Claustrophobia

[LAWZMAN]

This question's for me, with serious claustrophobia. I'm okay in closed places as long as I can see a way to get out. What rides are the worst that I should avoid? for the less claustrophobic rides can you give me an idea of how claustrophobic they are?

 

[OneLittleSpark]

OK, I would say definitely avoid Mission Space! You're in a small pod with a few other people. I got claustrophobic in there, and I don't normally have a problem with it.

Star Tours might be a bit much for you, but I don't know. It's about the size of a single bedroom in a standard house, with tiered seating.

Tower of Terror is probably another one to avoid. I've not done it myself, but it looks pretty small in there.

Stitch is a BIG no. The restraint system is extremely constricting, and the effects can be very intimidating.

There is a scene in a cave in Big Thunder Mountain, but I don't know if that would be too much for you or not.

Most of the attractions should be OK, as you'll be either in a ride car, going through a fairly open track; or in a show in a fairly large theatre. You'll find pictures of ride cars at All Ears, which might be of some help to you. Also, if you have any queries, just ask the CM. Videos of most rides can be found on YouTube.

 

[livndisney]

AVOID the Little Mermaid show at MGM. They pack you into a windowless room with lots of other people and they shut the doors behind you. It is the only show I had to leave.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I am a clautrophob. The only ride I had a real problem with was Mission Space.

 

[LAWZMAN]

Looks like Mission Space is a no go. Too bad because space travel is a real interest of mine. Disappointing but I'm not going to risk it. No way I'll go for Stitch with a restraint. Anything else that has a restraint like that?

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Would a lap-belt or bar be OK with you? If so, the only restraint systems that might be too much for you are Stitch, Primeval Whirl and Rock 'n' Rollercoaster. A lot of rides have either a lap-belt or a bar that lowers across your legs from the front.

Mission Space is quite a bad one, I'm afraid. You're in a pod with 3 other people, the doors close and the console moves towards you. There is, however, an area after the ride that has various space-related things, which you can go to without having to go on the ride.

For more ride photos, go to the All Ears photo gallery.

 

[sneezy1956]

I can't even stand a sheet over my face, but the only ride I have trouble with is Mission to Space. Everything else is fine!

 

[mamaloya]

You will want to avoid the stretch room on the haunted mansion for sure. I HATE that part. You are in a windowless room packed tight with people. Even though I have been a few times, I still can't figure out where the door is going to open. It is meant to be scary and they even tell you that there is no way out in a creepy voice. If you want to ride, just ask to skip the stretch room.

 

[SueM in MN]

Star Tours might be a bit much for you, but I don't know. It's about the size of a single bedroom in a standard house, with tiered seating.

Tower of Terror is probably another one to avoid. I've not done it myself, but it looks pretty small in there.

I want that bedroom in my house.

Seriously, it's a small moving theater with tiered seats, but my guess is that it is probably about 25 feet wide by 25 to 30 feet deep. If I remember right, each row is about 8 to 10 people and there are 5 rows.

Tower of Terror has 3 rows of tiered seats with an aisle between them. The front of the elevator is open for much of your ride. The size is probably about 18 to 20 feet square.

I am claustrophobic and have not had problems with either of those rides, although some people do.

I agree about Voyage of the Little Mermaid. It's not so much the size of the room - it's pretty big. But, it's dimly lit, with no windows and they keep making more and more people get it. Then they tell you to keep moving toward the front.

Another waiting area that is bad is It's Tough to Be a Bug. It is themed to look like you have entered the underground world of bugs. It is dimly lit, dark brown color and the ceiling is low and looks like dirt above you.

Haunted Mansion - besides the stretching room, the boarding are is dimly lit (like dark) and the line gets gradually narrower and narrower to get you to a single file line by the time you get to the boarding area. I also had problems with the ride car itself. It kind of wraps around you with a roof and sides. The audio for the ride comes out of the back of your seat, near your head. All those things together made me want to climb out in the middle of the ride.

Spaceship Earth is another attraction that I had problems with the ride car. It doesn't feel confining, but the audio coming out behind my head made me feel claustrophobic.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I want that bedroom in my house.

Seriously, it's a small moving theater with tiered seats, but my guess is that it is probably about 25 feet wide by 25 to 30 feet deep. If I remember right, each row is about 8 to 10 people and there are 5 rows.

Oops! I guess I must have misremembered the size of it! Well, that's what comes of using a wheelchair: I've never sat further back than the front row! I guess I got so into it, I forgot it wasn't a private screening, just for me

 

[Diz Duck]

We had to let a cast member know why we didn't move to the front of the waiting area for "It's Tough to be a Bug". We were a group of four people and my partner in our group has claustrophobia. We were just looking like jerks to most onlookers since we weren't following instructions to "move all of the way forward, but I was trying to prevent my partner from having a panic attack and moving to a space away from the entrance that made him feel claustrophobic.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would also avoid Ellen's Energy Adventure ride. Not so much for the size of it, but due to the fact that once you are on it you can't leave. And the ride is a good 45 minutes.

 

[Gracie09]

The post was from 2008 I think they are done with their trip

 

[lanejudy]

FYI... this thread is old! I'll leave it for now because the advice is still valid, but just wanted any/all to realize OP's trip is long over.

 

[maxiesmom]

Why do they keep putting links to such old threads across the bottom of the page? Grrrr.

 

[SueM in MN]

For anyone who is interested in Claustrophobia (for an upcoming visit, not one in 2008), one of the posts on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is all about claustrophobia.

You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

 

[kandb]

Spaceship earth-they even have warnings not to go in if your claustrophobic.

 

[philharmagic fan]

Mild claustrophobe here. I can't ride AstroOrbiter except first thing in the morning. You get to the boarding platform in an elevator, and I can only do elevators if the car has only a couple of people in it with me (preferably family). I'm OK with Haunted Mansion because I know there's a cast member in the room with me who could override the door mechanism if anything happened. And FYI to Mamaloya - regardless of which stretch room you're in, the door opens on the side of the room that's behind the fireplace (look for a tiny red light about 3-4 feet off the floor in the door frame). In the waiting room at VOTLM at Studios, just hang back by the entrance door area when they ask you to move forward. Nemo at EPCOT is a little creepy when you're riding sideways along the EAC area with the turtles. And I made it through Mission Space once but will never go back. Good luck.

 

[SueM in MN]

Spaceship earth-they even have warnings not to go in if your claustrophobic.

Are you thinking of Mission Space?
That does have a warning, but Spaceship Earth does not.

 

[kandb]

Are you thinking of Mission Space?
That does have a warning, but Spaceship Earth does not.

There is/was a warning when entering spaceship earth about claustrophobia. I know because I never thought of it until I read the sign. When you get to the top of the ride, it is rather enclosed, and the ceiling is low. Look for the sign the next time you enter.