First Time Universal Visitors...and the whole family are arachnophobes (no pics please)

[Teamwalker]

Our family of three will be visiting Universal Orlando for the first time over Mardi Gras. We are long-time Disney AP holders, first at DL and now WDW. The three of us, in varying stages, are arachnophobic. My wife has a healthy fear but has little difficulty seeing them on a screen or a book. My daughter and I are much worse; her as a result of being 10 and understandably insect-averse, and mine as a result of an adolescent trauma and subsequent bullying.

All that said, help! Over the years we learned, through visits and advice, where triggers in the Disney parks are. Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones, Animal Kingdom,Tough to be a Bug, etc. I have looked through the first 25 pages of these forums and can't seem to find anyone who's asked this question. What should we avoid? Yes, we are well aware of Forbidden Journey; when the Aragog scene starts, when its over, and who should sit where to avoid things. What about the rest of the parks? Are there other rides that feature them? In the HP areas, are there pictures or animatronics to be aware of? It's the stuff that sneaks up on you and being unprepared which causes the most severe reactions for us, so any guidance or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[ChanaC]

Avoid Shrek 4-D! There are scenes with spiders (in 3-D!). Like It's Tough to Be a Bug, you feel the spiders "tickling" you on your feet when they scatter.

 

[ChanaC]

And how do you feel about Spider-Man? Because there is a Spider-Man ride and meet and greet. Fun ride and interaction, but, you know, Spider-Man. I don't remember anything super spider-ish though besides the character and his web-slinging.

 

[Polyonmymind]

Just say no to the Mummy ride

 

[CAPSLOCK]

One direction of the Hogwarts Express has spider-silhouettes.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I also think there are stuffed spiders for sale in Bourgin & Burkes in Diagon Alley.

 

[Sparkly]

Aragog the spider shows up at one point of Forbidden Journey I think.

 

[Teamwalker]

Avoid Shrek 4-D! There are scenes with spiders (in 3-D!). Like It's Tough to Be a Bug, you feel the spiders "tickling" you on your feet when they scatter.

Exactly what I’m looking to know!

 

[Teamwalker]

Just say no to the Mummy ride

Are they present through the queue and ride or just in an isolated location?

 

[Teamwalker]

I also there are stuffed spiders for sale in Bourgin & Burkes in Diagon Alley.

Thanks, definitely will be on high situational awareness there.

 

[hhoope01]

During the Fear Factor show, I do believe they bring out some spiders, scorpions, etc. They put a volunteer's head in a clear box and put the scorpions all on the volunteers head.

 

[Polyonmymind]

Are they present through the queue and ride or just in an isolated location?

It is on the ride. There is a part in the beginning of the ride where you come to a stop inside of a room, and a lot of Scarabs come out. They do not touch you. They are projections on a screen in front of you and on the walls beside you. You are only inside this room for maybe 30 seconds (?). You could close your eyes, be in and out of this room with out seeing them.

There are YouTube videos of the ride you could watch to determine if this would be too much for your family. Besides the Scarabs, the Mummy is a fantastic ride. It is one of, if not my favorite ride at Universal.

Either way I do hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[Disxuni]

Fellow arachnophobe as well, but I can manage anything at the park due to usually one of these many reasons: knowing it is not real, know how to avoid it, it's nowhere near me, or desensitized to it.

FJ - As you clearly stated you already know this. Unfortunately, there is not a particular spot to make it less intimidating. Since I was one of the first few to ride it unfortunately I was caught off guard and been the only ride ever that I have screamed on. However, I have gotten desensitized to it after riding it multiple times.

Shrek 3-D - Relatively at the beginning of the attraction there is a scene in which a spider appears before falling downward, suddenly more are produced, and they all fall down as well. There is then an effect to make it feel as if they run down your legs. This occurs after the line "I found a short cut" and a visual of a dark forest with eyes. It then cuts to that scene I described previously. For me, I have been able to handle the visual of the spider (due to being desensitized), but still to this day, if I ever go on the attraction, I always hold my legs up in order to not feel the "spiders running down your legs" effect.

Fear Factor Live - This isn't a tragedy to miss as this show I feel if not really entertaining and dated. @hhoope01 pretty much describes it all. Never bothered me as it's a contained moment and it's nowhere near me.

Skill Island - After the scene in which there are bats flying around. Then there is a scene in which you are being attacked with weird worm like creatures. As they are attacking / shooting these creatures other creatures come out of the woodwork, including many spiders as well. One being almost as close as the worms visually which makes one of them in particular look huge. To have an idea of size there is a worm creature in the queue. Roughly the same size as what you see on screen, maybe a little bit bigger. Once the vehicle starts moving forward it's over.

The Mummy - Technically not spiders, but has a scene in which beetles fall out of a container and projections have beetles crawl around the area the ride vehicle (moment lasts a few seconds) prior to going backwards a few feet. Never bothered me. While I've ridden this ride many times I do not recall actual spiders on this attraction, or queue. If that does bother you and you want to brave the moment, the moment occurs after seeing room with gold treasures and go under a wall before it closes. That's when to close your eyes. Once you feel yourself dip backward and start to feel the vehicle rotating you may open your eyes.

I do not recall the Borgin and Burkes having a stuffed spider in the shop. So, it might be a blink it, or you'll miss it moment. However, most of the time I run up to the cabinet as it's one of my favorite hidden gems in the area (HP prop and can hear the bird, as well "feel" the bird inside if you place your hand on the cabinet in the right area). However, I do know there is a creatures shop that might have the Aragon plush. It is between Gringott's and the bathrooms (if you approach Diagon Alley and towards Gringott's it would be on the left of Gringott's).

