Can you Describe these Rides?

[Frozen2014]

We are planning a trip to Disney in August. So excited and our kids are going to flip when they find out!

I'm wondering if you can describe the following rides. A couple years ago I had a retinal detachment and some doctors say that roller coasters are a 'no-no'. Since I've had it happen once, I am at risk for it detaching again or it happening to the other eye. Aside from California Screamin and Hyperspace Mountain, I don't believe that Disney has big roller coasters. I would avoid those two for sure plus would avoid Twilight of Terror as they accelerate quickly.

I have an eye appointment next week with my specialist and will ask him about the rides to see if they are ok. I've been to Disney World once and so am familiar with some of them, but don't know the DL / DCA specific rides. Thus can you describe the following?

• Indiana Jones
• Luigi Rollickin Roadsters
• Matterhorn
• Radiator Springs
  
• Mr Toad
• Pinocchio
• Snow White
• Grizzly River Run

Am really hoping to be able to rides these. Since my detachment I have only been on things like a Merry Go Round and Ferris Wheel at local amusement parks but would probably take more of a chance at Disney as I don't want to just be a spectator.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Indiana Jones

This one does have a couple accelerations and the ride is very bumpy. It's meant to feel like riding off road in a jeep.

Matterhorn

This is a roller coaster type ride. Many people cannot ride it because they say it is too jerky/bumpy for them.

Mr Toad

I don't think there is anything too crazy on this ride. There are a couple quick turns. You may want your family to ride it first and let you know if they think it is okay for you.

Pinocchio

Should be fine. I don't recall anything quick.

Snow White

This is a pretty slow ride. If you can ride in a car, you will be fine.

Grizzly River Run

No acceleration, but the raft will spin when going down the final drop. If you can spin, you will be fine.

 

[lvdis]

This might be a good starting point for a description of each ride - https://touringplans.com/disneyland/attractions#

 

[StormyCA]

Agree with *cruise*.

BFF's son had retinal detachment but it was relatively soon before they went and IIRC his doctors pretty much 'nixed' any ride that bumped, sped, twisted, or 'roller-coasted'. RSR was a 'no go' due to acceleration. Luigi's wasn't around then and I haven't ridden it due to motion sickness as it does have a 'spin' at the end, so if I were you I'd observe it a few times and then make a decision.

You may find this link helpful:

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/

 

[Frozen2014]

Ok...so Radiator Springs is a No. :-( Matternhorm and Indiana Jones are maybes.

 

[VandVsmama]

• Indiana Jones - not a traditional roller coaster, but there is a ton of jerking around where you have to hold on, so given your doctor's restrictions, I don't think you should go on this one.
• Luigi's - I'm not sure about this one because I haven't ridden it yet.
• Matterhorn - a definite no. this is roller coaster quality.
• Radiator Springs - a no also. Roller coaster type ride.
• Mr Toad - you're fine on this one.
• Pinocchio - good to ride.
• Snow White - good to ride.
• Grizzly River Run - probably safe on this one.

 

[figment_jii]

GRR does have a few drops and the rafts do rotate around (not fast), but it did seem kind of jerky/bouncy/bumpy to me. You can observe some of the ride from the walkway, so it might be worth watching a few rafts come down the drop before getting on it.

A few other rides to potentially avoid include Goofy's Sky School (think Primeval Whirl in AK), Jumpin' Jellyfish (it's a much smaller version of ToT, but it does drop you and there is some bouncing), and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (very similar to one in MK).

Depending on how worried you are about spinning, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree whips you around pretty quickly at some points (think Tea Cups, but with a bit more motion). I've also found that TSMM has some pretty sharp turns as they're moving you from game to game; not anything really severe, but it can slide you around on the seat if you're not prepared for it (it's very similar to the version in DHS).

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

I've ridden Luigi's. It spins but it's mild. Faster spin at the end, don't know if it's too much or not. Maybe watch a video?

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Since you've been to Disney World, I can make some comparisons to rides you may have ridden there. Indiana Jones is very similar to Dinosaur. Grizzly River Rapids is along the lines of Kali River Rapids, and RSR is similar to Test Track. Mr. Toad, Pinnochio, and Snow White are all traditional fantasy land rides and will be fine.

The line for Luigi is set up so that you can see the ride while you wait. You can probably make a pretty good judgement call seeing it in person. I remember sliding around the seat a tiny bit, but it wasn't a Mad Tea Party type of spin.

I have no issues and refused to ride Matterhorn again because it was so jerky.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks for the replies. So depressing as seems like there are a lot of "no"s. Will discuss with my doctor when I see him next week since based on descriptions (e.g. if spinning is ok, jerky rides...not sure if it's just the quick acceleration that's the issue). At WDW, Animal Kingdom was the one park we missed but know a lot of the other rides. My detachment occurred after our trip so had no restrictions then (not right after so no related). I loved Big Thunder so hope I can ride that . Sitting at the front would be the "slowest" seat, right?

