Elderly MIL with osteoarthritis in lower back, rides she should steer clear of

[hardrocker1]

What all rides should she stay away from? We are getting her a wheelchair because she can't stand or walk for long periods without severe muscle spasms. She is insisting she wants to ride everything she can with us, but are there many rides contraindicated for people with back problems?

Blessings, Michelle

 

[rtilner]

I suffer from the same ailment and more. I ride everything but Space Mountain, because of the they way they redesigned the seat. It makes it very difficult to get in and out.

Just assist her on getting in and out of the rides.

I rent a scooter when I am there where I can keep 24 7.

 

[BeerMe]

Avoid any simulator rides like Dinosaur and Star Tours and any coaster-like rides too. My wife went a few years after major back surgery and she was in a wheel chair too and was pretty good with the trip, but we took breaks when she got tired.

Have a great trip

 

[FortForever]

Space Mountain, Dinosaur, Star Tours, Mission Space ... all jerky.

 

[Schmeck]

Primeval Whirl too - and maybe Toy Story Mania?

 

[hardrocker1]

Thanks everyone!

Blessings, Michelle

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Honestly, it's going to be a lot to do with what exactly is or isn't comfortable for here. There's a list in the Disability FAQs that gives what rides have warnings for people with back problems. Some of them I can ride (I have all sorts of back problems), but some I can't. I've found many of the actual rollercoasters aren't so bad on my lower back as they are the upper back (my favourite WDW coaster is Rock'n'Roller Coaster).

One that you might not think of where she could have problems is the Safari in AK. She may be more comfortable staying in her wheelchair for that (there is a vehicle where they can strap her wheelchair in, but you will likely have a longer wait for it). The seats on the ride vehicles are hard plastic and because they landscaped the route to be bumpy like a "real" safari, there's a lot of jostling.

 

[Mama Who]

I know Indiana Jones at DL is *miserable* on my back. I am told Dinosaur is essentially the same ride base. That might be one to skip.

 

[SueM in MN]

Honestly, it's going to be a lot to do with what exactly is or isn't comfortable for here. There's a list in the Disability FAQs that gives what rides have warnings for people with back problems. Some of them I can ride (I have all sorts of back problems), but some I can't. I've found many of the actual rollercoasters aren't so bad on my lower back as they are the upper back (my favourite WDW coaster is Rock'n'Roller Coaster).

One that you might not think of where she could have problems is the Safari in AK. She may be more comfortable staying in her wheelchair for that (there is a vehicle where they can strap her wheelchair in, but you will likely have a longer wait for it). The seats on the ride vehicles are hard plastic and because they landscaped the route to be bumpy like a "real" safari, there's a lot of jostling.

The post WheeledTraveler is referring to is on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
There are quite a few attractions with warnings. She may wnt to ask her doctor about just how much jarring and bumping her back can take.

 

[tigger&tigerlover]

I'm very interested in this as well. I've had lower back fusion, and still have a few disks that are getting bad in my lower back.

I know that jarring does make the pain flare, so I'm curious (and making a list) of the rides all of you have determined would be jerky on my lower back, and how jerky they are. A little here and there, or the occasional hard bump I could live with, but not constantly bouncing. I figured simulators would be out, but not sure on the others. Please keep listing and commenting on how rough the ride is.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I would definitely avoid Space Mountain and Dinosaur.

 

[tigger&tigerlover]

I would definitely avoid Space Mountain and Dinosaur.

Okay, so we have those two, Safari (bummer, I love that "ride"), Star Tours, Mission Space (both sides, or just the more intense one?) and I adore that ride, so I'm hoping I could try the lighter side, and go back for a FP and try the more intense version if I were able to ride it. (I last went to WDW several years ago, and it had just come out - before back problems)

Whirling/spinning rides I usually avoid out of preference.

I know that there's a list of rides that warns people with back problems, but I also know those are generic warnings, and different sensations affect different problem spots in our bodies. That's why I'm asking in this thread for opinions from others like me.

 

[Piper]

I don't think anyone can really tell you what to avoid. It is easy to say, "Oh, that one works (doesn't work) for me." Unfortunately, everyone is different. What I might be able to do easily, someone with similar challenges might not be able to do and visa versa.

A person's doctor can give an accurate vision of what type of jarring to avoid and what might be okay. Can the person do bumpy? Jerky? Fast starts with G force? Drops? Fast stops? I wouldn't want to say a ride was okay and then have it cause problems for a person.

 

[Tink575]

I don't do any coasters, I can manage the safari by sitting very upright in my seat, but I tried Dinosaur a few years ago and it was a total disaster. I have a back brace ordered by my rheumatologist and that helps the jarring.

 

[SueM in MN]

Okay, so we have those two, Safari (bummer, I love that "ride"), Star Tours, Mission Space (both sides, or just the more intense one?) and I adore that ride, so I'm hoping I could try the lighter side, and go back for a FP and try the more intense version if I were able to ride it. (I last went to WDW several years ago, and it had just come out - before back problems)

Whirling/spinning rides I usually avoid out of preference.

I know that there's a list of rides that warns people with back problems, but I also know those are generic warnings, and different sensations affect different problem spots in our bodies. That's why I'm asking in this thread for opinions from others like me.

For WDW, the post on page 2 of the disABILITIES Board has. Bit about why the warning is probably there, plus information on what people have reported seemed to be a problem for them.

To answer your specific questions about Mission Space, the motion on both sides is the same. The difference is that the more intense one is also spinning on a centrifuge.

 

[tigger&tigerlover]

For WDW, the post on page 2 of the disABILITIES Board has. Bit about why the warning is probably there, plus information on what people have reported seemed to be a problem for them.

To answer your specific questions about Mission Space, the motion on both sides is the same. The difference is that the more intense one is also spinning on a centrifuge.

Thank you! For some reason even though I'd read the FAQ, my brain didn't register what I'd read (personally, I'm blaming lack of caffeine, or something similar)!

This helps a lot. I'll stop bugging the group with questions for at least a little while.