diff --git a/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/drawable_shape.py b/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/drawable_shape.py
index 4bdc17f9..722183cd 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/drawable_shape.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/drawable_shape.py
@@ -344,14 +344,14 @@ def full_rebuild_on_size_change(self):
         self.should_trigger_full_rebuild = False
         self.full_rebuild_countdown = self.time_until_full_rebuild_after_changing_size
 
-    def redraw_all_states(self):
+    def redraw_all_states(self, force_full_redraw: bool = False):
         """
         Starts the redrawing process for all states of this shape that auto pre-generate.
         Redrawing is done one state at a time so will take a few loops of the game to
         complete if this shape has many states.
         """
         self.states_to_redraw_queue = deque([state_id for state_id, state in self.states.items()
-                                             if state.should_auto_pregen])
+                                             if (state.should_auto_pregen or force_full_redraw)])
         initial_state = self.states_to_redraw_queue.popleft()
         self.redraw_state(initial_state)
 
@@ -595,7 +595,10 @@ def set_text(self, text: str):
         """
         self.theming['text'] = text
         self.build_text_layout()
-        self.redraw_all_states()
+        if 'disabled' in self.states and self.active_state == self.states['disabled']:
+            self.redraw_all_states(force_full_redraw=True)
+        else:
+            self.redraw_all_states()
 
     def set_text_alpha(self, alpha: int):
         """
diff --git a/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/ellipse_drawable_shape.py b/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/ellipse_drawable_shape.py
index 1b2b2c68..0107ec93 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/ellipse_drawable_shape.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/ellipse_drawable_shape.py
@@ -82,7 +82,10 @@ def full_rebuild_on_size_change(self):
                                             self.border_width + self.shadow_width),
                                            (self.click_area_shape.width - (2 * self.border_width),
                                             self.click_area_shape.height - (2 * self.border_width)))
-        self.redraw_all_states()
+        if 'disabled' in self.states and self.active_state == self.states['disabled']:
+            self.redraw_all_states(force_full_redraw=True)
+        else:
+            self.redraw_all_states()
 
     def collide_point(self, point: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
                                          Tuple[int, int],
diff --git a/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/rect_drawable_shape.py b/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/rect_drawable_shape.py
index 41398e63..3b51e94b 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/rect_drawable_shape.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/rect_drawable_shape.py
@@ -92,7 +92,10 @@ def full_rebuild_on_size_change(self):
                                             self.border_width + self.shadow_width),
                                            (self.click_area_shape.width - (2 * self.border_width),
                                             self.click_area_shape.height - (2 * self.border_width)))
-        self.redraw_all_states()
+        if 'disabled' in self.states and self.active_state == self.states['disabled']:
+            self.redraw_all_states(force_full_redraw=True)
+        else:
+            self.redraw_all_states()
 
     def collide_point(self, point: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
                                          Tuple[int, int],
diff --git a/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/rounded_rect_drawable_shape.py b/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/rounded_rect_drawable_shape.py
index 3c584ae0..8085b4aa 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/rounded_rect_drawable_shape.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/core/drawable_shapes/rounded_rect_drawable_shape.py
@@ -150,7 +150,10 @@ def full_rebuild_on_size_change(self):
                                             self.border_width + self.shadow_width),
                                            (self.click_area_shape.width - (2 * self.border_width),
                                             self.click_area_shape.height - (2 * self.border_width)))
-        self.redraw_all_states()
+        if 'disabled' in self.states and self.active_state == self.states['disabled']:
+            self.redraw_all_states(force_full_redraw=True)
+        else:
+            self.redraw_all_states()
 
     def collide_point(self, point: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
                                          Tuple[int, int],
diff --git a/pygame_gui/core/ui_container.py b/pygame_gui/core/ui_container.py
index c43a5492..f0d1cad2 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/core/ui_container.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/core/ui_container.py
@@ -93,6 +93,11 @@ def add_element(self, element: IUIElementInterface):
         element.change_layer(self._layer + element.get_starting_height())
         self.elements.append(element)
         self.calc_add_element_changes_thickness(element)
+        if not self.is_enabled:
+            element.disable()
+        if not self.visible:
+            if hasattr(element, 'hide'):
+                element.hide()
 
     def remove_element(self, element: IUIElementInterface):
         """
diff --git a/pygame_gui/core/ui_element.py b/pygame_gui/core/ui_element.py
index 6ba9eaef..cf01eb9f 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/core/ui_element.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/core/ui_element.py
@@ -148,6 +148,8 @@ def __init__(self, relative_rect: Union[pygame.Rect, Tuple[int, int, int, int]],
         self.border_width = None  # type: Union[None, int]
         self.shape_corner_radius = None  # type: Union[None, int]
 
