Originally Posted By Jenn31 So, we're leaving for Disneyland this saturday and we'll be there for 4 days. And...well, there's a few rides I've never been on because like Piglet I'm a little bit S..SS..S..SCARED! Yep, I am a Disneyland chicken. ::hangs head in shame:: You see, I have vertigo and it really gets bad whenever I'm on a 'roller coaster' because the rolling sensation makes me horribly dizzy. What follows is my list of shame: I've never been on Indy, I've never been on Space Mountain, or th Matterhorn. I've been on Big Thunder once-almost twenty years ago and I was terrified. I went on Star tours fourteen years ago and the motion was too much for my inner ear that I actually passed out cold! (talk about an embarassing Disneyland moment!) I've never been on Soaring over California or Tower of Terror. And the last time I was on Splash Mountain was 11 years ago. I like Splash mountain, I really do. But those drops leave me shaking in my piglet skin. I feel like I've missed out on some of the fun my family has enjoyed over the years because I am a chicken and I'm tired of bench sitting while my family enjoys the various attractions without me. It got me wondering about a few of the attractions on my chicken list, like Indy and Soarin? I really only have a problem with coasters not other rides and I can usually get up the courage to overlook a few drops for a great ride like Splash mountain. So tell me all about these two attractions. Are they scary? Fun? Are there Drops? Good people of LP, please help me hang up my chicken suit and go on these attractions this weekend.
Originally Posted By KJ1197 I don't know much about vertigo, but is there any med you can take? I always take Dramamine when I go to DL because I love all the rides but get motion sickness. Indy doesn't have huge drops (like Splash) but there is a LOT of motion (bumps, side to side, sudden stops). Soarin' makes me sicker than a roller coaster but I love it anyway. You literally just feel like you are flying, it's a smooth ride, just lots of "visual motion." I hope you can figure something out, because ALL the rides you mentioned are super fun - as long as they don't ruin your whole day! ;-)
Originally Posted By markymouse It sounds like there are two issues - severe motion issues and being scared. Even if you found a way around the motion of Indy (imagine Star Tours but much worse) it is still scary to some people, including our then 8 year old. I agree with KJ that Indy is pretty rough, and Soarin, though there is motion, is smooth. I don't know how you'd decide that something is worth the risk, but Soarin is a likely candidate. The height might be a major negative. I would hate to imagine someone having an anxiety attack fifty feet up in the air. Have you talked to a doctor about this stuff? I wonder if medications might help with the motion issues. Best of luck to you, and (I'm sure you already know this) there is so much great stuff at Disneyland even without those particular attractions.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 I'd also choose Soarin. You could ask to be in the bottom row (usually not a prob because most people want to be as high as possible) where you can look up and see everyones feet They remind you that you aren't really soarin all that high The other thing about Soarin is that once you are up you don't really move at all, maybe a couple of very gentle movements that I don't even notice. If you are bothered you can just close your eyes. Then you go back down and exit Indy you will still be feeling the BUMPS and it would be pretty hard to zen yourself out. While in line, talk to people around you. Ask if they have been on before. I can't tell you how many times we have talked with people in line for Tower, Space, etc. and they are SO glad that they didn't use the chicken exit. Speaking of, you likely already know this that there is a chicken exit before boarding each attraction. Mentally give yourself the option of using it. Whole Foods and the like sell dramamine like supplements. The people working in Whole Foods "pharmacy" dept. are trained and may have a suggestion for vertigo. Try it out ahead of time I have experienced vertigo only once and I'm in no way minimizing your physical feeling. Just some suggestions if you really want to give Soarin a try
Originally Posted By DyGDisney Have you tried the sea bands for motion sickness? They are elastic band covered in fabric with a pressure point button, supposed to help. I used them when I was pregnant for morning sickness. I am chicken about a couple of rides myself, but it is because of severe claustrophobia. I can't do subs or Star Tours (anymore). I used to do Star Tours, but can't handle it, which is a bummer because I'd love to experience the new one. One thing that may help, Space Mountain is AWESOME and can't be missed! It is our favorite ride as a family and we always come off with huge smiles on our faces!!
