The older I get, the more terrified I am of rides. Anyone else experiencing this?

[OhanaMomma]

Ok- so for the record, I am going to be 46 years old. I believe motherhood has had a definite impact on my now acute sense of mortality (kids are 10 and 12). That being said, MENTALLY I know I won't die on the ride, but physically I have started experiencing visible trembling, racing heart, legs turned to jello and sweaty palms when going on rides. So much so that I am starting to think "maybe I'm just getting too old for this ****" I used to LOVE Expedition Everest, for instance. The last time I went on it, I was nauseous and had a headache the rest of the day! And let's not even discuss my reaction after getting off Rockin' Rollercoaster last year! I was more than halfway through the ride (1st time riding it) when I realized it wasn't that the ride was in pitch darkness, it was because I had MY EYES CLOSED! My body's reaction has left me feeling betrayed! When the heck did I become such a sissy?
Anyone have any advice on how to get back to a normal sense of calmness? Is it just me? Do I need to ask my doctor for meds maybe? Anyone else experiencing this?

 

[CartyGirls]

I am 46 also and have been "slowing down" on some of the ride choices that I do realize make me a bit of a chicken. I don't know why. I don't know if it will last. But in 121 more days I will decide then what I will ride and what I will blame on my back LOL

 

[krybandt]

You're definitely not alone. We are heading to WDW in a few days and I'm already mildly panicked about the thought of riding Rockin rollercoaster, lol. My heart gets this really weird feeling when the ride first takes off and while it used to be kind of funny, now I wonder if it means I will probably die. I am 45. Sigh. In all seriousness, I will still probably ride everything. p.s. I thought it was normal to ride roller coasters with eyes closed, especially Space Mountain

 

[Disneypro1]

nope...love them all 48m here..Nothing stopping us!

 

[jo-jo]

I've always been a chicken but I find the older I get the less motion is needed to make me feel dizzy. Never been on most of the roller coasters, and now even with the merry go round, I need to hold on for dear life.

Of course I have 20 years on you.

 

[tsme]

Yeah, I can’t handle “exciting” rides anymore either. I did read an article years ago that said as we age, changes in our bodies makes us more prone to motion sickness. So maybe it’s physical as well as mental.

 

[ElizabethG]

I'll be 46 is a few months! Yes, I get that too. When my kids were smaller, I just wouldn't ride if they couldn't or didn't want to. Now they like them all (15 and 17). I 'suck it up' with the secret hope the line is too long. The only ones I really don't like are RnR and Space Mountain. Everest just makes me a little queasy after (which is another gift that age has given me).

 

[DISNEYSQUIRRELS]

Haha, we should start a club! I'm 47 & LOVE rides. I have bungee jumped, zip-lined & repelled down the side of a mountain and never said no to any ride or coaster.
My last few trips to Disney, I definitely noticed a difference on some of the coasters. I secretly took dramamine last time thinking it would help. It made me so tired.
I guess its just what happens, I don't know that there's anything any of us can do to prevent it.
No more back to back EE single rider line for me tho.

 

[OhanaMomma]

nope...love them all 48m here..Nothing stopping us!

In the words of Napoleon Dynamite...

 

[OhanaMomma]

Haha, we should start a club! I'm 47 & LOVE rides. I have bungee jumped, zip-lined & repelled down the side of a mountain and never said no to any ride or coaster.
My last few trips to Disney, I definitely noticed a difference on some of the coasters. I secretly took dramamine last time thinking it would help. It made me so tired.
I guess its just what happens, I don't know that there's anything any of us can do to prevent it.
No more back to back EE single rider line for me tho.

That was me with the Dramamine last year! It didn't do a thing to help and I just got really tired from it. I even used the so-called "non-drowsy" formula.

 

[Magical2017]

No, except wild wooden coasters. My neck hurts after riding on those. I am 50 and will go on thrill rides until my body says no.

 

[mamamelody2]

I am 47. I am not scared of rides, but I just can't handle them physically. My stomach just can't take it. It's best when I have food in my stomach, but not too much. Such a fine line! LOL. Also, I am prone to headaches after rides such as Space Mountain or Expedition Everest.
This is how I am even after taking Bonine. ARGH!

