Disneyland with a fractured shoulder.

[obsesseddisneyfan]

We are leaving for Disneyland 2 weeks after my 10 year old daughter fractured her humerus bone by her shoulder. The shoulder is in a sling and can not be cast as the break to high up on the arm. The doctor said that she can go on all of the rides and then said as long it was not something that she would have to put her hands up or move her arm in the sling. She can go over speed bumps without issue. So I don't think slightly bumpy rides will be an issue.

My question is what thrill rides should we stay away from????

 

[gottalovepluto]

Well what is it? The dr said all the rides and then you swooped in and said “slight bumps”? Honestly if you disagree that vehemently with your DD’s Dr’s assessment you need to postpone this trip.

Practically all the rides have decent bumps at Disney, especially if they emergency stop they can straight up slam you. I swear I get more bruised up from the little kiddy dark rides than they normal stuff…

 

[elvispursley]

I’d think any “thrill” ride would be out. All of the “mountains” can slam you around from side-to-side (and the Matterhorn is incredibly rough. That’s not even getting into rides like the Pixar coaster. Is postponing an option?

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

Well what is it? The dr said all the rides and then you swooped in and said “slight bumps”? Honestly if you disagree that vehemently with your DD’s Dr’s assessment you need to postpone this trip.

Practically all the rides have decent bumps at Disney, especially if they emergency stop they can straight up slam you. I swear I get more bruised up from the little kiddy dark rides than they normal stuff…

I think you misunderstood my post. The doctor said all rides were fine as long as the shoulder was in the sling and the sling was not moved (specifically moved above head or in a way that is uncomfortable etc). Bumpy rides should not be an issue as speed bumps are not uncomfortable. But I would like to try the less bumpy rides before doing the most bumpy. It looks like the iincredicoaster has a shoulder harness and goes upside down. So that one is out. But should we try the Cars ride before doing Indiana Jones? not sure how jerky either of those is.

Trying to follow the DR's advice. However not going is not an option. the plane tickets and airbnb are paid for and can not be refunded. So making the best of a bad situation.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

We are leaving for Disneyland 2 weeks after my 10 year old daughter fractured her humerus bone by her shoulder. The shoulder is in a sling and can not be cast as the break to high up on the arm. The doctor said that she can go on all of the rides and then said as long it was not something that she would have to put her hands up or move her arm in the sling. She can go over speed bumps without issue. So I don't think slightly bumpy rides will be an issue.

My question is what thrill rides should we stay away from????

I think you misunderstood my post. The doctor said all rides were fine as long as the shoulder was in the sling and the sling was not moved (specifically moved above head or in a way that is uncomfortable etc). Bumpy rides should not be an issue as speed bumps are not uncomfortable. But I would like to try the less bumpy rides before doing the most bumpy. It looks like the iincredicoaster has a shoulder harness and goes upside down. So that one is out. But should we try the Cars ride before doing Indiana Jones? not sure how jerky either of those is.

Trying to follow the DR's advice. However not going is not an option. the plane tickets and airbnb are paid for and can not be refunded. So making the best of a bad situation.

This is is what I recommend.
Sitting In Place, No Arms Raised, Very Little Bumpiness

Main Street

• Shops
• Cinema
• Great Moments With Mr Lincoln
• Disneyland Train
• Character Meets

Tomorrowland

• Buzz Lightyear if she can aim and shoot with opposite arm / hand
• Finding Nemo Quiet Room, You need to ask the CM for this. You sit in a room near the ride and view the underwater parts on a screen.
• Monorail

Fantasyland / New Orleans Square

• Carrousel. There are one or two benches where you sit and experience the ride without being on a horse
• Teacups. You can just sit and they will spin automatically
• Storybook Canal
• Casey Junior Train
• Its A Small World
• Haunted Mansion

DCA

• Soarin
• Little Mermaid
• Monsters Inc

 

[BrianL]

If the doctor says it's fine, then it should be fine for the most part. You don't have to put your arms up on anything, well, except Guardians of the Galaxy - gotta scan those hands! - That's a joke, you don't have to (just part of the story).

