Do you have a family member who has a fear of fireworks, AND you’re headed to Disney World? Let’s talk about 3 ways you can manage fear of fireworks at Disney World!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
Being scared of fireworks isn’t uncommon at all. In fact, I would say the majority of highly sensitive, sensory sensitive, and anxious kids have been fearful of fireworks at some point in their lives. The loud popping noises. The bright colors across the sky. The rumble of the “boom” that you feel in your body. Lots of hazy smoke and the smell that might come from it. So many people crowded together. All of this can be sensory overload for ANYONE. But it can be even more so for those who are already sensitive and anxious to begin with.
Our Personal Experience with Fear of Fireworks at Disney
My firstborn at the Magic Kingdom fireworks show sitting in the stroller with her noise canceling headphones on.
We’ve dealt with this in our own family as my firstborn was VERY afraid of fireworks. 4th of July was an issue every year because of all the explosions we could hear in our neighborhood.
During our first ever trip to Disney World when she was 4.5 years old, we didn’t do any nighttime shows. We were that family that was racing out of the park before the fireworks started, while the crowds poured in to stake out their ideal spot.
When she was 5 years old, we did our first stay at Disney World as DVC members and we splurged our points to stay at Bay Lake Tower of the Contemporary Resort. We got to watch the fireworks from the comfort of our hotel room
At almost 6 years old, I was able to convince her to try sticking around the park for Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After. She was reluctant but tolerated the experience by hiding out in our double stroller with the canopy covering her while wearing noise canceling headphones. I didn’t pressure her, but she decided to crawl out during the last few minutes and caught the finale of the show.
After not returning to Walt Disney World for several years due to the pandemic, we finally got to visit again in 2022 when she was 8.5 years old. We watched the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the hub. And she did it too—with no tears, no meltdown, and she didn’t even ask for her noise canceling headphones!
Will this be the outcome for every child? No, because everyone is different and we can’t expect every child to outgrow their fears! But I share this story to validate your very real struggle. And to give light to the possibility that your sensitive kids could be able to tolerate or even enjoy something that was once hard for them.
Before we get into the 3 ways you can manage fear of fireworks at Disney World, let’s overview what to expect in terms of fireworks and nighttime shows at each of the Disney World theme parks.
The iconic image of fireworks bursting behind the castle is always associated with what people think of as “Disney”. And Magic Kingdom is exactly where you’ll find it. Magic Kingdom has a nightly fireworks show that also includes projections on Cinderella Castle and down Main Street U.S.A.
Disney’s Enchantment will be running until April 2, 2023. After that, it will transition back to a revamped version of Happily Ever After. There are also special firework shows during holiday specific ticketed parties (Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party).
There are a few instances of daytime fireworks to be mindful as well, which isn’t mentioned often enough! The opening show in front of the castle is called Let the Magic Begin. Guests are allowed to enter the park and gather in front of the castle one hour before opening. At the end of this short and adorable show (featuring Mickey!), there will be a little pop of fireworks to signal the start of the day!
There is also a stage show called Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire which runs several times a day. It features many of your favorite Disney characters with lots of songs and dance. Again, this show ends with a small blast of fireworks. Nothing extensive by any means. But if you have someone in your travel party who is scared of fireworks, make sure to be aware of all these shows that involve fireworks.
EPCOT Fireworks
EPCOT has a nightly fireworks show, which is displayed on the water in the World Showcase section of the park. The show Harmonius will run until April 2, 2023. They will then bring back EPCOT Forever for a limited time while Imagineers work on a more permanent show. There are no other times when fireworks are used throughout the day.
Hollywood Studios Fireworks
There are two nighttime fireworks/projection shows at Hollywood Studios. The first is Fantasmic! which you can find at the very end of Sunset Boulevard. This nighttime spectacular takes place in an open air theater with limited seats. The shorter and lesser known show is the the Wonderful World of Imagination, which involves projections and fireworks in front of the Chinese Theater.
Animal Kingdom Fireworks
Animal Kingdom Theme Park
The ONLY Disney theme park where you won’t experience any fireworks is Animal Kingdom. Due to the numerous animals who call Animal Kingdom home, Disney makes sure to protect and ensure their well-being. And this means no loud explosions to startle them at night!