PS - I love Test Track at WDW so too bad that RSR is similar and that's one to avoid.
Even if I'm careful I think i'll book an eye appointment right after our trip.

 

[cmpeter]

DL has an awesome guide for guests with disabilities. It details all the elements of each ride...might be a good resource in helping you and your doctor decide. I am not having luck linking it...but if you go to the disabilities board in this site there is a master thread for DL/DCA and you can find it in there.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Might be of some value to watch ride-thru videos on YouTube. They may give you some sense of the speed and jerkiness of those rides for which you have concerns.

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

Thanks for the replies. So depressing as seems like there are a lot of "no"s. Will discuss with my doctor when I see him next week since based on descriptions (e.g. if spinning is ok, jerky rides...not sure if it's just the quick acceleration that's the issue). At WDW, Animal Kingdom was the one park we missed but know a lot of the other rides. My detachment occurred after our trip so had no restrictions then (not right after so no related). I loved Big Thunder so hope I can ride that . Sitting at the front would be the "slowest" seat, right?

PS - I love Test Track at WDW so too bad that RSR is similar and that's one to avoid.
Even if I'm careful I think i'll book an eye appointment right after our trip.

Test track goes a lot faster than RSR IMO

 

[Angel Ariel]

We are planning a trip to Disney in August. So excited and our kids are going to flip when they find out!

I'm wondering if you can describe the following rides. A couple years ago I had a retinal detachment and some doctors say that roller coasters are a 'no-no'. Since I've had it happen once, I am at risk for it detaching again or it happening to the other eye. Aside from California Screamin and Hyperspace Mountain, I don't believe that Disney has big roller coasters. I would avoid those two for sure plus would avoid Twilight of Terror as they accelerate quickly.

I have an eye appointment next week with my specialist and will ask him about the rides to see if they are ok. I've been to Disney World once and so am familiar with some of them, but don't know the DL / DCA specific rides. Thus can you describe the following?

• Indiana Jones
• Luigi Rollickin Roadsters
• Matterhorn
• Radiator Springs
  
• Mr Toad
• Pinocchio
• Snow White
• Grizzly River Run

Am really hoping to be able to rides these. Since my detachment I have only been on things like a Merry Go Round and Ferris Wheel at local amusement parks but would probably take more of a chance at Disney as I don't want to just be a spectator.

My mom has had a retinal detachment (well 2 now, both in the same eye). Because of it, her tolerance for fast motion/turns/spinning is not that great anymore. We went in November 2016 (her last detachment was IIRC Sept 2014, so she's well removed from it), and she chose not to ride Matterhorn, Radiator Springs and Grizzly River Run. She did ride Indy with us once, but on our last trip (nov 2015) she did not. She enjoyed Indy, but I don't know that she'd ride it again.

Mr. Toad, Pinocchio, Snow White and Luigi were not issues for her at all. She rode them and enjoyed them

ETA: She also avoided Big Thunder Mountain RR (DLR) and California Screamin (DCA). She did ride Jumpin' Jellyfish, but as I recall she didn't like it much. She also did not ride the Golden Zephyr (DCA) or Dumbo/Tea Cups (spinning is just too much for her). Toy Story Mania was fine for her, and she enjoyed it a lot. As I recall, she also rode Mater's Junkyard Jamboree once and did like it (but like Indy, I don't know if she'd ride it again).

I don't want it to sound like she did nothing. She had a blast with us, and when she did have to sit out a ride, she had fun looking through shops/people watching. We used fastpass a lot so that she didn't spend a lot of time by herself at all. (We also had 6 days in the park (she had 5), so these experiences were spread out quite a lot).

 

[Travis B]

Ok...so Radiator Springs is a No. :-( Matternhorm and Indiana Jones are maybes.

IMO Matterhorn and Indiana Jones are rougher than RSR. RSR is just like riding in a convertible, not really like a coaster per se.

 

[ahutton]

Thanks for the replies. So depressing as seems like there are a lot of "no"s. Will discuss with my doctor when I see him next week since based on descriptions (e.g. if spinning is ok, jerky rides...not sure if it's just the quick acceleration that's the issue). At WDW, Animal Kingdom was the one park we missed but know a lot of the other rides. My detachment occurred after our trip so had no restrictions then (not right after so no related). I loved Big Thunder so hope I can ride that . Sitting at the front would be the "slowest" seat, right?

PS - I love Test Track at WDW so too bad that RSR is similar and that's one to avoid.
Even if I'm careful I think i'll book an eye appointment right after our trip.

If you avoided Dinosaur at AK, then you would not want to ride Indy. Ride vehicles are very similar. I think it's the roughest ride in the park, although not a lot of g-forces, just like riding in a jeep in a very, very rough off road environment.

 

[poison ivy]

We are planning a trip to Disney in August. So excited and our kids are going to flip when they find out!

