Uh oh! We don't support IE due to its failure to integrate new web standards.
For the best browsing experience, please use

More Info →

  • Podcast
  • Become a WDW Prep Patron
  • About
  • Get a Quote
  • Things We Recommend
  • Contact
  • Search
MENUMENU
  • Crowd Calendars
        • January Crowd Calendar
        • February Crowd Calendar
        • March Crowd Calendar
        • April Crowd Calendar
        • May Crowd Calendar
        • June Crowd Calendar
        • July Crowd Calendar
        • August Crowd Calendar
        • September Crowd Calendar
        • October Crowd Calendar
        • November Crowd Calendar
        • December Crowd Calendar
  • Parks
        • Magic Kingdom
        • Epcot
        • Disney World Tickets
        • Hollywood Studios
        • Slinky Dog Dash
        • Animal Kingdom
        • Typhoon Lagoon
        • Blizzard Beach
        • Disney Springs
        • Featured: Planning Tips for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
  • Resorts
        • On-Site
        • Off-Site
        • Disney World Value Resorts
        • Disney World Moderate Resorts
        • Disney World Deluxe Resorts
        • Disney World Villa Resorts
  • Dining
        • Dining Basics
        • Disney World Dining Plan Satuli Canteen
        • Disney Dining Plan
        • Animal Kingdom Disney World Dining Plan
        • Our top Table Service restaurants
        • Our top Quick Service restaurants
        • Guide to all Disney World character meals
        • Best restaurants for fireworks views
  • Planning and Tips
        • 6 Step Planning Process
        • Disney binder planning workskeet
        • Planning Basics
        • Big Thunder Mountain exterior
        • What is coming to Walt Disney World in 2021 (and beyond!)
        • Disney Movie Magic
        • Trip Planning for Families
        • Special Needs
        • Money and Shopping
        • Downloadables
  • 2021 Planner
        • Mask tips for Disney World trips
        • Cast Member with a mask
        • Step-by-step guide to the Disney Park Pass System
        • Disney Park Pass choose day
        • Where to find characters right now
        • Joy
        • 13 ways Disney World planning has changed
        • How to tour Disney World right now
        • Budgeting for food (without using the Disney Dining Plan)
        • Mask-Free Relaxation Stations (w/maps & comparisons)
        • Choosing when to visit in 2021
        • Where to dine outdoors at Walt Disney World
        • How transportation works now
  • Mobile
      • Podcast
      • Become a WDW Prep Patron
      • About
      • Get a Quote
      • Things We Recommend
      • Contact
      • Search

Rides at Disney World that might cause motion sickness

Share on pinterest
PIN
Share on facebook
FB
WDW Prep School → Disney World Parks → Featured → Rides at Disney World that might cause motion sickness
  • Heather Thomas
  • March 29, 2019
  • July 23, 2020
Mission: Space

Full disclosure: I am not a doctor and I have no medical training (unless watching every episode of the TV show M.A.S.H. at least a dozen times counts, which it doesn’t, I just really love that show so I wanted to slip in a reference out of mad respect).

But, what I do have is a lot of years worth of navigating Walt Disney World as a person that gets motion sick easily.

So, if you’re in the “sensitive stomach club” and you’re wondering “which rides at Disney World may make me motion sick“, keep reading….

I can honestly say that over the years, there aren’t many things outside of the Tiki Room at Disney World that hasn’t at least once made me a little queasy (et tu, monorail?).

But the good news is that I have found some things that have worked for me, and, my hope is that after reading this post maybe you’ll find that one of the tips below may work for you, too.

In this article (click for table of contents)

  • Everybody is different
  • Don’t add to the misery
  • Talk to your doctor about medication
  • Be prepared
  • Other options
  • Go with an empty stomach … or not
  • If given the option, sit facing forward
  • Think about avoiding the attractions that are ride simulators
  • Attractions that may make you motion sick at Disney World
    • Magic Kingdom
    • Epcot
    • Hollywood Studios
    • Animal Kingdom

Everybody is different

Yes, there are some attractions that are on nearly every person’s list of “things that may make you puke”.  But, not everybody gets ill on the same things.

For example, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster bothers me the least out of all the coasters at Disney World. But Big Thunder Mountain – a coaster with no inversions or steep hills – makes me feel horribly queasy every time I ride it.

Big Thunder Mountain - things that might make you motion sick at Disney World

For somebody else, those two coasters might be reversed on their personal “what makes me turn green at Disney World” list.

For me, I have learned that the sustained tight curves of Big Thunder Mountain are what do me in. For you it might be something different.

That means one of the best things you can do is pay attention to when you start feeling gross so that you can, whenever possible, avoid those things in the future.

Don’t add to the misery

Dehydration, not eating well, and not getting enough sleep are 3 things that frequently happen when on vacation, and all 3 are things that can make anybody (even those that don’t normally get motion sick) feel gross when riding attractions.

