Bringing a cushion for rides/attractions

[DisneyOma]

Good news - finally got a diagnosis for the pain I've suffered through months at a time over the past four years. Bad news looks like there's a lot of PT in my future, and specialized cushions to sit on. WIll those cushions be allowed on the attractions? I don't do ToT, Space Mountain, RnR, or Mission Space. I'm thinking there may be problems with it on the smaller roller coasters, or any attraction that isn't basically a show? I'm not embarrassed to use the cushion, have no problem lugging it around to sit on, and it really helps relieve a lot of my pain. Hoping to have lots of good techniques in my "tool box" to use if I get another flare up (like I did last Disney trip which ended up with me in the ER) but I know the cushion is a huge help already. Anyone here ever bring a cushion to sit on at WDW, and how did it go?

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Good news - finally got a diagnosis for the pain I've suffered through months at a time over the past four years. Bad news looks like there's a lot of PT in my future, and specialized cushions to sit on. WIll those cushions be allowed on the attractions? I don't do ToT, Space Mountain, RnR, or Mission Space. I'm thinking there may be problems with it on the smaller roller coasters, or any attraction that isn't basically a show? I'm not embarrassed to use the cushion, have no problem lugging it around to sit on, and it really helps relieve a lot of my pain. Hoping to have lots of good techniques in my "tool box" to use if I get another flare up (like I did last Disney trip which ended up with me in the ER) but I know the cushion is a huge help already. Anyone here ever bring a cushion to sit on at WDW, and how did it go?

do not know for sure but would add Soarin to your list of "no go" rides.

 

[KPeveler]

My husband needs a cushion to transfer onto rides. There are a LOT of rides they will not allow you to bring the cushion, as they consider it a safety issue with any seat belts or tight lapbars. He was allowed to bring it onto rides like Haunted Mansion.

Basically if you have to be restrained at all, then they usually won't allow a cushion on it. Sorry I don't have more details, he doesnt transfer out of his chair very often.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

My husband needs a cushion to transfer onto rides. There are a LOT of rides they will not allow you to bring the cushion, as they consider it a safety issue with any seat belts or tight lapbars. He was allowed to bring it onto rides like Haunted Mansion.

Basically if you have to be restrained at all, then they usually won't allow a cushion on it. Sorry I don't have more details, he doesnt transfer out of his chair very often.

that is what I expected to be true

 

[DisneyOma]

Thank you all for the info. That's what I was afraid of - but if I can use one on the more tame rides, I might be able to handle a roller coaster or two a day without the cushion. I don't usually ride more than two a day anyways. Hoping the PT gives me enough to handle it too.

 

[mamabunny]

Good news - finally got a diagnosis for the pain I've suffered through months at a time over the past four years. Bad news looks like there's a lot of PT in my future, and specialized cushions to sit on. WIll those cushions be allowed on the attractions? I don't do ToT, Space Mountain, RnR, or Mission Space. I'm thinking there may be problems with it on the smaller roller coasters, or any attraction that isn't basically a show? I'm not embarrassed to use the cushion, have no problem lugging it around to sit on, and it really helps relieve a lot of my pain. Hoping to have lots of good techniques in my "tool box" to use if I get another flare up (like I did last Disney trip which ended up with me in the ER) but I know the cushion is a huge help already. Anyone here ever bring a cushion to sit on at WDW, and how did it go?

I'm so glad that you have a diagnosis - I'm sure that alone is relief! Good luck with PT; I truly hope it helps you arrive at a more pain-free place soon!

If I were in your shoes, I would take that cushion to every.single.ride that you want to try to use it on, and ask the CMs. Worst case, they say no, and you have to decide if you want to ride anyway, or take the chicken exit and leave with your cushion. Best case, they say yes, and you have a totally awesome Disney day!

I do agree with @KPeveler that any ride with restraints (like on the coasters) it's probably likely a hard no. But probably the vast majority of rides will be fine (besides coasters, it will probably be things like Saucers & Mania in TS Land at HS that kind of throw you around a lot)

 

[DisneyOma]

It's actually any hard seat that causes pain for me, and all the seats (except the indoor shows) are pretty much hard plastic. I've been diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction and pudendal neuralgia. Good thing is that PT should really help, and I survived (barely) an entire week long trip with a huge flareup so I know I can do better for myself as long as I have the knowledge from PT to deal with a flareup.

Hubby jokingly said I should make a cushion that fits inside my pants - at first I laughed, but then I thought about some padding in the area. People will just think my butt is bigger than it really is, which is funny because I do need a bigger butt to feel better!

 

[Lewisc]

Go on Amazon and search for bicycle shorts, or Google. Padded, I think some with gel.

