Rides to avoid with a bad back?

JoyG

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jul 2, 2004
Messages
3,854
I have a herniated disk which I'm going to Physical therapy for. The doctor expects a complete recovery, but I just started PT last week.

We'll be in DL in about 2 weeks and I don't want to do anything to aggravate the condition, but I still want to have fun.

I remember riding Indiana Jones last time I was there and I was whipped around a lot, so that's probably out. Any ideas of rides I should avoid?

I've never been on Splash, I was too much of a chicken about the drop. This was supposed to be the trip I tried it. Do you think Splash Mountain is hard on the back?
 
I have a pretty good back, but last time I went on the Matterhorn, it messed my back up for 3 days. I never had a problem with other rides though
 
Yep, off the top of my head, I'd say Indy, Matterhorn, and Star Tours are out. Probably BTMRR too. I would think that Splash would be OK.

-Bob
 
Definitely avoid Indy and Matterhorn. The only time I go on Matterhorn is if it's on the Fantasyland side (much smoother IMO). I think you would be ok on Splash Mt, that ride has never bothered my back.
 

Big Thunder Mountain, Matterhorn and Indy are the three that come to mind. These are not smooth rides by any means. Splash Mountain is a pretty smooth ride and you don't get whipped around like on the roller coasters.
 
My husband has the same back trouble as You and suprisingly the ride he had trouble with at disneyland was Peter Pan's.

When it dips down, it's a hard shift and also painful on the back. At least he thought so.

I'm so sorry you are having this trouble. Physical Therapy really helped him. Good Health to you.
 
My first thoughts were Matterhorn, Space mountain, splash mountain, Roger Rabbit, the coastery things and Indy.
 
The one ride I can add to the list is Mullholand Madness in DCA. That is the most herky-jerky ride ever, imo! My DH has back/neck issues and he can't even look at that ride without feeling pain :rotfl:
 
Don't forget about Autopia. Especially if you aren't the one driving. Seriously miserable on your back and neck.
 
Or if it's still open the Maliboomer, and you may want to avoid Screamin' and even Toy Story Midway Mania, that one jerks you around as you go from screen to screen, not horribly but it might irritate your back.
 
I have some serious, chronic back issues, and avoid any of the jerky rides. I don't have problems with Space or Sreamin' because they are "smooth" coasters. I guess it would depend on what part of the back is affected. With me, side-to-side jerking is what really causes problems.

- Matterhorn
- Star Tours
- Thunder Mtn
- Indy
- Mohalland Madness
- Autopia (too many people bumping into me)
- Tea Cups

For others, it might be something else.
 
Or if it's still open the Maliboomer, and you may want to avoid Screamin' and even Toy Story Midway Mania, that one jerks you around as you go from screen to screen, not horribly but it might irritate your back.

I added another post to this thread a little while ago and for some reason it didn't show up, I guess.:confused3 I wrote almost the exact same thing you did Kerri about TSMM and Screamin'. :) TSMM actually made my DH a little sick (he gets motion sickness very easily).
 
Don't forget about Autopia. Especially if you aren't the one driving. Seriously miserable on your back and neck.

ITA!! Especially if the kids behind you think it's fun to ram you from behind...:sad2:
 
From what I recall, there was a sign at the Space Mountain ride indicating that people with bad backs, heart issues and are pregnant should not go on the ride. But, that was many years ago.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'll go ahead and try Splash Mountain this time.

I was gonna do Star Tours for the first time, but I think I'll pass on it.
 
I added another post to this thread a little while ago and for some reason it didn't show up, I guess.:confused3 I wrote almost the exact same thing you did Kerri about TSMM and Screamin'. :) TSMM actually made my DH a little sick (he gets motion sickness very easily).

I have that happen to me sometimes, it's so annoying. LOL

From what I recall, there was a sign at the Space Mountain ride indicating that people with bad backs, heart issues and are pregnant should not go on the ride. But, that was many years ago.

Most rides have this warning, even if it's a "smoother" ride.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'll go ahead and try Splash Mountain this time.

I was gonna do Star Tours for the first time, but I think I'll pass on it.

Star Tours gives me headaches so I tend to avoid it anyway, but when I do ride it I ride in the very back row and that seems to help. I guess I can brace myself better back there, not sure but it works.
 
Indy and Matterhorn( mainly because their is no cusion on that seat :) )
 


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