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

A sensory diet can be so important in helping a child to remain regulated throughout his day. For anyone who hasn't quite heard the term, "sensory diet," or had it explained to them, it has nothing to do with the type of food that someone eats, gluten or otherwise. A sensory diet is a plan of how to provide appropriate amounts of stimulation to your child's sensory system throughout the day, keeping him feeling calm, in control, and regulated. This type of plan is something that is much easier done when your kiddo is in school during the day and you maintain your end in the afternoons or on the weekends. Even school breaks can be a little tricky for families trying to maintain a little one's sensory diet, as schedules and routines are different. But how many families manage to, or even try to, maintain a child's sensory diet while on vacation at someplace like Disney World? Believe it or not, it's not as tough as it seems. We've already covered the Vestibular System here - that's the spinning, running, and swinging types of activities. Let's take a little time, now, to talk about some attractions that you can include in your Disney day, that will provide some proprioceptive input - that is the deep pressure, hard-work, jumping and stomping type of activities.

Magic Kingdom

In the Storybook Circus section of New Fantasyland, you'll find the good ol' Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Disney has made some amazing additions to the ride experience, however. As you make your way through the queue area, you will notice that, under the big top, there is a circus themed play area. It's air conditioned and your kiddo can run, stomp, jump, hop, and climb to his heart's content. Plus, while he is getting all of that good sensory input, you will have been handed a pager to hold your place in line for the Dumbo ride. Don't worry if your pager buzzes before your little one is done playing, either. Just let the cast member at the play area entrance know that you'd like more time and he or she will take care of it for you. Also in the new Storybook Circus is a water play area, the Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station. With a circus train theme, this area is completely child directed and has fun and interactive water features like water-spraying animals and Casey Jr. himself who loves to blow off some refreshing "steam."

Animal Kingdom

One of the best ways for your kiddo to get his stomp on at the Animal Kingdom is at The Boneyard in DinoLand U.S.A. This open-air playground is designed to look like a dinosaur dig site and has tons of opportunities to run, climb, dig, crawl, slide, stomp, and explore. There are interactive exhibits, an archeological dig site where little ones can excavate fossils from a Tyrannosrurus Rex and a Stegosaurus, a giant, multi-level maze, a Jeep for climbing in and on, and so much more. There is so much to see and explore here, your kiddo will thank you for bringing him... well, I don't know if I'd go that far... but he will totally regulate himself and be able to move on with the day feeling amazing - just make sure to leave enough time for all there is to do!

Epcot

Did you know that there is a super-fun interactive play area at the end of the Journey Into Imagination with Figment ride? It's called, ImageWorks - The "What If" Labs and keeps with the exploration and imagination theme of Figment. Does your child like to wave his arms around? If so, this place will be great, because he can wave away while conducting an orchestra, creating music with Figment's Melody Maker. Stomping and jumping is always a good time as your kiddo creates a symphony of sound in the "Stepping Tones" area. This area is self-directed and air-conditioned, so it is a good break for all!

Hollywood Studios

Do you remember the old "Honey, I Shrunk The Kids," movie? Well, your child can live the adventure of being shrunk down to the size of a bug (or smaller) at the, Honey, I Shrunk The Kids Movie Set Adventure. This is an 11,000 square foot play area where your little one can climb enormous anthills and scale sprawling spider webs. With 30 foot tall blades of grass, a 52 foot long leaking hose, giant plant root mazes, and even an enormous sniffling dog nose, this play area is definitely a winner!

These are just some ways to meet your child's needs. You can come up with so many more, especially since nobody knows your little one like you do. The best advice that I have is to be creative and to be prepared. And, of course, to have fun!

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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.