The Motion Sickness Thread! 🤢

[Jeff_AZ]

I had the idea that making a thread where we discuss all things motion sickness might be helpful to Liners who are prone to it, particularly those experiencing an attraction for the first time to gauge how they might fare.

Specifically:

1. Which rides cause motion sickness?
2. What rides aggravate different kinds of sensitivities?
3. What remedies do you use?

I will share some of my thoughts in this lead post. Feel free to share your own (or ask questions!) below.

The Barf Bag Rating Scale™

I first introduced the Barf Bag Rating Scale in one of my first posts, about my trip to SWGE at Disneyland in 2019. Later I updated it to include more rides. Scores range from 5 barf bags (vomit danger) to 1 barf bag (mild to no discomfort).

Below is a sample of Orlando attractions and how they rate on the Barf Bag scale. Obviously this is subjective for each rider, but this is my personal ranking.

• Forbidden Journey
• Mission Space
• Star Tours
• Flight of Passage
• Smugglers Run
• Soarin’

Attractions

Below are rides categorized by the type of motion they entail.

Simulators

• Mission: SPACE Orange (EP) - Intense centrifuge combined with simulation
• Mission: SPACE Green (EP) - Moderate centrifuge combined with simulation
• Star Tours (HS) - Moderate
• Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run (HS) - Moderate
• Avatar: Flight of Passage (AK) - Mild to Moderate
• Rise of the Resistance (HS) - mild simulated elements and moderate irregular motion
• Toy Story Mania! (HS) - 3D attraction; simulated elements and irregular motion
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (EP) - mild simulated elements and irregular motion
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (HS) - mild simulated elements and irregular motion
• Soarin’ (EP) - mild

Spinners

• Mad Tea Party (MK) - moderate
• Alien Swirling Saucers (MK) - moderate
• Astro Orbiter (MK) - mild but faster and higher than Dumbo
• Dumbo (MK) - mild
• Magic Carpets of Aladdin (MK) - mild
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel (MK) - mild

Coasters / Thrill Rides

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (HS) - intense with inversion
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EP) - car spins independently; simulated elements; this ride warrants special consideration due to its unique combination of features
• Expedition Everest (AK) - intense with backward motion and large drop
• TRON Lightcycle / Run (MK) - moderate
• Space Mountain (MK) - moderate
• Tower of Tower (HS) - intense, repeated drops
• Test Track (EP) - intense speed on straightaway and moderate irregular motion
• DINOSAUR (AK) - intense irregular motion in near darkness
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (MK) - mild
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (MK) - cars swing side to side
• Barnstormer (MK) - mild
• Slinky Dog Dash (HS) - mild

Rotation involved

• Under the Sea (MK) - omnimover with rotating vehicles to face show scenes
• Haunted Mansion (MK) - omnimover with rotating vehicles to face show scenes
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (MK) - omnimover with joystick to control orientation
• Journey into Imagination with Figment (EP) - vehicle rotates to face show scenes
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends (EP) - omnimover with rotating vehicles to face show scenes
• Spaceship Earth (EP) - omnimover with rotating vehicles to face show scenes
• Carousel of Progress (MK) - entire theater rotates around show scenes at center

I’m on a Boat

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (MK) - features big drop
• Kali River Rapids (AK) - whitewater rapids raft ride with moderate drop; vehicle spins freely with current
• Pirates of the Caribbean (MK) - features a short drop
• Frozen Ever After (EP) - features a short drop; boat goes in reverse for a portion of the ride
• Jungle Cruise (MK) - mild
• it’s a small world (MK) - mild
• Gran Fiesta Tour (EP) - mild
• Na’vi River Journey (AK) - mild
• Rafts to Tom Sawyer Island (MK) - mild
• Liberty Square Riverboat (MK) - mild
• Living with the Land (EP) - mild

Other Considerations

• Winnie the Pooh (MK) - galloping motion
• Mickey’s Philharmagic (MK) - 3D stationary screen
• Peter Pan’s Flight (MK) - suspended dark ride
• Kilimanjaro Safaris (AK) - slow-moving off-road vehicle
• Swiss Family Tree House (MK) - walkthrough elevated platforms
• Tomorrowland Speedway (MK) - gasoline fumes
• TTA PeopleMover (MK) - some guests seated backwards
• Walt Disney World Railroad (MK) - some guests seated sideways
• Wildlife Express Train (AK) - some guests seated sideways
• Muppet*Vision 3D (HS) - 3D stationary screen
• Awesome Planet (EP) - large screen with steep stadium-style seating
• Canada Far and Wide in Circle-Vision 360 (EP) - screens completely surround viewers
• Reflections of China (EP) - screens completely surround viewers
• Impressions de France (EP) - screens partially surround viewers

Nausea Friendly
(Note: This is somewhat subjective - some guests may be affected by certain elements.)

• Country Bear Jamboree (MK)
• Enchanted Tales with Belle (MK)
• Hall of Presidents (MK)
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor (MK)
• Enchanted Tiki Room (MK)
• Beauty and the Beast - Live on Stage (HS)
• Disney Junior Play and Dance! (HS)
• Frozen Sing-Along (HS)
• Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular! (HS)
• Vacation Fun Animated Short (HS)
• Walt Disney Presents (HS)
• The American Adventure (EP)
• Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along (EP)
• Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival (EP)
• Journey of Water (EP)
• Turtle Talk with Crush (EP)
• Animation Experience (AK)
• Feathered Friends in Flight! (AK)
• Festival of the Lion King (AK)
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! (AK)
• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail (AK)
• Maharajah Jungle Trek (AK)

Remedies

Jeff_AZ’s Certified™ Dramamine Regime

1. Take a regular Dramamine at bedtime the night before your flight and each night of your trip
2. Take half a less-drowsy Dramamine about 30 min before your first motion-sickness inducing ride of the day
3. Never ride on an empty stomach! A banana is a gentle option for breakfast.
4. Look at the track, not the screens.

Other Remedies

• Patches (Motion Q, Scopolamine)
• Relief Bands
• Magnetic bracelets
• Meclizine (half pill)
• Zofran (Rx)
• Closing eyes / focusing on stationary elements

[Jeff_AZ]

Universal Orlando Resort

WARNING: Mild spoilers below regarding type of motion and generic ride elements.

Below are rides categorized by the type of motion they entail.

Simulators

• Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem (USF) - 3D theater film; viewing pods tilt and move with the action; stationary seating available but motion sickness can still be triggered
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (IoA) - Kuka robotic arm ride with simulated show scenes. Warrants special consideration due to unique motion profile.
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (USF) - hybrid coaster with simulated screen elements
• Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment (Epic) - Kuka robotic arm ride with simulated show scenes. Warrants special consideration due to unique motion profile.
• The Simpsons Ride (USF) - multiple simulator vehicles in front of domed screen
• Transformers: The Ride-3D (USF) - 3D dark ride with simulated elements and irregular motion
• The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (IoA) - 3D dark ride with simulated elements and irregular motion (same ride system as Transformers)
• Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon (USF) - enclosed simulator (like Star Tours)
• Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry (Epic) - mild simulated elements and moderate irregular motion with short drops
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong (IoA) - safari truck vehicle with simulated show scenes and augmented motion; designed with 3D (no longer used)
• Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge (Epic) - slow-moving interactive dark ride with augmented reality headset and simulated elements
• Villain-Con Minion Blast (USF) - interactive shooter game; guests stand on moving walkway
• Hogwarts Express (USF / IoA) - train ride in indoor compartments with simulated exterior views through windows; some guests are seated facing backward

Spinners

• Storm Force Acceleratron (IoA) - turntable-style (e.g., Teacups) spinning ride
• Dragon Racer’s Rally (Epic) - Sky fly ride with independently rotating seats attached to rotating arm
• Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl (USF) - traditional spinner
• One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish (IoA) - traditional spinner with water elements
• MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack (USF) - interactive shooter with rotating vehicles
• Caro-Seuss-el (IoA) - carousel
• Constellation Carousel (Epic) - futuristic carousel design; option to choose seat on a turntable

Coasters / Thrill Rides

• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (USF) - intense coaster with inversions
• The Incredible Hulk Coaster (IoA) - intense coaster with inversions
• Jurassic World Velocicoaster (IoA) - intense coaster with inversions
• Stardust Racers (Epic) - intense dual roller coaster with inversions
• Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (IoA) - thrilling coaster with reverse sequence and moderate vertical drop
• Revenge of the Mummy (USF) - moderate roller coaster with special effects and screens; brief reverse sequence
• Doctor Doom’s Fearfall (IoA) - outdoor drop tower
• Curse of the Werewolf (Epic) - moderate coaster with freely spinning cars
• Hiccup’s Wing Gliders (Epic) - family coaster with rocking vehicles and backwards segment (similar to 7DMT)
• Mine-Cart Madness (Epic) - small, fast, twisty coaster
• Flight of the Hippogriff (IoA) - relatively thrilling kiddie coaster
• Pteranodon Flyers (IoA) - gentle suspended kiddie coaster
• Trolls Trollercoaster (USF) - mild kiddie coaster

I’m on a Boat

• Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls (IoA) - flume ride with large drop(s)
• Jurassic Park River Adventure (IoA) - forward-facing raft ride with large, steep drop
• Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges (IoA) - whitewater rapids raft ride; vehicle spins freely with current
• Fyre Drill (Epic) - interactive boat ride

Other Considerations

• E.T. Adventure (USF) - slow-moving dark ride with bicycle-style seating on a suspended ride platform
• The Bourne Stuntacular (USF) - spectator seating is stationary, but screens, motion, and lighting on stage may trigger a reaction for some guests
• Le Cirque Arcanus (Epic) - live acrobatic show with special effects and screens
• The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! (IoA) - elevated slow-moving train
• The Cat in the Hat (IoA) - slow-moving dark ride
• Yoshi’s Adventure (Epic) - slow-moving dark ride

Nausea Friendly
(Note: This is somewhat subjective - some guests may be affected by certain elements.)