+        self.tool_tip = None
+
         self._setup_container(container)
 
         self.dirty = 1
diff --git a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_button.py b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_button.py
index bc46661e..1659ec1d 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_button.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_button.py
@@ -89,7 +89,6 @@ def __init__(self, relative_rect: Union[pygame.Rect, Tuple[float, float], pygame
         self.tool_tip_text_kwargs = {}
         if tool_tip_text_kwargs is not None:
             self.tool_tip_text_kwargs = tool_tip_text_kwargs
-        self.tool_tip = None
         self.tool_tip_object_id = tool_tip_object_id
         self.ui_root_container = self.ui_manager.get_root_container()
 
@@ -282,7 +281,8 @@ def on_unhovered(self):
         Called when we leave the hover state. Resets the colours and images to normal and kills any
         tooltip that was created while we were hovering the button.
         """
-        self.drawable_shape.set_active_state(self._get_appropriate_state_name())
+        if self.drawable_shape is not None:
+            self.drawable_shape.set_active_state(self._get_appropriate_state_name())
         if self.tool_tip is not None:
             self.tool_tip.kill()
             self.tool_tip = None
@@ -430,7 +430,8 @@ def disable(self):
         """
         if self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = False
-            self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('disabled')
+            if self.drawable_shape is not None:
+                self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('disabled')
 
             # clear other button state
             self.held = False
@@ -444,7 +445,8 @@ def enable(self):
         """
         if not self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = True
-            self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('normal')
+            if self.drawable_shape is not None:
+                self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('normal')
 
     def _set_active(self):
         """
@@ -768,6 +770,10 @@ def rebuild(self):
                                                         ['normal', 'hovered', 'disabled',
                                                          'selected', 'active'], self.ui_manager)
 
+        if not self.is_enabled:
+            if self.drawable_shape is not None:
+                self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('disabled')
+
         self.on_fresh_drawable_shape_ready()
 
         self._on_contents_changed()
diff --git a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_drop_down_menu.py b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_drop_down_menu.py
index 9ad8314b..c30bd480 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_drop_down_menu.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_drop_down_menu.py
@@ -418,19 +418,23 @@ def disable(self):
         """
         Disables the closed state so that it is no longer interactive.
         """
-        self.selected_option_button.disable()
+        if self.selected_option_button is not None:
+            self.selected_option_button.disable()
         if self.open_button is not None:
             self.open_button.disable()
-        self.drop_down_menu_ui.drawable_shape.set_active_state('disabled')
+        if self.drop_down_menu_ui.drawable_shape is not None:
+            self.drop_down_menu_ui.drawable_shape.set_active_state('disabled')
 
     def enable(self):
         """
         Re-enables the closed state so we can once again interact with it.
         """
-        self.selected_option_button.enable()
+        if self.selected_option_button is not None:
+            self.selected_option_button.enable()
         if self.open_button is not None:
             self.open_button.enable()
-        self.drop_down_menu_ui.drawable_shape.set_active_state('normal')
+        if self.drop_down_menu_ui.drawable_shape is not None:
+            self.drop_down_menu_ui.drawable_shape.set_active_state('normal')
 
     def rebuild(self):
         """
@@ -916,12 +920,15 @@ def set_relative_position(self, position: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
 
     def set_dimensions(self, dimensions: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
                                                Tuple[int, int],
-                                               Tuple[float, float]]):
+                                               Tuple[float, float]],
+                       clamp_to_container: bool = False):
         """
         Sets the dimensions of this drop down, updating all subordinate button
         elements at the same time.
 
         :param dimensions: The new dimensions to set.
+        :param clamp_to_container: Whether we should clamp the dimensions to the
+                                   dimensions of the container or not.
 
