Challenges at Amusement Parks for Families
Visiting an amusement park can be a thrilling experience for many families. Still, it can also present challenges for families with children who are medically complex, have sensory processing issues, have ASD, or have food allergies. A theme park with bright lights, loud noises, overcrowding, and the risk of illness can turn a fun outing into a stressful ordeal. But I will prepare you and work through these challenges to ensure a better experience at the amusement park.
Challenges at the Amusement Park:
1. Bright Lights and Loud Noises: Amusement parks are filled with bright, flashing lights and loud sounds that can overwhelm children with sensory sensitivities.
2. Crowds and Germs: Overcrowded areas increase the risk of illness for immunocompromised children. Touching surfaces can also be a concern.
3. Lack of Quiet Areas: Long lines and the absence of quiet spaces can lead to sensory meltdowns.
4. Rides: Some rides can cause dizziness or unease, especially for children with sensory processing issues. Some rides don’t have wheelchair accessibility, preventing some individuals from gaining the whole ride experience.
5. Covering the theme park itself, can be physically tiring for some children that lack the endurance and stamina.
6. Lack of privacy, the bathrooms are crowded, and wheelchairs and adaptive strollers are difficult to maneuver around large crowds. If you need to administer your child’s medication, give your child a tube feeding, that’s difficult in the crowded, busy themed park.
7. Not wheelchair friendly, making it difficult to maneuver around the park with ease.
This is how you prevent a horror story at the amusement park:
1. Do Your Research: Investigate whether the amusement park is friendly to children with disabilities. Look for reviews and resources that highlight accessibility features.
2. Obtain a Disability Pass: Check if the amusement park offers a disability pass, which can be acquired in advance. This pass often allows for shorter wait times and easier access to rides.
3. Download the Park’s App: Many parks have apps that provide useful information, such as wait times and location services. Please download this app in advance.
4. Use Accessible Maps: Download and review the park’s accessible map (check the website if that version is available). Go through the map identify which rides are most suitable for your child and plan your route accordingly. Look out for accessible restrooms and rest areas for some quiet time.
5. Visit During Off-Peak Times: Avoid peak seasons (summer and winter are peak seasons) when parks are more crowded and louder. Off-peak times generally offer a calmer environment.
6. Snacks and Food: Check if you can bring your food. This not only saves money but also ensures your child has familiar snacks, reducing potential stress. Also, in case your child has severe child allergies, this is important.
7. Adaptive Equipment: Bring necessary items like noise-canceling headphones to help manage loud environments. If your child uses a specific stroller, ensure you bring it for easier mobility. A favorite stuffed animal, weighted blanket, you know your child best, bring a comfort item.
8. Stay Calm and Plan: Assign responsibilities among family members. If one child has a sensory meltdown, one parent can stay to calm them while the other takes the rest of the children on rides. This is helpful to do in advance.
9. Safety Measures: Dress your child in bright clothing for easier identification. For younger children, consider placing your contact information in their pockets. If your child does not have a phone, designate a meetup point if your child gets lost.
10. Hand Sanitizer and Hygiene: Bring hand sanitizer to minimize the risk of illness from frequently touched surfaces. Also, wearing a mask, if suitable may help with this.
11. Empathy and Patience; Understand that amusement parks can be particularly challenging for children with sensory processing issues. Have empathy and patience, and be prepared to take breaks in quiet, shaded areas. Bring water and allow your child time to regroup if they become overwhelmed.
12. Clothing and Essentials: Dress your child in comfortable clothes and bring extra outfits in case of accidents or spills. Comfortable shoes and of course a jacket, in case it gets chilly.
13. Will your Child Enjoy the Park?: Unpopular opinion: Ask yourself if it's even worth taking your child. If sensory overload makes them highly uncomfortable, maybe they aren’t ready. If you have a trusted babysitter, it might be a good idea to leave your children behind if there may be more harm than fun. Tickets these days for a themed park are expensive and if your child will not benefit from the rides, shows, and attractions - worth looking into. This doesn’t mean you’re leaving them behind or excluding them, so don’t feel guilty.
Being well-prepared with the right tools and a solid plan can help make the amusement park experience more enjoyable and less stressful for everyone. For more detailed guidance, check out my accessibility guide for ASD families and children with disabilities at Southern California theme parks. Download it from my website to help you plan a successful and fun trip.
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