I would probably be leery of Incredicoaster as the harness comes over the shoulder and can be tight. Everything else uses lap bars or seat belts. Keep in mind that The Matterhorn is VERY rough - it's not comparable to a speed bump. Indy does rock you around, but it just has a basic over-the-lap seat belt. It can be helpful to hang on, but she may need to do that with one arm. I believe Radiator Springs Racers does have an over-the-shoulder seatbelt on the outside seats, but the middle seat is just a lap belt. I don't know if that would bother her - it's exactly like you'd find in a car (side may matter). Also note, that on Smugglers Run, there are switches on the wall beside you that you use if you are gunner or engineer, but you don't have to. You can just have her sit on the side with her injured arm away from the wall.

One other thing to note might be getting into and out of ride vehicles. Some can be a bit awkward. Like the Submarine Voyage is very calm once you are sitting, but you have to maneuver down some tight and kind of steep steps. Sitting into (and getting out of) The Matterhorn can be tricky too, though, as advised, that one might be a skip anyway.

Anyway, good luck! I'm sure you'll have a great time.

 

[wallawallakids]

I hope your daughter feels better soon! Those breaks are rough. My son broke his collar bone a while back and we had the same deal with the sling and not raising arms etc.

I think you got some good answers. Most of Fantasyland can still be done: It's a small world, Dumbo, Storybook canal, Peter Pan, Pinocchio's, Snow White, Alice, Casey Jr.

You can go to Tom Sawyer Island, ride the riverboat, do the Animation Academy (assuming it is not her dominate hand affected). Astro orbiter and jungle cruise should be fine too.

I would focus on going to the shows and meeting characters. Maybe spurge for the desert party for WOC or a character meal. Watch the parade and the fireworks etc.

In DCA I would do jumping Jelly fish, soarin, Golden Zephyr, Emotional Whirlwind, Jessie's carousel, Little Mermaid, and Monsters inc. etc

You should have plenty for her to do still but I would avoid the thrill rides. They can all be a bumpy. Good luck and I hope she has a great trip and feels better soon!

 

[Tinkaboo]

Well what is it? The dr said all the rides and then you swooped in and said “slight bumps”? Honestly if you disagree that vehemently with your DD’s Dr’s assessment you need to postpone this trip.

Practically all the rides have decent bumps at Disney, especially if they emergency stop they can straight up slam you. I swear I get more bruised up from the little kiddy dark rides than they normal stuff…

Yeah, like coming in to land on Peter Pan…WHIPLASH!!!

 

[Pluto468]

Your poor dd! I hope she feels better soon.

Bad Pink Tink 2.0's list was very good.​

I think all of the thrill rides are out. Some of them move side to side in a very jarring way, others are quite bumpy. Some rides move you in such a way that your shoulder might be bumping up against the person next to you or the side of the vehicle. That could be uncomfortable for someone in a sling. One thing you could do is watch youtube videos of the ones you might consider and that will give you an idea of how bumpy they are.

There are so many other fun things to do, though! Shows, parades,nice dinners, the slower rides. You'll still have a great time.

 

[twodogs]

I agree with others that you can absolutely have a great trip, even under these circumstances, if you have a positive attitude and find activities that she can safely enjoy! Ride suggestions above are sound. I would definitely avoid Matterhorn!

At age 10, would she enjoy the Bippity Boppity Boutique? They could likely avoid contact with her shoulder, and it might be a nice treat.

 

[MICKIMINI]

If she is seeing a PT, ask questions. You also have to consider her getting into and out of rides as some of them require you to push yourself up to get out. If she is tall and has good leg and core strength that will help. Her PT can help her practice those moves. Proceed carefully. I hope you have a good time!

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

So just saw the doctor today. Talked in depth about disney and the rides. She is really only concerned if her shoulder gets hit. The movement it's self will not do damage to the break. the wording that she used is "I recommend no rides with shoulder straps and avoid sitting on rides unless accommodations for high risk side-to-side bumping. If allowed to have less passengers to avoid bumping on LEFT, this would be approved."