There is a nighttime projection show on the Tree of Life every night, and the land of Pandora also lights up beautifully. But there will be no colorful booms across the sky here, and it’s unlikely for that to ever change.
So now that we know about where you’ll find fireworks throughout Disney World, let’s get into the nitty gritty of HOW we can help manage the fear of fireworks for our sensitive and anxious children (or adult family members too!).
So how about we shift the emphasis for once? Let’s make it all about the Disney-loving moms and giving them a gift they truly deserve!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information
Are you on the hunt for practical gifts for sensitive or anxious kids going to Disney World? Or do you know of Disney World-bound families who have sensitive or anxious kids? Going to Disney World with sensitive or anxious children can be a little challenging, and often requires extra planning. But it’s totally doable to make their trip magical as possible by preparing for those sensory overload meltdowns as best you can!
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
Whether it’s for your own family, or a family that you know, here are some practical gift ideas for families headed to Disney World!
Gifts for Sensitive Kids to Use at Home Before Your Disney Trip
There are lots of awesome gift ideas for highly sensitive, anxious, or sensory sensitive kids that they can use BEFORE they ever step foot into a Disney park. It is usually helpful for kids to get a sense of what they’re getting themselves into before their vacation to Disney World.
Have you ever thought to yourself, what should I say (or NOT say) to my highly sensitive child at Disney World?
You’ve planned all the details of your Disney World trip with your highly sensitive child. You’ve decided which rides to avoid or try, packed familiar snacks and drinks, brought loveys and noise canceling headphones… you completed all the prep work and research. As a parent of a sensitive or anxious child, you already know that winging it is not an option. But then the inevitable happens. Your child loses it, starts screaming and crying, and you’re in the middle of a sensory overload meltdown.
I have totally been there. It is overwhelming and tough as a parent to ride out these meltdowns. There’s a sense of helplessness and feeling out of control when your child can’t seem to calm down and self-regulate no matter what you do. There’s an added layer of pressure when you feel like there are judgmental eyes of others at Disney World, and you have high expectations of your child to enjoy their time while on vacation.
What can you say to your sensitive or anxious child at Disney World?
So, what are some things you could say to your sensitive, anxious, sensory child during a meltdown at Disney World? And what are some things we can say to them so it doesn’t add to their sensory overload? The things we say won’t stop the meltdown in its tracks, but there are definitely some helpful and not-so-helpful ways to respond. We can think of this as trying to not add more fuel to the fire, even though we might need to still wait to let the fire fully burn out 😉
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
Meltdowns vs. Tantrums
First, let’s make sure we understand the difference between meltdowns and tantrums. Tantrums usually occur in young children who don’t have the language ability to express themselves to get what they want. It’s very much driven by a want or a goal, and the child often has some control over their behavior. Tantrums usually stop once the child gets what they want.
Meltdowns, on the other hand, is a reaction to feeling overwhelmed. For highly sensitive, anxious, or sensory kids, a meltdown can happen when their brain is overstimulated by trying to process too much information. It seems to trigger a fight-or-flight response, and the child’s behavior is out of their control. The meltdown only stops once there’s a reduction in sensory input or if they’ve completely worn themselves out.
What we, as parents, say or don’t say won’t necessarily stop the meltdown. But there are things that we can say that will help prevent it from escalating further. And it all starts with empathy and practicing self-regulation for ourselves.
Here is a list of 10 things NOT to say to your highly sensitive or anxious child at Disney World, and what you could try saying instead. Say this, not that!
1. Don’t say: “It’s NOT scary!”
Oof, I have totally been guilty of saying this. Sometimes my children react with fear to things that seem like no big deal to me. But my experience is not their own. Something that is fun to one child may be super scary to another.
For example, “it’s a small world” at Disney World might be really fun for one child who loves slow boat rides, dancing dolls, and music. But if a child has a fear of dolls (which is not entirely uncommon!) and reacts poorly to constant auditory stimulation, they could be scared of this ride. It’s really important to not deny their own experiences, but instead, validate them. They need to know that it’s okay to feel scared, and that you are their safe space.
Say this instead: “I can see this is scary for you. You are safe with me.”
