RIP Psyclone Posted August 2, 2008 Posted August 2, 2008 Hello all! I am friends with someone (who for now will remain nameless) who will be going on the East Coast trip next week. I hope he/she doesn't chicken out on any coasters/credits/rides, so perhaps some of you can help. The coasters that come to mind which may make this "enthusiast" a little jittery would be the ones one would expect. Kingda Ka, Griffon, maybe even El Toro (Gasp!) to name a few. Personally, I don't see how someone could fork over a couple thousand $ and not fully enjoy this trip. Since I am not going on this trip, maybe you guys could offer a bit of encouragement. Those of you who have been on Kingda Ka, maybe you could say how the drop is not too bad at all, and so on... Thanks a lot in advance, guys, I would just hate to see any credits missed due to fear. There truly is nothing to be afraid of, right guys?
Luka Posted August 2, 2008 Posted August 2, 2008 Don't look at the ride, and just breathe heavily in and out if you're really scared. I've chickened out of several rides just because I looked at them.
KrakenKing Posted August 2, 2008 Posted August 2, 2008 I knew someone that went on the Midwest Trip that didn't ride all the coasters. They did end up riding Top Thrill Dragster though and loved it... later regretting that they didn't ride some of the other coasters. Kingda Ka looks really scary, I've ridden tons of coasters and I was still EXTREMELY nervous to ride this one... waiting to launch is also one of the worst parts. But when it takes off and you're heading down the track, the wind blowing in your face, it's exhilarating. The drop is nothing, the twist on the drop makes it more mild than if it were just a straight, vertical drop. As for Griffon, it isn't that bad either. I went to Busch Gardens Africa two years ago with my senior class. My friend Jay was TERRIFIED of coasters. We got him on Python (RIP) and he was still a little iffy about the bigger rides. We then got him on Scorpion and he said that was enough for him. Later, right as we were heading out of the park from Kumba, we decided to get one more ride on SheiKra. He decided to do it. He got on and was shaking while going up the lift (We were in the front row even). I told him to relax, stay calm, and not to tense up, just let the ride do what it does. He held on during the first part of the ride up until the Midcourse. Then he did something none of us expected.. he put his hands up. The rest of the ride they were raised up and he was yelling in joy. He absolutely loved it. We had time to ride once more and he was all for it. Rides only really look scary, but once you've ridden it, you'll be fine and 90% of the time, you'll wanna jump right back on. I only say 90% of the time, because rides like Great American Scream Machine at SFGAdv... if you get the blue train, you won't want to ride it again.
steel Posted August 2, 2008 Posted August 2, 2008 If you must think about it, think about the fact that hundreds of people do it every day (even every hour) and that it is only a few moments of your life. Think about the fact that more people are injured taking a morning shower every year than on roller coasters.
HerBlackWings Posted August 2, 2008 Posted August 2, 2008 ^^^^DO TELL!!! I thought I saw a few new screennames on our board! We want to welcome and torment our new bus-buddy!
FlyingScooter Posted August 2, 2008 Posted August 2, 2008 Words of encouragement: If the ride messes up, you could get a big paycheck.
omnio55 Posted August 2, 2008 Posted August 2, 2008 I used to not want to go on anything, when I was little my mom had to bribe me with a root beer float to get on Alien Encounter. I was probably nine at the time and ended up loving it. My words of encouragement are simple, do it and you will never ever regret it. Because if you do it and you hated it you can simply say that you conquered your fears, and there is a pride you get from it. If you don't ride it you will do nothing but think about weather of not you should of done it when you had the chance.
ElToroGirl84 Posted August 2, 2008 Posted August 2, 2008 Having been on all those rides and having ridden them all this year for my first time being a new coaster nut I have to say yes they are scary at first but they are sooooo much fun! Kingda ka was a tough one for me but I've ridden it twice now and it's awesome! Both times though I had second thoughts on the launch track wanting to get off but I swear it's fun, just really intimidating looking. I actually rode griffon before that and I think that tends to be scarier since they hold you at the top of the first drop. Kingda ka's only waitng point is the launch but you aren't looking down at anything just up at the huge tower you are about ready to get launched up on. I came off griffon shaking for a good bit, not so much with ka, though I kept my eyes closed on both rides for ka. It goes so darn fast by the time I have the opportunity to open my eyes the rides over. Griffon took me 3 rides before I opened my eyes but it was more fun when I did. Do yourself a favor though and ride El toro, I have yet to hear anyone not enjoy that ride it's just one of those coasters you have to ride to believe it's that awesome!
coasterdude5 Posted August 2, 2008 Posted August 2, 2008 Get he/she to find somebody he/she finds amusing or entertaining to go on the ride with them. I remember back before the forums when I was still a "coaster whimp", looking at the park updates here I thought "wow, if Robb and Elissa went on it with me I'd go for sure!". That might help.
christianscoasters Posted August 2, 2008 Posted August 2, 2008 One thing my mom would say to me ... How do you know it's bad if you haven't rode it? Which is very true. When I was young, she would have to drag me kicking and screaming onto a roller coaster because I was so scared. Now I'm going on coasters that she won't dare go on.
coasterdude5 Posted August 2, 2008 Posted August 2, 2008 ^ I don't think it's smart to drag somebody onto something. It might make them fear it even more.
christianscoasters Posted August 3, 2008 Posted August 3, 2008 ^it's just an expression lol. Point being I hated coasters.
coasterdude5 Posted August 3, 2008 Posted August 3, 2008 ^ You'd be surprised... I had forgotten about this, there's some great advice in this thread: http://themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6394&highlight=#6394
Jumboshrmp Posted August 3, 2008 Posted August 3, 2008 I still get nervous before rides to this day. It's scary, but makes it more exciting. I know I'm not going to chicken out on anything though, because I look forward to it so much. The one thing you can say to yourself is, if you don't like it, you don't have to do it again.