         """
         super().set_dimensions(dimensions)
@@ -941,12 +948,13 @@ def disable(self):
         if self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = False
             # switch back to the closed state if we are in the expanded state
-            if self.current_state is self.menu_states['expanded']:
-                self.current_state.finish()
-                self.current_state = self.menu_states['closed']
-                self.current_state.selected_option = self.selected_option
-                self.current_state.start()
-            self.current_state.disable()
+            if self.current_state is not None:
+                if self.current_state is self.menu_states['expanded']:
+                    self.current_state.finish()
+                    self.current_state = self.menu_states['closed']
+                    self.current_state.selected_option = self.selected_option
+                    self.current_state.start()
+                self.current_state.disable()
 
     def enable(self):
         """
@@ -954,7 +962,8 @@ def enable(self):
         """
         if not self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = True
-            self.current_state.enable()
+            if self.current_state is not None:
+                self.current_state.enable()
 
     def show(self):
         """
diff --git a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_horizontal_scroll_bar.py b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_horizontal_scroll_bar.py
index 57a1675b..9978f80f 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_horizontal_scroll_bar.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_horizontal_scroll_bar.py
@@ -39,6 +39,10 @@ def __init__(self,
                  anchors: Optional[Dict[str, Union[str, UIElement]]] = None,
                  visible: int = 1):
 
+        # Need to move some declarations early as they are indirectly referenced via the ui element
+        # constructor
+        self.button_container = None
+
         super().__init__(relative_rect, manager, container,
                          layer_thickness=2,
                          starting_height=1,
@@ -509,11 +513,14 @@ def set_relative_position(self, position: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
 
     def set_dimensions(self, dimensions: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
                                                Tuple[int, int],
-                                               Tuple[float, float]]):
+                                               Tuple[float, float]],
+                       clamp_to_container: bool = False):
         """
         Method to directly set the dimensions of an element.
 
         :param dimensions: The new dimensions to set.
+        :param clamp_to_container: Whether we should clamp the dimensions to the
+                                   dimensions of the container or not.
 
         """
         super().set_dimensions(dimensions)
@@ -547,9 +554,11 @@ def disable(self):
         """
         if self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = False
-            self.button_container.disable()
+            if self.button_container is not None:
+                self.button_container.disable()
 
-            self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('disabled')
+            if self.drawable_shape is not None:
+                self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('disabled')
 
     def enable(self):
         """
@@ -557,9 +566,11 @@ def enable(self):
         """
         if not self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = True
-            self.button_container.enable()
+            if self.button_container is not None:
+                self.button_container.enable()
 
-            self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('normal')
+            if self.drawable_shape is not None:
+                self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('normal')
 
     def show(self):
         """
@@ -576,5 +587,5 @@ def hide(self):
         will propagate and hide all the buttons.
         """
         super().hide()
-
-        self.button_container.hide()
+        if self.button_container is not None:
+            self.button_container.hide()
diff --git a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_horizontal_slider.py b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_horizontal_slider.py
index c8ec8177..482607f3 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_horizontal_slider.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_horizontal_slider.py
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@ def __init__(self,
                  click_increment: Union[float, int] = 1
                  ):
 
+        self.sliding_button = None
+        self.button_container = None
         super().__init__(relative_rect, manager, container,
                          layer_thickness=2,
                          starting_height=1,
@@ -491,11 +493,14 @@ def set_relative_position(self, position: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
 
     def set_dimensions(self, dimensions: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
                                                Tuple[int, int],
-                                               Tuple[float, float]]):
+                                               Tuple[float, float]],
+                       clamp_to_container: bool = False):
         """
         Method to directly set the dimensions of an element.
 
         :param dimensions: The new dimensions to set.
+        :param clamp_to_container: Whether we should clamp the dimensions to the
+                                   dimensions of the container or not.
 
         """
         super().set_dimensions(dimensions)
@@ -525,12 +530,14 @@ def disable(self):
         """
         if self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = False
-            self.sliding_button.disable()
+            if self.sliding_button is not None:
+                self.sliding_button.disable()
             if self.left_button:
                 self.left_button.disable()
             if self.right_button:
                 self.right_button.disable()
-            self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('disabled')
+            if self.drawable_shape is not None:
+                self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('disabled')
 
     def enable(self):
         """
@@ -538,12 +545,14 @@ def enable(self):
         """
         if not self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = True
-            self.sliding_button.enable()
+            if self.sliding_button is not None:
+                self.sliding_button.enable()
             if self.left_button:
                 self.left_button.enable()
             if self.right_button:
                 self.right_button.enable()
-            self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('normal')
+            if self.drawable_shape is not None:
+                self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('normal')
 
     def show(self):
         """
@@ -563,6 +572,7 @@ def hide(self):
         """
         super().hide()
 
-        self.sliding_button.hide()
+        if self.sliding_button is not None:
+            self.sliding_button.hide()
         if self.button_container is not None:
             self.button_container.hide()
diff --git a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_image.py b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_image.py
index aca54bc1..06b5fbaa 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_image.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_image.py
@@ -55,11 +55,14 @@ def __init__(self,
 
     def set_dimensions(self, dimensions: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
                                                Tuple[int, int],
-                                               Tuple[float, float]]):
+                                               Tuple[float, float]],
+                       clamp_to_container: bool = False):
         """
         Set the dimensions of this image, scaling the image surface to match.
 
