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

[smartlabelprint]

We go to Disneyland. When my kids are 3&4, last time in the parks, they could only handle 3 hours, then a long hotel break and about 2 hours in the evening.

Now at 6&7 I’m hoping they can handle 5-6 hours and that will be our entire day but not back and forth to the hotel.

So, yes you’ll need a break for sure. At 10 he may be able to handle more time in the park.
Also, we couldn’t go without the DAS. But it will only work for the person and 5 others so that could be hard in your group. His parents may decide it’s a necessity and separate from you all a bit.

 

[Neverbeast]

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.

Our family will be a party of 11 with 5 very loud kids ourselves so… he might need to take a break from US!

 

[Neverbeast]

We go to Disneyland. When my kids are 3&4, last time in the parks, they could only handle 3 hours, then a long hotel break.

Now at 6&7 I’m hoping they can handle 5-6 hours and that will be our entire day but not back and forth to the hotel.

So, yes you’ll need a break for sure. At 10 he may be able to handle more time in the park.
Also, we couldn’t go without the DAS. But it will only work for the person and 5 others so that could be hard in your group. His parents may decide it’s a necessity and separate from you all a bit.

That would be totally fine. I just want to set them up for a happy first time trip, but with a group as large as ours with so many ages and wish lists, splitting up will be essential anyway. I was hoping we could do one TS meal and one special ride all together mid-day, and assumed everyone would need to be in smaller groups most of the rest of the day. Thought we could do fireworks but that seem like it won’t be a good plan (which is fine!)

We do have two rest days planned too for the kids to just swim together and play games at the hotel.

I’ll have his mom look at the DAS. If the queues are really loud that might make a big difference for him to not wait in them for long times.

 

[AprilsZoo]

For specific times, like the fireworks, you could also use the foam earplugs topped with the over-the-ear protectors. Also useful if he’s really looking forward to a ride that people have said is very loud, like Dinosaur.

In most instances, you could probably have him start with the “ear marshmallows”, as I call them, and then if needed add the others as well. There’s only a few rides that would totally not work for… RRnC comes to mind.

If you anticipate letting him take them off and on for himself, I’d recommend looking at some of the many mask lanyards out there (look for a breakaway type for kids) and try to work something out to help him keep from accidentally losing them on a ride. Looping the lanyard end around part of the earphones and clipping it back to itself might be one option.

(Just thinking of Dinosaur again, for example… if he starts the ride with the earphones around his neck and decides he wants to wear them after the ride starts, the way the ride vehicle moves is erratic, and he could accidentally lose his grip and drop them. With a cord/lanyard, he wouldn’t completely lose them.)

I don’t think you need to totally write off seeing the fireworks in the park… just come up with a plan to dull the worst of the sharp percussion noise they make.

 

[gap2368]

For specific times, like the fireworks, you could also use the foam earplugs topped with the over-the-ear protectors. Also useful if he’s really looking forward to a ride that people have said is very loud, like Dinosaur.

In most instances, you could probably have him start with the “ear marshmallows”, as I call them, and then if needed add the others as well. There’s only a few rides that would totally not work for… RRnC comes to mind.

If you anticipate letting him take them off and on for himself, I’d recommend looking at some of the many mask lanyards out there (look for a breakaway type for kids) and try to work something out to help him keep from accidentally losing them on a ride. Looping the lanyard end around part of the earphones and clipping it back to itself might be one option.

(Just thinking of Dinosaur again, for example… if he starts the ride with the earphones around his neck and decides he wants to wear them after the ride starts, the way the ride vehicle moves is erratic, and he could accidentally lose his grip and drop them. With a cord/lanyard, he wouldn’t completely lose them.)

I don’t think you need to totally write off seeing the fireworks in the park… just come up with a plan to dull the worst of the sharp percussion noise they make.

You can have over the ear protector on rock n roller coaster. I do it all the time

 

[AprilsZoo]

You can have over the ear protector on rock n roller coaster. I do it all the time

No, I was talking about deciding to don them after the ride has begun.

I think between the restraint, and the forces involved during the ride, it would be very hard even for someone familiar and practiced at donning & doffing the ear muffs to do so after launch. For a 10 y.o., still new to wearing them, it would be next to impossible. Of course, kids surprise us all the time, so I suppose it’s always possible .

 

[Neverbeast]

This is a kid I once watched spend 20 minutes stacking kitchen chairs to reach donuts on the top of the fridge… Given the right motivation I’m sure he could figure out almost anything but he’d be very anxious in that scenario so I know he’d choose to put them on before.

(I didn’t let him CLIMB the chairs I just let it go to see what he would build! I’m a good auntie I swear )

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

I have sensory processing issues as well- I wear etymotic earplugs when at Disney (you can get them on Amazon). They muffle out background noise from the crowds and constant background music but I can still hear someone talking next to me. When I know I will be around fireworks I have ClearArmor Shooters Earmuffs that I use.

 

[ttintagel]

So jealous of y’all who can wear earplugs. I’ve tried a million different kinds and never found any that weren’t so painful to wear that it was worse than the noise I was trying to block out.

 

[mamabunny]

So jealous of y’all who can wear earplugs. I’ve tried a million different kinds and never found any that weren’t so painful to wear that it was worse than the noise I was trying to block out.

Me too. I can't wear anything that goes in-ear; not even AirPods. I have to go on-ear only, and even then if they are too heavy, or clamp too strongly on my ears, I can't tolerate them.

 

[DisneyOma]

Me too. I can't wear anything that goes in-ear; not even AirPods. I have to go on-ear only, and even then if they are too heavy, or clamp too strongly on my ears, I can't tolerate them.

Found out the hard way that I don't tolerate the over the ear covers - had to have a breast MRI done, they put the earplugs and the headset on me (?!?) and had me lie face down. Less than 5 seconds in, worst panic attack I've ever had, squeezed the emergency button, and whacked my head on the top of the tube as I leaped out of there.

OP, I'd try a range of noise reducing apparatus, before the trip!

 

[Neverbeast]

Found out the hard way that I don't tolerate the over the ear covers - had to have a breast MRI done, they put the earplugs and the headset on me (?!?) and had me lie face down. Less than 5 seconds in, worst panic attack I've ever had, squeezed the emergency button, and whacked my head on the top of the tube as I leaped out of there.

OP, I'd try a range of noise reducing apparatus, before the trip!

Oh no! How horrible for you. What a mix of all the worst feelings at once.

I got three of the products suggested here so he can try them during various experiences in summer before the trip to se e what feels right.

 

[Jax5280]

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?

Almost all over-the-ear headphones will work well enough. I would expect to pay $50 for an OKish decent pair. But if your nephew needs to block out most sound, you'll need true noise-cancelling headphones.

Fireworks are overwhelming, period. The shows are really stimulating - not just the fireworks sounds, but kids in glow sticks, kids with light-up toys, kids crying, lots of other humans crowding around you...it's a lot to handle.

If your family doesn't want to go back to the hotel during fireworks, they can always move to a different part of the park and catch a ride that will now have a shorter wait time b/c people are watching the show.

The only time I ever liked fireworks is when I was on a rollercoaster. Other than that, I could happily do without!

 

[Jax5280]

One more thing: With either type of headphones (earbuds or over-the-ear muffs), you run the risk of injury while on a ride. If your nephew is ten, they might be more likely to whack their head on the side of the seat/restraint. Keep that in mind.