Neck Injury advisory- advice

[Iowajes]

About 14 years ago I fractured C5 and have a minor spinal cord injury from the accident. However, I had a best case scenario recovery, and unless it is a really cold day when my wrists start hurting and my fingers get weak, you would never know I had the issues. In my day to day life, I do not have any restrictions or any limited mobility.

At the time of the accident, I was told to avoid “whiplash activities”. It seems that due to liability, nearly every ride not for small children has a ‘neck and back injury’ advisory. I guess, in my mind, I don’t have a neck injury, but obviously I should avoid –extreme- activities.

I went to Disney a year after the accident, and avoided all rollercoasters. It was just one day in Magic Kingdom, so I think we just found other things to do. At Universal Studios, I did ride the Back to the Future ride with no issue, if that gives a good comparison for the question (though the ride is closed now so maybe no one remembers it) and regularly do the round raft rides at Sea World that I assume are the same as Kali River rapids (both of these rides have “neck injury” advisories).

I was wondering if people could give me an idea of how “tough” Disney rides are in terms of “whiplash activities”. I mean, there is no chance I’d go on SM, EE, RR, or ToT; but what about BTMR? Does that jolt you a ton? I remember really enjoying it as a kid, and I was a weeny, so I feel like it shouldn’t be too bad- but I was wondering if someone could give me an idea of “how bad”. The height requirement is quite low, so that also makes me think it wouldn’t be too much. What about Dinosaur?

I think Body Wars and Star Tours would be okay, but I know Star Tours has recently been redesigned- is it really rough now?
I know that Mission Space has an easier side- is it still quite intense? I don’t know much about Soarin’, so I’d love an opinion on that too.


I’d appreciate any advice (any other rides other than SM,EE, RR, or ToT I should definetly avoid; or which rides would likely be okay). At less crowded parks we usually send someone in the group through first to tell me how it was and then go and wait in line again, but that isn’t really viable for Disney.

 

[Gracie09]

Dh found big mountain worse that rockin roller. He has a bad back. It can kind of jostle and throw you around a bit. Rnr was actually very smooth.

 

[HopperFan]

DS is post C1-C2 fusion 16 years ago when we were at a life or death status. WDW is his home away from home and it was tough to not do some of the rides initially. While location was not optimal at the end, he is considered a best case result.

BTMR is rough and I would avoid that one. It's just as bad as SM, but not as tight a footprint, easier turns.
Dinosaur does lots of up, down which are not too bad but it will throw you left and right pretty hard.
Star Tours is virtually the same, just new show and Body Tours is gone.
RNR is actually quite smooth if you request a seat close to the front.
TOT is smooth, it will be mostly elongated extension so if that bothers you.
Soarin is fine, you are pretty much just sitting with some slight tilting for effect.
Mission, I have only done intense (and hated it) not sure if the other even moves.

I would totally avoid Primeval Whirl in AK Dinoland. Some of the worse whiplash in Disney. Test Track can also be quite jerky and has sudden stops.

 

[Iowajes]

Thanks, that is really helpful. Bummed to hear BTMR is a no-go. Might need to send husband on RnR and then see how lines are to see if we can go through a second time.

Interesting to hear ToT isn't that bad. I don't really know how to gauge if it would be a problem for me or not (I have 3 level fusion, so the idea of 'elongated extension' resulting from multiple drops may be a problem), so I'd probably stay off it. It's easier to decide if shaking/jolting side to side is too much or not.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

The roughness of RnR can vary by the height of the rider. My husband and taller friends don't find it rough. I'm short and it really hurt my neck.

 

[Iowajes]

The roughness of RnR can vary by the height of the rider. My husband and taller friends don't find it rough. I'm short and it really hurt my neck.

I'm Tinkerbell height (too short to be a Princess), so that is good to know.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I'm fused from C2 up through my skull due to neck instability. (Just so you know where I'm coming from.) I haven't actually been to WDW since my fusion, but my last trip was after I knew I had the instability

I'm 5'4" and RnR was comfortable and one of the best rollercoasters I've been on for head/neck support. I didn't ride it on that last trip to WDW, but I would have if it had been running. I won't go near coasters that don't have some head/neck support (Space Mountain, BTMR, etc.). I actually did go on Expedition Everest the last trip I was there and was okay because the seat back is high.

Soarin' you should be okay with. There's a gentle tilt forward, but it's smooth and things don't move quickly or jerk at all.