Goliath513 Posted August 3, 2008 Posted August 3, 2008 It worked to get Adam's friend on Medusa last month and she enjoyed coasters after that, so I'm sure whoever it is on the trip will have a great time once we are able to help them overcome their initial fear.
jaap Posted August 3, 2008 Posted August 3, 2008 Personally the scare is part of the fun. Rides can scare you a little before you get on but when the train goes down that first drop your body gives an "ok" to your brain and you feel great that you concurred your fear. On a side note: I had my birthday last week and I got a tandem sky dive jump from my girlfriend as present. When the plane took off I was pretty nervous. And then at 9000 feet the door opened and my heart was pumping like crazy. Climbed towards the door and put my legs out the plane and jumped, that was the scariest second of my life. But then it felt great and I absolutely enjoyed the 30 second free fall and dare I say it: maybe better than s*x. Back on the ground I felt exstatic!
Bolliger&Mabillard Posted August 3, 2008 Posted August 3, 2008 Before I was an enthusiast, I went to SFMM back in 2002. I was a group chaperone, and the kids I was watching wanted to ride Goliath. I waited two hours in line and didnt know what for! Talk about the GP in me! Point is, take your mind off of it, you'd be surprised what you can accomplish with the right mindset. Besides, when me and some friends went to Cedar Point last year one them sat out for everything at CP except MF and TTD. We still make fun of him to this day. Flying halfway across the country to sit around is very regrettable
steel Posted August 3, 2008 Posted August 3, 2008 I still get nervous before rides to this day. It's scary, but makes it more exciting. I know I'm not going to chicken out on anything though, because I look forward to it so much. The one thing you can say to yourself is, if you don't like it, you don't have to do it again. That's the other thing. It's perfectly natural to be a little nervous before getting on a ride. I don't know of many people (enthusiasts included) who aren't a touch jittery before Top Thrill Dragster or other huge rides.
krazekiddd Posted August 4, 2008 Posted August 4, 2008 Being that I think I know who this is, I'll make sure she rides several rides. I forced her on Cyclops last year.
allisonLOVEsTPR Posted August 4, 2008 Posted August 4, 2008 So Let me just say this thread is about me. I Allison Alvarez am known to not ride certain coasters. It is NOT that I am afraid like all of you think , It is because I know that on some rides I will not have fun(I do not like the drop feeling you get in your stomach. ) For example my brother Chris suckered me onto Deja'vu and while I was on it I cried I hated it so much. Parks are meant for fun and crying is never fun. I do not skip a lot of coasters maybe 1 per park. So its not like I miss out things all day and shouldn't even go on a trip( Ripsyclone you are jealous). The times spent away from parks, on the bus , and even at parks is worth going. A trip is not summed up by one ride. On the Midwest trip I went on a lot more coasters that I wouldn't have ridden in any other circumstance, so I am looking forward to seeing what I can push myself on this year.(it would help a lot if other people didn't try to push me.)Lack of sleep makes me more willing in the morning , so if you really want to help keep me up! I am into THEME PARKS not just coasters. love always ALLISON!
coasterdude5 Posted August 4, 2008 Posted August 4, 2008 (I do not like the drop feeling you get in your stomach. ) Unfortunately (for me), that feeling goes away over time... I used to hate it but love it and now I miss the days when I would get it on every type of drop. Nowadays it has to be a HUGE drop or a S&S tower to give me that feeling.
Loopy Posted August 4, 2008 Posted August 4, 2008 I wish I was still scared of roller coasters. At that point in my life, the adrenaline rush was better than ever. Let them decide what they want to ride, and don't pressure them. They will gain the courage, and when they do, it'll be the best ride of their life.
omnio55 Posted August 4, 2008 Posted August 4, 2008 I personally have more problems with haunted houses and silly things like that. but I can understand the feeling in the gut problem, but I agree with you I am much more of a theme park guy then a roller coaster junkie, however if you want to ride for being able to say you rode it do it. I however believe I can speak for most people on here when I say the bigger more popular rides like the ones previously mentioned are some of the more smoother less painful ones. I think the most important thing is that if you believe you might regret not doing it then jump in line.
jamesdillaman Posted August 4, 2008 Posted August 4, 2008 aw, at first I was thinking a he/she was going on the east coast trip... -James Dillaman
Hercules Posted August 4, 2008 Posted August 4, 2008 So Let me just say this thread is about me. I I am into THEME PARKS not just coasters. That says it all right there. Awesome post Allison.
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