The New And Improved Space Mountain

[Vanvmom]

So he probably did have some preexisting condition or something...

Likely so. The stop at the end is quick, but not whiplash fast, so not likely fast enough to cause a brain injury. I'd be more worried about the fast start if you didn't have your head back like they advise.

As far as the headache... if you are having sinus problems, are slightly dehydrated, or are riding "stiff necked," I can see how the braking at the end might give you a headache (especially after the pace and turns in the ride just prior to the end). It's unfortunate that you felt so poorly during your vacation.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Likely so. The stop at the end is quick, but not whiplash fast, so not likely fast enough to cause a brain injury. I'd be more worried about the fast start if you didn't have your head back like they advise.

As far as the headache... if you are having sinus problems, are slightly dehydrated, or are riding "stiff necked," I can see how the braking at the end might give you a headache (especially after the pace and turns in the ride just prior to the end). It's unfortunate that you felt so poorly during your vacation.

That must be it - I have extremely bad sinus problems. I think I do stiffen my neck on most roller coaster rides to stabilize it. I thought that's what you're supposed to do? I thought if I didn't stiffen my neck it would be whipping around all over the place. I was more afraid of whiplash if I didn't stiffen my neck...Thanks, I only felt badly that one afternoon; I was fine before and after that. That's why I won't chance going on Screaming again though...

 

[bumbershoot]

That must be it - I have extremely bad sinus problems. I think I do stiffen my neck on most roller coaster rides to stabilize it. I thought that's what you're supposed to do? I thought if I didn't stiffen my neck it would be whipping around all over the place. I was more afraid of whiplash if I didn't stiffen my neck...Thanks, I only felt badly that one afternoon; I was fine before and after that. That's why I won't chance going on Screaming again though...

Let me preface this with saying that I have a pretty healthy spine. I'm a retired chiropractor, so I sort of have to. But the way I ride coasters is to be relaxed. Not floppy so I'm tossed around, but I just sort of move with the movement of the coaster. Say on Indy...everyone around me is holding onto the front of the seats in front, or the steering wheel, with a death grip. Not me! I sit up nice and tall with good but relaxed posture especially in my lower spine, and I just sort of move along with the way the ride moves. I don't hold onto anything. And I have NEVER felt bad after Indy, quite the opposite, actually! It's like my little adjustment for the day.

Now I'll admit that the day after I did Screamin' I had a wild nauseous headache, but many factors likely went into that, so I can't put it all to the coaster. I think that in my case, exhaustion played a much bigger role in how I felt the first half of that day.

Anyway, that's just how I get through coasters, and it works well for me. Think on it, try to imagine it for yourself, and abandon the idea if it scares you at all, I do NOT want you to hurt yourself trying something that worked for one random person on a message board.



Back to the new and improved SM, but really back to the OLD SM, I remember nothing about it when I was a kid except for an interminably LONG line, and my brother and I having The Best Time EVER in said long line.

 

[22David2]

At what point on Space Mountain is the snapshot taken???

 

[DLR29]

At what point on Space Mountain is the snapshot taken???

Very very end, when your car turns left and you see a bunch of stars and flashes. It's fun making faces because you know it's coming.

 

[Quest4fun]

Very very end, when your car turns left and you see a bunch of stars and flashes. It's fun making faces because you know it's coming.

If you look slightly up and to the right you'll get a nice shot facing the camera.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Now I'll admit that the day after I did Screamin' I had a wild nauseous headache, but many factors likely went into that, so I can't put it all to the coaster. I think that in my case, exhaustion played a much bigger role in how I felt the first half of that day.

LOL this made me laugh Molly....wasnt' the other factor the beer you weren't charged for?? I just remember reading your trip report when you wrote about your screamin experience. I thought to myself HOW FUN it is without feeling loosey goosey...it had to be ten times better after a little drinkey. LOL

I hope you don't get offended by me saying that......it really is just funny because of you saying many factors and I thought back to your TR. THat was my favorite part of your TR. I was right there with ya for your first time.

 

[Tink208]

I so agree with that statement!! I have no desire to ride any coasters at the local theme park. I think Disney sets up everything so well that you're immersed in the theming... you actually feel like you are going through space or on a train on everest. More of an total experience than just standing in line for an hour to just ride a coaster.

I think Disney does a good job of sort of camouflaging the fact that you are on a rollercoaster. Our older son did really well on all the coaster type rides at DL on his first trip (though he wasn't real thrilled with Indy, but I think that was a theming issue, more than the actual ride experience), when he was almost 5. The following summer, we went to a local amusement park and my husband and I assumed that we would each get to take turns riding the rollercoasters with our older son (the younger one was a newborn at the time); however, standing underneath the actual coasters and seeing all the twists and turns made my son very anxious. We got him on one and then he refused to ride any more. Interestingly enough, to this day, the only coaster ride he won't go on at DLR is Screamin', and I think it is because you can really see it is a coaster.

