Steps for Preventing Theme Park Disasters

In the magical world of Disney World, a theme park visit can be an unforgettable experience for children. However, for those with sensory sensitivities, such as children with generalized anxiety disorder and sensory processing issues, the experience can be overwhelming and exhausting.

When Kari Hanson took her daughter, who has sensory issues, to Disney World for the first time when she was 9, she found herself navigating a minefield of crowds, long lines, loud rides, flashing lights, and food smells. To make the experience more enjoyable and less stressful for her daughter, Hanson employed a variety of strategies to manage sensory overload.

Strategies for managing sensory overload include careful planning, pacing, and creating calming breaks tailored to the child’s sensory profile.

Plan Rest Days: Incorporate at least one or two full rest days during a multi-day theme park visit to allow the child to unwind and process sensory experiences. Avoid overly busy schedules that reduce downtime.
Use Sensory Guides: Utilize resources like Disney’s Sensory Experience Guide, which details sensory elements such as lighting effects, loud noises, strong smells, darkness, and ride motions. This helps identify and avoid attractions that may trigger overload.
Choose Calmer Attractions: Alternate highly stimulating rides with less intense experiences such as gentle rides, walking trails, live shows, or quiet zones to help pace the day and provide sensory breaks.
Prepare with Visuals: Watching ride videos or virtual POVs ahead of time can reduce surprise and anxiety about specific sensory inputs.
Bring Sensory Tools: Noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses to reduce bright lights, or comfort items can help mitigate sensory input during overwhelming moments.
Select Less Crowded Times and Areas: Visit during off-peak hours or seek out quieter park sections to minimize crowds and noise, reducing sensory stress.
Establish Safe Spaces: Identify or create quiet zones or sensory break areas within the park where the child can retreat to calm down without leaving the park atmosphere entirely.
Incorporate Sensory-Friendly Activities: Include calming activities like water play, tactile sensory bins, or creative projects during downtime or outside the park to balance sensory load and maintain engagement.
Educate and Communicate: Explain what to expect in simple terms or social stories, and communicate with park staff about your child’s needs to access accommodations or assistance as needed.

Combining these strategies can help manage sensory overload effectively, making a theme park visit more enjoyable and less stressful for children with sensory sensitivities.

In addition to these strategies, Hanson found that staying at a hotel on-site or nearby can provide a refuge during the day, especially when the crowds thin in the evening. Taking a break during the afternoon to play in a hotel pool can help manage sensory overload as well. It's also important to bring lightweight snacks and an empty bottle for water refills during the day to stay hydrated and fed.

Preparing the child by talking about what to expect, planning an exit strategy, and reminding them of the plan upon entering the park can also help manage sensory overload. Leaving the park past the child's bedtime can result in a feeling of success and a big smile. Some rides may splash water on people as they pass by, so it's essential to dress accordingly.

The theme park experience can be overwhelming, especially for young children or those with sensory-related issues. However, with careful planning and the right strategies, it can be a magical and memorable experience for all.

[1] Sensory Friendly Disney World: Tips for Navigating Theme Parks with Sensory Sensitivities. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/learning-and-thinking/articles/sensory-friendly-disney-world-tips-for-navigating-theme-parks-with-sensory-sensitivities

[2] Navigating Theme Parks with Sensory Issues: A Parent’s Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/navigating-theme-parks-with-sensory-issues-a-parents-guide/

[3] Sensory-Friendly Activities for Kids: 20 Fun Ideas to Keep Them Engaged and Calm. (2020, March 18). Retrieved from https://www.verywellfamily.com/sensory-friendly-activities-for-kids-4159665

[4] Sensory Integration and Processing Disorder: Strategies for Managing Sensory Overload. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/learning-and-thinking/child-learning-disabilities/sensory-processing-issues/sensory-integration-and-processing-disorder-strategies-for-managing-sensory-overload

By incorporating rest days and planning for calming breaks catered to their child's sensory profile, parents can help mitigate the stress of theme park visits for kids with sensory sensitivities.
Utilizing sensory guides, such as Disney's Sensory Experience Guide, can help families avoid attractions that may trigger overload and better manage sensory input for their kids.
For a more enjoyable and less overwhelming theme park experience, families can opt for calmer attractions, like gentle rides and live shows, and alternate them with more stimulating experiences to create a balanced day.
Preparing kids with sensory sensitivities for the theme park visit by talking about what to expect, creating an exit strategy, and bringing sensory tools like noise-canceling headphones can help minimize stress and anxiety during the visit.
Addressing the unique needs of children with sensory sensitivities and discussing accommodations with park staff can ensure a better overall experience for the whole family during a theme park visit, focusing on health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and lifestyle considerations.