I love Universal-but they are at war with my stomach!

[Scott2tune]

Am I getting too old…and uh…a bit queasy for this…sadly I’m constantly getting nauseas queasy on many of the Universal/IOA rides.

I’ve been to Universal Orlando several times and been able to enjoy and navigate through the attractions but it seems that so many of the rides have the intention and are trying to make me sick! The kicker was going on Transformers today. How sad is it that I am on this attraction- very impressed by the images and adventure- but also wishing it were over because of the queasiness it is bringing on. The constant motion of whipping you around exists on so many of the new attractions. Also now while I love 3D movies (perhaps more than most)- I thought the new Gringott’s while an exciting attraction- did a poor job of rendering the 3D visuals. Makes me pine for the old school two dimension static dark rides of Disney. Going on E.T. was a real pleasure. In fact- if the upcoming King Kong or future attractions that Universal brings out continue to whip you around into a stomach turning frenzy with video screens that are a challenge for me to navigate in 3D- then I am less inclined to come back. That all said my adult kids (23,26) are joining me here in two days and I suggested that amongst the things they bring are diapers because when they see Diagon Alley…they’ll need them! Absolutely brilliant- the best theming I’ve ever seen (and I live near Disneyland).

 

[johde]

I can sympathize with you sentiment. I'm going to Universal in January and I'm planning on living on Dramamine for those few days. When I was younger, it felt like I could ride anything. On the bright side, early rumors have Kong being a ride with no height requirement and as such no "extreme movements". The big question is whether there will be a "real" Kong or will all of them be projections. Given the height of the building they are building they can do significantly more than the 3D movie they do in Hollywood. By all indications the building is going to be as tall is Jurassic Park River Adventure.

 

[Minerva Mouse]

Ditto. I use to be able to ride rides all day, back to back, upside down, inside out, over and under, etc. etc. etc. But that was 10 years ago. Now I'm approaching 40 and I find that each year, it takes a little bit longer for me to recover. Gone are the days where I could just hop on the next one, now I have to have some down time in between.

And I've noticed, that I seem to be the opposite of most folks who say don't eat before the nauseating ride, I'm not talking a basket full of grease or sugar, but I've found that I temper the rides better when I've had some real food. If I'm hungry before I ride, I'll be very ill after, but seem to do ok with a belly full.

 

[agavegirl1]

Although I have not noticed a huge difference, as I get older, I can no longer ride some roller coaster back to back. This has never been a problem.

 

[Bluer101]

Although I have not noticed a huge difference, as I get older, I can no longer ride some roller coaster back to back. This has never been a problem.

This is me but due to my back giving me issues. I will push it until my back starts up.

 

[nkereina]

Universal's M.O. is definitely the watch a screen, 3D, jerky, move you around type rides. The movement coupled with watching the screen can do some people in. I definitely felt more roughed up after a few of these rides than any ride we did at Disney, where their M.O. seems to be putting you in a vehicle of some sort and bringing you through multiple rooms. Very different vibes, both fun!

 

[damo]

Universal's M.O. is definitely the watch a screen, 3D, jerky, move you around type rides. The movement coupled with watching the screen can do some people in. I definitely felt more roughed up after a few of these rides than any ride we did at Disney, where their M.O. seems to be putting you in a vehicle of some sort and bringing you through multiple rooms. Very different vibes, both fun!

I've heard that the new Avatar main ride is going to be much more Universal like with 3D screens and moving vehicles. It's going to be interesting how stomachs react to that.

 

[TXTransplant]

Same here...Gringotts didn't bother me at all, but I had to keep my eyes closed on Spiderman, Transformers, Men in Black, and Mummy. Even the Shrek and Despicable Me attractions bothered me.

The worst (unfortunately) was Forbidden Journey. As much as I loved the ride, I felt awful for most of the day after I rode. It didn't help that I also rode FJ right after Dragon Challenge...

I tried to be a good sport for my son's sake, but there was only so much my stomach and head could tolerate.

