Guardians question for someone with severe claustrophobia

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Hi - Guardians is my daughter’s new favorite ride. She wants to show her dad when we go back next month, but he isn’t sure if he can ride. I tried to explain it but he is still not sure, so I thought I would ask someone who might suffer from the same challenges that he has.

DH is severely claustrophobic. Mission Space and Star Tours are hard nos because he feels trapped. He also can’t do Space Mountain anymore. I don’t know if he could do Rockin Roller Coaster. At Universal he had a real problem on Forbidden Journey but was ok on Escape from Gringotts and loved Hagrids. In real life he struggles with the dentist, the barber, and needs to take something to be able to fly or even ride in the back of someone else’s car.
<spoilers below>

I told him that Guardians is dark but not dark like Space Mountain (I was able to see the track the entire time). I was more afraid of the g-force, but he says that g forces in a a normal roller coaster is manageable. He also says that can handle being “locked into” a seat as long as he is moving. He is not prone to motion sickness, and DD and I had no issues when we rode.

What do you think? He wants to ride with his daughter and is inclined to try it the day that he flies so he will still have some anti-anxiety medicine in his system, but if he has a panic attack I would hate to see him struggle mentally for the rest of the trip. He hates that he has these issues.

Thank you!

 

[SueM in MN]

I don‘t know if you’ve seen this thread, but there might be some things that would be helpful.
I have claustrophobia in some attractions. I didn’t in Guardians of the Galaxy, but was feeling incredibly ill.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I don‘t know if you’ve seen this thread, but there might be some things that would be helpful.
I have claustrophobia in some attractions. I didn’t in Guardians of the Galaxy, but was feeling incredibly ill.

Yes, thanks, I read that thread. I have ridden the ride as well (awesome!). I was hoping to hear the perspective of someone who has the same challenges as DH because there may be issues that I wouldn’t think about. Eg before he started having problems I would never have twice about him going to the barber, but he just can’t anymore.

 

[RoseGold]

The line is long, even with the VQ, and it's a big room, but I can see how the line snaking back and forth could feel claustrophobic. You could skip the line with the ILL, but then there's there's still two rooms of pre-show. You can't skip them. It's crowded with people packed in. They even made me feel claustrophobic and this isnt a problem I'd say I normally have. They'll probably let you hang back if you tell them, but you're still trapped in the room and things are going wrong, it's part of the show.

I was able to walk on it at the very, very end of the day, and those things weren't crowded, so maybe that's an idea? You can show up late to your ILL/VQ. This will cost you fireworks or getting a fireworks spot.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Gosh - I hadn’t even thought about the line. I’ll have to tell him about it too. I was more focused on what might go wrong for him on the ride itself. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Lewisc]

The line is long, even with the VQ, and it's a big room, but I can see how the line snaking back and forth could feel claustrophobic. You could skip the line with the ILL, but then there's there's still two rooms of pre-show. You can't skip them. It's crowded with people packed in. They even made me feel claustrophobic and this isnt a problem I'd say I normally have. They'll probably let you hang back if you tell them, but you're still trapped in the room and things are going wrong, it's part of the show.

I was able to walk on it at the very, very end of the day, and those things weren't crowded, so maybe that's an idea? You can show up late to your ILL/VQ. This will cost you fireworks or getting a fireworks spot.

Great point. I've seen some videos where the ride had issues people where still go through the pre shows and were then really packed in.

The ride itself may not be an issue..

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I spoke with my husband. He seems to think the pre show will be ok. The actual ride is still questionable.

I’d hate for him to miss it, but I’d hate for him to have a problem even more!

 

[Lewisc]

I spoke with my husband. He seems to think the pre show will be ok. The actual ride is still questionable.

I’d hate for him to miss it, but I’d hate for him to have a problem even more!

The area after the preshow, leading to the actual ride, can get backed up. How long can he be in a backed up line?

 

[RoseGold]

The area after the preshow, leading to the actual ride, can get backed up. How long can he be in a backed up line?

(Assuming VQ is still in place) that long hallway will be almost empty if you go at the very, very end of the night. I just walked through right onto a vehicle.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

The area after the preshow, leading to the actual ride, can get backed up. How long can he be in a backed up line?

As long as he can move he’s alright. He says that the problem is being trapped in 1 position. That’s why the dentist and the barber are so hard for him.

For rides Mission Space is absolutely out. Star Tours was bad because he felt locked into the chair. I don’t know why some roller coasters are ok and others like Space Mountain are not.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

He can’t do FoP either

 

[Gludfssr]

If he is fine in the queues for other Disney rides especially the haunted mansion then there will not be a problem regarding the lines. As far as the ride is concerned, if he can do space mountain /big Thunder and or Everest then he won’t have a problem at all.
There is nothing claustrophobic on the actual ride at all, and all the air blowing on the ride would probably relax him if he started feeling bad anyway.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

He absolutely cannot do Space Mountain, unfortunately. Everest and Thunder are fine because he can see What is happening. I don't think he has tried them in the dark.

He says he wants to try Guardians. Worse comes to worse I’ll take him back to the hotel and the kids can stay with Nana. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that!

 

[tetera]

.

 

[Mle8308]

He can’t do FoP either

I am the same, for some reason, recently, I can't do FOP because my legs are locked in place. I, too, have some claustrophobia, but not normally on attractions. I had zero issues with Guardians. My sister can't do Star Tours or any of the rides where there is an overhead restraint, she is really claustrophobic. She was also fine on Guardians. I hope he can do it, it's so much fun!

 

[dizneedoll]

I have severe claustrophobia too. Its a weird beast, sometimes there is no rhyme or reason as to what can be a problem and what isn't. I have not been on GotG but I have watched POV's and speaking for myself, the ride vehicle does not seem like it would present a problem for me.But the queue and the pre show rooms definitely would. There are lots of videos of the ride including the queue and pre shows, maybe your husband could watch some and see if it helps him make a decision for himself. Even if you don't want spoilers, he could watch it muted or just look at photos of the queue areas and ride vehicle. I can usually tell just by looking at pictures if a ride will be ok or not. (But not always ...turns out Jungle Cruise is big no for me but FoP? Totally fine. Go figure. Stupid claustrophobia).

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

DH tried Guardians today and it did not go well. He felt trapped in the seat so he started to panic before the ride even began. It was also “too dark” for him. We had to leave the park and he “crashed” back at the hotel.

I’m proud of him for trying but I think that (unfortunately) he is one and done. DD and I still love it.

 

[Mle8308]

DH tried Guardians today and it did not go well. He felt trapped in the seat so he started to panic before the ride even began. It was also “too dark” for him. We had to leave the park and he “crashed” back at the hotel.

I’m proud of him for trying but I think that (unfortunately) he is one and done. DD and I still love it.

I’m so sorry that happened to him. I’m sure it took a lot of courage for him to try, that’s admirable. I hope he was able to rest and all of you enjoy the rest of your vacation!