• Animal Actors on Location (USF) - stage show
• The Untrainable Dragon (Epic) - stage show
• Ollivanders Experience (USF / IoA) - note special lighting and wind effects
• Po Live! - interactive digital show (similar to Turtle Talk)
• Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show (USF) - stage show

Additional Information

Refer to the post below for @darkmite2’s rundown of then-existing UOR attractions and how they compare to each other and to Disney as it relates to motion sickness.

Universal - Worth Doing?

@WDWFAN_27 Here’s a list of every major attraction with a brief & spoiler free description, and a WDW equivalent when possible, by park. (I did not include any shows or “toddler / kiddie rides” like at Seuss Landing & etc…) USF Despicable Me = Motion Simulator (mild) Escape From Gringott’s – Indoor coaster with 3-D projections (Spins & mild drops) E.T. Adventure = Dark Ride (Peter Pan’s Flight) Fast & Furious = Dark Ride (Projections & Effects while riding on slow tram) Hogwart’s Express…

[ryan1]

@Jeff_AZ

What remedies do you use?

Half of a Meclizine…aka “Less Drowsy” Dramamine, aka Bonine.

Regular Dramamine makes me too sleepy.

A full pill also makes me drowsy, but the half works great.

Having said that, GotG affected me the first time I rode it, but I have figured out how to ride it without needing any medication at all.

[ryan1]

@Jeff_AZ

Never ride on an empty stomach

For sure on this one!

[tashabt]

Motion Q patches and not riding on an empty or too full stomach work wonders for me!

Although on the five barf bag rides, I’ll still get sick (example: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey) even with the patches.

[darkmite2]

Mission Space is my “worst offender” for motion sickness in Orlando! I know FJ gets a lot of well deserved hate for nausea, but MS is an actual centrifuge!

[darkmite2]

I really like what you did for Disney! Feel free to take my thread and redo it with your system!

[Jeff_AZ]

Thanks! I will probably do so when I have another chunk of time.

[Dreamer]

@darkmite2

Mission Space is my “worst offender” for motion sickness in Orlando! I know FJ gets a lot of well deserved hate for nausea, but MS is an actual centrifuge!

I 100% agree with this.

[Flavita]

I love this thread!

[Flavita]

@Jeff_AZ

Take half a less-drowsy Dramamine about 30 min before your first motion-sickness inducing ride of the day

This!!! It is the only way I can survive UOR.

[Flavita]

@darkmite2

know FJ gets a lot of well deserved hate

“Well-deserved” is an understatement. They really need to do something about that ride. Fix it, shut it down.

[SJCricket]

Thank you for this. What is your motion sickness regime for DCL?

[poohfanclub]

Thanks for this thread Jeff! I really want to love GotG, but I got so sick last time I rode it, I am afraid to try it again. I don’t want to be that person who throws up. It’s the combination of the backward motion with the rotating, etc. It’s just too much.

[Jeff_AZ]

@SJCricket

What is your motion sickness regime for DCL?

I took a Dramamine each night before bed (including the night before my cruise) and that worked great. There were moments where I felt a little nauseated but by going out on deck and having some soda or ice cream, I usually felt better soon.

[JenniferB1975]

@poohfanclub

I am afraid to try it again.

The very first time I rode it I thought I was going to throw up too. Had to sit for about 20 minutes after I got off…but it was so awesome that I wanted to ride again. So I had a few beers and then a CM put me in row 5 and it was so much better. We had VQ and LLSP or whatever it was called in 2021.
I’ve ridden it 9 additional times and have only felt slightly queasy one other time in June 2024. I had already thrown up after Everest that morning and the heat index was about 110. I rode Guardians before heading to the airport to fly home. It was still hot and our flight that was initially delayed by 3 hours before we got in line for Guardians was now back on time as we exited the park so some of that was anxiety.

I’ve found that chewing ginger chews/gum that I get from Amazon, row 5, and singing along help for Guardians. I chew it on Tron too.

I’ve tried Star Tours twice and wanted to puke both times. Never again.

[ryan1]

When you ride GotG, look in the direction you are traveling as much as possible, and not at what is in front of you…and sing/dance as you ride. I rode it twice in one day that way without issue, and without Meclizine. Makes a world of difference.

[Jeff_AZ]

Agreed. I’ve also found that being worked up about potential motion sickness can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. There is a mental element. Success begets success.

[magiccox]

First time I went on Guardians I felt super close to puking. I didn’t. But it wasn’t fun. Went on again this week and took half a non drowsy Dramamine an hour before, laughed out loud and cheered whilst riding (this really helped strangely?!) and as much as I could I looked at where we were going / what was happening next. Felt totally fine and loved it!

[darkmite2]

@Flavita

They really need to do something about that ride. Fix it, shut it down.

No!!! I love it! It might make me queasy sometimes, but it’s such a unique ride vehicle and experience!!