Claustrophobia

[KSL]

I am writing to ask for any tips/suggestions... We are traveling to WDW with my mother, who suffers from claustrophobia. She is in her 70s and this has been getting progressively worse for about the past 10 years. She needs special accommodation on airplanes to assure that she can sit in a very particular part of the plane (far enough back that she can see some open air above passengers in front of her, but mostly toward the front so that she does not panic upon landing when everyone gets up and opens the compartments for their baggage while waiting for the door to open. Anyway, I digress.) She has a fear of tight, crowded, confined spaces, does not like if she cannot see an exit, and begins to panic if the air is too still/stuffy. For example, when we were in DL a few summers ago the Nemo ride (which she knew as the old 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas) was completely out of the question. So, reason I'm writing is to see if anyone has suggestions for her dealing with this, and to think ahead about rides where this may be an issue. Once the ride starts and there is movement of air and she is moving along with the ride, she will be OK. It's really when she's seeing the crowds of people and thinking about how would she get out if something happened that she starts to panic. We will use FP+ to reduce waits where possible and I will get her one of those mister-fan things so that she can have some movement of air.

Here's my list of rides with potential issues:

• Toy Story Mania -- I remember that part of the line where you go up the stairs and the queue doubles back on itself -- it's kind of "trapped" feeling in there - she would definitely have anxiety about being in a line there
• Haunted Mansion -- the stretching room -- probably could not do this anymore. She used to love this ride. Do you think they would let her bypass that part?
• It's Tough to Be a Bug - the waiting area before the movie -- we've been in there when it gets crowded and she will not like that it's dark and low ceiling-ed; will feel "trapped"
• Tower of Terror - no way. She won't even get in a regular elevator if there are more than 3-4 people in it
• Star Tours - this one I'm not sure; I think if the ride starts relatively quickly she will be OK

Others anyone can add to this list?

Many thanks for any advice!

 

[gap2368]

1 Toy Story Mania -- I remember that part of the line where you go up the stairs and the queue doubles back on itself -- it's kind of "trapped" feeling in there - she would definitely have anxiety about being in a line there

• 2 Haunted Mansion -- the stretching room -- probably could not do this anymore. She used to love this ride. Do you think they would let her bypass that part?
• 3 It's Tough to Be a Bug - the waiting area before the movie -- we've been in there when it gets crowded and she will not like that it's dark and low ceiling-ed; will feel "trapped"
• 4Tower of Terror - no way. She won't even get in a regular elevator if there are more than 3-4 people in it
• 5 Star Tours - this one I'm not sure; I think if the ride starts relatively quickly she will be OK

Others anyone can add to this list?

Many thanks for any advice!

1 ask to do the new track when you get to where the FP stand by merges ask to do the new track ( I think it is left ) this will not take you up there stars at all ( you can say she can not do stars but I do not think this will be a problem)

2 yes you can skip the stretching room just ask when you get in side.

3 I will not touch this with a 10 foot poll so I do not know. maybe go in last I do not know

4 if you think she may want to do this ask to sit in the front but there are 3 rows with maybe 8 in each and the back has more

5 again ask to sit in the front

 

[Alberta bound]

Mission space. It's VERY tight quarters in there!
Just be aware with Ellens excellent adventure... you can not get up to leave once it is going although it has lots of open areas. ie over peoples heads, etc.

 

[gap2368]

one thing I was going to say is that rides do stop quite a bite. from any where from 1 minute to 10, and if they break down it could be 20 to 30 minute before a CM will get to you.

a few others that might be a problem

Big thunder ( when you go down to the trains)

Space motion ( if you FP this and the FP line is not backed up)

laugh floor ( waiting in the reshow)

7DMT ( After the FP point you go into a cave like thing)

buzz dose have a part where you are next to people stand by more then FP

jungle cruse I think you will be going back a forth in line.



I would really just talk to the CM about the ride your mom problems and what they can do for her/ If you and they think it will be a problem

 

[KSL]

Mission space. It's VERY tight quarters in there!
Just be aware with Ellens excellent adventure... you can not get up to leave once it is going although it has lots of open areas. ie over peoples heads, etc.