 

[pigletto]

My poor dh, who was a lover of all rides in his youth, gets a little worse every year. He's only 34 but can't ride half the things he could a decade ago. Basically for him it's anything that goes backwards and motion simulators. His brain will not accept simulated movement... he has to be able to see where he is going. So he's fine on a regular roller coaster but nothing with backward movement. He even started to feel queasy when we sat on the seats that faced backward on the Disney buses.

Dramamine works for now, but some days are better than others. Believe it or not, the ONLY thing that got him off the bathroom floor on a cruise we took was acupuncture. We figured the cruise was ruined for him and the ship crew told him to go to the spa and get acupuncture and it worked like a charm. He went from vomiting to perfectly fine in hours.

 

[ArwenMarie]

My poor dh, who was a lover of all rides in his youth, gets a little worse every year. He's only 34 but can't ride half the things he could a decade ago. Basically for him it's anything that goes backwards and motion simulators. His brain will not accept simulated movement... he has to be able to see where he is going. So he's fine on a regular roller coaster but nothing with backward movement. He even started to feel queasy when we sat on the seats that faced backward on the Disney buses.

Dramamine works for now, but some days are better than others. Believe it or not, the ONLY thing that got him off the bathroom floor on a cruise we took was acupuncture. We figured the cruise was ruined for him and the ship crew told him to go to the spa and get acupuncture and it worked like a charm. He went from vomiting to perfectly fine in hours.

Seasickness is the worst! I could never take a cruise, I would die. I can even get little bit sick on the ferry to Magic Kingdom (the Universal boats are fine, I think the water is so still there). And one of the worst motion sickness I ever got on a ride was on...Jungle Cruise.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Am I getting too old…and uh…a bit queasy for this…sadly I’m constantly getting nauseas queasy on many of the Universal/IOA rides.

I’ve been to Universal Orlando several times and been able to enjoy and navigate through the attractions but it seems that so many of the rides have the intention and are trying to make me sick! The kicker was going on Transformers today. How sad is it that I am on this attraction- very impressed by the images and adventure- but also wishing it were over because of the queasiness it is bringing on. The constant motion of whipping you around exists on so many of the new attractions. Also now while I love 3D movies (perhaps more than most)- I thought the new Gringott’s while an exciting attraction- did a poor job of rendering the 3D visuals. Makes me pine for the old school two dimension static dark rides of Disney. Going on E.T. was a real pleasure. In fact- if the upcoming King Kong or future attractions that Universal brings out continue to whip you around into a stomach turning frenzy with video screens that are a challenge for me to navigate in 3D- then I am less inclined to come back. That all said my adult kids (23,26) are joining me here in two days and I suggested that amongst the things they bring are diapers because when they see Diagon Alley…they’ll need them! Absolutely brilliant- the best theming I’ve ever seen (and I live near Disneyland).

There's something about Transformers that is really rough. I think it's the combination of the ride itself and the sound of metal on metal. Spiderman is fine for me, but I do end up closing my eyes on Transformers.

 

[Blue32]

Hopefully I don't take this thread in an unitended direction... but this seems to be a common thing for a lot of folks visiting theme park and especially the high tech thrill rides that at Universal. Can you all off up your best tips for dealing with motion sickness and still being able to enjoy these rides? ie with medication, food, pressure bands, ect...

 

[johde]

Hopefully I don't take this thread in an unitended direction... but this seems to be a common thing for a lot of folks visiting theme park and especially the high tech thrill rides that at Universal. Can you all off up your best tips for dealing with motion sickness and still being able to enjoy these rides? ie with medication, food, pressure bands, ect...

No problem. If you do some searching, I'm sure you'll find more information. For me, I've found regular Dramamine(Dimenhydrinate) works the best. I normally buy the Walmart Equate brand 100 for $4. Other people swear by the less drowsy variety (Meclizine) but it doesn't seem to work as well for me. I'm considering buying some Ginger candy to add to the mix this year as well. It seems like everyone is a little different on what works the best of them.

