Keeping Up Your Child's Sensory Diet At Disney World (vestibular system)

So you're little one has made great improvements since you introduced a sensory diet into his life, providing appropriate stimulation at regular intervals throughout his day. In fact, that's one of the main reasons why he is able to make it through his day. Now, you're heading to Disney. You've got lots of plans to help make your days super fun. You have lots of strategies to try to avoid meltdowns before they happen. But, have you thought about what is going to happen to those important sensory breaks? What are some ways that you can tackle your child's sensory diet while you're on vacation? Today, we'll talk about some great rides that will stimulate your kiddo's vestibular system. Those are going to be the hanging, swinging, and spinning type of activities.

Magic Kingdom

Both Dumbo the Flying Elephant and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin will get your child spinning around a good bunch, also allowing your child to control how high or low the vehicle "flies." The Astro Orbiter is another similarly styled ride. Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin allows guests to spin around as well, with your child able to control the spin itself. At the same time, this ride is also a shoot-em-up where you, the rider, are trying to help Buzz Lightyear defeat the army of Evil Emperor Zurg. It's essentially a spinning, live-action, video game ride... Perfect! Some other attractions that could go a long way toward stimulating your child's vestibular system include The Mad Tea Party and Prince Charming's Regal Carousel. 

Animal Kingdom

TriceraTop Spin and Primeval Whirl will give your child plenty of spinning action. TriceraTop spin is appropriate for all heights and is quite similar to both Dumbo and Aladdin's Magic Carpets in that you hop aboard a dinosaur and spin around and around and around. Primeval Whirl (for those 48" and up) will give your little one roller coaster-like movement while adding some rotation to the mix at the same time. And if your child likes roller coasters, Expedition Everest (44" height requirement) may just do the trick. Not only does this coaster move you around pretty quickly, but it does plenty of that flinging and flopping while riders are actually going backwards!

Epcot

Test Track (must be at least 40" to ride) will get your kiddo zooming around a race track at pretty decent speeds, wind blowing through his hair. Also, Mission: Space (must be at least 44" to ride) spins riders like a top... a really, really fast top. This one doesn't "feel" like you are spinning, quite the same way as other rides. During the length of the attraction, riders actually watch a space shuttle lift off and travel through space from the cockpit point of view. To simulate the g-forces and weightlessness involved in space travel, however, the cabin that the guests are in spins does actually spin incredibly quickly. Personally, while I don't typically feel the spinning sensation when I'm on the ride, I totally feel like I was spun and spun good when I get off of it! Soarin' (also for guests at least 40" tall) work in an opposite manner. It lifts riders up off the ground and rocks them around, just a little bit... but it feels like a lot more as riders watch a movie on a giant IMAX-like screen, that makes guests feel like they are flying high on a hang glider.

 Hollywood Studios

It may not spin riders around and around, but it sure does drop them up and down. Make sure to check out The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror with your child (must be 40" to ride). The attraction lifts guests way up high and then drops them down, lifts them up again, and then drops them again. It's kind of like when we toss our children up and down in the air... but on a spooky elevator in The Twilight Zone. Star Tours: The Adventure Continues is another attraction that will keep your little one (at least 40" tall) bouncing and bumping around. Guests board a space cruiser out of the Star Wars Universe and get bumped and jostled while watching a 3-D video on the the screen in front of them.

One More (Great) Tip

FastPass+ is going to be a big help here. This Walt Disney World sevice allows guests to make appointments for their favorite rides via smartphone or in-park kiosk. Using this new technology, you can actually set your "sensory break attractions" at the appropriate interval apart from one another and not have to worry about long lines when it comes time to ride. Want to know more? Check out this Beginner's Guide to FastPass+!

NEXT WEEK we tackle Proprioception at Disney World!

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