So with these guidelines. I believe Incredicoaster is out. Does anyone know if Disney would do this type of accommodation for other rides? Would they let a ride vehicle go with one rider short so her left side has no one? If so where do I ask for this type of accommodation? Or it as simple as talking to the CM's at the ride?

 

[Pluto468]

So just saw the doctor today. Talked in depth about disney and the rides. She is really only concerned if her shoulder gets hit. The movement it's self will not do damage to the break. the wording that she used is "I recommend no rides with shoulder straps and avoid sitting on rides unless accommodations for high risk side-to-side bumping. If allowed to have less passengers to avoid bumping on LEFT, this would be approved."

So with these guidelines. I believe Incredicoaster is out. Does anyone know if Disney would do this type of accommodation for other rides? Would they let a ride vehicle go with one rider short so her left side has no one? If so where do I ask for this type of accommodation? Or it as simple as talking to the CM's at the ride?

Most CMs are pretty accommodating when they can be. I'd ask the CM who tells people which row to sit in, just before you get to the ride vehicle.

Just an idea: Not sure exactly how you could do this, but maybe have your dd practice stepping down a big step or something because she'll have to step down into lots of rides and they don't all have railings to hold onto.

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

Most CMs are pretty accommodating when they can be. I'd ask the CM who tells people which row to sit in, just before you get to the ride vehicle.

Thank you!

 

[BrianL]

So just saw the doctor today. Talked in depth about disney and the rides. She is really only concerned if her shoulder gets hit. The movement it's self will not do damage to the break. the wording that she used is "I recommend no rides with shoulder straps and avoid sitting on rides unless accommodations for high risk side-to-side bumping. If allowed to have less passengers to avoid bumping on LEFT, this would be approved."

So with these guidelines. I believe Incredicoaster is out. Does anyone know if Disney would do this type of accommodation for other rides? Would they let a ride vehicle go with one rider short so her left side has no one? If so where do I ask for this type of accommodation? Or it as simple as talking to the CM's at the ride?

I don't think it should be an issue. Many of the rides have individual seats. One I can thingk of is Big Thunder Mountian, but they are not going to mix parties on that anyway, so if you can make sure she sits on the best side for her (with you) or if she goes as a single then she sits alone. That one can slide you around the bench seat. Otherwise most rides are not going to jostle you into someone else. Maybe the Teacups if several of your party rides. Guardians won't knock you around side-to-side and Space has indvidual seats and restraints. Indy only has seatbelts, so there could mabye be an issue there - just ask for her to sit on the oustide with her bad arm facing out - shouldn't be a problem at all.

 

[mlggator22]

My daughter broke her elbow and was in sling years ago and we had a great day at Disney. She was able to ride just about everything. Its been awhile since that trip (10 years) so I can't remember everything that we did or didn't ride. I know for sure she rode on Radiator Springs Racers (we met some famous people that day on that ride - so I remember that well).
So having gone through that, the rides that may have side to side jerkiness in my mind would be Star Tours, Indiana Jones, and Matterhorn. Incredicoaster would be rough too especially with the restraints. See how she is fairing on the other rides before you try Star Tours or Indiana Jones. I would think all other rides are okay. If you plan to do the Grizzly River Run, I would put her in a poncho so you do not get the sling wet.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

So just saw the doctor today. Talked in depth about disney and the rides. She is really only concerned if her shoulder gets hit. The movement it's self will not do damage to the break. the wording that she used is "I recommend no rides with shoulder straps and avoid sitting on rides unless accommodations for high risk side-to-side bumping. If allowed to have less passengers to avoid bumping on LEFT, this would be approved."

So with these guidelines. I believe Incredicoaster is out. Does anyone know if Disney would do this type of accommodation for other rides? Would they let a ride vehicle go with one rider short so her left side has no one? If so where do I ask for this type of accommodation? Or it as simple as talking to the CM's at the ride?

