What rides might be tough for someone with a bad back or neck?

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Besides the obvious coasters, what rides might be a problem for someone with a bad back or neck? Or issues with vertigo?

 

[teawar]

Dinosaur, teacups, possibly the safari due to it sometimes being jerky.

If motion sickness is an issue, flight of passage, Star tours, and remi would be issues due to the screens and 3D.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

Besides the obvious coasters, what rides might be a problem for someone with a bad back or neck? Or issues with vertigo?

I have neck issues and have to avoid the following:
AK- Safari, Everest, Kali, Dinosaur
MK- Barnstormer, BTMRR, Pooh, Space Mountain, Tiki room (looking up with neck issues for that long is painful)
DHS- Space Tours, RnRC, Alien Swirling Saucers, Runaway Railway (the dancing with Daisy part causes problems with my neck), Smuggler's Run, Tower of Terror.
EPCOT- test track (there's a rumbly part that bothers my neck), Guardians, Toy Story Mania (the rapid turn from one game to the next can cause problems with my neck)

If I am having a good day I might ride Slinky or Mine Train as they are very smooth, the only issue is the hard stop at the end.

You take your chances on any boat ride like Pirates, Navi, etc because when the boats pile up towards the exit they bump into each other. A few years ago that really bothered my neck but not as much anymore so it depends how sensitive your neck/back injury is. Same with Speedway, you can get bumped from behind.

My mom has vertigo and in addition to most of the rides I listed above she also cannot do:
AK- Triceratop spin, Avatar, Tough to be a bug
MK- Philharmagic, Carousel, Dumbo, Aladdin, Astro Orbiter, Tea Party
EPCOT- Soarin, Remi
HS- MuppetVision

 

[soniam]

It depends what is causing the bad back/neck pain. If it’s spinal disk or nerve related, there are a ton of things that should be avoided. Most things, in fact.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Dinosaur, teacups, possibly the safari due to it sometimes being jerky.

If motion sickness is an issue, flight of passage, Star tours, and remi would be issues due to the screens and 3D.

The further back you sit on the KS jeep, the more jerky, "bouncy" it is. However, I always tell the CM at loading that I need the first or second row , and I'm OK. I have a couple herniated discs, but KS is my favorite ride at WDW, so I hate the thought of skipping it. No discomfort for me in the front rows.

 

[slo]

I have neck issues and…..
Dinosaur is #1 - I literally hold the back of my neck during that ride (the ride photo is always humorous).
Space Mountain is #2 - I wish there was a head rest, but I understand why there isn’t.

Do I still go on these? Yes
Do I pay for it afterwards? Yes - LOL!

 

[ilovebassets]

I had lumbar spine surgery in 2016 at the ripe old age of 35. The only ride I've ever had an actual problem with was Seven Dwarves Mine Train (which I will no longer ride). It threw me sideways with just enough force that I had severe sacroiliac joint pain for weeks that only resolved with a steroid injection and three months of physical therapy. I have not ridden Rock N Roller Coaster, Dinosaur, or Tower of Terror since surgery just because I remember them being bad and jerky.

I have ridden Space Mountain, Kilimanjaro Safari, Guardians, Star Tours, Test Track, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain all without problems. I will continue to ride these.

I rode Expedition Everest and Mad Tea Party cups once each but will no longer do so. Seemed very high risk for re-injury even though I got lucky and didn't have a problem.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

I will add one thought I haven't seen yet: avoid waterlides at TL and BB. Even though they aren't as fast as typl coasters, water slides taken at the wrong angle can really cause a whiplash effect. So you probably want to avoid those

 

[ilovebassets]

I will add one thought I haven't seen yet: avoid waterlides at TL and BB. Even though they aren't as fast as typl coasters, water slides taken at the wrong angle can really cause a whiplash effect. So you probably want to avoid those

Good point. As someone with lumbosacral problems but no neck issues (knock on wood), I think it's important to think about what part of the body is at-risk because I have no issues at the water parks.

