Severe claustrophobia

[OneMoreTry]

DMIL has severe claustrophobia, which is, I think, largely due to her Parkinson's and the meds she takes for that. Xanax helps a little but doesn't eliminate the problem -- or she just falls asleep.

I'm pretty sure she would not do Soarin'. I'm afraid she will have to avoid lines that wind back and forth in crowded rooms and even pre-show areas: eg. Tough to be a bug, philharmagic, etc, etc.

Does anyone have experience with claustrophobia and long, crowded queues? Will she have to avoid them?

 

[AJKMOM]

You could stop in a Guest Services office at the first theme park you visit. If you explain what her problem is, maybe they can give her a Guest Assistance Car. Fast Pass will help her avoid the queue areas.

 

[Schmeck]

I'd worry more obout her reaction while in an attraction - will she feel closed in on the doom buggies at Haunted Mansion, the sailing ships on Peter Pan, etc? If she can't stand the winding queues, would the winding paths of the ride vehicles get to her?

 

[SueM in MN]

If you want more information about GACs, there is a part in the disABILITIES FAQs thread near the top of this board.

Fastpass will help you a lot in this situation. Using Fastpass, you can wait for a short time, usually 10 minutes or less.

I don't have as much problem with claustrophobia as I used to, but I am still uneasy in some places. I don't have a problem with Soarin'. The room that the queue is in is large with a high ceiling. The queue does wind around, but it is fairly wide and doesn't feel that tight. The ride itself did not cause any problem to me. You are in a lage room with very high ceilings. Nothing is close to you.
Here are some things I found or still find somewhat uncomfortable:
- Spaceship Earth: the ride cars are not really that tight, but the way that the headrest comes around your head and the voice coming out of speakers right behind your head has always made me feel claustrophobic. The queue is pretty tight, but you can avoid a wait at all if you go later in the day. It's very busy in the morning, but by mid afternoon, you can walk right on.

- Haunted Mansion: this is one where you want to enter thru the wheelchair accessible entrance (which is actually the exit). Doing that will let you avoid the stretching room (a very dark room with no windows and no doors) and also the boarding area, which is very dark and begins in the stretching room, getting narower and narrower as you get closer to the boarding area.

- It's Tough to be a Bug: the queue is not a problem, but ince you are inside, the environment is like a simulated underground bug chamber; dim and with low ceilings.

 

[Schmeck]

A few years ago we witnessed a woman having a complete meltdown on Star Tours - she was screaming and sobbing before the ride even started. As soon as the doors closed she told the person with her "make them open the doors, make them stop, get me off". Then the ride started... My kids were a bit freaked out by her reaction, but I told them even adults can get scared. I felt so sorry for her, she was a wreck. I'd have to guess she was claustrophobic, because she started having problems right when the doors closed.

To the OP - you'll need to have a plan for what to do if your MIL has a reaction during the ride/attraction. At non-moving attractions (shows), you'd most likely need to sit near an exit? I don't know what you could do if you were in a ride vehicle though.