Queues that may trigger....question?

[MaMudduck]

Im not sure if this is the right place to post this? and I've already check the disability board.
I have an upcoming trip to Universal Orlando and already have a AAS pass. I suffer from C-Ptsd which has gotten worse in the last 4 years since a life altering event.
My biggest triggers are crowded closed/indoor spaces, (claustrophobic). For reference sake: the WDW lines or places that do this to me are Rise in the hallways that tapers down/squeeze and then go into the switchback lines. 7DMT outdoor line that squeezes in the dark indoor line. Flight of passage; that 4 lane ramp up to loading bay.
If the line is moving and there is not switch back lines or its outside Im usually able to manage it.
Ive had issues in Costcos, and TSA lines in airports before too. Im choosing the lowest crowd times to manage this but there are a lot all of new rides at Universal that Ive never done before and I'd really appreciate any input. Any one that knows the lines please share, you don't need to understand PTSD to help me.
Please tell me which rides to be aware of at USO/IOA.
Thanks

 

[Kit Jackson]

This is the right place to post your question.

The lines for the Gringotts ride and Forbidden Journey might present an issue for you. I haven't been on it yet, but based on what I have heard, the Hagrid's ride might be an issue as well.

 

[MaMudduck]

Where in Gringotts & FJ do you think there is a problem? Will Express pass by-pass those areas?

 

[cschaaf]

I think the first half of Gringotts isn’t too bad, but they do cram you into the pre-show areas. And the area at the base of the steps can probably feel claustrophobic.

FJ is dark, but I don’t think it feels too tight. (Only speaking for the EP line, we haven’t done Standby there in years)

Hagrids has a cave-like section of the queue that I always wish we’d move faster through.

Mummy queue is dark and can probably feel closed in

Kong is dark. The EP line has a narrow hallway

ETA: on our recent trip, my wife used a scooter and cane when walking. We got to go through a few ‘shorter’ areas to get to an elevator. I think some of the paths were similar to the disability line. The one that we saw that would really benefit you was at Hagrids. You skip a huge chunk of the line and don’t go through the pre-show (not sure if they are doing that or not. Our last few trips, they hadn’t been) or the caves.

 

[Skywalker3]

Where in Gringotts & FJ do you think there is a problem? Will Express pass by-pass those areas?

What rides at Disney do not trigger? I'm trying to remember what all might be similar to your examples. I don't have severe claustrophobia, but every once in a while it creeps in, and I definitely felt it a couple times in the express line for the Mummy, in the narrow, stuffy corridor one waits in. Most rides don't bother me, but I like to be able to see exit signs, etc. or know there's an open space nearby.

 

[murmer]

Hagrids for sure! It has the cave sections but then the area before boarding is a bunch of switchbacks if I remember correctly and that is where the express line drops in (think the old movie ride at Hollywood).

 

[MaMudduck]

I think the first half of Gringotts isn’t too bad, but they do cram you into the pre-show areas. And the area at the base of the steps can probably feel claustrophobic.

Is the preshow in the bank with the gobblins? That's ok cause of the high ceilings but if we are stopped on the steps then I will have a problem with that. I'll see if they have another way up.

FJ is dark, but I don’t think it feels too tight. (Only speaking for the EP line, we haven’t done Standby there in years)

Does the disability line use the same line as EP? If its not tight then Im probably ok

Hagrids has a cave-like section of the queue that I always wish we’d move faster through.

Ive never done this one before, this one concerns me. I thought Hagrids was mostly outside?

Mummy queue is dark and can probably feel closed in

Noted- probably a no go

Kong is dark. The EP line has a narrow hallway

noted also, probably also a no go

ETA: on outrage recent trip, my wife used a scooter and cane when walking. We got to go through a few ‘shorter’ areas to get to an elevator. I think some of the paths were similar to the disability line. The one that we saw that would really benefit you was at Hagrids. You skip a huge chunk of the line and don’t go through the pre-show (not sure if they are doing that or not. Our last few trips, they hadn’t been) or the caves.

thank you, this helps alot! It'll check with team members before entering

 

[cschaaf]

Hagrids for sure! It has the cave sections but then the area before boarding is a bunch of switchbacks if I remember correctly and that is where the express line drops in (think the old movie ride at Hollywood).

