Bad Neck..... can I ride Matterhorn?

[Husker Mickey]

I too have a bad neck. I rode the matterhorn about 3 or 4 years ago and never again. It really yanks ya back and forth. About 6 years ago I went on Screamin' and Mulholand (sp?) Madness and I got some sort of whiplash - due to my bad neck. I had to go back to the motel, ice down, take a pain reliever and rest for a couple of hours before I could return to parks. It's just not worth the risk. HTH!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

That's what I was thinking, about the cervical collar. But, I think in the end I will just skip it. I was hit by an 18 wheeler 15 years ago and my neck has never been the same. It really sucks, though, I used to love roller coasters. The bigger the better!!!

Thanks for all the responses!!

OMG, it's a miracle that you are here to discuss having been hit by an 18 wheeler!I have a bad neck and back problems. I can and do ride Matterhorn. I can also ride Space Mountain, but the lights against the dark makes me sick. When it was lit brighter inside for the 50th, I never got sick. (Sorry I know that has nothing to do w/ your neck.)
I would avoid California Screaming at all costs. The way it jerks to a sudden stop after flying at Lord knows how many miles per hour really banged up my neck and head. I ended up getting dizzy and having a migraine the whole rest of the day. It was horrible. Most of the rides with any kind of speed will tell you to avoid if you have back or neck problems, high blood pressure, etc., as a precaution. It's up to you to decide. But Cali Screaming -- I suggest watching it if you haven't seen it before. It blasts off so suddenly. But it wasn't the beginning that killed my neck, it was the sudden stop at the end.
I would think that if you wear a cervical collar and attempted board any jerky ride, the CM would stop you out of concern because of the liability. For example, if I wear my cervical collar on the airplane I am not allowed to sit in an exit row because they need people who are 'able-bodied' and in good health to sit there and be able to open the door. I can open the door. But it's the airplanes perception of risk and liability, etc., of having someone who appears to not be in 100% good physical condition to sit there that makes them stop me from sitting there.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[AustinTink]

OMG, it's a miracle that you are here to discuss having been hit by an 18 wheeler!

It truly is a miracle. I think I will just remember that and do some people watching while DH and DS ride all the big ones. I can't wait until July.

 

[Sherwin]

I have a bad back, in fact can not walk very far. I rode the matterhorn several years back and it actually put my back in place for 2 years my back was perfect!!

Imagine that! You're gonna have to tell the chiropractor the Matterhorn's healing powers!

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

I have mild neck problems after being in a car accident a couple years ago. I have ridden all the 'wild' rides at WDW/DLR (except ToT) and the one that bothers my neck, to the point that I probably won't ride it ever again, is the Matterhorn.

 

[kerickson]

I had lower back surgery in Dec to fix a ruptured disk. I'll be staying off all the big rides this trip , but I know DL has so many other wonderful attractions that I don't think I'll really miss out at all.
1.5 yrs ago my husband and I went on an adults only trip and rode everything to our hearts content and more. I actually think riding Screaming 3 times in a row may have contributed to my back injury (I'm sure it didn't help it!)

The only one I think I will really miss is TOT. I just love that ride! Hopefully my DD will want to ride some of the bigger rides this time so my husband won't have to go alone.

Question: I've never been on GRR and would love to be able to try it this trip. What is it like? Are there any other rides you would compare it to in terms of jerkiness and big drops? If it's too much, I'll just have to try it another time.