 

[MinnieGi]

We just came back from our first Universal trip ever and although we LOVED all the Harry Potter stuff because of so many simulated rides we will not be going back to UA/IOA anytime soon.

DH and I both had problems with the simulators. Now we can do coasters but not the simulators without feeling queasy afterwards. We startred taking turns to go on simulation rides with the kids and gave ourselves a break in between with other type rides.

And although Hogwarts castle was so cool inside and FJ for me was going well until about 3/4 of the way through and then I just wished the darn thing would end. Ugh!! Had to grab onto my DD to steady myself after getting off! LOL!

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

The only ride (that I go on) that don't like doing again is the Hulk. Love riding it once for the rush to start my day but that's it. I might go on other rides and then go back but not consecutively.

 

[momto2js]

And although Hogwarts castle was so cool inside and FJ for me was going well until about 3/4 of the way through and then I just wished the darn thing would end. Ugh!! Had to grab onto my DD to steady myself after getting off! LOL!

We were there this weekend and I was feeling the same way... And then the ride stopped with my car under the whomping willow and us almost upside down. It took everything in my not to toss my lunch. It was the LONGEST 4 minutes of my life!! I will NEVER do that again. I rode RRR three times back to back, but by the end of the second day, I was waiting for my kids at the exit of all the simulator rides (which is most of them).

 

[MinnieGi]

We were there this weekend and I was feeling the same way... And then the ride stopped with my car under the whomping willow and us almost upside down. It took everything in my not to toss my lunch. It was the LONGEST 4 minutes of my life!! I will NEVER do that again. I rode RRR three times back to back, but by the end of the second day, I was waiting for my kids at the exit of all the simulator rides (which is most of them).

Oh NOOOOOOO!!!! Ugh! That would have been a nightmarish 4 minutes for me too!!!! I feel for ya, glad you kept it all in!!! LOL!! I'm glad I did it once but I won't be back on that one either!!!!

 

[marauder]

We were there this weekend and I was feeling the same way... And then the ride stopped with my car under the whomping willow and us almost upside down. It took everything in my not to toss my lunch. It was the LONGEST 4 minutes of my life!! I will NEVER do that again. I rode RRR three times back to back, but by the end of the second day, I was waiting for my kids at the exit of all the simulator rides (which is most of them).

Not sure which I would hate more, your experience, or my experience when the main Universal Studios park first opened, I was there opening week. I was stuck on ET for a half hour in that section where ET makes it back to his home world. I remember cheering when they finally turned the sound track off. On a future trip I was stuck on FJ right in front of the spiders with my then 8 year old daughter for about 10 minutes.

 

[Sparkly]

I had to sit out MIB after riding Simpsons! And ohh, the old Back To The Future ride...rode that one after lunch and we REGRETTED IT. And Forbidden Journey, the ride where I'm very surprised they put steps to exit the attraction- wonder how many people have fallen down due to dizziness????

I even didn't like Despicable Me much because it felt like it constantly threw me against the back of the seat. I'm hoping they've smoothed up the movement somewhat or I'm riding in the non-movement zone. Either that, or dose myself up with motion sickness pills!!

We were there this weekend and I was feeling the same way... And then the ride stopped with my car under the whomping willow and us almost upside down. It took everything in my not to toss my lunch. It was the LONGEST 4 minutes of my life!! I will NEVER do that again. I rode RRR three times back to back, but by the end of the second day, I was waiting for my kids at the exit of all the simulator rides (which is most of them).

You go upside down in Forbidden Journey??????? No wonder I get off feeling so sick.

 

[cgattis]

There's something about Transformers that is really rough. I think it's the combination of the ride itself and the sound of metal on metal. Spiderman is fine for me, but I do end up closing my eyes on Transformers.

As odd as that sounds, I actually thought the exact same thing.

I have to take Dramamine to do Universal (I do the less drowsy)--the simulators wreck me. Although Star Tours does not...?