Rides to avoid with neck issues

[mouseearstx]

Hi All!

This will be my first time back at either of the parks since I had a car accident 3 years ago. I still have a few herniated disks in my neck that don't usually bother me much, but things that are very jerky can set it off. Most of my park experience is from WDW, so the rides that are at both parks I kind have an idea about. To give you an idea of my tolerance, I might ride BTMR once but I would avoid star tours.

Which rides that are unique to DL would you suggest totally avoiding, and which might not be too bad? Obviously I know to avoid things like Matterhorn, indy, goofy's sky school because I know they are very jerky. A comparison to a similar ride at WDW could be helpful too! Thanks for your help!

 

[shosh1530]

I'd add Millenium Falcon to your list if you can't do Star Tours. It is jerky in the same way, maybe even a little worse.

Incredicoaster isn't as jerky as Matterhorn or Goofy's Sky School, but does move fast and come to a quick stop (and goes upside down). I'm not sure I'd risk that one.

I think Web Slingers would be just fine. I've never done Roger Rabbit Cartoon Spin, but I think that one is pretty jerky.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

I have read that the Indy attraction is the same ride vehicle as Dinosaur in WDW. That is a pretty rough ride at times with start and stop and the back and forth, so I would recommend avoiding Indy.

 

[miksicnarf]

I also have herniated disks in my neck from a car accident, so I feel your pain. Mater's Junkyard Jamboree is another one I'd avoid. I can ride Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters with no problem but you might want to watch it first to see how it looks to you.
You've already noted Goofy's Sky School as a no-no, and I can't endorse that enough! That one will wreck a healthy spine!

 

[mouseearstx]

Thank you all! I did Roger Rabbit about 14 years age, and I don't really remember how jerky it is, I might send my family ahead to test that one out first! I really wasn't sure about either of the rides in Galaxy's Edge. They both seem like they might be risky! I'm out on Incredicoaster totally because I don't do loops or big drops like Guardians even without a neck injury!

Dinosaur would be a huge no-no, so defiantly no to Indy! I've seen video of Mater and was unsure about that one thanks for confirming my suspicions.

While the injury isn't new traveling to a theme park with the injury is! Luckily I don't mind just soaking up some atmosphere while others in my party go on the rides I can't. Plus we are going for 5 days so there is plenty of time to go back to something if my family thinks I'll do fine on it. Of course my DH is likely to try to convince me that It's a Small World is too rough to try to get out of riding it! (My oldest DD who's 29 threatened to make him ride it every day we are there)

 

[BrianL]

As mentioned, Matterhorn and Sky School are the big ones - those are ROUGH! Any roller-coaster is technically prohibited for people with back and neck injuries, but I've had a herniated disc in my lower back for years and still ride most anything. Indy is like Dinosaur, so you know that one. Mater's junkyard Jamboree is teh same as Alien Swirling Saucers at HS, so if you are familiar with that then you can use that as your baseline. The Space Mountain at DL is actually much smoother thn the WDW version, but may still be rough (Space at MK is comparable to Matterhorn, but Matterhorn is much worse, probably because of it's age). On Smuggler's Run, it is somewhat liek Star Tours, but how much it jerks you around depends very much on the pilot. If they fly straight it shakes less. I once had piolts who basically did nothing but rammed us into the ground and it shook so much more! For Rise, there isn't much it can be compared too (Ratatouill or Runaway Railway maybe), but it's also WELL worth experiencing. At the very least, and I don't know if this is possible, but it should be, go through the line and experience until you board the cars, and try to opt out. It's not really that jerky though, but might be a little.

 

[DLgal]

Space Mountain, absolutely avoid. It has very sharp fast turns that are hard to brace for because you don't know which direction they are going to be due to the dark.

Basically, the only coasters you can safely do are Big Thunder (towards the front) and Incredicoaster. I'd stay away from all the others.

Skip Indiana Jones, Maters, and Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout.

