Before I went to Orlando this Summer, I was afraid of rollercoasters. However, by the end of the trip (and many, many days at UO) I turned into a coaster nut. Let me give my opinions for those too scared to ride Hulk, Dragons and Dr Doom.
1. Dr. Doom - It may look scary and intense, but gives the most interesting sensation. When I got on it for the first time, I was petrified as there seemed to be no workers to ensure that I was strapped in - however one eventually came. You are in a little "room" with no roof, where four people strap into seats, not unlike that of a rollercoaster train. It is very disconcerting. However, before you know it, you are blasted in the air. This is over in a second, and is actually very calming and pleasant. The views are amazing - I faced the Hulk, and to see it at night as I did was quite awe inspiring. The main "scary" bit is when you start to fall. You DO get that unpleasant pull on your stomach, but that is over very quickly, and you can tell when it is going to happen, because you sort of pause at the top of each "shot up". This was the first major scary ride that I managed to get on and led the way for a lack of fear for the others. I am glad that I rode this, but never did it again. It is very satisfying to go to IOA and know that you did this. The ride is comparable to Tower of Terror at MGM, except maybe a little less polished and intense.
2. The Hulk - I do not know how my friends convinced me to ride this, but I did it anyway. The queue area can be very daunting if you are afraid, so we rode single rider, and only queued for 5 minutes. The seats are far apart, and restrict your movement quite a lot. I was shaking as I boarded. The car starts to go up, and then is blasted off. This was the first time I had been upside down on a rollercoaster and was surprised to find myself not really aware of being so. You can feel your shoulders pressing on the restraint, but that is about it. I was also surprised (and pleasantly so) to find that there is no stomach "pulling" that I expected. It is just a whoosh of air, and a little of your head banging against the restraint at one point. At the first fall, coming down, I was so awed by what I was seeing, that on my first ride I seemed to be swearing a LOT. The ride is over quickly, and is NOT unpleasant. I needed a drink of water afterwards because my mouth was so dry from shouting. I rode it 5 times that trip, including once at the front. I only regret that I didnt realise how good the coaster could be at the start of the trip. It is good fun, and nothing like Space Mountain or similar rides at Disney World which I rode first. I would even say that Space Mountain is more intense than the Hulk as you really have to be ahead of the game to stay comfortable. The outdoor setting gives a completely different experience, and even for me became the highlight of my trip.
3. Dueling Dragons - this is kinda rough. No stomach pulls here either, but there is so much twisting and turning you are not aware of what is happening, nor have time to appreciate the speed, or the view like you do with Hulk. Suggest that you ride Hulk before this if you are apprehensive, because had I rode this before I would never have ventured to ride it, as it looks more intense.
I hope that my info has turned some people into considering going on the coasters. I am sad that I only summoned up the courage to go on them at the end of my trip, and hope that this can give people a much better appreciation of IOA when they go.
1. Dr. Doom - It may look scary and intense, but gives the most interesting sensation. When I got on it for the first time, I was petrified as there seemed to be no workers to ensure that I was strapped in - however one eventually came. You are in a little "room" with no roof, where four people strap into seats, not unlike that of a rollercoaster train. It is very disconcerting. However, before you know it, you are blasted in the air. This is over in a second, and is actually very calming and pleasant. The views are amazing - I faced the Hulk, and to see it at night as I did was quite awe inspiring. The main "scary" bit is when you start to fall. You DO get that unpleasant pull on your stomach, but that is over very quickly, and you can tell when it is going to happen, because you sort of pause at the top of each "shot up". This was the first major scary ride that I managed to get on and led the way for a lack of fear for the others. I am glad that I rode this, but never did it again. It is very satisfying to go to IOA and know that you did this. The ride is comparable to Tower of Terror at MGM, except maybe a little less polished and intense.
2. The Hulk - I do not know how my friends convinced me to ride this, but I did it anyway. The queue area can be very daunting if you are afraid, so we rode single rider, and only queued for 5 minutes. The seats are far apart, and restrict your movement quite a lot. I was shaking as I boarded. The car starts to go up, and then is blasted off. This was the first time I had been upside down on a rollercoaster and was surprised to find myself not really aware of being so. You can feel your shoulders pressing on the restraint, but that is about it. I was also surprised (and pleasantly so) to find that there is no stomach "pulling" that I expected. It is just a whoosh of air, and a little of your head banging against the restraint at one point. At the first fall, coming down, I was so awed by what I was seeing, that on my first ride I seemed to be swearing a LOT. The ride is over quickly, and is NOT unpleasant. I needed a drink of water afterwards because my mouth was so dry from shouting. I rode it 5 times that trip, including once at the front. I only regret that I didnt realise how good the coaster could be at the start of the trip. It is good fun, and nothing like Space Mountain or similar rides at Disney World which I rode first. I would even say that Space Mountain is more intense than the Hulk as you really have to be ahead of the game to stay comfortable. The outdoor setting gives a completely different experience, and even for me became the highlight of my trip.
3. Dueling Dragons - this is kinda rough. No stomach pulls here either, but there is so much twisting and turning you are not aware of what is happening, nor have time to appreciate the speed, or the view like you do with Hulk. Suggest that you ride Hulk before this if you are apprehensive, because had I rode this before I would never have ventured to ride it, as it looks more intense.
I hope that my info has turned some people into considering going on the coasters. I am sad that I only summoned up the courage to go on them at the end of my trip, and hope that this can give people a much better appreciation of IOA when they go.
