Space Mountain - how rough on the back and neck?

[ProTraderColin]

to answer your question: pretty rough. it's old and you obviously can't anticipate a turn

 

[GregLautz]

I rode Space Mountain, a week and a half ago, right after I broke my foot and sprained my ankle in the Magic Kingdom Ticket and Distribution Center. The first time I rode it, I rode in the very front and it was extremely painful and jerky (mostly because of my foot, and your pain is elsewhere)... but I have found that the second seat is pretty smooth and may be a good bet.

Side note, anyone else deathly afraid to lift their arms up on this ride?

 

[Pooks]

Space Mountain at MK, and Dinosaur at AK are both too rough on my back and neck. I've had to give up riding them.

 

[Ev Johnson]

Side note, anyone else deathly afraid to lift their arms up on this ride?

One side went down when we were there in February. It is scary with the lights on; I never realized how close everything is. I will never raise my arms again!

 

[sharona]

OP here. Just following up to relate my recent experience. Gave it a shot as my back has been pretty good lately. DD loved it (of course) so we had to go on 2X and even went back for a 3rd ride late night but it was closed for technical issues. First ride we were #1 and #2 in the front car on the FP side. It was much smoother than I expected and I enjoyed it. Back and neck seemed ok afterwards. Second ride I was in the very last seat of the last car on the other side - much bumpier ride and didn't enjoy it as much. Can't really say if it was my seat or the different track. Nothing really painful or damaging, just a bit sore the next day but we did open til close and I lugged my heavy dslr around with me - that did way more damage than Space!!

Edit to add that no way was I lifting my arms after watching a ride video with the lights on via youtube.

 

[MataHari22]

I had a modified radical neck dissection, and radiation for cancer, and now I have neck issues, radiation damage and really bad peripheral neuropathy. My arms and hands hurt and are numb and feel like they are asleep, 24/7. Last year, I decided to try Space Mt again, after not riding it since 2001. I was hurting. I thought it was super rough. Not to mention I am so weak, that I was almost not able to get myself out of the ride when it stopped. I really wish there was someone there to help me, I almost didn't get out. Also, BTM was afoul. Used to be a fav of mine. It was too rough, and I'm so tiny, I just flew all over the seat and got bruised up. Might have been better if I was able to ride with someone else and not alone. Don't think I'll be doing either of them this year.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Hard to say. When we were there last October, we found it considerably smoother than on our previous visits. That's because they put in brakes recently, to smooth out the roughest spots. It's still a bit of a rough ride, though.

If you do decide to try it, I recommend hanging on to the cushion in front of you, to smooth it out even more.

 

[whiporee]

I'm huge -- 6-4, 300 pounds -- and always have sat in the back seat of the second car so I can see my kids in front of me. On our last trip I did notice I was being thrown out of my seat a lot during the ride, and int he aftermath of the trip, i had some pain in my outer thigh. Docs thought I pinched a nerve doing all the rides at my size. Reading this thread, I guess that makes sense.

Like most time my back has been hurt, it takes about 10 weeks for things to fade, and that's been the case with this, too. But I does let me know that next WDW trip, I probably ought to sit in the front.

Or lose a bunch of weight. I guess that's an (unlikely) option, too.

 

[larryz]

Looking for info and feedback on how bad it really is. Can you compare it to any other rides at WDW or DL or Universal?

Have three of your best friends blindfold you then randomly beat you with 10-lb sandbags. That's what it feels like to me.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I don't have as much of a problem with my back and neck as I do with my hips. The seats are really big and it's a rough ride...I got tossed around quite a bit and my hips kept banging into the sides of the vehicle. I like the ride itself but it's definitely one of the more uncomfortable ones.

 

[tsme]

It is way too rough. It used to be a lot smoother and more fun, imo. I hate the way it jerks you around. Whoever came up with that idea should be transferred to a different department, far away from rides. I don't ride it anymore because it makes me feel like I've been in a car wreck. Painful for hours.

 

[Lavitz]

Not that it'll probably mean anything to you, but at Canada's Wonderland there is a roller coaster called Flight Deck that was installed 1995. It was fantastic for a bit, now it's a torturous shadow of it's former glory due to the head shaking.

Space Mountain is about 3 times as bad because the ride is pitch dark, so you cannot see the turn and brace yourself. Both of these rides are the only amusement park rides I've ever been on that I refuse to go again.

 

[Networth]

Instead of the ride photo booth Disney needs to set up a chiropractors office as you exit.

 

[SheriBerry]

We just rode last week and while I didn't find it too bad, DH says he probably won't ride again...it bothered his back too much

 

[IrishNYC]

I didn't think it was too bad, but I didn't like not being able to anticipate the next turn or drop. I thought Dinosaur was a lot worse. I will NEVER ride that awfulness again.