All the rides at Disney World that give me motion sickness (and how you can still enjoy them)

Motion sickness is the bane of my existence in theme parks, and although it doesn’t hit me as hard in Disney World (because Universal Studios Orlando is an absolute hell hole of suffering if you have motion sickness), it still gets me.

But, that said, there are still ways you can ride all the rides even with those brain-to-stomach messages being bothersome. And even though there are some tried and tested medications you can pop half an hour before loading onto the rides, I’m less inclined to go this route if you can avoid it.

If you haven’t been on some of the rides listed, I suggest you skip past them because they may feature SPOILERS as I point out parts you need to close your eyes on, or elements to watch for.

Should you just avoid riding the rides that make you feel sick? You can. Obviously, this would be the easiest way to ensure you don’t see you Mickey waffles again. But unless your motion sickness is extremely intense, then I say give it a go, lest you feel like you’ve missed out on a great ride.

There’s only a risk of motion sickness on this one if your ride partner is sadistic and holds that spin lever…

To note: I appreciate that not everyone has motion sickness triggered by the same things. So, for reference, I’ll detail how mine manifests.

The biggest culprit for me is simulated movement. So anything where a close-up screen and a tilting ride system (where it’s fixed but moves side to side, up and down) will make me feel like my stomach is trying to exit through the gift shop.

It’s horrible. If you know, you know. I don’t need to explain how awful motion sickness is.

But hopefully this list will help those with similar symptoms and experiences. That’s my only wish from this list.

I’ll break it down, park by park. I will also include some of the bigger rides that may be a cause for concern, and let you know how they made me feel on the motion sickness scale.

Magic Kingdom

None!

Space Mountain

There is actually nothing at Magic Kingdom that I have been on that makes me feel sick. I mean, I reckon if I spammed Space Mountain a few times I’d quickly find myself shoving my head into a bin, but if it’s just the one and done? Totally fine.

What I love about Space Mountain is how hard it can slam you around. There’s literally no cushioning over some of those bumps, especially if you’re at the back or the front, you get whipped around like ragdoll. But luckily, motion sickness is minimal at best. Just the usual feelings of being shaken up like a bottle of pop.

Hollywood Studios

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

This one pains me because the Runaway Railway is one of my most cherished rides. I literally daydream about being back on it and listen to the theme sing regularly for a little pick-me-up.

But, it does have a small segment that sets off my motion sickness sensors. Just a reminder that if you haven’t ridden this amazing ride yet I’m about to drop a SPOILER. But if you haven’t been on it and want to know when to close your eyes…

As load into separate cubicles you’ll start to go over an animated waterfall. You’ll know it when you get there because the screen will be right in front of our cart, and if you don’t close your eyes you’ll start feeling sick. Just keep ‘em closed until the cart backs out of the cubicle and you’re “underwater”.

If you can stomach it just once, give it a go, because the effect when it changes from above water to under is really fun.

Star Tours

This also upsets me because Star Tours is always so dependable for having short wait times, and such fun runs. This is a mixed bag for me. Being an older simulator technology it doesn’t make me feel as sick as newer simulators do. I think this is mostly becauase you can still see around the screen easily, and it’s that classic loading style of sitting in a large vehicle and tipping around.

This is mostly dependent on which track you go on. Some have steeper climbs/falls. My top tip is to close your eyes whenever you’re picking up speed and/or dropping down. Star Tours is worth it for the ambiance and the vibes. But it’ll get ya gal.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

This is similar to Mickey and Minnie’s, there is a short section that involves loading into a cubicle and then there’s a screen simulated movement moment… So I just close my eyes for that bit. You’re going on Rise for the vibes…. And for Kylo Ren. So don’t worry about the motion sickness too much.

Smuggler’s Run

This very much depends on which job you are assigned within the Millenium Falcon. I found that as the gunner, I was fine. I haven’t been the engineer, but I reckon because that’s at the back, that would be fine too. It’s as the damn pilot that things get a little bubbly in the tummy.

Focusing on the task at hand keeps most of the nasty feelings away, but if you don’t feel particularly strongly about piloting the Falcon, I would ask a cast member if you can avoid it.

Tower of Terror

This one doesn’t generally bother me. Similar to Space Mountain, if I looped it then I would probably soon start feeling icky. But aside from the intial stomach flutters from that first drop, it’s fine.

If your motion sickness is easily triggered by (I guess g-force?) the sudden drop on a ride then take caution with this one.

It’s worth it for the aesthetic and the way the cast members stay in character.

EPCOT

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Remy’s was one of my most anticipated rides at Epcot and it ended up being one of the worst for my motion sickness. The experience is mostly driven by movement on a screen… So it gets you good. For the more basic movements I was fine, but there are big chunks where the screen is up close and just trying to see how fast it can make you spew.

This is one of the only rides at Disney that I would only ride again if someone I was with really wanted to. Otherwise I’m not touching it with a barge pole.

Mission: Space

Haven’t been on it. Never intend to. I’ve heard the stories. I’ve seen the side-effects. I’ll pass.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Expect a teeny tiny bit of motion sickness, just a small rumble of it, riiiiiight at the beginning. There’s a screen movement scenario as your vehicle moves into the main loading track. But it’s so minimal. Depending on my sensitivity that day I might close my eyes for like three seconds.

The ride itself? It’s THE BEST RIDE on Disney property.

I said what I said.

Animal Kingdom

Avatar Flight of Passage

I’m not paying for a Lightning Lane for a ride that makes me feel violently ill. On a sickness scale this is the worst, even more so than Remy’s. This is simply because once you’re on, there’s no escaping it, unless you close your eyes for the entire duration.

This makes me sad because the ride vehicle is fantastic, and the mechanics of it is so so well thought of.

I could be persuaded to go back on if they ever remove it from the paid for “fancy rides” list. But I’m not queuing for two hours, nor am I paying $15 dollars to say hello to my breakfast again.

My experience could be a little blurred by the fact that I had just come off Everest for the third time in a row, so my body wasn’t entirely ready for what was to come. But the way you’re rammed right up against that screen makes me believe that no amount of preparedness would help.

Expedition Everest

Love love love this ride. It’s fantastic. It’s a bit of a mixed bag as to whether it sets off my motion sickness or not. Mostly, it’s fine. Three times in a row? Nope. But when it’s a walk on, you kind of have to, right?

I would say this has a normal amount of tummy flips for a fast coaster. It’s great fun, and I never get bored of it so it’s always worth the risk.

I really hope this list helps. If there’s a ride you want me to cover on this list then let me know and I can add it!

Have a magical day!

Written by Sarah