It may be the “happiest place on Earth,” but for families with a child who has anxiety, Walt Disney World can quickly become stressful and overwhelming.
I visited Disney World last summer with my 11-year-old daughter, who has generalized anxiety. We knew the parks would be hot, crowded, overstimulating and full of triggers, but we were determined to have our magical Disney vacation.
With advanced planning, as well as some trial and error, we discovered successful strategies that helped us navigate our trip. If you’re planning to travel with a family member who has anxiety, here are some approaches to consider.
Plan Ahead
Watch online videos about the theme parks and rides ahead of time so your child has clear expectations.
There are numerous YouTube channels devoted to sharing tips and tricks for theme park visits. My daughter’s favorite was Mammoth Club, but there are many others including AllEars, DFBGuide and TouringPlans.
Videos were great for giving an overall sense of the theme park experience including crowds, noise and visual overload. They were also particularly helpful in preparing for rides. Watching ride POV videos helped my daughter decide which rides she could handle and which ones to skip.
Look Into DAS (Disability Access Service)
DAS is a service for individuals who have trouble waiting in traditional lines due to developmental disabilities, neurodivergence or similar conditions.
With DAS, you don’t have to wait in a crowded, hot, noisy and confined queue. It’s essentially a way to wait in line virtually. Using Disney’s mobile app, you reserve your spot in line and then wait in comfort elsewhere until your ride time.
Not everyone with anxiety is eligible for DAS, but it’s an option worth exploring. We were fortunate enough to be approved for this service, and we found it enormously helpful.
Speak with a Disney cast member through video chat prior to your visit to determine your eligibility and register for DAS.
Bring Comfort Items
It’s helpful to have a favorite toy or activity available for your child to ease sensory overload and provide a calming distraction. My daughter especially appreciated having her small stuffed animal buddies with her. Fidgets or coloring books are also good options.
Snacks are a must, too! My daughter brought hard candies, which she found soothing during intense or overwhelming situations.
Minimize Overstimulation
It’s a great idea to bring noise-canceling headphones or earbuds with you. They’ll help with a variety of situations including ambient crowd noise, loud rides and fireworks displays.
Disney’s Sensory Experience Details guide provides a helpful list of the lighting effects, scents, loud noises and other sensory stimuli you’ll find at every attraction.
Know When to Opt Out
Know your child’s triggers and skip the attractions that will be most challenging for them. This is going to be different for everyone. For example, my daughter found characters in masks intimidating because she couldn’t see their real faces, so we avoided those meet-and-greets.
To escape crowds as much as possible we bypassed most headliner rides (Rise of the Resistance was the exception) and missed the parades.
We wanted to see at least one nighttime show, but Magic Kingdom’s evening spectacular was too jam-packed for us. Instead, we went to Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios. The park’s amphitheater has ample seating, which helped make the crowds feel more manageable. And by purchasing the Fantasmic! dining package we were able to get guaranteed seating in a reserved section without having to wait in a long line.
Take a Break
Leaving the park midday is oft-given advice for good reason. We tried to skip this our first day, with disastrous results.
Not wanting to give up valuable time to trek back to our hotel, we ignored signs of overstimulation. This was the only day of our trip we had to manage a meltdown. After that we learned our lesson and took a much-needed afternoon break at the hotel every day.
Consider staying at a Disney property to make this easier to do. Proximity and convenience made such a difference for us. We were able to take Disney transportation back to our hotel and never had to wait long.
Make sure to build in time for breaks while you’re in the parks, as well. We planned at least one sit-down meal each day to allow time for relaxed, air-conditioned respite.
The Right Strategies Make All the Difference
With preparation, flexibility and planning with your child’s needs in mind, you can have a magical Disney vacation, even while managing anxiety.
Rebecca Singer is an educator, mom and museum professional with over 20 years’ experience designing fun, cultural events and activities for kids and families. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband and daughter.
Rebecca Singer is an educator, mom and museum professional with over 20 years’ experience designing fun, cultural events and activities for kids and families. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband and daughter.