Ohmygosh, right! There is no way she would ever do this one (Mission Space) & actually I think I recently read that it's going to be under refurbishment while we are there so that scratches it for all of us. I don't know how I forgot that one; even I get a little claustrophobic on Mission Space!

 

[KSL]

one thing I was going to say is that rides do stop quite a bite. from any where from 1 minute to 10, and if they break down it could be 20 to 30 minute before a CM will get to you.

a few others that might be a problem

Big thunder ( when you go down to the trains)

Space motion ( if you FP this and the FP line is not backed up)

laugh floor ( waiting in the reshow)

7DMT ( After the FP point you go into a cave like thing)

buzz dose have a part where you are next to people stand by more then FP

jungle cruse I think you will be going back a forth in line.



I would really just talk to the CM about the ride your mom problems and what they can do for her/ If you and they think it will be a problem

Good point on the possibility of rides stopping . She has been to WDW several times before (mostly in the 80s-90s) and is familiar with many of the rides/attractions, so hopefully she can be the best judge of whether she would be OK on any given ride if it stopped. Space Mountain she won't do at all anymore and Jungle Cruise queue at least is open air and I think we will FP+ that one JIC. Laugh floor I think if we try to stay toward the back and let others fill in up front it will be OK - good advice to explain to a CM and hopefully they will say that's OK that we don't have to move down the way they want you to. Muppets would be the same though that one never seems to be crowded.

Thank you & Alberta Bound for the thoughtful replies!

 

[Elle23]

I am very claustrophobic and I didn't have trouble on any of the rides when we were at WDW (The ones I avoid at all cost are simulators. Those are the worst.)

The stretching room was a little uncomfortable but it wasn't overly crowded and didn't last long.

 

[Elle23]

The transportation buses might be an issue if y'all are using them. They can get very crowded and uncomfortable.

 

[cnavarrete]

There are some anxiety threads on here that you may want to search for. I've suffered from panic attacks for the last couple of years (as do many DISboard members) and I was really anxious about our last trip to WDW. The triggers vary so much from person to person. I read this book and it really helped me before my last trip: https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Anxiety...TF8&qid=1490585025&sr=1-1&keywords=dare+panic

 

[FortForever]

Does your claustrophobic mother, in her 70's, even want to go to WDW? If so, by all means, proceed. This just doesn't sound like the best choice of vacation for her. She may enjoy a nice cruise much more.

 

[Shanti]

1. Mission Space
2. Star Tours
3. Tower of Terror
4. Haunted Mansion

You should book flights that allow seating arrangements, to ensure that she can have the placement she needs. You should preferably also book economy plus or first class flights. Regular economy plane seat rows are ridiculously close together these days. On the flight home from our latest trip, an older man chose to leave the plane before take-off because he was claustrophobic and he hadn't purchased economy-plus seating. He hadn't flown in a long time (since before airlines squished their seat rows together) and didn't realize how wedged in he'd feel in a regular price seat. Don't let this happen to your mother- it could ruin the trip.

So many of the rides at WDW have long lines that can feel claustrophobic when they move slowly & a lot of people are waiting...Under the Sea comes to mind. I agree with a PP that a cruise might be a better trip than WDW for someone coping with claustrophobia.

 

[mamabunny]

@KSL Your Mom is lucky to have someone like you to try and help her have the best possible trip!

Hi - I'm another member of the Claustrophobia Club. Here are a few things that I have found helpful that your Mom might consider:

I carry a "lipstick" fan (like this) in my bag, so that I can always have air on my face. Sometimes just knowing it's there is enough; but I don't hesitate to use it if I need it! I carry one, and our daughter typically carries a spare for me. Last September, WDW was selling these all over the Parks, but they are MUCH cheaper from Amazon, or pretty much anywhere else! Plus, I keep one with me all the time - for example, the car wash really sets me off for some reason, but I can get through it fine with my little lipstick fan! (if it doesn't put out a lot of air, just gently reshape the blades with your fingers) I tend to leave the mister fan at home in the summer heat, simply because if it is humid, then there is little cooling effect from the water mist, it just makes me feel damp and more miserable.

