Demophobia

[Kronk N Tink]

Hey all,

Quick question, I have a fear of crowds (demophobia) which hasbeen progressively getting worse over the years (it's due to an inner ear condition which makes me focus on the white noise in a crowd causing disorientation and panic). While on previous trips I've managed to get by, on our last trip there were a few situations in which I needed to remove myself from the crowd to calm down (mainly this happened in crowded stores or in lines).

I am worried for our next trip that I may not be able to handle it as well as I have in the past. I have heard that one of the things they can do on a guest assistance pass is to put you in a quiet waiting area until it is your turn to ride and I am wondering if anyone knows how this works.

Thanks in advance

 

[livndisney]

Hey all,

Quick question, I have a fear of crowds (demophobia) which hasbeen progressively getting worse over the years (it's due to an inner ear condition which makes me focus on the white noise in a crowd causing disorientation and panic). While on previous trips I've managed to get by, on our last trip there were a few situations in which I needed to remove myself from the crowd to calm down (mainly this happened in crowded stores or in lines).

I am worried for our next trip that I may not be able to handle it as well as I have in the past. I have heard that one of the things they can do on a guest assistance pass is to put you in a quiet waiting area until it is your turn to ride and I am wondering if anyone knows how this works.

Thanks in advance

Very few attractions have a "quiet" waiting area (I think they are listed in Sue's sticky) and provide no relief for other areas, bathrooms, bus lines etc. You may do better with a good touring plan and making use of Fastpass.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Have you considered getting "shooting muffs" or noise-canceling headphones?

And most attractions do not have alternate waiting areas. Also there is no way to avoid the distances between attractions in the parks.

 

[crashbb]

Have you considered getting "shooting muffs" or noise-canceling headphones?

And most attractions do not have alternate waiting areas. Also there is no way to avoid the distances between attractions in the parks.

Or what about an iPOD type device, with the sound low enough that you can safely navigate? I use that at work. I can still easily hear my phone ring or someone knocking at my cubicle door, but it gives me noise to concentrate on (rather than the white noise of those working around me).

Someone may point out why my idea won't work, but I thought I'd suggest it.

 

[clanmcculloch]

I've come to learn that a good touring plan is much more effective than a GAC which provides an alternate waiting area. The GAC is still helpful in select attractions but we're using it less and less now that we've learned how to tour and avoid the crowds. There are several good services for determining which park will be least crowded on any given day and these services also help you figure out which time of day each attraction will be least crowded as well as how to maximize fast passes in order to avoid crowds. The techniques these services teach you help you with crowd management in lines as well as all the areas between them. I used to recommend TourGuide Mike because TGM has made a HUGE difference in our vacations and I'm grateful to the service but much of the info on the site is now out of date and easywdw.com seems to follow much of the same methodology and it's not only up to date but free. Take a look.