2. Shut off the noise

Image: Jett Farrell-Vega

Disney Imagineers are masters at setting an atmosphere of sound wherever you go in the parks. It is actually difficult to find places in Disney parks where there isn’t some sort of soundtrack going. While the soundtrack might be pleasant, the constant din of crowds, screaming from roller coasters, and blaring trains can send stress levels skyrocketing. Even before you get to the parks, a full plane flight can test the mettle of even the stalwart traveler.

If you or a family member is prone to stress, a good pair of headphones is an essential part of a Walt Disney World survival kit. I usually bring a light pair of quality in ear headphones to use for a number of purposes (I don’t usually need them for anxiety anymore, but they’re great for listening to audiobooks in line and some of our other headphone hacks). If you have or can get noise cancelling headphones, do so, especially for airplane flights. If you like in ears, Bose QuietControl 30 Wireless are the gold standard. For something more affordable, try Phiaton BC 100 NC headphones or Meidong’s HE8F Noise Cancelling earbuds which both have good reviews across the board. If you prefer over the ear headphones and don’t mind carrying something a bit bigger, we’ve enjoyed our Taotronics Over-Ear Noise-Cancelling Headphones which are great for airplanes or little ones who don't like loud noises. These are especially nice if you have small children who are scared of loud noises like trains and fireworks.

Image: Tautronics

Muting noise to bring stress down is nice but take things a step further by giving yourself your own sound track. I am a huge fan of noise generators—even as I write this, I am listening to one. My favorites are Relax Melodies (available for Android and iOS) and MyNoise.net. These apps not only allow you to custom craft a soothing soundscape—anything from sitting on the beach to hiking a mountain pasture--, they also give you access to binaural beats and isochronic tones. These beats and tones use oscillating sounds at specific frequencies to match your brainwaves and literally hack your brain into calming down or focusing. On top of this, you can also turn on white, brown, or pink noise to further block out sound, which is great for airplanes.

Whatever your ideal peaceful soundtrack is, use it when you feel stress coming on. Even if you have to have one ear in and the other listening to your family, do it. I’ve made it a routine on airplanes that once my husband and I are settled, I put in my headphones and immediately turn on Relax Melodies with some brown noise, nature sounds, and a downloaded playlist on Spotify like Peaceful Guitar (I am a fan of almost all of the “Focus”, “Chill”, and “Sleep” playlists for instrumental music). Use the art of sound to your advantage to settle your nerves at Walt Disney World and on your journey there and back again.

3. Ride a dark ride

Image: Disney

While I would not place “It’s a Small World” at the top of this list, there is something very soothing about Disney’s dark rides. The gentle sway of the boat on Pirates of the Caribbean. The fresh scents and clean air on Living with the Land. Even Frozen Ever After can be peaceful in its depictions of a winter wonderland (once you get past the crowds).

If you’re feeling stress build, you may want to think twice about heading straight for the Tower of Terror or Dinosaur. Instead, detour to one of Disney’s more relaxing experiences. In Magic Kingdom, take a whirl through Tomorrowland on the PeopleMover or a journey under the sea with The Little Mermaid. In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, take a detour into Star Wars Launch Bay and relax in its museum. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, take a train ride to Rafiki’s Planet Watch or a stroll through the Maharajah Jungle Trek. Epcot is positively brimming with peaceful attractions from Spaceship Earth and Soarin’ to the films of World Showcase. Not all of these are rides, necessarily, but they are peaceful places. Speaking of which…