On the airplane, I find that bulkhead row, aisle seats are best for me. For me personally, the very worst thing on a plane is if the person ahead of me leans back - I feel like it sucks all the oxygen out of my personal space. Bulkhead aisle means I can see forward - and the door - but have that buffer of the wall that means I can stretch out my arms and not touch the back of someone else's seat. (Disclaimer: I fly almost exclusively American Airlines because the Hubs works for them) When the plane lands, I will typically switch seats with whoever is in the window seat, and that family member will stand at the aisle and create a buffer zone for me (as well as bring down our personal belongings from the overhead bins) Safe in my little bulkhead corner, I am fine to wait until it is our turn to walk off the plane.

On the internal WDW shuttle buses, if it is too crowded, one of my family members will typically try to stand in front of me to create a comfort barrier. I will turn my head and look out the bus window if at all possible. If more than 2 of us are traveling, they will literally try to create a circle around me to help me have a safe space.

Similarly, family will walk "around" my ECV when I am in heavy crowds at the Parks; if it is just my daughter and myself (like on our upcoming Girls Only trip) then I will try to drive along a curb, rail or wall, and she will be on the "crowd" side of me to act as a buffer. I try to build a "bubble" ahead of me whenever possible.

In every Park, I have found little spots that are typically not as crowded, and where I can usually find a bench or seat out of the way. Sometimes, I just need a 15 minute recharge away from the crowds of people. Even a corner table in an air conditioned QS where there is a bit of space between me and everyone else works.

Remind your Mom to use the larger/largest Handicap accessible stalls in the bathrooms, or the companion bathrooms. Not only will she have as much space as is possible, but because these accommodations have sinks in them, she won't have to stand in line to wash her hands after and so she will not have to deal with people lining up behind her. Grab a paper map for each Park; bathroom locations are on there. (Companion restrooms may be easier, simply because they are typically not located in a busy restroom)

If all else fails, remember to use First Aid; there is one in every Park (again, check your map). She will be able to rest there for a bit, and compose herself before rejoining the crowds.

And if you are staying onsite, Wilderness Lodge and Port Orleans French Quarter are the smallest - and so feel less crowded in general - of the Resorts. The Cabins at Ft Wilderness are the ultimate; you have your own cabin, and lots of fresh, clean air and lovely scenery with LOTS of windows to see out.

I hope you all have the best possible trip, and I hope you will come back and let us know what strategies worked for your Mom the best; lots of folks here can benefit from her experience and ideas!

 

[DisneyOma]

Skip Star Tours - we were on it when a woman freaked out as soon as the doors shut. It was a miserable experience for everyone, as she screamed the whole time.

But really, if she is so claustrophobic that she can't be on a plane unless she is a specific seat, she should be seeing a therapist, or taking some really good drugs. (I take really good drugs on planes as I hate to fly) No one should live so miserably.

 

[Euby]

I would think that the line for POTC could be claustrophobic at times.

 

[Hoodie]

I was going to say Pirates as well. That line gets tight. And dark. And crowded.

 

[gap2368]

I had some one start to scream on TOT but I think this was more because she saw that I had over the ear protectors with me ( in the
Picture they take she was about as fair out of her seat leaning towards me as she could, Funny this is yelling dose not bother me, but a few people talking in one room that is what really get me,

if she wants to do rides ask to sit in the front row may help. you may have to wait longer to do so

 

[SueM in MN]

This is copied from page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread which is located near the top of this board:

This is a list of attractions that guests with claustrophobia, anxiety or panic type symptoms have reported issues with.