I've never been on Dinosaur because I've always been told that it was very rough and my only AK experience was after I knew I had instability. The Safari is bumpy because of how they landscaped the attraction. I don't know Universal attractions so I have no idea how it would

Body Wars no longer exists. IMO Star Tours should be okay. I found the "easy" side of Mission Space to be pretty tame. For me it was easier than Test Track (which definitely has some "whiplash activities"). (I actually didn't have any problems with the harder side either, probably because there is head/neck support.)

The nice thing about WDW is there are really plenty of things to do even if you can't do any rides or can't do rides with warnings. Sending someone through who really knows your limits is a good idea. We can only guess over the internet.

 

[Iowajes]

The nice thing about WDW is there are really plenty of things to do even if you can't do any rides or can't do rides with warnings. Sending someone through who really knows your limits is a good idea. We can only guess over the internet.

Yeah- that is the nice thing about Disney, it is still fun without the thrill rides. But as the nephews/nieces get older, I miss out on some of what they want to do.

Sending someone through is still a bit of a guess. Won't really know something is too much until a problem occurs- it's really a guessing game. If it seems slightly not okay, I tend to not do it: but I also think that "neck/back" advisories are more common than I need them to be. Obviously with lawyers and liability they need to be really conservative.

 

[curemyreed]

Two things to add:

The Safari ride at Animal Kingdom, surprisingly, can be very jarring. I think this could catch someone off guard who is thinking it involves just riding in a super long Jeep looking at animals. Once when bouncing over the rough road I instinctively reached for the seatback in front of me. I miscalculated the harsh bounce and jammed my finger into the seat instead & dislocated it. I was utterly shocked when I looked at my hand and saw the angle of my finger and without thinking grabbed it and it popped back into place. It was completely bizarre and I had been on that Safari a bunch with never an issue. I think that was a one in a million freak occurrence, but serves to illustrate that this can be a bumpy ride.

If I had a previous neck injury, I would not ride Dinosaur at AK for the same reason....ride has harsh, jarring movements.

 

[mfd25wife]

I broke C1 & C2 in 2009 in an accident while we were traveling to WDW. Obviously, I couldn't do anything when we finally made it down there outside of Nemo, IASW, shows, etc. However, now I can ride most. I currently have instability in C1/C2 and a slight instability between C3/C4. We are working with the NS to decide whether surgery is necessary. We are waiting on the lab work to see if it is at all related to rheumatology issues or not. I'm not really a medical person, but there is a Pannus, which I think I understand means it could be caused by two different issues (trauma or RA). I cannot do Space Mountain, Primeval Whirl, and RNR does give me a headache (I'm 5'4") but does not hurt my neck. I can ride Mission Space orange, but I am very careful to not move my head or neck at all. I can ride BTMR, but I sit close to the front, not back. It is the same with EE. Soarin is no problem. I did actually ride it two weeks after the wreck.

 

[SueM in MN]

DS is post C1-C2 fusion 16 years ago when we were at a life or death status. WDW is his home away from home and it was tough to not do some of the rides initially. While location was not optimal at the end, he is considered a best case result.

BTMR is rough and I would avoid that one. It's just as bad as SM, but not as tight a footprint, easier turns.
Dinosaur does lots of up, down which are not too bad but it will throw you left and right pretty hard.
Star Tours is virtually the same, just new show and Body Tours is gone.
RNR is actually quite smooth if you request a seat close to the front.
TOT is smooth, it will be mostly elongated extension so if that bothers you.
Soarin is fine, you are pretty much just sitting with some slight tilting for effect.
Mission, I have only done intense (and hated it) not sure if the other even moves.

I would totally avoid Primeval Whirl in AK Dinoland. Some of the worse whiplash in Disney. Test Track can also be quite jerky and has sudden stops.

Both the green (less intense) and the orange (more intense) sides of Mission Space have the same basic movements.
The difference is that the orange side also includes a spinning centrifuge movement at the same time.
Besides what other posters have mentioned, there is a a post on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread that lists all the attractions with warnings and a bit more about them.
You would want to talk over with your doctor, but at least the information from other people will give you some ideas to start the conversation.

 

[HopperFan]

Forgot about the Safari ride. We always request first two rows. It just too bumpy in the back for him.

 

[Iowajes]

You would want to talk over with your doctor, but at least the information from other people will give you some ideas to start the conversation.

I don't see a neurosurgeon anymore- so there isn't really anyone to talk to; my primary care doesn't really have any knowledge about spinal cord injury. But it's good to hear what other people have to say. I'm a pre-cautious type (the incident where I broke my neck was one of the few times I went out of my comfort zone) so generally if people say it may be problematic, I'll probably stay off.

