Sensory Overload at a Theme Park
Visiting a theme park can be fun, but not necessarily for some people who are more sensitive to outside stimulus. See what it’s like for them and get tips for making it a better experience for all involved.
The Stressful Scenario
- You start your day with heightened anxiety and excitement. Do I have the day planned, directions to the park and packed all the essentials for the kids?
- Where do I park the car and get to the entry gate to buy tickets? OK, I’ve gotten the tickets, now where is the correct gate to enter? Ask around? Customer service?
- Music, lights, media, people, popcorn smells, sun and heat – the stimulation begins!
- You find your way to the first ride, get in line and wait for anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours.
- Once you made it on the ride, which probably lasted two minutes, you exit through a retail store (Mom, Dad, I want this!).
- The stress of money arises…after paying hundreds of dollars on tickets, hotels and parking, now they want souvenirs.
- It’s time for lunch. Everywhere has a wait and food is expensive. When you finally get into a cafeteria-style restaurant, it’s loud, crowded, hectic and overpriced. You search for seats and soon learn your $20 chicken fingers are less than mediocre.
- It’s back to the park and time to find another ride or attraction. You encounter the same thing: wait in line (and hope it’s not a rollercoaster), lots of stimulation, a short blast of excitement, retail exit and do it all over again.
How to Manage Sensory Challenges at the Theme Park
By carefully planning ahead, you can avoid many of the common sources of overstimulation that lead to fighting, fear or frustration. Here are a few ways to cope.
1. Research Crowd Calendars
A quick internet search will provide resources from the theme parks and their fan sites that publish information about when the parks are less crowded. Try to plan your trip around those times.
2. Practice Ahead of Time
Prepare yourself by performing “theme park practice” by visiting the mall on a busy weekend to practice walking in and navigating through crowds. If possible, spend time in a game arcade or kids’-themed restaurant to get accustomed to all the flashing lights and noise.
3. Check If the Theme Parks have Detailed Guides
Fortunately, some parks provide comprehensive sensory information for park-goers. For example, many have detailed disability guides for all their parks that you can download from their website. This includes information on everything from light sensitivity to special and visual effects, magnetic fields and many other issues that impact people who are sensitive. If the park you’re visiting doesn’t have an online guide, contact the disability services office ahead of time to get any information you need.
4. Prepare for Each Ride and Know What to Expect
Research and watch official park or YouTube videos that take you through the rides, the wait time in lines and where you’ll sit or stand so you can get an idea about what will happen.
5. Inquire about Guest Assistance
Stop by the guest services office when heading into the park to see if they have programs in place that help guests who need extra assistance. If there’s not an official program, there are ways to make the experience a little less stressful. For example, there might be a calmer place to wait in line or areas you can go to decompress and manage sensory overload – such as a dedicated calming room, like Sanctuary Spaces creates.
6. Bring Ear Protection and Sunglasses
Big crowds of people and loud ride noises can be difficult for some. Pack earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones before you leave for the park to help manage visual sensitivity to bright sunshine and flashing lights.
7. Ask Your Favorite Theme Park to Incorporate a Sanctuary Space!
Offering an area of respite can be a solution to over-stimulation. For example, after experiencing high levels of stress, seeking out a moment of calm and quiet can recharge your body before attempting to experience more.