Managing ADHD At Walt Disney World

Having a little one with ADHD can be tough enough during a trip to the grocery store! Bringing your kiddo to Disney may be a cause of incredible apprehension for parents. It doesn't have to be, though. There are definitely lots of things that you can think about and prepare both before your trip, at the start of each day, and things that you can do throughout your day to help everyone to enjoy all of the magic that there is to be had.

Believe it or not, the crowds are significantly smaller during off-peak season. Traveling mid-September, for example, can mean that you only wait for 15-30 minutes for a ride on Splash Mountain, as opposed to 70+ minutes. The quietest time at the parks is typically from early-January to mid-February and from mid-August to late-September. If those dates just aren't in the cards for you, try to think of some things to bring along that will keep your little one occupied while you wait on lines - a DS, an iPod, etc. You know all of those times that you say, "He can spend hours on that thing without even stopping to go to the bathroom?" Now's the time to cash in on that skill! Another great asset might be a book of Hidden Mickeys. Hidden Mickeys are Mickey Mouse-shaped heads or silhouettes hidden, almost in plain sight, around the Disney property, both on and off rides. Your kiddo might love to study a book that reveals where these hidden Mickeys are located so that he is prepared to search for them on the ride for which he is waiting or throughout his day.

That walk from one place to another in between rides or shows can also be a tricky, tiring, and very overwhelming part of the day, as well. Here are some thoughts:

• A search for Hidden Mickeys can work quite well here, too.

• Pin Trading can also keep your child occupied as you make your way around the park. Pin Trading is a pin collection, worn on a lanyard, that you start by purchasing a Starter Set. You can then trade any pin that you have with any Disney Cast Member - they all wear them. Your child can definitely spend time searching for that perfect pin throughout the day.

• The Socerers of the Magic Kingdom game can go a long way toward keeping your child's mind focused on something during the day. This game begins at the Main Street Firehouse, where your child will get a pack of cards and a map. Your kiddo will team up with Merlin, using the cards to open magic portals all around the park, casting spells and defeating Disney Villains. It is definitely a great way to keep things interesting as you walk from one spot to the next.

• Providing your little one with a map and a Times Guide can be quite helpful, as well. Ask your kiddo to let you what area you are coming up to in the park and what shows, characters, etc. are available during the time period that you will be there.

Maybe you think that a break in your day, from all of the running and moving from place to place would be best. There are lots of options that fit this category, as well:

• Of course, there's the, "head back to the hotel to relax, swim, eat, etc." plan. That's definitely relaxing, provides a great chance to actually use the really fun swimming pools that are at your hotel, and there are also Disney movies played poolside several evenings each week.

• Some quieter attractions in the parks might provide a little break. Consider the Hall of Presidents at the Magic Kingdom or even taking a ride on the Walt Disney World Railroad. At Epcot, maybe the Living With The Land boat ride or Ellen's Energy Adventure will do the trick. Also at Epcot is The Seas with Nemo & Friends. This is a short, calm ride that lets out into a small aquarium, SeaBase, where you can definitely spend some quieter time. There's even a small, toddler sized playground in there.

• If play areas, where you can spend as much time as your kiddo would like, sound good to you, there are a bunch of options. At the Magic Kingdom, you can play at the Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station or the air-conditioned Dumbo Play Area. Tom Sawyer Island might be worth checking out, as it's a go-at-your-own pace pirate exploration adventure. At Hollywood Studios, little ones can crawl and climb around the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure. In Animal Kingdom, The Boneyard provides a fun playground-type experience. Also, there is a small, low-key petting zoo over at Rafiki's Planet Watch.

If your kiddo take medication, the dosing and frequency that it is administered is something to consider speaking with your child's doctor about. Often, children are given one dose a day, in the morning. This helps them throughout their school day. It might be worth considering two, smaller doses for your Disney trip, as the day is longer and paced differently than a typical school day. Again, make sure to speak to your child's physician to discuss all of the implications that this might entail.

Walt Disney World is such an amazing place for a family to choose to vacation and the Cast Members who work there always do their absolute best to make the experience magical for every single guest who walks through the gates. Always feel free to speak with your travel agent or the good folks at Disney with specific questions - they are there to help.

Have a magical time!

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Mike Cohen is a Disney Travel Agent and owner of Travel With Magic, an Academy Travel affiliate, specializing in Disney Destinations. Discover the magic Mike can work for you by getting in touch at TravelWithMagic.com, by emailing at mike@travelwithmagic.com, or by calling him at (315) 450-2869.