I Have Sensory Issues, and These Were a GAME CHANGER in Disney World

Disney World is a magical place, that’s for sure, but there are some aspects of it that can be very overwhelming, especially for those with sensory issues like me!

I’m autistic, and while the neurological condition affects everyone with it differently, for me, one of the ways it changes the way I interact with the world is through my senses. I’m more sensitive to loud sounds, the textures of certain clothing and food, and more, which means that sometimes Disney World can be EXTRA challenging. To make sure I can still enjoy Disney World, I have to do things a little differently, and these have been a game changer for me in the parks!

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Loud and sudden sounds are one of the biggest issues I have in everyday life, and Disney World is full of them. On rides, sure, but also just around the park in general. I don’t do well with fireworks, so I avoid them where I can (but the castle show still catches me off guard), I love the Liberty Square Riverboat but NOT its horn, and the occasional baby crying (which I 100% understand cannot be helped) is often too much, too.

I can’t control what the people around me do, nor the workings of the park, so it’s up to me to do what I have to do to make the park easier for me to navigate. Typically, as I said, I keep away from fireworks, but there are other noises that I can’t easily avoid. While some rides are too loud for me, I love them otherwise and would like to experience them if I can. That’s where my new favorite earplugs come into play!

If you’re looking for something that will TOTALLY block noise out, it’s better to go with larger, over-the-ear noise-canceling headphones. But those are fairly large, and you may want something a little more subtle if you’re okay with some sound leaking through. I wanted something that was a little more discreet but would “turn down” the world around me, for lack of a better term. I still wanted to be able to hear what was happening around me, and that’s exactly why I love my Loop Earplugs so much!

Specifically, I got the Switch version, which has three different modes:

Engage Mode: This mutes the world around you by 11dB; it’s great for social gatherings and conversation
Experience Mode: This mutes the world around you by 13dB; it’s great for live entertainment and concerts
Quiet Mode: This mutes the world around you by 16dB; it reduces the most amount of noise and is great for concentration, relaxation, and getting in the zone/blocking the rest of the world out.

Personally, I use Quiet Mode on Dinosaur because that ride is just SO loud, I use Experience Mode for shows like Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, and Engage Mode if I’m just walking around the parks, especially if I’m with someone else. I don’t have to use them all the time in the parks, but if I notice I’m getting a little too overstimulated and know I need to fix it ASAP, I’ll pull them out of my bag. And since they’re so little, they barely take up any space!

Again, these aren’t going to be a perfect fit for everyone, but they certainly have helped me immensely in the parks. There are lots of different types of Loops. If you feel the Switch model isn’t for you, too, you can find the right fit for you!

Grab a pair here!

I’m always learning how to best experience Disney World as an autistic and socially anxious individual,and I love to share my experiences with you all in hopes they’ll help someone else out there, so be sure to stay tuned to the blog for more!