Hi,
We are going to be in Orlando, Fl. from May 1 - 7. My wife has an undiagnosed balance disorder and is on a cane. I have chronic pain in my lower back. But, we ain't dead yet.
We're planning to go to the Animal Kingdom at Disney World and to Universal Studios. In between recuperating, we also hope to see Gatorland and the Peabody Ducks.
We know we can't do rides. But, would anyone know if there are other things we should try to avoid doing based on our health issues? At the Animal Kingdom we planned to do the Kilimanjaor Safari, the Pangani Forest Esploration, Flights of Wonder (to be able to sit if nothing else), the Maharajah Jungle Trek and maybe It's a Bug's Life and Finding Nemo. Should we plan for two days for all that? At Universal we are looking at touring the Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic, the Indiana Jones Stunt Show, Harry Potter and Olivanders. My wife may also do the Spiderman ride. Do we need at two-park ticket for this? Any health tips greatly appreciated.

Hollywood Studios at Disney World....not at Universal. Fantasmic, Indiana Jones and the Studio tour would be there so if you want to do those things you would need tickets to Aninmal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios at DISNEY WORLD.,
Harry Potter is in Islands of Adventure at Universal and so is Spiderman.
So... you would need a two park ticket for Disney and just a single park ticket for Universal's Islands of Adventure

I think you will like Animal Kingdom. However, you should probably skip the Kilimanjaro Safari ride. I couldn't ride when we went a few months ago because I'm pregnant, but my sister-in-law and husband rode with our kids. they said it was very bumpy and rough. If you have back pain, skip it.

I do think you should see all of the shows. The Lion King show was really good, and it is in an air conditioned arena. The other things you listed are probably fine too. Try to get a schedule of the shows for the day before you go so that you can plan ahead of time. This will help you minimize walking around the park.

Also, if you want your pictures with Mickey or Minnie, they are right next to the Lion King show.

Have fun! Good for you for having a good time despite physical pain and limitations!

Anyone with a balance disorder should avoid the Harry Potter Forbidden Journey ride, but wandering through the Wizarding World and visiting Olivanders is still fun.

I agree with KatieL that you'll probably want to skip the Kilimanjaro Safari ride. I'm sorry to say that because it's so interesting, but it is bumpy and there's one (very short) part that is particularly rocky. It could be a problem with your lower back pain.

The forest trail and jungle trek (both are walk at your own pace) at Animal Kingdom are fine (and if you go early in the morning, you'll see more animals on them). Don't miss the shows at Animal Kingdom which are excellent.

Disney Hollywood Studios is a fairly small park (in relation to the others, at least). There are a lot of shows so plenty of opportunity to sit down and relax - and many are indoors with air conditioning.

Gatorland is fun and surprisingly educational - you'll know the difference between and alligator and a crocodile (and a whole lot of other facts) by the time you leave!

There's no way that anyone with a back problem can do Kilimanjaro safari or the Spiderman ride, which whips you around in a tight circle at nearly every turn, and no one with a balance disorder should even attempt Harry Potter or the Spiderman. And I have some doubts that anyone with a balance disorder should attempt It's a Bug's Life; I think the 3-D experience could be very disorienting.

Frankly, I think you'd do far better at either Epcot or the Magic Kingdom than at Animal Kingdom. There are more shows and walk-through attractions at both. And you (though certainly not your wife) might enjoy the Soarin' ride at Epcot.

The shows at Universal should be fine for both of you. And I'd strongly consider SeaWorld over any Disney park.

If this is the Spiderman{R} adventure you're thinking about

http://tinyurl.com/UnSt-Spidey

I can't recommend it for anyone with balance issues. The cars you ride in make sudden turns, rotations, and shifts in direction (at one point you're pointing straight up as Spiderman "rescues" you from falling off a building. It's very dis-orienting, which is the point of the ride. Thrilling for me, not recommended for those who might have problems with sudden changes in direction or orientation.

I really appreciate the comments! We had our hearts set on the Kilimanjaro Safari (we did a real safari in Kenya six years ago). I wonder if I wore a back brace or something if that might minimize any jolts to my back? I'm not asking for professional medical guidance - I'll try to get that before we leave.
Thanks again.

