Conference koolit::disney

    Last night I was on the phone with friends who are going in two weeks.
    They purchased some package from some agent and will have to squeeze
    WDW, Sea World, Kennedy Space Center, and a day at River Country in 5
    days....good luck. 
    
    anyway, they are going with another family. There's a little bit of
    nervousness on the part of this woman's friend because of anxiety
    attacks. Apparently this woman had visited WDW around 8 or 9 years back
    and was fine. About 5 years ago she started getting these anxiety
    attacks, finally got professional help, never took that stuff (XANAX?)
    because she wanted to overcome it without drugs.
    
    Well it's been a year since she's had an attack but now she's concerned
    about returning to WDW. There are some attractions which she feels will
    bring on an attack and she doesn't want to disappoint her children by
    not going on the attractions with them.
    
    I asked my friend what type of attractions would cause such a reaction
    and I guess it's "...any attraction which she feels she either loses
    control or cannot exit when she wants..." Well that's a pretty big
    chunk of attractions.
    
    After I hung up I thought that this topic may need to be discussed in
    here because there may be someone out there who can give advice on how
    they (or a friend) copes with anxiety attacks in WDW.
    
    I am amazed that being in such a wonderful atmosphere can still produce 
    such a problem but not being one with that problem I can't relate.
    
    I guess the question is how do you cope, what attractions are such that
    they can provoke an attack, and also, is there anything over the
    counter that someone can take to offset the attacks? Like I said
    earlier, this woman doesn't want to take anything but may want to have
    something on hand just in case.
    
    This is a note that I hope gets a lot of replies because it really
    could help a lot of people.
    
    Mike

    Boy, this is a tough one.

    I have very little understanding of these type of problems, but from
    what I have read, the most common treatment seems to be some kind of
    controlled desensitization.  The fear of having an attack in public often
    brings on the attack itself.

    Perhaps the woman could try things in small doses.  If an experience,
    such as a visit to a calm attraction works out, she build on the
    success and move on to something a little more challenging.  I would
    guess that things out in the open, or movies or theater shows would be
    the safest.

    Since she is traveling with other adults, she could send her children
    with them on rides, while she waits outside.  How does she do in
    crowds?  If this is an issue, WDW at many times of the year could be a
    major problem.

    On a related note, I had a conversation this weekend with the mother of
    one of my boys' classmates.  They recently returned from WDW, and what
    she described as her "vacation to hell."  It seems that their son,(~5
    years old), hated Disney World.  He turned out to be claustrophobic,
    and screamed whenever they got in line for an attraction.

    After their first day, which they spent at Epcot, they had a hard time
    convincing him to even leave the hotel room to eat dinner.  They
    managed to get him to the MK the next day, but had to leave by 2:00. 

    They ended up blowing off the rest of their stay at WDW and going to
    on Ft. Lauderdale where the boy was content to stay by the pool and eat
    room service meals.  That is until the night they had to evacuate
    because of a fire in the hotel, but that's another story.

    Len,
    
    From what I gather crowds would not be a problem. I guess the key word
    is "Control". Whe may not want to go to "Pirates..." because she knows
    she can't leave if she has an attack. I think that just the fear of
    having an attack may be bothering her.
    
    When she last went she had no problems whatsoever and she may not have
    any this time around either. I wondered if the excitement of being
    there would naturally suppress any potential attacks.
    
    Some people say that the adrenalin could bring on an attack. 
    
    Like Len I have a tough time relating to all this because I can't think
    of any better doctor or medicine than "The Mouse".
    
    Mike_who_will_see_Mickey_in_88_days

There may another notes file out there (MEDICAL? PSYCHOLOGY?) that is more 
likely to have readers who have experienced anxiety disorders or have family 
members with such experience.  This woman may also want to contact her
therapist to see if there's a local support group, where she may find people
with similar problems who've gone to WDW.

The best Disney-specific advice that I could give is to try to be aware of
the nature of each and every attractions.  It's pretty obvious that there's no 
way anyone can leave the Space Mountain ride once you've started going, but
it's less obvious that you can walk through the left side of the line without
waiting, watch all the nervous people on line, and then see the small exhibit
at the end of the ride, all without having to take the ride or ever being
stuck anywhere.

It's usually possible to leave any of the theater attractions at any time.
The exceptions that I can think of are the Carousel of Progress (and even there,
you should be able to get out in an emergency), and the Universe of Energy.
The continuous motion rides are far less flexible, although they all have
emergency exits.  Sometimes even the short, quick rides confound you by 
first stuffing you into a tiny room or elevator (Haunted Mansion, Living Seas).

I suppose I or anyone else could go on, evaluating each and every ride from
this perspective.  Would that be helpful or boring?