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Ok- so for the record, I am going to be 46 years old. I believe motherhood has had a definite impact on my now acute sense of mortality (kids are 10 and 12). That being said, MENTALLY I know I won't die on the ride, but physically I have started experiencing visible trembling, racing heart, legs turned to jello and sweaty palms when going on rides. So much so that I am starting to think "maybe I'm just getting too old for this ****" I used to LOVE Expedition Everest, for instance. The last time I went on it, I was feeling messed up the rest of the day! And let's not even discuss my reaction after getting off Rockin' Rollercoaster last year! I was more than halfway through the ride (1st time riding it) when I realized it wasn't that the ride was in pitch darkness, it was because I had MY EYES CLOSED! My body's reaction has left me feeling betrayed! When the heck did I become such a sissy?
Anyone have any advice on how to get back to a normal sense of calmness? Is it just me? Do I need to ask my doctor for meds maybe? Anyone else experiencing this?

It's not just you. It all reminds me of the episode of modern family when Jay feels queasy after a ride. I do know that it's true certain motions and visual effects on rides effect our equal Librium and as we age that can change for the worse. So even rides that never bothered you before may as you get older.

I also think it's normal as we age to think about the 'what ifs' with rides and yes being a mom makes as uber paranoid, just part of the territory. My girls are 10 and 12 too but we have so much fun being scared together that it's a fun accomplishment for us when we conquer our fears. However, there are a few rides that make my husband feel ill after so he has taken dramamine prior to certain rides and will also make sure he's eaten. Like Star Wars, EE and FoP.

If it bothers you to the point that it effects the rest of your park day, I'd bypass anything like that. No fun not feeling good.

 

[FastPasser.]

Guess I'm going against the flow because the older I get, and I'm very old, the more risk I take, with the most recent being sky diving. I'll do any thrill ride at any park, but that's just me.

 

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

My grandfather is 75 years old and will ride Expedition Everest. I have no excuse to ever be scared. Lol.

 

[OhanaMomma]

You're definitely not alone. We are heading to WDW in a few days and I'm already mildly panicked about the thought of riding Rockin rollercoaster, lol. My heart gets this really weird feeling when the ride first takes off and while it used to be kind of funny, now I wonder if it means I will probably die. I am 45. Sigh. In all seriousness, I will still probably ride everything. p.s. I thought it was normal to ride roller coasters with eyes closed, especially Space Mountain

I know *exactly* what you mean about that weird feeling in your heart. I know it's mostly just jitters, but there's part of me that wonders if it's actually dangerous at 45 vs 25! LOL. I want to be like I was before. Now I feel like I'm "broken" somehow? HOW DO I FIX ME?

 

[OhanaMomma]

My grandfather is 75 years old and will ride Expedition Everest. I have no excuse to ever be scared. Lol.

That's AWESOME! Wonder what his secret is!?

 

[OhanaMomma]

I am 47. I am not scared of rides, but I just can't handle them physically. My stomach just can't take it. It's best when I have food in my stomach, but not too much. Such a fine line! LOL. Also, I am prone to headaches after rides such as Space Mountain or Expedition Everest.
This is how I am even after taking Bonine. ARGH!

That's exactly how I feel - physically I feel like garbage just before and after. I'm usually just screaming during. I get nauseous and the headache as well. What the heck? I actually WANT to ride these coasters, yet when I get close to getting on, my body goes into panic mode without my consent! Never used to happen. SO FRUSTRATED!
I have only tried Dramamine once and it didn't do anything for me. Maybe I didn't give it enough time to work...I don't know. Sigh.

 

[krybandt]

I know *exactly* what you mean about that weird feeling in your heart. I know it's mostly just jitters, but there's part of me that wonders if it's actually dangerous at 45 vs 25! LOL. I want to be like I was before. Now I feel like I'm "broken" somehow? HOW DO I FIX ME?

I know what you mean about feeling broken. It does make me sad to think of not doing certain Disney rides, especially with my kids. Another part of me wants to be like my husband, who says thunder mountain is about the most thrill he wants. For what it’s worth, closing my eyes does help. I’ll see how it goes this trip...at least there’s always the people mover

 

[FastPasser.]

That's AWESOME! Wonder what his secret is!?

I'm also in my 70s, but there is no secret. Watch your weight, stay physically and mentally active and don't over do anything. Just common sense stuff.