Bad back question

[Sona99]

Hubby is nearly recovered from whiplash due to a car accident. Mostly he needs to take it easy with his neck and upper back/shoulders.

I figured we would skip space mountain for this reason. Any other rides you would suggest we skip? FYI, we won't be going to AK at all so no need to worry there.

I'm asking now to plan our fast passes.

Thanks

 

[BaltimoreLauren]

I only ever had discomfort on any of the coaster rides. Most are gentle enough to not aggrivate it IMHO.

 

[BrianL]

Well, Space is definitely out, as that's probably the roughest ride. BTMRR could be an issue too. Most other MK rides should be safe.

If you are at Epcot, I'd be careful with Mission: Space Orange Team as the G-forces could impact his back. I have a herniated disc so I am careful about such things.

Star Tours can also rock you around, and ToT puts a bit of compression pressure on the spine at the bottom of the drops. RnRC does give you a couple of Gs, but it has a head rest.

 

[gap2368]

BTMRR is worst in MHO then space, others he might want to be caution on is 7DMT RnR or any other roller coasters this maybe a non coaster trip for him until he fully recovers

 

[Sona99]

Big thunder will be closed. I won't go on ToT - I hate drop rides! Never been on the 7D and was thinking of trying it this time, but with Big thunder closed I figured the lines would be looooong. Orange is a good one! Thanks for that!!!

We really wanted to do Star Tours because it's been years. But I remember it being very jerky and should probably skip.

Thanks so much - this is really great info!

 

[ravenanne]

My first trip to WDW was 2 years after I had suffered a pretty bad back injury, and I was fine with everything(didn't do Mission: Space, though). When we went back 3 years later I was still fine riding the same stuff. This trip could be different since it's been 7 years and my back has been through a bit more stress(like having a baby lol). I would suggest playing it safe and having him avoid the coasters. If you have to question it, you should probably avoid it just to be safe.

 

[Frozen2014]

I have chronic back problems (i.e. so not from an injury) but had no issues on any of the rides at Disney. I don't ride more 'crazy' rides such as Mission Space, Tower or Terror, Space Mountain, but did ride BTMR and Test Track and didn't have any issues. But everyone is different with different issues. If in doubt, it's not worth the pain. There are many calm rides that you can enjoy.

 

[powellrj]

I also have a back injury and I have problems getting in and out of the rides. The ones that you climb into are now a no go.

 

[ttcl516]

I have a very bad neck, and I can say my worst ride is Space Mountain. It's very jerky!!

 

[ktlm]

Test Track can be pretty jarring on the interior portion.

 

[Sona99]

Excellent! Thanks so much!

 

[hamilkm]

My mom rode 7DMT about 4 months post back surgery and did okay with it. She only rode it once and this was the only coaster she did this trip. We also did star tours (not thinking) and she said it was much worse on her than 7DMT. I also have back problems and to me big thunder mountain bothers me the worst.

We are going back the end of March and it will be close to a year since my moms surgery. She is planning on riding all of the coasters again except for RRC (she just dislikes it).

 

[AGoofykindagirl]

I'm not sure what specific injuries he had, but you might also think about the safari (last time I rode, our location in the car really bounced us around quit a bit) and Toy Story Midway Mania (the spins really whipped my neck a bit last time). Normally not bad rides, but, depending on the person, may be rougher than what he would be comfortable with.
Have a great visit!

 

[PlutoFan10]

I second the comment about TSM. DH has back issues and is uncomfortable with the jarring movements.

 

[tinawv]

You might what to get his doctor's opinion just to be safe,

 

[Tomh]

I have a ruptured disc in my lower back. I opted not to have it operated on, so at times it gives me quite a fit.

I've never done Dinosaur, or Space Mountain just due to the stories I've heard. Tower of Terror I stay away from both for fear of the ride, and fear of the pain it would likely induce.

Big Thunder Mountain I LOVE . . . sometimes it bothers me some. Not always, and usually not bad, but there are times when I feel it some.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train . . . didn't bother me a bit

Expedition Everest didn't bother me a bit.

Star Tours is fine, never had trouble with it, even though it bounces around a good bit.

Splash doesn't bother me.

Tomorrowland Indy Speedway can be a bit painful if the son is really bouncing the car from side to side against the guide rail.

Once the safari in AK got me pretty bad (probably the worst I've ever felt in Disney World) I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to stand up to get off the fool thing lol.

Nothing else I can think of has really bothered me in any way. Hope this is helpful, and reassures him that he will be able to experience quite a bit.

 

[loves to dive]

My son has some mystery back issue he got in the Navy, they can't figure out if it's nerves or his spine, anyway, he gets severe spasms (bent a needle once cause he had one while they were giving him a muscle relaxer shot) and has neck pain. He couldn't ride any of the coasters except SDMT and BTM. No Space Mountain, no RnRC, no TT. He did ride ToT, he would have to be dead not to ride it, and he said that didn't hurt and he said SDMT wasn't bad but even that sort of jerked a bit. He braced his arms on the lap rail real tight and it helped to stabilize him. For some reason Thunder Mountain didn't bother him at all. EE didn't bother him either but safari at AKV almost killed him but that was in a small truck with no back brace, just rails.

 

[chelynnah]

I have back issues. I LOVED 7DMT. It's really smooth. BTMRR is bad for throwing you around. I can't remember how I felt on splash, but I'd probably skip it to be safe.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

Hubby is nearly recovered from whiplash due to a car accident. Mostly he needs to take it easy with his neck and upper back/shoulders.

I figured we would skip space mountain for this reason. Any other rides you would suggest we skip? FYI, we won't be going to AK at all so no need to worry there.

I'm asking now to plan our fast passes.

Thanks

I have a bad neck and find BTMRR a bit rough, anything that spins very fast (teacups, TSMM) due to the lateral forces, RnRC, and Dinosaur. I still ride BTMRR, RnRC, TSMM & Dinosaur but only once per trip. Teacups aren't worth the pain. Slow spinners (like Dumbo) seem fine, it's just anything that jerks to the side or spins fast. Since his injury is whiplash some of these may not bother him, I can't say. My neck issue is not due to whiplash.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I have a neck problem and my ortho told me to avoid upside down coasters. I ignored him and RnR was the only one that didn't hurt my neck It's that g-force I guess!