Millennium Falcon and Rise won't be a problem.

 

[Disney0010]

I have had neck surgery to replace two discs. All of those mentioned above would be good to avoid. The one that gets me and I was surprised is Big Thunder. The train here is not a jerky as DW but on each of the three climbs it jerks when going into the pulling mechanism. I still ride it but I try to be ready for each climb.

 

[DLgal]

I have had neck surgery to replace two discs. All of those mentioned above would be good to avoid. The one that gets me and I was surprised is Big Thunder. The train here is not a jerky as DW but on each of the three climbs it jerks when going into the pulling mechanism. I still ride it but I try to be ready for each climb.

Yeah, my husband still rides this one, but he braces with his arms on the bar and sort of leans his upper body forward like he is a riding a bike.

 

[lalasmama]

Anything with a height requirement will likely have a neck/back warning.

 

[Sakura1017]

I also have neck issues and had a dislocated neck in the past. I went on Maters thinking I would be okay looking at videos online of the ride. Obviously that was not a great idea, I wouldn't chance it again either.

I really hope I can ride falcon, rise, and web slingers.

 

[mouseearstx]

the DIS Boards are the best! I know they have the neck/back injury warnings on a lot of the signs, but I also know that they are overly cautious with them because they don't want to be sued! Some of the rides I have seen them on are rides I think I would be fine doing, others definitely not! Luckily for me if I do happen to ride one of those rides the worst case scenario for me personally, would be to have pain in my right shoulder and arm and three fingers on my left hand would go numb for a few hours. Not trip ruining, but can make me a little grumpy and irritable, which I'd like to avoid (as would my family ).

We will leaving Friday for 5 days in the park. I will report back what my experiences were so I can hopefully help others in the same predicament.

 

[BrianL]

the DIS Boards are the best! I know they have the neck/back injury warnings on a lot of the signs, but I also know that they are overly cautious with them because they don't want to be sued! Some of the rides I have seen them on are rides I think I would be fine doing, others definitely not! Luckily for me if I do happen to ride one of those rides the worst case scenario for me personally, would be to have pain in my right shoulder and arm and three fingers on my left hand would go numb for a few hours. Not trip ruining, but can make me a little grumpy and irritable, which I'd like to avoid (as would my family ).

We will leaving Friday for 5 days in the park. I will report back what my experiences were so I can hopefully help others in the same predicament.

Yes, they are overly cautious. I've lived with a hearniated disc for 20 years now. The surgeon said that it was so mild that hte didn't recommend surgery and that if it ever got worse, we could address it then. It's been fine, and I've done a LOT of Disney since then. You know what you can handle - just use your best judgement. You probably know this, but I do recommend ibuprofen, as it really keeps down any swelling or inflamation to the nerve. So if you do ride somethign that agitates it, you may want to have some handy. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[DLgal]

I also have neck issues and had a dislocated neck in the past. I went on Maters thinking I would be okay looking at videos online of the ride. Obviously that was not a great idea, I wouldn't chance it again either.

I really hope I can ride falcon, rise, and web slingers.

Web Slingers is similar to Toy story, with less whipping around. You should be fine on that one for sure.

In your situation, I'd be careful with Falcon. Be the pilot if possible. It's less rough than in the back. Rise is SUPER smooth and the only part you need to pay attention to is the ending when you enter what looks like an elevator. There is a small drop (I think only like 10-20ft).

 

[ter-moo]

Definitely avoid Indiana Jones!!!

 

[BrianL]

Web Slingers is similar to Toy story, with less whipping around. You should be fine on that one for sure.

In your situation, I'd be careful with Falcon. Be the pilot if possible. It's less rough than in the back. Rise is SUPER smooth and the only part you need to pay attention to is the ending when you enter what looks like an elevator. There is a small drop (I think only like 10-20ft).

