Question re: Mission Space and Rockin Roller Coaster

[debbiecarr98]

My son just turned 12 and has traumatic brain injury, but if you didnt know you would think he had ASD, his sensory issues and learning styles are very similiar. I am curious, he wanted to do Mission Space and Rockin Roller Coaster last time and I said no. Has anyone braved these rides yet and if so how did it go?
Thanks.
Debbie

 

[BeckyScott]

We went on the "lite" version of Mission:Space but not RockNRoller Coaster.

Youngest DS (8 and autism) will not ride coasters at all so that was out. Mission:Space is more like a very jiggly video game. If your son is into video games and computer stuff, that might work fine for him, there's a screen in front of each rider and it looks much like a very cool video game. It does toss you around a bit, I didn't think it was too drastic, but that's just my opinion on it. I certainly wouldn't go on the wild version of Mission:Space, no, but the green version isn't as bad.

There are several other attractions at Disney that are sort of the same amount of jiggling- I'm trying to think of names and my mind has gone blank- if your son has been on any of those then it should be okay.

 

[Matt'sMom]

The 'lite' side of MS (the one without the spinning that produces G-forces) is basically just a simulator ride, and would be comparable in many ways to 'Star Tours' over at DHS. There is some bouncing and jarring, but nothing really extreem. If your son is ok with that type of ride, and is not claustrophobic, then he may do ok with MS 'green team'.

RnRC I would probably skip, if it were me, due to the forces when it accelerates rapidly at launch. Same reason I would suggest that you skip the full force version of MS--just too much potential risk involved due to the extreem forces. I am not sure when or what type of TBI your son experienced, but those sort of forces may not be appropriate depending on his current health condition, meds, and the potential for further injury. If you aren't sure, just ask his Doctor what he feels would be appropriate, and what types of rides would be better avoided all together.

Now, if your son is currently taking any type of blood thinner, then I would definitely say skip MS... and all other rides that tend to be even a little bit 'rough'. (You did not specify what type of TBI, or if he is on any meds to prevent clotting.) Those meds may have there benefits, but they can also cause a whole lot of other issues. My DF was hospitalized and underwent surgery last Fall, due to bleeding inside of his skull that was caused by... of all things... riding on his lawn tractor/mower. Yep, those prescription blood thinners can result in an uncontrolled bleed even with relatively normal, every day activites... so take any warnings regarding health issues and ride safety very seriously.

Have a fun, and safe, WDW vacation!

 

[debbiecarr98]

I did not know that there was a lite version of mission space! Problem solved!I think that we will definitely not do the roller coaster. He is not on blood thinners at all, a lot of my concern is he is very unpredictable sometimes... he can do things fast without thinking at times. Also, he has left sided weakness somewhat like having had a stroke, so I am now thinking about "soarin" or soaring as well, maybe we can request a seatbelt. Anyway, again, I appreciate so much your answers!!

 

[debbiecarr98]

. My DF was hospitalized and underwent surgery last Fall, due to bleeding inside of his skull that was caused by... of all things... riding on his lawn tractor/mower. Yep, those prescription blood thinners can result in an uncontrolled bleed even with relatively normal, every day activites... so take any warnings regarding health issues and ride safety very seriously.

Have a fun, and safe, WDW vacation!

Hope your DF is ok now... how scary!!!!

Debbie

 

[mechurchlady]

Soarin has a lap belt and if a person is small they can put it through the loop between the legs. As with most rides the main requirement is to be able to stay in one's seat. It is a relatively gentle ride compared to rollercoasters and my mom who was in her late 70's went on it though she wanted to kill me for a week. Fear of heights, lol.

Splash Mountain is great but at the bottom of the last big drop the G force sends a person forward. A person with weak upper body strength then goes flying forward. To test whether or not to go on a ride go to a parking lot or side street with your car. How much force does it take to send the person to the floorboard? If you stop gently and the person cannot keep upright then rides like Splash Mountain are out.

 

[Matt'sMom]

Hope your DF is ok now... how scary!!!!

Debbie

Thanks Debbie. My DF is doing fine. He recovered quickly & without any complications from the bleed, no longer takes any blood thinners, and was able to thoroughly enjoy a vacation at WDW with us in December.

To the OP... have a wonderful time at WDW with your DS!

 

[fausz4]

Our son with ASD (Aspergers) was 9 when we went in 2005 and these were his favorite rides!

We did alot of research before we went (WDW FOR kids book) was his favorite book before, during and after the trip and we discussed it before the ride- looking at if the ride was scary, dark, loud (the book tells you what the ride has.) And then he decided if he wanted to ride...usually he had his mind made up before hand.

But note - this is how we handle situtations any day...no surprises. He does not do well when he cant control the situtation and this worked well for us -- not sure how your son processes information. Each child is so wonderfully different - you know him best.

