Disneyland

I know this may be a silly question, but does anyone know if it's OK to ride the rides at Disneyland or amusement parks with a pacemaker? I mean like roller coasters, and you know how some of the rides jostle you around quite a bit. I just never thought to ask my doctor, so I was wondering if anyone on here knew. Thanks for reading!
Sue

6 Comments

Ride like the wind!!!

by roadbiker - 2010-01-22 09:01:11

I have had my pacemaker since Oct 25th 2009. My grown up kids took me to Disneyland for New Years eve. I rode everything that we could get to and had a total blast! Since it had been less than 90 days since the implant, I went to the customer service building on the left as you enter the park and told them about the implant and that standing for hours in lines was something not recommended. They gave me a handicapped pass with passes for my kids to assist me. We went in the exits of the rides and went to the front of the lines. So I didnt stand for hours in lines. Convient, especially on New Years Eve, but really a blessing to me as I am still regaining my stregnth from all that I went through to get to the point of needing the PM. So, I say go and enjoy yourself. If you feel bad, stop. And if you are new or have not yet regained your stregnth, go get a pass so you dont have to stand overly long. (sit down often, rest and take stock of how you feel and go on accordingly) Have fun. Roch

Yes to Disneyland

by twilkie - 2010-01-22 09:01:19

Hi There,

Thank you your comment. The Pass is a great idea! I'm going to ride all the rides, especially Indiana Jones (my favorite!) Thanks Again,
Sue

Wait!

by tsimbrow - 2010-01-22 10:01:23

How long have you had the pacemaker? If it's relatively new it might not be such a great idea to ride the wild rides right now. If it's older (a year or more) it should be fine. You should try to make contact with your doctor though to be sure.
Taryn

Disneyland, aka the Happiest Place on Earth

by sln - 2010-01-23 02:01:37

I've had my pacer for a little over a year and have been to Disneyland a couple times during that year. I did avoid the jerkiest rides, though (including Indiana Jones) and stuck with the smoother ones (go, Space Mountain!), and I didn't go in the first months after the implant.

I saw on another post that we should avoid rides with magnetic brakes. Does anyone know if they are marked with a "no pacemakers" symbol? I don't recall seeing any warnings specifically about magnets at Disneyland but I have to admit I don't look at the warning signs very closely. (The rides with super-fast magnetic acceleration are not ones I'm likely to go near anyway but I hadn't thought about magnetic brakes.)

Sorry

by tsimbrow - 2010-01-23 10:01:49

I would have to agree with Roch on this one. In terms of the pacemaker, I would ride like the wind and have a blast, but if you are having symptoms, I would check in with your doctor again before you go just to make sure there is nothing else going on.

comment review

by roadbiker - 2010-01-23 12:01:56

I read your other post that said you had had your PM about a year, It shouldn't rattle loose now. Electro-magnets are not for PMs.. Luckily, magnetic field stregnth diminishes very rapidly as the distance from the source increases. There is an equation that can determine this if you have a meter and get close enough to check it out and then do the math....... People have been having PMs implanted for a long time now and Disney is not stupid enough to allow them to get on rides that might effect them. WAY TOO BIG A LIABILITY. But I found absolutely no warnings about PMs anywhere. I did find warnings about people with "heart conditions" that might be effected by the jostling and speed of the ride. Nothing about PMs and EMI interference. But since in your other post you said you were experiencing pain and lightheadedness, That puts you in the catagory of people with "heart conditions" And I would certainly recommend seeing your doctor about that before venturing out to the magic kingdom.. Roch

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I'm 43 and have had my pacemaker four weeks today. I'm looking forward to living another 50 years and this marvelous device inside me will help me do that.