Sensory Access Travel – Travel for All

The Sensory Aspects of Japan

Exploring the Sensory Wonders of Japan: A New Blog Series

We are excited to announce our latest blog series, where we delve into the sensory experiences of Japan’s most iconic cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. This journey was a remarkable adventure, filled with vibrant sights, intriguing sounds, and diverse flavors that cater to all senses.

In this series, we’ll provide an in-depth look at how these cities offer unique sensory environments and tips on how neurodivergent individuals can navigate and enjoy them fully. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto and the lively atmosphere of Osaka, each city presents its own set of sensory delights and challenges.

Tokyo: A Sensory Extravaganza
Our first stop is Tokyo, a city that blends the ultramodern with the traditional. We’ll explore the neon-lit streets, tranquil parks, and the bustling markets, offering insights into managing sensory overload in this vibrant metropolis. Highlights include:

– Shibuya Crossing: Tips for handling one of the world’s busiest intersections.
– Senso-ji Temple: Finding peace amidst the crowds.
– Dining in Tokyo: Sensory-friendly restaurant recommendations.

Kyoto: Serenity and Tradition
Next, we’ll journey to Kyoto, where history and tranquility prevail. Known for its beautiful temples, gardens, and traditional tea houses, Kyoto offers a calming contrast to Tokyo’s frenetic pace. Our posts will cover:

– Fushimi Inari Shrine:Navigating the serene yet bustling torii gate path.
– Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: Enjoying the visual beauty while managing sensory sensitivities.
– Dining in Kyoto: Experiencing traditional cuisine in a sensory-friendly way.

Osaka: Energetic and Exciting
Osaka is renowned for its lively street life and culinary scene. We’ll share our experiences in this dynamic city, focusing on:

– Dotonbori: Sensory tips for enjoying this vibrant entertainment district.
– Osaka Castle: Balancing historical exploration with sensory needs.
– Street Food: Navigating the sensory-rich environment of Osaka’s famous food stalls.

Special Feature: Tokyo DisneySea and Tokyo Disneyland
A visit to Japan wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the magic of Tokyo DisneySea and Tokyo Disneyland. Our special feature will provide detailed information on:

– Tokyo DisneySea: Sensory-friendly attractions and quiet areas.
– Tokyo Disneyland: Managing sensory input while enjoying the magical atmosphere.
– Practical Tips: Planning your visit, from avoiding peak times to finding sensory-friendly spaces.

We hope this series will be a valuable resource for neurodivergent travelers and anyone interested in the sensory aspects of Japan. Stay tuned as we embark on this exciting journey through one of the world’s most fascinating countries!

The Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

Nestled on the West Crescent of the iconic Palm Jumeirah, the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel is not just a luxurious retreat but a sensory paradise that promises to enchant and invigorate without overwhelming. I highly recommend this property for those with sensory difficulties! This Ottoman-inspired palace, with its stunning architecture and opulent decor, offers a sensory journey that delights and soothes in equal measure.

Visual

From the moment you step into the grand lobby, you are greeted by a visual feast. The intricate designs, shimmering chandeliers, and lavish furnishings reflect the opulence of the Ottoman Empire. The hotel’s architecture, with its majestic arches and domes, is a testament to its commitment to grandeur and elegance. Every corner of the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is adorned with artistic details that captivate the eyes and transport you to a world of regal splendor.

Auditory

The hotel’s ambiance is punctuated by the gentle sounds of flowing water from the numerous fountains and water features scattered throughout the property. The serene environment is further enhanced by soft background music, often classical or traditional, playing in common areas. This auditory landscape creates a calm and relaxing atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring Dubai. The music is not too loud and the potential echo experienced in some grand lobbies is well absorbed by the fabrics and water.

The lobby has subtle aroma of exotic flowers and essential oils. The hotel’s signature scent, a blend of oud and rose, lingers in the air, providing a subtle and not too-overwhelming fragrant backdrop. There is a lovely afternoon tea available in the lobby.

The rooms are luxurious, with crisp yet soft sheets, and a sumptuous deep bath tub and a separate rain shower. I loved how absolutely quiet the room was, and the ability to make the room pitch dark, with no annoying blinking lights. This was the perfect room for those of us with auditory and tactile difficulties.

The hotel boasts a variety of dining options, each providing a unique food experience. Chef’s are able to offer a variety of substitutions and vegan, vegetarian and halal options are easily available. From the rich, flavorful dishes at Lalezar, the hotel’s signature Ottoman restaurant, to the fresh, vibrant Mediterranean fare at Plaj, every restaurant offers fantastic options. My personal favorite is the afternoon tea!

