First time to Disney - Clausterphobia?

[MeghansMommy]

I get very clausterphobic and will sometimes have a panic attack when I'm in a situation in which I can't escape or I have no control over.

I do my best to not let it affect my kids. I really want to go on rides with them (they are 9, 7, and 2) and thankfully, DH will go with them on the big ones, but even the not so scary ones are scary to me because of my clausterphobia. I'm thankful that my little one will be too young for some of the rides, but even rides like IASW may get me freaked out. (I know - embarrassing!)

Is there a detailed description out there on what to expect on the rides so I can prepare myself?

(FWIW, I took the kids to the Great Wolf Lodge (a water park here in Michigan) and I had a very hard time going down the slides. I am SUCH the wimp and so embarrassed by this. I absolutely hate every minute of this and if I could ever have a wish come true, it would be to get rid of this as it really effects how I live my life).

Thanks in advance for any information you may have.

~Meghan's Mommy~ who is sooooo excited to see her kids' faces when we finally arrive at WDW in two weeks!

 

[careens]

I found mission space to be a bit of a small room/space and I am not claustrophobic.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I sometimes get claustrophobic and I've had panic attacks and anxiety attacks before and sometimes still do. I'm going for the first time too this December. I'm willing to try everything though. My attacks usually come on when I'm waiting for something, so I'm going to try to avoid long lines. I've been to seaworld before and I kind of freaked out in the theaters waiting for the shows to start last year (I was having an anxiety attack) but I know how to control it for the most part. Just do what you feel comfortable with and if you start feeling claustrophobic, go outside for awhile or let your DH take over with the kids for awhile.

 

[Dan Murphy]

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I will say, that with that level of claustrophobia and potential anxiety (IASW), I would think many of the rides and attractions could affect you. Most rides you are strapped in with a belt of a bar of some sort, others, like Haunted Mansion, POC, ITTBAB, Space Mountain, sure would bring out those feelings I would think.

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[Wendy1953]

Just went down with my neices husband who is "crowd" unfriendly and he didn't seem to have a problem other than the airport (we arrivied late, and so we were racing to get through check in and security which didn't help). He didn't ride many rides...walked through theparks and ate in lots of different restaurants....I'd agree with the other posters that stated you should stay away from Mission Space....very close quarters!

 

[Quinn222]

I can relate. You should be able to do some of the rides. When you are on something like It's a Small World there is a lot of space around you. It's big! Insteald of thinking about how you can't get off the boat concentrate on what you are seeing. Perhaps pointing things out to your kids will help. "Oh, those dolls are from France!" etc. Really look at and concentrate on what you are seeing and not 'what if' thoughts. Most of the rides are not very long, which should help. Perhaps you could watch some ride videos on you tube or something to help you see what to expect.

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

i also suffer anxiety and claus. i remember years ago, i would not go on splash mtn. it took about 3 trips, finally i went on it...............its my favorite.......i couldnt believe it. but i also got some anxiety medicine from my doctor. also i took antivert for getting dizzy ,etc. on rides. , and it worked out great. i still do not go on certin rides, space mtrn,mission space, all the ones someone else suggested. but maybe if you could get something to help with the anxiety you might be able to try some of the wilder or closed in rides. hope you have fun....................

 

[KimWDW]

What you can do is go to youtube and type in the names of various rides. Most if not all of the rides are up on that site. So you can actually "experience" them via someone's camcorder and see if you think you'd be up to it or not and then you can make a list.

Do crowds make you feel claustrophobic? You may want to avoid parade/firework times and head to a ride during these times. Stay away from Main Street during parades and fireworks. I'm not claustrophobic at all and even I felt a little anxious making my way through that crowd.

 

[mydisneykids]

I had the worst time in Drew Carey "sounds dangerous" in MGM. It is pitch black for the longest time and I started to feel ery clausterphobic. As I was about to get up and desert my family I found a crack of light that was around the door across the room. That made me feel better because I knew if I had to, I could get to that light to get out.
I will not try mission space, yet. Star tours bothers me a bit when they lock the door and leave, other than that I am alright.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

I don't have a probelm with being claustrophobic but DW does, any ride with enclosures will create a panic attack, or anywhere that she can not get out of, or exit if she wants, will trigger the attack. She will sit and wait for me to do my rides that I like, and then we'll do what rides she can handle. I recall when Disney had the sky ride, I would ride this, and she would walk to where I would exit the ride, she was glad to see that ride go, it gave her a panic attack knowing I was on the ride.

