So you’ve just boarded a Disney attraction when you start feeling the anxiety setting in. The ride vehicles start gliding forward and suddenly you’re wondering if it’s always been so cramped and stuffy in here. Before you know it, you’re counting down the seconds until it’s over. Sound familiar?
Many, many riders struggle with anxiety in one form or fashion, and unfortunately, just because you’re in Disney World, doesn’t mean your panic attacks are on vacation too. I’ve got 5 solid tips for managing anxiety on a Disney ride, so buckle up and lets dive right in.
5 – Know What to Expect
This is a huge one – knowing what to expect in a ride can be a complete game changer. Because of this, I’ve put as much detail as possible into my ride reviews so you aren’t caught off guard in the middle of an attraction. A few things I personally always look for when I’m preparing to ride a new attraction are:
- Ride duration
- How fast it goes
- How many and how big the drops are
- Whether or not it has scary theming, and
- How claustrophobic it is
Different riders might look for different things like how high the ride goes or whether or not it causes motion sickness. It all depends on what your particular triggers are – but I made sure to address it all in my ride reviews, so go check them out if you’re looking for specifics!
For Example
Let’s take a look at a specific ride like Rise of the Resistance. Before I rode this attraction for the first time, I made sure I was aware of the different ride mechanics – the simulator, the live action section, and the actual “trackless” dark ride. Just knowing what was coming and how much time I could expect to spend in each one gave me the peace of mind I needed to not only get through the experience – but really have a blast too!
Similarly, with Mission: Space, it made my riding experience so much more bearable to know that the actual simulator part of the ride only lasted for 3 minutes and 45 seconds. Since I’m extremely claustrophobic, having this “finish line” really helped me stay out of my head and enjoy it as much as possible. Bottom line – know yourself and your triggers so you can come armed and ready with the information needed.
4 – Bring What You Need
Aside from knowing what to expect on a ride, it’s also important to physically bring what you need to help curb your anxiety. Fortunately, Disney does a great job of allowing bags onto every ride – as long as they fit in the holding area. This allows you to really come prepared with the tools you specifically need for each ride.
For Example
In my experience, just having access to water (even if I never take a sip) is so comforting when I’m feeling anxious. I also like to bring mint gum to help stimulate my senses and keep myself “busy” – shifting the focus away from my anxiety symptoms. Whatever it may be for you, make sure it’s in your park bag and easily accessible for when the anxiety strikes.
3 – Sit With a Friend
Remember when you were a kid and you just needed your mom sitting next to you for all the courage in the world? It totally works with friends too! Sometimes you just need someone you trust in the seat next to you to make you feel comfortable, calm, and ready to take on that ride. It may sound silly, but there’s no reason to shy away from sitting next to your person when you have the option to.
For Example
Luckily, almost every ride at Disney World seats passengers side by side in a row (check out my ride guides for all the specifics on individual rides). This makes it really easy to sit by someone you trust – and even reach for their hand if you need to!
However, the two rides that come to mind that are less accommodating in this department are Mission: Space and Space Mountain. While Mission: Space allows guests to sit side by side in a row of 4, the harness and close quarters of the simulator itself prevents you from seeing or interacting with the person next to you. Space Mountain, on the other hand, actually seats riders single-file in a row of 3, so there’s no way to sit beside a friend.
Be sure to do the research before you get there so you’re not surprised when it’s time to board. Again, while most attractions won’t pose a problem at all, there are a few exceptions to the rule.
For more specifics on Mission: Space or Space Mountain, go check out my in-depth ride reviews here and here! Also, if you’re looking for a visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video (Mission: Space) from 4K WDW and this video (Space Mountain) from JohnYChen.
2 – Ground Yourself
One of the best strategies for managing anxiety in general is to practice “grounding” yourself to your surroundings. This could be as simple as actively observing the things around you or taking note of how cold the air feels against your skin. Basically, you’re just reminding yourself of where you are physically instead of letting your thoughts send you into a tizzy.
For Example
A few of my favorite “grounding” strategies are:
- Finding 5 things around you in every color of the rainbow
- Looking for 5 things you can see, smell, taste, hear, etc.
- Stimulating your senses by chewing gum, sipping water, etc.
Give it a try next time you’re feeling anxious and who knows – it could really come in handy next time you’re feeling panicky on a ride.
1 – Engage in the Moment
My #1 tip for managing anxiety on a ride has to be staying present and engaging in the moment. Disney is so good and making its attractions incredibly immersive and one-of-a-kind experiences all around. With such incredible theming and storytelling around you – it can be a great escape from your anxiety if you’re able to stay in the moment.
For Example
Try to really engage yourself in the narrative of the ride. Look around for details or Disney characters you recognize. Think about the sound design. Is that Dame Judi Dench narrating on Spaceship Earth? (Why, yes it is.) Think of it this way – the less time you spend in your head, the more you can enjoy what’s going on around you.
What do you think? Do you agree with my Top 5 Tips for Managing Anxiety on a Disney Ride? Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know!
