Hey guys I'm new!! (SFGAdv Questions)

[n00b]

Hey guys I'm new to roller coasters! My cousin is a roller coaster maniac and showed me some videos on this site so I decided to join. We'll be going to six flags in new jersey next week!

 

Now I could stand here and sound brave but reality is I'm scared to death of roller coasters. Any advice out there? Does this park have any roller coasters more then 60 MPH? That would totally freak me out.

 

Any advice on what to ride first and what the best rides are at that park?

[zaneymon]

Hi Welcome to Theme Park Review

 

But there's already a thread where you can introduce your Self http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=177&start=0

 

Just a Baginers mistake

 

Zane

[SLUSHIE]

Chack this site out, it shows all the specs of the coasters so you can see what your up against.

 

http://www.rcdb.com/pd6.htm

[n00b]

Thanks for the site! 456 Feet? 128 MPH. Not kilometers... Mile!!! Are you kidding me!!! I would pass out!!

[steel]

My best advice is this: keep calm. It's no more than a few seconds to a few minutes of your life. Millions of people have ridden it before. You are safer on the rides than you are in the car on the way there.

 

Also remember that cars go faster than 60 mph on a regular basis. It isn't anything to worry about.

[coasterguy618]

Yea you won't like SFGADv because they have so many thrills along with the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world.

[viking86]

Riding rollercoasters is one of the safest things you can do. Walking down stairs, driving, crossing roads,.... All those things that most people do every single day are far more dangerous than riding rollercoasters. And once you go down the first drop Im sure you will love it. The waiting is the worst part. Before I started riding rollercoasters I was really scared of them, but now there are very few rides that makes me nervous.

[n00b]

http://rcdb.com/ig1106.htm?picture=1

 

Thanks for the help guys but this thing just cought my eye. Not only is it 230 feet high it doenst even have shoulder restraints! Isn't it a little dangerous that something that small is the only thing holding you on such a huge roller coaster?

[BeemerBoy]

^ Nope. It it was unsafe in any way, it wouldn't have been built in the first place. In fact, those may be the most comfortable, yet thrilling restraints ever created. Seriously, step up to the challenge and try 'em out...all us us here are rooting for ya.

[WillMontu]

Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point is twice that height and operates safely without shoulder restraints (though Intamin does have a little "problem" with that sort of thing)

 

Also check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_coaster as some of us from TPR have contributed in some form or another.

[viking86]

Shoulder restraints usually gives a 'fake' sense of security. On many coasters I have ridden with over-shoulder restraints I never touch the 'over shoulder' part.

[n00b]

http://rcdb.com/ig1976.htm?picture=50

 

This superman thingy looks scary but quite fun. Anybody ever rode it before?

 

P.S. What does Intamin mean?

[trustkill22]

Intamin is a company that has manufactured the track and Trains usually.

 

Then there is B&M who is famous for they're smoothness and good G's.

They are like the Rolls Royce of coasters. Also referred to as Beemers.

That is a B&M track

That is a Intamin track.

[n00b]

So if I understand correctly its different roller coaster companies?

 

Which one's better and safer?

[CP_RULES]

^All roller coaster companies are safe, and asking which one is better could start quite a rumble. That's like asking what is the bast car company. IMO, B&M is better, but Intamin is also a very good company. I would just not worry about safety, and have fun!

[Lenaapple1974]

ok...i am kinda new to roller coasters. i had the chicken standpoint for so long...i dont know what on earth i was thinking. i started by going on disneys rock n rollercoaster...i figured it was disney. hey - they cant have a bad ride right?

 

my fave coaster at sfga so far is superman. BUT - to me medusa is the smoothest ride. sit in the middle if you feel unsure. the drops are nothing (which is what i was afraid of to begin with). i have yet to get my butt on nitro...lol. batman is smooth in the middle....and anywhere i have been on superman has been great! chiller is rough...but a good ride...and scream machine...id wait on. it just throws you every which way. i have not ridden that either. my brother just told me not to ruin my good run.

 

i hope it helped, have a great time!!! just do it!!

[erinys]

Last year I was the same, n00b. I hadn't ridden a coaster in, oh, 25 years after I thought I was gonna die on Rebel Yell at Kings Dominion. Turns out I was just coming down with the flu.

 

I went to SFGAdv to keep a pal company on a cheap season night. I was so scared I only rode the Runaway Mine Train. Intrigued by the adrenaline, I returned on another coupon. I rode the Mine Train followed by Skull Mountain, twice to get more accustomed to the sensations. I didn't go further there, but I probably could have ridden Batman or Medusa.

 

Soon after, I visited SFAmerica. The wooden Roar gave me a thrill. Joker's Jinx with its inversions fascinated me, and finally I got the nerve to ride it - hooked! Immediately followed by Mind Eraser - didn't put me off (I won't ride it now for roughness). Followed by Two Face. Wouldn't touch Superman (big hill) or Batwing (hanging from the track).

 

This year, I hit Batman first - it was amazing. So was Superman: Ultimate Flight. Followed by Medusa - fantastic! I didn't like Robin:The Chiller (rough, loud) but did like Batman:TC - exciting twists made up for noise. Stay away from Great American Scream Machine - horribly rough.

 

Next, SFA for Superman & Batwing - sweet. Then a trip to Dorney Park - nothing particularly frightful there - Steel Force was do-able, Thunderhawk is rough, Laser is not note-worthy. At Hershey, the Comet line was too line, but otherwise rode everything including Storm Runner (THAT is not yet my friend) and Wildcat is rough but the first hill is amazing.

 

When in doubt, I looked at my feet or closed my eyes, and kept repeating "The park has billions & billions to lose if I die, billions & billions, billions & billions." I may be ready for Nitro. KK is not yet a possibility.

