Motion Discomfort Guide for the theme parks

[Susan Veness]

MOTION DISCOMFORT GUIDE

There are several attractions within the theme parks that may cause motion sickness in susceptible guests. We categorise them here on a scale of 1-4, then give the reason each particular ride may cause discomfort so that you can make a decision based on your particular ‘triggers’.

Category One includes attractions that can be slightly disorienting visually, some giving the sensation of movement without actual movement.

Category Two includes attractions that involve some physical movement, of a mild variety. Most can be viewed prior to riding.

Category Three includes attractions with a definite physical sensation: weightlessness, stomach-dropping sensation, or intense feeling of motion.

Category Four are the attractions that are known to be uncomfortable for most susceptible (and some non-susceptible!) guests. They include extreme physical sensations, some including visual disorientation as well.


Category One (slight visual disorientation)

Magic Kingdom:
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin- section inside room where visuals spin around you

Epcot:
Soarin’- slight sensation of motion due to on-screen visuals
The Seas with Nemo and Friends- bubble room seems to spin around you

Hollywood Studios:
Muppet*Vision 4-D- 3-D experience

Animal Kingdom:
It’s Tough To Be A Bug- 3-D experience

Universal Studios:
Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time- 3-D experience

Islands of Adventure:
None

SeaWorld:
None

Busch Gardens:
Pirates 4-D- 3-D experience

Category Two (some motion or spinning, not intense)
Magic Kingdom:
Dumbo- slow spinning ride
Magic Carpets of Aladdin-slow spinning ride
Cinderella’s Golden Carousel- slow spinning ride
The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm-fast turns, slight drops
Astro Orbiter- moderate spinning ride

Epcot:
Mission: Space green- very slight simulator motion; tipping and slight bumps, accentuated by visuals
Maelstrom in Norway- moderate drop

Hollywood Studios:
None

Animal Kingdom:
TriceraTOP Spin- slow spinning ride
Kilimanjaro Safari- bumpy jeep ride

Universal Studios:
Disaster--A Major Motion Picture Starring You- jerky side-to-side movements

Islands of Adventure:
One Fish, Two Fish- sharp, short spinning elements
Caro-Suess-el- slow spinning ride

SeaWorld:
Swishy Fishies- slow spinning ride
Jazzy Jellies- lifting, spinning ride
Shamu Express- mini-coaster with short drops, tight turns

Busch Gardens:
Rhino Rally- bumpy, jerky jeep ride
Carousel Caravan- slow spinning ride

Category Three (intense motion or disorientation)
Magic Kingdom:
Splash Mountain- short drops, big final drop; may be Category 2 for some guests
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad- tight turns, quick drops
Space Mountain- fast coaster in the dark, quick turns, moderate drops

Epcot:
Test Track- high-speed banked turn; may be a Category 2 for some guests

Hollywood Studios:
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror- intense drop sequences
Rock ‘n Roller Coaster- fast turns, loops and drops, in the dark
Star Tours- motion simulator; may be a Category 4 for some guests

Animal Kingdom:
Expedition Everest- big drops, disorienting backward element, in the dark

Universal Studios:
Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast- simulator-like motion; some stationary seats available
Revenge of the Mummy- coaster with sharp drops and turns, in semi-darkness
Men In Black Alien Attack- spinning ride vehicle during two short moments
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit (coaster)

Islands of Adventure:
The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman- jerky, bumpy simulator-type 3-D experience with short spinning ride vehicle moments
Dr. Doom’s Fearfall- intense drop sequences
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls- big final drop; may be Category 2 for some guests
Jurassic Park river Adventure- big final drop; may be Category 2 for some guests
The Cat In The Hat- spinning ride vehicle during two short moments

SeaWorld:
Wild Arctic (called Polar Express at Christmas)- bumpy, jerky simulator ride
Journey To Atlantis- big final drop on water ride sequence
Manta (coaster)

Busch Gardens:
Scorpion- sharp drops, one loop
Cheetah Chase- quick, tight turns, short drops
Python- short drops, corkscrew
Gwazi- moderate drops, jerky motion

Category Four (strong caution! Likely to induce motion sickness)
Magic Kingdom:
Mad Tea Party- intense spinning in two directions simultaneously

Epcot:
Mission: Space orange- extreme centrifuge spin with visual disorientation

Hollywood Studios:
Star Tours- bouncy, jerky motion simulator with some visual disorientation; may be Category 3 for some guests

Animal Kingdom:
Primeval Whirl- quick turns, sharp drops, spinning elements
Dinosaur!- jerky, bumpy dark ride with strobe light effects

Universal Studios:
The Simpsons Ride-motion simulator with intense visual and physical sensations

Islands of Adventure:
Incredible Hulk Coaster- powerful launch, loops, barrel rolls, big drops
Dragon Challenge- sharp drops, loops, barrel rolls
Storm Force Accelatron- intense spinning in two directions simultaneously
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey-intense movement combined with strong visual sensations

SeaWorld:
Kraken- sharp drops, loops, barrel rolls
Manta- sharp drops, loops, barrel rolls