         :param dimensions: The new dimensions of the image.
+        :param clamp_to_container: Whether we should clamp the dimensions to the
+                                   dimensions of the container or not.
 
         """
         super().set_dimensions(dimensions)
diff --git a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_label.py b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_label.py
index 86c3a4f8..d134b286 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_label.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_label.py
@@ -270,7 +270,8 @@ def disable(self):
         """
         if self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = False
-            self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('disabled')
+            if self.drawable_shape is not None:
+                self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('disabled')
 
     def enable(self):
         """
@@ -278,7 +279,8 @@ def enable(self):
         """
         if not self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = True
-            self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('normal')
+            if self.drawable_shape is not None:
+                self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('normal')
 
     def on_locale_changed(self):
         font = self.ui_theme.get_font(self.combined_element_ids)
diff --git a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_panel.py b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_panel.py
index dcd216c4..03eb2b21 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_panel.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_panel.py
@@ -156,12 +156,15 @@ def kill(self):
 
     def set_dimensions(self, dimensions: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
                                                Tuple[int, int],
-                                               Tuple[float, float]]):
+                                               Tuple[float, float]],
+                       clamp_to_container: bool = False):
         """
         Set the size of this panel and then re-sizes and shifts the contents of the panel container
         to fit the new size.
 
         :param dimensions: The new dimensions to set.
+        :param clamp_to_container: Whether we should clamp the dimensions to the
+                                   dimensions of the container or not.
 
         """
         # Don't use a basic gate on this set dimensions method because the container may be a
@@ -280,7 +283,8 @@ def disable(self):
         """
         if self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = False
-            self.panel_container.disable()
+            if self.panel_container is not None:
+                self.panel_container.disable()
 
     def enable(self):
         """
@@ -288,7 +292,8 @@ def enable(self):
         """
         if not self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = True
-            self.panel_container.enable()
+            if self.panel_container is not None:
+                self.panel_container.enable()
 
     def show(self):
         """
diff --git a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_scrolling_container.py b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_scrolling_container.py
index c2bf93b9..c0f43c2b 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_scrolling_container.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_scrolling_container.py
@@ -160,7 +160,8 @@ def set_relative_position(self, position: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
 
     def set_dimensions(self, dimensions: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
                                                Tuple[int, int],
-                                               Tuple[float, float]]):
+                                               Tuple[float, float]],
+                       clamp_to_container: bool = False):
         """
         Method to directly set the dimensions of an element.
 
@@ -168,6 +169,8 @@ def set_dimensions(self, dimensions: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
         may make a mess of them.
 
         :param dimensions: The new dimensions to set.
+        :param clamp_to_container: Whether we should clamp the dimensions to the
+                                   dimensions of the container or not.
 
         """
         super().set_dimensions(dimensions)
@@ -416,7 +419,8 @@ def disable(self):
         """
         if self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = False
-            self._root_container.disable()
+            if self._root_container is not None:
+                self._root_container.disable()
 
     def enable(self):
         """
@@ -424,7 +428,8 @@ def enable(self):
         """
         if not self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = True
-            self._root_container.enable()
+            if self._root_container is not None:
+                self._root_container.enable()
 
     def show(self):
         """
diff --git a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_selection_list.py b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_selection_list.py
index 923ad601..e61d94aa 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_selection_list.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_selection_list.py
@@ -65,7 +65,9 @@ def __init__(self,
                     List[str], List[Tuple[str, str]]  # Multi-selection lists
                     ]] = None,
                  ):
-
+        # Need to move some declarations early as they are indirectly referenced via the ui element
+        # constructor
+        self.list_and_scroll_bar_container = None
         super().__init__(relative_rect,
                          manager,
                          container,
@@ -488,12 +490,15 @@ def process_event(self, event: pygame.event.Event) -> bool:
 
     def set_dimensions(self, dimensions: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
                                                Tuple[int, int],
-                                               Tuple[float, float]]):
+                                               Tuple[float, float]],
+                       clamp_to_container: bool = False):
         """
         Set the size of this panel and then resizes and shifts the contents of the panel container
         to fit the new size.
 