Probably not as good as your cushion but might be good enough for the few minutes on a ride

 

[DisneyOma]

Go on Amazon and search for bicycle shorts, or Google. Padded, I think some with gel.

Probably not as good as your cushion but might be good enough for the few minutes on a ride

Oh my goodness - I could wear my old crashpants from my figure skating days! I forgot about those - your post jarred my memory (and also gives insight as to why I have this condition now, to a point) Thank you!

I looked up the bike shorts too - they might be even better, except then I had to giggle when I found these:

https://smile.amazon.com/Cycling-Un...le+shorts+insert+women&qid=1617309724&sr=8-13
Not sure what the little "fluff" represents in the upper right photo, but it's making me laugh!

 

[SueM in MN]

Oh my goodness - I could wear my old crashpants from my figure skating days! I forgot about those - your post jarred my memory (and also gives insight as to why I have this condition now, to a point) Thank you!

I looked up the bike shorts too - they might be even better, except then I had to giggle when I found these:

https://smile.amazon.com/Cycling-Un...le+shorts+insert+women&qid=1617309724&sr=8-13
Not sure what the little "fluff" represents in the upper right photo, but it's making me laugh!

LOL
I’m not sure what that little “fluff” is supposed to represent either. Looks pretty funny!

 

[Allison Joy]

https://smile.amazon.com/Cycling-Un...le+shorts+insert+women&qid=1617309724&sr=8-13
Not sure what the little "fluff" represents in the upper right photo, but it's making me laugh!

Oh. My. Gosh. You guys. If you zoom in, you can see it's not fluff, but a PUFF. Because they are "breathable." But that puff is coming FROM the pants. And well, now I'm just going to stop. If you need further explanation after that, you don't want it.

 

[mamabunny]

Oh. My. Gosh. You guys. If you zoom in, you can see it's not fluff, but a PUFF. Because they are "breathable." But that puff is coming FROM the pants. And well, now I'm just going to stop. If you need further explanation after that, you don't want it.

My family is now passing around a screen shot of that page, and everyone who gets it cracks up

Edited to add: In all seriousness, I hope that you can find something like that to help you @DisneyOma!

 

[DisneyOma]

Oh. My. Gosh. You guys. If you zoom in, you can see it's not fluff, but a PUFF. Because they are "breathable." But that puff is coming FROM the pants. And well, now I'm just going to stop. If you need further explanation after that, you don't want it.

Yes, but just such a funny way to show that they are "breathable" - maybe an arrow? But that wouldn't have been so funny. Not sure I want a puff of air coming out there either

Our next trip, if all goes well, is for early August. Hoping to have lots of tools and tricks from PT by then so maybe I won't even need a cushion. I'm bringing one along, of course, just in case, but it would be nice not to have to use it. Between the cushion, the icepacks, the heating pads, and the seat massager, I can make it through a day now at work. I'd love not to have to haul all of that down to Disney!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Can I just say that I’m happy to see someone else with a pudendal neuralgia diagnosis! I most likely will get that diagnosis soon as all of the tests and treatments they’ve tried for other ailments haven’t worked and pudendal neuralgia is the only thing they haven’t ruled out. I will be getting a nerve block as a final test once I reach my out of pocket max for the year. I will be interested to hear what you find that works for you.

 

[ilgirl51]

I injured my tailbone a couple of years ago, and I've been using a cushion ever since when possible. I was able to take it on the Safari ride at Animal Kingdom, and I wouldn't recommend going on that ride without one. (You might want to ask your doctor about going on that one even with a cushion.) I was also able to bring it into all shows and restaurants, but I didn't try to use it on any roller coasters (though I don't do many of those now anyway). If you get a foldable cushion, you might be able to put it with stuff to be stowed or left behind while you ride.

 

[Bete]

Maybe, you could create some padded slacks yourself by sewing some padding on the inside.

Also, for a quickie use disposable diapers and use two sided tape like carpet tape to secure it on the inside of your slacks.

 

[winterwhite]

Navi skin makes underwear with the 3D type chamois that actually would be pretty hard to see under normal clothing.

it doesn’t provide the kind of cushion that an actual protective cushion would, though.

I have a cushion that has silicone grips on the bottom - they won’t allow it on rides where you are restrained or there’s a lot of circular motion, but it will help on rides with no clear “seats” like Pirates.

 

[DisneyOma]

Maybe, you could create some padded slacks yourself by sewing some padding on the inside.

Also, for a quickie use disposable diapers and use two sided tape like carpet tape to secure it on the inside of your slacks.

Yes, that was sort of what I had planned to do - a pair of bike shorts that I could put the padding in before a ride. Then take it out for the more gentle rides. I think, right now, I just need a small amount around the tailbone. I have my first PT appt next week, so perhaps they will have some ideas as well.

Thanks, everyone for the great info and ideas!