Doing Disney with Dizziness/Vertigo!

[mariepapa]

Hello! So in 10 days my family and I will be flying (ack) down to the magic place (Yippee!) I suffer from sometimes frequent severe vertigo attacks and chronic dizziness and plan on having my meclizine and dramamine with me. Has anyone else who suffers from vertigo or dizziness done Disney? What did you find helpful?
Thanks!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

My dad has Meniere's disease and gets hit with really bad dizzy spells at least once a week. He didn't seem to have too much of a problem with things, just avoiding the obvious things that would bring on an attack like the TeaCup ride and stuff like that. Best thing to do is just keep your medicine on you, take a break if you need it, and remember if it gets really bad all you have to do is tell a cast member you're having a bit of a medical issue and they can get you to the first aid site. Don't be embarassed about it, think of it as a comfy air conditioned break with people who can help you if you really need it. Also don't forget you should be able to ask for a small glass of ice water at the counter service locations so you can take a pill if you need it and not have to buy a drink.

 

[mariepapa]

My dad has Meniere's disease and gets hit with really bad dizzy spells at least once a week. He didn't seem to have too much of a problem with things, just avoiding the obvious things that would bring on an attack like the TeaCup ride and stuff like that. Best thing to do is just keep your medicine on you, take a break if you need it, and remember if it gets really bad all you have to do is tell a cast member you're having a bit of a medical issue and they can get you to the first aid site. Don't be embarassed about it, think of it as a comfy air conditioned break with people who can help you if you really need it. Also don't forget you should be able to ask for a small glass of ice water at the counter service locations so you can take a pill if you need it and not have to buy a drink.

Thanks! I appreciate it

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Do you know of any triggers, that are likely to set off your condition? If, for instance, flashing lights aggravate you, we should be able to find you a list of attractions that use them (I seem to remember a thread about that a while back). Also, I'm guessing that you'll be more likely to have attacks if your body isn't happy, so make sure to keep cool, drink plenty and take things at a gentle pace (it may sound obvious now, but I've learnt the hard way that it's all too easy to get caught up in the magic, and forget the dull things like drinking water!)

Do these attacks make you liable to fall? If so, you might want to consider getting a wheelchair for your trip. If you don't want to use it everywhere, you could always take it to an area (e.g. Fantasyland) then park it in the stroller bay for later. If you decide not to rent a chair, but find you need one when out in the parks, just ask a CM and they can get one sent (they keep a few at different locations around the parks for people who need them suddenly, so they won't have to go right to the front gates)

As LockShockBarrel said, if you need a break at any point, you can use the first aid rooms. These are all clearly marked on the maps, and they have beds that you can lie down on for a bit if you need. Just go along there, explain briefly what you need and why (just 'I need to use a bed because of vertigo issues' would be fine), and they'll help you.


I'm sure you can pick out the obvious rides not to do (like Teacups or Space Mountain), but I'll try and list a few that you might not have thought of.

Safari ride at AK - though this one doesn't spin, it is very bumpy, and you get tossed about an awful lot

Buzz Lightyear - you have control over how your car spins, but they can be fairly quick to react, so handle with a gentle touch

Startours - Reasonably gentle simulator ride so may, or may not, set you off. If you are worried about it, you can ask to go in a space ship that doesn't move, and they'll do their best to accommodate you (they can stop them from moving, and just give you the film, but it might be good to do this at a quiet time, if possible)

Anything with a moving walkway - Take it slowly getting on and off these, because they can be fairly disorientating at the best of times, let alone with balance issues! If you don't think you'll be able to get on and off these in time, most of them can be slowed or even stopped. I'd recommend you look into the Guest Assistance Card (GAC) on the disABILITIES FAQ thread at the top of this board. This card is basically a way of quickly telling CMs what extra help you need, without having to go through it all every time you get in line! Sometimes they will get you to board at the exit, after going through the line, as wheelchair users do. This just gives them some more time to help you out as you need, without having a load of people pushing past you.

If you have any concerns about a ride, you will find a short description on the map, including any health warnings. If you're still not sure, you can ask the CM at the line entrance, and they should be able to give you more details.

Hope this helps!

 

[mariepapa]

Do you know of any triggers, that are likely to set off your condition? If, for instance, flashing lights aggravate you, we should be able to find you a list of attractions that use them (I seem to remember a thread about that a while back). Also, I'm guessing that you'll be more likely to have attacks if your body isn't happy, so make sure to keep cool, drink plenty and take things at a gentle pace (it may sound obvious now, but I've learnt the hard way that it's all too easy to get caught up in the magic, and forget the dull things like drinking water!)