2. Don’t say: “You’re OKAY.”
I find that so many parents, including myself, say this as a way to reassure their children. If you see a toddler running and take a tumble, you’ll often see the parent go pick up their child and say “you’re okay!”. And while most parents say this with good intentions, this might make kids feel like their feelings and experiences are being brushed off. So, if your sensitive child starts to freak out during a Disney fireworks show, DON’T say “you’re okay!” Their body and brain is telling them otherwise. Instead, name the feeling or experience, and reassure them that you’re there to help them.
Say this instead: “That was [loud/fast/uncomfortable, etc – name the feeling], I’m here for you”.
3. Don’t say: “Calm down.”
When has your child ever calmed down by being TOLD to calm down?! Never. Yet we find ourselves saying this all the time when our kids start to show intense and heightened emotions or behaviors. If your highly sensitive child has a meltdown due to being around the crowds, Florida humidity, noise, and smells of being at Disney World without a break, the last thing we want to say is “calm down”.
At this point, their sensory system is on overload and they cannot control their behavior or feelings. At the height of their meltdown, it’s impossible for them to just simply will themselves to stop and calm down. Instead, we as the parents need to exhibit the calm and let them know it’s normal to feel upset or overwhelmed, especially in an overstimulating environment.
Say this instead: “It’s okay to be upset or overwhelmed. It’s good to let it out. Let’s find a quiet space.”
4. Don’t say: “It’s not a big deal.”
Another thing we shouldn’t say to our sensitive or anxious children at Disney World is “it’s not a big deal”. Again, this is another way we end up minimizing our child’s feelings and experiences. If they end up dripping their Mickey ice cream bar all over their clothes and the sticky mess is the tipping point for their sensory overload, it DOES feel like a big deal for them.
Say this instead: “I understand you’re overwhelmed. This feels hard for you.”
5. Don’t say: “Stop whining!”
The whining and screaming that accompanies meltdowns can be really difficult for parents to handle. It can feel really triggering for us. All we want is for it to stop… for me, I’ve realized that I feel responsibility for my children’s happiness (or subsequent, unhappiness). There’s a part of me that feels like if I can’t make my child happy, then I’m not doing my job right. As if their unhappiness is a reflection of who I am as a parent. It is totally an unhealthy mindset, but it’s helpful for me to be aware of why the whining and meltdowns feel like a trigger to me. Whatever YOUR reason is, telling them to simply stop whining won’t do anything at all, and might just escalate the meltdown.
Instead, try acknowledging that they’re having a hard time. If they’re older and more verbal, you can also try asking how you can help them in that moment. They might not have an answer for you, especially if they’re already in an emotional state, but at least they know you are on their team and want to help them.
Say this instead: “It sounds like you’re having a really hard time with ____. How can I help you?”
6. Don’t say: “Don’t worry.”
If it’s your family’s first visit to Disney World, all these experiences will be so new and unfamiliar to your sensitive or anxious children. With highly sensitive or anxious kids, anything new and unpredictable can feel overwhelming. It’s very likely they’ll feel nervous or worried about some of the rides, sleeping in a new hotel, riding new kinds of transportation, or being around crowds. Even if you do all the prep work beforehand, it’s still not the same as actually experiencing it in real life. As parents, we often resort to saying “don’t worry” as a way to try to reassure our child when they are anxious or scared. But it’s really not helpful. It’s important to demonstrate empathy and validate their feelings. Let them know you want to support them.
Say this instead: “I can see this makes you feel nervous. I’m here for you.”
7. Don’t say: “Why are you crying?!”
Crying, screaming, flailing, and hitting can be pretty typical behaviors during a meltdown. They can’t help the behaviors and they’re no longer in a place where they can be rational or capable of logical thinking. By saying “why are you crying?”, it could feel like we’re implying that there’s something wrong with the behavior in itself. For your highly sensitive child, it could feel like an aggressive line of questioning and raise their defenses. And therefore, make them feel more alone in their feelings. It can feel frustrating when you don’t know what caused the meltdown or how to stop it, but try not to take their behavior personally. It could be challenging for them to verbally express what is going on in their minds and bodies, especially for younger or less verbal children. But let them know you want to help and understand.
Say this instead: “I can hear you crying but don’t know what you need. Can you help me understand?” OR “Can I give you a hug?” “Can I help you take a break?”
