claustrophobia and getting through lines

[alicat8]

My mom is claustrophobic and it's gotten worse over time. She has gotten to the point where she just avoids rides (like space and splash mts) that have tunnel-like sections of the queue. Even with a FP, you still have to go through them and she won't go. I never think to ask ahead of time and then I feel bad when we're there that she won't ride. She feels bad that we feel bad... it's a pity-fest.

Does anyone have any experience with special ways in so she could avoid those parts of the lines? If we ask CMs at the beginning of the lines maybe, so she could meet us at the end up at the loading?

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'd stop by guest services and ask for a DAS pass.

Head over to the Disabilities forum and they'll explain it.

I've never needed one but I know someone who needs one and that is what she has done in the past.

 

[mcconnellfam96]

This may seem like a silly suggestion, but pick her up a handheld fan. While in line, she can use it to blow air on her face.....this helps greatly with my claustrophobia.

 

[pioneer89]

My mom is claustrophobic and it's gotten worse over time. She has gotten to the point where she just avoids rides (like space and splash mts) that have tunnel-like sections of the queue. Even with a FP, you still have to go through them and she won't go. I never think to ask ahead of time and then I feel bad when we're there that she won't ride. She feels bad that we feel bad... it's a pity-fest.

Does anyone have any experience with special ways in so she could avoid those parts of the lines? If we ask CMs at the beginning of the lines maybe, so she could meet us at the end up at the loading?

I've never thought about it before, but a lot of those lines are pretty closed in. Is it just the close quarters, or is it also darkness that impacts her? Maybe a hand held flashlight.

Otherwise, I've heard wine helps.

 

[asmit4]

I have to agree- a glass of wine does help. Otherwise- yes- I feel a GAC pass is a good option. To me- this is a real issue and while not outwardly medical- I think GAC is perfect for this type of thing.

 

[Disneylover99]

Otherwise, I've heard wine helps.

 

[alicat8]

I've never thought about it before, but a lot of those lines are pretty closed in. Is it just the close quarters, or is it also darkness that impacts her? Maybe a hand held flashlight.

Otherwise, I've heard wine helps.

Hmmm no glass bottles right? So I'll get her a flask before our trip

 

[Disneylover99]

Alicat, is your mom okay with getting strapped in on rides?

I have issues with lap bars, but I find popping a Halls Mentho lyptus into my mouth helps to diffuse the situation a bit. Wine is great too, but harder to come by in the MK.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Maybe she should talk to her doctor before she goes...He might be able to give her a low-dose anxiety med (like Xanax etc) to take the edge off so she can push through her fears, and those tunnels!

 

[lanejudy]

You can stop at Guest Relations to ask about a DAS. She will have to explain her needs and how she cannot stand in a traditional queue, not her diagnosis. However, the DAS entrance is the FP+ line. If she cannot do the FP+ line, this may not solve her dilemma. I'd be sure to have her discuss those concerns with Guest Relations to see what (if anything) could be offered. Most rides do not have an alternative way to meet up at the boarding area.

Would it be helpful if your family provides a "buffer" for her? Some ahead, some hanging back, to allow a few extra feet of space between the parties ahead and behind you. Is there anything she can use as a distraction (others suggested a fan or a flashlight) that would keep her mind off it?

She might also consider discussing this with her physician to see if he/she has any suggestions or might prescribe a mild sedative for her. I don't advocate taking meds when not necessary, but if she gets that anxious it might be beneficial just for the specific occasion of your trip.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[lanejudy]

I have to agree- a glass of wine does help. Otherwise- yes- I feel a GAC pass is a good option. To me- this is a real issue and while not outwardly medical- I think GAC is perfect for this type of thing.

Just a clarification...the GAC program no longer exists. The current DAS program is explained in a sticky on the disABILITIES forum. However, the DAS (as did the former GAC) will have her enter through the FP+ line, so if even the FP+ line is a problem, the DAS that may not be terribly helpful.

OP, please check out the WDW Disability Access Service Card thread -- the first post is really all you need for the basics, not the full thread. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3178976
I've offered a couple other suggestions above, and you might get some more tips from the folks on the disABILITIES forum.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[lovethattink]

The good news. With FP+ there are no turnstiles at attractions. Instead it's a fairly wide area. 2 people can fit at same time to scan your magic band.

The bad news. They erected high walls between many of the fp lines and the standby. I minded it at maelstrom, Nemo at epcot, and character connection.

 

[tobikaye]

My mom gets claustrophobic very easily in various lines. If it is just the two of us, we usually leave a good amount of space between us and the people in front, about 2-4 feet. Then I will try to be behind her and stay about a foot behind. If there are more of us, then we buffer her in, but still give her some space. This way, she can control her area a bit.