Do these attacks make you liable to fall? If so, you might want to consider getting a wheelchair for your trip. If you don't want to use it everywhere, you could always take it to an area (e.g. Fantasyland) then park it in the stroller bay for later. If you decide not to rent a chair, but find you need one when out in the parks, just ask a CM and they can get one sent (they keep a few at different locations around the parks for people who need them suddenly, so they won't have to go right to the front gates)

As LockShockBarrel said, if you need a break at any point, you can use the first aid rooms. These are all clearly marked on the maps, and they have beds that you can lie down on for a bit if you need. Just go along there, explain briefly what you need and why (just 'I need to use a bed because of vertigo issues' would be fine), and they'll help you.


I'm sure you can pick out the obvious rides not to do (like Teacups or Space Mountain), but I'll try and list a few that you might not have thought of.

Safari ride at AK - though this one doesn't spin, it is very bumpy, and you get tossed about an awful lot

Buzz Lightyear - you have control over how your car spins, but they can be fairly quick to react, so handle with a gentle touch

Startours - Reasonably gentle simulator ride so may, or may not, set you off. If you are worried about it, you can ask to go in a space ship that doesn't move, and they'll do their best to accommodate you (they can stop them from moving, and just give you the film, but it might be good to do this at a quiet time, if possible)

Anything with a moving walkway - Take it slowly getting on and off these, because they can be fairly disorientating at the best of times, let alone with balance issues! If you don't think you'll be able to get on and off these in time, most of them can be slowed or even stopped. I'd recommend you look into the Guest Assistance Card (GAC) on the disABILITIES FAQ thread at the top of this board. This card is basically a way of quickly telling CMs what extra help you need, without having to go through it all every time you get in line! Sometimes they will get you to board at the exit, after going through the line, as wheelchair users do. This just gives them some more time to help you out as you need, without having a load of people pushing past you.

If you have any concerns about a ride, you will find a short description on the map, including any health warnings. If you're still not sure, you can ask the CM at the line entrance, and they should be able to give you more details.

Hope this helps!

Wow! Thanks so much. Yes, I do have some triggers. They are: loud sound, strong odors, flashing lights (as you mentioned), smoking (but I think most of WDW is non smoking nowadays) and I have looked into most of the rides that you mentioned above. I read the Open Mouse Passporter, which is the greatest

I didn't think a GAC would really work for me as I think that only if I get an attack from a ride would I really need help. Oh, I am so excited to go and I think that in terms of places to visit, WDW is the best for those who have any sort of problem.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Wow! Thanks so much. Yes, I do have some triggers. They are: loud sound,

For loud sounds, you might want to consider taking ear-plugs or ear defenders along with you, for use during fireworks shows and other things with loud bangs. Some of the live actions shows and rides (such as Backlot Tours and Indiana Jones) have some explosion noises in them, so watch out for these. I don't know how loud counts as 'loud' (if that makes sense), but if it would help, you could ask to sit towards the back in such shows. One that is surprisingly loud, is Lights Motors Action. The engine noise is roaringly loud, and the explosions in the show don't help either. However, if you want to see it, you wouldn't really miss much by wearing ear plugs, as most of the show is visual.

For parades and shows, try to position yourself away from speakers - if you need any advice on this, just ask a CM. Most of the shows are fine volume-wise, but some of the live shows and similar can get rather loud, if you're in the wrong place. Be aware that some rides have speakers in the ride cars - they're not particularly loud, but they are right beside your ears (Spaceship Earth and Haunted Mansion spring to mind).

strong odors,

Some rides and shows (such as Figment and Phillharmagic) have artificial scents in them, but they're not too, too over-powering, and only last for a few moments. If it might help, we can compile a list of 'spoilers' telling you which scents are produced where. Also, here is a previous thread on rides with scents.

Some of the food carts, especially the turkey leg stands, smell quite strong, but it's not normally too bad if you walk on the other side of the path (I'm a vegetarian with nausea issues, so those stands really don't do it for me!). Some of the shows and attractions with fire or explosions will have a slight smell of burnt fuel, but it's not normally too bad. The buildings are normally all fine, as they've got air-con running all the time, keeping the air fresh and circulating.

flashing lights (as you mentioned),

I think the Open Mouse book has a list of rides with flashing lights in it, and this post on epilepsy might also be of some help.

smoking (but I think most of WDW is non smoking nowadays)

Technically, smoking is only allowed in designated areas, but one or two people don't obey these rules (most are extremely courteous about it, though). The smoking areas are all marked on the maps, and are normally a little away from the main path. At the resorts, smoking is also only allowed in designated areas, but I'm not sure if everyone is aware of / keeps to these rules.

and I have looked into most of the rides that you mentioned above. I read the Open Mouse Passporter, which is the greatest

I'm glad you've found such a helpful book, I've heard many good things about it! Just a couple of general notes:

Be wary of any ride with warnings for people with neck and spinal injuries, as these will usually have sharp turns or drops in them.

