Can I ride the submarines if I get clausterphobic?

[Disney-Kim]

I rode them years and years ago and felt very confined and clausterphobic....has anything changed about the subs since the Nemo tranformation?

is there better air or is it roomier? I am guessing not...but figured its worth asking so I dont' get on and yell at my DH the whole ride like I did years ago

 

[Califgirl]

Yes! Happily, there is a way to experience Nemo Submarine Journey without ever actually boarding a submarine. Bypass the regular line, go up to a CM where the line is roped off under the monorail platform, and ask them if you can experience the attraction in the viewing room. It is to the right as you stand facing the submarines. There is a light on the viewing area building. If it is red, there is someone in there enjoying the experience. If it is green, it is available. The CM's are very good about getting people into this viewing area. It is great for anyone who doesn't want to get on the submarine for any reason. The viewing area is air conditioned and has comfy seats. There is also quite a bit of room on the (carpeted) floor if little ones get antsy and need to spread out or move around. It is way better (in my experience) than getting on the real subs.

Have fun!

 

[barefootmomma]

My mom is claustrophobic and she does ok on it. It is pretty tight body to body, but the ceilings aren't right on top of you so there is some head room. It's a pretty long ride considering, so I'd weigh my options. It's a cute ride, but I don't think you're going to feel like you missed out on something great if you skipped it.

 

[GrandBob]

Not much has changed about the actual ride itself. I get somewhat claustrophobic myself, and I managed to ride it last time we went. But I had to concentrate on my breathing. We're taking DGD7 again, and I think I'll let DW take her on the subs.

But search the archives of the forum. I believe that there's a different experience available for those who can't get in the boats for any reason (disabilities, etc). I don't know much about it, but apparently it's just in a room simulating the ride, or something like that.

HTH,
Bob

ETA - While I was composing, two other answers came in, including one about the viewing room. LOL. I love the DIS!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

I rode them years and years ago and felt very confined and clausterphobic....has anything changed about the subs since the Nemo tranformation?


is there better air or is it roomier? I am guessing not...but figured its worth asking so I dont' get on and yell at my DH the whole ride like I did years ago

No!

I get somewhat claustrophobic myself, and I managed to ride it last time we went. But I had to concentrate on my breathing.

I get slightly claustrophobic myself, and it was the same thing for me, I had to concentrate on just breathing and leaning forward into the window and getting the air that blows out of there.

 

[BlueBayou]

I get claustrophobic so this trip I went into the viewing room. My DD7 was not very pleased - She wanted to be on the real sub while big sis and DH rode Space Mtn.

I thought the viewing room itself was a wonderful, option. The CM who put us in it warned that it was going to get dark, that the door would not be locked and that I could open it at any time if I felt trapped.

But I was not that impressed with the ride. Maybe my expectations were too high and maybe something is lost not being on the sub itself. Plus a complaining 7-year-old did not add to the experience. But I was left feeling that I would have been disappointed if I waited in line for the ride.

I do recall loving the Sub ride when I was a kid in the '70s (Before getting stuck in an elevator and having claustrophobia issues).

 

[kkmcan]

I get some claustrophobia and I've ridden this ride multiple times. I still get the "I'm going to freak out" feelings when I get on but as soon as the ride starts I concentrate on that, looking out the window and I'm fine.

You could always ask to get on the sub last so you know when you get on if you need to get out right away. If you get on first and need to get out then you need to figure out how to get past all the people getting on after you.

 

[specialks]

I also get claustophobic and I did ride it with my family. It was very uncomfortable for me and I think I focused more on my breathing than on the actual ride. I can't remember half of what my kids say they remember from it. One bad thing is it is kind of a long ride. You have to really commit. That being said, I told myself I was overreacting and that everything would be fine; and I made it. I am glad I was able to do it with my daughters and thankfully they didn't ask to do it again during our trip. I think the 45 min wait helped cool their enjoyment of the ride.

 

[DoomBugger]

If you felt uneasy in the past you probably will now too. Try the viewing room and avoid the long line, it really is overrated anyways!

 

[amamax2]

Ditto many of the comments above.

I get claustrophobic and didn't realize what the interior of the ride would be like. You file in and sit on long benches, one row back to back with the other row. Each person has a window in front of them, but there is not much room between your body and the window, plus you are squished next to the people around you. I, unfortunately, was right in the middle of our row - I wish I had known and asked to be at an end - maybe that would have helped a bit?

As others have said, I spent a good deal of the ride concentrating on breathing, assuring myself that the sub wasn't even underneath the water all the way, and with my face very close to the window to make it seem like there was more room. I also tried to take a lot of pictures (knowing they weren't turning out, but it kept my mind off other things) and watching a little girl who was thoroughly enjoying the whole ride.

All of those things helped, and I did make it through without screaming hysterically, lol, but not sure I would ever go on it again, even without the claustrophobia. I did think it was a cute ride, but certainly not worth a wait or to ride every visit - we all wanted to try it and see what it was about, so we did.

 

[letthembelittle]

My dh and I rode it once and while I have never been clausterphobic at any other point in my life I think I came close to it on the ride. I would try the above ground viewing area.

 

[jlmarr]

Btw, the official name of the "viewing room" is the Marine Observation Outpost.

 

[spacemermaid]

I'll put it this way: I don't usually get scared/nervous due to being in a small, enclosed area, but the Nemo subs had me feeling a bit anxious. And by anxious I mean, trying to concentrate on enjoying the view whilst constantly wondering, "is it almost over?!?". I'd hate to think of what it'd be like for someone who normally suffers from claustrophobia

So I'll second (or third, or fourth...) what others have said: try the alternate viewing room!

 

[disneychrista]

The only time I had a problem was waiting for the ride to start, when I was faced toward a wall. I turned and looked into the sub and that helped. Once the ride was going I was fine.

 

[Disney-Kim]

I will be in the alternate viewing room

thanks for all the help!!