Vertigo Meets Disney Parks — Hollywood Studios
Updated: Sep 25, 2022
Everything you need to know before going to Hollywood Studios with vertigo and motion sickness.
Rating Scale: 1-10 (1: still riding the ride an hour later (iykyk) - red flag, avoid)
(10: Can walk a straight line to next attraction - good to go)
*Chicken Exits refer to the point in the queue a guest can exit the line, meaning you can stay in line all the way to this point and then tell a cast member you won’t be riding and they will tell you where to exit. All attractions have some sort of chicken exit so guests who may not want to ride can stay with their party and enjoy the queue.
Please note: We are not licensed to give medical advice or liable for these suggestions. Information is based on the personal experience of a Disney vacation with an immediate family member with vertigo. Every person’s vertigo is different and no one knows your health condition better than you. Please consult a doctor prior to your trip if you have questions about your health.
Hollywood Studios Attractions
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Rating: -1/10, BUT READ ON (ride spoilers alert)
Description: Fast-moving, trackless ride, with sudden movements, turns, spins, drops, visually stimulating
Alternative: AFTER THE QUEUE AND PRESHOW, check out the merchandise carts
Chicken Exit: If you don’t take any of our other advice, JUST TAKE THIS ONE. Rise of the Resistance is an amazing experience and the most expensive and advanced attraction on Disney property. The line is long, but it is worth it. While going through the queue, there are different stop points where cast members will ask how many are in your party. Let them know you’re part of your group, are not riding, but would like to continue as far as you can. When you get to the preshow with Rey and BB-8, let them know you’d like to keep going but aren’t riding. You’ll watch the preshow in a room where you stand and watch. Then, all the guests are escorted outside to where they go on the transporter. This part is a simulator and can cause motion sickness. There will be a cast member outside guiding people. Go up to the cast member and (very nicely) tell them you have vertigo, you’re not able to ride but you would ABSOLUTELY LOVE to see the stormtrooper room and ask if there is any way you’re able to get there without riding the transport. The rest of your party can go on the transport and the cast member will take you in back hallways to get to the stormtrooper room where you can meet up with your group. Continue with your group through the launch bay and hallways of the First Order. Each time a cast member asks how many are in your party, tell them you won’t be riding but would love to be able to see the holding cell scene and ask if there's any way it is possible to continue until your group boards the ride vehicle. They will most likely let you get all the way until the holding cell and will escort you out and to the exit once your party boards the ride. This is how you will get the most out of it, without being able to actually ride the ride.
This is based on a personal experience and how the cast members handled our group. We can’t guarantee that this will work, but 9/10 times, cast members want to give you the most magical and immersive experience they can without having you feel left out or held back due to something that is out of your control. So just remember to be nice, ask politely, and the majority of the time the cast member would love to create that magic moment for you.
Alien Swirling Saucers
Rating: 1/10, don’t ride
Description: Fast, spinning ride in multiple directions
Alternative: Stop by Woody’s Lunch Box for some food or sit and enjoy being a toy.
Chicken Exit: When the cast member asks how many are in your party, you can let them know you aren’t riding. This queue is an ordinary line with not much to look at, so don’t feel you need to experience it.
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway
Rating: 2/10, not a good idea
Description: Quick-moving, trackless ride, sudden jerks and spins
Alternative: You’re in the main area of the park so head down Hollywood Boulevard and check out the shops.
Chicken Exit: This queue is an ordinary line with some interactive elements and Mickey and Minnie-themed things to look at. If you’re looking for some nostalgia from the Great Movie Ride or want to see the preshow (which I HIGHLY recommend), wait in line and the final exit is right before the boarding area.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Rating: 3/10, don’t ride, BUT WAIT IN THE QUEUE
Description: Simulator experience in an enclosed space
Alternative: There’s so much to look at in Galaxy’s Edge, not to mention you can wait outside next to the Millennium Falcon.
Chicken Exit: I highly recommend walking through this queue, as there are animatronics and Star Wars-themed elements prior to the ride. You are also able to board the Millennium Falcon and will be escorted to the exit when it is your party’s turn. When the cast member asks how many are in your party, you can let them know you aren’t riding.
Muppet Vision 3D
Rating: 8/10, go for it!
Description: 3D show where guests sit in auditorium-style seating, 3D glasses are handed out
Alternative: Try watching the show with the glasses and if it’s too much, take the glasses off. The show will be a bit blurry but you’ll still be able to watch it. There are also restrooms and seating areas in this part of the park.
Chicken Exit: Because this is a show, there’s not really a queue. Guests wait in a room outside the auditorium and you can leave at any time prior to the show starting.
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Rating: -3/10, just, no, please, no.
Description: Fast-moving roller coaster, indoor, dark ride, with loops
Alternative: This is typically a long queue. There are a few food and merchandise carts around here or head back toward Hollywood Boulevard for more entertainment or over to the Lightning McQueen Experience.
Chicken Exit: This queue is an ordinary line with some interactive elements to look at and an Aerosmith-themed pre-show. Prior to entering the boarding area, a cast member can walk you to the exit.
Star Tours: The Adventure Continues
Rating: 2/10, don’t ride
Description: Simulator experience with 3D glasses
Alternative: There's a gift shop after the ride and a stage outside where Kylo Ren sometimes shows up.
Chicken Exit: When the cast member asks how many are in your party, you can let them know you aren’t riding. This queue is an ordinary line with some Star Wars-themed elements to look at.
Slinky Dog Dash
Rating: 1/10, don’t ride
Description: Fast-moving roller coaster
Alternative: Stop by Woody’s Lunch Box for some food or sit and enjoy being a toy.
Chicken Exit: When the cast member asks how many are in your party, you can let them know you aren’t riding. This queue is an ordinary line with not much to look at, so don’t feel you need to experience it.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Rating: -10/10, this is a terrible idea
Description: Drop tower, dark ride, sudden forceful pulls up and down multiple stories high
Alternative: There are a few food and merchandise carts and bathrooms in this area or head back toward Hollywood Boulevard for more entertainment after you stop in the Tower of Terror gift shop.
Chicken Exit: The preshow is entertaining, as it pertains to The Twilight Zone. When the cast member asks how many are in your party, you can let them know you aren’t riding and exit after the preshow.
Toy Story Mania
Rating: 4/10, you can ride this, but you will be gripping onto your partner and dizzy after
Description: Indoor, trackless ride, moves forward, backward and sideways, 3D glasses, sudden turns and spins, objective is to shoot targets at each stop
Alternative: Stop by Woody’s Lunch Box for some food or sit and enjoy being a toy.
Chicken Exit: When the cast member asks how many are in your party, you can let them know you aren’t riding. I recommend waiting in the queue as it has Toy Story-themed elements and makes you feel like the size of a toy.
Want to see our vertigo guide for the other Disney parks’ attractions? Check them out here: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom. We hope this guide helps you or someone you know soak up every bit of magic possible!