Ride Safety - Neck and Spinal Surgery - WDW & US/UIOA

[2EVacations]

Hi All,

I'm the primary planner of our trip this year and my in-laws are coming with us. My FIL has had several surgeries in the last few years including lower spine and cervical spin. He's recovered very well and is doing much better, but I know some rides are straight up not advised to ride if you have any history of spinal surgeries/any hardware. I'd like to be mindful of not stacking rides he'd be required to sit out one after another and trickle them a bit more. Does anyone know of any lists posted about this I can reference while planning?

Thank you!!

 

[HopperFan]

Hi All,

I'm the primary planner of our trip this year and my in-laws are coming with us. My FIL has had several surgeries in the last few years including lower spine and cervical spin. He's recovered very well and is doing much better, but I know some rides are straight up not advised to ride if you have any history of spinal surgeries/any hardware. I'd like to be mindful of not stacking rides he'd be required to sit out one after another and trickle them a bit more. Does anyone know of any lists posted about this I can reference while planning?

Thank you!!

There are online brochures for each park "Guests With Disabilites" and it will note at each attraction potential issues including physical health (I think a red triangle). Perhaps post this on the Disabilities Forum and someone will have the direct links.

 

[2EVacations]

There are online brochures for each park "Guests With Disabilites" and it will note at each attraction potential issues including physical health (I think a red triangle). Perhaps post this on the Disabilities Forum and someone will have the direct links.

Thank you so much! I'll definitely check in over there. ☺

 

[CharissaOKC]

You can also find some info in the WDW app. If you look under each specific ride you will see a drop down that says “accessibility and other information”.

 

[Djm_in_buffalo]

WDW posts various disclaimers, but every body’s different. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/#/health-concerns/sort=alpha/

Whatever rides are ultimately decided to be a no-go for him, may I suggest you keep a list of them, separate from the Disney app/site… maybe even pen and paper.

Anecdotally, I knew WDW had expectant mother advisories for various rides. I referenced the list a good bit during our last trip so as to follow it precisely. But, a combination of heat and fatigue set in and I slipped up. I selected Star Tours and my quite pregnant wife rode it. If I had a hard paper to double check in advance, that wouldn’t have happened. Thankfully, all turned out well for our family.

Also: depending on the rides that are deemed a no-go for him, perhaps it may even make sense to at least run the calculations and consider intentionally stacking them, to get them all out of the way for the day. Depending on rides selected, etc., that could potentially be a better option than having him alone for a substantial chunk of time here, a decent chunk of time later kind of thing. If stacked, maybe can join the group in the park later in the day and spend the rest of the day as a group. Or maybe he strolls off a bit for a show and shopping… or gets a solo lunch and a rest… you get the idea.

Good luck!

 

[2EVacations]

WDW posts various disclaimers, but every body’s different. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/#/health-concerns/sort=alpha/

Whatever rides are ultimately decided to be a no-go for him, may I suggest you keep a list of them, separate from the Disney app/site… maybe even pen and paper.

Anecdotally, I knew WDW had expectant mother advisories for various rides. I referenced the list a good bit during our last trip so as to follow it precisely. But, a combination of heat and fatigue set in and I slipped up. I selected Star Tours and my quite pregnant wife rode it. If I had a hard paper to double check in advance, that wouldn’t have happened. Thankfully, all turned out well for our family.

Also: depending on the rides that are deemed a no-go for him, perhaps it may even make sense to at least run the calculations and consider intentionally stacking them, to get them all out of the way for the day. Depending on rides selected, etc., that could potentially be a better option than having him alone for a substantial chunk of time here, a decent chunk of time later kind of thing. If stacked, maybe can join the group in the park later in the day and spend the rest of the day as a group. Or maybe he strolls off a bit for a show and shopping… or gets a solo lunch and a rest… you get the idea.

Good luck!

Thank you! That’s definitely a good idea. I’m glad everything worked out well for your family

 

[SteveMouse]

Universal generally has more problematic rides than WDW.

Teacups, Big Thunder, Space Mountain, and Buzz are the most problematic in the MK. Expedition Everest and FOP can be problematic in AK (primeval whirl and countdown to extinction were problematic, but since they're no longer there, the risk is reduced.

There may be others- ride at your own risk!

 

[loves to dive]

Good suggestions have already been made as far as how to see what rides might be bad. I'd throw in that maybe for some of them, he can go through the que with y'all and then take the chicken exit. That way he won't alone the entire time and gets to see some of the theming that is in some of the rides. He can also go ride something that y'all might not want to ride while he's waiting. If the Liberty Belle is still running at MK at the time it's great for relaxing, the show at the America pavilion at Epcot is also a good one (although it is all the way on the other side of the park from most rides). One Man's Dream in HS is good for that. There are all sorts of hidden little side trails at AK that are great for exploring.