Pain in the neck :)

[autumne21]

Hi everyone! I am headed to Disney and Universal in September of this year with some thrill-seeking girlfriends. I love the rollar coasters too, but I have degenerative arthritis in my neck that will eventually require surgery (in other words, it's pretty bad). It's been awhile since I was at Disney, but I do remember back then that just about EVERY ride had warnings that you shouldn't ride if you had back or neck injuries. I know that's a CYA thing.....I certainly don't want to further injure myself, but on the other hand I want to have fun and be able to go on the rides too!

So here's my question: which rides should I definitely avoid? I've been on 'smooth' coasters and been fine, but rough rides that whip you about I can't handle. Any ideas?

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[ElaineMarch]

I am in a similar position as you and will be getting neck surgery number 2 next month. I would definitely not do Space Mountain (cant see turns and dips so cant brace for them), Rock n roller coaster ( I could never hold my head still at all, so constant neck movement), Tomorrowland Speedway(people can crash into the back of you) and Dinosaur (wild motion and I could not brace my neck). Everest is very smooth! After surgery I have not done any coasters, tower of terror, splash, test track plus the above.

Tomorrowland speedway probably seems like it would be tame, but whiplash is horrible for your neck, if you haven't already had whiplash ever, I would avoid any activities which could even have a remote chance of causing a whiplash like injury.

Have fun on your trip and good luck with your neck.

 

[bidnow5]

The safari ride in Animal Kingdom is to rough for me

 

[buffettgirl]

I have similar.

Rock-n-roller coaster is actually fine for me. It's very smooth and not jarring and you have a lot of support due to the inversions. You get very little head movement.

Everest is not. There is a part where you are going backwards and because you can't see the turns coming your neck whips a lot. I really hurt myself one trip because I was told it was nice and smooth and I just wasn't expecting it. I do it now because I know that I need to protect my neck w hen the backwards stuff starts.

Tower of terror is iffy. If I've had pain lately I skip it. If I've been fairly good for a while I will do it. Even though it's not a jarring landing when you 'fall' the quickness of the down motion followed by the up motion seems to be more than my neck can handle because there is no cushion left between those discs to absorb that sort of movement.

Dinosaur is just too bumpy. Safari is ok usually but I will scrunch up to protect my neck when I know the bumpy roads are coming.

Primeval whirl is fine for me, though that does whip you around.

Speedway is not fine.

The backwards part of Spaceship earth is very hard on my neck. The seats don't really seem to allow you to lean back ALL the way having your head supported so it's a long way down that you have to support yourself while slowly going backwards. Especially if you're trying to operate the 'game' panel thing. It might just be me but I find it terribly uncomfortable.

 

[ttintagel]

Space Mountain and Star Tours are both bumpy rides.