 

[MeghansMommy]

It's funny - crowds don't really bother me and honestly, small spaces don't bother me either, but being trapped does.

I have a hard time in the doctor's office, the dentist chair and even getting my hair done. Isn't that horrible? Getting your hair done should be a good experience, and I flip out before each appointment. Once I'm there for a while, I'm okay.

I'll check out you tube and see what they have there. I really want to go on the rides with my kids. I'm going to do my best to try.

I know I won't be doing TOT or Rockin' Roller Coaster, but I really, really want to try Splash Mtn. I just don't want to be the mom embarrassing her kids because I'm tossin' cookies over the side of our log. Yikes! I'd much rather embarrass my kids by wearing my Mickey Ears and singing in my off-key voice at the top of my lungs. If I embarrass them at all - that's the way I'd rather do it.

Thanks for the advice everyone!!!

 

[cali99boy]

have you thought about having a hypnotist help you with your claustrophobia?

 

[rie'smom]

Will your doctor prescribe a mild anti anxiety pill? Mine is doing that for me.

 

[Cass]

MeghansMommy, have you gone for therapy/hypnosis/counselling? you can be helped with this problem. Good Luck.

 

[SarahSs]

I feel just like you do about being trapped or held down. I try to avoid rides with a shoulder harness because I feel like I just want to claw my way out of it. Since shoulder harnesses are the only thing that makes me really crazy I do not have such a bad time at Disney.

There are two rides I would avoid for sure: Stitch (there is a harness type thing that comes over your head) and RnRc ( this was the worst one).
On RnRc the harness did not bother me while we were riding because I was distracted, but at the end of the ride you sit there for a minute in a dark tunnel before you get to the spot where you actually exit. I thought I was going to die. Be sure to avoid these two and you should be ok.
I would also avoid mission space, I never even attempted this ride. I just knew it would make me a wreck.
Have a great trip.

 

[kellyg403]

I really don't have issues with this but oddly enough I did on RnRC. I think because it was all in the dark. I would definitely stay away from this ride if you do have an issue. The harness didn't/doesn't bother me on the rides.

I ended up doing this ride with breathing exercises till the end. I was a bit freaked out.

Kelly

 

[MeghansMommy]

Wow - you all are so nice. Thanks for the helpful responses.

As for hypnosis, I'm not sure. My DH is a doc and I don't think he'd go for that. I do have some xanax, but even that doesn't work sometimes. I take it as needed.

I'll ask him about it though - who knows? Maybe he may think it's okay and go for it.

Thanks again!

 

[Cass]

Good luck! I know people hynosis has helped with fears of flying - crippling fears of flying - to tell you the truth. and they beat their fear through hypnosis and can travel again.

Also, someone else I know was helped with quitting smoking

 

[disney junky]

The Unofficial Guide has a pretty good rating system and details the rides. It may be worth the investing of a few dollars to get an idea from others about their experiences.

 

[phorsenuf]

I'm the same way as you. Its pretty hard sometimes. That's why we'll only drive down and not fly.

Anyways I do ok on most of them. I get a little antsy on IASW but the kids aren't big on that one anyways.

I'd avoid mission space, stitch encounter, soarin and peters pan flight. Soaring you are strapped in up in the air and peter pan you are flying above the attraction.

To get through some of the other rides I tell myself either it's only 1, 2 or 3 minutes long so that helps or count to yourself as that helps too.

Now I will do TOT, RNRC, Splash, BTMR and even Everest but the first time I did them it was really hard. But after that first time I could do them over. I would just tell myself you did them once, you can do them again. I have actually found that this has helped me in alot of situations.

The shows are a little easier because you can always walk out if need be.

Go have fun and then plan your next trip! Each trip gets easier and easier.