8. Don’t say: “You need a time out!“
You’re at the Disney World and your highly sensitive child’s behavior is leaving you feeling drained and upset. You feel like they’re ungrateful and unappreciative of you bringing them to the “most magical place on earth”. When those feelings of resentment and frustration bubble up, it is so easy to want to punish your child! Maybe time outs work for your family. But time outs can make your sensitive child feel shamed and alone, and further escalate the meltdown.
Instead, suggest taking a break together. Kids have different preferences, so some might do better taking a cuddle break to reconnect. Other kids might benefit from some space for themselves if they are overstimulated. But make sure to frame it in a way where they are not being punished and isolated because of their behaviors. Find a quiet space in the park. Grab a drink or snack. Let them wear noise-canceling headphones. Give them a familiar comfort item, a favorite book, or listen to calming music. The goal is to remove them from intolerable sensory input and instead provide calming sensory input.
Say this instead: Let’s take a break.
9. Don’t say: “Aren’t you excited to _____?”
There isn’t anything inherently wrong with asking your children if they are excited to do something, especially at a place like Disney World. But for highly sensitive or anxious kids, this could feel like a loaded question that is associated with pressure and expectations from the parent. Sometimes we do ask this question with the hopes that our child will respond positively, without realizing it. They might feel like it’s NOT okay for them to be nervous or scared about something their parent thinks they should be excited about.
For example, you might say “aren’t you excited to go on the Frozen ride?” because you know they love the Frozen movie soundtrack. But maybe the dark queue makes them nervous. And if it’s their first time, maybe they are scared because they don’t know what to expect. Asking “aren’t you excited…?” makes the child feel like they are supposed to be excited. These feelings could add to the overwhelm of your highly sensitive or anxious child, when their brains are already so busy processing everything else going on. Try keeping it more neutral by saying “let’s try this!”
I have to be honest: a family vacation to Disney World isn’t always the most relaxing. It’s likely you’ll find yourselves rushing to get ready in the mornings, rushing to catch the next Disney bus, rushing to your next dining reservation, and rushing to the next ride or show. We sometimes make the mistake of thinking that the MORE we do, the better our trip is. So. Not. True. Shuttling our sensitive kids around all day long at Disney World actually makes it a more stressful vacation.
One of the traits of being highly sensitive is depth of processing, which means these kiddos take their sweet time processing and trying to understand what’s going on around them. There is a lot to take in as it is, without being constantly told to hurry up. Instead, acknowledge that there is a lot going on and provide a little help for them, if you’re really in a time crunch. But remind yourself that it’s okay to be late to something or skip something that was originally on your itinerary.
Say this instead: “There’s a lot going on. Can I help you do ______?”
So there you have it, 10 things you can say to your sensitive child at Disney World and what NOT to say! Again, none of these things will stop or prevent meltdowns. But the main goal is to provide empathy and connection with your kids. Which can really be a challenge in such an overstimulating environment.
When they are in mid-meltdown, remind yourself that this is NOT emergency and to try to stay calm yourself. Their meltdowns are not a reflection of YOU as parent. Sometimes this is the only way for all those pent-up emotions and sensory overload to come out. And you just have to ride it out. Let’s try not to be punitive, resentful, or frustrated during these tough parenting moments.
What are some helpful things you say to your sensitive or anxious child? What are some things you’ve said that seem to escalate the situation?
You can ask all your questions and get feedback from a wonderful group of Disney-loving parents who are also looking to minimize meltdowns and maximize the magic during their Disney World vacation.
Lastly, don’t forget to download your FREE copy of my must-have Disney ride planner tool! Use it so you can easily keep track of which rides you want to avoid and which you want to try with your highly sensitive kids. It will make planning your park days SO much easier! It is an editable and fillable PDF file, but there is an option to print a blank copy so you can fill it out by hand.
Podcast Episode Recap with Put On Your Travel Ears
Are you planning a trip to Disney World with sensitive kids?
I had an amazing opportunity to be a guest on a podcast Put On Your Travel Ears, hosted by Gina and Sarah. They are two wonderful Disney mamas and co-owners of The Charming Travel Co travel agency.
