I have an ADR for the California Grill AND a fear of elevators!

[mickeysgirl17]

So I've been dying to eat at the California Grill and want to watch wishes from there so I made an ADR months ago, but I have a bad fear of being stuck in an elevator that I've had since I was a kid. From what I've heard, this is the only way up to the restaurant. I'm not sure if I should cancel my ADR or try to stick with it and try to get on that darn elevator anyway. What do you guys think?

Also, here are my other ADRs. Where are the restaurants located once inside the resort and any others I must take an elevator for?

Boma
Jiko
Beaches n' cream
Whispering Canyon cafe
Yachstman steakhouse

 

[luvpooh]

I can't tell you whether or not it's 'worth it' to take the elevator due to your phobia, but if it makes you feel any better, it is an express elevator, and doesn't stop on any other floor (I'm not sure if that's the case on the way down though).
Boma and Jiko are not on the main floor, but I think it's one or 2 flights down, so I think you can 'hoof it'. The other 2 are on the main floor of the hotels.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Young Pooh]

Wouldn't the restaurant need to have an emergency staircase in case of fire? Maybe if you called the restaurant and explained your situation they may be able to let you use this (if there is one).

 

[mickeysgirl17]

From what I heard, there was a staircase, but it was only strictly for CM's to use or in case of fire. So, I probably have no choice but to face my fear and take the elevator.

 

[BriarRosie]

So I've been dying to eat at the California Grill and want to watch wishes from there so I made an ADR months ago, but I have a bad fear of being stuck in an elevator that I've had since I was a kid. From what I've heard, this is the only way up to the restaurant. I'm not sure if I should cancel my ADR or try to stick with it and try to get on that darn elevator anyway. What do you guys think?

Also, here are my other ADRs. Where are the restaurants located once inside the resort and any others I must take an elevator for?

Boma
Jiko
Beaches n' cream
Whispering Canyon cafe
Yachstman steakhouse

Boma and Jiko are down a couple of staircases off the main lobby, no need for the elevator.
Beaches n' Cream is on the walkway between the Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts, right by the Stormalong Bay pool complex. Ground level, so you're ok.
Yachtsman Steakhouse is around the corner from Beaches 'n Cream, just through a door near the Yacht Club side.
Whispering Canyon is on the lobby level of the Wilderness Lodge.

Bite the bullet for the express elevator to California Grill. Hope you'll be ok with the nerves.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

There are stairs, they are outside but there are stairs. When CG was Top of The World and access was not restricted like it is now we would have breakfast there on check out day. DSis, like you is afraid of elevators, so she and one of my parents would walk up the stairs"(all 15 flights) while the rest took the elevator.
Because the limit access now, the stairs may not be an option, but if you ask I bet it will be OK.

 

[liamsaunt]

If it makes you feel better, a staff member rides up in the elevator with you and makes conversation. Maybe it will distract you! I don't like elevators either, but the food and the view are worth it.

Also, I feel more at ease if I can stand with my hands touching the railing that goes around the perimeter of the elevator cars--maybe try that and see if it helps.

Enjoy your meal!

 

[msujroot]

Funny story (yes...there are stairs that you can use),

On our honeymoon, my DW and I ate one evening at CG and went to leave following the fireworks. Obviously, many other people had the exact same idea, and there was a ton of people lined up for the elevator to go down. Well, the elevator was taking forever, and started making weird noises that were very audible to those of us who were in the restaurant. DW and I decided that we didn't want to wait 20 minutes just to find out what the odd noises were, so we looked for some stairs.

As a previous poster said, the stairs are outside, and there a plenty of areas where you can clearly see all the way down. Now, as someone who is not too thrilled with heights , I think that there should be gigantic 30-ft signs at the top that warn you about the outdoor scary stairs. We finally made it all the way down, but I ended up looking less than the "hunky" guy I wanted to be for the honeymoon.

When we finally "landed", we found ourselves in what appeared to be a backstage area. After much wandering around, in mostly dark surroundings, we finally escaped into what might have been the employee parking lot.

So, if there is any way for you to stomach the elevator, I'd really recommend it.

 

[centurythree]

I'm traveling with someone with a fear of elevators, and I've never been to the California Grill before. How is the elevator set up? Since it's an express elevator, is there any hope of convincing her that it's not a real elevator? (If necessary I'll tell her about the old Hydrolators at the Living Seas or take her to Universal early so she sees the Men in Black "elevators.") Or is there just no hope?

 

[mickeysgirl17]

All I know is the elevators are kinda old and small inside which doesn't help at all.

msujroot.....why were the stairs scary? My DD5 will be with us and if it is too dangerous to take the stairs and the elevators are making wierd noises, I just may cancel this ADR!

 

[wdw1972]

I'm traveling with someone with a fear of elevators, and I've never been to the California Grill before. How is the elevator set up? Since it's an express elevator, is there any hope of convincing her that it's not a real elevator? (If necessary I'll tell her about the old Hydrolators at the Living Seas or take her to Universal early so she sees the Men in Black "elevators.") Or is there just no hope?

