How to handle intense attractions

[traveler_t]

Our entire party (6yo, 8yo and adults) is somewhat sensitive for intense attractions but still wants to try a few. To that end I have some questions:

1. We were told that in big thunder (which I know is closed now) the strategy to minimize intensity is to sit in the front first row. Does this strategy also apply to seven dwarf, barnstormer and dinasours?

2. In Mission space green, if at some point we feel dizzy or something, can we just close our eyes to feel better (so we don’t look at the screen) or will the movement on its own cause the intensity?

3. Regarding Dinasours. How bad for your back is the movement? Any strategy to mitigate it by holding onto something?

Thanks a lot!

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

I personally would avoid Mission Space altogether. I made the mistake of doing Orange earlier this year and it took me almost a full day to recover. I know Green is supposed to be a little better, but I just don’t think it’s worth the risk.

Sorry I know that didn’t answer your other questions.

We were in the last row of 7DMR last week and I actually felt that it was a tad less intense than the middle or front but I’ll let others weigh in.

Thankfully don’t have back issues but if I did I would avoid Dinosaur. No getting around that it’s pretty jerky.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

There is no place to sit on Dinosaur to lessen the movement. It is a rough ride. If you have back problems - follow the warning signs for this one and do not ride.

 

[tofubeast]

Our entire party (6yo, 8yo and adults) is somewhat sensitive for intense attractions but still wants to try a few. To that end I have some questions:

1. We were told that in big thunder (which I know is closed now) the strategy to minimize intensity is to sit in the front first row. Does this strategy also apply to seven dwarf, barnstormer and dinasours?

2. In Mission space green, if at some point we feel dizzy or something, can we just close our eyes to feel better (so we don’t look at the screen) or will the movement on its own cause the intensity?

3. Regarding Dinasours. How bad for your back is the movement? Any strategy to mitigate it by holding onto something?

Thanks a lot!

1. We were told that in big thunder (which I know is closed now) the strategy to minimize intensity is to sit in the front first row. Does this strategy also apply to seven dwarf, barnstormer and dinasours?

Could help on 7 dwarves. It's not that intense, though in my opinion. Barnstormer is a little kiddie ride that is over practically once it begins. I wouldn't worry about that one. Dinosaur involves a lot of jerks and bumps. I don't think it matters where you sit.

2. In Mission space green, if at some point we feel dizzy or something, can we just close our eyes to feel better (so we don’t look at the screen) or will the movement on its own cause the intensity?

I'd skip this one all together. Not worth the risk. I really wish this attraction would get the bulldoze.

3. Regarding Dinasours. How bad for your back is the movement? Any strategy to mitigate it by holding onto something?

There's a handle bar in front of you. I don't have back problems so I can't speak to that. It jerks a lot and you will sway side to side.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

For a coaster like Big Thunder, the key for a smooth ride is to always avoid the “wheel seats”.

Each train has five cars and each car has 3 rows. The wheels are directly below the first and third row of each car so try to get a middle row. Rows 2, 5, 8, 11 and 14 are what you want to look for.

Row 14 is our go-to spot for Big Thunder.

 

[BrianL]

For roller-coasters, the rear seats often have what is described as more "air time" meaning that as the train accellerates down a hill, you feel it more as the train has reached max speed by the the time the back is coming down the hill, while the front may have leveled out. This can vary by the ride though.

Mission: SPACE Green Team does not spin. There are no simulated G-forces as there are with Orange Team. THe capsule will shake and swing a bit in time with the video. If you are sensitive to the video, closing your eyes will help (it will NOT help on Orange Team). Green Team is pretty mild overall, though the capsule can trigger claustrophobia for some.

Dinosaur is not a roller-coaster, but more of a self-driving vehcile that has the seating on gimbals to rock it around. If you sit in the center it may be slightly less intense becuase if you are over the axis of motion, you move less, though seats are 4 across, and I'm not really sure where the axis is. this would also hold true for Star Tours, where sitting in the back corner is "worse" than sitting toward the center (it's a larger platform so the difference is more noticeable). I have a herniated disc and ride Dinosaur all the time, though your mileage may vary and I am not recommending it - just stating my experience.

