Ride advice internal injury recovery.

[KillianPete]

I am looking for advice We are going to Disney world in a week with our daughter. Who is an extreme adventure seeker. She was involved in an accident May 11, two months ago that resulted in a fractured kidney and internal bleeding. She is doing perfectly fine now and they gave her the go ahead but added she can't ride anything seriously jarring or where she might get hit in the side, or could 'pull ' on her insides(I'm guessing significant G's), etc. She is considered still healing for 6 months. Any advise on rides we should avoid. To her the thrill rides are where it's at.

 

[KillianPete]

By the way she is 18, still a child but an adult at the same time.

 

[RoseGold]

This is a tough one. Even pretty chill rides like Pooh Bear or the big Pirates drop can be pretty jarring. You really need to have a serious discussion with a doctor and make choices. And maybe Disney isn't the right choice right now.

 

[lanejudy]

Will she actually enjoy the trip if she has to forego some popular/favorite rides? That’s a pretty big ask of a thrill ride fan, and at 18 (I have one too) I would expect a lot of grumpiness and frustration. My suggestion is to postpone unless she is mature enough to cope with missing out.

 

[KillianPete]

We are going for the Girl Scout National Convention and have 3 days at Disney, we skipped out on the day at Universal Parks though. This is her last big girl scout trip. She and all the other girls all know and accept she will have limitations, but postponing is not in the cards with the convention etc. We do not have to stay together as a group either so we can break away to avoid certain things.

 

[starry_solo]

Except for small world and some fantasyland rides, I would think she should be avoiding all other rides

 

[KillianPete]

Doc okay'd her to go but said she will need to say no to certain rides, you can still tell where the blood clot (from them stopping the bleed) was in the CT scan but he said she is healing faster than most and has had no issues, in the past 7 weeks.

 

[DLgal]

Well, what is the worst than can happen if she is re injured? That is the risk assessment, right?

You have to consider the fact that every ride with a restraint of any sort (lap bar, seat belt, harness) has the potential to emergency stop, which means a sudden stop that can jar you to the point of injury.

Frankly, I would not visit theme parks at all during the 6 month recovery period. If I HAD to, I would treat this child like an infant and only ride the rides that are safe for infants.

I would not ride anything with a height requirement, in other words.

Chances are, she would be perfectly fine on most rides, but the unpredictable nature of theme park rides would be too risky for me, personally, to allow my own child to get on fast rides.

 

[Selket]

I am looking for advice We are going to Disney world in a week with our daughter. Who is an extreme adventure seeker. She was involved in an accident May 11, two months ago that resulted in a fractured kidney and internal bleeding. She is doing perfectly fine now and they gave her the go ahead but added she can't ride anything seriously jarring or where she might get hit in the side, or could 'pull ' on her insides(I'm guessing significant G's), etc. She is considered still healing for 6 months. Any advise on rides we should avoid. To her the thrill rides are where it's at.

Overall I'd get in touch with the doc again and ask about specific types of rides (spinning teacups? getting hit with the lap bar?). Rides like MMRR in DHS have the area where Daisy has you "mambo dance" and it's very jerky there - for example. This is a ride easily tolerated by little kids but not sure it's so good for your daughter. The Safari ride in AK is another that can be very jarring IMHO.

Ooh...this is tough. I had a bike accident and head injury (yes was wearing a helmet) and had a sensitivity to jarring rides + you also need to consider lap bars (seatbelts too?). I would try to discuss this more with the doctor - maybe ask for him/her to talk to someone who knows Disney if they don't to get an idea of what rides are ok. I can list rides that are smooth to me (like tower of terror) but you'd need to account for lap bars (always possible to get punched by it if the ride stops suddenly). I'm not the overly cautious type - but it would be helpful for a doctor with some knowledge of Disney to give you advice.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Doc okay'd her to go but said she will need to say no to certain rides, you can still tell where the blood clot (from them stopping the bleed) was in the CT scan but he said she is healing faster than most and has had no issues, in the past 7 weeks.

Shows is where it will be at for her. Even rides like Remy involve spinning, any ride that isn’t a boat ride can come to an abrupt halt if stopped slamming you into the back of the seat, lap bar and or side of the vehicle.

AK will probably be the easiest so I’d make sure she gets to go there. Only Navi for a ride but at least she can spend time looking at the animals and doing the various trails.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would have frank talk with your daughter. There will not be a lot she can ride, and certainly no thrill rides. I wouldn't even let her do Big Thunder Mountain. I did that 2 months after having my gall bladder out (my dr was ok with it) and the lap bar hitting my surgery site was not a good feeling.

Is your daughter going to be able to enjoy herself doing the shows, and only rides like Small World and Peter Pan? Or will she be miserable? Not an easy thing at all to question a trip that is a week out, but I hate to think of going and having everyone upset and disappointed.

 

[KillianPete]

Well, what is the worst than can happen if she is re injured? That is the risk assessment, right?

