Sensory processing/loud noise sensitive kid. What should we avoid?

[Neverbeast]

Has anyone successfully done fireworks with that issue? I wondered if rose and crown or splurging for a seats and treats might make it possible, but maybe we just need to plan to get out of the park before they start.

 

[What-r-ya Goofy?]

MMRR is very loud. You wouldn't expect it to be, but I find it to be excessively loud.

 

[SueM in MN]

My son has sensory issues. DINOSAUR at Animal Kingdom was very loud and scary for him.

DINOSAUR at AK is loud and scary for some people who don’t have sensory issues!
Besides being loud, it’s dark, then suddenly something pops out

Has anyone successfully done fireworks with that issue? I wondered if rose and crown or splurging for a seats and treats might make it possible, but maybe we just need to plan to get out of the park before they start.

For EPCOT, I’ve suggested watching from the area in front of the Odyssey (the building First Aid and Baby Care is in, circled in Magenta in the screenshot). There are pathways in front of the building that are usually not busy during the fireworks. If it gets to be too much, you can duck into the men’s or ladies’ restrooms or First Aid. If you decide to leave before the fireworks, you can go out by TestTrack.

The majority of people leave after the fireworks using the bigger main bridge in the middle of the screenshot. We always just hang out and let the crowd get ahead of us.

 

[Neverbeast]

DINOSAUR at AK is loud and scary for some people who don’t have sensory issues!
Besides being loud, it’s dark, then suddenly something pops out

For EPCOT, I’ve suggested watching from the area in front of the Odyssey (the building First Aid and Baby Care is in, circled in Magenta in the screenshot). There are pathways in front of the building that are usually not busy during the fireworks. If it gets to be too much, you can duck into the men’s or ladies’ restrooms or First Aid. If you decide to leave before the fireworks, you can go out by TestTrack.

The majority of people leave after the fireworks using the bigger main bridge in the middle of the screenshot. We always just hang out and let the crowd get ahead of us.View attachment 658289

This is good, we were hoping to stay for Extra evening hours as get on frozen after harmonious so that location would work if he can make it. Are they a little quieter back there or is it just more options for if he needs to make a quick escape from the noise?

 

[Ltfightr]

We just got back and my DS has sensory/noise issues. Someone (I think from here) recommended these:
Amazon.com: Loop Quiet Noise Reduction Earplugs – Super Soft, Reusable Hearing Protection in Flexible Silicone for Sleep, Noise Sensitivity & Flights - 8 Ear Tips in XS/S/M/L – 27dB Noise Cancelling – Black : Health & Household

They worked amazing!

 

[Cheburashka]

Going in a large family trip (11 people total) and one nephew has sensory processing issues, mostly with loud noises.
His parents are thinking to just skip the fireworks, maybe try them from the Poly beach… but I wonder if anyone has experience with good sound buffer headphones.

Also, what else should we plan for or avoid to help him have a good trip and not get ambushed by a day-ruiner? Any rides to avoid?

Yes, I have sound sensitivity, and will tell you that WDW can be difficult with that. It's a loud place. Even the background music can be loud. The pools at the resorts sometimes play loud music. Definitely skip the fireworks. Watching them from a nearby resort is the best option, especially if it's a balcony where he can go inside if it's too loud even there.

Extremely loud attractions (definitely avoid):
Fireworks
Rock'n'Roller Coaster
Rise of the Resistance
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway

Other attractions can be loud at times, but the ones above are ones I can recall from recent trips being actually painful at times due to the level of sound.

The old-fashioned roller coaster rides are better, but those are loud, too. Good headphones or earplugs are a must in the parks if you have sound sensitivity.

 

[RoseGold]

Has anyone successfully done fireworks with that issue? I wondered if rose and crown or splurging for a seats and treats might make it possible, but maybe we just need to plan to get out of the park before they start.

Rose and Crown is LOUD because it's still really close (and impossible to book!). You need some good headphones, or you need to skip it. You know your kid better than we do.

 

[sheilafri]

I would recommend the foam ear plugs sold in pharmacies. They are less likely to fly during a ride than headphones and if you do lose them, you have a whole pack of replacements. I always carry some in my purse for my child who is sensitive to noise. Recently, I ended up using them for my other child who found all the rides at Universal to be too loud for his liking. They worked well. I wouldn't avoid a ride or attraction due to the noise. I would just wear the ear plugs. The one ride that gets me every time is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The screeching bats hurt my ears as you're going up the hill. I think the haunted mansion can be loud because the speaker is right by your ear. May be less of an issue if your child is short.

The clack of the trains going up any hill at BTMRR makes me plug my ears every time and I don’t really have a sensory issue. Start with the guide, look for alleys, maybe the shut down RR stations are quieter than usual. I would at least have a Plan B to leave the parks for a few hours to get away from the constant stimulation.

 

[mistysue]

This can vary by personality, but my son is very sensitive to noise and when things are loud he needs to ignore other input to help himself, so the most useful thing we've done was put him in a larger stroller, or last time we did a wheelchair.