Click on the link to download the Sensory Rating Sheet for the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel!

10 Tips to Make you Travel Destination more accessible

A guest realxes in a hammock by the ocean in a tropical location

Now that travel is opening back up slowly, we are getting more and more requests from our individual clients for travel destinations that are sensory accessible. We also work with a ton of travel industry partners, from hotels, resorts and even airlines, to create more inclusion for individuals on the Autism spectrum and other hidden disabilities. Here is one of our recent articles with ten tips towards inclusive travel:

https://www.brainzmagazine.com/post/10-tips-for-making-your-travel-destination-accessible-to-all

The first Sensory Accessible World’s Fair: Expo 2020 Dubai

We could not be more thrilled to be creating history by making the World’s Fair Sensory Accessible for the first time. The World’s Fair has brought the world together every five years all over the globe, to celebrate innovation, share technology and encourage trade. It has brought us the Eiffel Tower, The Seattle Space Needle, and many other iconic buildings. The World’s Fair for 2020 was moved to 2021 due to COVID closures, and will be opening October 1, 2021. Located in the UAE, Dubai is an amazing city of rich culture, incredible innovation and warm hospitality.

We have been working with Expo 2020 Dubai since October 2020 and have helped to create Neurodiverse positive language, consult on Sensory Rooms, Sensory Tools and ways to make the experience more accessible to autistic and sensory sensitive individuals. We recently toured the Expo site and some of it’s Pavilions and visited the Sensory rooms with their awesome Sensory Pods! Many of the buildings are underway, and the main Pavilions labeled Opportunity, Sustainability and Mobility were already completed and an incredible experience to go through. We will be returning to Dubai several times as buildings are completed to create Sensory Ratings for all of the Pavilions at Expo 2020. Stay tuned here on our website as we create and upload Social Narratives and Sensory Ratings for all of the experiences at Expo Dubai 2020 closer to opening!

We hope that a Global Event such as the World’s Fair will show the world how important Sensory Accessibility is.

Sensory Friendly Movie Showings at Vox Cinemas in the UAE!

Ad showing individuals watching a Sensory Friendly showing of a Movie at Vox Cinemas

Did you know that Vox Cinemas in the UAE partnered with Dubai Autism Centered to offer Sensory Friendly Cinema showings? Here are some of the Sensory Friendly Modifications they offer:

LIGHTING: Instead of the lighting being bright or off, they stay dim to avoid a harsh transition
SOUND: The sounds of the movie is turned down
SEATING: Seat spacing is created to give families and individuals more space to move around when needed
SNACKS: You are allowed to bringing your own snacks
ALLOWED ITEMS: You are allowed to bring in fidgets & comfort items
SHOWING: No ads are displayed before the movie starts

Watch the fantastic video below from Khalid Al Ameri and family for a wonderful review of the new Sensory Friendly showings at Vox Cinemas!

https://youtu.be/SqHXOkplMtA

Sensory Friendly Showings are available on Saturdays from 12PM in KIDS across Mall of the Emirates, Yas Mall, City Centre Sharjah, City Centre Fujairah, Al Jimi Mall and City Centre Ajman.

Have you been to a Sensory Friendly Showing yet? What did you think?

Hidden Sensory Spots in Disneyland Park

We are so excited to bring you the first part of our video series featuring some not as well known Sensory Break Areas at Disneyland! We teamed up with Mr Cheezypop, an amazing Disney Vlogger, to bring you a video of the lesser known areas around Disneyland to take a Sensory Break.

Most of you who have Sensory Processing Difficulties, or travel with someone that does, know about going to First Aid for some quiet (if you don’t mind the lighting) or going over to Tom Sawyer Island for a much needed break. Whether you are autistic, have Down Syndrome, ADHD or any other Sensory Processing Difficulties, Disneyland can be difficult on busy days. Our video is about where to go NOW when you need an immediate break no matter where in the park you are! The video was created on president’s Weekend, when the Park was as crowded as Ive ever seen it.

Take a look and follow us and Mr Cheezypop along some hidden gems in Disneyland Park, and stay tuned for our Disney California Adventure Video!

The map referenced in the video highlights the old smoking areas, which are no longer smoking areas (hurrah!) and many of which offer shade plus less crowding and more quiet.

Have you used any of these areas? Have more to share? Leave comments down below!

Sensory Review of Disneyland during the Holidays

Disneyland is beautiful during the Holidays, but the increase in crowds, lights and noise can often make it less successful for families that include individuals with sensory processing difficulties. Here is a review of Disneyland during Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas holidays.

