FIreworks a no-go

[Figaro928]

Bummed out ... We took my almost 3yo and 1 yo to 4th of July festivities last night and while my 1 yo slept through the fireworks my 3yo FREAKED OUT. She hated everything about them. Granted she was overtired and over-sugared but still - not the happy magical scene of oohs and ahhs I envisioned. We're going to WDW in Sept and am now super nervous about her freaking out about the fireworks there. so we're probably going to cross off wishes , illuminations and fantasmic off our list. also probably Rope Drop.... So bummed b/c I love all of them & know she would too if she could get passed the fear of fireworks. Anyone else dealt with this? Anyone else feel like a bad selfish parent ? Anyone have a suggestion for her to get over her fear??

 

[DizneyPryncess]

Aww, you never really know how kids will react to fireworks. We took my daughter to WDW a few months ago, she was 19 months, and I thought she was freak out at fireworks. When we rode Journey into Imagination, she freaked out at the end w/the loud kaboom. So I thought fireworks would produce the same effect. We stood at the very end of Main Street, by the exit, just in case. And she ended up loving them, so you truly just never know.

I would suggest maybe pulling up YouTube video's of the shows and showing them to her beforehand? Maybe she would gain an interest in them, and would be excited to then see them later on. Of course, a video & the real thing could still have a different effect on her, but at least she'd know kind of what to expect. I'd also try to stand in the back, or get seats in the back, so that if she does get scared, you can walk right out. Go into a store, or just leave the general area. An exit plan is always a good strategy when you're not sure what to expect with fireworks! You're not a bad or selfish parent either. The fact that you're looking for advice just shows that you are a good parent!

 

[LizC]

First of all you are not selfish. You are obviously looking to make this vacation amazing for her. I'm sure she will look back on the vacation with fond memories, no matter how the fireworks go.

I am taking my 2 year olds in Jan. They have never seen fireworks, and I am nervous as to how they will react. We are going for a week long trip, so my plan is to take them to 'Ohana (or someplace similar) for them to watch the fireworks from far away on the first or second night. I am hoping the excitement of this will help when the possible fear comes in when we are up close and they can hear the loud KABOOMS.

Good luck!

 

[ShookieJones]

I don't have any of my suggestions of my own but I like the idea of maybe watching a video together...and starting turning the sound up a bit to maybe ease them into it. However there is no surround system in the world that can replicate those heart thumping blasts that some of these show give off.

Also for the record you're not selfish for feeling that way. I would be completely bummed.


Side note - A friend of mine just took her little ones to the World for the first time and her little guy is about 5 or 6. They hunkered down to watch Illuminations only to have to barrel outta there covering his ears as he was wailing and deathly afraid.

She said the next night they were walking around the Boardwalk area when the Illuminations began...She said he jumped into her arms terrified that "Epcot" was coming to get them.

In order for her and her husband to enjoy Epcot for the rest of the trip she had to explain that it was not Epcot" that was out to get them, only "Illuminations" that had it out for them, and as long as they were there during the day it was going to be ok.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Question...were the fireworks you watched last night "just fireworks" or was it a choreographed show? I ask b/c prior to our first WDW trip (kids were 2 and 4), our girls were pretty darn scared of fireworks. Illuminations has its moments that still startle them a bit, but they were instantly good with Wishes in MK. I don't know if it's Jiminy and the various character talking in certain sections, the familiar Disney music or what, but they had 0 issues.

If your Disney trip isn't a surprise, you might try letting the kids watch the Disney fireworks shows a number of times pre-trip. This is what I'm having my brother do for my nephew...he's connecting his computer to their largest TV in the house, gradually turning the volume up, and a) seeing how he responds b) familiarizing him with the sights and sounds of the shows. Sure, it's different in person, but conditioning and familiarity pre-trip can help.

Another suggestion for you is the Polynesian beach. While it's not the same as being right there in front of the castle, you are still straight on with the castle...have the music piped in...and get a great view of the entire show... yet you're far enough away that the really loud fireworks are much more muted. It's also much easier to head into the Poly to escape the noise if the child is still afraid (vs. seeking "shelter" inside one of the parks during the crazy Wishes or Illuminations crowds).

I also think you're the total opposite of selfish parent. A selfish parent would put the fireworks ahead of their child's fears. Good luck

 

[docdebbi]

it may be too late if your little one is already afraid, but we take good quality sound cancelling headphones for our little ones. in our experience, the first night they use them, learn fireworks are cool, and don't use them again the next time.
as said before, each child is different, but this has worked for us with three grandkids.

 

[RandomPrincess]

We have Peltor Kid's Ear Muffs for both of our kids. It's the loud bands that scare them not the firework it's self in our case. We have also watched the fireworks for Poly beach which muffles the noise too.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

We have Peltor Kid's Ear Muffs for both of our kids. It's the loud bands that scare them not the firework it's self in our case. We have also watched the fireworks for Poly beach which muffles the noise too.

Good suggestions.

 

[tare]

Grab a pack of the moldable ear plugs at walmart very pliable and easy to put in little ones ears. Great for the plane too

 

[RedDad]

I feel your pain! Our 3yo is also not a fan of fireworks. It's the loud noises that bother her more than anything. We started taking her when she was 14 months old, and the last couple of trips, we have just learned to accommodate her by bringing earplugs and making sure that we watch from a distance. There are plenty of good spots to watch Wishes from far enough away that it isn't too loud.

I would also suggest getting a reservation at one of the restaurants in World Showcase where you can watch Illuminations from inside. La Hacienda in Mexico is one of the best, as is Rose & Crown. We watched it from the veranda at R&C with our 3yo last month, and with earplugs, she was generally ok.

 

[Figgy1]

I'd agree with the poster who suggested watching from the beach at Poly! Try that on your first night if you can and gauge the reaction afterwards for maybe seeing them closer on another night. Videos might also help. Good luck! One of the nicest thing about Disney fireworks is that they are not as loud as most shows.

 

[Figaro928]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to take you guys up on many of these suggestions! In the meantime, DD keeps going on and on about the "bad" fireworks are at the park and the "good" fireworks are at disney....not a complete lie and she's not completely counting out fireworks all together.

 

[olinecoach61]

I agree with watching from the poly beach, we had the same problem with our three year old last summer. She loved them from the beach, plus you get the light parade at 9.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

When my daughter was very little, before she could walk, she would sleep through the fireworks. Then for the next year she would only watch the fireworks if we were a distance away. If we were on the ferry heading out that was great to her. It took until was three and started preschool that she could stay in the park and she was fine. It wasn't the sound that scared her but she was afraid the fireworks would fall on her. Good luck!

 

[MaryJaneP]

Proximity to explosions seems to be the recurring theme here. Noises scare kids, mine included. Local fireworks display was an unmitigated disaster for our 7 y.o., 4 y.o., and 1.5 y.o.. Same kids, at WDW, at Wishes, a few months later, in front of Crystal Palace, with rapt audience, awesome musical choreography, and distant booms = incredible success and memories they still cherish.

EDIT: the Polynesian beach suggestions above sound like an awesome intro to WDW fireworks for the skittish.

 

[LIMA TIME]

My son hates loud noises, especially fireworks, but love the all the colors. So we got him a set of the earphones, the big ones that cover the whole ear, that block out all sound. he had a blast with them, he said he felt like buzz lightyear. They are like $10 and worth every penny.