Claustrophobia at Universal

[BessaB]

Hi! I'm a seasoned WDW goer but haven't been to Universal since I was a young teen. I'm planning a Universal trip and want to be prepared. I am claustrophobic and am having a hard time trying to figure out what I need to beware of at the Universal parks. For reference, I don't ride elevators if at all possible. At Disney, I am ok on the Skyliner but I don't do Mission Space or Astro Orbiter. Other things that do ride or have ridden but are borderline claustrophobia issues for me: Smugglers Run, RocknRoller Coaster (I ride but really don't like the shoulder restraints), the queue for ROTR. Can anyone provide some insight on this issue for me as far as which rides and attractions I may need to be careful about? Thanks!

 

[georgina]

Hi! I'm a seasoned WDW goer but haven't been to Universal since I was a young teen. I'm planning a Universal trip and want to be prepared. I am claustrophobic and am having a hard time trying to figure out what I need to beware of at the Universal parks. For reference, I don't ride elevators if at all possible. At Disney, I am ok on the Skyliner but I don't do Mission Space or Astro Orbiter. Other things that do ride or have ridden but are borderline claustrophobia issues for me: Smugglers Run, RocknRoller Coaster (I ride but really don't like the shoulder restraints), the queue for ROTR. Can anyone provide some insight on this issue for me as far as which rides and attractions I may need to be careful about? Thanks!

I am sure there will be some I'm forgetting, but I find some of the queues to be anxiety inducing for small, narrow hallways. Hagrid's has a lot of those hallways, kind of like Splash Mtn but even more, and I haven't ridden Dudley Do-right in years but that one also had very plain enclosed halls. Even the SR line for Hagrid's is in a hallway, but you can see the top and bottom of the stair. The queues for Mummy and Kong are dark; I do single rider for Mummy which is usually very short.

Hogwarts Express is within an 8 person enclosed car. Does the stretching room at Haunted Mansion bother you? Gringott's has a similar 'elevator' but it is fairly large. That can also be skipped by doing single rider line, but if the SR line is long it can be in plain stone hallways for a while. I think you should be OK in Hogwarts castle whether or not you do the ride; the ceilings are pretty high and it doesn't feel too enclosed to me, also a lot to see if you are a Harry Potter fan.

 

[BessaB]

I am sure there will be some I'm forgetting, but I find some of the queues to be anxiety inducing for small, narrow hallways. Hagrid's has a lot of those hallways, kind of like Splash Mtn but even more, and I haven't ridden Dudley Do-right in years but that one also had very plain enclosed halls. Even the SR line for Hagrid's is in a hallway, but you can see the top and bottom of the stair. The queues for Mummy and Kong are dark; I do single rider for Mummy which is usually very short.

Hogwarts Express is within an 8 person enclosed car. Does the stretching room at Haunted Mansion bother you? Gringott's has a similar 'elevator' but it is fairly large. That can also be skipped by doing single rider line, but if the SR line is long it can be in plain stone hallways for a while. I think you should be OK in Hogwarts castle whether or not you do the ride; the ceilings are pretty high and it doesn't feel too enclosed to me, also a lot to see if you are a Harry Potter fan.

Thank you so much for this insight! We are hoping to get Express Passes so I am hopeful that may eliminate or at least speed up some of the queue issues. Am I correct in thinking that?

 

[Smugpugmug]

Thank you so much for this insight! We are hoping to get Express Passes so I am hopeful that may eliminate or at least speed up some of the queue issues. Am I correct in thinking that?

Off the top of my head, Dudley and Mummy still have dark, enclosed spaces even when using Express. Hagrid's also does not take Express and some parts of the queue have tight highways.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

The IIRC, the only rides with over the shoulder restraints are Forbidden Journey, Dr. Doom Fearfall, & Hulk.
On Forbidden Journey, you also can't really see those next to you and it is much more "boxed in" than a coaster car. You might take a look at the test seat, I can't remember if it's got the sides like the real ride does.

 

[georgina]

Thank you so much for this insight! We are hoping to get Express Passes so I am hopeful that may eliminate or at least speed up some of the queue issues. Am I correct in thinking that?

Agree with the above, but yes express in general should help you get through the lines faster (except Hagrid's). I would probably skip Dudley. For Mummy maybe try early in the AM when the lines tend to be short.

Hogwarts Express cars have a simulated window which shows scenes as you ride. It is a cool ride, but the door is closed for the duration (7-8 minutes maybe for the whole experience?)

On other threads some have mentioned the Simpson's pre-ride room, I don'y usually bother with that one so can't remember.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

The Simpson's pre-ride room is only 8 people in a room about 15'x8' where you watch a preshow video; you do not feel crowded. I believe the door back into the hallway remains open the whole time, or maybe it shuts briefly while the door into the ride area itself opens.

 

[Skippyboo]

Forbidden Journey - you are basically in a high back chair with shoulder restraints. There are separators so you really don’t see the three other seats. The seats are attached to an arm that will lift and tilt you almost 90 degrees. A lot of people get motion sickness on this one.