Times to go: Halloween time during the week is much slower than on weekends, and way better than after Thanksgiving. We went during Thanksgiving, and due to torrential downpours on Thanksgiving day, the Wednesday and Thursday around Thanksgiving were EMPTY. However, due to the rain, many of the outdoor rides were closed as well. Fret not, rain allows you to ride some rides multiple times (hello, Guardians of the Galaxy; note – four times in a row is a bit much.) Times to avoid: We have found that the week between Christmas and New Years is very, very difficult.

Holiday Decorations:

Some people LOVE all the lights and holiday decor, while others avoid it. While it is difficult to avoid all the holiday lights walking down Main Street in Disneyland, Disney California Adventure (DCA) Park tends to have less Christmas decor overland, except for Cars Land – more on that in a different post about DCA during the holidays. . At Disneyland, both Galaxy’s Edge and Tomorrow Land feature no holiday changes.

Holiday Ride Overlays:

Haunted Mansion:

Several attractions change during the holidays, the most notable one being The Haunted Mansion. Themed after “A Nightmare before Christmas,” the entire Mansion inside and out is themed after this award-wining animated Halloween meets Christmas film where the main character, Jack Skellington, tries to take over Christmas by being “Sandy Claws” in a misguided effort to bring joy. Changes to note are that this brings on heavier crowds than usual for this attraction (we saw waits up to 120m minutes over Thanksgiving) and that while noise level and lighting levels are similar, the overall theme is a bit scarier than the cute and funny usual Haunted Mansion theming. If you like the movie, you will love this overlay, but those who don’t know the movie may be confused by the mix of Halloween and Christmas Decor. This attraction begins it’s theming at Halloween and goes through Christmas.

Sensory Team Ratings for Haunted Mansion Holiday:

Sound: 4/5 (wear headphones)

Light: 2/5 (not overly bright, dark in places)

Tactile: 0/5 (you sit in a slow moving triple seat vehicle that moves continuously)

Smell: 2/5 (there is a wonderfully delicious but quite strong smell of Gingerbread part way through the ride)

Proprioceptive: 1/5 (the vehicle tilts slightly backward at one point, and at the beginning the room appears to stretch making some uneasy)

Temperature: Indoors

It’s a Small World Holiday:

It’s a Small World gets a huge holiday overlay inside and out. The outside is one of the hallmarks of Disneyland during the holidays: Not only is there an incredibly detailed display of Christmas Lights, but an animated light-show appears on the face of Small World throughout the evening. On the inside, the entire attraction is themed for the holidays with a Peace on Earth message and A LOT of lights. new this year is the addition of more scents, from “Cherry Blossom” scent in Asia, to the Cinnamon scent in South America and Coconut in the South Seas area (along with lots of bubbles!). Europe still features Pine and Peppermint scents.

Sensory Team Ratings for Its a Small World Holiday:

Sound: 4/5 (Fairly loud holiday music, headphones recommended)

Light: 4/5 (There is a lot of lighting: most of it is non-flashing Christmas lights, but there is a lot going on which may be overstimulating for some)

Tactile: 0/5 (there is nothing to touch)

Smell: 4/5 (multiple smells, including: pine, peppermint, tropical, cinnamon and cherry blossom)

Proprioceptive: 2/5 (The ride is experience in a small, flat bottomed boat)

Temperature: Indoors

Photo of Small WOrld in Disneyland lit up in Christmas lights — Photo by Tom Bricker via DisneyTouristBlog

Christmas Parade:

Parades are often Sensory Overload, and this one, while beautiful and festive, is no different. If you have Sound sensitivities (our team rated this as 5/5) or crowd difficulties (also 5/5) , we recommend you avoid, watch from afar or access the parade with headphones in the Disability section.

Believe In Holiday Magic Fireworks

Like all Disney Fireworks shows, this is truly beautiful and spectacular. There are the usual fireworks explosion sounds, so we advise headphones if there are sound sensitivities. The Holiday Magic Show is 13 minutes long and ends with “snow” falling all the way down main street. The show is edited when high winds are in effect. More relaxed places to watch fireworks from are Galaxy’s Edge and Small World.

What are your favorite, sensory accessible holiday events/attractions at Disneyland?

A Sensory Review of the Disneyland Hotel

We’ve stayed at many places during our visits to Disney, but never onsite at one of the three Disneyland Resorts. On our most recent trip where we were reviewing Galaxy’s Edge, we thought we’d take the opportunity to review the Disneyland Hotel as well. While the Parks have great accessibility in the form of the DAS pass and more, the hotels to not have sensory accessibility per se, although they will offer help when asked.

Not many hotels in the area offer Autism/Sensory Accessibility. The only one we know of is the Sheraton Park at Anaheim; if you are interested in their Autism program (called their Max program,) view our future post or call them directly.