You have to consider the fact that every ride with a restraint of any sort (lap bar, seat belt, harness) has the potential to emergency stop, which means a sudden stop that can jar you to the point of injury.

Frankly, I would not visit theme parks at all during the 6 month recovery period. If I HAD to, I would treat this child like an infant and only ride the rides that are safe for infants.

I would not ride anything with a height requirement, in other words.

Chances are, she would be perfectly fine on most rides, but the unpredictable nature of theme park rides would be too risky for me, personally, to allow my own child to get on fast rides.

Her doctor said that she is recovered enough to go, But if she wrecks a four-wheeler, gets in a car accident, decides to play contact football. Anything that could be considered traumatic in normal circumstances would most likely put her back at the hospital. He cleared her to resume diving just not on the 8 ft, 10 ft, Only on the lowest platform or board. He did say Big thunder mountain railroad is out, test track is out, Tower of terror and dinosaur are both a no. But we would have to make our own decisions and with the slower coasters or smoother rides she is to hold on, and be aware that even those can jerk at the beginning and end. Basically no hands in the air. If she wasn't reasonably recovered I don't think he would have approved her to resume diving. So we were Just looking for a general idea of some of the bad ones.

 

[KillianPete]

Overall I'd get in touch with the doc again and ask about specific types of rides (spinning teacups? getting hit with the lap bar?). Rides like MMRR in DHS have the area where Daisy has you "mambo dance" and it's very jerky there - for example. This is a ride easily tolerated by little kids but not sure it's so good for your daughter. The Safari ride in AK is another that can be very jarring IMHO.

Ooh...this is tough. I had a bike accident and head injury (yes was wearing a helmet) and had a sensitivity to jarring rides + you also need to consider lap bars (seatbelts too?). I would try to discuss this more with the doctor - maybe ask for him/her to talk to someone who knows Disney if they don't to get an idea of what rides are ok. I can list rides that are smooth to me (like tower of terror) but you'd need to account for lap bars (always possible to get punched by it if the ride stops suddenly). I'm not the overly cautious type - but it would be helpful for a doctor with some knowledge of Disney to give you advice.

He did say the Safari would be okay but Only if she sat in the first two rows. The area We live in is off the beaten path so rough pothold dirt roads, paved roads swing back and forth. So she's bounced around plenty in our own vehicle and has had zero problems The only problem she had was The first day home from the hospital She was in the hospital 3 days, And we didn't go out for a week just because of the bouncy roads. And she's been riding in our old Jeeps which Do not have the super cushiony shocks. So with what she deals with on a regular basis and zero problems I don't feel she needs to be wrapped in bubble wrap, But he told her the rides she does ride on, do not put her hands up in the air, keep them down so she does have more stabilization and a little more control. And she did not have outright surgery They did a keyhole to stop the bleeding at the wound and the keyhole is already 100% healed.

 

[KillianPete]

I would have frank talk with your daughter. There will not be a lot she can ride, and certainly no thrill rides. I wouldn't even let her do Big Thunder Mountain. I did that 2 months after having my gall bladder out (my dr was ok with it) and the lap bar hitting my surgery site was not a good feeling.

Is your daughter going to be able to enjoy herself doing the shows, and only rides like Small World and Peter Pan? Or will she be miserable? Not an easy thing at all to question a trip that is a week out, but I hate to think of going and having everyone upset and disappointed.

She is not expecting a tremendous amount of rides, she does not even know yet that he released her to do most of the park with some restrictions. She did not have surgery and has zero tenderness. She is happy with anything never been a grumpy teen. Everyone is going on the original extreme restrictions he gave her at the hospital 10 weeks ago. He even said with the way everything looks he doesn't even need to see her again till June of 2024. Are you saying that Big Thunder itself did not bother you, only the lap belt hitting your incision?

 

[TwoMisfits]

Rather than riding what babies can ride, I'd ride what pregnant women can ride...that's probably the better paradigm.

 

[DLgal]

Rather than riding what babies can ride, I'd ride what pregnant women can ride...that's probably the better paradigm.

It's basically the same list.

 

[KillianPete]

Rather than riding what babies can ride, I'd ride what pregnant women can ride...that's probably the better paradigm.

We were thinking along those lines with the pregnant woman restrictions which is basically anything with a height requirement. That still leaves a range of options and if we just add in the doctor advice of keeping hands down and holding on, gives more stability. Thanks.

 

[mamabunny]

I would say that most everything at Hollywood Studios is out; even Toy Story Mania whips around a lot, and I was embargoed from that by my surgeon for a year after my back surgery.

Most of the boat rides (save Pirates & Frozen?) should be fine; so that's Small World @ MK, Living with the Land & Gran Fiesta Tour @ EPCOT, and Navi River at AK.

