to go in the world is the MAGIC KINGDOM!! In act, she's going back in September (only she doesn't know quite yet.)}