   Gary

    Actually I was hoping for a first hand account. That is, I'd like to
    hear from someone who actually has had to deal with this problem.
    
    I agree that there are other conferences where this subject matter is
    discussed but the link to WDW made it seem like a topic that might help
    someone.
    
    Mike_who_suffers_anxiety_just_waiting_to_get_there

    I can identify with the problem.  I have the absoulute FEAR of flying.
    Not being able to get up and walk out on demand.  I use Xanax when
    flying.  I have had uneasy fealing on the rides at WDW.  What I did
    was to look around at all the safey exits.  Like in the spaceship
    earth, I noticed the stairway going up and down beside the ride.
    It may not seem much to you, but it was a big help to me.  Also, rides
    like the Pirates can drain pracitally instantly and people can exit
    at any time in case of an emergency or ride problem.
    
    The problem may seem foolish.  Be its very real to the person suffering
    it.  And just worrying about it can trigger an attack.  And the
    pressure of wanting to ride with the kids adds to the likelyhood of
    an attack.
    
    If it were me, it would help just knowing that I didn't have to go
    on the ride and that the people with me were understanding.  I did
    big thunder mountain.  My approach was to stay in line with the little
    ones and if I felt ok, then I'd get on.  The little ones knew my
    situation and when I got one with them, they held my hands.  I got
    through the ride, loved it and we went again.
    
    Also, like I do on airplanes, take the xanax.  Its a small compromise
    to make to assure that both families have a good time.
    
    ed
    
    

    I think this has been discussed already. (In note 25 maybe?)

    I am always nervous about going on a trip until I'm at the airport,
    checked in, holding my boarding pass.  After that I can relax.  Even
    flight delays don't bother me much since it's beyond my control.

    The other fear I secretly have is that I've over anticipated, and that
    the reality can in no way live up to my imagination of what it will be
    like.  In some ways, this does happen.  Especially the after first
    time, when the you are no longer surprised at the mere scope of WDW.  

    I guess it's my personality that makes me agonize over not getting the
    *most* possible out of the time/money I spend.  I still agonize over
    the extra few hundred yards we had to walk when I made a wrong turn in
    the Magic Kingdom.  I wish it was easier for me to go with the flow,
    especially traveling with the kids.

    Squeezing as much as possible out of the vacation is always in my mind
    too.
    
    Get this, last week I spent some time with some friends who stayed at
    FW for a week in April. I knew they had planned on going to see the
    Space Shuttle Launch. I asked them if they had gone and they said,
    
    "No..instead we ran outside in our PJ's to see it."
    
    Immediately a flag went up. The shuttle had gone off around 8:45 and
    these people were STILL IN THERE PJ'S IN WDW? I asked them when their
    day usually began and they said they were usually up and out of their
    trailer no later than TEN A.M.
    
    No way Jose'.
    
    So yes...maybe the notion that I may not get as much out of this as I
    want may also be creeping in.
    
    Mike

    We have reservations for May 20 - 25 and have been anxiously
    counting down - months, weeks, 8 days.  I started worrying a
    couple of weeks ago.  We have so much left to do before we go
    and so little time to do it.  List making is helping me cope.
    I've got lists of what we need to pack, what attractions we
    absolutely can't miss, places we'd like to eat, etc.  I've also
    made up a chart of approximate travel times for the drive down.
    The nice thing about lists is having my worries organized on
    paper.  The best thing about lists is throwing them away when I
    realize I've been worrying too much.
    
    For me, the last minute anxiety increases with the number of details
    involved.  I usually take care of all the reservations and other
    stuff such as verifying your flight time the day before leaving.  I
    have had nightmares about forgetting the airplane tickets at home
    and such.  Right now my last minute stuff includes sending my
    guinea pig to the neighbors, giving the house key to the neighbors,
    doing laundry, packing and buying the snacks for the trip down.
    
    Our least anxious trip was last October.  I made the reservations
    five weeks in advance so we didn't have time to worry.  Plus we
    drove so eliminated the flight schedule worry.  This was our best
    trip ever and I think a lot of it was due to the spontaneity of it.

    I can tell when the anxiety is getting bad... I start having
    unpleasant dreams about WDW.  Do any of you do this?
    
    I've often had dreams about bringing people to WDW and showing
    them around.  One night I toured the entire Magic Kingdom with
    my sister.  I was sooooo exhausted when I woke up.  These dreams
    are fun.
    
    But when the anxiety build up here's what happens.  Last week
    I dreamed I brought my mother and my brother Rick.  Neither of
    them had been to WDW before so we were having a great time.  We
    got in line for the Haunted Mansion and I was telling them how
    great it is to get them all psyched up.  When we got to the doors,
    Rick and I got in but ma had to wait for the next crowd.  We
    went into the room that stretches but it didn't stretch (so now
    I know which one works like an elevator!) and we were led straight
    through to another room without any of the usual special effects.
    