Other people's opinions (in addition to watch the ride a bit) is the best I've got

 

[Bete]

I would try to find video rides on u-tube to take a better look at the rides. There are probably other websites that may have ride videos. Some rides are dark in parts and it may be difficult to get good looks at everything, but it should help a little. There is a DVD offered by Disney that may give a glimpse of some of the rides, too.

Based on your vacation plans your primary doctor may refer you to a neurologist for a look over. Also, if you haven't been checked in a while it may be a good idea to get a look over now to make sure nothing has changed.

We really don't go on too many thrill rides ourselves anymore. We find ourselves enjoying Disney in a different way, now.
I would never think of taking a chance on a injury for a few seconds of a thrill ride, but that's just me.

 

[Iowajes]

I would try to find video rides on u-tube to take a better look at the rides.

That's a good idea, thanks.

Based on your vacation plans your primary doctor may refer you to a neurologist for a look over. Also, if you haven't been checked in a while it may be a good idea to get a look over now to make sure nothing has changed.

The first 5 years I had regular appts, and then a 5-year appt but now I am on an "ever 10 years" schedule with the neurosurgeons. The neurologists don't really know what to do with me and have always refereed me back to neurosurgery, so we decided to just stick with going straight to them. I can't express how lucky I was- it is basically a non-issue, when I could easily have been a full quad. (New doctors who see my films before me are usually shocked I'm walking, and not only can I walk, I took up figure skating after my accident.)

I would never think of taking a chance on a injury for a few seconds of a thrill ride, but that's just me.

Yeah, but they really do have the neck/back injury on rides that have no effect on me; so it's just nice to know what I should be cautious about. I don't have disc problems or instability or anything like that.

 

[scooby9932]

My husband (6') is a C2-7 fusion. I (5' 9") had a hemi laminectomy L4-S1 in January & my C5-6 fusion in March of this year. I was in Disney in early May (waaaay too early, btw, but that's a whole other story). I have a bit of perspective from us both from earlier trips as we didn't (couldn't) ride any non kiddie type rides this last trip:

My husband will not ride the Safari ride ever again because it jerked him so badly & he hurt for weeks afterwards. I had a sore neck for about 3 days afterwards. We were seated in the last row & as I'd never ridden in any but the first two rows, I wasn't aware how badly that back row bounces & jerks. It was awful. I just avoid this one if any doubt.

The other one to avoid is Dinosaur, as it is very herky jerky with both back & forth & side to side action. Kinda like being in a blender.

My only other caution not previously mentioned is just to be aware that even the smooth water rides (IASW, PoTC) can, at times, pose a problem when your boat bumps into the one in front of you. This actually happened in May & like I said was only a couple of weeks out of Rehab, so maybe I was just sensitive. But we hit the boat in front of us in IASW and just seconds later were hit in the back by the one behind us. It snapped me back & forth & did cause some discomfort & we had to go back to my resort due to my right arm going numb so driving my ECV was difficult. I didn't have any pain or problems the next day & I'm sure it was just "one of those unforeseen things" that has to be timed just right with just the right amount of motion. So, like I said, not a big enough concern to stay off these rides, but being aware can't hurt.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I realized last night that I hadn't asked a question that might help everyone think about this (including you).

What movements cause you problems *now*? You're 14 years out from injury and over 10 years since it sounds like you last went to any sort of theme park with coasters. There's a huge difference in what was healed then and what is healed now. Since you say you don't have any other neck problems, you may actually be safer to go on more things that you (or the rest of us) think. I don't know how long ago your last neurosurgeon appointment was, but it may be worth calling that doctor and seeing if he or she will give you an opinion, even if you haven't had a visit recently.

 

[Iowajes]

What movements cause you problems *now*?

Nothing in my day to day life. The only issue I have is with cold air, it aggravates the nerve damage in my wrists and that causes weakness in my hands.

My last MRI was 4 yrs ago and the only thing I got was "looks good"; not too helpful right

At the time of the accident I was given a lifelong prohibition on whiplash activities: extreme rollercoasters, sky diving, bungee jumping.

I think the issue I was wondering was what is "extreme" at Disney, and what really isn't. I think I have a better idea of that now.

 

[SMD]

With many rides at Disney, the warnings may not necessarily be for normal operation, but for a situation when the ride stops. I've experienced a break down on Soarin during the dark part at the beginning of the ride, and it was pretty jarring.

 

[ittakesallkinds]

I have multiple cervical fusions and ride everything.

I'm still under the care of my neurosurgeon and have his blessing along with a, if something hurts, stop immediately warning.

You know your body more than anyone else. I worked my way up from moderate rides to the fun ones. Making sure I could handle something before getting on it was very important for me