Yes – motion sickness is an inner ear thing, but when you are dealing with an upset stomach from eating a bunch of stuff you don’t normally eat or if you have a headache from not drinking enough water, the effects of motion sickness can be amplified.

So, don’t add to the misery. Try to eat well, stay hydrated, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Those things may not stop you from getting motion sick, but they are important things to remember when trying to minimize the effects.

water bottles

Talk to your doctor about medication

There are lots of medication options – some over-the-counter and some prescription – that can help people with mild to severe motion sickness.  The best person to discuss those options with will be your doctor.

Keep in mind, however, that most medications come with side effects and depending on your reaction to the medication, you may have to decide if the side effects are worth the relief the medication provides.

I have tried just about every over-the-counter medicine and the popular prescription Transderm Scop (scopolamine, aka the “patch”). For me, I prefer the over-the-counter, less-drowsy stuff. 

However, I have 2 friends who prefer the patch.

Dramamine

There is no right or wrong choice.  Go with whatever your doctor and you think is the best option for your situation.

Be prepared

Be prepared.  Bring medications with you (so you aren’t scrambling trying to buy some when you are there) and start taking it at least the day before your first planned theme park day.

If you know that every time you get in a car you get car sick, make sure you don’t wait until you arrive at Disney World to realize that you should have packed your medicine.

And, I might also add, most medications for motion sickness work the best if taken BEFORE you are actually feeling rough. That means you’ll need to start taking it before you set foot on your first attraction.

Other options

There are things like nonprescription wristbands (Sea Bands) that are popular choices for people trying to avoid motion sickness. I definitely fall into the “it can’t hurt to try it” category.

Ginger-based products are another popular choice for people with sensitive stomachs.

There are ginger candies and ginger pills and the ever-popular ginger ale, but, even though ginger is “natural”, before you load up on it, you should still talk to your doctor.

Go with an empty stomach … or not

This is another thing that is truly trial and error for most people.  Some people swear by not eating before attractions that make them sick. Others say you should only do them with a full stomach.  I say you have to figure out what works best for you.

I do suggest, however, that you plan to carry in some snacks that you know are things you can eat on an upset stomach – just in case you are in a situation where you need something fast.Crackers and peanut butter

If given the option, sit facing forward

There are instances where ride seats face either forward or backwards.  The Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover and the monorail are just 2 examples of such configurations.

Whenever possible, opt for a seat that faces forwards to help keep from feeling sick on those attractions.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority

Think about avoiding the attractions that are ride simulators

Attractions that are simulators receive a huge number of complaints from people saying that they made them sick.

Disney doesn’t have a ton of these types of rides – but if you have ever had problems feeling ill on a simulator-type attraction previously, that might be something you should avoid at Disney World.

Attractions that may make you motion sick at Disney World

Not everything on this list will make every person that gets motion sick queasy.

And, there could easily be things that didn’t make this list that might make you feel a little “off”.

This list is just some of the most frequent culprits and should be used as a general guide. This isn’t a list of things we think you should avoid, but rather we want you to think of it as things you should be aware of before you ride them.

Magic Kingdom

  • Mad Tea Party (spinning)
  • Prince Charming’s Regal Carousel (spinning)
  • Dumbo (spinning)
  • Astro Orbitor (spinning)
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (coaster with tight turns)
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (close your eyes in the short section where you travel through a simulated star tunnel,  if it bothers you)
  • Space Mountain (coaster with rough, tight turns)
  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (spinning)
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (coaster with tight turns)

Epcot

  • Mission: Space (simulator)
  • Soarin’ (simulator)
  • Test Track (rough, tight turns)
  • Finding Nemo (close your eyes in the short section where you travel through a simulated bubble tunnel, if it bothers you)

Hollywood Studios

  • Star Tours (simulator)
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (coaster with inversions)
  • Toy Story Mania (short bursts of spinning as you transition from one set of game screens to the next)
  • Tower of Terror (numerous vertical drops)
  • Alien Swirling Saucers (spinning)
  • Slinky Dog Dash (coaster)
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (simulator)
  • Rise of the Resistance (short simulator segments and short bursts of spinning)
  • Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (some short bursts of rapid movements)

Animal Kingdom

  • Triceratops Spin (spinning)
  • Expedition Everest (coaster with tight turns and a section where you travel backwards)
  • Flight of Passage (simulator)

Read this next

Popular Related Articles

Related Posts:

  • 100+ tips for your Disney World trip
  • Budgeting for food at Disney (without using the Disney Dining Plan)
  • 2020 Disney Dining Plan (cost, best credits, and is it worth it?)
  • Disneyland Park Attractions
  • Walt Disney World is reopening, here's what you need to know
  • How to get the Disney World resort room you want
  • Complete guide to flights for your Disney World trip
  • Disney World 2020 & 2021 Crowd Calendar (best times to go)

In this category

More Tips and Tricks

  • Disney World Parks

Ready to book a trip for 2021?