 

[Skywalker3]

I don't get claustrophobic very often, but have a few times at Universal, but not really bad, I just have to remind myself of where exits are, or that they're not far away. (actually the few times I did Poseidon's Fury were bad, glad it's gone!)
One place I definitely felt it was single rider at the Mummy. It's a rather narrow hallway, and it its' backed up, it's hot, stuffy, and felt closed in. (but Mummy is my favorite ride at Universal, w MiB, so I make it work) The ride vehicle might stop from time to time. Can you do Dinosaur at AK or Star Tours ok?
The Hulk restraints are similar to RnRC. and FJ's too.
SpiderMan and Transformers are similar to Star Tours (but way better, well Spider Man is anyway,)
Seems like the SR at Gringotts could be stuffy, narrow hallway, maybe I'm misremembering though. You do have an 'elevator' that you get in for that ride, in Express and regular line.
Express is going to help a lot!! Have fun!!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Seems like the SR at Gringotts could be stuffy, narrow hallway, maybe I'm misremembering though.

You just walk through the hallway when the SR line is reasonably short - the actual waiting is on a big spiral staircase in a high round echo-y "cavern" feeling room. If the SR line is backed up so you can't see the staircase, you might want to bail. And if you can see it, you'll know whether it'll be a problem for you. The loading platform is right at the top of the staircase. The SR line bypasses the elevator (and the backstory & most of the Gringotts lobby).

Spider-Man, Transformers, and Simpsons have you in an 8 person vehicle in 2 rows with a single lap bar. All have sides/backs that come up to around head height, with the fronts being lower so you can see forward. Simpsons the car itself lifts up and shifts around along with the 3D movie screen (you stay in 1 place and move on a mounted arm). Transformers & Spider-Man the car moves along a track with some sets and some screens. I timed Spider-Man and Transformers last time and both were right around 5min from bum in seat to lap bar lifting.

Fast & Furious is prone to breaking down (and is not a great ride regardless). The ride vehicles are the same as Kong. If you do Kong first, it'll give you an idea if you'd be ok on F&F if it stopped for a time. Although the queue Kong queue is definitely worse from a claustrophobia standpoint, it's dark & subterranean feeling, with hallways going through creepy Kong doorways. And a few larger more open rooms, but still a creepy vibe. The EP queue for Kong will also put you in a dark hallway for a time, depending on how long the line is.

 

[barb969]

MiB has a pre show which I think is dark and tight. If you have EP you will miss it.
Kong has narrow dark hallways.

 

[sandam1]

I'm planning a Universal trip and want to be prepared. I am claustrophobic and am having a hard time trying to figure out what I need to beware of at the Universal parks.

The first thing that came to my mind is Hagrids. I have mild claustrophobia and I have significant issues with that queue. It is terrible! If you want to ride, your best bet is to go with the single rider line. The SR line isn't always significantly faster than the regular line, but the line is either outside or inside down a staircase (where you can see the outside and/or easily get outside if you need a break). After that space, then you are in the main waiting area which is loud, but open with high ceilings. Just double-check as you get in the queue that the SR line is open as it isn't always.

Seems like the SR at Gringotts could be stuffy, narrow hallway,

I've never seen Gringotts SR backed up beyond the spiral staircase. Again, it's a loud area, but it is relatively open. The SR for Gringotts and Men in Black skips the elevators.

Kong, on the other hand, has a series of long, narrow hallways. They aren't as bad as Hagrids (maybe because you move through them faster most of the time, but they are similar.

 

[Skippyboo]

I've never seen Gringotts SR backed up beyond the spiral staircase. Again, it's a loud area, but it is relatively open. The SR for Gringotts and Men in Black skips the elevators.

I have been stuck in single rider line that backed up in the hallway where you get the glasses before the stairs. I remember it because there was a huge group around me around 20 people and I was there wondering why they were in single rider instead of regular line. MiB single rider is normally super quick because of the odd number of seats on the ride.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I have been stuck in single rider line that backed up in the hallway where you get the glasses before the stairs.

Me too. I usually head back out if it's beyond the base of the staircase because fair chance it's at least 30min at that point. But it's easy enough to start down the SR line then make a determination. It's normally only halfway down the spiral staircase or shorter.

 

[Skywalker3]

I am one who can't let something go until I find the answer (I was a librarian for about 15 years....and I still have the need to find that answer!) I knew I'd felt Claustrophic recently, and thought it was Gringotts, I spent some time going back through texts/and pictures from our Spring break 2022 trip, and it WAS. Have a text that says This first hallway is crazy tight. If someone had claustrophobia, not a good idea....so it was Gringotts after all. I 'm pretty sure the regular line was like 90 or 100 mins, and it made the SR line long. I think it took us 40-50 mins. But anyway, Do-able but tight.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Yes, if you are stuck before the winding staircase on Gringotts SR you should just bail & try again later. None of the normal Gringotts queue hallways should be a problem, although you do need to do the elevator in the normal or EP queues.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

The queues for Hagrid's and King Kong could both be issues. I only ride Hagrid's at rope drop when I know I'll be waiting less than 30 minutes and hopefully less than 10 of that wait in the narrow low ceiling tunnels. King King I rode in the express lane and the tunnels were so tight for so long that I almost bailed. I'll only ride it again if the regular line is less than 30 minutes, suggesting the express lane would be a walk on or close to it. No issues for me on FJ, Gringotts, or and of the simulators. Gringotts has an "elevator" but it's huge with high ceilings and they really don't pack people in that badly. The spiral staircase is the one spot that might feel a bit tight for comfort, and the locker area of course, which is always a packed in zoo.