There’s no express for Hagrids yet

 

[cschaaf]

Is the preshow in the bank with the gobblins? That's ok cause of the high ceilings but if we are stopped on the steps then I will have a problem with that. I'll see if they have another way up.

No, there are 2 pre-show elements after the lobby. Without trying to give too much away, one is like the studio ‘movie’ in Rockin Rollercoaster, the other is a similar to the stretching room in Haunted Mansion. Unless you take the elevator, you _will_ be stuck on the steps.

If you don’t want to be stuck on steps, that would be difficult on Rip Ride Rockit, Hogwarts Express (maybe only in one direction, I can’t remember which), Velocicoaster.

Does the disability line use the same line as EP? If its not tight then Im probably ok

FJ: not sure. We did the EP line until the Child Swap where my wife and 2 of our daughters opted out because that ride makes them sick.

Only a small section of the ‘official’ Hagrids queue is outside. Depending on when you go, the overflow could have you outdoors for a while before heading inside.

 

[MaMudduck]

What rides at Disney do not trigger? I'm trying to remember what all might be similar to your examples. I don't have severe claustrophobia, but every once in a while it creeps in, and I definitely felt it a couple times in the express line for the Mummy, in the narrow, stuffy corridor one waits in. Most rides don't bother me, but I like to be able to see exit signs, etc. or know there's an open space nearby.

So strangely enough Im ok on Tower of Terror cause the lines to the elevators are wide and not beside each other, Haunted Mansion only if Im on the outside edges of the stretching room and not "Dead center" Jungle Cruise and Safari switch backs are ok cause they are outside, RnR if Im in single rider line and not main line.

Looks like the Mummy's out

 

[MaMudduck]

If you don’t want to be stuck on steps, that would be difficult on Rip Ride Rockit, Hogwarts Express (maybe only in one direction, I can’t remember which), Velocicoaster

I can do steps, but do they "line you up" on steps? It's really more about being pressed by crowds of people in a very small space, low tunnels, not moving. That's why being on the rides are ok, and moving quickly through the rooms of preshows are ok, its the standing in a tight space with people closing in on me.
Where are the stairs on Velocicoaster?
Thank you all for your input,
I will have others traveling with me to check out the newer rides before I ride. I really didnt want to have ask a team member before I get on each ride.

 

[georgina]

So strangely enough Im ok on Tower of Terror cause the lines to the elevators are wide and not beside each other, Haunted Mansion only if Im on the outside edges of the stretching room and not "Dead center" Jungle Cruise and Safari switch backs are ok cause they are outside, RnR if Im in single rider line and not main line.

Looks like the Mummy's out

During lower crowd times I have found the single rider line for mummy, while dark, is often basically a walk-on.

I am not claustrophobic and the Hagrid's line makes me uncomfortable, similar to parts of the Splash mtn ride at MK.

Haven't been on Dudley Doo-right in many many years, but it had long narrow windowless hallways.

 

[georgina]

I can do steps, but do they "line you up" on steps? It's really more about being pressed by crowds of people in a very small space, low tunnels, not moving. That's why being on the rides are ok, and moving quickly through the rooms of preshows are ok, its the standing in a tight space with people closing in on me.
Where are the stairs on Velocicoaster?
Thank you all for your input,
I will have others traveling with me to check out the newer rides before I ride. I really didnt want to have ask a team member before I get on each ride.

Stairs on Velocicoaster are just after the lockers and metal detector I think. I have never been stuck in a line on them. I would try for a shorter wait time as the line moves well but there are a few enclosed feeling hallways along the way. I usually do single rider if it is open.

If you have the disability pass, perhaps you can use the elevator on Gringotts, Rip Ride Rockit, and Hogwarts Express. They do line up on those. They aren't super low ceilings, RRR is practically outside and the train station is fairly open air feeling but can feel crowded.

 

[cschaaf]

I can do steps, but do they "line you up" on steps? It's really more about being pressed by crowds of people in a very small space, low tunnels, not moving. That's why being on the rides are ok, and moving quickly through the rooms of preshows are ok, its the standing in a tight space with people closing in on me.
Where are the stairs on Velocicoaster?
Thank you all for your input,
I will have others traveling with me to check out the newer rides before I ride. I really didnt want to have ask a team member before I get on each ride.