 

[lorileahb]

Always check with your doctor, but I've had degenerative discs (no vertigo issues) since my 20s and for me don't do:

• AK:
  • Dinosaur (extremely jerky)
  • Safari (sadly, lots of bumps/impact)
  • Big Coaster: Expedition Everest
• MK:
  • Winnie the Pooh (jerky)
  • Big Coasters: Big Thunder & Space Mountain
  • Teacups (I don't event suffer from vertigo, and this one makes my head spin)
• DHS:
  • Runaway Railway (ditto on the dancing Daisy part - I was bummed because I didn't know about this)
  • Toy Story Mania (it is jerkier than Buzz Lightyear at MK)
  • Haven't Tried, and Won't Based on Others Reviews: Smuggler's Run, Tower of Terror (I've thought about trying this one - but haven't), Space Tours, RnRC, Slinky Dog
• EPCOT:
  • Test Track
  • Missions Space Orange (think this may be bad for vertigo)
  • Frozen Ever After (I can ride this one if I brace and am careful, but it is the worst boat ride in WDW for me - lots of bumps and jerks... not worth it, one and done)
  • Haven't Tried, But have Considered: Mission Space Green

Have Tested and I Can do:

• AK:
  • Flights of Passage (one of my favorite rides - very smooth, I just brace and protect lower back when restraint locks in)
  • Not a ton of other rides good for my back, but I love the shows (Lion King, Nemo), the Animation class and the Animal Trek (if you walk it early in the a.m or in the evening, a lot of animals are usually out)
• MK:
  • Mine Train (smooth coaster, I brace the whole way to be careful, now that I can ride Guardians I will usually skip this one... not a must do)
  • Buzz Lightyear (have to be careful but I control spinning of our cart so can limit/anticipate jerkiness)
  • Pirates (I brace for the drop/bumps at the end when returning to dock, is easily manageable)
• Epcot:
  • Guardians of the Galaxy (very smooth, force pushed me down and held me in place though I also braced - imagine this would be horrible with vertigo but no experience - so happy I finally found a thrill coaster I can ride again!)
  • Soarin (one of my favorite rides - may cause vertigo issues?)
  • Remy (I brace and is easily manageable)
  • Three Caballeros (brace for the bumps at the end when returning to dock)
• DHS - this isn't a good park for my back issues, though I like some of the shows; I usually just skip it which is why I haven't tried Rise of the Resistance yet

Haven't Tried Yet, But Plan To:

• MK: Tron (hear it is quite smooth, but maybe have to protect lower back when restraint comes up... similar to Flights of Passage)
• DHS: Rise of the Resistance (hoping this is similar to Guardians)
• AK: Kali Rapids (my husband says he thinks as long as I pay attention and brace that I should be able to - he usually rides questionable things first and gives me perspective on if he things I can handle... Guardians cast members were great about letting me wait to get feedback from him when he got off the ride to decide if I wanted to get on)

 

[growhappiness]

Slinky Dog Dash really agitated my husband's back, especially near the end where there are little hills. (I know it's a coaster, but I wouldn't necessarily suspect it since it's a tamer one.)

 

[lorileahb]

The further back you sit on the KS jeep, the more jerky, "bouncy" it is. However, I always tell the CM at loading that I need the first or second row , and I'm OK. I have a couple herniated discs, but KS is my favorite ride at WDW, so I hate the thought of skipping it. No discomfort for me in the front rows.

Good point... we also ask for front rows on boat rides... and to be in the front or middle on Guardians.

 

[popy]

Problem for me not so much the rides, but it is getting. in and out.
be careful and don't twist., take your time.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I had lumbar spine surgery in 2016 at the ripe old age of 35. The only ride I've ever had an actual problem with was Seven Dwarves Mine Train (which I will no longer ride). It threw me sideways with just enough force that I had severe sacroiliac joint pain for weeks that only resolved with a steroid injection and three months of physical therapy. I have not ridden Rock N Roller Coaster, Dinosaur, or Tower of Terror since surgery just because I remember them being bad and jerky.

I have ridden Space Mountain, Kilimanjaro Safari, Guardians, Star Tours, Test Track, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain all without problems. I will continue to ride these.

I rode Expedition Everest and Mad Tea Party cups once each but will no longer do so. Seemed very high risk for re-injury even though I got lucky and didn't have a problem.