The team at Small World Vacations is ready to help get you started.

Get a quote now

5 Comments

  1. Shelly Grosso January 9, 2020 Reply

    Thank you for the list. Most people with a tendency toward motion sickness, like myself, has nothing to do with a stomach issue it is rather an inner ear issue.

  2. Stephanie January 8, 2020 Reply

    I’ve been trying to find out about rise of the resistance on this topic. Anyone know?

  3. Anna October 11, 2019 Reply

    Buzz lighter can make me feel pretty miserable. We were stopped for a few minutes in the “spinning tunnel” and I had to close my eyes.
    Avatar and Star Tours make me pretty miserable. I did okay on smugglers run. I had to close my eyes halfway through. And I can’t do the teacups after all. But all the other rides I’m fine with.

  4. Kassie DeHart April 3, 2019 Reply

    My son and I rode Mission Space Orange last year. Never again! I don’t get motion sick easily but the g-force made us both miserable. We had to go sit down at Electric Umbrella for 30 minutes after. 😀

    • Lin May 18, 2019

      Thank goodness they had benches right outside the ride when we tried it. Just thinking about it makes me feel sick.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Start here

  • Crowd Calendars
    • January Crowd Calendar
    • February Crowd Calendar
    • March Crowd Calendar
    • April Crowd Calendar
    • May Crowd Calendar
    • June Crowd Calendar
    • July Crowd Calendar
    • August Crowd Calendar
    • September Crowd Calendar
    • October Crowd Calendar
    • November Crowd Calendar
    • December Crowd Calendar
  • Parks
    • Magic Kingdom
    • Epcot
    • Hollywood Studios
    • Animal Kingdom
    • Typhoon Lagoon
    • Blizzard Beach
    • Disney Springs
    • Featured: Planning Tips for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
  • Resorts
    • On-Site
    • Off-Site
    • Disney World Value Resorts
    • Disney World Moderate Resorts
    • Disney World Deluxe Resorts
    • Disney World Villa Resorts
  • Dining
    • Dining Basics
    • Disney Dining Plan
    • Our top Table Service restaurants
    • Our top Quick Service restaurants
    • Guide to all Disney World character meals
    • Best restaurants for fireworks views
  • Planning and Tips
    • 6 Step Planning Process
    • Planning Basics
    • What is coming to Walt Disney World in 2021 (and beyond!)
    • Trip Planning for Families
    • Special Needs
    • Money and Shopping
    • Downloadables
  • 2021 Planner
    • 13 ways Disney World planning has changed
    • Mask tips for Disney World trips
    • Budgeting for food (without using the Disney Dining Plan)
    • Step-by-step guide to the Disney Park Pass System
    • Choosing when to visit in 2021
    • How to tour Disney World right now
    • Mask-Free Relaxation Stations (w/maps & comparisons)
    • Where to dine outdoors at Walt Disney World
    • Where to find characters right now
    • How transportation works now
  • Mobile

More Goodies

  • Podcast
  • Become a WDW Prep Patron
  • About
  • Get a Quote
  • Things We Recommend
  • Contact
  • Search

I just got back from a five night stay at Coronado Springs and had the best time! Even though I went during the busy season I barely waited in any lines and was able to do everything I wanted!

Jonathan C.

Meet us there


IG

FB

PI

TW

YT

EM

WDWprepschool.com is not affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with, the Walt Disney Company.

PRIVACY POLICY

© 2021 PREP SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS, INC.

WDW PREP SCHOOL ON INSTAGRAM​

It. Is. Time. 🦁 Festival of the Lion King retur It. Is. Time. 🦁 Festival of the Lion King returns this summer!

It’ll be in a modified form for safety purposes. No specific reopening date given, but so happy the list of things to look forward to keeps growing. 🙌
Officially closed for refurbishment (no reopening Officially closed for refurbishment (no reopening date available yet).

Now can we work on getting women included in the sequel?
Anybody else fall in love with the Hollywood Studi Anybody else fall in love with the Hollywood Studios decor and want to have these vintage Christmas ceramics at home? 🙋🏻‍♀️ Here’s how.

For original vintage pieces, search “Lefton Christmas ceramics” or “Napco Christmas ceramics.” These often run you $100+ and can usually be found on Etsy, eBay, and other resale stores.

For less expensive replicas, check out VermontCountryStore.com which has a small - but more affordable - collection, including the trio of candy cane girls.
It appears the Frozen promenade (cavalcade) is out It appears the Frozen promenade (cavalcade) is out at Epcot, and random popups of Anna and Elsa in Norway are in.

They haven’t been appearing as reliably as Alice, Mary Poppins, Joy, and Winnie the Pooh, but be sure to be on the lookout when passing the Royal Sommerhus in Norway where they might just show up.
Load More... Follow on Instagram