We are getting ready for our second trip in early May and DS is now 12 - I am going to check to see if WDW for Kids Book is an appropriate age for him yet...I will let you know if you want.

Have a great trip!
Darcy

 

[yippeeDCL]

Hi Debbie. My son, now 13, did suffer a stroke(from TBI) @ age 5...then subsequent Epilepsy surgery to resolve seizure disorder. Last summer, he rode soarin and RRC. NO problems on Soarin. RRC freaked him out a bit---I think the "take off" was too much. HOWEVER, he is determined to ride it when we return in March. We did not try MS--I was not that brave--but plan to in March. For us, if I can "prepare" him for what will happen on the ride he does much better. Unfortunately, that was the first time at WDW for both of us...I wasn't much help. On Soarin, I pointed out that the ceiling was within sight, therfore, we could not be moving (like it feels). He had time to take in his surroundings, I was sitting right by him and talking him thru each scene (reminding him---it just "feels" like we are doing that)

By the way...Thunder Mtn RR was his favorite.

Best Wishes!

 

[debbiecarr98]

Our son with ASD (Aspergers) was 9 when we went in 2005 and these were his favorite rides!

We did alot of research before we went (WDW FOR kids book) was his favorite book before, during and after the trip and we discussed it before the ride- looking at if the ride was scary, dark, loud (the book tells you what the ride has.) And then he decided if he wanted to ride...usually he had his mind made up before hand.

But note - this is how we handle situtations any day...no surprises. He does not do well when he cant control the situtation and this worked well for us -- not sure how your son processes information. Each child is so wonderfully different - you know him best.

We are getting ready for our second trip in early May and DS is now 12 - I am going to check to see if WDW for Kids Book is an appropriate age for him yet...I will let you know if you want.

Have a great trip!\=



We did get the book, we just havent really sat down with it yet, but that is a great idea!
I hope you have a great trip and thank you so much for your response!! Lets report back to each other, lol.

Debbie

 

[debbiecarr98]

Hi Debbie. My son, now 13, did suffer a stroke(from TBI) @ age 5...then subsequent Epilepsy surgery to resolve seizure disorder. Last summer, he rode soarin and RRC. NO problems on Soarin. RRC freaked him out a bit---I think the "take off" was too much. HOWEVER, he is determined to ride it when we return in March. We did not try MS--I was not that brave--but plan to in March. For us, if I can "prepare" him for what will happen on the ride he does much better. Unfortunately, that was the first time at WDW for both of us...I wasn't much help. On Soarin, I pointed out that the ceiling was within sight, therfore, we could not be moving (like it feels). He had time to take in his surroundings, I was sitting right by him and talking him thru each scene (reminding him---it just "feels" like we are doing that)

By the way...Thunder Mtn RR was his favorite.

Best Wishes!

Wow, sounds like our kids are very similar. Alex had seizures initially at the time of the accident, then didnt have any until last year, now he is on medication for 2 years. Scary ... the meds have such side effects. Yes, Alex did do the railroad and loved it last time, also, Space Mountain he says is his favorite. I guess I will be brave, I am not so brave, but his dad will be there and can use your suggestions. Thank you so much for taking the time to write! We are going the first week in March, when are you going?

 

[fausz4]

We've had two snow days and had some time to discuss the trip with our boys. Justin immediately went and found "his" Disney book and has determined that he is not too old for a 2009 version. DS7 is also the right age to be able to start reading it too...I love when it works out like that!

We have to watch now that DS12 (Justin) doesnt get too obsessed with the trip. We also will start talking about what he didnt like last time (which actually wasnt much) and how we need to try things he didnt like this time, to see if he would like to do it now.

People sometimes comment on how well Justin adapts to situations - what they dont realize is that prior to a situation we may talk about it for days, weeks and sometimes months (like for Junior High! and this trip!).

Let me know how it goes...you can PM if you want.

Darcy

 

[yippeeDCL]

Wow, sounds like our kids are very similar. Alex had seizures initially at the time of the accident, then didnt have any until last year, now he is on medication for 2 years. Scary ... the meds have such side effects. Yes, Alex did do the railroad and loved it last time, also, Space Mountain he says is his favorite. I guess I will be brave, I am not so brave, but his dad will be there and can use your suggestions. Thank you so much for taking the time to write! We are going the first week in March, when are you going?

Kace's seizures started about 6 months after his accident and reached a point where he was having over 40 a day. Since surgery (2004), he has been seizure free He is still on Keppra and will remain thru puberty. You will love Soarin..it is amazing--TRY IT

Kace is participating in the Children's Miracle Network "Champions" program and we will be at WDW 3/18.

Shiann