I suffer from motion sickness. Can I ride...?

[Marbel]

I got motion sick on Star Tours, but was fine for Test Track (love!) and Big Thunder. Too chicken for EE.

 

[Emily Gilmore]

I have terrible motion sickness, can't do spinning, IMAX, riding in a car backwards, airplanes etc. I got sick on Star Tours last summer, but I've never had issue with any of the others you mentioned. You are very right in avoiding Mission: Space. I got so sick on it the first (and only) time I tried it, I spent the entire Illuminations show with my head in a garbage can.

 

[Aurora0427]

We're going to WDW in less than 3 weeks - yay! My 16-year-old cousin picked our Fast Passes, and I'm a little nervous. I get motion sick, and while I'll be bringing Dramamine with me, I'm wondering if anyone else with this problem can shed some light on how these rides might affect me?

- Star Tours
- Expedition Everest
- Big Thunder Mountain
- Test Track

I'm definitely staying away from anything with loops or that goes around and around... and Mission: Space. I'm not too worried about BTM because I've heard it's not exactly an extreme coaster. I think I'll be OK with Test Track as well. I'm most concerned about Star Tours since it's a motion simulator.

All of those make me sick, but the degree of sickness varies. Star Tours makes me the most ill- to the point where I'm out of commission for awhile. I really disliked BTMRR last time I rode it- it's so jerky, but the nausea passed once I got off the ride. I usually have to get a Sprite and sit someplace cool after EE, but I'm ok after a few minutes. TT affects me the least. Surprisingly I can ride the green Mission Space without issue. Everyone is different!

 

[midnightlouise]

I get hideously motion sick, and I suffer from vertigo but I stupidly go on almost all the rides anyway because I am glutton for punishment and I always think it's going to be different. (It never is.) Like some of the PP I can't do 360 movies, IMAX or any of that without being ill. No winding, hilly roads, no reading in the car, no looking backward while the car is in motion, I can't even ride in the backseat. It's pathetic lol. Everest I avoid, because of course I cannot ride backwards for any length of time, but I love Star Wars so much that I brave Star Tours every time. And I'm sick as a dog, every time. Big Thunder and Test Track aren't too bad. I get sick on Soarin' also. I always focus on one spot on the screen and never take my eyes off of it. And I swear by that Motion Eze stuff you put behind your ear. It really does help. Can't take any OTC or prescription meds for it because they always make me sleepy, even the supposedly non-drowsy ones. So I would say no to Star Tours, no to Everest, (unless you're like me and can't resist, but I advocate doing it prior to leaving so you aren't feeling craptastic the rest of the day) but yes to BTMR and Test Track.

 

[Hunterr]

I got motion sick on Star Tours, but was fine for Test Track (love!) and Big Thunder. Too chicken for EE.

I reckon it was the screens, or 3d screens.
Do you think if you looked down/closed your eyes that you would have been better?

 

[GaryDis]

Is there anything that works after you get motion sickness? Last year I got horrible sick from Space Mountain, I felt like I had a concussion. It was our first night there and it took about 3 days before I didn't feel like I was "floating" when I would walk. Nothing else bothered me, but for some reason SM killed me.

I have this vague recollection from Space Mountain that the issue can be banging your head against the head rest, and that when they first put in the audio system in each car, it became a problem for some people. Someone can correct me if my recollection is wrong (no doubt due to damage from too many rides on Space Mountain ).

 

[Marbel]

I reckon it was the screens, or 3d screens.
Do you think if you looked down/closed your eyes that you would have been better?

Yes. If I look around the room and reorient myself, I feel better. Takes me out of the simulation though ... but at least I don't puke. lol.

 

[Hunterr]

My older brother had no problems with the old star tours, but the new 3d one did a number on him.
I should point out he's a helicopter pilot in the military
He may have just had an off day, but I know people sometimes just can't deal with the 3D rides, but are fine with the 2D screens.

