Tower of Terror with back & neck

[soarinfan]

I was all set to try Tower of Terror on my last trip when my husband said maybe I shouldn't go on it - so I didn't. We're planning another trip in April, and I'd like to hear from others with back and neck problems who have gone on it. Do you feel it can be hard on the back and neck or is it pretty gentle? I used to love free-fall rides when I was young and would love to try this if it won't bother me.

 

[soarinfan]

I just wanted to add that my husband says that you kind of hit the seat when you get to the bottom of your drop. I would like to know if others with back and neck pain found that uncomfortable.

 

[angelmav]

We had two people in our party with back problems and didnt have any problems with TOT. The worst ride, Big Thunder Mountain, really herky jerky. Rockin Rollercoaster also caused some problems with by BIL, he was hurting the next day, but I think that is more from not sitting back for the launch.

 

[soarinfan]

Yup - those are rough rides. I would not even be able to consider those, so I'm guessing your two people's back and neck issues are less severe than mine have bee. Anyone out there with really big time back and neck pain who's tried tower of terror? I really want to try it but I don't want to hurt myself!

 

[ireland_nicole]

I wouldn't recommend it. You do come off your seat a bit, and then fall back down. Also, because it changes each time, there's no way to predict and brace for the drops or sudden ascents. Sorry. There's no side to side jerking, though.

 

[toocherie]

OT--what about Dinosaur? I was going to ride the Indiana Jones ride in DL on Saturday but didn't because #1 it was down most of the morning, and #2 (and more importantly) they indicated people with back problems shouldn't ride. I have heard that Dinosaur and Indiana Jones are very similar. How bad is Dinosaur?

 

[ireland_nicole]

Cheryl
Dinosaur is a lot rougher than you might expect. You can't predicat when it will jerk right or left, and sometimes it jerks at an angle. I don't unually have back problems, and I was a little sore. HIH Although now that I think about it, I also had a completely panicked 5 y/o I had the really bad sense to take on because he loves Dinos. (note to self: neeevvveer do that again) He was clutching at me, so that may have influenced my experience. oops
Nicole

 

[soarinfan]

Thanks Ireland - Would you say that when you fall back into your seat it's a rough hit? Would it shake your neck or impact the lower back? I guess I'm still trying to see if I can determine the intensity to see if I could get away with it. It really seems like a blast to me, but I'm thinking you're right and I should avoid it.

 

[Earstou]

I think Dinosaur is a lot worse than Indiana Jones. I will ride IJ once per visit (family rides it more) but will never go on Dinosaur again!

 

[ntsammy5]

DW has neck and back problems and went on Dinosaur once. She'll never do that again and was in pain the rest of that day. She blames me for not warning her.

OH and the original question, she rides TOT on occasion and it doesn't bother her at all.

 

[toocherie]

Thanks everyone--I'll ride Indy the next time I'm at DL (if it's running!) and avoid Dinosaur when I go to WDW!

 

[kimbac3]

I have severe back pain and I rode Tower of Terror. Here's the thing though, I braced myself the entire time (well as soon as DD said to get ready). By doing so I didn't hurt my back but I also didn't experience the free fall sensation. So while it was cool to see what the inside of the ride looked like it was not as "exciting" for me as everyone else.

I didn't do Dinosaur so I can't help there. I did do Big Thunder and it was awful! I'm glad I did it on the last day and that I had my wheelchair to come back to. Space Mountain is REALLY rough on your back too. I hated it.

I hope this helps!

Kimba

 

[soarinfan]

Thanks Kim - I think I would enjoy going on it even if I don't get the full experience. Do you feel if I brace myself I shouldn't have impact on my back or neck also?

 

[kimbac3]

I didn't feel anything on my neck or back. I'm short 4'11'' and I didn't have any trouble bracing myself. I was worried about "slamming" down too, but truthfully once I was braced I didn't move at all. It does help if you go with someone who can tell you when to prepare for the drop.

I was so worried I kept asking DD.."Now?....now?....now?" She replied with "MOM! I'll tell you when!!" (little revenge for the "are we there yets ). She warned me ahead of time and I braced for it. I was fine. After we got off I told DD and DH that it wasn't THAT fun like they said it was. But then I realized that by bracing myself I missed that "feeling" but that's ok because it is really cool inside.

Hope that helps!! Have a great time!!
Kimba

 

[soarinfan]

Kim thanks so much, that really does help. One more question: By bracing yourself do you mean you held yourself down so you wouldn't rise out of the seat?

I'm psyched to be able to do this! Thanks so much.

 

[kimbac3]

Yep! I grabbed the side bars and held myself down. It actually didn't require as much force as I thought it would. Just don't stop holding down till you are positive the ride is over - lots of fake outs!!

When are you going to WDW?? We are going in 288 days!!

Kimba

 

[angelmav]

Yep! I grabbed the side bars and held myself down. It actually didn't require as much force as I thought it would. Just don't stop holding down till you are positive the ride is over - lots of fake outs!!

When are you going to WDW?? We are going in 288 days!!

Kimba

Thats pretty much how our back pain sufferers got by too. Neither one had any problems with it, but like I said, Avoid Big Thunder Mountain at all costs!

 

[soarinfan]

I'm psyched! I guess where there's a will there's a way! It looks like we have to move our trip because of work, but the plan right now is for the end of May.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I brace myself for Splash Mountain and TOT. I also try to sit on something, a jacket, sweatshirt, etc ...for a little cushion. Those two aren't bad. I can't do the roller coasters without extreme discomfort.

 

[jayandstacey]

I didn't do Dinosaur so I can't help there. I did do Big Thunder and it was awful! I'm glad I did it on the last day and that I had my wheelchair to come back to. Space Mountain is REALLY rough on your back too. I hated it.

I hope this helps!

Kimba

I'll echo Kimba and say that of the bunch, Space Mtn was my worst. I don't normally have back issues but I am tall - 6'4" - and Space Mtn knocked the wind out of me when it grabbed the chain on the first uphill. Partly my fault (I wasn't braced) and partly the fact that i'm tall (the seat back felt like a bar across the middle of my back) but wow, that made the ride and the rest of the day pretty miserable.