While many hotels still don’t offer accessibility options to Autistic individuals or those with sensory difficulties, many hotels have built-in amenities that make a stay more Sensory Friendly. Here are the things we look for:

Amenities such as weighted blankets, noise machines and choice of pillows.
Ability to interact with staff in text or writing if non-verbal or just feel more comfortable not talking one on one
Safety for younger kids – door locks that are up high and heavy items bolted down.
Ability to make the room quiet and dark
Gluten free/casein free options at restaurants, etc
Colors and textures in the room and lobby
Ease of navigation

How did the Disneyland Hotel stack up? See below!

Amenities:
Disneyland Hotel does not currently offer any amenities specific for sensory needs. Their in-room amenities (soap/shampoo) were mild and not overpowering.

Staff Interaction:
Most things still requires some staff verbal interaction, but it was possible to make dinner reservation through the app, which was nice.

Safety:
The room did feature latches up high which would decrease likelihood of elopement of younger kiddos. Everything was well attached so minimal ways for young kiddos to get hurt

Ease of Navigation:
Signage was fairly average; the hotel has several Towers so navigating to the correct Tower was not intuitive, and remembering which one you were in to navigate back and forth was needed.

Food Options:
Every Disney Restaurant does a fantastic job with food options and intolerances/allergies. We ate both at Goofy’s Kitchen, which we will review in another post (Sensory alert!), and at the famous Trader Sam Enchanted Tiki Bar/Tangaroa Terrace; which while crowded, was lovely. We did have to at first share a seating area with strangers, which is always hard for one of our team members, but soon we had the table to ourselves and really enjoyed the Tiki atmosphere and food & drinks. We did not head into the bar due to the long line.

The Lobby:
The Lobby was modern and had a soft blue glow to it, which was not too overwhelming. Although we did have to wait every time we needed help (there were usually only a few people at the front desk) there were many seating areas opposite the front desk, including some shaped like Alice’s Teacups!

The Hallways
I know it seems silly to discuss hallways but some hotel hallways are reminiscent of The Shining, and Disney Theming is awesome. We loved this carpet!! The hallways were themed and quiet, and easy to navigate.

The Rooms
I’ve stayed at some nice hotels, and after doing some research, knew that part of the price (on average $550 per night) includes just the fact that it is Disney and that it is close and convenient to the park. There are also amenities such as a special lanyard/pin, extra magic hours every day, etc. We were not disappointed! While many hotels with that price tag probably have other luxuries, the rooms itself with its magical wall hanging that lulled us to sleep WAS magical.

At night, the backdrop has fireworks and plays “When you Wish upon a Star.” It was super lovely and magical at night, and wonderful way to fall asleep, although our autistic teen did not prefer it after Day One when he was super tired. This may be better when you are not overwhelmed already/ your spoons are full.

The room was nice and quiet and there were no odd lights at night. The curtains were heavy and dark so that light could be blocked out if so desired.

The beds were super comfortable and had many pillows to choose from, and the cute Disney pillows were a nice touch.

The bathroom was not super special, but did feature cute touches like Mickey lamps and faucets. Not too overdone, but nice and subtle, the way I prefer. The colors are all very subdued, and the textures fairly minimal, with nice soft sheets and a firm mattress.

So, is Disneyland Hotel Sensory Accessible? It certainly could be, with a few modifications, such as adding some of the sensory amenities and offering non face to face ways to interact with staff. But for now, we’ll give Disneyland Hotel a solid 7/10, which puts it in the Sensory Friendly range. To see our Sensory Rating Sheet (TM) for this hotel, click here:

Disneyland Hotel Rating Sheet Download

This review team included an Autistic Teen, Neurodiverse Teen, and SPD Psychologist.

Finding some Sensory Rest Areas at Galaxy’s Edge

This is a second in our Galaxy’s Edge Series, after our recent trip to review Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland Anaheim. This new land is a wonderfully immersive experience, and we are excited to share how autistic and sensory sensitive individuals can enjoy this new Land at Disney!

Our first post in this series focused on crowds and the most anxiety-free ways on how to get into Galaxy’s Edge. Today, we are going to talk about some areas to get away from it all if you or you kiddo do get overwhelmed.

There are not any “sensory break” areas in Disneyland, and this is true for Galaxy’s Edge as well. The land does feel quite open and hot, so one of our goals was to find some shady, quiet spots to relax in.

