Build up to Dragon Ch?

[dmaxdmax]

We are doing an HP package and will have a partial day before hitting HP at opening on days 2&3. We've never done a coaster more intense than Expedition Everest (LOVE IT) and are scared of Dragon Challenge but determined to do everything related to HP.

What rides can we do on our partial day to help us prepare for an intense coaster? The prospect of an inversion is intimidating! I don't want to try Hulk because if it's a bad trip we'll never get on DC.

Thanks

 

[ericstac]

I'm not a fan of roller coasters but still do them for my kids. Basically if they want to try on I will do it with them if they want me to. I just convince myself it is only 45-60 seconds and then I close my eyes, grip tight, and hold my breath..lol.

 

[johde]

I'm not sure about the buildup, but once you feel ready to do Dragon Challenge most people think the Hungarian Horntail (Blue track former Ice side) is less intense than Chinese Fireball. It definitely has a slightly slower top speed 55mph vs 60mph. So, you may want to tackle that one first.

If you're going to Disney first, you may want to go on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster first. If you've never been on a Big coaster before, you may want to try Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit first. But for some, the vertical lift hill more intimidating than loops.

 

[dmaxdmax]

RRRocket looks like it's all about drops which is the one thing I know I hate! I'm kind of looking forward to trying a loop or massive turns but not a death drop.

 

[Bluer101]

A hit to DC, wait for front row. One is you can see everything better and get more air flow. You are not looking at the backs if everyone.

Also choose red. I think out if the 2 this one is smoother. Both are real smooth coasters though.

 

[johde]

A hit to DC, wait for front row. One is you can see everything better and get more air flow. You are not looking at the backs if everyone.

Also choose red. I think out if the 2 this one is smoother. Both are real smooth coasters though.

I wonder if Fire (Chinese Fireball) has aged a little better than Ice (Hungarian Horntail). I don't get to ride the coasters that often but after reading your comments I was wondering if I remembered incorrectly. I had found an old Fire Vs Ice thread from 2006 http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1012430

where most people liked Fire better but thought Ice smoother. I normally ride in the Big Boy seats so that could make a difference. Or the red side could have gotten some TLC in a recent refurb.

 

[DOOM1001]

RRRocket looks like it's all about drops which is the one thing I know I hate! I'm kind of looking forward to trying a loop or massive turns but not a death drop.

I think Dragon Challenge is the best and most fun coaster at Universal,if you've never been on an inverted coaster from B&M (the manufacturer)you just have to try it.To this day I still consider Montu at Busch Gardens my all time favorite coaster,this is another inverted from B&M and it's 18 years old,how many coasters have opened since and it's still my number one.Hulk is also a B&M and I love the launch but the rest of the ride has gotten a bit rough over the years.I'll ride Rip Ride Rockit but it's far from a favorite,Mummy is probably my favorite ride at Universal but it's not a full coaster,it's part dark ride,part coaster.I'm not going to suggest riding any other coaster to build up to Dragon Challenge,I'll just tell you to ride it,it's a super fun ride.I would go with the blue side first(Hungarian Horntail)it has better visuals at a slightly lower speed.It's a shame they had to stop dueling them several years ago as it's what this ride was designed to do and it did it well.I remember my first ride on it was on the fire dragon at the time and seeing the ice dragon go right under our train and do a barrel roll,it freaked me out as I instinctively pulled up my feet ,so sad you can't do that anymore but it's still a great coaster.

 

[damo]

I agree that it is less intense when you ride in the front.

 

[dmaxdmax]

Is the Mummy a good step as it isn't a coaster-coaster?

Will we enjoy it more if we see the movie first? As a comparison, Pirates of the Caribbean is a little more fun if you recognize Jack Sparrow.

 

[johde]

To this day I still consider Montu at Busch Gardens my all time favorite coaster,this is another inverted from B&M and it's 18 years old,how many coasters have opened since and it's still my number one.

I'm not sure it get's my overall number one but Montu is my number one inverted coaster. Although, I will say Banshee the new Inverted at Kings Island came close to dethroning it. Banshee is just a little bit too intense for my aging body. They both have 7 inversions but where Montu has it's corkscrew at the end, Banshee has a sloooooow inline twist.

 

[DOOM1001]

Is the Mummy a good step as it isn't a coaster-coaster?

Will we enjoy it more if we see the movie first? As a comparison, Pirates of the Caribbean is a little more fun if you recognize Jack Sparrow.

I just think Mummy is the best ride in either park,it's part dark ride part coaster but far from an intense coaster like the bigger ones at the park.Definitely ride it even if you haven't seen the movie.

 

[johde]

Is the Mummy a good step as it isn't a coaster-coaster?

Will we enjoy it more if we see the movie first? As a comparison, Pirates of the Caribbean is a little more fun if you recognize Jack Sparrow.

The Mummy in my mind, isn't as intense as Everest. It's more of a Big Thunder Mountain with a dark ride section and launches instead of lift hills. Although depending on the seat, being a bigger single rider I tend to get the back row right, there are a couple of big pops of airtime.

 

[DOOM1001]

I'm not sure it get's my overall number one but Montu is my number one inverted coaster. Although, I will say Banshee the new Inverted at Kings Island came close to dethroning it. Banshee is just a little bit too intense for my aging body. They both have 7 inversions but where Montu has it's corkscrew at the end, Banshee has a sloooooow inline twist.

Haven't ridden Banshee yet it but it looks really good,I like how after the lift hill it just goes into like a vertical dive unlike any other similar inverts.Interesting thing on the name Banshee is that Mantis at Cedar Point was originally supposed to be called Banshee and they even had bumper stickers and t shirts printed with the name,then they decided they didn't like the name and changed it to Mantis.And now today a rumor came out that Mantis will likely be changing from a stand up coaster to a more traditional train,possibly a floorless and the name Mantis might be getting removed as well as it's the likely candidate to get the King James moniker after Lebron James.Cedar Point's CEO suggested changing the name of one of it's coasters if Lebron came back and all signs point to Mantis being it.

 

[dmaxdmax]

I can't guess if I'll like an inverted coaster as compared to a traditional. It looks really scary!

It seems to me that if I'm in or beyond the second row with my head back I will see nothing but a seat back.

 

[damo]

I can't guess if I'll like an inverted coaster as compared to a traditional. It looks really scary!

It seems to me that if I'm in or beyond the second row with my head back I will see nothing but a seat back.

Yes. So your body won't be prepared for twists and inversions and you won't enjoy it as much.

 

[dmaxdmax]

I just looked and saw that it's 4 seats across. If you're in the middle you really won't see anything, will you. Bah!