 

So my suggestion is:

Mine Train

Skull Mountain

Batman

Medusa

Superman UF if you think you can tolerate hanging, The Chiller if fast launches and speed are better, or Nitro if you prefer big drops.

Rolling Thunder had always been closed during my visits, so no advice there.

[rjholla2003]

My only tip to add to you at this point is to NOT(!) close your eyes. By doing that, you are in fact making the ride even more scary than it is. Because you can not see the track, your body is completely unprepared for what lies ahead, and the various elements take you by suprise. If you're scared, look at the track. Sure, it's scary, but it's not as bad as if you couldn't see it at all.

[n00b]

Thanks guys my cousin is like we're doing Nitro whether you like it or not because apparently it's one of the top 5 roller coasters in the world. Now looking at the restraints this thing really looks unsafe and to top that off with a 215 feet drop...

 

Also he told me Batman and Robin was closed because of an accident... what happened?

[erinys]

Is your cousin trying to scare or torture you?

 

I believe only the Robin side of Batman & Robin:The Chiller is out of commission. It wasn't really an accident, as in no one was injured. The Robin side 'valleyed.' It started to go up a hill and didn't have enough momentum to make it up, and rolled back down into the valley between higher parts. A rollback is not a big deal, it happens on many coasters occasionally, but the Robin cars, track, or launch system may have been damaged in the process, so it is closed. I'm sure there's a thread somewhere here about it.

 

Nitro was #5 in Amusement Today's Golden Ticket awards for best steel coaster. That is based on a survey of enthusiasts, but I'm not sure how it works. The restraints have worked for hundreds of thousands of riders - they are fine. Parks close rides that are unsafe.

 

Clarification - when I've closed my eyes it was only for a second or two to get passed the most intense portions (while fully knowing what was about to happen and sensations I would feel), not for the entire ride.

[viking86]

Thanks guys my cousin is like we're doing Nitro whether you like it or not because apparently it's one of the top 5 roller coasters in the world. Now looking at the restraints this thing really looks unsafe and to top that off with a 215 feet drop...

 

Also he told me Batman and Robin was closed because of an accident... what happened?

 

There are 6 B&M Mega Coasters operating in the world today. Millions of riders have enjoyed these coasters and not a single restraint has ever failed to keep the passenger in the seat. Like I have said earlier, things you do everyday like walking down stairs, crossing roads, driving, etc. are far more dangerous than riding rollercoasters. If these things were unsafe they wouldnt exist.

[Lenaapple1974]

NITRO - believe it or not...you are IN THERE! it is my daughters most fave ride...pm me...i have somtething to show you!!! Anyhow...she says it is the best ride ever...and we have made it a tradition - we get to SFGA - its Nitro first. (Dont take my not riding it yet as it being bad...I just want to do El Toro first since the drops are a similar height. IF I didnt like Nitro by some slight omg its too high reason...I wont do EL TORO.) Just do Medusa first...You will be A OK! I have to talk my 11 yr old son into riding SOMETHING on fathers day. I am getting him on Superman first, cuz to me it is the smoothest.

 

 

(My daughter was there yesterday...both sides of chiller were closed.)

 

YOU WILL HAVE FUN!!! (I say that loud and proud)

[vjgx]

Ah yes, another person new to roller coasters.

 

Just like I was just a few weeks ago!

 

Now, being a new roller coaster enthusiast myself, I know exactly how you feel... and I must tell you that there's NOTHING to worry about.

 

Height, restraints, speed; all of these factors make no difference to me anymore. The only real time that you'll ever be scared of skimpier restraints is before you get on a big ride with them (Nitro for example). Once you're going (after or during the first drop), you won't even be thinking about them.

 

Obviously with Kingda Ka (the 456 ft/128 mph one), no one is making you ride it. But if you do get to ride other coasters before it, you WILL be craving the more intense stuff.

 

Also, if you're afraid of the Superman flying ride, just be happy that you're not going on the flying coaster at my home park (Six Flags Magic Mountain in California), Tatsu. It's a recently opened attraction that is much much more intense than that Superman ride, especially in being forceful and insane. Even so, I've ridden it, and it's AWESOME (in other words, ride Superman)!

 

All in all, I MUST assure you that you will ONLY be afraid of the rides BEFORE you're on them. Once you're going (and after the ride), you won't be scared one bit of it. Just pure, insane, blissful fun and a great adrenaline rush. Trust me. Unless you have a severe diagnosed phobia of speed or heights, you'll love it. You'll be just fine.

 

Have a great time!

 

- ..:[vjgx]:..

[Darien Laker]

I wouldn't worry about Nitro being dangerous....you're locked in pretty safely, and it doesn't go upside-down. If it was unsafe, they would close it down.

 

Great American Scream Machine is one i'd watch out for. I've been on it's twin Shockwave in Illinois, and it was very rough and jerky. You may just want to skip this one until you've conquered the smoother rides in the park. It does have shoulder restraints, but they cause so much pain to your entire upper body.

 

I'd start off with the Mine Train if you're really scared.

[n00b]

I wouldn't worry about Nitro being dangerous....you're locked in pretty safely, and it doesn't go upside-down. If it was unsafe, they would close it down.

 

Great American Scream Machine is one i'd watch out for. I've been on it's twin Shockwave in Illinois, and it was very rough and jerky. You may just want to skip this one until you've conquered the smoother rides in the park. It does have shoulder restraints, but they cause so much pain to your entire upper body.

 

I'd start off with the Mine Train if you're really scared.

 

What kind of ride is the Mine Train? Is it fast?