Dealing with Vertigo at the Parks

[mwilliams311]

Hi Everyone! I'm not sure if this is the appropriate board for this post, so please move if it belongs somewhere else.

My family is headed to WDW in April. My 27 year old sister developed vertigo a few years ago, and has not gone to a theme park since dealing with this health issue. We are making our lists for must-do rides and fast passes, and we are coming to the boards for advice. We plan on her avoiding the obvious rides that would trigger her vertigo symptoms (for example the Tea Cups), but we have no experience with the newer attractions.

So, anyone out there with vertigo with advice on Disney rides? Thanks in advance!

 

[gap2368]

I think a lot will depend on your sister and her needs I know some can not do things that spin or drip or change direction fast so any roller coster are out. I would take a look at rides and there description on the disney website

you might want to get her a wheel chair so she has some place to site if she gets dizzy she dose not have to use the wheel chair the whole time ( or you could get just get it if she is having problems )

 

[Baklava]

Unfortunately vertigo is kind of like autism- it's so different for each person that it's very hard to offer solid advice on what will be a trigger and what won't. Can you be more specific about what gives her difficulty?

 

[SueM in MN]

Agree with the last poster - it would be helpful if you have some more information about her triggers.

 

[mwilliams311]

It is pretty random. Sometimes she's just driving to work and she has to turn around to go home because she is suddenly dizzy. We think it can be triggered by her allergies or sinus pressure, but often it is completely out of the blue. Her doctors (primary care and ENT) have yet to give us a specific reason as to what causes the episodes. If it is a particularly bad episode she has to go lay down in a dark room for a day or two. She's not pushed it when it comes to going on rides, but she has flown commercially without issue.

 

[Bete]

If she has the inner ear vertigo condition there are exercises that she can do that will keep the vertigo at bay for the most part. Consult her doctor about these exercises.

The best idea is to watch videos of any rides you might feel are a problem.

 

[dismom57]

BPPvertigo for two years (and three WDW trips). Did the exercises above, some prescription meds (Cerc helped with nausea), avoided all spiny rides and coasters, closed eyes as needed and still managed to have a lot of fun.

 

[JLTraveling]

My best friend has vertigo from Meniere's disease, and has had an annual pass off and on for years. Her personal triggers are: anything that goes upside down (RNRC), motion simulators (Star Tours and Mission:Space), mega-spinning (Tea Cups, Primeval Whirl), and oddly the movie in France. She's ok on TSMM once, provided she's feeling ok that day, and fine on non-upside down roller coasters, as well as ToT. That said, it's different for everyone. I'd recommend taking in rides that she's confident about early in the day, and then gradually adding things that might be more iffy as you go along. That way, if she misjudges and has an attack, she's not losing the whole day. My BFF also uses prescription meds and essential oils as needed. Does your sister have any of those?