My goodness - this is the first I've heard of people with a fear of elevators . Sorry for being insensitive, but it's hard to wrap my mind around. The elevator ride is over in seconds - why not just get on the darn thing and conquer the fear?? Why limit your life over something so silly? What if the perfect job is on the 20th floor of some building?? What if CA Grill is the best restaurant you've ever experienced in your life? You'd miss all that over a fear of an elevator??? Just think how great you'll feel after you ride the elevator and realize your fear was groundless/silly all these years

 

[DznyDreamz]

If you are going to CG on 10/22 or 10/23 I suggest that you cancel. I would be willing to take it off your hands, cause thats just the kinda girl I am (JK).

 

[mickeysgirl17]

lol. It will be in December actually!

 

[centurythree]

My goodness - this is the first I've heard of people with a fear of elevators . Sorry for being insensitive, but it's hard to wrap my mind around. The elevator ride is over in seconds - why not just get on the darn thing and conquer the fear?? Why limit your life over something so silly? What if the perfect job is on the 20th floor of some building?? What if CA Grill is the best restaurant you've ever experienced in your life? You'd miss all that over a fear of an elevator??? Just think how great you'll feel after you ride the elevator and realize your fear was groundless/silly all these years

I think she got stuck in one once. I don't know how people develop this particular phobia (after all, I'm a person who happily sat on the edge of the Grand Canyon), but she's got it, plus a fear of heights. Silly or not, I'm not interested in risking having her have a panic attack over some food, know what I mean? No way I'm forcing her onto the thing if she just won't budge, either.

So, could anyone tell me whether it's a glass elevator, how long the ride up actually lasts, etc.? I probably won't carry through on my idea to just tell her it's not a real elevator (that's crass even for me), but maybe if I can describe it for her in detail she'll be more okay with it.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I am going to ask here that we be a little more sensitive to the OP's phobia, which by the way is a very a real one. In most cases, it has to do with claustrophobia...from Wikipedia:

"Claustrophobia is typically thought to have two key symptoms: fear of restriction and fear of suffocation. A typical claustrophobic will fear restriction in at least one, if not several, of the following areas: small rooms, locked rooms, tunnels, cellars, elevators, subway trains, and crowded areas."

Please notice the last line of the quote.

I have a family member who always takes the stairs due to the fear of riding in elevators. I myself never really cared for elevators, being trapped in one for any length of time can do that to anyone, but I do what I can to get where I want. I never liked flying, now get me a ticket, and I am on that plane. I even took a fear of flying course and at the end you were suppose to get on the plane, I could not do it. Now I fly wherever.

So, if getting in that elevator will ruin your evening, I say there are plenty of other fine restaurants on property.. Citrico's comes to mind, always a fave of this household, and it is at the Grand Floridian, one flight of stairs up. If you want to try this restaurant, maybe a call to the restaurant to see if there are stairs that you could walk if that would you more comfortable.

ps added to say, not a glass elevator, and the ride is over fast, but they do crowd people in the elevator so that can hinder someone who is in fear of tight places..

 

[DebbieB]

I have a coworker who is afraid of elevators. She is forced to take them everyday (we are on the 8th floor and she is not able to take steps) but freaks out if something happens (very rare). She always makes sure she is not alone, she will wait for someone else to leave at the same time.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I think I will ask the CM if we can take the elevator with just him/her and my family so that I won't feel like I'm in such a small space.

The elevators are not glass. If they were, I probably would get on.

 

[tkldisney]

Another person here that does not do elevators!!!!! Claustrophobic!

I have used the one at CG and it's not that bad. I just keep talking to dh til we're there.

If I'm anywhere by myself I always use the stairs or wait until someone shows up. (some hotels we get high floors) I will not ride be myself!!!!

 

[centurythree]

I think I will ask the CM if we can take the elevator with just him/her and my family so that I won't feel like I'm in such a small space.

The elevators are not glass. If they were, I probably would get on.

I think we'll do this also.

 

[LilyWDW]

I am going to ask here that we be a little more sensitive to the OP's phobia, which by the way is a very a real one. In most cases, it has to do with claustrophobia...from Wikipedia:

"Claustrophobia is typically thought to have two key symptoms: fear of restriction and fear of suffocation. A typical claustrophobic will fear restriction in at least one, if not several, of the following areas: small rooms, locked rooms, tunnels, cellars, elevators, subway trains, and crowded areas."

This is me. It's not the elevator that is so much the issue as the fact that it is a small, closed in space. I simply can not do it. I have in the past had full blown panic attacks due to this phobia. Is it "logical"? No, but if it was then it wouldn't be a phobia.

My issue is the fear of restriction and the thought that if something were to happen that I wouldn't be able to flee and get to safety. I have in the pass forced myself through the panic and taken elevators (up the Eiffle Tower for example... even glass elevators are an issue as I am still stuck). I wish beyond anything that it would just go away or that I could get over it, but dang it, it's something I have to live with.