Is your daughter’s shoulder painful? I had shoulder surgery five months ago and after one month went to Disney but did zero rides because any jolts or bumps were super painful. After two months I went back and did only the smoothest rides (such as Little Mermaid). Even Pirates you can bump the boats and that would have been terrible for me. Even the fast stop on Monsters Inc ant the Stalk/Don’t Stalk crosswalk was difficult at that time.

All that said, shoulder surgery is incredibly painful and maybe your daughter’s arm is less painful or not painful at all? So then just follow the doctor’s recommendations but start slow and smooth so your daughter can gauge how she feels.

I am 5.5 months out from surgery and headed back to the parks this week. My surgeon said I could do rides that did not include a shoulder harness (no Incredicoaster) but I think I can finally ride most things again! Super excited! Have a great trip!

 

[obsesseddisneyfan]

Update after our first day at Disney with a fractured arm. To be clear. She is in very good shapes and can easily get in and out of rides with just the one hand. She was doing great and not in very much pain 2 weeks after the break. Some times I have to remind her that her arm is broken. The break was visible on the x-ray, but the doctor was not sure if it was all the way through or just a crack. The bone was still intact and sugary was not needed. Because the break was high on the humorous bone it was not able to be put in a cast and we were told to keep it in a sling and not to have any one sit on her left side.

The cast members were AMAZING they made sure she was exactly where she needed to be and kept the seat next to her clear or put her on the end with nothing on that side. I was really impressed with how accommodating they all were. Sometimes they did not know what to do and we just told them where she needed to sit. They always made sure it happened. We started on easy rides and worked our way to more bumpy. We had no issues in Disneyland. The rides went on were

1. Astro
2. Its a small world
3. Gaget's go coaster .
4. Run away train
5. Thunder mountain railroad. ( by herself)
6. Star tours (sat her on the end)
7. Autopia
8. Indiana Jones (Left side was on car side. shoulder above the car and so could not hit anything)
9. ROR (left side on side of car)
10. Millennium Falcon.
11. Jungle Cruise
12. Pirates

My 10 year old says that none of the rides made her shoulder sore. We are going back later this week and will try Matterhorn bobsleds. I think this one is the most likely to be an issue.

 

[mlggator22]

I'm so glad that the trip is turning out so well for you all. I am also glad to hear that the CM are doing a great job at accommodating your daughter's needs.

 

[BrianL]

Update after our first day at Disney with a fractured arm. To be clear. She is in very good shapes and can easily get in and out of rides with just the one hand. She was doing great and not in very much pain 2 weeks after the break. Some times I have to remind her that her arm is broken. The break was visible on the x-ray, but the doctor was not sure if it was all the way through or just a crack. The bone was still intact and sugary was not needed. Because the break was high on the humorous bone it was not able to be put in a cast and we were told to keep it in a sling and not to have any one sit on her left side.

The cast members were AMAZING they made sure she was exactly where she needed to be and kept the seat next to her clear or put her on the end with nothing on that side. I was really impressed with how accommodating they all were. Sometimes they did not know what to do and we just told them where she needed to sit. They always made sure it happened. We started on easy rides and worked our way to more bumpy. We had no issues in Disneyland. The rides went on were

1. Astro
2. Its a small world
3. Gaget's go coaster .
4. Run away train
5. Thunder mountain railroad. ( by herself)
6. Star tours (sat her on the end)
7. Autopia
8. Indiana Jones (Left side was on car side. shoulder above the car and so could not hit anything)
9. ROR (left side on side of car)
10. Millennium Falcon.
11. Jungle Cruise
12. Pirates

My 10 year old says that none of the rides made her shoulder sore. We are going back later this week and will try Matterhorn bobsleds. I think this one is the most likely to be an issue.

That's great! The CMs are the best - they will always help if it is at all possible and are very understanding. I am so glad to hear that it's going well. Do watch out on Matterhorn though - that's a rough one!