It’s finally Friday, and I am so ready for the weekend to begin! Also, I really like looking through my photos for Disney Flashback Friday, so that’s another good reason to like Friday. So, here we are again with Sarah at Magical Days with the Mouse.
Everyone seems to be posting about Halloween at the Disney Parks, so I guess I will join in. I will start by saying, though, that our family is not really into Halloween. We enjoy the Christmas season more. Having said that, the kids’ first trip to Disneyland was to celebrate DD12’s 8th birthday, a little late.
DD12 had such a great time at Goofy’s Kitchen to celebrate her birthday. I think it was all she had ever dreamed of.
When we made it to the parks the next day, we were greeted by the character Jack-o-lanterns. They really do look cute, but DS8 really didn’t think so. We were very slowly becoming aware that there were some sensory issues, and the Halloween decorations and costumes sent him over the edge. It was just too much for him to process. We did our best to keep him away from some of the more intensely costumed characters (i.e. Goofy in his skeleton suit), but he would still see them.
Well, we have been working with DS8, and his tolerance for what he processes as unusual. Our next trip is going to be when Halloween decorations will be up. It has just worked out that way, but we have been able to pull out pictures from our 2007 trip to look through so that he will be prepared for what he sees on the upcoming trip. Actually, he pulled out the scrapbook the other day and was happily carrying the Pirate’s Lair map around. I think that he is looking forward to our next trip and is prepared for what he might see.
Heidi says
I’m with your son – Halloween decorations kinda set me on edge too. I’m sure Disney does them much more tastefully than some – but still, they kinda freak me out. And I don’t have sensory issues (at least not that I know of!)
Naomi says
Yes, Disney does do them much more tastefully than most parks! However, it seems that Halloween moves earlier every year. Of course, so does Christmas…
Monica says
I’ve never been to Disneyland in the fall. I love all the pumpkins in your pictures. Hope you enjoy your next trip!
Naomi says
Thank you! Disneyland really does go all out with their pumpkins, and the detail is just unbelieveable!
Magical Days with the Mouse says
I hope your trip goes well since Main Street is loaded with tons of Halloween. Some of the rest of the park should be easier for him to handle though. So does this mean you guys don’t do Halloween at home too? I didn’t realize that all of that could be a trigger for him.
Naomi says
I think it will go alright. We have been talking about it a lot so that he is aware of what he will see. We will likely not spend much time on Main Street but will duck through the stores all the way down.
No, we don’t do Halloween at home. It also makes shopping during this time very difficult. He is easily frightened any time that we come close to the Halloween section, especially, now that there are more vocal decorations.
It really is amazing what can be a trigger, and it is different for each child with sensory issues. We also carry noise blocking headphones at the park to soften loud sounds. He doesn’t do well with fireworks, either.