How To Handle Motion Sickness – In The Parks And On A Cruise

There is nothing worse than motion sickness to sneak its way into your Disney vacation.

We have a family member (and I’m not naming any names) who may or may not struggle with motion sickness. And I was really nervous, a few years ago, for our first cruise – afraid that I would also have issues. Luckily, we have found solutions that work for us.

Listed from “easy peasy” to “needs more planning,” here are some tried and true motion sickness solutions for your Disney vacation.

Green Apples

There is a reason you’ll find green apples on every Disney cruise buffet. Cast Members swear by them for helping quell that nauseous feeling many people experience while cruising. Ask for some any time you need it on your cruise (either at a meal or through room service.) At the parks, toss a couple in your backpack before you leave in the morning.

Peppermint

Some people swear by peppermint candies. But I don’t think there’s enough peppermint in a piece of candy to do the trick. I take along individually wrapped peppermint tea bags on our trips. You can have the standard cup o’ tea OR just fold the tea bag in half and stick it in your water bottle. It’ll “brew” the longer it stays in there and become more potent.

Ginger

Crystallized ginger is my personal favorite. Buy a small jar or put a small handful in a Ziploc bag. When nausea hits, pop one in your mouth and let it slowing dissolve. I’ve even used it anticipating a problem and had it work. It doesn’t hurt that I love the taste. Ginger Ale is a good alternative but not nearly as high in ginger as you might need.

Bread, Crackers and Pretzels

Bland foods, eaten slowly and in small quantities, can help. It’s always better to have a little something in your stomach. Nibbling on pretzels or crackers just might hit the spot.

Pressure Points and Wristbands 

For immediate relief, you can find the acupressure point on your wrist. Or, if you have time to plan ahead, you can purchase motion sickness wristbands like Sea-Bands online or at your local drug store. Despite the name, these are good for car rides and theme park rides, as well.

Aromatherapy

The scent of ginger, lavender, and peppermint has been known to help with nausea. You can purchase the essential oils at the health food store or online. But be careful with its application. Never put an essential oil directly on your skin without first mixing it with a safe carrier oil. Or you can use a diffuser, essential oil necklace or simply sniff straight out of the bottle.

YouTube

There are even YouTube videos sharing breathing techniques and helpful hints to avoid the problem in the first place.

Over-The-Counter Fixes

Over the counter fixes include products like Antivert, Bonine or Dramamine come in drowsy and non-drowsy formulas. Not all are right for children or certain medical conditions. Consult your pharmacist to be sure it’s right for you or your child.

Prescription Solutions

Promethazine is a prescription medication that helps disrupt the signals from your brain to your stomach. Scopolamine is another oral solution that also comes in a patch. Both of these solutions must be prescribed by your doctor and may not be suitable for children or people with certain medical conditions. For example, Scopolamine is so potent that if you’re wearing a patch it needs to be in a hidden location so that your child can’t lean against it and the medication accidentally transfers to your child.

As with any medical condition, consult with your doctor to choose the motion sickness remedy that is right for you and your family.