First Big Roller Coaster

[nevertoo muchdisney]

So looking for some advice here. I am a bit nervous to get on some thrill rides, but I am proud to say I have challenged myself to do more and more things (especially in the parks) that scare me in the past few years. I am very afraid of big roller coasters. I have worked my way up and in Disney I have done all, but Everest, Tower, and Rockin (So I have done Guardians which I enjoy) and in Universal I have done all the rides at IOA and USO except Rip rocket, Hulk, velocicoaster, and Dr. Doom (I love Hagrid's). I do feel like I have enjoyed the rides I convinced myself to do so there is a chance I might actually grow to like big coasters similar to how I was afraid to go to Halloween Horror nights, but I have been two years in a row now and loved it. The big roller coasters just seem like a huge jump to me especially with inversions and I will be on my own on my trip this summer so I have to motivate myself to do it. Now that Star Dust Racers has opened I don't know if the yellow side is a good first big coaster out of the big four at Universal (I'm doing universal first this trip and then disney world) as it doesn't appear to have any inversions and just the one big drop. Out of the all the coaster elements I am probably more used to speed. Rip Rocket was my second thought out of the four as it also doesn't do a real inversion. I know velocicoaster is off the table for now for me because the lap bar, throwing you out of your seat upside down is not something I would be ready for yet. So I guess now that Epic is opening what do you think is the best choice for a first big roller coaster Rip Rocket,Hulk, or star dust racers yellow side? Or are all four probably too much to start with a universal and I should pass on them this time and try rockin at disney first (If it is still open this summer)? Sorry for the longwinded post lol I have been having a large internal conflict about this for awhile as to whether or not I even feel ready to take the next step .

 

[JulieWent]

I think I'd do Everest first if you're looking to start out with some of those that you mentioned you haven't done. My son was a roller coaster fanatic when he was growing up, so I've been on most of the Disney / Universal coasters over the years. I wouldn't recommend Rip Ride Rocket just because it's not that good coaster-wise. Hulk is pretty awesome, but might be a next step after you tried Everest. Rockin' Roller Coaster might be a good second step, though, just because it's so smooth and short. You almost don't know you're in the inversion until you're through it. Once you get through a few of those, you will probably feel better about trying new coasters out. FWIW, I think Guardians is a lot tougher than either Everest or RRC. (It made me a little dizzy.) So, you should be good to go!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Just remember Rockin Roller Coaster will be going away as it is. Would be cool to have experienced the original. The back row is much rougher FYI. So opt for the middle.

 

[Skippyboo]

Tower, you are going to get a little airtime from your seat. It’s a random pattern sometimes it will drop first instead of going up at the beginning. You are actually in the middle when you start.

Dr Doom launches you up and you slowly bounce back down but unlike ToT it’s all outside.

Everest- the worst part is the backwards section that feels like you are going upside down but you don’t.

Rock n Roller Coaster is basically launch and some loops . Not too bad.

Rip Ride Rocket doesn’t go upside down but it throws your head around. Glad to see it go.

Hulk is probably most intense - launch plus multiple inversions.

Have not been to Epic so can’t comment on intensity for Stardust racers.

 

[nevertoo muchdisney]

Tower, you are going to get a little airtime from your seat. It’s a random pattern sometimes it will drop first instead of going up at the beginning. You are actually in the middle when you start.

Dr Doom launches you up and you slowly bounce back down but unlike ToT it’s all outside.

Everest- the worst part is the backwards section that feels like you are going upside down but you don’t.

Rock n Roller Coaster is basically launch and some loops . Not too bad.

Rip Ride Rocket doesn’t go upside down but it throws your head around. Glad to see it go.

Hulk is probably most intense - launch plus multiple inversions.

Have not been to Epic so can’t comment on intensity for Stardust racers.

So would you recommend starting with rockin roller coaster then and maybe not doing the universal ones this trip since I’m going to universal first. I was considering rip rocket since it’s going away and it will be my last chance ever to ride it ,but honestly it seems like most people are telling me not to ride it lol. Just not sure if having the hulk be the first would be too overwhelming.

 

[Skippyboo]

You could do Dr Doom. It’s just a launch up. Hulk is going to have multiple inversions. You can close your eyes. You don’t come off your seat like VC. However it’s definitely more intense than WDW stuff.

 

[clappyclaps]

I think I'd do Everest first if you're looking to start out with some of those that you mentioned you haven't done. My son was a roller coaster fanatic when he was growing up, so I've been on most of the Disney / Universal coasters over the years. I wouldn't recommend Rip Ride Rocket just because it's not that good coaster-wise. Hulk is pretty awesome, but might be a next step after you tried Everest. Rockin' Roller Coaster might be a good second step, though, just because it's so smooth and short. You almost don't know you're in the inversion until you're through it. Once you get through a few of those, you will probably feel better about trying new coasters out. FWIW, I think Guardians is a lot tougher than either Everest or RRC. (It made me a little dizzy.) So, you should be good to go!