    In that room was a turntable similar to the one for the spinning
    tea cups which started to move.  We all started falling and tumbling
    all over the place - it was quite fun actually and nobody was hurt
    (I'm sure this was induced by Joel's trip report mentioning the
    rotating dance floor at Pleasure Island).  But, I was worried about
    ma.  She is disabled and would get hurt for sure.
    
    After the spinning stopped the ride was completely over.  We headed
    for the exit and from there could see the end of the regular Haunted
    Mansion ride.  It took me a minute to recognize what was going on
    but I realized we were watching from the other side of the "window"
    where the ghosts are hitch hiking.  Great backstage view!
    
    It turns out they had modified the ride.  To do the usual ghost ride
    you had to go to the front door of the mansion.  It was ok but a lot
    of it was missing due to the addition of the turntable down stairs.
    
    Oh, I don't know what happened to ma.  I guess I switched dreams
    or something.

    
    
    	Yeah, I'm starting on the same feeling (17 days to Disney but only 
    12 REAL detail fixing up days till departure).
    
    	I've already started second guessing my reservations, already
    changed the car rental one. Still can't get May 27 at the CBR!!!! I'm
    fixing to start pulling my hair out on that one....I have 28-31 but
    arrive on 27!
    
    	Other details include, will I have enough cash?!? where/how do I
    get the airport without compromising budget or safty of automibile(this
    mostly implies some creative 'favors' asked of friends).  Cleaning the
    ole bachelor pad up BEFORE the new wife hits the front door direct from
    the magic of WDW!!!!!! ON and on and on
    
    	I echo those earlier sentiments, I won't REALLY be relaxed till the
    wheels leave the ground at Logan Wed May 23!

    I don't plan ahead -- I procrastinate.  My husband and I leavetommorrow
    a.m. for WDW.  I made the hotel reservations last week.  We are driving
    so I don't have to worry about plan reservations.  I still need to the
    BX for film, sunscreen etc.  Make a list of what to pack.  PACK!! 
    
    This way I can't worry, I'm too busy getting everthing together.  When
    I get there I will wish I had brought something else, printed out
    another note etc, etc - but it's too late so I will put it out of my
    mind and enjoy myself.  
    
    11 more hours until I leave (16 until I get there!!!!) 
    
    Karen

    Rep to <<< Note 192.0 by COEM::SCOPA "MAJOR" >
    
    Mike what  you  or  anyone hasn't mention yet, is the reason I start to
    get the jitters  is  not  that  we have so little time left for getting
    everything done prior to  leave  BUT  that  I  start visioning the trip
    being over and the flight back.
    
    I mean after all that waiting, when you finaly get there, time seems to
    go by so fast because your  having  fun,  the  next thing you know it's
    over, (kind of like planning a large wedding ;^))
    
    Claude

    Re.-2
    
    I like your style. Our trip in August is driving me crazy because we
    have spend too long planning it. Our previous 4 trips were never
    planned more than 3 weeks in advance. (the wonders of off-season) The
    best trip was the one when addressing Claude's phobia we decided that
    the trip wasn't long enough and said the heck with it and stayed a
    couple of extra days.
    
    Bill

    I've taken the liberty of changing the title of this topic from "WDW
    Trip Phobia" to "WDW Trip Anxiety".

    My DEC issue American Heritage Dictionary defines anxiety as "A state
    of uneasiness; apprehension; worry."  Contrast that to phobia: "A
    persistent illogical fear of a specific thing or situation."

    The first is normal, and from the response to this note already,
    common.  In my opinion, the latter is irrational and abnormal.  Not
    like us, right?

    Ok I got you all beat. I have NEVER been there .  Her is what I
    am worried about.
    
    1.My fiance thinks Disney is Mickey Mouse all for kids. She says
    she understands differently now but.
    
    2. I am afraid the lines will be humungous and we won't see what
    we have planed.
    
    3.I have to get her up early to be there when the gates open she
    loves to sleep.
    
    4. The heat will be to much for us.
    
    5.I will be dissapointed.
    
    Finally i have too come back to Work when it is all over.I have
    many more How much money should I bring for two weeks.etc.
    
    This is the plan for the trip.
    
    
    2 days at MK
    
    2 days at Epcot
    
    1 at MGM
    
    1 each at Sea World,Kennedy Space Center,Busch Gardens and Cypress
    Gardens,Universal
    
    
    And some rest in there somewhere will I see it all God I hope so.
    
