I wasn’t always a car sick girl, but as I got older I couldn’t even read text messages in a moving vehicle without suddenly needing to throw up. Road trips, boat rides, winding drives—they all make me a little nervous because I’ll That People are sick. But there’s nothing scarier than worrying that you’ll end up like that Mother Vomiting at Disney World.
As an adult, motion sickness is one thing, but not being able to enjoy spinning teacups with my girls because I’m afraid I’ll throw up? Absolutely not. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Disney World as a mom who suffers from motion sickness, even if you know the Prince Charming Regal Carousel will kill you.
proactive
First, if you know you may be sick, keep taking your medicine. I swear by dimenhydrinate. It’s not drowsy and is just two small pills that you can take again later in the day if needed. Try taking it at least 30 minutes before your first ride – I usually take it with breakfast – and keep it in your bag in case someone else needs it or you need a second dose later. Even if you’re not completely convinced you’re going to get sick, there’s no harm in taking it at the beginning of the day.
You also need to stay hydrated. Disney World is hot, and even in months like January and February, you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Being dehydrated definitely doesn’t help when you’re out of balance.
So you’re ready to ride some rides…
Now listen, one girl who gets motion sickness may find it unpleasant, while another may not. It’s hard to gauge everyone’s level of nausea, which means some rides may make you feel unexpectedly uncomfortable. (Looking at you, Frozen.) So this list is just a guide — you know yourself and your body’s limits. Luckily, Disney World has a ton of rides and attractions, so if you want to avoid all the moving rides so you can leave lunch in your stomach, be sure to do so. (And know you can still have an incredible time.)
So, let’s break down some rides that motion sickness parents have had some experience with and rate them based on the vomit emoji.
🤢 — A little nauseous, you may need to take a deep breath while riding
🤢 🤢 — When riding, you must close your eyes at least once and leave your body for a while
🤢🤢🤢 — Need a carbonated drink after getting off the bus
“Frozen”, “Future World”
🤢
I know, but look, there’s a moment where you go backwards, and it’s in a darker space, and I just thought it would be good to give you a little warning.
Space Mountain, Magic Kingdom
🤢
It’s dark to me, but Space Mountain is a classic so you can’t skip it.
Crazy Tea Party, Magic Kingdom
🤢🤢
An obvious choice, right? But listen, you can do this. Bring dimenhydrinate, drink water, and if you have to tell your family not to take an extra spin in their tea cup, then go ahead. The Crazy Tea Party ride is fun and magical without the need for extra spins. (Remember, breathe deeply. In through your nose, out through your mouth.)
“Avatar: Flight Lane”, “Animal Kingdom”
🤢🤢
Oh my god, this ride was amazing. But if you’re close to the screen and there’s a lot of stuff flying across it and you’re leaning against something like a motorcycle with your barf bag ready, then be prepared. Don’t miss this ride if you get the chance – just practice deep breathing, close your eyes when you feel an impending tilt, and grab something cool for your neck on the way out.
Expedition Everest, the Animal Kingdom
🤢🤢
Another ride with lots of twists and a bit of backwards action, this one doesn’t get the full vomit scale as it’s half indoors and half outdoors, which does seem to make a difference.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Future World
🤢🤢🤢
Look, I absolutely loved this ride, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that there was a “come to Jesus” moment in the middle where I prayed not to throw up. In the dark, super fast, there are so many lights flashing past you so quickly that if you focus your vision too hard, you’re bound to throw up. But trust me, take your meds and keep riding – it’s worth it. Top Pro Tip: The Coca-Cola attraction, Club Cool, is right across from this ride, and you can buy some samples of refreshing, bubble-free Coca-Cola products to soothe your tummy.
Tips for finding Disney World rides that won’t make you sick
If you’re still not sure which rides to ride and which ones won’t make you sick, I have some suggestions for you.
- When in doubt, choose an outdoor coaster: Hollywood Studios’ Slinky Dog Dash won’t make you sick, but Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain will definitely turn your stomach.
- Water rides are generally a safe choice:Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom was an absolute blast and I never felt uncomfortable on it or any other water ride, even with the big drops and twisty bumps along the way.
- Stick to dark rides/indoor attractions that are not roller coasters: Think Haunted Mansion and It’s a Small World from Magic Kingdom, or Living with the Land from Epcot. These rides are usually cool and don’t have any major drops or sharp turns. Plus, everything is far enough away that you can see without your vision feeling wobbly.
- Go experience the trackless rides: These are fairly new to the park, but Hollywood Studios’ Resistance and Mickey’s Runaway Railroad Train are great examples of the new technology that makes these rides so light, almost like they glide along the ground rather than bouncing Or rails that hit corners.
Regardless, if you struggle with motion sickness, you’re bound to feel it at least once during a car ride. It could be one of the ones mentioned above, or it could be something you didn’t expect, like Pirates of the Caribbean. But just take a deep breath, drink the dimenhydrinate, and find a Coca-Cola. Just a few seconds on solid ground will do the trick. If all else fails, hop aboard Tomorrowland’s PeopleMover for a relaxing and enjoyable ride.