 

[lovethattink]

Our entire party (6yo, 8yo and adults) is somewhat sensitive for intense attractions but still wants to try a few. To that end I have some questions:

1. We were told that in big thunder (which I know is closed now) the strategy to minimize intensity is to sit in the front first row. Does this strategy also apply to seven dwarf, barnstormer and dinasours?

2. In Mission space green, if at some point we feel dizzy or something, can we just close our eyes to feel better (so we don’t look at the screen) or will the movement on its own cause the intensity?

3. Regarding Dinasours. How bad for your back is the movement? Any strategy to mitigate it by holding onto something?

Thanks a lot!

I think it depends on what each person’s sensitivity is.

For BTMR, the front row makes downhill slower, but uphill faster. What I mind on BRMR is the bumpiness. That coaster gives me a headache no matter where I sit.

7DMT is a much smoother ride. Never got a headache riding it. The same theory about front vs back would apply.

Dinosaur is a whole different ballgame. It’s not a coaster. No hills in that sense. Lots of jerking and sudden starts and stops no matter where you sit. I’m short and my feet don’t touch the ground. So my legs are all over the place on that ride. I do not like sitting on an end because at times it’s difficult to keep my outer leg inside the vehicle.

I don’t go on Mission Space.

Sea Bands have helped me with motion sickness.

Dinosaur is not easy on your back. There are signs to avoid riding if you have a bad back.

 

[Anthony1971]

What is the definition of intense for you?
The rides you list are rough -except seven dwarfs- but not really intense.
Dino sit in the middle and hold on seats the end seats one moves around more although that does not help with a family of 4 with same. The ride is jerky for lack of better words.
BTM is relatively smooth but has some tight turns and hills that throw you around a little bit.
Mission space is more about being confined to a small space some love it some hate it….
Here are some good rules… the further you are back on a coaster the more you get thrown around. A coaster with big loops and wide turns will be smooth and not throw you around no matter how tall or fast. Some hate coasters because of an experience with a small coaster or a wooden coaster but get on a coaster with wide loops or a hyper coaster with big drops and enjoy it….. personally I will never be upset if I miss BTM and go on RRC 3 times love the speed but hate smaller being tossed. With a side note if bring the wooden coasters I love speed with out of control feeling but not slamming into the side like BTM in the back cars especially. Try something big you may find sensitive to being tossed not “intense”. I give Disney a solid thumbs down with the exception of RRC and Guardians. Everest is good but the tight spin would be a lot more fun if the turns were wider.

 

[jormom1030]

I love thrill rides and I will never again go on Mission Space and I went on the mild one.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

What do you mean by you're sensitive to the intensity?
Exactly what happens to you?

1. Big Thunder is just kind of rough in my opinion. Yes sitting in front will whip you around a little less but again depends on in what way you are "sensitive".

2. Someone correct me if I'm wrong because I have not been on MS green but I think it just does not spin. You're still going to move with what is happening on the screen like on say Smuggler's Run or Star Tours like a traditional simulated ride. You can close your eyes but if the moving bothers you then it may not help.

3. I enjoy Dinosaur BUT it does hurt. I've gotten bruises from it. It really whips you. Its basically the same ride as Indiana Jones at DLR if you've ever been on that?

 

[kylenne]

The general rule of thumb with any coaster is the first row will be less intense than the back rows because of physics--you're not feeling the drag and getting flung around in the front. But Big Thunder will still fling you a bit even in the front.

Mission Space Green side does not spin. It's also incredibly lame ever since they changed the video to be a boring orbit around Earth rather than the same Mars mission on Orange side just without the spinning. But I really, really need to emphasize if you're even slightly prone to claustrophobia or fear you may be affected by it, avoid this ride at all costs. Personally I just don't do it, one time back when the missions were the same was enough because I had no idea I was claustrophobic until that ride. It's very deceptive at first because when you initially get in the ride vehicle, that's not how tight a squeeze the actual ride is. When the console panel came forward I literally almost started screaming to be let out, I was only stopped by the video starting when it did to give me something to focus on. If it hadn't started at that exact moment I would have had a panic attack. Never again.

Dinosaur is very herky jerky, it's just the nature of the ride vehicle and there's nothing you can do do avoid it.

 

[BrianL]

For BTMR, the front row makes downhill slower, but uphill faster. What I mind on BRMR is the bumpiness. That coaster gives me a headache no matter where I sit.

Big Thunder is getting a full track replacement, so that will probably make it smoother - at least for a while. They did it at Disneyland several years back, and it did help.