The tunnels at Fantasy Land and Frontier entrances
There are three entrances into Galaxy’s Edge, and the two closer to Fantasy Land both feature short tunnels; despite being thoroughfares these are wonderfully cool and quiet. I would love for Disney to put some benches in here! Great place to take a moment.
By Oga’s Cantina
This little archway right by Oga’s Cantina is right in the middle of a big thoroughfare as well, but it does offer some shade (no seating), we found that people just sat on the ground. Disney in general tends to not have a lot of outdoor seating other than restaurants, so people tend to sit on the ground when they need to rest. If you need a moment to get away from others in a bit of shade, this is place where no one is likely to bother you.

3. By the First Order
In general, this areas tends to be a little quieter. Most people are excited to crowd into Oga’s Cantina, see the Millenium Falcon and ride Smuggler’s Run, or try the Blue Milk, so the First Order area gets less crowds overall. If the First Order Cargo shop is not busy, the air conditions is fantastic and it is not noisy or overly bright inside the store. It might be a good place to distract a sensory kiddo and get away from the hustle and bustle outside. Otherwise, if you are looking for a place to take a quick break, the area to the left of the shop has a tiny alley way that has some shade and goes back a little ways, and may provide some privacy for those who need a moment to decompress.

4. Millennium Falcon – There is some seating to the right of the Millennium Falcon, by the photography area. These orange cargo boxes aren’t cushioned seating, but they do give you the chance to rest your feet a bit. While they are out in the sun, they might be good for a brief place to rest. This is more of a crowded area, but it may help to sit and have a cold drink.

5.Rise of the Resistance Area
This area is very quiet for now, before the Rise of the Resistance Ride opens up. It won’t stay that way, but until it does it makes a fantastic place to take a break.
This area also offers no shade, but there are rock seating areas along the path. There are no sensory break areas, but at least a spot to rest physically. For sensory break areas you are best off in the alleyway by the First Order, or in other places in Disneyland, such as the old smoking areas, described in this post.

photo via @stephishappening

6. The restaurants were all fairly crowded, and between the crowds and noises, they may not be an ideal place for a sensory break. This land does not feel like a place where one might have a full sit down meal, which means all of the restaurants are fairly busy throughout as people have snacks and quick counter meals.

7. The shops were all very busy and crowded, with a lot going on, except for the First Order Cargo. I would avoid these if you need a sensory break.

Overall, while our team found Galaxy’s Edge less overwhelming sensory wise than other parts of Disneyland, there also weren’t as many places to get a break. Here is a map which includes shady spots (blue circles) and sunny spots (red circles) to take a break:

Where did you take a sensory break?

Crowds at Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland for Sensory Individuals

We recently went to Disneyland to review Galaxy’s edge for all things Sensory! We love to review Disney experiences for those that are autistic or have Sensory difficulties, as there are many sensory experience that can create barriers. Knowledge is power! It was a wonderful experience overall, and we highly recommend visiting this new Disneyland experience.

Our Review Team included: An Autistic Teen, A Neurodiverse Teen and a SPD Psychologist

Disney did an impeccable job with crowd management for the opening of its first new land in a long time. From a “soft opening” that required reservations and four hour limits, to an excellent wristband system and then a Boarding Pass System once the land fully opened, the crowds have been super manageable. We visited Galaxy’s Edge on the last day reservations were required, and on the first fully open day, and to be honest, crowds were lighter on the day without reservations! We never felt like it was too crazy, and even our autistic team member who does not like crowds, found the crowds to not be an issue.

It was quite crowded at Oga’s Cantina, for which we needed a reservation. It was very noisy (as expected for a cantina atmosphere), but we will review that in another post. Besides waiting in line for Oga’s (even with a reservation!) crowds were not a problem for our team members.

Here are the current ways to get into Galaxy’s Edge:

A) If Galaxy’s Edge is “Open” you can just go in like any other land. You can see the status of GE on the Disneyland app or on any of the new digital Kiosks around Disneyland

B) If a Boarding Pass is required, you can sign up for a Boarding Pass on the Disneyland App on your smartphone; make sure you enable notifications so you will be notified when it is your time to Board! Otherwise, you can also keep checking the app, but we like to save that battery! Once your time has started, you have two hours to enter the land. There are no restrictions on how long you can stay. If you prefer not to use the app or don’t have a smart phone, you can access the boarding passes at FastPass locations in Space Mountain. Digital Kiosks will tell you what Boarding group is currently Boarding:There has not been a need for the boarding pass system since we were there June 24th.

C) If the land is using this virtual que and you can not get a boarding pass, another work-around is to get a reservation at Oga’s Cantina or Savi’s Workshop (lightsabers). Once you have a reservation at one of these two locations, you will be admitted into the land one hour before your reservation time. Be aware you do have to put a credit card down for your reservation just like all other Disney reservations.