Reading threads about motion sickness...

[dtkids]

We've never been to WDW. We have a local Six Flags, and the last time I was there, probably 4 years ago, I remember getting mildly dizzy on a couple of rides. Sometimes at the local playground, I get dizzy just swinging on the swings. Last few times I've been on any kind of boat, I've gotten queasy (really rough waters though). The one big cruise I went on about 7 years ago, I definitely got puking sick, but hard to know if it was motion sickness or the open bar. All that to say...

I never really considered motion sickness when planning this upcoming December trip. And now that I'm reading posts about motion sickness, I'm scared this is such a bad, bad idea for me.

Before WDW, what are some good ideas for testing out how much I can handle and which remedies to use for motion sickness? For those that suffer from motion sickness, does it feel like what I've described above? Or is what I've described about just kind of normal?

 

[Klayfish]

You won't know for sure until you try. Every ride is different...different views for your eyes (that matters), different breezes, different motions. I suppose I'd start by going to the local Six Flags. While it's quite a different place than WDW (we're AP holders at the local Six Flags and WDW), you can at least get some similar motions of rides. WDW doesn't really have any mega sized roller coasters, so no need to do those at Six Flags, but try the smaller and mid sized ones. Try a free fall ride, which will be similar motion to ToT. Try a ride the flips, which is what RnR does. Try backwards, which is what EE does.

 

[pitpat]

The only ride at WDW that made me feel sick was the original Mission Space. I would avoid MS: Orange and probably the teacups.

You certainly shouldn't worry too much though.

 

[mikebb]

As Klayfish said, every ride (and everybody) is different, so hard to say. I had a period in my life of a few years when many rides made me some degree of nauseous, including ToT, BTMRR, even Dumbo. I seemd to have aged out of that and now can ride most rides at Disney without problems, even rides like Soarin'. The only rides you won't get me near are Mission Space, Star Tours, or Teacups - still don't have the stomach for simulators or endless spinning (Dumbo is fine now though...)

I will say, in my case, the anxiety of worrying about getting sick on a ride only served to make the sick feeling 10x worse. The only advice I can offer is to try not to think about it, don't be afraid to try something at least once, and have fun!

 

[Micca]

There are some options for OTC motion sickness prevention. I sometimes take a tablet called Bonine with good results. It makes some folks sleepy but you can always slam a big 'ol Starbucks and revive yourself. The med is cheap and available everywhere. I've seen people on the Dis recommend a patch with good results. I think those are prescription but you could probably just call your doctor and ask for it. For something completely organic you might consider ginger.

 

[Disneymom1102]

I think a lot depends on what kinds of rides make you nauseous. If you don't do well with spinning rides, skip Mad Tea Party, Dumbo, Aladdin Magic Carpet, and Trcieratops (all at Magic Kingdom except Triceratops which is AK). If you have a hard time with screen-based rides that are more simulation-based, then skip Flight of Passage, Star Wars at HS, and Soaring. If you don't do well with big drops, skip all the "Mountain" rides at MK, Tower of Terror, and Rock N Roller coaster. And no matter what I would do the lighter version of Mission Mars (or skip altogether). There are TONS of things to do so you will definitely more than enough other attractions to keep you busy!

 

[sam_rogers]

Not sure if you're planning a visit to universal while you're in Orlando but I'm not a person that generally suffers from motion sickness and one ride that I've tried to do a few times but have now admitted defeat on is forbidden journey at harry Potter. There's intermittently scenes played out on screens and if I try and watch them I feel ill, if I shut my eyes and reopen them once the screen has passed I'm fine I think it's a proximity to the screen thing but it's definitely a ride to be wary of if you're planning on heading there during your trip.

 

[tzolkin]

Not sure if you're planning a visit to universal while you're in Orlando but I'm not a person that generally suffers from motion sickness...

I have severe motion sickness, so I had my doctor prescribe the patches before our Universal vacation last year because I knew from the descriptions that the 3D rides would be too much for me to handle.

OP- I would recommend taking some OTC meds that are non-drowsy.

 

[wrmiller13]

I get motion sickness. What makes me queasy at disney is the following : everest, dinosaur, ToT, star tours ( makes me the sickest), big thunder, space mountain, tea cups ( I cannot even barely spin) , and FoP. I have used a transdermal patch, but made my mouth and throat horribly dry, I discovered Bonnie ( at Target) it works great! I take 1 in the morning, and maybe 1 in the early evening if going on more rides and no issues! And trust me, that is saying something! I am one of " those" that can only drive the car on road trips...can't even ride in the passenger seat! The bonine didn't even make me the least bit sleepy! But I have 7 kids and diet coke and coffee run thru my veins!

 

[SamanthaH]

All the medications confirmed by clinical studies to be more effective than placebo have the potential of causing significant drowsiness. Ginger is the only oral remedy that comes to mind that does not cause drowsiness, but it performs no better than placebo in the trials I have seen. Caffeine is a great remedy to counter the drowsiness. Below are the brand names of the most effective medications, followed by the generic name. All can cause drowsiness. The side effects are most pronounced with the patch which can cause blurry vision and dry mouth as well as drowsiness. The patch is the most effective. For some unlucky people with severe motion sickness, myself included, they do not really help much. Most people will find some relief with one of these remedies.

TransDerm Scop (scopolamine): Rx only Anticholinergic
Bonine (meclizine): Over the counter Antihistamine
Dramamine (dimenhydrinate): Over the counter Antihistamine

 

[Kalia]

I take travel sickness tablets with me, I often need on long car journeys so have them anyway. Without them I can’t do Star Tours, with them I can. Even with them I felt nauseous on Flights of Passage. Mission Space green was no problem - it feels like being in a plane and has air blowing on your face. Soarin’ is no problem for me. All the gentle boat rides (Small World, Frozen...) are fine. I wouldn’t go on the tea cups.