First time rollercoasters

[Howellsy]

So it will be my DGF's first Disney trip this September, and I'm incredibly excited

Now I'm a huge rollercoaster fan, but she's only been on one rollercoaster in her life (which she says she enjoyed) so I'm a bit worried about where to start. I don't want to spend half of the trip on my own, so I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas about how to "break her in" on the bigger rides and get her to love them?

I'm thinking we'll do BTMR first, but because I love huge rides I have no concept of what's scary and what's not I want her to go on EE and RNRC by the end of the trip (and the Hulk in IoA - a bit ambitious? ) but I don't want to force her on them!

So what would you DISers suggest be our first, second, third etc. rides in terms of scariness?

 

[MonorailMan]

So it will be my DGF's first Disney trip this September, and I'm incredibly excited

Now I'm a huge rollercoaster fan, but she's only been on one rollercoaster in her life (which she says she enjoyed) so I'm a bit worried about where to start. I don't want to spend half of the trip on my own, so I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas about how to "break her in" on the bigger rides and get her to love them?

I'm thinking we'll do BTMR first, but because I love huge rides I have no concept of what's scary and what's not I want her to go on EE and RNRC by the end of the trip (and the Hulk in IoA - a bit ambitious? ) but I don't want to force her on them!

So what would you DISers suggest be our first, second, third etc. rides in terms of scariness?

In my opinion, the order of least-scary to scariest thrill rides are as follows.....

1. Splash Mountain
2. Big Thunder Mountain
3. Space Mountain
4. Test Track
5. Expedition Everest
6. Tower of Terror
7. Mission: Space
8. Rockin' Roller Coaster

 

[dale62676]

So what would you DISers suggest be our first, second, third etc. rides in terms of scariness?

Y'all look so cute!

I love coasters too! I'm an ACEer (American Coaster Enthusiasts). Do you go to Blackpool Pleasure Beach (I'm assuming you're from the UK), I'd love to ride those coasters someday!
For WDW, start out on Goofy's Barnstormer for sure, then BTMRR. Space Mountain will be closed when you're there, so if she's cool with those, then try EE and RNRC.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hmmm--depends. DD12 does not like roller coasters (though she will ride the "original" side of Mission Space all day long if we let her), anyway she is FINE with Test Track (as is my mother in law who doesn't do other coasters). Both say they know it goes fast and is a coaster, but the vehicle feels so much more like something they are used to (a car) that it doesn't bother them the way other coasters do. There is also no "drop" on Test Track--so if the downhill drop (and anticipating it) tend to be an issue that can be a good place to start (and then you can tell your GF that it is the fastest one and if she could handle that she is good to go)
Otherwise I would do Goofy's and then Big Thunder (both before Splash--that drop is big)
(so depending on how you feel about the drop thing with Test Track I would do the coasters at either EPCOT or MK first). Then move onto AK for Primeval Whirl and later Everest. Finally do DHS for RNR (my fav coaster ever) and Tower of Terror.

 

[Howellsy]

Hmmm--depends. DD12 does not like roller coasters (though she will ride the "original" side of Mission Space all day long if we let her), anyway she is FINE with Test Track (as is my mother in law who doesn't do other coasters). Both say they know it goes fast and is a coaster, but the vehicle feels so much more like something they are used to (a car) that it doesn't bother them the way other coasters do. There is also no "drop" on Test Track--so if the downhill drop (and anticipating it) tend to be an issue that can be a good place to start (and then you can tell your GF that it is the fastest one and if she could handle that she is good to go)
Otherwise I would do Goofy's and then Big Thunder (both before Splash--that drop is big)
(so depending on how you feel about the drop thing with Test Track I would do the coasters at either EPCOT or MK first). Then move onto AK for Primeval Whirl and later Everest. Finally do DHS for RNR (my fav coaster ever) and Tower of Terror.

I was thinking maybe Test Track wouldn't be so bad actually, because of its similarity to a regular car I'm hoping because RNR is indoors I can trick her into thinking it's not so bad And ToT is my favourite, so hopefully we can do that together

Y'all look so cute!

I love coasters too! I'm an ACEer (American Coaster Enthusiasts). Do you go to Blackpool Pleasure Beach (I'm assuming you're from the UK), I'd love to ride those coasters someday!
For WDW, start out on Goofy's Barnstormer for sure, then BTMRR. Space Mountain will be closed when you're there, so if she's cool with those, then try EE and RNRC.