So I just got back. I just wanted to warn you, Toy Story Mania made me regret getting on. It was much more whippier than I recall. I did ride Remy and MMRR and just had to really brace myself.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I have neck issues and…..
Dinosaur is #1 - I literally hold the back of my neck during that ride (the ride photo is always humorous).
Space Mountain is #2 - I wish there was a head rest, but I understand why there isn’t.

Do I still go on these? Yes
Do I pay for it afterwards? Yes - LOL!

I recall my neck bothering me on Dinosaur way back when....I never rode again.

 

[2DIZNY]

Surprisingly, Alien Swirling Saucers was very bumpy and made a sore back worse.

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

Always check with your doctor, but I've had degenerative discs (no vertigo issues) since my 20s and for me don't do:

• AK:
  • Dinosaur (extremely jerky)
  • Safari (sadly, lots of bumps/impact)
  • Big Coaster: Expedition Everest
• MK:
  • Winnie the Pooh (jerky)
  • Big Coasters: Big Thunder & Space Mountain
  • Teacups (I don't event suffer from vertigo, and this one makes my head spin)
• DHS:
  • Runaway Railway (ditto on the dancing Daisy part - I was bummed because I didn't know about this)
  • Toy Story Mania (it is jerkier than Buzz Lightyear at MK)
  • Haven't Tried, and Won't Based on Others Reviews: Smuggler's Run, Tower of Terror (I've thought about trying this one - but haven't), Space Tours, RnRC, Slinky Dog
• EPCOT:
  • Test Track
  • Missions Space Orange (think this may be bad for vertigo)
  • Frozen Ever After (I can ride this one if I brace and am careful, but it is the worst boat ride in WDW for me - lots of bumps and jerks... not worth it, one and done)
  • Haven't Tried, But have Considered: Mission Space Green

Have Tested and I Can do:

• AK:
  • Flights of Passage (one of my favorite rides - very smooth, I just brace and protect lower back when restraint locks in)
  • Not a ton of other rides good for my back, but I love the shows (Lion King, Nemo), the Animation class and the Animal Trek (if you walk it early in the a.m or in the evening, a lot of animals are usually out)
• MK:
  • Mine Train (smooth coaster, I brace the whole way to be careful, now that I can ride Guardians I will usually skip this one... not a must do)
  • Buzz Lightyear (have to be careful but I control spinning of our cart so can limit/anticipate jerkiness)
  • Pirates (I brace for the drop/bumps at the end when returning to dock, is easily manageable)
• Epcot:
  • Guardians of the Galaxy (very smooth, force pushed me down and held me in place though I also braced - imagine this would be horrible with vertigo but no experience - so happy I finally found a thrill coaster I can ride again!)
  • Soarin (one of my favorite rides - may cause vertigo issues?)
  • Remy (I brace and is easily manageable)
  • Three Caballeros (brace for the bumps at the end when returning to dock)
• DHS - this isn't a good park for my back issues, though I like some of the shows; I usually just skip it which is why I haven't tried Rise of the Resistance yet

Haven't Tried Yet, But Plan To:

• MK: Tron (hear it is quite smooth, but maybe have to protect lower back when restraint comes up... similar to Flights of Passage)
• DHS: Rise of the Resistance (hoping this is similar to Guardians)
• AK: Kali Rapids (my husband says he thinks as long as I pay attention and brace that I should be able to - he usually rides questionable things first and gives me perspective on if he things I can handle... Guardians cast members were great about letting me wait to get feedback from him when he got off the ride to decide if I wanted to get on)

These are good suggestions but since the OP has vertigo issues, I would stay clear of Tron, FoP, and Kali.

 

[AustinTink]

First time riding SDD. I have neck issues and can't ride Space, Everest, RnR, Splash... but I can ride BTM pretty easily. It's the drops that mess up my neck. Tell me about Slinky please. I really want to ride it, but if the drops are large it's out.

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

SDD should be totally fine especially if you can ride BTMR, I find that much "jerkier". SDD quite smooth.

 

[Genie+]

There’s a fun part where it goes up/down 3 times in quick succession. To protect my back I make sure to plant my feet securely on the floor so I can use my legs as shock absorbers. This part below: