Rocking roller coaster

[MeganMango]

I'm young (22), healthy, flexible, and I workout (Crossfit and marathons).

Immediately after riding, my lower back started hurting. The same pain I got on my last trip (3 months ago). Does this happen to anyone else? I am here til next Friday night.

 

[CAS239]

I've never experienced any pain after riding. Perhaps you had a minor injury that you didn't know prior that was made greater by the movement? I find it to be a rather smooth ride

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm old and not fit. And I don't get pain after riding it. Space Mountain is a different story though....

 

[MeganMango]

I'm fine on space mountain.

No injury that I know of! Crossfit is very intense and I would have noticed any back injury! Kinda bummed my back hurts now!

 

[Parker Clan]

My neck hurt after riding for the first time last summer. It was so fun but I don't think I'll ride it again

 

[Sam33]

I'm 27 with a terrible back and it's one of the few roller coasters that I don't feel worse after riding.
Space and tower of terror kill me

 

[loves to dive]

I'm older (59) but do work out and can't ride that ride. It kills my neck and gives me a headache. I think the reason for me is I'm height challenged and small so my head gets bounced around a good bit. I can't ride Space Mountain either for the same reason.

 

[mom2rtk]

One thing that I do is lean back in my seat and press my head into the headrest as firmly as possible in the ride. I really think that decreases any movement in the neck/back during the ride.

 

[bumbershoot]

Everyone's different. I'm basically fit ans take care of my spine, and Disneyland's Indy (like Dinosaur) doesn't hurt me but RnRC destroys me. It's just really rough on me.

 

[MeganMango]

Hmmm. I'm also very short. Not sure if that makes a difference.

My back has been sore all evening. I have a feeling I'll be needing Advil all week now

 

[JimmyV]

One thing that I do is lean back in my seat and press my head into the headrest as firmly as possible in the ride. I really think that decreases any movement in the neck/back during the ride.

Must. Press. Head. Firmly. Against. Headrest.
When I do that I am fine. Now, the Matterhorn at DL is an entirely different story. A ride on that and I feel like I have been in a commercial clothes dryer. More bruises than a two week old banana.

 

[mom2rtk]

Must. Press. Head. Firmly. Against. Headrest.
When I do that I am fine. Now, the Matterhorn at DL is an entirely different story. A ride on that and I feel like I have been in a commercial clothes dryer. More bruises than a two week old banana.

Yeah, not enough headrest on the Matterhorn to help there. I usually grin and bear my way through one ride then send my daughter single rider the rest of the times she wants to ride that one. But I could do Rock 'N Rollercoaster all day. It's awesome and so smooth. But pressing your head back to minimize movement is key.

California Screamin is very similar and the trick works there too. We rode 6 times in a row one slow but cold morning at DCA. I could have kept going by my ears were frozen solid!

 

[JimmyV]

We rode 6 times in a row one slow but cold morning at DCA. I could have kept going by my ears were frozen solid!

That would be known as "California Ice-Creamin'".

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

I've never heard of that happening after the ride. I agree with the notion that you might have aggravated a minor injury in the past. I have a minor shoulder injury from a car accident a year. Usually after a few days riding in Disney, it'll act up a bit. When that happens, I take some ibuprofen and that usually does the trick. Wishing you well!

 

[CarrieR]

Height is a huge factor. I go often with two besties who love it. It's torture for me... finally figured out the restraint hits me right at the jaw hinge so I bounce off of it the whole ride. I'm larger chested, too, so the positioning of the restraint hits me just "right."

Never had lower back pain, but I suppose it would be possible depending on how you were sitting.

 

[Klayfish]

I'm twice your age, literally, and am into bodybuilding. But even taking good care of yourself obviously won't make you immune from issues. Without sounding like a grumpy old man, I've got my fair share of joint issues. I don't find RnR painful, just rode it today. But I can see where it cause someone to tweak a muscle or exacerbate old issues.

I agree with putting your head back, especially at initial take off.

 

[gatorlisa]

I'm older (59) but do work out and can't ride that ride. It kills my neck and gives me a headache. I think the reason for me is I'm height challenged and small so my head gets bounced around a good bit. I can't ride Space Mountain either for the same reason.

I have this same issue! I'm quite short (5'), and my head is down kind of between the sides of the restraint. My head gets knocked between the sides of the restraint when I ride and is not pleasant at all. It's gotten to the point I usually just skip it now. No back pain from it though...that comes from Space Mountain.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I'm old (52) and kinda fat. I always have found RnRC to be pretty smooth experience. I have long ago quit riding Space Mountain because it is a herky jerky mess. RnRC is no problem

 

[2Zoomers]

I really noticed on this trip that riding in the back is a lot rougher than it is closer to the front. I didn't like it nearly as much. I got kinda nervous, as it was my son's first time riding it (finally, our 10th trip), and we were in the back. I had no idea it made that much difference!! Luckily he still wanted to ride again, and the second time we got the front seats
He is now hooked. Loves it.

 

[CounselorX]

I keep my head firmly against the headrest only during the launch. After that, I bring my head forward a bit and my head then "floats" for the rest of the ride, not touching the back headrest or the shoulder harness.