Thrill rides and vertigo

[Soupermom]

I asked a similiar question a while ago, but as we approach our trip date and I do more research, I have more specific questions... I love roller coasters, but over the past few years have developed occasional periods of vertigo. I know that Mission Space and the Teacups are out for me, and a few others. I been watching specials on the Travel channel though and was wondering about the following rides, which to me seem like they'd be okay. (Medications really aren't an option as it has to do with my ears.) Speed/hills/loops aren't a problem, only spinning sensations...I think!

TofT, RnR, Dinosaur, Space Mountain---do these spin or have terrible motion simulators--like body wars or Mission Space?

Thanks for your expert advice!

 

[iluvtink]

Hi again, Soupermom!

I've never ridden ToT ... I am a <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_3_122.gif' alt='Chicken' border=0></a>!

But, I've ridden RR, SM, Dinosaur more than once, and I am pretty sure none of them spin. If they do, it's so small and fast that you don't that you have spun! I can't stand spinning rides, so I think I would have noticed. I've ridden BWars also, and none of the three that I have ridden had motion simulators like that. The RR and SM will both rattle your bones, for sure, and I really wonder what my brains look like after being slammed around in my skull for a minute or so while I am having a "good time!"

 

[danny1649]

Will be fine on the rides listed some are bounce you around some but I've been all you have listed and not experienced any spinning sensations from them.Have a great time on your visit.

 

[Disney*Chika]

ToT is awsome! ((this is comin from a 12 yr old btw lol)) ToT does not spin you at all! it just well ya know, drops you! It kinda gives me the feeling that i dont know whether I am going up or going down... but its like one of my fave rides!

 

[4DisneyfansinNC]

Soupermom,
I understand where you're coming from. I have the SAME problem, and it seems to have gotten worse thru the years. I went on MS last visit and felt so sick afterwards, I had to sit on a bench for at least 45 minutes. I was fine on all the other rides you mentioned. I was worried about Dinosaur, but did fine. I don't know if this will effect you or not, but I had a hard time doing the movies in Epcot on the huge screens where you feel like you're surrounded. The friend that I was with wanted to do them, so I just closed my eyes and took a little cat nap, lol.

 

[Soupermom]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I went to many of the "movies" in Epcot 10 years ago BEFORE i had vertigo, and disliked them sooo much...can't imagine going into Canada now!


I guess I'll be able to do a little more than I originally planned.

 

[NotUrsula]

Would the ear problem be Meniere's, by any chance? I have it, and I used to have a lot of problems on rides like Dumbo and the Teacups; the "baby-rides" that I got really laughed at for avoiding. However, I accidentally found a solution that gives me instant relief: a camera.

I'm darned if I know how this works, since my problem is not vision-related, but it somehow does. I can ride those circle rides without vertigo if I spend the ride time looking through the viewfinder of a camera. (I get some pretty good pics this way, too!)

By the way, Mission Space did not bother me at all. However, the key is NOT to close your eyes on this ride. If you keep your eyes open and focused on the screen, the fixed-point gaze dampens the spinning sensation. If you close your eyes, your ears take on the whole burden of your sense of equilibrium, and with my ears, that's not good.

On the regular simulator rides like Star Tours, or for the Epcot films, I find that the best solution if the vertigo comes is not to close my eyes, but to focus on my feet. That way my sense of balance is still aided by my eyes, but what I'm looking at is actually not moving in relation to the rest of my body.

If you can do the Safari at AK, the motion of Dinosaur is much the same; just a really bumpy car ride. The difference is that it is dark and there are a lot of strobe effects.

 

[Twende]

I my experience I have found the you do not feel or know you are spinning in MS. I can not spin! Forget Dumbo or the tea cups maybe on a good day I can do a carousel! I rode MS with my eyes focused on the sceen at all times and really enjoyed it! I tried it later in the day in case I got ill, I could go back to the resort and not ruin the day! But it was great and I will ride it again!

TofT is great too. No spinning at all just a series of lifts and drops.

Dinosauer is fun but jerky, bumpy and in the dark with loud sudden noises and flashing lights. I hold on tight and have no problem with it! Lots of fun!

Space Mountain is rather tricky for me! I love to do it but I prefer the front car on the left side of the mountain. When the line splits I always try to go to the left track. The right track seems to have an extra circular turn at the end that starts to make me dizzy. If I yell through it, it sometimes helps! Poor people behind me! Oh well...better than getting sick on someone!

RoR is a new monster for me! I have only riden it once and I admit I was very frightened as the ride began! The feeling a acceleration just blew me away! I have never ridden a coaster that takes off like this one does! I know we were upside down a couple of times and did at least two corkscrews but nothing compared with the strange sensation at the start fo the ride. We had fast passes to ride it again and I declined and let my child ride twice more in a row! When we go back I plan on trying it again. Maybe my fear got the better of me!

Another one that really bothered me was Body Wars! I was told that the visual was out of sync and that is why it wa bothering so many people! I was sick all day after riding it. I was dizzy with a terrible headache and nausea that would not go away! I never tried the Star Tours one after that.