Our first trip is in October and I need a bit of help determining what rides my DH should avoid. He’s 49 and has Degenerative Disc Disease. He’s also a long distance runner and very active.
He doesn’t have a problem with running or walking but occasionally has a flare up and has to use an exercise bike instead. He’s had this about 8 years and has had flare ups about 2-3 times a year.
All the ride information I get says to basically avoid everything. Lol. What should he realistically avoid?
Soarin is very smooth, so I would do it.
Buzz Lightyear is fun and not jerky. Peoplemover is good too.
It’s a Small World and FEA are probably fine too. Navi River Journey is good.
I think rides with no safety bars and no height restriction should be pretty good.
I have chronic neck problems, and the jerky rides really bother me too. Besides the obvious, I would tell you thatExpedition Everest was much better in the very front and 7DMT is the SMOOTHEST roller coaster-type ride I’ve ever been on.
Off the top of my head here’s what I think:
At MK I would avoid: Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Tea cups, Barnstormer
At Epcot I would avoid: Test Track, Mission Space
At HS avoid: RRC, HTT, and TSMM. I don’t know yet about SDD and AS2
At AK avoid: EE (unless you want to try the front), Dinosaur, Primeval Whirl
He should be good for most everything else. There is still so much to do!!
I have occasional back issues, but mine are more muscular than osteo. These are my recommendations. Any of the coasters could be an issue; SM is by far the worst - I would defi avoid that one. RRC is also pretty rough. EE has a good deal of vibrations, but no real hard jerks. Dinosaur is one of the roughest in WDW (but I love it too much to skip it.) I don’t think TSMM should be a problem; it jostles s bit, but it’s pretty smooth. I’m surprised that people are saying TT; it’s never impressed as being “jerky” (but I don’t ride all that often as I just don’t really like it all that much). Teacups are notorious for inducing nausea, but they don’t really put much strain on your back. All of the “dark” rides should be fine. I hate to m nation it because it’s one of my favor rides in WDW, but KS drives over some areas of rough terrain, so it does jostle you around a bit.
Thanks! My memory of SM from when I was 12 at DL is not really helpful. That one has been a surprise too. I’ve seen some ride videos, but it isn’t always easy to tell.
Toy Story jerks quite badly when it first starts up from the loading area. After that the starts and stops are much smoother. So once I am in the car to ride TS I brace myself until we are moving, and then I am fine for the rest of the ride.