How To Prepare an Anxious Child For Disney World

For families who are affected by anxiety even a trip to the most magical place on Earth requires some extra planning and care. If you have an anxious child in your family you might be wondering how you can prepare them in order to have a smooth vacation. Disney World is an incredibly inclusive park and with the right tools and preparation anxiety in your child can be managed during your vacation.

Preparing for the Crowds

If crowds are a source of anxiety for your child then you will definitely want to take steps to prepare them ahead of time as Disney World can become extremely crowded. Crowds at Disney can be quite unpredictable, so guests shouldn’t count on low crowds even if they are traveling during a historically less crowded time. If you are vacationing during a school break or during the holiday season then you should expect crowds to be at their highest.

Anxious children thrive when they are prepared for the situation, so in order to adequately prepare your child for Disney crowds consider watching live streams of the parks. Watching several live streams on various days and times of year can give you and your child an idea of how the crowds will be, and also which areas tend to gather the most people. If your child does well with practice scenarios then perhaps a trip to a busy space like a fair or festival would be good preparation for dealing with Disney crowds.

If your child is anxious about getting lost within a crowd then come up with a family action plan and discuss what to do if they ever were to become separated from you. Explain to your child that they should stop, look for a nearby Cast Member, and that they will be safe. Consider purchasing a wristband for your child to wear with your name and phone number in case they can’t repeat your contact information.

Preparing for the Rides

Some children with anxiety worry about what they don’t understand. Rides can be a source of anxiety for children during Disney vacations because many Disney attractions are located indoors and without obvious views of tracks and mechanics. If a child cannot see the entire attraction and visualize how it operates then they tend to become more anxious about what they might encounter during the experience. In order to prepare your child for Disney attractions you could watch ride videos online. There are several high-quality ride videos available on YouTube. While some adults might be worried that watching videos will spoil the attraction, anxious children tend to enjoy attractions much more when they know what to expect.

Waiting in lines for the attraction can be a source of anxiety for many children because of the tight spaces and high-density crowds. If this is an issue for your child then consider applying for a Disability Access Service Pass. Currently, The DAS pass is a great tool for those with anxiety or other disabilities that prevent them from waiting in traditional queue lines comfortably. Guests with the DAS pass will reserve a time to return to the attraction that is equivalent to the current wait time and go through the Lightning Lane queue when their arrival window arrives. Disney recently announced that the DAS pass will be replaced with a 3rd party company. Be sure to check Disney’s website for the most up-to-date guidelines!

Preparing for the Resort

Overnight stays at a new place can also activate a child’s anxiety. Disney resorts are very comfortable places to stay, and staying on property is ideal for families who deal with anxiety because of their close proximity to the parks and ease of transportation. If your child needs to take a quick break from the parks then your resort is just a bus, monorail, or Skyliner ride away. In order to prepare your child for the overnight stay, visit Disney’s website and look at photos of the resort and room as well as the virtual room tours that are available. Discuss how you will walk from your room to the bus, monorail, or Skyliner, and take your child through the transportation process. Make sure you pack something comfortable from home like a blanket, stuffed animal, or pillow, so your child can feel more secure in a new environment.

Does your child suffer from anxiety? How do you prepare them for a Disney vacation? Let us know in the comments below!

Featured Photo: Megan Woodard