I want to share my personal experiences navigating Universal Orlando theme parks with motion sickness. I used to love all rides – the faster, the better! But my equilibrium seemed to really get thrown off after I had my first child ten years ago. Now I drive everywhere, as even sitting in the passenger seat of the car makes me ill. So how does that work when going to a theme park with many major attractions? I’d like to share how it works for me – I’m not giving medical advice – but hope that my experiences can help others maybe avoid that awful feeling you get once you’ve ridden something that makes you sick, or helps you determine if something may be worth giving a shot after all!
I’ll preface this by saying that I personally, take anti-nausea medication at theme parks. I just do – before I leave my room in the morning is preferable as usually whatever method of transportation I’m taking that morning will trigger it. For comparison purposes, there are only a few attractions I have to avoid at Walt Disney World as they still make me sick even after taking the medication – Expedition Everest and Aerosmith’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. I do ride Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain but always feel like I’m pushing my luck. I tend to avoid the spinners like The Mad Tea Party and Primeval Whirl too.
I think there are several factors that can contribute to one’s motion sickness and the outcome can vary based on those factors – the heat, a full or empty (or in between) stomach, the number of attractions you’ve previously ridden, and of course, your own personal tolerance.
What’s amazing about the Universal Orlando Resort parks though, is the “Family Rooms” they offer! This is what you may know as Disney’s “Child Swap” or “Rider Switch” option. At Universal, guests can spend time together as a family or with friends in the queue, even if there is someone in their party who cannot or doesn’t want to ride. The Family Room is usually located right near the on/off area of the ride and is an area to the side that provides both air-conditioning and seating for you. So it might be you, Grandpa, or your sister and her baby who take a few minutes to skip the actual ride and wait in the Family Room. It’s a fabulous options for when you need to just sit one out!
Below you’ll see that warnings are clearly posted at the entrance to, and again inside attractions before boarding. You can certainly wait to make your decision about riding once you’re inside the attraction. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem even offers stationary seating for this 3-D experience. Unfortunately for me, even the stationary seating didn’t help on this one. 😉
Below I’ve listed the main attractions at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. You can click on the attraction name for more information, watch a YouTube video, see a very quick description of the attraction, and then my personal notes for how I handled it. Again, this is to help give insight as to what might trigger motion-sickness and is not intended to advise anyone to ride or not ride an attraction. I wanted to know from friends what they thought I could handle so wanted to pass along what information I could to you!
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Universal Studios |
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| Attraction (click on hyperlink for additional information) | YouTube Video | Quick Description | My Personal Experience |
| Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
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YouTube Video | · Motion Simulation
· 3D/4D Experience |
· Stationary seating offered
· I couldn’t watch, had to take me 3D glasses off and wait it out |
| Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts | · Thrill
· Motion Simulation · 3D/4D Experience
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· Was able to ride – would focus on something on screen
· You are whipped around a bit |
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| Hogwarts Express – Kings Cross Station | · Train Ride with some special effects | · Completely doable
· Would advise facing forward as each compartment has seats on both sides |
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| Shrek 4D | · 3D/4D Experience
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· Show, can do
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| Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit | YouTube Video | · Thrill
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· Did not attempt this coaster |
| Transformers: The Ride 3D | · Motion Simulation
· 3D/4D Experience
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· We had just done several so I didn’t push my luck and skipped this one | |
| Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon | YouTube Video
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· Motion Simulation
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· Sit closer to center for less motion
· Had to keep eyes closed as the screen motion was too much |
| Revenge of the Mummy | YouTube Video | · Thrill ride
· Forward & backward motion |
· Did okay, if it were any longer it might have been an issue |
| Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl | · Circular attraction
· Similar to Dumbo |
· Manageable | |
| The Simpsons Ride | · Motion Simulation
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· Didn’t experience | |
| Men In Black Alien Attack | YouTube Video | · Motion Simulation
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· Manageable |
| E.T. Adventure | · Motion Simulation
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· Very minimal motion simulation; no issue at all | |
| Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster | · Kid friendly coaster | · Didn’t experience | |
| Fast & Furious – Supercharged
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· Thrill ride
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· Was only testing when we were there but was told it was no more intense than Kong | |
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Islands of Adventure |
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| Attraction (click on hyperlink for additional information) | YouTube Video | Quick Description | My Personal Experience |
| The Incredible Hulk Coaster | YouTube Video | · Thrill ride
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· Did not attempt, wouldn’t do well |
| Storm Force Accelatron | · Propelled in the air and fast drop
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· Didn’t experience | |
| Doctor Doom’s Fearfall | · Thrill ride
· Blasts you 185 feet into the sky and hurls you back down |
· Didn’t experience but think I’d be fine with this! I love up & down drops. ? | |
| The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | YouTube Video | · Motion Simulation
· 3D/4D Experience
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· We had just done several so I didn’t push my luck and skipped this one |
| Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges | · Water Ride
· Rapids
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· Didn’t experience | |
| Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls | YouTube Video | · Water Ride
· 75’ drop
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· Didn’t experience |
| Skull Island: Reign of Kong | YouTube Video | · I was okay with this one
· The screen didn’t bother me nor did the movement |
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| Pteranodon Flyers |
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· Didn’t experience | |
| Jurassic Park River Adventure | YouTube Video
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· Water Ride
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· One drop but very tame |
| Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | · Motion Simulation
· 3D/4D Experience
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· You’re tipped backward a bit and travel mostly sideways
· I did okay but really had to focus on things not moving · Cool air during ride helped |
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| Flight of the Hippogriff | YouTube Video
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· Kid friendly coaster
· Thrill ride
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· I didn’t attempt because I was saving up for Forbidden Journey! |
| Hogwarts Express – Hogsmeade Station
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Train Ride with some special effects | · Completely doable
· Would advise facing forward as each compartment has seats on both sides |
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| The High in the Sky Suess Trolley Train Ride | · Kid friendly
· Slow moving train on elevated tracks |
· Didn’t experience | |
| Caro-Seuss-el
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· Basic carousel | · Didn’t experience | |
| The Cat in The Hat | · Motion Simulation
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· Didn’t experience | |
I’d love to help you and your family plan your next vacation whether it be a Universal or Disney destination – or both! We help you plan vacation all over the world so just send me an email at jocelyn@themagicforless.com or fill out a no-obligation quote request to get started! And be sure to follow me on Facebook!
Thank you so much for this. I’m headed to Universal with my daughter in June. She doesn’t get motion sick at all and loves rides. I get motion sick at the drop of a hat and hate rides, but want to be able to do things with her. This really helps.