Thank you!
I was just there a few weeks ago and did all three rides. 7DMT is smooth but has stronger G forces during the curves. Both Gringotts and Forbidden Journey are more intense in terms of sudden jolts and turns.
This is why Disboards are great - I don't know a soul who did all three recently! It's hard for me to mentally separate the intensity of the storyline from the physical sensation during the ride. YouTube videos were less helpful than I had hoped for. I love FJ for the swooping (like Soarin') and the music really gets me too. But I don't actually recall any hard bumps or thumps that would be hard on a back. Of course, I have NEVER had back pain, so I can't be objective.
7DMT is the smoothest thrill ride in all the parks, unless it stops unexpectedly when getting back to the station. FJ is certainly more bumpy as you are thrown around in all directions. You end up on the horizontal at some point. Gringotts is less jerky than FJ. There's an initial drop and then spins and sudden left-right movements and a fast segment at the end.
Funny, but my memory of 7DMT is sparkly jewels and that hard stop at the end! I last rode it 2 years ago, and I felt like it was more physical than FJ - but it must be the G forces, and not bumps that I'm remembering. For the record, I love 7DMT - and most other coasters too!
Gringotts is less jerky than FJ? Well, maybe that's more of an option than I expected then!
The Hippogryff is essentially Barnstorner but longer--not bumpy at all. It's really fun....(even if you didn't ask!)
Gringotts is really more like Toy Story Mania in terms of slinging you around corners, plus one short drop (like Pirates).
Forbidden Journey throws you around, sideways, forward, backward. I wouldn't call it bumpy, and really all the load is on your shoulders and chest.....the bottom regions should be fine
Although you may hurl LOL
The coasters I don't care for are the kiddie coasters.
I always feel like I'm smooshing my seat partner around the curves. DD adores Hippogryff, and I'll ride it with her once per day, but no more. THAT one makes me nauseous. She'll go 4 or 5 times in a row!
Good point about the load being on the shoulders on FJ. I actually think the secure restraints may help with the bumping, since you're locked in. I usually slide UP a bit during the cave part with the skeleton dementor things, but I don't think that would bother a bad back...
I don't care much for 7DMT as I think it is too jerky. But I would do that again before I'd do Gringotts again. Even though I loved the theming, Gringotts was too much for my back. It will have to be once and done for me. Forbidden Journey was OK for me. I don't mind the 3D motion simulator rides.
I'm in my mid-60's if that helps.
That actually helps tremendously! My mom (70 now) was a coaster junkie as a kid, and loves all rides in general. She would so enjoy these, but I really don't want to kill a day - or the whole weekend - because we over-extended her. I'm thinking about doing FJ just before lunch, then making sure she gets a chance to do her stretches in the pool afterward. DD and I can go EP or single rider whenever, but she'll possibly only want to try once. DD & I will also "test" each ride before letting her on. I hate to think it might be necessary, but maybe I'll ride with my eyes shut to focus on the physical inputs instead of the visual ones. Of course, then I would have to ride again so I can have a real ride experience. But I'll ride twice in a row if I have to...
You do a lot of jiggling on the HP rides. Though those are awesome I might avoid if she thought seven dwarves was bumpy
And there's the voice of reason! I can't figure out if 7DMT was too bumpy for her, or if she was using a lot of torso muscles to hold herself from squashing my niece. Both could aggravate a back. But 7DMT is pretty mild... so FJ & Gringotts are iffy...
My touring plans include queue tours. Even if that's all she does, she'll love the HP lands - we have plenty of time for shopping and shows and butterbeer.
And I'll make sure to ride everything I can - WHILE I can! Thanks for all the feedback!