We got the chance to discuss some tips when it comes to going to Disney World with highly sensitive kids. The episode starts with some general news and updates about Disney World, and we start talking about this topic around the 6:55 minute mark.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
Why I started the Moms Make It Magical blog
Both of my children have some characteristics of being sensitive. While I was planning our trips to Disney World, I wished that there was one website or blog to get all the information I needed.
I was totally that Type A mom who was watching all the Youtube videos of the rides and restaurants, reading Disney fan forums discussing ride experiences for non-thrill seekers, and watching room and resort tour videos. I wanted to be fully prepared to avoid the things that would trigger sensory overload meltdowns. And I wanted to choose activities that would be enjoyable for them.
And I realized that this information could be really helpful to other families out there who have similar challenges. A Disney World trip with highly sensitive kids might not look the same as everyone else’s, and that’s okay. Disney World is for everyone, and can accommodate all sorts of different needs.
What is a sensitive kid?
When I talk about a sensitive kid, or a highly sensitive child, I am not referring to someone who just cries a lot. It’s a personality trait, defined by the psychologist Dr. Elaine N. Aron, and she talks about this in great detail in the book The Highly Sensitive Child.
It is a trait that you find in about 15-20% of the general population, and it is NOT a diagnosis. Some of the outward behaviors of being highly sensitive—such as being cautious, not enjoying surprises, having heightened emotions, being afraid of loud noises—can overlap with some diagnoses. Common ones you’ll see some overlap with are sensory processing disorder, autism, ADHD, anxiety and OCD.
But it is totally possible to be highly sensitive without any kind of diagnosis as well.
Best Tips for going to Disney World with Sensitive Kids?
Prepare Beforehand
The most important tip for going to Disney with highly sensitive kids is to prepare as much as you can beforehand. Do as much research you can about the rides, restaurants, and your hotel, BEFORE ever getting on that flight or in your car. Be aware of what kinds of things trigger overwhelm and overstimulation in your children. It can be completely different for each individual kid.
Not only should you prepare as much as you can ahead of time, involve your kids in the planning process. Get their input on what attractions or activities they’d like to participate in.
While there are many families who like to do that last minute “surprise” vacation for their kids as they drive up to Disney World, I strongly discourage doing that if you have extra sensitive children. The more familiar they become with all things Disney, the better it will be for your kids.
We like to get our kids familiar with the characters by reading lots of book. We especially love this Disney Junior Encyclopedia, which provides a profile and explanation for more than 150 Disney & Pixar characters. Disney movies can be really hard for highly sensitive kids for a variety of reasons—conflict, death or loss, constant visual stimulation, scary villains, or loud and sudden noises. There are also a lot of fun Disney-themed board games like Color Brain or Eye Found it, which can help build familiarity at home before ever setting foot in the parks.
Don’t Rush!
Another tip for going to Disney with sensitive kids is to slow down! It’s so important to be okay with not rushing through the day. Highly sensitive kids do so much better when they can take it slow, because it takes a lot for them to process everything going on around them. It’s essential to schedule in days where you’re NOT going to the parks, especially if your trip is at least 4 or 5 days long. And even on the days that you go to the parks, build in time to take breaks.
Read Ride/Restaurant/Resort Reviews
I would also recommend checking out the inventory of ratings for Disney World rides, restaurants, and resorts that I am working on building out on this blog. Everything is broken down and scored according to the level of overwhelm and overstimulation it might be for a highly sensitive child.
Gina shared about an experience with a client where character dining ended up being something their kid absolutely hated. It can be so helpful to work with a travel agent in situations like these, because they were able to have all their dining reservations changed to account for their child’s preferences to not do character meals!
Set Clear Expectations with Your Kids
Sarah also discussed how important it is to set expectations with sensitive kids. This is so they know exactly what their day is going to look like. She had a client whose daughter had SPD (sensory processing disorder), and they learned that she did really well as long as she knew what to expect that day. Knowing when and where they’ll be having their meals, when they’ll take a break, and when they get pool time, set her daughter up for a smoother and more magical experience at Disney World.
Use the DAS Pass!
Another tip is to utilize the Disability Access Service Pass (DAS Pass) if your child has difficulty waiting in a traditional queue. Maybe it’s due to anxiety, autism, or ADHD. Whatever the reason, this is a great resource for families with neurodivergent kids. No, this doesn’t mean you get to skip the line! When you go to the attraction you’d like to ride, the Cast Members there will scan your magic band and give you a return time. This allows you and your family to wait somewhere else than the typical line.
