Avoiding the pre-show?

[leebee]

A travel companion has a DAS for her crippling anxiety/panic attacks in closed-in spaces and crowds. Is it possible to avoid some of the pre-shows (ToT, HM, etc) and enter attractions by a different access? I remember when we traveled with my sister, who uses a wheelchair but can transfer, they brought us in a back door to get into a doom buggy. It'd help my friend deal with her anxiety a LOT if she didn't have to pack into some of these pre-show rooms (like the stretching room and loading area at HM). It's odd, she says she can handle the LL wait times in line, but she's really anxious that being enclosed with a lot of people will trigger a panic attack (and of course the anxiety makes this all the more possible).

 

[Betty Rohrer]

A travel companion has a DAS for her crippling anxiety/panic attacks in closed-in spaces and crowds. Is it possible to avoid some of the pre-shows (ToT, HM, etc) and enter attractions by a different access? I remember when we traveled with my sister, who uses a wheelchair but can transfer, they brought us in a back door to get into a doom buggy. It'd help my friend deal with her anxiety a LOT if she didn't have to pack into some of these pre-show rooms (like the stretching room and loading area at HM). It's odd, she says she can handle the LL wait times in line, but she's really anxious that being enclosed with a lot of people will trigger a panic attack (and of course the anxiety makes this all the more possible).

for me and it has been awhile but I did get to use back door at HM but it was after preshow room. not allowed to skip room. from what I have been reading seems like most require preshow room and then the separate door to ride. at TOT always have had to do preshow with no way around line to ride like HM

 

[gap2368]

I have been Able to skip the preshow of HM before

 

[ToxicRoyalty]

It is possible for HM and ToT, I know that for sure! At Mansion, let CMs know when you're entering the building and they'll make sure you get a pass and send you through a hallway to bypass the stretching room. The hallway IS still a bit narrow, but it's a quick walk and the theming makes it fun. (It's also lighter than inside the mansion). For ToT, let the CM before the preshow room know you need to skip it. They'll hold you back, and have you walk through the room when the preshow is over (basically following the previous group that is leaving the room.

I've done these both with success about a year ago, though of course it's important to note that things are always changing, so I can't guarantee it'll still go the same.

 

[ttintagel]

A travel companion has a DAS for her crippling anxiety/panic attacks in closed-in spaces and crowds. Is it possible to avoid some of the pre-shows (ToT, HM, etc) and enter attractions by a different access? I remember when we traveled with my sister, who uses a wheelchair but can transfer, they brought us in a back door to get into a doom buggy. It'd help my friend deal with her anxiety a LOT if she didn't have to pack into some of these pre-show rooms (like the stretching room and loading area at HM). It's odd, she says she can handle the LL wait times in line, but she's really anxious that being enclosed with a lot of people will trigger a panic attack (and of course the anxiety makes this all the more possible).

It’s one of the many things that can happen but are not guaranteed. It depends on the individual cast member at the attraction, and whether they say yes or no.

 

[Evita_W]

for me and it has been awhile but I did get to use back door at HM but it was after preshow room. not allowed to skip room. from what I have been reading seems like most require preshow room and then the separate door to ride. at TOT always have had to do preshow with no way around line to ride like HM

TOT does have a way around the preshow, you have to check in at the front and let them know, they will then direct you through the exit. This also works for people who use scooters with no one to ouch a manual chair through the queue.

Haunted Mansion does have a way to bypass the preshow as well.

 

[DisneyOma]

I'd be wary of HM, as the room you get put into to board is very funnel-shaped, and can seem claustrophobic even when you are granted access through the mobility route.

 

[AnneK]

Anyone know if you can skip the pre-show for Flight of Passage?

 

[gap2368]

Anyone know if you can skip the pre-show for Flight of Passage?

I was told no since it has safety information in the pre show. since there are number you stand on there really is not too crowded

 

[leebee]

We successfully by-passed the pre-show at HM, ToT, MMRR, StarTours (I think...), TestTrak. Should have been able to bypass RnRC but the CM was unaware of this, told DD she had to do the pre-show, and a major panic attack ensued. Area coordinator said CM was wrong, and later in the day after recovering DD was able to access RnRC via the exit. Same issue with Dinosaur; CMs outright said no, have to do the pre-show for the safety instructions. Guest Experiences Cast (the folks under the blue umbrellas) told us that's not true, CMs have a safety list they can read to those who cannot be in enclosed, small, dark, crowded places. Also had an issue at Lion King, needed an end-of-row seat and consideration wasn't given. Same Guest Experiences guy told us this shouldn't have happened... but it was too late, of course.

 

[DisneyOma]

We successfully by-passed the pre-show at HM, ToT, MMRR, StarTours (I think...), TestTrak. Should have been able to bypass RnRC but the CM was unaware of this, told DD she had to do the pre-show, and a major panic attack ensued. Area coordinator said CM was wrong, and later in the day after recovering DD was able to access RnRC via the exit. Same issue with Dinosaur; CMs outright said no, have to do the pre-show for the safety instructions. Guest Experiences Cast (the folks under the blue umbrellas) told us that's not true, CMs have a safety list they can read to those who cannot be in enclosed, small, dark, crowded places. Also had an issue at Lion King, needed an end-of-row seat and consideration wasn't given. Same Guest Experiences guy told us this shouldn't have happened... but it was too late, of course.

Did the Guest Experience guys know the staffing level at the time? Maybe there wasn't an extra CM available to leave a post and read the safety instructions. But to be honest, if her triggers are that strong, I pray you never have to get evacuated from any of those rides - if you do, make sure they know you need the fire department there to help her out, as she might need a carry or a device to get her out quickly and safely.

 

[RoseGold]

Did the Guest Experience guys know the staffing level at the time? Maybe there wasn't an extra CM available to leave a post and read the safety instructions. But to be honest, if her triggers are that strong, I pray you never have to get evacuated from any of those rides - if you do, make sure they know you need the fire department there to help her out, as she might need a carry or a device to get her out quickly and safely.

Right, I was stuck on Little Mermaid for 15 minutes, pretty much the least dangerous/threatening ride possible, and probably really easy to exit, and it was still pretty concerning.