Stairs on Velocicoaster are just after the lockers and metal detector. I have never been stuck on a line on them.

If you have the disability pass, perhaps you can use the elevator on Gringotts, Rip Ride Rockit, and Hogwarts Express. They do line up on those.

That’s probably right about Velocicoaster, I think we only got backed up on the steps once, but it usually moves quickly there.

Gringotts, Rip Ride, and Mummy all have steps right at the loading area. Men in Black has steps at the load area, but going down and they aren’t very long.

 

[cschaaf]

I can do steps, but do they "line you up" on steps? It's really more about being pressed by crowds of people in a very small space, low tunnels, not moving. That's why being on the rides are ok, and moving quickly through the rooms of preshows are ok, its the standing in a tight space with people closing in on me.
Where are the stairs on Velocicoaster?
Thank you all for your input,
I will have others traveling with me to check out the newer rides before I ride. I really didnt want to have ask a team member before I get on each ride.

Just ask a TM, they are usually happy to help. My wife struggled with stairs a few times until we started asking. Everyone we asked was friendly and helped get us to the right areas to skip the steps.

 

[MaMudduck]

Stairs on Velocicoaster are just after the lockers and metal detector. I have never been stuck on a line on them.

If you have the disability pass, perhaps you can use the elevator on Gringotts, Rip Ride Rockit, and Hogwarts Express. They do line up on those. They aren't super low ceilings

I do have a disability pass, but I only want to use it if I have to. Unfortunately sometimes the pass doesn't fix the problem.

 

[snoopboop]

I’m a little late to the party but wanted to add that when you use your AAP in the Hagrid’s queue, you’ll enter the regular queue in a dark, low-ceilinged room that does have switchbacks, and then you also do have to wait in the pre-show room that is full of switchbacks - that one is brighter and has a higher ceiling that actually has some fun show elements built in to it. You *could* ask the TM at the entrance to the switchback room if you can access the ride via the “shortcut” along the side of the pre-show room - but YMMV if they don’t understand that the switchbacks themselves are part of what your AAP is meant to accommodate.

Also I don’t think I saw it mentioned, but the Kong queue is dark and claustrophobic, even the AAP portion if I recall correctly.

 

[MaMudduck]

I’m a little late to the party but wanted to add that when you use your AAP in the Hagrid’s queue, you’ll enter the regular queue in a dark, low-ceilinged room that does have switchbacks, and then you also do have to wait in the pre-show room that is full of switchbacks - that one is brighter and has a higher ceiling that actually has some fun show elements built in to it. You *could* ask the TM at the entrance to the switchback room if you can access the ride via the “shortcut” along the side of the pre-show room - but YMMV if they don’t understand that the switchbacks themselves are part of what your AAP is meant to accommodate.

Also I don’t think I saw it mentioned, but the Kong queue is dark and claustrophobic, even the AAP portion if I recall correctly.

thank you for replying, thats great info

 

[1420Elexismc]

Another note for Kong(not sure if they still do this anymore-so spoiler alert if they do) but there was an actor that would hide and jump out at guests in the line. Scared the bejeesus out of me on top of being a tight line to begin with.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I'd give the normal FJ line a try, it's really not tight & is interesting. You do stand in line for a little right before boarding, it's 3 adjacent lines (not really switchbacks because they all go the same direction, but they do have that look) - however that area tends to move quite quickly & one line is single riders, which means it's usually effectively empty. However, if that's a no go then the Single rider should be fine - it's normally a walk on or nearly so.

Someone else said the same for Mummy single rider & I agree there too.

Gringotts single rider skips the tight preshow but you do end up on a spiral staircase & there's usually at least some wait for single rider on that ride - however it's a fairly big space, but built to look like an underground cavern. You might consider doing single rider at slow times for Gringotts if you're a HP fan, it's probably a walk-on for single rider in the evenings / mornings. Or, you can walk in, look at the staircase/arrangement, and just walk back out if it's not going to work for you.