Originally Posted By teddibubbles I have vertigo too. the one ride i make me go on is Soaring. im a baby. i but the strap on between my legs too. if you can get two people on eather side of you. and brace their arms so yours are behind theirs. it helps alot. i made me go this last time. two days ago. try hard to forget you.. and see the ride at least once.. its hard feeling you are flying way up in the sky.. but i just pray. and get my behind back as tight as i can before lift off. fight it. fight it.. and try to just see a movie. not thinking of you.. the lift does move too. it leans back a bbit. and tilts a tiny bit side to side EASY not hard. but you have nothing under your feet. that is the only thing i hate. if something was under my feet . i could take this ride forever.. my group knows me.. iv told them how vertigo afects us. the real cool thing is no mater how i freak.. you are sitting flat. and a belt is betwwen my legs. so i cant fall out.. i try hard to remind me of that.. and iv known vertigo and its badness many times.. but i force my shakey self on sorring. because ITS LIKE FLYING TO HEVEN. its so lovely.. i wont let me close my eyes.. lol except through LA part. only close eyes of you feel a rush. but peek and look for smooth parts.. ITS ALL MOSION moving.. like kind of like if you where filming only as you drove down a road.. but its up over the streems and moantains.. its so worth me fighting it. to get this splender of this lovely ride.. first time. go on low lift. as people have said. then if you love it and are not afrede. you can go for row one. that lifts you higher. it looks so real not to see feet above you.. my hubby tells me. im here and wont let anything happen to you.. i sooooo love this ride.. i fight that dang vertigo. Im not saying i dont freak.. but its worth it to see this lovely ride. (((BIG HUGS)))) lol use the kid strap
Originally Posted By tashajilek Im sorry you have Vertigo, that would make it really tough to ride many things. It is a shame that you have missed out on some of the best attractions DL has to offer. For myself i find anything at DL to be pretty tame. After going on the Ghost rider at Knotts and riding all the coaster at 6 Flags anything in comparison is easy.
Originally Posted By teddibubbles Inever to space.. are you kidding guys FAST Roller Coster.. Iv been on matterhorn both sides. but same thing. roller coster.. if its a roller coster no thank you. inde is fun. I just kind of use my legs. like kind of a stand. to brace some of the bumps. there are only two hills that i recall in inde. and they are nothing.. they are no wrose than pirates ones. your car is flat on the floor. its the body of the car that moves all around. and so your not raceing down some track. just driving and tons of bumps and tilts. that is why im a pro at inde. i use my legs for the baceing me. I dont like costers as far as i get sick.. inde I love. its just playing with jones in the movie to me. and the worst driver and bumpy roads and two dips. and tilting car frame.. no real speed. they make the sounds like you are speeding. and tilt the frame of the car. from a dead stop. so you feel like the driver guned the car. but really you are moving at a jog speed
Originally Posted By Bellella Here's my advice. Don't go on California Screamin' until you've conquered your fear of the other coasters. Take each one as a step and save the most extreme one for last. Believe me, I used to be kind of scared of the rough rides too. But with every trip, I found myself going on them again and getting over my fear. Now all that I feel is a wild thrill before I get on the rides and before every drop. P.S. Don't eat anything before you go on Tower of Terror.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Soarin' is VERY gentle, motion-wise. The only thing that might get you is your vertigo, so... 1). Ask for row 3 (lowest). Should not be a problem at all. Not only do most people prefer NOT to be in row 3, but they seat row 1 first, then row 2, so if it doesn't work out line-wise for you to be in row 3, it means you're farther forward in the line, so you're essentially letting other people go in front of you, to what are generally thought to be more desirable rows... so no problem whatsoever. b). Close your eyes if necessary. The motion is very subtle, so you're just sitting there on a very comfortable seat, and aren't looking down if you aren't looking at all! So know you always have the option to close your eyes, and you should be fine. It's one of the best rides in the world, and it's so gentle you may find yourself keeping your eyes open and really enjoying it.
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<b). Close your eyes if necessary. The motion is very subtle, so you're just sitting there on a very comfortable seat, . . .<< C). Swing your legs front to back just like on a swing set. By doing that, it makes everyone go higher.
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin If Star Tours was an issue, I would NOT recommend Indy. Indy is very very bumpy. The drops and speed are not really concerns, as said previously. Soarin' is REALLY worth it, even if you only try it once and discover you don't like it. It's a shame about Space and Splash, they are our favorite rides. To let you know that you are not alone, I do not go on ToT and I have only just started going on Screamin'. Screamin' and Dinosaur! both scare me quite a bit. I do also recommend talking to people in line, like the 10-yr-old girl by you who LOVES the ride.