At MK:

• Haunted Mansion preshow room is a fairly small room called the Stretching Room. It has "No windows and No doors" (the Ghost Host reminds you of that). After the preshow, guests file into another very dark room for boarding and the space gets gradually narrower and narrower as you get closer to boarding. The doombuggies are a problem for some people because of the darkness, the roof of the ride vehicle and the fact that for part of the ride you are going backwards down a hill. If you want to ride without going thru the Stretching room, talk with the CM at the entrance. It is likely not possible, but won't hurt to ask.
• Stitch's Great Escape is not tight, but is dark and some people have problems with the over shoulder harnesses and feeling like they can't escape. Parts of it are in total darkness.
• Carousel of Progress has a fairly low ceiling is fairly dark and once the show begins, it is not possible to leave without an emergency stop of the show. I have not heard of anyone having a problem, but the inability to leave may cause a problem for some people.
• Mickey's Philharmagic and Laugh Floor have preshow gathering areas where many guests are congregated to wait for the next show. The spaces are large and if someone has a problem being in the crowd, it is possible to hang back away from the crowd. The CMs will tell guests to keep moving forward and fill in all space, but if the CM tells your group to keep moving forward, just explain why you need to stay back.
• Space Mountain has a tunnel with flashing lights that your ride car goes thru at the beginning of the ride. The ride itself is in near total darkness, which some people have issues with. The space rocket itself fits fairly tightly.
• Tom Sawyer's Island has some narrow passageways to make your way through and a series of caves; these are dark and can be tight both in width and height. The floors are uneven, which can make the area more disorienting for some people.
• Pirates of the Caribbean waiting area is themed as a connecting set of caves that twist around into different passageways. It is dim and the ceiling is fairly low. The wait generally is short, so guests pass thru the caves quickly, which minimizes any potential problems. When exiting the attraction, guests go up a steep moving walkway. Guests who are not able to use this use a small elevator to get back to group level.
• Astro Orbitor in Tomorrowland is located above ground level. There is a very small elevator to get up and down from the ride.
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority is an elevated tram that gives an overview of Tomorrowland. The track goes into some buildings, including a section going thru Space Mountain. This gives a bit of a Space Mountain overview, but is also extremely dark.mwhike you are inside, you can't see light from outside, which can make some people feel trapped. Inside Space Mountain is the only area that is dark.
• Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid in New Fantasyland has a series of cave-like passageways to get to the boarding area. Some areas are narrow or have fairly low ceilings. The last part before boarding is quite dark.

At Epcot:

• Spaceship Earth has a sort of narrow hallway that your ride car goes thru at the start of the ride and another that your ride car will go down backward at the end of the ride. Both of those can cause a problem for some people, especially the backwards part near the end. There is an interactive touchscreen experience while going down, which helps.
• Ellen's Energy Adventure has very large spaces, but some people are bothered by knowing that the ride is long and once it has begun, it can only be stopped in emergency. Parts are dark, which can intensify the feeling of claustrophobia. During one section, you are traveling thru a dinosaur scene. That area is dim and has a musty, earthy smell.
• Mission Space has a small room for the preshow. The ride is a small capsule to begin with and the control panel advances toward you once the ride car has closed, making it even smaller. Interestingly, I have problems with claustrophobia and didn't have a problem on Mission Space. The waiting area and the ride capsule is pretty much identical whether riding the original version or the more 'tame' green version.
• Test Track has a waiting line for both the regular line and the Fastpass line that snakes around quite a bit. The preshow area is a fairly small room with a fairly low ceiling. People are grouped around computer touchscreens where you 'design' your own car. Guests stay in that room until a door opens that leads into the next waiting room. The line in that second room moves fairly slowly and when it is crowded, it may feel more claustrophobic.
• Soarin' queue is in a large space, but the line may feel very tight because there are high walls on both sides (both Fastpass and regular line). There is an interactive game occurring in the regular line, which means people may be jumping, waving, swaying next to you while playing the game.
• Guests entering the Land with a wheelchair or ECV need to use a small elevator to go from the entrance level down to the level where the food court, Soarin' and Living With the Land are located.
• Nemo ride at Living Seas had a darkened line with a lot of twists and turns. It is seldom busy, so guests move through quickly, which minimizes problems. The extreme darkness of the line may be an issue.
• Guests with wheelchairs at the Living Seas need to use a small elevator if they want to go to the second floor of the attraction.
• Sum of All Thrills at Innoventions is a 'design it ypurself' roller coaster. Guests sit in a self contained ride with a tightly fitting restraint and a screen that comes very close to the guest's face while the ride is in motion. It is possible to watch other guests riding, which may help with deciding whether or not it will be a problem.
• American Adventure theater is on the second floor of the building. Guests can get up there using an escalator or a flight of stairs. Guests with wheelchairs or ECVs use a small elevator to get up there. When leaving, all guests go down a fairly steep ramp.