 

[kimieko]

I have this vague recollection from Space Mountain that the issue can be banging your head against the head rest, and that when they first put in the audio system in each car, it became a problem for some people. Someone can correct me if my recollection is wrong (no doubt due to damage from too many rides on Space Mountain ).

I don't think I bumped my head, but I definitely had an issue with the sound and my equilibrium not knowing which way the ride was going to go because of the darkness and I think my brain bounced around a little too much in my skull!

 

[FTM22]

I reckon it was the screens, or 3d screens.
Do you think if you looked down/closed your eyes that you would have been better?

I can ride Star Tours even though I get carsick and seasick (never airsick interestingly enough). If it ever got me queasy, I closed my eyes and then all I had was a shaky seat.

Soarin was awesome and I never have issues on it. The Mine Train was awesome and VERY smooth - loved it!

I've never been on any of the other stuff so can't help you there.

 

[jakeybake]

I do too, and every time we go to Disney, I use TransDermal Scop patches. They go just behind your ear. Wear them for 3 days, then replace it. It is an antihistamine so it will dry you out, but it's worth it to me so I can ride Everest and the like. I get them by prescription from my doctor.

I do the same thing and they work great. I do get a small twinge every now and then on the more severe rides like Everest and Tower of Terror but the patches work great!

Jay

 

[BlackMagicWoman]

I agree with the consensus. Star tours is the riskiest on your list. I can ride both star tours and soarin as long as I focus on the screen.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

If you request a seat in a back corner on Star Tours, the motion sickness potential is greatly reduced. The screen does not fill your entire field of vision, so your brain doesn't struggle as much. You still get to enjoy the ride without the same degree of discomfort.

 

[amandals2007]

We're going to WDW in less than 3 weeks - yay! My 16-year-old cousin picked our Fast Passes, and I'm a little nervous. I get motion sick, and while I'll be bringing Dramamine with me, I'm wondering if anyone else with this problem can shed some light on how these rides might affect me?

- Star Tours
- Expedition Everest
- Big Thunder Mountain
- Test Track

I'm definitely staying away from anything with loops or that goes around and around... and Mission: Space. I'm not too worried about BTM because I've heard it's not exactly an extreme coaster. I think I'll be OK with Test Track as well. I'm most concerned about Star Tours since it's a motion simulator.

i can do BTM no problem and test track as well. Everest makes me feel kinda funny but after 5 minutes im okay and EE is WORTH IT!! i did star tours to say i did it, it did mess me up but im glad i did it. try taking dramamine or sea bands before riding, that helped ma A TON so i could at least experience it. i highly reccommend you at least try them all. mission space has a side you can try that doesnt spin. my dad is more motion sickness prone than i am and he can do mission space once and is fine.

 

[kwdw]

Star Tours makes me sick - every time. I, too, LOVE Star Wars and I am very sad I can't go on this. Tried it three times now - no luck. Ruined my day each time.

Test Track and Big Thunder Mountain aren't bad. I do find I need to keep my eyes open on Big Thunder.

Everest - I've only done it once. I think KNOWING in advance that you are going to go backwards (it stops - then goes backwards) - helps because your brain and the sensation agree. It's not a long coaster. I think if it had been a longer ride - I might have gotten sick - but I was okay with this. I might try this one again, but again, making sure I was well-hydrated in advance and towards the end of the day. I think this one is worth the risk if you like coasters at all.

Mission Space is totally out for me. Lucky I didn't puke on that one. Once was enough. Ruined my entire day. I wanted to try it to say I did. In retrospect - it was NOT worth it. I lost an entire what could have been a romantic evening with my significant other based on this one. Instead - it was a horrible evening of me trying to pretend to be okay because it was his first day at Disney in 30+ years.