I'm wondering if you can describe the following rides. A couple years ago I had a retinal detachment and some doctors say that roller coasters are a 'no-no'. Since I've had it happen once, I am at risk for it detaching again or it happening to the other eye. Aside from California Screamin and Hyperspace Mountain, I don't believe that Disney has big roller coasters. I would avoid those two for sure plus would avoid Twilight of Terror as they accelerate quickly.

I have an eye appointment next week with my specialist and will ask him about the rides to see if they are ok. I've been to Disney World once and so am familiar with some of them, but don't know the DL / DCA specific rides. Thus can you describe the following?

• Indiana Jones
• Luigi Rollickin Roadsters
• Matterhorn
• Radiator Springs
  
• Mr Toad
• Pinocchio
• Snow White
• Grizzly River Run.

I agree with the comments here.
Your head/body will jerk sharply at times on Indiana Jones, Matterhorn and Grizzly River Run. Radiator Springs is one you should watch the videos on and decide. Luigi Roadsters is mild but you can easily just wait and see since the full ride operates in the open.

 

[Frozen2014]

If you avoided Dinosaur at AK, then you would not want to ride Indy. Ride vehicles are very similar. I think it's the roughest ride in the park, although not a lot of g-forces, just like riding in a jeep in a very, very rough off road environment.

I'm actually not familiar with Dinosaur as that's the one park we didn't go too at WDW. But I'll definitely ask about jerky rides.

Also as a note, we went to WDW in Oct of 2014 and my detachment happened April 2015. So WDW was before any issues (and also not the cause of my detachment). Just getting a sense of rides now that I am predisposed.

 

[Frozen2014]

My mom has had a retinal detachment (well 2 now, both in the same eye). Because of it, her tolerance for fast motion/turns/spinning is not that great anymore. We went in November 2016 (her last detachment was IIRC Sept 2014, so she's well removed from it), and she chose not to ride Matterhorn, Radiator Springs and Grizzly River Run. She did ride Indy with us once, but on our last trip (nov 2015) she did not. She enjoyed Indy, but I don't know that she'd ride it again.

Mr. Toad, Pinocchio, Snow White and Luigi were not issues for her at all. She rode them and enjoyed them

ETA: She also avoided Big Thunder Mountain RR (DLR) and California Screamin (DCA). She did ride Jumpin' Jellyfish, but as I recall she didn't like it much. She also did not ride the Golden Zephyr (DCA) or Dumbo/Tea Cups (spinning is just too much for her). Toy Story Mania was fine for her, and she enjoyed it a lot. As I recall, she also rode Mater's Junkyard Jamboree once and did like it (but like Indy, I don't know if she'd ride it again).

I don't want it to sound like she did nothing. She had a blast with us, and when she did have to sit out a ride, she had fun looking through shops/people watching. We used fastpass a lot so that she didn't spend a lot of time by herself at all. (We also had 6 days in the park (she had 5), so these experiences were spread out quite a lot).

Thank you so much for sharing your personal experience. Am sorry that your mom also had a detachment. It's a fear that stays with you, but hopefully under control. (I had buckle done in the detached eye and have had laser in the other too).

It looks like Radiator Springs is a quick car ride so will need to see about that one (looks like so much fun though and I loved Test Track at WDW).

The list of rides really helps and gives a good guide. I'll also add Jumpin' Jellyfish to the list of rides to avoid if it's like Tower of Terror (and never liked the tummy drop feeling anyways).

Funny as I wouldn't have thought that Toy Story is one to avoid. I did try it at WDW and don't remember it being rough. And didn't realise that Mater is one to question too.

Then there are rides like POC or Splash Mountain where it's generally pretty tame but one or two drops. Don't want to sit out on everything. :-( Unfortunately my very favourite ride will be closed for the Halloween prep, which is Haunted Mansion.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Jumpin Jellyfish is a gentler drop than Tower (by a LOT!) it's meant for little kids But it does go down, then up, then down, then up...and that's enough to make Mom a little queasy, so she didn't mind waiting. TBH, even for myself JJ was OK, but I don't feel the need to do it again. There's not a whole lot of seat/seat arms and it felt a bit too much like there wasn't much between me and falling (but I do have a slight fear of heights)

Oh, I forgot to mention. My dad actually had a partial detachment right before the trip this past November. The gas was actually still in his eye a little bit (but gone enough for his dr to OK flying). He did ride Radiator Springs with us, and Indy as well. I don't recall him saying it affected him at all. He did not do Thunder/Space/CA Screamin/Golden Zephyr/Grizzly River Run/Dumbo/Tea Cups/Matterhorn. All the ones that I mentioned were fine for Mom were OK for him too.

We all rode Pirates and had no issues. None of us rode Splash, so I have no insight there. There are something like 35+ attractions at Disneyland/DCA, so while I know it feels like it's a long list of "can't do"s, keep the faith! There's still plenty to do and have a good time. And don't forget about the shows/character meets (one of the *best* parts of our trip) and hidden gems (like the Animation Academy!).