Alton Towers

[kay]

Hello!

For my boyfriend's birthday this year I want to take him to Alton Towers just for something a bit different. I'm really looking forward to it, not been for about 10 years! I'll be going in August, hopefully, which brings me onto my next point...

As long as I take it at a steady pace I'm sure I'll be ok getting around the place but someone said to me I should ask the doctor about going on the rides becuase they jig you about.

Does anyone here think I'd be putting myself in a bad situation? Or has anyone ever had any HMS related problems from going on rides at theme parks?

Hope everyone is doing well. Going for my second hydrotherapy session tomorrow, I'm finding it so much better than physio.

Bye!
Kay

[nonyanomemory]

Hi Kay, my daughter had a bad time on a water ride with her neck but I think it was more a proprioception thing - she concussed herself on the back of another person because she didn't anticipate the end of ride! I would go and follow my gut feeling on it -
I think some rides - those who have been recently may be able to confirm but they say if you have neck or back problems etc 'do not go on this ride if.... you have the following (they are obviously not going to say hms/eds but I hope you get my drift

Discuss with your doctor obviously if you feel it appropriate, I would never advise anyone not to! I hope you go and you both enjoy yourself. Laugh and have fun. Let us know how it goes. obviously rides which are difficult to get in and out of should be approached with caution but I would also say don't be afraid of keeping people waiting why you do things in a way that is suitable for you. If you don't want to go on a particular ride because of a gut reaction you can always say - you go and I'll take a fantastic photo for posterity!

A search on Alton Towers brings a plethora of info for disabled visitors -
There are reduced rates for disabled visitors and those with mobility problems should report to Guest Services as soon as they enter the park. Wheelchairs are available to hire here for a charge, and you can also get a Disabled Visitors Guide here. Most queues are not suitable for wheelchairs and those visitors with mobility problems so the Guide will give you details of how to get on rides. The majority of the toilets have a disabled cubicle and staff are very helpful.

it could be worth a little investigating by way of internet searching and ringing in advance on disabled access etc. Those that have been recently may be more helpful than I!

Take care - nonya

[kay]

Hiya,

Thanks for that, I don't sufer with my neck and I think that's why I was told to go to the doctors to ask in case of whip lash or something!

I will ask my physio this morning and see what she thinks about it. I'm not classed as disabled and I saw on the Alton Towers website that you need to provide evidence by a letter from the DWP or a Blue badge.

I'm determined to go though, I'm not missing out just becuase of HMS!

Thanks again for your reply and I fully intend to go and have a great time!!

Bye for now.
Kay

[Jenny P]

I've been to Alton Towers a few times and had no trouble at all. There are a few which have notices telling you to avoid them if you have a bad back...air, rita, oblivion, I think...but that's off the top of my head - however, there are lots that will probably be fine.

As nonya says, probably only you can know whether or not you should go on it - go with you instinct and have lots of fun

[kay]

Thanks Jenny!

Well that just about confirms it for me...

Ooh I'm so excited

Have a great weekend everyone.

Kay
x

[Hayley]

Hi kay

I love Alton Towers and no amount of pain can put me off the rides! I just take plenty of pain relief beforehand and a nice hot bath with more painkillers afterwards. I love the fairground so much that I can put up with extra pain for a few days afterwards!

Have fun - Oblivion and Air are fantastic!!!

Hayley

[sanguine_emma]

Hello - spookily enough I was just chatting to my friend about this very thing.

Pre-diagnosis, I used to go to Alton towers with my friends every year. I always had a sore neck for days afterwards. Anyway, I have been since and I think I've identified the main culprit - it's the corkscrew. Because it's old, it's really rattly and your head gets flung about rather a lot, even though there is a restraint. Nemesis is really good, and so much smoother with better seats and restraints, so despite being a more 'extreme' ride it is easier on the neck. Oblivion is similar. Haven't been for years so I haven't tried air, but it looks cool. So, in my opinion, go for the newer rides, they've been designed more ergonomically! Have fun.

[Sez]

I tend to avoid these now, as my back and neck both cause me problems, and I once subluxed my shoulder on the Vampire at Chessington . But I hope you have a great time!

[flyingfairy]

i tend to avoid them myself but then i was never keen on them before hand. I think it depends on how bad you are. I would differently see your practioner if you are not sure it is not worth the risk you don't want to spoil your boyfriends day

[kay]

Hey all!

Thanks very much - totally agree about The Corkscrew, it's so old I don't really trust it!

A colleague at work tells me that Air makes you feel like you're flying.

My hydrotherapist doesn't think I'll have a problem anyway and my gut feeling is that I'll be ok.

The tickets arrived yesterday and I can't wait!!
Thanks again everyone.
Kay
x

[Flora]

I agree about air, it really is like flying. Plus it has restraints that keep your legs in place, so my knees liked it too! If you go on rita do what the sign says and keep your head up before it sets off (very very fast) if you don't keep it up you will have neck problems. Saying that though it is massive fun, the only ride that has ever made me scream!

[flyingfairy]

You will have to keep us posted on how you get on.

[kay]

Hello,

Well it's the morning after the day before, oh dear!

I've been doing hydrotherapy for a while and was discharged last week because I have improved so much.

I suppose I got a bit cocky after being told this thinking I'm 'normal' when it's quite obvious now that I'm not!

OK I suppose I was very excited & half ran round for the whole day (like a big kid though I'm almost 23!) but my how I'm paying fot it now!

I must stress though that I'm not as bad as I would have ben a few months back- hydrotherapy was the best thing ever for me. This is the first time I've had real pain for ages.

I wouldn't have changed anything though we had a fantastic day and the weather was great, went on Air, Nemesis, Oblivion, Rita - I did keep my head back - corkscrew (got a headache after it!) Spinball whizzer, HEX - how weird is that - do you actually go upside down or what? ...I basically went all all the main ones and hardly queued at all!

So my advice for anyone who wants to go to Alton Towers is just take it slowly and go when the kids are back at school so you're not standing in the queues forever!

Kay. x

[flyingfairy]

i am glad you and your boyfriends enjoyed yourself...