One note about simulator rides like Star Tours and Smuggler's Run, how rough the ride is is correlated to the motion. I used to wonder why I would sometimes get a little motion sick on Star Tours and sometimes I would be just fine. The closer to the outside you are and the closer to the back, the more motion you experience because the axis is centered (not the exact center of the seating because of the front area and screen). If you sit right over the axis of motion, you don't feel it as much. It's a mild difference, but my body can certianly notice. I don't know where the exact axis is on MFSR, but I'd think it is also in the center of the capsule as a whole - it is a much smaller capsule though and you can only sit on the edges.

 

[DLgal]

One note about simulator rides liek Star Tours and Smuggler's Run, how rough the ride is is correlated to the motion. I used to wonder why I would sometimes get a little motion sick on Star Tours and sometimes I would be just fine. The closer to the outside you are and the closer to the back, the more motion you experience because the axis is centered (not the exact center of the seating because of the front area and screen). If you sit right over the axis of motion, you don't feel it as much. It's a mild difference, but my body can certianly notice. I don't know where the exact axis is on MFSR, but I'd think it is also in the center of the capsule as a whole - it is a much smaller capsule though and you can only sit on the edges.

It looks like this.

In my unscientific assessment after numerous rides, the Pilots get the least amount of motion. Of course, it helps to fly well too!

 

[PiratePixiePark]

Avoid Space Mountain, for sure.

 

[mouseearstx]

We just returned last night from our trip and I wanted to report back on my experience incase it might be helpful to others!

At DLR I avoided Matterhorn, Space mountain, Smuggler's Run, Star Tours and the canoes (repetitive motions can aggravate my injury). No one in our party went on Autopia, Alice in Wonderland, Gadget's Go Coaster, or Rise of the Resistance, so I cannot comment on those.

Based on our experience these are my notes:
Big Thunder Mountain - Sent my husband ahead and he told me to avoid it because some of the turns are jerky. Sad I missed it, but better to be safe!

Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin - Depends on who you are riding with and if they spin the car a lot. If you don't move the vehicle around, it's no issue, but be aware that rotating the vehicle can be jerky

Many Adventure of Winnie the Pooh - This one doesn't seem like it would be an issue, but the vehicle is constantly moving as though floating on wavy water and if you have an injury that can be set off by too much repetitive motion, be aware that this could aggravate that issue.

Mr. Toads Wild Ride - I actually road this one a couple times and was okay, but my injury is 3 years old and healing, two years ago this would have been a big no, there are some quick turns and the part where the car goes over the railroad tracks is very bumpy!

Pinocchio's Daring Journey - I also did this one fine, but be aware there are some quick sharp turns

Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin - I road this, and would recommend to others with neck injuries to avoid it! It is a a lot of jerking around!

I did fine on all of the other rides.

At CA I avoided Goofy's Sky School, Guardian's of the Galaxy, and Incredicoaster! We also did not ride Golder Zephyr, Jumpin' Jellyfish, Pixar Pal-A-Round, Radiator Springs Racers, Silly Symphony Swings (Grizzly River Rapids and the Inside Out ride were down for Referb) so I cannot comment on any of those.

Based on our experience these are my notes:

Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters - I could do it once, but would not repeat it. Definitely jerks you around a bit!

Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - I did this one twice, on two separate days. This is another one of those that jerks you around quite a bit. I did okay, but my injury isn't as sensitive as it once was. Use caution with this one!

Toy Story Midway Mania - This one is very jerky, and I know I should have skipped it, but my family loves to compete on these kind of rides!

Web Slingers - also has it's moments when it kind of flings you around, so be aware of that!

Hopefully my experience will help others who may have similar types of neck issues!

 

[Sakura1017]

I was okay on webslingers last time. Didn't have a chance to ride any Star Wars rides cuz of my schedule. I will keep in mind trying to see if I can sit either pilot or middle on those rides.
How is gadget's coaster? There are no warnings on neck pain in the disclaimer.