Need Disney EXPERT who has been many times --- Question about rides & claustrophobia.

[connieran]

Hi - looking for an EXPERT or someone who has been MANY times and knows the rides/attractions, etc. I am going in november and I am slightly claustrophobic. I don't mind going into things like that are large and closed in (like large rooms, or like the small world boat ride thing, etc.), but I just don't like small closed-in spaces. I need to know which rides/attractions I should avoid, because I don't want to find out it is claustrophobic once I am already inside!! I know already that the new Mission Space (I think that is the name) is claustrophobic, because I heard someone say that. Are there any others you know of?? Thanx

 

[hig4s]

MGMs Tower of Terror,, if being locked into something in pitch black for a few minutes would affect you.

Maybe Rockin rollercoaster,, but it happens so fast it's over before you have time to get stressed.

 

[momtotwinglesx4]

Mission: Space would be one to avoid for sure. Very closed in.

Astro Orbiter requires a ride in a crowded elevator, up and again down.

Maybe Star Tours; it's a pretty small room.

 

[Micca]

Hi Connieran. I too would consider myself slightly claustro. I don't have a problem with any of the attractions at WDW. My anxiety comes on the plane to Orlando when they close the door.
The most closed in attractions keep you there for such a short time. I hope you enjoy your trip

 

[erinz]

I would DEFINITELY not do Haunted Mansion.....

Or Stiches Great Escape either.

 

[connieran]

thanx to all of you for the replies. they are much appreciated!

to: Micca - I would NOT get on a plane, never have, never will. We will be driving - from Louisiana so it will be a long drive!!

to: Erinz -- what can you tell me about Haunted Mansion, cuz I know my teens will want to do that one. Is it very claustrophobic? I don't mind darkness... as long as I know it is not a closed-in space. Or maybe if it is pitch black and I can't see the entire time, maybe I would not like it. Tell me more about it?? thanx

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

HM is not enclosed in the least - in fact, I think you'll be surprised at some of the inside that makes you believe you are "outside".

Mission:Space is the only ride that actually encloses you. I have never once felt claustrophobic in my life, and that ride made me understand the term. The pod itself wasn't bad, until they lower the panel and literally it's smaller than the width of a coffin.

Things like Star Tours are enclosed, but huge - if you can stand being comfortably seated in an enclosed space the size of a large living room, you will be all set. And if darkness doesn't bother you, I don't see anything besides M:S that you couldn't do. I don't even think ToT would bother you - it's actually rather open and airy. If you can ride a normal elevator, you can definately ride this one - it's four times the size of one (at least).

Good luck! And let us know how you do!

N.E.D.

 

[bjakmom]

If you do Stitch's Great Escape remember to sit up very tall when they lock down the over-your-head bar. As it locked down, it actually lowered a bit (making my DD uncomfortable) - you are in a large room, but very confined in your seat - and when the room went totally black (this was when it was AE, but I hear they still do this), she practically clawed through my arm!! She suffers a bit like you do, and couldn't get out of that ride fast enough! I agree that HM and TOT are not confining directly around you - for HM you sit in a 3 person car with a rounded top that comes 1/2 way around/over you (same set up for SE), but the whole front of the car is open. Space Mt may also feel a bit confining as you sit down inside the coaster car and the tracks overhead are very close, it's quite dark, and you travel through a narrow tunnel (but it's very quick !!). I haven't braved M:S yet - maybe on my next trip (my kids all felt sick when they got off it). Have a wonderful trip !

 

[Schmeck]

At HM, they crowd you into the 'stretching room' first - depending on the CM and the crowds at that time, it can get really packed.

I have claustrophobia to the point where I can't sit on the inside of a booth at a restaurant, have my head covered by bedsheets, etc. I can handle the stretching room at HM though, because I make sure my family is around me, and they make sure I have space.

I'm afraid to try M:S, but I did OK on the astro orbiter elevator, and I love Star Tours!

 

[SueM in MN]

I am also somewhat claustrophobic.
I have not been in them, but would have problems with Mission Space and Rock N Roller Coaster.
The first few times I rode, I had problems with Haunted Mansion and Spaceship Earth. The reason was that the car sort of encloses you on 3 sides, as bjakmom noted. The cars are large enough for several people, but they have solid sides and a "roof". One of the things I had a problem with was the speakers are right behind your head. I don't know why, but it makes it worse. There is one point in the ride where your car turns around and you go down an incline backwards. That was a problem point for me. SE is never completely dark.

At HM, the first room you are in is a fairly large room (probably 20 feet square or even bigger), but at one point, the narrator points out that there are no windows and no doors. All the lights go out for a few seconds and then a door opens to a dim area where you will walk to board the ride. That area starts out large, but as you walk along, it gradually narrows to a hallway just large enough for people to walk single file ( the purpose for it is to get people into a single file line for boarding). That kind of threw me the first time because I didn't know it was going to happen. Once you get to the boarding area, you are in a large, dim room.
I didn't personally have a problem with claustophobia on any other rides.