For Those of You Who Have Back Problems..

[LvsTnk]

My DS fractured a vertebrae(T 12 compression) last week. We leave for WDW in 2 weeks, and the orthopedic said it was O.K. to go, just "don't do the big rides". Well, at first I'm thinking RR and TofT(doesn't go on anyway) now I'm not sure what we shouldn't do or if we should go at all. I don't know if he will be too upset(has special needs) and not be able to understand why he can't go on.

What rides would all of you avoidthis is becomming a little harder than I thought. Thanks for any help!!

 

[FergieTCat]

I have a bad back, and these are some of the rides I avoid ...

Star Tours
Splash Mountain (the last time I rode it, there was a jerk at the end with literally slammed me back into the hard seat. I don't know if this is typical, but I was in pain for the rest of the evening).
Dinosaur/Countdown to Extinction (or whatever they call that ride at the Animal Kingdom).
Safari Ride at the Animal Kingdom (it's very jerky and bumpy)
Space Mountain (very hard to get in and out of, plus it's a roller coaster).
Thunder Mountain (roller coaster)

I'm sure I missed some, but that's my suggestion. I tend to have back spasms, and those are the rides that aggrevate my back.

Donna

 

[teri]

Wow... You will need to stick to the slower, gentler rides all around, Not to mention taking it much easier. You might consider spending much more time at character meals, shows, the pools, and on boats than on other trips to help keep it fun without the faster rides. The Future World buildings at Epcot will be you r best bets, I think...air conditioned, mostly accessible, lots of shows, charcter meal at Garden Grille that goes around the Land diarama, The Coral Reef restaurant...

Stay off Spaceship Earth, that ride back down can really hurt sore backs and necks. Stay off the simulator rides, and anything that has a back/neck warning sign. If you use a wheelchair for transport, take a cushion for him to sit upon.

 

[LvsTnk]

I had a feeling there were alot of things he wouldn't be able to do. He loves the shows and the smaller rides, but I think he will have a problem with Dinosaur. We are going to the Breakfastasaurus and he loves that ride, so maybe we can trade unlimited time in the Bone-Yard (digging side) for the ride.I am so glad that you mentioned Spaceship Earth since I have not been on that ride in a long time I had forgotten it tilts backwards. I am so glad I posted this, because we all know what rides I can totally avoid or substitute another activity for will lessen the chance of a meltdown(ours are more like tears ALL Day).

If anybody has any more ideas I sure would appreciate it!! I am still keeping the idea of cancelling in the back of my mind.

 

[JudithM]

I won't go into details, but on both Star Tours & Body Wars you can ask to ride without the motion. We rode Star Tours last month with another family - mom, dad & two toddlers - & there was no motion. The CM referred to it as something about a test check or something like that. It was an interesting & different experience ! Just a thought ...

 

[SueM in MN]

I am interested in the non-motion Star Tours and Body Wars rides since severla people have mentioned it recently and I was not aware they did this. I'm thinking they run a whole car with the movie, but without having the motion on. Is this how they do it?
For the rides to avoid, here are the ones listed in the park maps with warnings for people with back and neck problems:
MK
Splash Mountain; Space Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain; Tomorrowland Speedway
Epcot
Test Track; Body Wars
Studio
Star Tours; Tower of Terror
Rock N Roller Coaster
AK
Kilimanjaro Safari; Kali River Rapids
Dinosaur

As you saw above, there are other ones that some of our posters recommend you avoid, but at least this list is a start.

 

[JudithM]

Sue, you are correct. We were the only guests on Star Tours one evening. I explained I had a GAC for my knee condition. Since we were the only guests currently I asked the CM if we might be able to ride twice in a row without my having to walk out & come back up again. The CM was very supportive. Well, she forgot we were there when they decided to use our "vehicle" for a "flight check." She asked if we would mind staying on the ride for the "flight check." She explained that a family wanted to ride without the motion. No problem! That way the whole family could "ride" & enjoy the the attraction. It was different since we're used to the motion, but we enjoyed it! We then got to ride it again with motion with one of the parents.

 

[Pegg]

So do i get this right? We can request to ride Body Wars and Star Tours without the motion? I also have a bad back and the motion would literally make me scream in pain. But I would love to see these rides. When is the best time to go request this? Morning or evening >

 

[JudithM]

Pegg, my thought/opinion is to ask to do Star Tours or Body Wars without the motion at a time when the park or that particular attraction is not very busy. We happened to go to Star Tours in the middle of the week between Star War weekend (Studios were very busy then). It was after 8 p.m. when many guests were already on the other side of the park waiting for Fantasmic.

 

[Pegg]

JudithM,
thanks for the great idea. never thought about the no motion ride. My daughter will love you. She is not crazy about thrill rides anyways and I know she wants to ride but no way would she do them by herself.
I will give them both ia try. We are planning on being in Future world at night so maybe right before closing the Body wars won't be too crowded and then while fantasmic is going on we will try Star tours. We are planning on the second fantasmic anyways. Should work out well.
Thanks
Pegg

 

[becca33]

Hello
Just wanted to say I have to ruptured disc in my back and I had no problems on any of the BIG rides. The only ride I would warn you to stay away from is at the Animal Kingdom and I am not sure what it was called but it is the one you travel in a jeep like vehicle back through time. This ride was very very I mean VERY jerky and I was in pain by the time I got off. Thank goodness it was on our last day. Well have a great time. HTH

 

[LvsTnk]

That was a great tip about the non-motion rides!! Thank-You ! I do think that Dinosaur is one of the jerkiest rides, I always wonder if DS is O.K. anyway when we have riden it in the past! The other ride he likes alot is Space Mountain so I am trying to come up with a trade off for that one, just can't take the chance sorry becca33. Our problem is he will not tell us when he is in ANY kind of pain he always says "I'm fine, just fine" then he gets a perforated eardrum or something like that! Starting to ramble so, Thanks for the replies I am learning alot!!

 

[SueM in MN]

becca, the jerky ride at AK that you are talking about is the Kilamonjaro Safari. It's basically a large, jeep like tram on unpaved roads and paved roads that are molded to have ruts in them. So, it is bumpy. Not recommended for anyone with back injuries.

 

[JudithM]

Sue, interesting interpretation - When Becca said "you travel in a jeep like vehicle back through time," I thought she meant the dinosaur ride. You thought she meant the safari. Either way both are bumpy, jerky, whatever for someone with back problems/pain/etc.

 

[SueM in MN]

You're right, Judith. I was talking to someone while I was reading and I think I combined 2 posts. I missed the "thru time" part.
Well, both of them are bumpy. The Dinosaur ride is MUCH more bumpy and jery. Plus it's dark, so you can't even really brace yourself.