Soarin - I've done this one twice and it's a rough one for those with motion sickness. I find that if I close my eyes for stretches of time - it reminds my brain that I'm actually moving only a little bit - and I can get through this. I try to save this for late in the day - because my head does feel funny afterwards. I've yet to see the whole film I keep my eyes closed some much - but after about 4 rides now - I think I've seen most of it!

360 movies - like in Canada and China - these make me nauseous, too. If I go to these - its basically to sleep standing up in some air-conditioning for a few minutes - I can't watch the screen.

Tea Cups. Spinning? Right. Sure, I like puking..... LOL.

In general - do make sure you stay well-hydrated. If I'm a tad bit dehydrated - motion sickness comes on alot easier. I also try to leave "riskier" choices until late afternoon before dinner or after dinner.

 

[kathy884]

I used to do all of these when I was younger. Now I just do test track and big thunder out of those four -- no problems at all with those. Star Tours and Expedition Everest are ones I skip. They make me a little queasy. I just wait for my party at the exit sign. I still do Space Mountain, but only once vs. multiple rides.

Now -- I have no problem with Soarin (love it)

At Universal, both of the Harry Potter coasters weren't great for me -- Forbidden Journey was way worse than Gringotts. I'll skip both, though, if I go back. You can do the queue with your party to see the stuff and then skip out.

At SeaWorld I can't do that Wild Artic simulator ride either.

 

[Aurora0427]

Star Tours makes me sick - every time. I, too, LOVE Star Wars and I am very sad I can't go on this. Tried it three times now - no luck. Ruined my day each time.

Test Track and Big Thunder Mountain aren't bad. I do find I need to keep my eyes open on Big Thunder.

Everest - I've only done it once. I think KNOWING in advance that you are going to go backwards (it stops - then goes backwards) - helps because your brain and the sensation agree. It's not a long coaster. I think if it had been a longer ride - I might have gotten sick - but I was okay with this. I might try this one again, but again, making sure I was well-hydrated in advance and towards the end of the day. I think this one is worth the risk if you like coasters at all.

Mission Space is totally out for me. Lucky I didn't puke on that one. Once was enough. Ruined my entire day. I wanted to try it to say I did. In retrospect - it was NOT worth it. I lost an entire what could have been a romantic evening with my significant other based on this one. Instead - it was a horrible evening of me trying to pretend to be okay because it was his first day at Disney in 30+ years.

Soarin - I've done this one twice and it's a rough one for those with motion sickness. I find that if I close my eyes for stretches of time - it reminds my brain that I'm actually moving only a little bit - and I can get through this. I try to save this for late in the day - because my head does feel funny afterwards. I've yet to see the whole film I keep my eyes closed some much - but after about 4 rides now - I think I've seen most of it!

360 movies - like in Canada and China - these make me nauseous, too. If I go to these - its basically to sleep standing up in some air-conditioning for a few minutes - I can't watch the screen.

Tea Cups. Spinning? Right. Sure, I like puking..... LOL.

In general - do make sure you stay well-hydrated. If I'm a tad bit dehydrated - motion sickness comes on alot easier. I also try to leave "riskier" choices until late afternoon before dinner or after dinner.

See I get major motion sickness and Soarin doesn't bother me!

 

[FTM22]

I forgot Teacups on my previous post. The Teacups are a big fat NEVER!!!! I have done that ONCE I think and I was majorly ill. I watch my family do it and that is more that fine for me!!!! They love to spin like a top and I love recording them having an awesome time doing it. That's the win-win magic for me!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I never really understood motion sickness because I never experienced it. I wondered how bad it could really be. I mean, the worst that I ever felt in any situation in which others vomited was a little queasy. Then my SiL was diagnosed with Meniere's disease. It was so debilitating that she could not even stand erect at times without vomiting.

I understand how scary just the thought of getting motion sick can be for some. Hopefully the information in this thread helps.

 

[OKW Lover]

- Star Tours - avoid
- Expedition Everest - avoid
- Big Thunder Mountain - try it
- Test Track - should be fine