Kilimanjaro Safari- neck problem- spinal cord compression

[jkcd513]

We are taking our son, who turns two on our trip in May, to Disney World. He loves animals and I really wanted to be able to go on Kilimanjaro Safari with him and my husband so I can get photos of his expressions/reactions to the animals. I have read this is a rough ride and I have some health issues. The whole reason we are going on this trip now is because I found out I have to have another surgery for Chiari, spinal cord compression at base of my skull, and several other issues - I had my first surgery where several pieces of c1-c-4 were removed and half of my ocipital bone was also removed, but this caused more problems and compression and I have been told this surgery is more risky than the first (and when I had the first oneI did not have a husband or son to think about so we decided to make sure I get the chance to be there on his first trip to Disney). I also have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Neurally Mediated Hypotension, Chiari, Ehlers Danlos, etc (since I was 10 years old- I am now 25). I have a lot of neck and back pain, but so desperately want to go on this, but am scared of the consequences of doing so. I think I can handle some bumps, but any sharp/sudden turns that would cause my head to jerk would not be good. Do all of the vehicles on Kilimanjaro Safari have to do the fast poacher chase or has anyone every asked if it would be possible to go normal speed while you ride?

Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Jennifer

 

[joanchris]

The ride is very bumpy, even if not going fast (they don't really go fast anyhow). Maybe your husband can take a video camera and record your son's reactions? When we went my 6 yr old had trouble finding some animals......I think your sons reactions to animals may be more intense at other exhibits.....the gorillas, bats, tigers and the part (we didn't get there) where you take the train to where they care for the animals.....and I heard from my parents that the bird show was AMAZING! I wouldn't chance the Safari, it was fun but not the best animal exhibit there. Also, why not visit Animal Kingdom Lodge and go to the observation areas.....there you'll see some of the same animals you'd see of the safari.
Good Luck, and have fun!

 

[Andrew Bichard]

As JoanChris says, the ride is very bumpy. you will be thrown forward, back & side to side. It is bumpy all the way through. The trucks are spaced out so there is always one truck just ahead of you, and another right behind. I doubt they would slow one truck for the fast bit, because it would also slow all the trucks behind and mess up their loading/unloading schedule. Unless you are very lucky, you will be looking at the animals from a distance, not close up. Although other have reported animals coming right up close to the trucks, I have never been so lucky.

The good news is that there are lots of other animals to see from one of the walking trails as JoanChris has told you. On the walking trails you also get to see meercats, various grazing animals, you walk through bat and bird cages, you see hippos underwater through glass. You get really close to tigers. You can watch monkeys playing near the raft ride.

At Rafkiki's Planet Watch (the part you get to by train) there is usually a keeper holding a snake or lizard that your son will be allowed to stroke. They also have a petting zoo there.

Andrew

 

[AJKMOM]

If I had neck and/or back problems, I would not ride the Safari. As said before, it only goes fast for a little while when you are "getting away" from the poachers. However, the terrain is rough throughout the trip, and can be bumpy even when going 5-10 mph.

 

[Earstou]

I rode the Safari (in 2003) a year after I had my decompression, and really didn't think it was that rough. But things are different for different people, so you'll need to make that decision yourself. I may need a second surgery, also, but it's due to the loss of curvature in my neck. I'm in physical therapy doing traction for it. The outcome of PT will decide if I need the surgery, which sounds very much like the surgery for instability that so many chiarians with EDS have. I personally would go on the Safari again if I was going soon.
With the EDS involved, are you having the surgery at The Chairi Institute?

 

[jkcd513]

Which trail can you see the hippos on? We might all skip the safari and do a trail, although my walking ability is not great and I had really hoped on avoiding the trails. Since I don't do well in heat, we are only planning 1/2 day- which will be Mother's Day (so I am sure it will be extra crowded) since everyone said this is the hottest park. Of course DH will be riding the "big" rides by himself while I watch our DS, but we plan on doing the Bird Show, the lion king show, the mickey/minnie greeting trail. I have heard that this park is one of the most spread out and that they trails are not really great for wheelchairs. Any suggestions on how I might survive this park? Where is the observation area in the animal kingdom lodge? What do I have to do to get in there?

I appreciate the input. I am probably having surgery at UVA, virginia. My first one was performed by Dr. Rosner in charoltte, NC and I regret having it because it made things worse instead of better.

-Thanks Again
Jennifer

 

[terri01p]

Do not ride this, it's very hard on a fragile body, we did this ride with my dd , which is in a wheelchair and we were all secretly praying for the ride to be over, it's not worth it. It was rough.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

Getting to Animal Kingdom Lodge is easy if you are driving. If staying at an on-site Disney hotel & using Disney buses you will need to go to a park or DTD then take a second bus.

To view Animals

a) go right through lobby and turn left at end of check in desks to find viewing area for Sunset Savanna or

b) past Sunset Savanna to 'outlooks' each side of main glazed facade or

c) go down one level then out through main glazed facade to viewing area or

d) turn right just after entering take elevator down one level walk through pool area. Animal viewing areas beyond pool.

Andrew

 

[Earstou]

I am probably having surgery at UVA, virginia. My first one was performed by Dr. Rosner in charoltte, NC and I regret having it because it made things worse instead of better.

Dr. Rosen is well known in Chiari circles for realizing that some people's fibromyalgia was caused by Chiari.
The reason I mentioned TCI earlier was because they discovered the EDS-Chiari link. They had patients that had good decompressions, but were still having problems after surgery. They found out that many of these patients had EDS (previously undiagnosed). They now schedule cervical fusion for many of these patients soon after decompression surgery.
They've been studying the EDS link, with a video of a lecture they presented at http://www.chiariinstitute.com/ (near bottom of page).

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

I thought the trails were wheelchair friendly. I use an electric wheelchair and have very little trunk strength so bumps while driving is bad. All the trails were fairly smooth. I find the cobblestones in the countries to be a much bigger problem.


Christamae