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<That was kinda evil. Not mega-evil. But kinda.>> Speaking of "chickens" riding Soarin'; Raise your hand if you have ever flinched and lifted your feet so they don't brush the top of the snowy mountain top or get them wet in the breaking surf. Comeon, don't be shy. I know I have once or twice in a moment of weakness.
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL Good advice for SOARIN' and the bottom row. The same pretty much goes for INDY and the FRONT row in seat 2 or 3. Those INSIDE seats are pretty much on the pivot point of the chassis and riders in those two seats really don't move that dramatically. You'll just get a little of the tilting motion and the start and stops without the extreme of the outside seats.
Originally Posted By crazycroc I was once a Disneyland chicken. I also have vertigo. This is how I conquered it. Big Thunder Mountain front row. The train doesn't go as fast, you aren't subject to any of the whipping motion. Go on the ride with someone who has been on it many times before so they can tell you what is about to happen, as it is about to happen. That way you know to lean the opposite direction, so you don't feel like you are losing balance. The only rides that ever give me any trouble now are the new Star Tours, Soarin' (good advice to close your eyes if you start to feel bad, you'll physically be able to tell that you are feeling the illusion of movement by the way the picture moves on the screen), and Space Mountain. The front seat is your best friend because you can tell what is coming...with the exception of Splash Mountain where I would recommend the last seat.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder I'm all too familiar with vertigo. I've had dozens of episodes. I know exactly what you mean. I have avoided those same rides many times. When I get it, it's violent and lasts 5-6 hours. My head feels like a 10 pound weight is dragging it to one side. I often think I'm having a stroke. I'm 53 and big, so you never know. Verrrry long story short, after all the antivert, valium, etc., my doctor and I settled on having me take severe cold and sinus medicine, like Tylenol or Advil, before doing things like Disneyland or when I think I feel the little tell tale signs a bout might be coming on. I'm never without it. It serves to dry up the ear and inner ear canal because it's also drying up the sinuses. With it, Soarin' is ok, and let me tell you, without it, it can be potentially a problem. I find if I close my eyes going up the lift in Space Mountain where the chocolate chip cookie floats in space I'm okay for the rest of it. Indy is ok, as long as when the car jerks, I don't keep my body rigid but let my whole body go back and forth. Matter of fact, that approach works okay for the other rides, too, because my head isn't jerking from neck so much but just following the rest of my body. It's worth try and I hope it helps.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 You probably know this already, SPP, but in case you (or others) don't, there are some simple and potentially vital ways to tell if you're actually having a stroke: <a href="http://www.knowledgebase-script.com/demo/article-544.html" target="_blank">http://www.knowledgebase-scrip...544.html</a> I've seen this info several places, and it seems to be endorsed by the major medical groups. Note, however, that although if a person cannot do one of the three things (four now, with the tongue thing) it's a pretty good indication they could be having a stroke (and should get to a hospital in any event), if they CAN do all of them, it doesn't necessarily mean they're NOT having a stroke. <a href="http://www.hoax-slayer.com/identify-stroke.html" target="_blank">http://www.hoax-slayer.com/ide...oke.html</a> " The three simple tests certainly could help a bystander identify someone who might be having a stroke but the absence of these symptoms doesn't mean that a person is NOT having a stroke."
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I can go on just about any attraction and feel completely fine, but there's one that just doesn't agree with me. Not Space Mountain, not Tower of Terror, not even the Teacups. No, it's the Golden Zephyr. There's something about it's oh-so-gentle circular motion that just leaves me feeling a little woozy for over an hour after. But I'm fine on anything else. Go figure. I've only been on Star Tours 2 twice (with almost identical trips both times), but I didn't feel great after. With the random combinations I hope that it just depends on which trip you get, but the lines have just been too long for me to try and risk it again.
Originally Posted By chickapin A friend taught me years ago how to deal with the motion (and have more fun) on Indy, Matterhorn, and anything that is a little jerky. SPP mentioned it above. I just let my whole body go as limp as I can and lean forward a little. (Still holding on to the bar at the front or the side.) If I try to brace myself against whats coming it is far more bothersome. Staying relaxed and just letting the movement do what it wants is so much easier on my back and the vertigo is much better as well. Only you know what you want to try, but push yourself a little and see what happens!