I'm surprised so many people think that the safari ride will be a problem for you. It's just a ride in a large jeep that travels over the "savannahs" of Animal Kingdom. There are some bumpy parts but it's by no means a thrill ride! If you're able to walk all the way back there, then my guess is you'd be fine on it.
Do not miss the Finding Nemo Musical at AK!

As a previous poster mentioned, Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic, the Indiana Jones Stunt Show are all at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Great park! The Great Movie Ride is a classic there and also do the animation class. I still love "Voyage of the Little Mermaid" Check it out.

I've heard great things about the Harry Potter land at Universal - supposedly really great detail. But packed. I'd go first thing in the morning to all of the parks you decide on, if you possibly can.

Hope you have a great time!

I don't know if it's worth buying tickets at Universal if the only thing you want to see is the Harry Potter section. As stated, it is jam packed with people.
I have chronic back pain caused by degenerative disk disease and I had NO problem with the safari at Animal Kingdom. Only you know what your back can tolerate. I didn't even give it a second thought, but then I'm crazy enough to ride the big roller coasters with my bad back too!

Thanks so much to the last two folks who commented! We were thinking bumpy, yes, but that it couldn't be that bad - it's Disney!
For truly bumpy, I was thinking of the roads in Kenya! I could never do that now.

It wouldn't hurt to wear your back brace anyway since so much walking will be involved.

Don't know if you will need this, but I had to rent an electric scooter several years ago at Disney. It wasn't cheap, but the Disney staff were extremely accommodating in regard to allowing the rest of the family to accompany me and assist with entering/disembarking on rides that were difficult for me to access normally. I would highly recomnmend Disney as a great place for someone with physical disabilities.

Skip Universal's Islands of Adventure. Not only are the rides you are considering (Harry Potter and Spiderman) quite wrenching and disorienting, the entire park is heavily geared toward a teenage thrill-seeking vibe.

Kilimanjaro Safari right might be jolting for your back as it's a bit bouncy, but not like the real Kenyan roads I am sure. At AK, you are safe with the Lion King show, the Flights of Wonder show (often overlooked), the Nemo show. Also take the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch and don't miss the sound booths there (as well as watching the vetrinarians at work if they are doing something then). I agree it's possible that the 3-D effects of the It's a Bugs Life show may be disorienting, but likely it won't be a big deal. And do the animal trails in Asia (featuring tigers) and Africa (gorillas). You can do all that in one day fairly easily (with a little planning with respect to the showtimes).

At Disney's Hollywood Studios, you are safe with the Animation exhibit, Beauty and the Beast show, Little Mermaid show, Indiana Jones show, Lights! Motors! Action! car stunt show, MuppetVision 4D (3D effects there are not intense). Toy Story ride is really fun but does involve 3D and a small bit of slow spinning around as you go through the ride--I'd guess not a problem.

Toy Story Mania (at Disney's Hollywood Studios) is so much fun BUT has LOOOOOONG waits (never good for a bad back) and I've always been surprised at how much it whips you around. You might want to skip it.

I remember my elderly mother thought the safari was a rough ride.

Doesn't the bug life also poke your back (which may or may not be a problem for the poster) or am I confusing it with another theater experience?

I took my mother around Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom in a wheelchair. As stated, the staff was helpful and there were separate entrances with shorter lines to many attractions.

As Doug suggested, my mother enjoyed SeaWorld more than any of the Disney parks. Partially because she could "do" almost everything since there are so few rides. She liked Disney, but she had to pass by a lot. So long as that doesn't bother you.

I will say this about Harry Potter at Universal. You can tour the Hogwarts Castle without going on the ride. The castle itself is really amazing, with pictures that talk and holograms of Harry Potter and his friends and some special effects in some rooms. It "snowed" on us in one room. We didn't do a tour (you see a lot of it while waiting in line for the ride), but we watched them take people through. The entire side of the park that is devoted to Harry Potter is full of detail. It was 84 degrees out when we there in March and it was such a surreal feeling, because all the buildings in that area have fake snow on the roofs!