Busch Gardens:
The Phoenix- powerful swinging ride, intense dropping sensation
Sandstorm- intense spinning ride
SheiKra- massive drops, intense loop
Kumba- diving loop, spiral, drops and camelbacks
Montu- sharp drops, loops, barrel rolls

If you are unsure about how you will react to any particular attraction, you may wish to send a trusted family member on the ride first to get an idea of whether or not that attraction is suitable for you. Some attractions have spinning elements that only last a few moments, and although spinning may be a problem for you, the duration of the spin may be short enough to avoid triggering your symptoms. Some attractions (Test Track, 3-D attractions) do not typically trigger motion sickness, but are included for those who are extremely sensitive to physical sensation or slight visual distortions.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has a sequence where the room seems to be spinning around you, but this can be overcome or avoided simply by closing your eyes during that sequence.

There are also several options for avoiding motion sickness without avoiding the attractions. You may wish to try Dramamine (the Low Drowsy version works well, without tiredness), Bonine, meclizine or ginger tablets. Some guests also find relief with Sea Bands, an acupressure-type wrist band. *The Brit’s Guide/Simon and Susan Veness do not endorse any method of relief. Consult your doctor for a medical recommendation.

Copyright © Simon and Susan Veness, October 2006-2009

[Claire71]

Many thanks for this post Susan, I'm sure it will be helpful to many of us. It's funny how motion sickness can affect us all differently, I had a bad experience with the original Mission Space ride despite following the instructions to look straight ahead and not close my eyes but found Star Tours a breeze. I've only done the Rock'n'roller Coaster at DLRP but that made me feel as though I'd left my stomach at the start! I love motion simulators but not keen on coasters with big drops -maybe I'm just a wuss!

[Susan Veness]

You're so right, Claire. It's really down to the particular attraction in some ways, and not necessarily down to a certain movement or 'type' of ride.

I've never had a problem on any ride EXCEPT the old Body Wars simulator. Made me feel awful for hours afterwards. Turns out the picture wasn't perfectly timed to the motion, and it was a real problem for lots of people who don't suffer motion discomfort.

[loobylou]

Aarrrrhhhhhh the dreaded Body wars! Dh & I went on it in 1998 and had to sit down for ages after riding it! Most of the people in our 'car' came out looking very pale or green

Do you have any idea what they are going to do with the building it was in? It's been shut for ages now.

[Susan Veness]

It's actually still in use, loobylou. Disney are using it for private (and corporate) events, as they do the old Millenium pavilion (remember that one? It's still there, between the UK and Canada).

If Disney can find corporate sponsorship for the old Wonders of Life pavilion, they'll certainly bring in a new attraction. It's just a matter of 'funding' (or so the story goes).

[Ret400]

This made me laugh

Susan wrote
"you may wish to send a trusted family member on the ride first to get an idea of whether or not that attraction is suitable for you."

We have used this method on a number of occasions.

My sister in law says 'Whats this ride like'

We say "its great, you will love it"

She says "are you sure"

We say "oh yea, just look at that family, the child must be only 3 years old"

She says "oh well if your sure"

We say " Yea you will be fine. We will look after the kids and then have a go"

She says "Are you really sure? Remember the Tower of Terror"

We say "Dont be silly we thought it was a different ride and anyway we would not do that to you again"

She says " Oh ok then"

We say " See you in a minute"

We say - to each other " Wouldnt get me on that one "

She says while trying to walk " I cant belive you have done it to me again"

We say "So tell us about the ride then"

She always has plenty of time to tell us as she needs to take an hour or so break.;)

[Susan Veness]

Ret400, my friend, YOU (and your wiley kind!) are exactly the reason I added the word 'trusted' to the original document!

[Angelmouse5]

Some rides I am ok on other NO WAY, why is it I can go on Kraken at Seaworld and love it but not go on Hulk or Dueling dragons?
One thing I did use though, the first time we went in 2006 our son was 10 he really liked coaster here in the Uk but to be safe I bought some Sea Bands, they are cloth wristbands and they work on pressure points so you do not feel sick and they are really good. They can be used by anyone as they are not a drug and do not make you drowsy and best of all they work

[ELAINE]

does nobody else worry about the car falling off the tracks or tipping the passengers out. seeing as i don't mind the falling sensation in the 3D rides my family think that i would enjoy a coaster but i can't get the fact that its a long way to fall, out of my head I always tell them that i wouldn't fit in the rides so i can't do them... i don't like there being test seats outside rides... means one day they might make me try a seat and realise that i would fit

[LeonieM]

The ones that worry me are anything that suspends you - scares me rigid - or where you appear to be going out over the edge.

"Dinosaur!" at Animal Kingdom is bad because it bounces you about almost in the dark, and it's not a good idea to go on it just after breakfast or lunch. I like it as a ride, though.

The Wild Arctic helicopter ride simulator made us laugh. It's very rough, and my water bottle fell out of my bag and disappeared. At the end of the ride when everyone had stood up, I said loudly, "Excuse me, but has anyone found a water bottle round their feet?" It had ended up about 4 rows forward of where we'd been sitting! Just as well it wasn't a bottle of fizzy Coke really ....