 

[_19disnA]

I agree with others who said it is person dependent. I get dizzy on rides where you sit motionless, but some video screen in front of me simulates motion, however I enjoy most roller coasters with no issues. Rides that spin can make some people dizzy and I doubt you will enjoy it any more by closing your eyes. I would read through older threads that talk about the experiences others have had and then make your own decision how to proceed. Try some of the 'milder' rides first would be one way to approach this.

 

[philharmagic fan]

The general rule of thumb with any coaster is the first row will be less intense than the back rows because of physics--you're not feeling the drag and getting flung around in the front. But Big Thunder will still fling you a bit even in the front.

Mission Space Green side does not spin. It's also incredibly lame ever since they changed the video to be a boring orbit around Earth rather than the same Mars mission on Orange side just without the spinning. But I really, really need to emphasize if you're even slightly prone to claustrophobia or fear you may be affected by it, avoid this ride at all costs. Personally I just don't do it, one time back when the missions were the same was enough because I had no idea I was claustrophobic until that ride. It's very deceptive at first because when you initially get in the ride vehicle, that's not how tight a squeeze the actual ride is. When the console panel came forward I literally almost started screaming to be let out, I was only stopped by the video starting when it did to give me something to focus on. If it hadn't started at that exact moment I would have had a panic attack. Never again.

Dinosaur is very herky jerky, it's just the nature of the ride vehicle and there's nothing you can do do avoid it.

Kylenne is absolutely right about claustrophobia on Mission Space. My kids were grade schoolers when I rode for my one and only time, and what saved me was recalling the relaxation/breathing techniques I remembered from childbirth classes. Motion sickness isn't a problem for me, and if they were able to move the screen out a few inches more I'd really enjoy the ride.

 

[kylenne]

Kylenne is absolutely right about claustrophobia on Mission Space. My kids were grade schoolers when I rode for my one and only time, and what saved me was recalling the relaxation/breathing techniques I remembered from childbirth classes. Motion sickness isn't a problem for me, and if they were able to move the screen out a few inches more I'd really enjoy the ride.

I agree, like I definitely could have handled it if the console stayed in that initial position it’s in when you first board the vehicle. I think what made the claustrophobia even worse was that I had no idea it was going to move closer—I was caught off guard by it, and that I think is what really triggered the panic.

 

[Dug720]

With Dinosaur, "intense" can have 2 meanings...

As others have said, it's pretty jerky movement-wise.

But it's also intense sensory-wise in that it's dark, things move around and at you, and that dang carnotaur... I am 53 and always look like a terrified child in my pictures on that ride.

 

[CaroM8]

It’s so different for everyone, and even every time.

For me, anything that spins is a no. So teacups are the worst for me, haha. I even felt a bit queasy on Astro Orbiter last time. I’m fine on all coasters though. Screens can get to me sometimes, if it’s too long. FOP was ok, but I have to close my eyes here and there.

I have a friend who can’t do anything that drops, makes them instantly sick. So TOT obviously is out. Tiana is a maybe. Even the backward drop on Frozen can be problematic.

 

[Giraffe_Zen]

Our entire party (6yo, 8yo and adults) is somewhat sensitive for intense attractions but still wants to try a few. To that end I have some questions:

1. We were told that in big thunder (which I know is closed now) the strategy to minimize intensity is to sit in the front first row. Does this strategy also apply to seven dwarf, barnstormer and dinasours?

2. In Mission space green, if at some point we feel dizzy or something, can we just close our eyes to feel better (so we don’t look at the screen) or will the movement on its own cause the intensity?

3. Regarding Dinasours. How bad for your back is the movement? Any strategy to mitigate it by holding onto something?

Thanks a lot!

With BTMRR being closed right now and them replacing the track, this answer might change when it reopens, but as it's one of my fave rides let me try to help a bit. Sitting in the front before it closed would make it feel a bit slower, but you were still bumped around everywhere on the ride no matter where you sat.

As far as Dwarfs, I'd say no--it's felt similar to me no matter where I sat and seemed more intense to me than BTMRR.

Barnstormer isn't very intense as it's a kids ride.

I'd skip out on Dinosaur and Mission Space (both sides). Also, GotG make a lot of people nauseated and dizzy and it took my sister awhile to recover on our last trip.