Just how bumpy is Kilimanjaro Safaris?

[dreaminofdisney]

I want to find out if we should go on this ride or not.

I will be fine on it.

My 2 1/2 year old daughter has NO PROBLEM with ANY ride. (She is the "gung ho" type).

My Father is who I am worried about. He has had neck and back surgery (long, long time ago). But I wouldnt want him to be jolted around so bad it bugs him for the rest of the day.

What do you think?

Should we ride or should we skip it?

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

I think it is a really hard answer to give - for the most part the ride is fairly smooth but there is one part where you go over a "rickety bridge" which is completely safe but can be somewhat bumpy followed by a quick acceleration to make sure you cross safely. I wouldn't say it is particularly bumpy but there is some jostling. I think it would depend on how sensitive your father is. If he is not real sensitive I would say he'd be fine - maybe you could ride it at the end of the day to be on the safe side.

 

[4greatboys]

It just a little bumpy no big deal--atleast I didnt think it was that bumpy. They normally go fairly slow except speeding up at a couple of places.

 

[Blueberry]

You know your Father and how his back and neck are best of course, but in my opinion it is not jarring, just bumpy at times. It is just more of a rock back and forth thing, not like bumper car rides or enough so that it throws people down or anything. There are not even any safety bars or seat belts on the seats, so it is not rough enough to warrant them, more like bumpy road driving in a truck, which is exactly what it its. I say go on it and enjoy it, the animals are wonderful to see...

 

[campingcorgi]

My mother has arthritis of the spine and is 72. She rode the safari ride and loved it. She says it didn't bother her at all. I have noticed that the front is much less bumpy than the back--I'd mention to a CM that you need a front seat for that reason and I would think your father would be fine.

 

[jdads2]

Ride it first then you can make up your mind.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

I think it's not that bumpy, but I would not want naything to ruin your vacation...is it worth it? I agree, maybe you should ride it first to give your dad an idea of what to expect. Also, I've heard the front is less bumpy.

Good luck!
Dana

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yes, if you sit near the front it's less bumpy. However, as one who rode it twice in a row last year, I found that a big factor can be what driver you get. On the second trip, I got bounced and jostled so much, I felt I'd better hold on tight. A few months ago, though, I rode it with DH and it was fine. However, that one ride I took last year left quite a memorable impression.

 

[Obsessed w/Disney in OH]

My husband had 2(now 3) back surgeries before our trip to WDW. Both times we rode the Safari and asked the CM to wait until the front seat was available. He did this ride no problem. I did notice that the people over the rear wheel base get tossed about quite a bit. Good luck and have fun!

 

[cohoe]

My daughter had back surgery in Jan. She didn't have a problem with the safari (I do think we had seats near the front). The ride that we shouldn't have gone on was Dinosaur! I didn't remember it being as rough as it was.

 

[Earstou]

I had the back of my first vertebra and a small piece of my skull removed last year, and had no problem with the ride this May. Didn't bother me in the least.
Dinosaur, however, was a different matter, I'll never ride that again!!!

 

[dreaminofdisney]

Thanks for all the great replies!!

We only plan to to the "toddler" type rides. This trip is for my father to watch in the delight of his only grandchild. I dont think he will have a problem with this ride after reading everyone's comments. I will play it a little safer and ask for a seat up front. I guess I was after if it was jolting on the neck. Bumpy, like a good 4 wheel drive truck ride is not a problem.

Thank You!!