Then when it was loud/chaotic, he could sit and ignore the world while we pushed him to a better place. Much easier than trying to guide a kid who is closing his eyes and covering his ears.

Another point to consider, if he turns out to be a fan of noise cancellation- you can actually miss a TON of what you are supposed to pick up in that process. Disney rents out a hearing assistance text device at the front of each park. It can have headphones and speak, but my son uses it in text mode so he can read along with rides. Just something to keep in mind if he starts missing things from blocking sound too much.

 

[SueM in MN]

MMRR is very loud. You wouldn't expect it to be, but I find it to be excessively loud.

Especially the last part - there Is a very loud pounding part where it looks like your train will be going under a huge stamping machine.

This is good, we were hoping to stay for Extra evening hours as get on frozen after harmonious so that location would work if he can make it. Are they a little quieter back there or is it just more options for if he needs to make a quick escape from the noise?

It seems a little quieter to me, plus more options.

 

[Neverbeast]

You all are seriously the nicest, most helpful folks ever.

 

[RoseGold]

For Epcot aftehours, I’d plan to watch near first aid or maybe near Canada and go to soarin or Nemo if it’s too much. Frozen is right in the middle of the crowd and the noise. If you need to get out of it, it’s a long way on either side and it’s CROWDED. The soarin building and soarin would be quieter and easy to escape to. Figment was closed when we went after hours.

This is a worse spot to see the fireworks, but it's the right direction if you need to take cover from the noise.

 

[Neverbeast]

For Epcot aftehours, I’d plan to watch near first aid or maybe near Canada and go to soarin or Nemo if it’s too much. Frozen is right in the middle of the crowd and the noise. If you need to get out of it, it’s a long way on either side and it’s CROWDED. The soarin building and soarin would be quieter and easy to escape to. Figment was closed when we went after hours.

This is a worse spot to see the fireworks, but it's the right direction if you need to take cover from the noise.

Good point. Maybe we will bite the bullet and get G+ that day just to get frozen out of the way earlier in the day. He loves Norway (the country) for some reason, and is really excited to go to that pavilion so I want to make sure he gets that chance

 

[herdtoDisney]

My 7yo has autism and is VERY sensitive to sound. She actually did well at Garden Grill (once you are seated, it is not really loud) but would not set foot in the Crystal Palace. Fireworks are a total no-go for us.

She uses the over the ear Peltor ear protectors. With your nephew being older, he might be able to use in-ear protectors, I've seen ones called HamiltonBuhl Noise off that look more like small headphones (no idea how they feel).

What I do is, I keep the headphones in my bag and she can wear them whenever she feels the need. I do ask her if she gets 'the look' on her face like she's being overwhelmed. She can also remove them whenever she wants. I think the autonomy of that helps-your nephew could have a pair with him and just decide when needed. Also, have an adult prepared to leave an attraction/ride with him if it is going to be too much. This way a quick exit can be done if needed. Disney is very good at quickly and quietly exiting people when needed-we've done that a few times LOL the CM are really wonderful about it.

 

[toodycat]

Regarding fireworks, we've rented a boat and viewed them from the lagoon. It's pricey, but private and very pretty.

 

[Weedy]

Something else to keep in mind if he’s wearing ear protection he won’t be able to hear you!!
Make sure you talk about him staying close to you and if you’re in a busy area (parking lots) have him take the ear protection off.

 

[elvispursley]

When my then 2-yr son finally got tubes placed in his ears (fluid behind his ears for 1.5 yrs caused significant hearing issues and language delays) he was so sensitive to sounds. We had a trip to WDW planned and then his surgery popped up 1-wk before we left. We used silicone ear plugs that molded to his ears (also great for pool area). We popped them in for all attractions/shows as they all seem(ed) to be so loud! My oldest son at the time would wear them too as he was a very anxious kid. Really helped.

 

[Sirenitas]

My daughter does ok with rides, but for fireworks she needs her Peltor over the ears headset. She also likes to wear them on the plane - I think they help her with the pressure since she also likes to wear them when we drive at high altitudes. We live in the mountains and have to drive over passes which make her ears pop.

Peltor makes kid sizes and she has had them (different versions as she grows) since she was a toddler.

Any ride with an indoor queue will be pretty loud. I always carry her headset just in case.

 

[lilwendigirl]

Our DD wears her noise reduction headphones around the park and it helps immensely. It may sound “fine” to us but to them it can be overwhelming.

 

[Miffy]

Something not already mentioned here are the buses. It can be really loud on the bus, depending on how loud the incessant music is being played, how many people are on the bus, and how boisterous the people are. Just something else to consider.

BTW, the boat transportation is, de facto, loud. The boats run on noisy motors.

Monorail is generally quiet. Skyliner's also quiet.

And--cheer people, please forgive me--but cheer groups can be super loud. Try to stay clear of any large groups, with, say, 15+ people.