Fireworks can be so tough for highly sensitive kids! It is not only loud, but you can sometimes even feel the “boom!” of the explosions in your body. Plus you’re often in the midst of the large crowds, all eager to see the fireworks display. So much of this can be overwhelming for highly sensitive kids.
Step 1: Watch videos at home
I would suggest to watch videos of Disney’s fireworks shows ahead of time, way before your trip. I honestly don’t know how I would prepare for Disney World without the endless visual resources on Youtube! But anyway, this helps your child get used to the visuals, the light projections, and the music. Obviously it won’t be nearly as loud as it is in person, but it’s a great starting point.
Step 2: Watch fireworks from OUTSIDE the parks
If that goes well, I would choose to watch fireworks from a spot that isn’t in the parks. For the Magic Kingdom fireworks show, some great options are the Contemporary Resort, the Ticket and Transportation Center, or the beaches at Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian or the Grand Floridian. You’re able to get more exposure to the fireworks, but with enough distance to feel safe. For Epcot fireworks, you can see them from the Boardwalk Resort, Yacht & Beach Club, or even the new Riviera Resort.
Step 3: Watch fireworks from a spot with an easy out
If your child is willing to watch from INSIDE the parks, choose a part of the park where you can have an easy out. So if you’re in the middle of the show and your child is starting to lose it and melt down, you can easily get out of there. At Magic Kingdom, that might mean watching from the train station near the entrance of the park. Choosing a spot like this also helps avoid being stuck in the post-fireworks crowds of people trying to get out of the park at the same time.
Use a Stroller
I also highly recommend bringing a stroller, even if your child may be a little older. It builds out a little safe space for them, where they can go in and hide if things feel too overwhelming.
In our case, my daughter was almost 6 years old at the time. On our 3rd trip to Disney World, she finally gave us the go ahead to try watching fireworks from inside the parks! She sat in our stroller, with her noise canceling headphones on, clutching a little lovey for the majority of the show…until she crawled out to see the final 5-10 minutes when she felt ready. This felt like a huge win for us. Previously, we were THAT family that was always rushing out of the park to get AWAY before the fireworks started, while everyone else was rushing IN to to try to get a spot for the show.
They Might Hate Fireworks No Matter What
But it is also possible that your children, no matter how much prep you do, will just not like fireworks. Ever. And that’s okay. It can feel disappointing as the parent, especially if it’s something that you wanted to experience for yourself. But our kids have their own preferences and tolerance levels, and we also have to respect how they feel. If watching fireworks is really intolerable for them, is it really worth it to push it?
Learning Moments
One thing I’ve realized about myself as I’ve planned Disney trips for my family, and any type of family outing is that I would subconsciously place pressure on my kids to have fun. It sounds kind of silly, but it’s totally true.
Adjusting My Own Expectations
Sometimes we, as parents, plan these vacations or outings and EXPECT our children to enjoy it and react in a certain way. If they don’t react in the way we imagined, it’s easy to feel frustrated or even resentful. It’s like, why would they rather spend time at the pool? Why don’t like any of the treats? Why don’t they appreciate this epic trip I planned? I’ve learned that I need to adjust my own expectations of how my children react to their experiences at Disney World or any family outing.
For my highly sensitive daughter in particular, she is often very expressionless in new and stimulating situations. She’ll have that deer-in-headlights kind of look, and it’s hard to know if she’s really enjoying whatever we’re doing.
Even from infancy, she was a serious baby who rarely laughed and was always intensely observing everything. It’s actually quite normal for highly sensitive kids to take time to process things.
So while it’s really hard to tell in the moment, she’ll usually talk my ear off later about what she felt, what she liked, and what she didn’t like. I often have to remind myself that just because I think they will like something, doesn’t mean THEY will actually like it.
Birthday Gift Phenomenon
Gina mentioned the birthday gift phenomenon. Sometimes you, as the parent, put so much time and thought into THE perfect gift for your child’s birthday. And then they end up having more fun with the box than the actual gift itself. But it’s another reminder to be able to see through my children’s eyes, even if it’s different from my perspective or expectations.