Oh, and Space Mountain is my all time favorite DLR ride! I loved it before the refurb and I love it even more now. We went on it at least once every day on our last trip. My younger son thinks it is the best ride, too. (Though, he was too short to ride Screamin' or Indy, so he hasn't had a chance to truly rate all of the thrill/coaster type rides, yet.) As for rides that could cause brain, or other injury, I would have to vote Matterhorn for the top of that list!

 

[HydroGuy]

I think Disney does a good job of sort of camouflaging the fact that you are on a rollercoaster. Our older son did really well on all the coaster type rides at DL on his first trip (though he wasn't real thrilled with Indy, but I think that was a theming issue, more than the actual ride experience), when he was almost 5. The following summer, we went to a local amusement park and my husband and I assumed that we would each get to take turns riding the rollercoasters with our older son (the younger one was a newborn at the time); however, standing underneath the actual coasters and seeing all the twists and turns made my son very anxious. We got him on one and then he refused to ride any more. Interestingly enough, to this day, the only coaster ride he won't go on at DLR is Screamin', and I think it is because you can really see it is a coaster.

Oh, and Space Mountain is my all time favorite DLR ride! I loved it before the refurb and I love it even more now. We went on it at least once every day on our last trip. My younger son thinks it is the best ride, too. (Though, he was too short to ride Screamin' or Indy, so he hasn't had a chance to truly rate all of the thrill/coaster type rides, yet.) As for rides that could cause brain, or other injury, I would have to vote Matterhorn for the top of that list!

I think you did not mean it the way it sounds, but I do not think Disney "camouflages" its rides. It makes it sound like they are trying to hide something. Rather they use rollercoasters (for example) to tell a story and immerse people in an experience. It is sort of like saying that the sets in a Broadway musical are camouflaging the stage. Rather they are there to help tell the story.

With that said, in my younger days I liked the adrenaline of a pure rollercoaster. Now I can barely tolerate them. I want an immersive experience.

 

[Tink208]

Yes, in re-reading what I wrote, I phrased my thought incorrectly. What I meant was that, aside from CA Screamin', it is hard, if not possible at all, to tell from outside the coaster type rides what exactly is happening while you are on the ride. Even BTMR has parts "hidden" in caves/rocks. Instead, you get awesome theming leading up to, and included in and around, the ride, so you focus on that and not all the ups, downs, twists, et cetera, of the actual ride before you get on it. For my son, I think that was key to his being willing to go on the rides. When faced with seeing the whole ride before getting in line (e.g., CA Screamin', or all the coasters at our local theme park), he refuses to go on it. (He is not my thrill seeking child, by any stretch of the imagination. His little brother, on the other hand, was beyond chagrined that he wasn't tall enough to ride CA Screamin' because he thought it looked totally awesome!)

 

[bumbershoot]

LOL this made me laugh Molly....wasnt' the other factor the beer you weren't charged for?? I just remember reading your trip report when you wrote about your screamin experience. I thought to myself HOW FUN it is without feeling loosey goosey...it had to be ten times better after a little drinkey. LOL

I hope you don't get offended by me saying that......it really is just funny because of you saying many factors and I thought back to your TR. THat was my favorite part of your TR. I was right there with ya for your first time.

Not offended. The beer certainly could have had something to do with it. Usually I'm not obviously affected by one brewskie, but when I'm tired and dehydrated I've been known to be more sensitive. While looking for that brain injury report, I found a description of a stage/class 1 concussion. It described exactly how I felt when I got off Screamin! A bit loopy, a bit slurry, and not walking quite straight. I was also laughing, out loud, alone. But that too could have been one beer on a hot and tired stomach.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Not offended. The beer certainly could have had something to do with it. Usually I'm not obviously affected by one brewskie, but when I'm tired and dehydrated I've been known to be more sensitive. While looking for that brain injury report, I found a description of a stage/class 1 concussion. It described exactly how I felt when I got off Screamin! A bit loopy, a bit slurry, and not walking quite straight. I was also laughing, out loud, alone. But that too could have been one beer on a hot and tired stomach.

LOL I must walk around with a class 1 concussion every day of my life then.

 

[quiltymom]

Yes, in re-reading what I wrote, I phrased my thought incorrectly. What I meant was that, aside from CA Screamin', it is hard, if not possible at all, to tell from outside the coaster type rides what exactly is happening while you are on the ride. Even BTMR has parts "hidden" in caves/rocks. Instead, you get awesome theming leading up to, and included in and around, the ride, so you focus on that and not all the ups, downs, twists, et cetera, of the actual ride before you get on it. For my son, I think that was key to his being willing to go on the rides. When faced with seeing the whole ride before getting in line (e.g., CA Screamin', or all the coasters at our local theme park), he refuses to go on it. (He is not my thrill seeking child, by any stretch of the imagination. His little brother, on the other hand, was beyond chagrined that he wasn't tall enough to ride CA Screamin' because he thought it looked totally awesome!)

I agree with you! That's why I love Disney rides so much. I'm still trying to get my nerve up and ride CA Screamin' this next trip. Maybe if I keep my eyes closed and keep thinking that I'm on RnRC, then I'll be okay!