Thanks! Yep, I've been to Blackpool a few times - the Pepsi Max Big One is great fun, and Valhalla always reminds me of Malestrom In fact, the Big One was probably the first coaster I rode - going up the first hill seems to take forever, I hope you get to try it one day!
I completely forgot about the Barnstormer too, thanks for the reminder!

In my opinion, the order of least-scary to scariest thrill rides are as follows.....

1. Splash Mountain
2. Big Thunder Mountain
3. Space Mountain
4. Test Track
5. Expedition Everest
6. Tower of Terror
7. Mission: Space
8. Rockin' Roller Coaster

That list is great, thanks so much!

I knew I could count on the DIS!

 

[NHdisneylover]

I was thinking maybe Test Track wouldn't be so bad actually, because of its similarity to a regular car I'm hoping because RNR is indoors I can trick her into thinking it's not so bad And ToT is my favourite, so hopefully we can do that together

The first time we took DD on RnR we did not tell her it did any loops (can't seem when yo uaren't on it). She would have never ridden otherwise (in my defense I had not been on it in YEARS and did not remember the loops--DH just flat out lied though)

I am sure you two will have a fantastic trip no matter what you end up riding (there is so much more to WDW than coasters)

 

[NikkiPants]

I have no concept of what is "Scary" to other people because I love a good thrill ride, as well.
But my partner doesn't like thrill rides. She will go on BTMR and Test Track without any problems, though.
From what everyone else is saying, it seems like it kind of depends on the person.

 

[Paul_PA]

For me, the scariness come from seeing the anticipated drop. Eg, going up Expedition Everest, reaching the top, and being able to see the drop. Same thing for Splash Mountain. Test Track doesn't have a drop so that was fine for me. Also, you cannot see the drop at the Tower of Terror so that was also fine.

 

[mykidsintow]

Start on Soarin....

No, its not a coaster, but its relaxing and can be high which is usually part of the issue with ppl who don't care for coasters. Then head over to Test Track.

I wouldn't start on Space Mountain... not because its scary.... ONLY because its so jerky it can leave a headache... and that could leave a bad impression.

Or, go for the gusto and begin with Everest

 

[OrlandoMike]

I wouldn't start on Space Mountain... not because its scary.... ONLY because its so jerky it can leave a headache... and that could leave a bad impression.

The OP is going in September, so no I wouldn't start on Space Mountain either!

Space Mountain will shut down April 19, just after the Easter holiday. It isn’t scheduled to reopen again until Nov. 21.

 

[zeitzeuge]

In my opinion, the order of least-scary to scariest thrill rides are as follows.....

1. Splash Mountain
2. Big Thunder Mountain
3. Space Mountain
4. Test Track
5. Expedition Everest
6. Tower of Terror
7. Mission: Space
8. Rockin' Roller Coaster

I would switch 7 and 8 around. I found Mission Space to be terrifying. First off, I got so claustrophobic I thought I wasn't going to make it through the ride without having a nervous breakdown.

never.........again.

Stick a fork in me, I'm done.

 

[MonorailMan]

I would switch 7 and 8 around. I found Mission Space to be terrifying. First off, I got so claustrophobic I thought I wasn't going to make it through the ride without having a nervous breakdown.

never.........again.

Stick a fork in me, I'm done.

*uses fork*
*poke poke poke*


I think RnRC was a bit more intense for me because a lot of the time you have no idea if you're upside down or right-side up because it's dark and the traffic signs are facing every which way......so you tend to get a bit disoriented. But with M:S it was more exciting than it was scary for me. (They also have the "Green" side for the less-intense experience. )

I honestly didn't expect much from RnRC because in Ohio we have a ton of World Class coasters, which has made me a bit of a coaster snob. (Ohhhhhh yeah. ) But when I went on it for the first time in October I was pleasantly surprised. It was a bit more intense than I expected, and the track layout was really well-designed.

 

[Howellsy]

Thanks for the awesome replies - I'll definitely be avoiding Space Mountain
Mission Space is one that I'm unsure of too actually, though I think she's fine with small spaces and spinning :S
Maybe I should ask her first hah