Don’t Feel Pressure to “Do It All”
Sarah discussed how they, as travel agents, always send thorough itineraries for each of their families. They include lists of things they think that family would enjoy. But Sarah emphasized that the major caveat here is that you should NOT have to feel like you have to do it all. There is so much you’ll miss if you feel like you’re trying to fit it all in and rushing from one activity to another. There are so many magical moments, that are often totally unplanned for and happen in the spur of the moment.
Did any of this resonate with you?
If you’ve realized you have highly sensitive kids AND you’re planning a trip to Disney World, come check out my Facebook group! It’s a great way to connect with other families with similar challenges, to share experiences, ask questions, and get advice. The information you find there could also be helpful for adults who have anxiety, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), or other challenges that require a little extra planning.
Gina and Sarah are travel agents and co-owners at The Charming Travel Co. They want to change the world one family vacation at a time! Tune into their podcast PUT ON YOUR TRAVEL EARS, as they put out new weekly episodes about Disney, Universal, all-inclusives, and cruises. And follow them on Facebook here.
Are you trying to figure out what are essential items for highly sensitive kids at Disney World? The last thing you want to do is haul everything in your house for a family vacation. I have to admit, I tend to be an overpacker because I want to be prepared for all circumstances. But after multiple trips to Disney World with my highly sensitive kids, I have figured out a list of must-bring, essential items that you ABSOLUTELY need.
If you’re not sure what highly sensitive means, read more here.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
Highly sensitive and sensory sensitive kids startle easily from sudden noises. And constant auditory stimulation is so overwhelming for them. My kids will sometimes complain that their ears hurt or that they have a headache after being exposed to lots of loud noises. So, how do you prevent your highly sensitive kids from sensory overload due to the loud sounds experienced at Disney World?
The answer is noise canceling headphones or ear plugs! We have two pairs of these headphones, which has a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 25 dB. The NRR measures how effective the device is at reducing noise levels. Any product rated in the mid-20s and low 30s is considered pretty good! There is a different model of these headphones which have a slightly better NRR at 27 dB.
For the littler ones, we love Baby Banz. My son outgrew his about 2.5 years old, but it was so comfortable for him even as a baby.
We used noise canceling headphones ALL the time on our Disney trips. Parades, shows, rides, and even the bathroom. Those notoriously loud automatic flushing toilets at Disney World can scare any newly potty-trained kiddos.
This is why this is an essential item for highly sensitive kids at Disney World.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
If you are planning to take your highly sensitive or sensory sensitive child to Disney World for your family vacation, there are many ways you can prepare them.
You might be wondering why you need to prepare them anyway.
Highly sensitive or sensory sensitive kids don’t do well with surprises and are easily overstimulated. Vacations in general can be tough because it’s such a big change from their regular routines and familiar surroundings.
Disney World vacations can be even more challenging due to the overwhelming amount of sensory and emotional experiences.
This is why it’s all the more important to prepare and plan ahead of time, before you ever get on that airplane or in your car. You can truly minimize (though not completely eliminate) the sensory overload meltdowns, and maximize the magic and fun for your highly sensitive kids.
So now that we understand WHY we need to prepare them, let’s think about HOW we can prepare them. Read on to find 11 strategies to prepare your highly sensitive child for their Disney World vacation.
7 Reasons Why You Should Take Your Highly Sensitive Child to Disney World
Have you considered the reasons why you should take your highly sensitive child to Disney World? It’s true that highly sensitive people, especially children, are easily overwhelmed and get overstimulated quickly.
Are your kids easily overwhelmed? Do they get overstimulated quickly? Are they prone to meltdowns when their routines are out of whack? Do sudden noises and big crowds bother them? And… are you planning a trip to Disney World?!
The most magical place on earth can feel like one of the most overwhelming and overstimulating places to visit, even for those who don’t identify as highly sensitive. It might not seem like the best idea to bring your highly sensitive child to Disney World, but it can be 100% doable once you have a better understanding of why Disney can be hard for them.
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Here are the top 14 reasons why a Disney vacation can be hard for highly sensitive or sensory sensitive kids:
Your Disney trip with your highly sensitive child deserves to be magical, and you can work on minimizing the meltdowns by planning ahead. But what does “highly sensitive” really mean?
