Top 5 Tips for Avoiding Motion Sickness at Disney World

Do you suffer from motion sickness? Does someone in your family turn green the moment they see a spinning ride? If so, you need to read our Top 5 Tips for Avoiding Motion Sickness at Disney World – plus our comprehensive list on DisneyWorld rides to avoid if you suffer from motion sickness.

After having my daughter, I suffered from terrible motion sickness for years. I couldn’t sit in the backseat of a car or even help navigate from the passenger seat because looking down at my phone or a map in a moving car would make my head start to spin.

Even if you don’t regularly suffer from motion sickness, a day of rides in the hot sun (especially after indulging in a heavy meal or plenty of irresistible snacks) can cause many people to experience motion sickness.

Top 5 Tips For Avoiding Motion Sickness at Disney World

As with anything Disney, my biggest piece of advice is know before you go! Have a plan for how you will avoid motion sickness AND a plan for how you will deal with it if, despite your best efforts, you still end up feeling nauseous.

Here are some of my best tips to avoid motion sickness or at least deal with it the best you can:

1.  Know which rides might induce motion sickness and avoid those like the plague if you have ever lost your cookies on a ride before.  These rides are typically rides that go around and around (Teacups, I’m talking to you) or include a centrifuge (Hello Mission Space Orange).  See the full list below.
2. Pack Dramamine or some other type of motion sickness medicine and take the recommended dosage before you head to the parks for the day.  For some people, this is enough to help them cope and still enjoy the rides their children love.  If you have a child who suffers from motion sickness, talk to your pediatrician about ways to help them cope.
3. When selecting your seats, opt for center seats or center cars whenever possible. You’ll experience less motion than if you’re in the side seats – and definitely avoid the first and final cars for any roller coaster ride.
4. Pack Pepsi, lime, and peppermint.  For some reason, Pepsi (not Coca-Cola) with a squeeze of lime seems to really help ease a queasy stomach.  I’ve used it as an anti-nausea remedy for ages and my family swears by it.  Peppermint is also great and when I was extremely sick and pregnant with my children I swore by jolly ranchers and other hard candy, which kept me from constantly dealing with the metallic taste you get when you feel queasy.
5. If you do happen to get sick to your stomach, find a cool bathroom so that you can wash your face and recoup.  Then, I recommend finding a cool area and resting for a while. Now would be a good time to break out some more of those peppermints.
6. Don’t go on rides after a big meal or even heavy snacks – but also avoid going on rides with an empty stomach.
7. And whatever you do, don’t get back on another ride that will have you weak in the knees… at least for a few hours.
8. If you do find yourself feeling sick on a ride, one thing I do that helps is close my eyes and take deep breaths in through my mouth and out through my nose. Other people find it better to focus their eyes on something directly in front of them that won’t move.

Here is a list of Disney World Rides to Avoid If You Already Have Motion Sickness

Magic Kingdom

• Mad Tea Party: They should supply barf bags for this one…it’s bad.
• Dumbo: these are slow, but my husband usually sits this one out.
• Astro Orbiter: This one is bad for people with a fear of heights and for those who deal with motion sickness. Read more about this ride in our ride review HERE.
• Prince Charming Regal Carousel: This one isn’t so bad because it is slow, but some people are very sensitive to any circular motion.
• Space Mountain: This one can be rough and there is quite a bit of circular movement to it, plus it’s in the dark.
• Big Thunder Mountain: same as Space Mountain but you can at least prepare yourself for the twists and turns. Read more about this ride in our ride review HERE.

Epcot

• Mission Space Orange: This one is a puke fest.  They literally supply barf bags on this one, which should be a VERY clear sign that this is a no-no if you have a weak constitution.  There is a green version of this ride that isn’t so intense, but my husband says it’s still pretty rough.
• Test Track: This is one to avoid immediately after a big meal.  It’s not bad on motion sickness, but can really jostle you around.
• Soarin: This is a simulator ride and simulator rides tend to really bother people who deal with motion sickness.  This one passes muster with my hubby, but proceed with caution.
• Remy’s Adventure: think of it like a bumper car with simulations. You’ll be jerked back and forth, moved at different paces through the ride, and have 3D effects bouncing around in from of you. If the description alone makes you feel queasy, skip it.

Hollywood Studios

• Star Tours: This is a family favorite but it is a simulator and it will make you sick if you are sensitive to them. Luckily, most do fine with Rise of the Resistance so you can still get a Star Wars ride in on your trip.
• Toy Story Midway Mania: This one may have you scratching your head, because it’s a kiddie ride.  Don’t be so quick to judge though, because this ride will toss you around a good bit as you transition from one screen to another.  Do not eat a massive cupcake before getting on this ride.  You have been warned.
• Rock N’ Roller Coaster: I love riding on this stretch limo with Aerosmith and singing my lungs out and screaming, but those two things and a ride that shoots you out like a slingshot really don’t go well with a full tummy.  Proceed with caution on this one too.
• Tower of Terror: Whew, this one makes me queasy just standing in line.  There is nothing like getting on a ride that drops you and then pulls you back up to drop you again.  Talk about taking your tummy!  Don’t say I didn’t warn you on this one.

Animal Kingdom

• Primeval Whirl: The Disney loving friends in my circle have deemed this ride the Primeval Hurl.  Do with that what you will…Read more about this ride HERE.
• Triceratops Spin: This ride is just like Dumbo, so if you can handle Dumbo, go for it! Read more about this ride HERE.
• Expedition Everest: This one goes backwards, which really messes with some people.  However, most people that like roller coasters do fine with this ride.
• Kilimanjaro Safari: This one is just really bumpy, so it typically isn’t a problem for most people. Read more about this ride HERE.
• Dinosaur: This ride is also really bumpy and has a pretty big scare at the end.
• Flight of Passage: this one has people divided – it has a gentle, gliding motion but it does have a simulator aspect which can make some queasy. 

Have you ever experienced motion sickness at Disney World?  Which ride gave you the most problems?  Sound off in the Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss this and more.

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