Agree with this if you've done Guardians then Everest should be fine as your next step (I'd argue Everest feels tougher though). Then RRC second followed by Hulk or Rip Ride. Rip Ride is not particularly enjoyable tbh, feels tough and shaky and thats a lap bar too. RRC is a good next step after Everest to introduce you to a coaster with inversions, and if you can do that then try Hulk - that initial launch is one of my all time favourites.

Tower and Doom don't really compare to these as they're drops rather than coasters. But I'd say these are a lot easier to do than the others, maybe try these before/after Everest?

Can't comment on Stardust as haven't been to Epic yet.

 

[Indio]

Since you're going to Universal 1st and Rip is going away - I'd say go ahead and ride that one. You can close your eyes on the ascent if that bothers you. It is REALLY rough though! Then, bite the bullet and go on Hulk! It is a GREAT coaster and you'll be proud of yourself. You've done Guardians so the initial launch of Hulk is like Guardians only you're going forward. You've got this! Have a ball!

 

[sponica]

So would you recommend starting with rockin roller coaster then and maybe not doing the universal ones this trip since I’m going to universal first. I was considering rip rocket since it’s going away and it will be my last chance ever to ride it ,but honestly it seems like most people are telling me not to ride it lol. Just not sure if having the hulk be the first would be too overwhelming.

I'm hot and cold when it comes to thrill rides, I go on them because my husband likes them. I tolerate Hulk, mainly I think I just closed my eyes (I haven't been on in over a decade, we haven't gone back to universal since having kids). I have to sit on one of the inside seats, I can't be on the outside of the Hulk. I didn't go on Dr. Doom, I don't like drop rides, I don't even go on the kiddie versions at the local theme park, I just hate them. I only went on Rip ride Rocket once so I have no real opinion on it (again it was over a decade ago)

As far as a traditional coaster goes, I love Expedition Everest and will ride that one non stop. Rock N Roller Coaster is honestly so quick, it's over before you perceive what's happening.

 

[DavidNYC]

First of all - it sounds like your hesitancy is based on some false assumptions about physics! Inversions do not make you feel like you're coming out of your seat at all. In fact, you could do most inversions without any restraints at all and not come out of your seat because forces on that actually push you down into your seat. The coming out of your seat feeling ("airtime") is mostly going to be felt going over the more intense hills on coasters.

If I was going to recommend a first coaster with an inversion - I'd recommend Rock 'n Rollercoaster at DHS simply because it's a few fairly basic inversions and no huge hills. It's gotten a little rough over the years but not horrible (the back is worse in that respect).

I don't love Rip Ride Rocket - it's gotten really bumpy and is just meh as a coaster. Nothing outrageous in terms of coaster elements other than the vertical lift hill.

Hulk is pretty good - a bit more intense with several inversions. Also - like many others - has gotten a bit rougher over the years.

If you love Guardians - I really think you can handle either Velocicoaster and Stardust. At the very least - I don't think you'll be traumatized! The most intense part of Velocicoaster is that huge top hat where you do get significant airtime (especially in the back of the train). But other than that - the inversions are truly fun and unique. And it's a relatively smooth ride. Stardust is fairly comparable in intensity - the dueling aspect is very cool if that part won't freak you out. It's a little bumpier than I'd expect for a brand new coaster.

I'd really give them a try. For the Universal ones - surprisingly pick Velocicoaster first actually despite it being the most "intense" of the bunch because I really do think that with these huge fast coasters - the bumpiness of a ride will make you feel less secure even if it's not actually quite as intense. It's one of my favorite coasters ever! You will spend some time upside down - but I think you'll find that that aspect of the coaster really isn't as bad as you're making it out to be. But the big hill is definitely "air time" especially in the back. Hulk would by my 2nd choice - not quite as intense (but still intense with several inversions including one right off the bat) and not as huge on the air time (and you also have a full chest restraint which will make you feel more secure).

But in short - for any of the coasters at Universal - ignore whether it has inversions - I think you've built those up in your mind that those feel different than they really do! The other aspects of each of those coasters I think are more impactful than the inversions.

 

[sponica]

the bumpiness of a ride will make you feel less secure even if it's not actually quite as intense

Yes, this is why Space Mountain terrifies me but Guardians is a piece of cake.

 

[_19disnA]

There is no requirement that you have to ride roller coasters you don't enjoy. I like many of them, but the rides where you sit motionless while some sort of screen in front of you give the illusion of movement tend to make me dizzy.............sooooo I avoid them...............LOL. Lots of older threads that discuss what various rides are like. You won't enjoy the rest of your day at Disney/Universal if you go on some ride that makes you dizzy, so my suggestion would be to avoid those or let others in your party enjoy them while you shop/eat or walk around.