The word sensitive can have a negative connotation. Some stereotypes include: someone who is too emotional, has no coping skills, is fragile, weak, uptight, and has no “thick skin”.
A more positive way to frame being highly sensitive is to say they are highly aware. Because of their heightened awareness, there is way more sensory input coming in via touch, sound, sight, smell, and taste than for your average child.
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Here are 7 signs that your child might be highly sensitive or highly aware:
1. Loves routines
Highly sensitive children thrive with predictable schedules and routines. Since they tend to startle easily and don’t enjoy surprises, it is helpful to have a clear plan. K loves knowing our weekly schedule and discussing the day ahead. Now that she understands the days of the week, she feels more in control of what’s happening.
Example: Sunday is church. Monday afternoons is ballet class. Thursday after school is swim class. If there are any changes, she copes much better if we give her a heads up instead of springing it on her at the last minute.
I am often getting dinner prepped in the late afternoon while J is napping and K is playing in her room. When she comes down the stairs, she is amazingly accurate with identifying what I cooked that day. She is the first to point out if something is stinky or if something smells delicious.
Highly sensitive children often have a stronger sense of smell and have the potential to be bothered by it more than your average child.
3. Prefers Quieter Environments
Loud, noisy, chaotic places can be too much for highly sensitive children. K is usually so busy taking in everything around her that it becomes really hard for me to even get her attention! She hears conversations around her, notices the crying babies, hears the slamming of doors, and recognizes songs playing in the background.
It is hard to focus in environments like this, and after being exposed to a high level of noise for awhile, highly sensitive children need a bit of a sensory break.
Because K is so aware of everything, she also notices any “mistakes” or anything that is “out of place” in her mind. This makes her very particular about how things should be. It is a way for highly sensitive children to feel a sense of control, in a world where there is so much that is unpredictable and unknown.
5. Has a High Level of Empathy
Highly sensitive children not only have a heightened “sensory” experience, they are also very attuned to others’ emotions. K is the first to notice if someone is hurt or upset, and she feels things very deeply. Even when watching TV shows or movies, she will get tears in her eyes if someone is sad, and she will cringe and turn away if there is a lot of conflict or fighting. Not only that, she will ask me a million questions afterwards to help her “process” what she experienced.
6. Is Cautious and Takes Time to Process Before Making a Decision
Trying new things is hard for highly sensitive children. They need to observe other kids doing it first, think carefully about the pros and cons, and if they decide it’s something they want to do, they will proceed slowly and carefully.
When we first started swimming lessons for K, she was not very excited about it. It took her months before she would even put on her goggles. And it took even longer before putting her face in the water. Swimming was a new experience with so many unfamiliar sensory sensations. But with patience and continued exposure, she became more confident and eventually was able to swim the length of the pool with no flotation device! Proud mom moment.
Highly sensitive children will notice the subtle details that most others will miss. It could be things in their environment; they will be the first to know if something was moved to a different spot in a room.
They also pick up subtleties in other’s reactions, whether it is a change in facial expression or tone.
For example, K was the first to ask about a scab on her uncle’s knee–something no one else saw.
She is also the BEST at the game Color Brain (we have the Disney version), which is a game where you have to answer fun Disney questions with the correct colors. The color of Elsa’s cape during her coronation? The color of Buzz Lightyear’s hood? The color of Prince Philip’s cape? She got it all! Clearly, it is a game made for kids with great memory and who notice all the little details.
Now that you know and understand some of the signs of a highly sensitive child, you can better prepare for your Disney vacation. You can try to accommodate some of their needs into your vacation plans, so that your kids will, not only tolerate, but ENJOY their trip to the most magical place on earth!
Less emotional and sensory overload equals fewer meltdowns. And fewer meltdowns means less stressed parents and families. A win for everyone!
If you’d like more information, you can find a simple “test” to see if your child might identify as highly sensitive right here.
Do you see any of these signs in your children? Have you heard the term “highly sensitive” before?
If you’re planning a trip to Disney World with your highly sensitive kids, you are NOT alone. Join me in my private Facebook group for exclusive tips and freebies, and find community with other Disney-loving families who have highly sensitive children.
