Hey there, Sandra, and welcome to planDisney!
As much as we always think Joy is running the board during our visits to the Walt Disney World Resort, sometimes, completely unbidden, Anxiety takes the reins. I know when it's happened to me, it can feel overwhelming and a bit scary. But I've come up with a few little practices that have consistently helped me get back on track.
1. Take some calm breaks during your park day. I know there's this pressure to go go go when you're in the parks. But it's important to make time to enjoy some calmer, quieter pursuits. Sitting on the hub grass in
Magic Kingdom and enjoying a drink or heading to the
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor for a few jokes is a great way to settle the nervous system. At
Animal Kingdom, the seating area at the back side of the
Tree of Life is the perfect place to catch your breath and watch some characters float by on the river. The Morocco and Japan Pavilions have lots of quiet spots to recalibrate at
EPCOT, and
Beauty and the Beast- Live on Stage is a great vibe while being low on the stimulation scale at
Hollywood Studios.
2. Head back to your resort for a mid-day break. While I love being in the parks for rope drop or even
Early Theme Park Entry if I can manage it, I'm usually feeling a bit peaky by noon. Head back to your
Disney Resorts Collection hotel for a nap in your air-conditioned room or even a little pool time to get you ready to head back for the evening. And if you feel like
resort transportation may be a bit much, don't feel weird about using a rideshare to get back. I'm super prone to choosing this when I'm feeling people'd out.
3. If you're not feeling it, don't do it. Don't feel pressured by the group to ride any attractions that feel too intense for your feelings at any given moment. I'm known to leave the group for a snack and a sit while everybody else is hitting
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. They're not about to stress me out!
Sandra, I really hope this makes a difference to your time at the Most Magical Place on Earth. Take care of yourself while you manage the magic. If you have any other questions, anxiety-based or otherwise, please feel free to
come back for another chat. I'm happy to help!
Happy planning!
Taylor