 

[CAPSLOCK]

It could have been the creature shop instead of B&B, if they have them at all. I thought that I remembered some plush spiders in one shop, YMMV . Not scary and not moving around regardless, so no "startle" factor.

But definitely be aware if you ride Hogwarts Express. Those creepy crawlies I know for sure, even though no one else mentioned it.

 

[Teamwalker]

Fellow arachnophobe as well, but I can manage anything at the park due to usually one of these many reasons: knowing it is not real, know how to avoid it, it's nowhere near me, or desensitized to it.

FJ - As you clearly stated you already know this. Unfortunately, there is not a particular spot to make it less intimidating. Since I was one of the first few to ride it unfortunately I was caught off guard and been the only ride ever that I have screamed on. However, I have gotten desensitized to it after riding it multiple times.

Shrek 3-D - Relatively at the beginning of the attraction there is a scene in which a spider appears before falling downward, suddenly more are produced, and they all fall down as well. There is then an effect to make it feel as if they run down your legs. This occurs after the line "I found a short cut" and a visual of a dark forest with eyes. It then cuts to that scene I described previously. For me, I have been able to handle the visual of the spider (due to being desensitized), but still to this day, if I ever go on the attraction, I always hold my legs up in order to not feel the "spiders running down your legs" effect.

Fear Factor Live - This isn't a tragedy to miss as this show I feel if not really entertaining and dated. @hhoope01 pretty much describes it all. Never bothered me as it's a contained moment and it's nowhere near me.

Skill Island - After the scene in which there are bats flying around. Then there is a scene in which you are being attacked with weird worm like creatures. As they are attacking / shooting these creatures other creatures come out of the woodwork, including many spiders as well. One being almost as close as the worms visually which makes one of them in particular look huge. To have an idea of size there is a worm creature in the queue. Roughly the same size as what you see on screen, maybe a little bit bigger. Once the vehicle starts moving forward it's over.

The Mummy - Technically not spiders, but has a scene in which beetles fall out of a container and projections have beetles crawl around the area the ride vehicle (moment lasts a few seconds) prior to going backwards a few feet. Never bothered me. While I've ridden this ride many times I do not recall actual spiders on this attraction, or queue. If that does bother you and you want to brave the moment, the moment occurs after seeing room with gold treasures and go under a wall before it closes. That's when to close your eyes. Once you feel yourself dip backward and start to feel the vehicle rotating you may open your eyes.

I do not recall the Borgin and Burkes having a stuffed spider in the shop. So, it might be a blink it, or you'll miss it moment. However, most of the time I run up to the cabinet as it's one of my favorite hidden gems in the area (HP prop and can hear the bird, as well "feel" the bird inside if you place your hand on the cabinet in the right area). However, I do know there is a creatures shop that might have the Aragon plush. It is between Gringott's and the bathrooms (if you approach Diagon Alley and towards Gringott's it would be on the left of Gringott's).

This is an amazing resource for us! Exactly what I was hoping to find. For FJ, thankfully my wife doesn’t have an issue with that particular interaction regarding Aragon, so she found the start (dragon fire in your face) and the end (Hermione stops talking) so we can plan accordingly.

Regardless, very appreciative!

 

[Teamwalker]

It could have been the creature shop instead of B&B, if they have them at all. I thought that I remembered some plush spiders in one shop, YMMV . Not scary and not moving around regardless, so no "startle" factor.

But definitely be aware if you ride Hogwarts Express. Those creepy crawlies I know for sure, even though no one else mentioned it.

I’m not very clear on the train issue. So as you’re riding there are projections? Shadows? Where do these occur?

 

[ChanaC]

This is an amazing resource for us! Exactly what I was hoping to find. For FJ, thankfully my wife doesn’t have an issue with that particular interaction regarding Aragon, so she found the start (dragon fire in your face) and the end (Hermione stops talking) so we can plan accordingly.

Regardless, very appreciative!

My friend is also pretty arachonophic. She is also closes her eyes during this point, like your wife is doing, and she is fine. Just as a note, the spiders "spit" at you, but it's just water. When you close your eyes, just remember to expect that part, as it can be a little jarring if you don't expect it.

I’m not very clear on the train issue. So as you’re riding there are projections? Shadows? Where do these occur?

So on this ride you sit in the compartment and watch the window (the screen) and the shadows through the door (another screen or projection). I don't believe you feel anything, aka no foot ticklers or squirting water. The only motion is the train moving. I only have been once in each direction so I don't remember what part they appear in.

If you have any questions about this stuff while you're in the park, there is always an employee standing in front of each entrance who can provide detailed information.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I only have been once in each direction so I don't remember what part they appear in.

My problem too. It's basically spider silhouettes crawling up the other side of a frosted glass window (which is really a screen, of course).

 

[Disxuni]

@Teamwalker I forgot about the spiders. This happens on the route Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley (IoA to UO). Happens after the ominous house (Malfoy’s) with darkness and thunder. That is when the trio appear and the spider scene occurs behind the glass. Everything you see appears as shadows behind the non-clear glass. You can hear them make noises to make it sound as if the spiders get inside the train and scurry across the floor. So if that bugs you plug your ears too. You won’t feel anything on your legs though.

 

[damo]

In Hagrid's Motorcycle Adventure, there are projections of spiders on the other side of the ceiling. So they are not actually clear images of spiders above you, they are meant to be on the other side of the ceiling.