If you're not sure about any rides or shows, you will probably find videos of them on YouTube.

Quite a few of the rides will turn you around slowly, to get you facing the right direction. This hopefully won't bring on an attack, but may be a little disorientating if you're already feeling a bit 'wobbly' (technical medical term ). A couple of rides go slowly backwards down a slope, with your ride car tilted back (not flat, just semi-reclined). I'm not sure whether or not this would be an issue for you.

You can apparently ask for the bounce to be turned off on the Winnie the Pooh ride cars.

I didn't think a GAC would really work for me as I think that only if I get an attack from a ride would I really need help. Oh, I am so excited to go and I think that in terms of places to visit, WDW is the best for those who have any sort of problem.

You might want to consider getting a GAC, to have 'just in case'. You don't have to use it if you are feeling OK, but it might be good to have it in your bag if you need it. If you have a reasonably mild attack, that is bad enough to throw your balance off but not enough to stop you enjoying the parks, it could just give you that extra bit of assistance. Many people here, with all sorts of different needs, have the GAC as a safety net, which they only use if needed. Whatever you choose to do, just make sure you don't do anything you don't feel safe with - better to ask for help and find you might have coped without it, than to not ask and regret it later. The most important thing is to keep safe!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

For loud sounds, you might want to consider taking ear-plugs or ear defenders along with you, for use during fireworks shows and other things with loud bangs. Some of the live actions shows and rides (such as Backlot Tours and Indiana Jones) have some explosion noises in them, so watch out for these. I don't know how loud counts as 'loud' (if that makes sense), but if it would help, you could ask to sit towards the back in such shows. One that is surprisingly loud, is Lights Motors Action. The engine noise is roaringly loud, and the explosions in the show don't help either. However, if you want to see it, you wouldn't really miss much by wearing ear plugs, as most of the show is visual.

For parades and shows, try to position yourself away from speakers - if you need any advice on this, just ask a CM. Most of the shows are fine volume-wise, but some of the live shows and similar can get rather loud, if you're in the wrong place. Be aware that some rides have speakers in the ride cars - they're not particularly loud, but they are right beside your ears (Spaceship Earth and Haunted Mansion spring to mind).



Some rides and shows (such as Figment and Phillharmagic) have artificial scents in them, but they're not too, too over-powering, and only last for a few moments. If it might help, we can compile a list of 'spoilers' telling you which scents are produced where. Also, here is a previous thread on rides with scents.

Some of the food carts, especially the turkey leg stands, smell quite strong, but it's not normally too bad if you walk on the other side of the path (I'm a vegetarian with nausea issues, so those stands really don't do it for me!). Some of the shows and attractions with fire or explosions will have a slight smell of burnt fuel, but it's not normally too bad. The buildings are normally all fine, as they've got air-con running all the time, keeping the air fresh and circulating.



I think the Open Mouse book has a list of rides with flashing lights in it, and this post on epilepsy might also be of some help.



Technically, smoking is only allowed in designated areas, but one or two people don't obey these rules (most are extremely courteous about it, though). The smoking areas are all marked on the maps, and are normally a little away from the main path. At the resorts, smoking is also only allowed in designated areas, but I'm not sure if everyone is aware of / keeps to these rules.



I'm glad you've found such a helpful book, I've heard many good things about it! Just a couple of general notes:

Be wary of any ride with warnings for people with neck and spinal injuries, as these will usually have sharp turns or drops in them.

If you're not sure about any rides or shows, you will probably find videos of them on YouTube.

Quite a few of the rides will turn you around slowly, to get you facing the right direction. This hopefully won't bring on an attack, but may be a little disorientating if you're already feeling a bit 'wobbly' (technical medical term ). A couple of rides go slowly backwards down a slope, with your ride car tilted back (not flat, just semi-reclined). I'm not sure whether or not this would be an issue for you.

You can apparently ask for the bounce to be turned off on the Winnie the Pooh ride cars.


You might want to consider getting a GAC, to have 'just in case'. You don't have to use it if you are feeling OK, but it might be good to have it in your bag if you need it. If you have a reasonably mild attack, that is bad enough to throw your balance off but not enough to stop you enjoying the parks, it could just give you that extra bit of assistance. Many people here, with all sorts of different needs, have the GAC as a safety net, which they only use if needed. Whatever you choose to do, just make sure you don't do anything you don't feel safe with - better to ask for help and find you might have coped without it, than to not ask and regret it later. The most important thing is to keep safe!