I need some advice about rides at DisneyWorld.?

Question

I asked this before a while back but I don't think, based on the answers I got, that I provided enough detail. I have had 16 spine surgeries. My surgeon told me I had to wait five years before I could ride any "big" rides and when we go to DW next fall it will have been six years since the last big surgery. I have steel rods in my back all the way up into my neck and to the small of my back. I know all the rides say not to ride if you have back issues but this is a lifelong dream to go and I am so I need honest advice. These are the issues I need to avoid or prepare for. Speed is not an issue...hard jolts, bumps are and anything that jerks the neck hard. Frankly, I am in pain pretty much 24/7 so that's not so much a concern as I know it's gonna hurt, but the really hard jolts and the neck jerks are what I can't handle. So for the big, thrill rides, Exp. Everest for example...how rough are they and which ones do I definitely need to avoid? Thanks for the help! I need lots of opinions so I am going to extend this one as long as I can. And yes, I know the warnings but again, this trip is kind of a last wish kind of thing so it's going to happen.

Update:

As I stated above, it will be 6 years since my last surgery and my surgeon said to wait 5 years so I am listening. I didn't say it before since it sounds so Lifetime movie but I am basically terminal and this will be in all likelihood my last trip with my family & best friend. So far, great information but still would love more...like Splash Mtn...one says ok the other no...any more opinions? I am okay with no coasters, never liked them much anyway. Test Track? Is Kali like BGard. river ride?

The Cheshire · Answer

There are two things you do not want to mess with when it comes to your body... your brain and your spine.  Your spine is a severe case and I would do NOTHING to place your recovery in jeopardy.  You really need to listen to your doc.  I would either wait on your trip or 100% listen to your doc for this trip and take another after recovery.  The fact that you are in pain all day still should tell you to listen to your doc.  I had a spinal injury from just sleeping wrong and it was so severe I was on bed rest for a month and will have residual pain for months.  Gotta listen to your doc when it comes to the spine!!!!

As far as your question in all the parks avoid ANYTHING that warns of people with spinal injuries.  Some of the rides might seem silly, but one wrong bump or turn could land you back in surgery or set back your recovery by months.

Magic Kingdom: No coasters!  I would also avoid Splash Mountain as the force at the bottom could compress things.  Tea Cups should be ok as long as you do not spin too fast.  Everything else should be ok.

Hollywood Studios: No Rockin Coaster and no Tower of Terror!  Everything else will be ok, just be mindful that the cars in Toy Story Mania spin so ready your body.  Its not rough, just can be slightly unexpected and sharp.

Epcot: No Test Track.  There is a small drop on Maelstrom but its so small the force at the bottom will be fine.  Mission Space... they have two versions of this ride and I have only done the crazy one.  I would just review the sign for the lighter version.  Even then it is just a mild G Force so as long as you keep your head back against the headrest and do not move your head from side to side I would think you would be ok.  Good to go on everything else.

Animal Kingdom: No coaster, no Kali River, no Dinosaur (crazy rough) and no primeval whirl.  I think the signs will also say no Safari but that is because the path the truck takes is not paved so it does have some bumps and that is why they say no.  Everything else should be fine.

Remember to listen to your doc, your body and the posted signs.  A moment of a thrill ride is not worth more surgery, recovery or worse.

MS · Answer

At Magic Kingdom, you should definitely avoid Space Mountain - it's a very jerky ride.  I think you'd be okay on Big Thunder, Splash Mountain, Pirates, Haunted Mansion...  I haven't done Seven Dwarfs Mine Train yet, so no advice there.

I don't think Expedition Everest is too bad, but there are some bumpy parts.  Kali River Rapids is pretty bumpy, and I'd avoid it.  The safari at Animal Kingdom is so much fun, but there is a really bumpy part toward the end.  It might be too much for you :/

At EPCOT, I'd avoid Mission: Space.  Test Track might be okay for you - it's a pretty smooth ride overall, just fast.

At Hollywood Studios, I imagine that the repeated dropping of Tower of Terror might be hard on your back.  Rockin Roller Coaster should probably be avoided.  Toy Story Mania whips you around a lot, although I don't think it's a really rough spin.

drip · Answer

Oh there are many rides I would not go on.
A diffident no to- in reading other posts 
EPCOT- no to Mission Space
MK- No to Big Thunder-jerky ride. No to Splash Mountain. There is a big throw back when you hit the water. You can stand on the bridge and watch this part of the ride for yourself. 
AK-Safari ride is very bumpy. Kali river ride can get bumpy- you just can not say you will not get bumped bad. I have been on this ride several times. One ride can be pretty smooth, another ride I got bumped repeatedly. You can watch part of the ride from the side lines.     A HUGE No to Dinosaur ride.
HS- Star Wars can be jerky

There are still plenty of rides to go on and shows to see.

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I need some advice about rides at DisneyWorld.?

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