There is still so much to see & do at WDW if you take the focus off of rides; most people don't know that EPCOT World Showcase has several really cool hidden little "museums" with fascinating displays about the country/pavilion where they are located. Arribas Bros has crafts people working "on stage" in every Park except AK, and at Disney Springs too, and in the confectionary you can watch Cast Members at work also. For every Hall of Presidents and Carousel of Progress, there will be something equally cool or fun or fascinating. If y'all are there during Food & Wine, EPCOT will have so many food booths, each with little sampler plates to share and try (extra fee). Even for those under 21, there will be plenty of interesting beverage options; many of the booths have "virgin" drinks.

Because she's 18, she may actually enjoy spending time at Disney Springs as well; in addition to a Starbucks Reserve (Ask the CMs what it means!) there is *tons* of shopping and great food as well. She could (for an extra fee) even ride in an Amphicar! (which should be smooth enough)

Don't forget Resort Hopping - if nothing else, y'all should grab the Monorail, and ride around the Resort Loop; you will pass right through the Contemporary (They have a couple of great gift shops + the famous Mary Blair Murals, including the famous 5-legged goat!) and it's always fun to grab a snack there as well. You can ride on around to Polynesian (the only place outside of the theme parks where you can buy Dole Whip!) and the the last stop before you complete the loop would be Grand Floridian, which is just too pretty to miss. Some folks even do a "progressive" Monorail dinner, where you have an appetizer at one resort, your main entree at the next resort, and you end. your Monorail evening with dessert at the last of the 3!

There's also the EPCOT Loop, and even if you don't want to get off the Monorail, it will still take you through the Park; you get a bird's eye view of everything, and it's a chance for some great pictures of Spaceship Earth.

There are boats to ride (free); not just the Ferry Boats from the Magic Kingdom parking/TTC, but also there are launches that run to Poly, GF & WL across the Seven Seas Lagoon, and Bay Lake, as well as a boat that goes out to Fort Wilderness. For an extra fee, you can go to the Hoop Dee Doo Revue (a personal favorite!) and enjoy the longest-running live show at Disney World. The food is really good too - I could live off of the cornbread alone! You can also visit the stables at Fort Wilderness, and meet the Disney horses. You can also take the Friendship boats that run between Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at EPCOT.

At both HS & EPCOT you can also grab the Skyliner (free) for a lovely roundtrip across WDW; you will have birds-eye views that you can't get any other way!

Most all of the Resorts have evening campfires with free marshmallows to roast (bring your own supplies for S'mores!) and many of the Resorts have daytime craft activities that range from tie-dye to painting. Visit Port Orleans French Quarter for the famous Mickey Beignets (extra fee) and you can walk or take a boat from there up the river to their sister Resort Port Orleans Riverside, where the world-famous Yee-Haw Bob entertains several nights a week; the show is free, food & drink is extra.

Grab a bus and head out to Animal Kingdom Lodge where you can visit the animals on the Savanna, and take in one of the greatest collections of African art outside of country. AKL is worth the trip just for the buffet at Boma!

So... yeah. There's tons of stuff to do at WDW that doesn't involve any ride more exciting than a bus or a monorail, and I have just scratched the surface. (and sorry this was so long!)

 

[Selket]

Her doctor said that she is recovered enough to go, But if she wrecks a four-wheeler, gets in a car accident, decides to play contact football. Anything that could be considered traumatic in normal circumstances would most likely put her back at the hospital. He cleared her to resume diving just not on the 8 ft, 10 ft, Only on the lowest platform or board. He did say Big thunder mountain railroad is out, test track is out, Tower of terror and dinosaur are both a no. But we would have to make our own decisions and with the slower coasters or smoother rides she is to hold on, and be aware that even those can jerk at the beginning and end. Basically no hands in the air. If she wasn't reasonably recovered I don't think he would have approved her to resume diving. So we were Just looking for a general idea of some of the bad ones.

I'm surprised he'd ok slower coasters but not ToT. Tot only has the g-forces which don't seem that bad to me but it is super smooth.

MMRR has that scene in Daisy's room where the ride car moves side to side very vigorously - I think you want to ask for the last train car which exits that room first in my experience. At least it is less shaking but won't prevent it.

You had originally mentioned rides with G's like roller coasters. If he hasn't ok'd Big Thunder M. or test track (two of the tamer rides really), I wouldn't try any of the coasters. GotG, Tron, Everest, Space Mountain, are all more vigorous. 7Dwarves is like a shorter version of BTMRR.

I think it's a really difficult spot the doctor has left you in trying to figure it out. I think everyone is going to advise being cautious because we don't want to mislead you. I don't see a clear guideline in what your doctor has advised with the rides he said not to do....I think it rules out many rides.

 

[RoseGold]

Rather than riding what babies can ride, I'd ride what pregnant women can ride...that's probably the better paradigm.

This is even less of a list. Leaves you pretty much with Little Mermaid and Dumbo

For example, Pirates and tame ride. But the one drop is pretty steep and there's really nothing to hold onto. It's fine for most people, but I wouldn't do it in this circumstance.

To me there's a big difference between jostling in car travel, which you can't really avoid, and completely unnecessary risk at a theme park.

This sounds pretty frustrating for a thrill-seeking teenager stuck at the Belle show instead of Tower of Terror.