+
         :param dimensions: The new dimensions to set.
+        :param clamp_to_container: clamp these dimensions to the size of the element's container.
 
         """
         # Don't use a basic gate on this set dimensions method because the container may be a
@@ -680,11 +685,13 @@ def disable(self):
         """
         if self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = False
-            self.list_and_scroll_bar_container.disable()
+            if self.list_and_scroll_bar_container is not None:
+                self.list_and_scroll_bar_container.disable()
 
             # clear selections
-            for item in self.item_list:
-                item['selected'] = False
+            if self.item_list is not None:
+                for item in self.item_list:
+                    item['selected'] = False
 
     def enable(self):
         """
@@ -692,7 +699,8 @@ def enable(self):
         """
         if not self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = True
-            self.list_and_scroll_bar_container.enable()
+            if self.list_and_scroll_bar_container is not None:
+                self.list_and_scroll_bar_container.enable()
 
     def show(self):
         """
@@ -713,5 +721,5 @@ def hide(self):
         there is no need to call their hide() methods separately.
         """
         super().hide()
-
-        self.list_and_scroll_bar_container.hide()
+        if self.list_and_scroll_bar_container is not None:
+            self.list_and_scroll_bar_container.hide()
diff --git a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_text_box.py b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_text_box.py
index 04c4c1e4..c58d5405 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_text_box.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_text_box.py
@@ -98,6 +98,9 @@ def __init__(self,
                  allow_split_dashes: bool = True,
                  plain_text_display_only: bool = False,
                  should_html_unescape_input_text: bool = False):
+        # Need to move some declarations early as they are indirectly referenced via the ui element
+        # constructor
+        self.scroll_bar = None
         relative_rect.height = -1 if wrap_to_height else relative_rect.height
         super().__init__(relative_rect, manager, container,
                          starting_height=starting_height,
@@ -129,7 +132,7 @@ def __init__(self,
 
         self.active_text_effect = None  # type: Optional[TextEffect]
         self.active_text_chunk_effects = []
-        self.scroll_bar = None
+
         self.scroll_bar_width = 20
 
         self.border_width = None
@@ -497,11 +500,14 @@ def set_position(self, position: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
 
     def set_dimensions(self, dimensions: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
                                                Tuple[int, int],
-                                               Tuple[float, float]]):
+                                               Tuple[float, float]],
+                       clamp_to_container: bool = False):
         """
         Method to directly set the dimensions of a text box.
 
         :param dimensions: The new dimensions to set.
+        :param clamp_to_container: Whether we should clamp the dimensions to the
+                                   dimensions of the container or not.
 
         """
         self.relative_rect.width = int(dimensions[0])
diff --git a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_tool_tip.py b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_tool_tip.py
index 714d7727..0bc2b89c 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_tool_tip.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_tool_tip.py
@@ -192,11 +192,14 @@ def set_relative_position(self, position: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
 
     def set_dimensions(self, dimensions: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
                                                Tuple[int, int],
-                                               Tuple[float, float]]):
+                                               Tuple[float, float]],
+                       clamp_to_container: bool = False):
         """
         Directly sets the dimensions of this tool tip. This will overwrite the normal theming.
 
-        :param dimensions: The new dimensions to set
+        :param dimensions: The new dimensions to set.
+        :param clamp_to_container: Whether we should clamp the dimensions to the
+                                   dimensions of the container or not.
 
         """
         self.rect_width = dimensions[0]
diff --git a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_vertical_scroll_bar.py b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_vertical_scroll_bar.py
index c11c96b0..46266350 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_vertical_scroll_bar.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_vertical_scroll_bar.py
@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ def __init__(self,
                  object_id: Optional[Union[ObjectID, str]] = None,
                  anchors: Optional[Dict[str, Union[str, UIElement]]] = None,
                  visible: int = 1):
+        # Need to move some declarations early as they are indirectly referenced via the ui element
+        # constructor
+        self.button_container = None
 
         super().__init__(relative_rect, manager, container,
                          layer_thickness=2,
@@ -86,8 +89,6 @@ def __init__(self,
         self.sliding_button = None
         self.enable_arrow_buttons = True
 
-        self.button_container = None
-
         self.rebuild_from_changed_theme_data()
 
         scroll_bar_height = max(5, int(self.scrollable_height * self.visible_percentage))
@@ -501,11 +502,14 @@ def set_relative_position(self, position: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
 
     def set_dimensions(self, dimensions: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
                                                Tuple[int, int],
-                                               Tuple[float, float]]):
+                                               Tuple[float, float]],
+                       clamp_to_container: bool = False):
         """
         Method to directly set the dimensions of an element.
 