At Hollywood Studios

• Voyage of the Little Mermaid has a fairly small room for the preshow area and they do pack guests in quite tightly.
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror has a preshow in a library with a fairly low ceiling and many people will be in the room for the preshow. The ride car is a fairly large elevator, but the ceiling is fairly low and many people with claustrophobia or anxiety issues have problems with elevators in general.
• Rock N Roller Coaster is a very dark ride, which may cause problems for some people. It also has an over the shoulder restraint.
• Fantasmic waiting line and theater are outside, but some people have difficulty because of the large number of people and the closeness. If you have enough people in your party, they can act as a 'buffer' around you to keep a space around you.
• Toy Story Mania is a large space, but at one point of the line, you come to a steep set of stairs which leads to a passageway that goes over the ride track and then another stairway to get back down to board. There are windows in the passageway, but the ceiling is fairly low.
• Star Tours ride is in a fairly small theater with no windows, simulating a small space ship. A movie is shown out the front 'window' and your space ship moves in reaction to what is going on in the movie.

Animal Kingdom:

• It's Tough to Be a Bug has a low ceiling in the preshow area that simulates being underground. The theater itself is large, but some guests with claustrophobia may have difficulty with the the darkness and the fact that things are happening to you - some of them poking you in the back or bottom.
• Dinosaur has a tunnel sort of area that the ride cars go thru to be sent back to the past. Once in, the attraction very dark, some in almost total darkness. There is a set of stairs in the boarding area. Guests who are not able to use the stairs use a small elevator to get to the boarding area.

The best way to avoid crowded preshows is to go during less busy times and to use touring plans, which will help you to be in the least crowded part of the least crowded park.

This is a resource for panic attacks, which may be helpful:
http://psychcentral.com/lib/how-to-halt-and-minimize-panic-attacks/0005992

 

[KSL]

So many great responses! Thank you all so much! I'll just reply to a few...

The transportation buses might be an issue if y'all are using them. They can get very crowded and uncomfortable.

Excellent point. We will have a van, though, and plan to drive to parks we cannot walk to (staying at Boardwalk).

There are some anxiety threads on here that you may want to search for. I've suffered from panic attacks for the last couple of years (as do many DISboard members) and I was really anxious about our last trip to WDW. The triggers vary so much from person to person. I read this book and it really helped me before my last trip: https://www.amazon.com/Dare-Anxiety...TF8&qid=1490585025&sr=1-1&keywords=dare+panic

Super; thank you! I will check!

Does your claustrophobic mother, in her 70's, even want to go to WDW? If so, by all means, proceed. This just doesn't sound like the best choice of vacation for her. She may enjoy a nice cruise much more.

Yes, she really does. She has so many fond memories of past trips and really wants to go back. She knows she won't be able to do everything, and that's OK with her.

 

[KSL]

@mamabunny - thank you for your thoughtful response! I think the idea of creating a buffer around her is a great one -- we have myself, DH, and 3 DDs who can help "protect" her from crowds getting too tight.

 

[KSL]

Skip Star Tours - we were on it when a woman freaked out as soon as the doors shut. It was a miserable experience for everyone, as she screamed the whole time.

But really, if she is so claustrophobic that she can't be on a plane unless she is a specific seat, she should be seeing a therapist, or taking some really good drugs. (I take really good drugs on planes as I hate to fly) No one should live so miserably.

She does not need to be in a specific seat, but does cope better when she can sit 4-8 rows from the front of the plane. Not sure how my post gave you the impression that she lives miserably. I'll ignore your comments regarding drugs and therapy.