Someone else suggested a fan, and I know that my mom does this in situations where she is stuck. She has some nice cloth hand fans, or Chinese fans, that she keeps with her. She just pulls one out and starts to use that. I have even done this when I am in some place by myself and feel claustrophobic and it does help some.

 

[Mrsjvb]

I'd stop by guest services and ask for a DAS pass.

Head over to the Disabilities forum and they'll explain it.

I've never needed one but I know someone who needs one and that is what she has done in the past.

might not work.. you still go through FP line with a DAS and OP says Mum won't do that.

also, there is no real way to meet up with a party at loading unless you go through the line.

 

[Mrsjvb]

I have to agree- a glass of wine does help. Otherwise- yes- I feel a GAC pass is a good option. To me- this is a real issue and while not outwardly medical- I think GAC is perfect for this type of thing.

no such thing as GAC any more. the new DAS is very different and much more restrictive as to who gets it and what it can help with..

 

[alicat8]

Thanks for the input everyone. I figured that the das wouldn't help since it probably used the FP line. She doesn't have issues with the lap bars at all, just the tunnels. If she can walk right through it's no problem, so space is actually less of an issue since it slows down at the top of the ramp when it opens up. The end of splash is the worst. We've tried keeping room around her in the past but I don't think it's enough for her any more.

 

[LilyWDW]

Thanks for the input everyone. I figured that the das wouldn't help since it probably used the FP line. She doesn't have issues with the lap bars at all, just the tunnels. If she can walk right through it's no problem, so space is actually less of an issue since it slows down at the top of the ramp when it opens up. The end of splash is the worst. We've tried keeping room around her in the past but I don't think it's enough for her any more.

Huh... I actually have the opposite issues. Nearly had a panic attack while on RnRC due to the over head restraints. It was bad especially since I did not have a "safe" person with me (my mom wouldn't ride and I was seated by a stranger).

From my research, a DAS would not do any good in her situation. She would still have to go through the queue to make it onto the attraction. Upside of FP+ is that that line generally moves pretty constant so there is less of a chance of her getting stopped in a bad spot. I, personally, will play on my phone or find some other way to get my mind off of it but I know that doesn't work for everyone.

 

[cattywampus]

A couple of small tricks that I use in lines: I am always the first member of our party to enter the line. That way, I control how much we move up and I maintain a healthy space between me and the party in front of me. The family members behind me are cognizant of the issue and maintain space behind me as well. Could you just hold up before the tunnel and not enter it until she can walk straight through?

The fan and the xanex are good thoughts. I actually carry an emergency xanex in my purse after an incident on Indiana Jones (vehicles same as Dinosaur), where it broke down and we were left strapped in the vehicle for over 30 minutes before being evacuated.

They sent a young CM to our vehicle to see if everyone was ok. I answered no, I was not ok and requested that I be released due to claustrophobia (and it was perfectly safe to do so, given our location within the ride -- we were basically in an industrial building once the lights came on.). The CM delayed, went to talk to someone else, and then came back and said he could not do it but his supervisor told him to stand next to me, which made things way worse. Even others in the vehicle could tell I was in trouble and kept telling him to release me and they would all stay strapped in. I can still feel the color draining out of my face.

It came down to me either making a scene (which I decided against due to the young children in the vehicle) or employing some serious lamaze breathing to avoid a full fledge panic attack. I told the CM that if he wasn't going to release the seat belt, to please step away from the vehicle (for some reason, I couldn't shut down enough knowing that he was standing right there able to release me, but not doing it). My sister was hilarious (now it's funny -- then, not so much) telling him "no, she means it. Step away". I think she was afraid I might grab him by the throat and I can't say that it was out of the question. When we were finally evacuated, we gave away the fastpasses we were given and left the park, as I was spent for the day.

To this day, my enjoyment of disney has been negatively affected by this experience. It made me keenly aware that I am at the mercy of the equipment and staff. I never had that fear in the 40 plus years I had been going to Disney parks.

 

[DisneyWisher]

If the tunnel at Splash scare her I think it's best to avoid the ride. We've been so far this year March, April and May. Each time Splash broke down. Daughter was stuck on it for 40 mins...just after last drop by the falling water (she was not happy). We were on just before 2nd drop (the dark one) they didn't evacuate us but house lights were turned on. I'm not a fan of confined closed in spaces. I'll never ride ToT again.

 

[SueM in MN]

Other people have already mentioned what I was going to say about DAS, so I will add some information about claustrophobia.
You mentioned her issues are getting worse, so I thought a list of attractions people have mentioned feeling claustrophobic on might be helpful to you.

This link goes to page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=595713&page=2

Scroll down to post 27, which is where the information about claustrophobia can be found.