         :param dimensions: The new dimensions to set.
+        :param clamp_to_container: Whether we should clamp the dimensions to the
+                                   dimensions of the container or not.
 
         """
         super().set_dimensions(dimensions)
@@ -539,9 +543,11 @@ def disable(self):
         """
         if self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = False
-            self.button_container.disable()
+            if self.button_container is not None:
+                self.button_container.disable()
 
-            self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('disabled')
+            if self.drawable_shape is not None:
+                self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('disabled')
 
     def enable(self):
         """
@@ -549,9 +555,11 @@ def enable(self):
         """
         if not self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = True
-            self.button_container.enable()
+            if self.button_container is not None:
+                self.button_container.enable()
 
-            self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('normal')
+            if self.drawable_shape is not None:
+                self.drawable_shape.set_active_state('normal')
 
     def show(self):
         """
@@ -568,5 +576,5 @@ def hide(self):
         propagate and hide all the buttons.
         """
         super().hide()
-
-        self.button_container.hide()
+        if self.button_container is not None:
+            self.button_container.hide()
diff --git a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_window.py b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_window.py
index 0790bfb0..54a4928d 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/elements/ui_window.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/elements/ui_window.py
@@ -107,12 +107,15 @@ def set_blocking(self, state: bool):
 
     def set_dimensions(self, dimensions: Union[pygame.math.Vector2,
                                                Tuple[int, int],
-                                               Tuple[float, float]]):
+                                               Tuple[float, float]],
+                       clamp_to_container: bool = False):
         """
         Set the size of this window and then re-sizes and shifts the contents of the windows
         container to fit the new size.
 
         :param dimensions: The new dimensions to set.
+        :param clamp_to_container: Whether we should clamp the dimensions to the
+                                   dimensions of the container or not.
 
         """
         # Don't use a basic gate on this set dimensions method because the container may be a
@@ -696,7 +699,8 @@ def disable(self):
         """
         if self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = False
-            self._window_root_container.disable()
+            if self._window_root_container is not None:
+                self._window_root_container.disable()
 
     def enable(self):
         """
@@ -704,7 +708,8 @@ def enable(self):
         """
         if not self.is_enabled:
             self.is_enabled = True
-            self._window_root_container.enable()
+            if self._window_root_container is not None:
+                self._window_root_container.enable()
 
     def show(self):
         """
@@ -712,8 +717,8 @@ def show(self):
         propagate and show all the children.
         """
         super().show()
-
-        self._window_root_container.show()
+        if self._window_root_container is not None:
+            self._window_root_container.show()
 
     def hide(self):
         """
@@ -721,8 +726,8 @@ def hide(self):
         propagate and hide all the children.
         """
         super().hide()
-
-        self._window_root_container.hide()
+        if self._window_root_container is not None:
+            self._window_root_container.hide()
 
     def get_relative_mouse_pos(self):
         """
diff --git a/pygame_gui/windows/ui_colour_picker_dialog.py b/pygame_gui/windows/ui_colour_picker_dialog.py
index a79a09fc..e95784a9 100644
--- a/pygame_gui/windows/ui_colour_picker_dialog.py
+++ b/pygame_gui/windows/ui_colour_picker_dialog.py
@@ -52,6 +52,9 @@ def __init__(self,
                  object_id: Optional[Union[ObjectID, str]] = None,
                  anchors:  Optional[Dict[str, Union[str, UIElement]]] = None,
                  visible: int = 1):
+        # Need to move some declarations early as they are indirectly referenced via the ui element
+        # constructor when hiding on creation
+        self.element_container = None
 
         super().__init__(relative_rect,
                          manager,
@@ -289,8 +292,8 @@ def hide(self):
         - which will propagate to the sub-elements - label, entry and slider.
         """
         super().hide()
-
-        self.element_container.hide()
+        if self.element_container is not None:
+            self.element_container.hide()
 
 
 class UIColourPickerDialog(UIWindow):