 

[GoofyDad_4427]

The Simpson's pre-ride room is only 8 people in a room about 15'x8' where you watch a preshow video; you do not feel crowded. I believe the door back into the hallway remains open the whole time, or maybe it shuts briefly while the door into the ride area itself opens.

Claustrophobia is slightly different for all those affected by it. For me, I could never fly in the middle seat of an airplane, I need to be on the aisle. I have no issues with any ride restraints at all, but the preshow for the Simpsons is the one and only problem i had at Universal. It was a terrible experience for me.

 

[BessaB]

Update:

I wanted to share some feedback post-Universal trip in case anyone finds this thread in the future with a similar concern.

For *me* (recognizing that everyone is different and what may trigger a freak-out for one person may be totally fine for another):

-The queue for Hagrid's was an absolute "no". I tried to research a lot beforehand so I would know what to expect and could mentally prepare. I started to feel keyed up as soon as the queue went indoors. I made it a little ways into the egg room and once I saw the entrance to the next part I knew I couldn't do it. Beyond that room there are multiple cave-like passageways. I also felt like Universal did not have as much quick and easy access to team members as Disney does so once I decided we needed to get out of line, we tried a couple exit doors but they appeared to exit us backstage and it wasn't clear we would be able to easily get back to where we were supposed to. We couldn't find a team member so we had to wind back through the line against the flow of traffic (while I was actively crying) to get out of the line. However, although I did not have an Individual Accessibility Card, I did go speak to a team member near the ride entrance and she gave us a slip and instructions on where to go to ride without having to do the queue. I'm not sure if it was because I was clearly having a panic episode and crying that she did this or if someone could get this by asking politely before putting themselves through the experience of trying the line. I was polite and explained that I would be glad to wait like everyone else but I just could not do the queue.

-The pre-show room for the Simpson's ride was not my favorite but I managed. The ceiling is low and the room is quite small. I purposely avoided looking at the doors once we entered so I would not see that they were closed. My sister is also claustrophobic (not as bad as me) and she was also uncomfortable in here. We don't do elevators and this was reminiscent, albeit larger.

-Escape from Gringott's does have a large elevator experience before the ride but I was ok on this. Again, I never looked back to see the doors we entered through were closed. This technique helps me somewhat. The elevator is much bigger than a normal elevator and is well lit and has screens that simulate windows at the top. I don't think this is a real elevator, just a simulator holding room.

*We had express passes so may have missed some queue situations that would have been a problem.*

-The express pass lane for Kong had a long hallway. I did have to consciously make sure not to look behind me to see how many people there were packed in back there. This was well lit with a higher ceiling, decently wide, and was just one long straight hallway with no turns so I was able to handle it.

-Hogwarts Express was a definite "no". I tried to convince myself I would be able to handle it but as soon as we stepped on and looked into the compartment I turned around and exited. It was like an elevator behind a second set of closed doors. There was absolutely no way this one was going to be overcome for me. I was bummed about this one because I'm sure it's really cool.

-The only ride seats that made me uncomfortable (for anyone uncomfortable with over-the-shoulder restraints) were Hulk and Forbidden Journey. Hulk wasn't too bad. Forbidden Journey took some mind over matter for me. I was ok as long as it was moving but if I were to get stuck or delayed mid-ride, I would definitely freak out.

I hope this is helpful to someone in the future and I appreciate everyone's input before my trip.

 

[Sleepy425]

-Hogwarts Express was a definite "no". I tried to convince myself I would be able to handle it but as soon as we stepped on and looked into the compartment I turned around and exited. It was like an elevator behind a second set of closed doors. There was absolutely no way this one was going to be overcome for me. I was bummed about this one because I'm sure it's really cool.

I appreciate this post. I haven't been on an elevator in 30 years and struggle with even basic rides/lines in Disney (Mickey and Minnie's Railroad I'm looking at you!) I haven't done Universal yet, but keep considering taking the kids. If the rest of my party does Hogwart's Express, is there an easy way for me to get to the next park (this is the one that goes between the parks right?) to meet up with them?

Thanks for the feedback on rides - I know when I finally go there will be very few I can actually do (I finally got out to Disneyland in November and was super bummed I couldn't do Haunted Mansion Holidays because there was no way to skip the stretching room at that time due to construction). But my kids thankfully are nothing like me and will have a blast on all the rides!