Which rides to Avoid?

[roxwithears]

If you had a bad back, which rides would you definitely avoid? Obviously the roller coasters but what about Dinosaur and Kali River Rapids?

 

[pw2pp]

I think that people with bad backs should avoid Dinosaur for sure. I don't know about Kali River Rapids.

 

[the kabuki]

The Kilimanjaro Safari at AK has lots of warnings about not riding with a bad back, which in my opinion are unwarranted. I've rode it more than a couple times and never experienced anything rough. Dinosaur is a little bouncy, but I don't think it's that bad. FIL had two discs removed from his back, and he rode it no problem.

 

[LeoGrrrrl1982]

Dinosaur is a little bumpy but I have history of whiplash and didnt have any problems.....
This isnt a Disney ride but....back to the future at universal will KILL your back. Whether you came with a bad back or not you WILL LEAVE with one!

 

[estnh]

I don't think you'd have a problem with Kali River (other than getting soaked)--its pretty smooth.

 

[the kabuki]

Dinosaur is a little bumpy but I have history of whiplash and didnt have any problems.....
This isnt a Disney ride but....back to the future at universal will KILL your back. Whether you came with a bad back or not you WILL LEAVE with one!

Oh yes, that Back to the Future ride was the WORST. Even my kids were complaining about it. Wouldn't have minded so much if the ride was any good, but it stunk. Glad I had express pass for that one!

 

[cdntourguide]

I have a bad back, compression fracture plus three fused disks and the only rides that bother me are:
last two rows in Star Tours (the first row close to the screen is best)
Tower of Terror due to weightless feeling then dropping into seat

all other rides are doable. Dinosaur is own of my favourite rides, just bounce like Tigger, don't try to remain rigid.

the only other places where my back aches is a) on the hard benchs at Fantasmic, b)the benchs at Indiana Jones.

Best thing is to ask the CM loading the ride for the area of the vehicle which is least susceptible to movement: usually the middle seats.
Take care, have fun. Take extra pain medication (just in case)

 

[VMK_Magic]

I think space mountain may cost problems but I never noticed anything bad with that it's fast but it's smooth but it's also a roller coaster well I wouldn't know what to say I don't have back problems ( no offense ) so I say ask a staff member who works there for advice.

 

[kimis]

Check with your doctor and you might be surprised at her/his answer. I just had spinal surgery so one of the most important (?) questions I asked the neurosurgeon was "Can I ride any rides at Disneyworld?". After he laughed (I am almost 52 and the dr was younger) he gave me the perfect answer. He said to wait six months and I can ride all of them. However I will use some common sense. I won't ride the Dinosour ride===way too jerky. That six month time frame was perfect for our next ride. I did go to disneyland three weeks after my surgery so I didn't ride a lot. It was hard not riding ToT. LOL
Just a few more months to go! YEAH!
Good luck! Enjoy

 

[SueM in MN]

You can look at the park maps for the attractions with warnings - they are marked with a red triangle on the map and also on a sign at the entrance to the queue.
For Epcot here are the attractions with warnings:

• Mission Space
• Test Track

For Magic Kingdom:

• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
• Space Mountain

For Disney Studio

• Star Tours
• Rock N Roller Coaster
• Tower of Terror

For Animal Kingdom:

• Kilimanjaro Safari
• Kali River Rapids
• Expedition Everest
• Primeval Whirl
• Dinosaur

 

[Kathi OD]

DH and I didn't have bad backs before we rode Dinosaur, but DH sure had one afterward.

 

[figaromeetsmarie]

Dinosaur--Throws you around a lot, You are constantly moving side to side and up and down. So, your body and back will move a lot.


Big Thunder Mountain RR-Kind of like Dinosaur when you think of moving side to side. The ride is very bumpy and not what anyone would consider a smooth ride.

Tower Of Terror-You do come out of your seat at times, so this could be a problem for you when you actually come back down!

You will have lots of fun!

 

[zefyr]

I can relate to this question...two years ago I was in a serious car accident in May of that year with an already pre-planned Disney trip in July. I had herniated discs and a damage SI joint. I kept asking what I could and could not do....luckily my physical therapist knew Disney enough to suggest most of the rides already posted.

But....what I noticed (and depending on your back this may be a problem for you too) was that the boat rides like PoTC, SW, the rides in Mexico and Norwalk, and even SM caused me intense pain when the ride backed-up and one boat hit into another. Even when I went last year, I still had incredible pain when our boat got whacked during the Mexico ride. I'm not saying to avoid these rides but definitely lean a bit forward or stuff something behind your back when you get close to the unloading area (but your boat is still in the water.

I also wouldn't recommend the car ride in Tomorrowland. Some people really like to play bumper cars at the end of that ride.

 

[SueM in MN]

But....what I noticed (and depending on your back this may be a problem for you too) was that the boat rides like PoTC, SW, the rides in Mexico and Norwalk, and even SM caused me intense pain when the ride backed-up and one boat hit into another. Even when I went last year, I still had incredible pain when our boat got whacked during the Mexico ride. I'm not saying to avoid these rides but definitely lean a bit forward or stuff something behind your back when you get close to the unloading area (but your boat is still in the water.

The boats can hit into each other near the unload area if there is a back up. They do have bumpers at the back of each boat, but it can still give you a jolt if they hit.

Some people have mentioned some things to be aware of on Haunted Mansion and Spaceship Earth. At one point in each attraction, your ride car will be going downhill backwards. The ride cars are hard plastic and some people find the pressure of being laid back against the plastic makes them feel every bump in the ride track.

 

[just4today]

Primeival Whirl throws you around a lot unless you're wedged in there pretty good.

 

[SueM in MN]

Primeival Whirl throws you around a lot unless you're wedged in there pretty good.

That is the 'evil' ride that tried to bounce my DD out. She has cerebral palsy and we were not sure about sending her on the ride, but after watching it for a while, it looked pretty tame, so on she went. But, it is deceptive- it's like putting together the teacups and a roller coaster (which is where I got my tag. Thank you, Tag Fairy!).
By the time the ride finished, DD had slid down almost off the seat to the point that the restraint strap was around her chest, just under her arms. So, no more PW for her.
It is a deceptively rough ride, so I would recommend anyone riding it be ready to brace themselves.

 

[nickandlarisa]

This has been mentioned, but I think should be emphasized .... DINOSAUR!!

We are both in our our 20's with no back problems and this ride did a number on both of us. Very rough and jerky, could jar you the wrong way very easily.

IMO this was the roughest ride in all of the parks, and I'm not sure I want to ride it again on our next trip.

 

[Dizzytime]

Primeval Whirl throws you around a lot unless you're wedged in there pretty good.

Agree. My back is an issue also, and the one ride I'll avoid next time is Primeval Whirl.

Good question!