5 Rides At Disney Parks You Should Probably Just Avoid If You Get Motion Sickness Easily

Planning a vacation to Walt Disney World is an exciting experience. The anticipation of what is to come can thrill vacationers, but there are some things you should be aware of before your visit, especially if you are prone to motion sickness. While Disney offers various attractions, including gentle rides and immersive experiences, some rides may push your limits if you're sensitive to motion. The attractions vary in intensity, from spinning to sharp turns and sudden drops. According to Disney enthusiasts on Reddit, several rides across the parks are notorious for triggering nausea, dizziness, and even vertigo for those susceptible. Disney experts caution visitors about motion simulators and attractions with sudden, unpredictable movements, urging visitors to know their limits before hopping on.

Whether planning your first trip or looking to have a stress-free Disney vacation on your next visit, this list of five Disney rides you should probably skip will help ensure your park day stays enjoyable and nausea-free. So, before jumping into that standby or Lightning Lane queue, here are the rides to watch out for if motion sickness is something you'd rather avoid.

Mission: Space at Epcot is often mentioned as one of the most intense rides for those prone to motion sickness. This space simulation ride offers two experiences: the Green Team for a gentler, less intense journey, and the Orange Team, a high-intensity, centrifuge-driven adventure designed to mimic the forces of an actual space launch. While the Orange Team experience is thrilling, it's notorious for causing motion sickness, even for those who don't usually suffer from it. One Redditor u/Temporary_Welder6050 warned, "Mission Space ruined my entire day the one time I rode it – even on green mode!"

The ride's spinning motion and tight, enclosed spaces can lead to nausea, dizziness, and disorientation. The Green Team offers a less intense option with no spinning, but even some riders report discomfort. If you're sensitive to motion or tight spaces, opting for the Green Team — or skipping the ride altogether — might be the best choice to avoid ruining the rest of your family trip to Disney World.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot is one of Disney's most exciting and high-tech roller coasters, but it's also a challenge for those prone to motion sickness. As a first-of-its-kind reverse-launch coaster with spinning cars, the ride offers a thrilling experience that can overwhelm sensitive riders. According to Heather Thomas at the popular Disney vacation planning website WDW Prep School, the ride's combination of high-speed twists, turns, and free-rotating cars. It's designed to keep you focused on story elements, which can create disorientation and dizziness for motion sickness sufferers.

One key factor is that the ride's movement isn't just a traditional coaster. The spinning cars add another layer of intensity that can exacerbate feelings of nausea. The immersive screens and fast-paced visual elements can make it harder for the brain to process what's happening, often leading to motion sickness. Thomas warns, "Even those who don't typically suffer from motion sickness have reported feeling unwell after riding." If you're sensitive to spinning or have a history of motion sickness, it's worth considering whether the thrill of Cosmic Rewind is worth the risk of feeling unwell afterward.

Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios is a classic motion simulator ride that takes guests on an adventurous journey through the Star Wars universe. While many fans consider it an underrated Disney World ride, the immersive 3D visuals and rapid movement might make it problematic for those prone to motion sickness. The ride's jerky motions and a 3D screen often create sensory overload for sensitive riders. One Redditor, u/Remote-Past305, said, "Star Tours! I don't even get motion sick, and that one had me on the brink!"

The constant shaking and the feeling of being "thrown" around the simulator cabin can cause dizziness and nausea. Additionally, the 3D glasses make the experience more immersive, but for some, the combination of movement and visual effects can overwhelm the senses. If you're susceptible to motion sickness, it might be wise to skip Star Tours or prepare accordingly, as the ride can quickly turn from thrilling to uncomfortable.

Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run, also at Disney's Hollywood Studios, offers guests the chance to pilot the iconic ship in an immersive, interactive experience. However, for those prone to motion sickness, this ride can be a bit tricky. The attraction is a motion simulator where guests control different aspects of the ship's movement, which can add an extra layer of intensity, especially for those unfamiliar with such rides.

Thomas notes that Smuggler's Run can cause issues for people sensitive to motion sickness, especially given the ride's immersive nature and the fast-paced, jerky movements. The ride's combination of quick shifts, simulated space travel, and high-definition visuals can lead to disorientation and nausea. Those piloting or navigating the ship may feel the effects more intensely since their actions directly influence the ship's movements, creating a heightened sense of responsibility and motion. If you're prone to motion sickness, opting for a less active role, like being an engineer or skipping the ride altogether, may help prevent discomfort. Smuggler's Run is a thrilling experience, but it's worth considering how the motion might affect you before stepping into the cockpit.

Avatar: Flight of Passage at Disney's Animal Kingdom is one of the park's most visually stunning and immersive attractions. The ride simulates flying on the back of a banshee, the flying animal from the world of Avatar, through Pandora's beautiful landscapes. It uses a motion simulator combined with 3D visuals and sensory effects. Due to the potential for sensory overload, this attraction can be overwhelming for those prone to motion sickness.

WDW Prep School highlights that, while thrilling, Flight of Passage can be disorienting due to its combination of sharp movements, simulated flying, and sweeping visuals. The ride's fluid yet intense motions, paired with a massive, curved screen, can trick the brain into feeling a sense of free fall or imbalance, often triggering motion sickness. Riders who are sensitive to motion or have had issues with 3D simulators in the past should approach this ride cautiously. While the ride is breathtaking, its rapid twists, turns, and dips might lead to nausea or dizziness. If you're unsure, it's wise to prepare ahead or skip the ride to avoid discomfort during your day at the park.