    Ted 73 more days july 23
    
    
    

    Ted,
    
    YOu've never been there? I'm looking forward to your trip report.
    
    Mike_who_is_53_days_away_and_anxiety_is_building

    I too get that "the trip is over" feeling before I get there.
    I do worry about maximizing my Disney time.  Some thoughts in
    the past were:
    
    	Eating in sit down restaurants is a waste of Disney time
    	Most of the world showcase is a waste of time
    	Why water ski, go fishing, etc. when I can do that locally
    
    In all the times I've been to WDW, I've never been to River
    Country, Discovery Island or any of the dinner shows.  I recently
    broke down and went to a character breakfast.
    
    Well, this time we have reservations for a character breakfast,
    Mickey's Tropical Revue and the Polynesian Revue.  We also want to
    try out Typhoon Lagoon.  Over time we've learned that we will see
    everything we want to and what we don't get to see will probably
    be there the next time we go!
    
    I'm less anxious now, I just called WDW information for the parks'
    operating hours.  MGM is going to be open from 8AM to midnight!
    I'd love to do the first part of the back stage tour at night.

    I am having major attacks of Disney anxiety, mainly because of my
    husband. He keeps telling me how it's going to be hot, I won't be able
    to take the heat, or walk as much as is necessary. He really doesn't
    want to go and has already warned me that he isn't going to be much 
    fun on this trip. 
    
    Probably, underneath it all, he is afraid that I won't have a good time
    and will be disappointed. So he'd rather I expect less, then if I get
    more I'll be pleasantly surprised. But I have decided that, despite him, 
    I am going to have fun. If he gets to be a wet blanket I'm going to leave 
    him at the hotel and go into the parks by myself. After my in-laws join us,
    my mother-in-law and I can always head off together. She's as enthusiastic 
    as I am and the two of us will enjoy ourselves. 
    
    I'm also wondering how we'll fit everything in. Unless my husband
    surprises me this will be my one and only trip to WDW. Can we see all
    the basics in three full and two part days without feeling too rushed?
    It reminds me of my first trip to Bermuda -- I couldn't enjoy what I
    was doing because I was worried about doing something else. It took
    another, longer trip to truly enjoy the place. I suspect it might be
    that way with WDW.
    
    Linda
    Four days (I can't believe it) and counting

The "Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World" mentioned in these notes
has a lot of suggestions on how to see many things on a sjort stay.
It is available in most book stores.

I think you will have enough time to see most of the more interesting
attractions without rushing too much.

Doug 

    Linda
    
      Are we married to the same person(different sex of course)? One
    and only trip there sounds about the same way Cristine feels about
    it.
    
    Ted

    Will we did it.  We just booked a trip to WDW for April 27th, 1991.
    6 Days 5 Nights at the Poly unlimited admission to all 3 Parks for
    the length of our stay.  Plus a full size National Rental car for
    6 days.  We got this deal thru the Walt Disney World Travel Company.
    The only thing it did not include was airfare which we are booking
    thru US Air.  I was pleased with this deal there are 3 of us going
    so that cut the price down to.  Now the waiting begins 37 weeks
    
    

    I wrote in reply .16 that I had 37 weeks to go to my Disney
    Vacation.  I waited and waited through the Fall, the Winter and
    now I just have 5 WEEKS TO GO.  I am at the point now where I
    keep checking and re-checking all my plans because now I know
    time will not let me make any mistakes.  I am almost there.

    I keep finding myself staring into space...dreaming of WDW.  We leave
    on Sunday!!! Cannot believe it is almost here.  We made the
    reservations last Summer!
    
    Suz

    Keep checking your lists...over and over and over again.
    
    Mike

    I'll be going to WDW on May 2nd. This is my first trip.  My anxiety
    stems from hearing others talk about long lines. 
    
    How long are the lines in early May in comparison to other months?
    
    Michelle_35_more_days_and_counting
               

    Michelle,
    
    The longest lines are from early June to late August, school vacation
    weeks, and holidays.
    
    Plan on being an early riser and you should have no problem.
    
    Don't forget...the parks may begin staying open later in May also.
    
    Mike

    re .20
    
    You shouldn't have too much of a problem with long lines in early May.
    We went last year in mid-May, and there were some lines, but it was
    nothing like summertime is. The key thing is to get there every day
    when the park opens, or before! You can get an incredible amount of the
    park done before the crowds start to build if you do this.
    
    Jack

    Thanks Mike and Jack for your replies.
    
    I'll take your advise and get up bright and early to beat the crowds.
    I'll be staying at the Wynfield Inn, Main Gate which is suppose to be
    quite close to WDW so I won't get lost (which is another one of my
    fears). 
    
    Michelle