Help "convert" a coaster chicken

[MeredithJ]

Ok, I'll admit it, I'm a coaster chicken. My main problem is that I don't like the drops. I rode Splash Mountain and only made it through by closing my eyes and clenching up really tight. I "guess" I will go on it again, but I just can't stand the thought of the drop. The only other WDW coaster I have done is Space Mountain, and that was ok, pretty fast, but better than huge drops to deal with. I don't have a weak stomach, so I'm not afraid of getting sick, I'm just afraid of dying of fear Plus I do have borderline high BP, so I do worry that I could work myself into a real tizzy and keel over at the happiest place on earth.

Here's the deal though....I'm tired of missing out on some good rides because of my fears. I want to ride RNRC and BTMR, and "maybe" even TOT (GULP!!!!), but I'm not sure how to truly overcome my fears enough to enjoy them. Does anyone have any ideas of how I can psych myself up? I don't want to be sitting there with my eyes squinted shut when alot of the "fun" of the attractions is the theming. I found that out by going on the Mummy at Universal last year, I did it (and lived to tell about it ), but had my eyes squinted shut the whole time, so missed all of the cool effects people talk about.

So is anyone up for the challenge of turning a coaster chicken into a thrill seeker or am I just crazy for even thinking of doing this?

Thanks for your help!

Meredith

 

[kutchyone]

All the "coasters" are a piece of cake. TOT really gives you the belly drop feeling so if I were you and you really hate that feeling avoid it. By the way on TOT it just doesn't happen once!

 

[kimwim8]

I'd suggest starting at RnRC. If you get get yourself into the seat, you're good to go. Not too much to look at in my opinion, so you wouldn't be missing out on too much with your eyes closed. The music that plays keeps your mind off of what is going on...so I think that helps some people that might be scared.

If you don't like drops, I'm not sure how you'd handle ToT!! It's pretty much ALL drops!

Good Luck!

 

[kareneast]

I agree with the person above, if you can ride Space Mountain & Splash Mountain you can definately do BTMR. There is no really big drops on it. Also ask to sit more toward the front. The back seems to be a little faster. RNRC also doesn't have any big drops but it does have a couple of loops that you go upside down in. You go through them so fast that you really don't have time to even realize you are going through them. Also, RNRC starts you off by launching you. For me the launch kind of takes my breath away, so as they are counting down the launch I just take a couple of deep breaths and then hold my breath for the launch. It only lasts a couple of seconds.

I'm sure you will enjoy both coasters. I always try to look at things that you try it once and if you don't like it then you never have to ride it again. I think sometimes the scariest part is the anticipation of not knowing.

 

[cruiseonmagic]

Ok, I'll admit it, I'm a coaster chicken. My main problem is that I don't like the drops. I rode Splash Mountain and only made it through by closing my eyes and clenching up really tight.

ME TOO!!! lol I'm not crazy about the drops either. Thunder Mtn. is a breeze. Don't sweat that even a little. RNR is also a blast! I've found that I'll go on just about anything if it has the harness that goes over my head(even the hulk at IOA). Just pull it down tight, hang on and yell Things go by so fast you don't have time to think. It's now one of my favorites.

If space mtn was ok, BTR and RNR--no problems at all. I've only been on TOT twice--you're on your own there kid.

 

[experiment626mom]

I used to be a coaster chicken, and like you felt I was missing out on some great rides. I bought myself a stuffed animal and hung on to it for dear life. Oh I screamed!!! But I had a great time. Find something that offers a little comfort and take it with you.

Good luck and have fun

 

[jeanelle]

I'm also a big roller coaster chicken. I hate the big drops and have always rode coasters with my eyes closed. I have rode and enjoyed almost all the coasters in Disney and have actually kept my eyes open for many of them.

Splash Mountain - the drop is over in a second and I found I didn't come up out of my seat which is a big plus in my book.

BTMR - This one has no big drops and just goes fast with lots of curves. I kept my eyes open the entire time

Space Mountain - Another one with no big drops lots of curves. After the first few seconds was able to open my eyes.

RRC - This is my all time favorite ride in the park (to the amazement of my BF and DS). There are no big drops just lots of speed and curves. I couldn't even really tell when we went upside down. I also opened my eyes after the first few seconds.

TOT - I rode this ride once and will only ride it again only under extreme pressure from family/friends. I hated. The drops are exactly what I don't like about roller coasters. why I thought this would be different is beyond me!

I hope this helps. Also as a side note, I won't ride any of the coasters at US/IOA. Nope too scary for me!

Jeanelle

 

[umaangel00]

I am not sure what to do either. THe only coaster I will go on BTMR. I work myself into a cold sweat if someone tries to get me on anything else!

 

[DLKT]

I never enjoyed 'costers until I went to Disney when I was about 25.
I hated the feeling.
I tried a few when I was little (Paragon Park, anyone?) and it was horrible.
That ride didn't even have seatbelts, just a bar that was 5 inches above my thighs. My older brother ended up in my lap at times!

But this is Disney.
Saftey is what they are all about.

With all the 'coasters at Disney you're strapped in tight.
You're NOT GOING ANYWHERE!!!

It's great.
I just let my body relax and imagine I'm flying.
I went from "I hate rollarcoasters" one day to the next pretending I was asleep and snoring while riding on Space Mountain. My last time, much to the annoyance of the girl sitting behind me, I was singing some silly song to my wife in front of me. I think I ruined the mood for the girl.

Space Mountain is actually the "worst" coaster in Disney, imo.
It's the worst because it's the oldest and feels like an "old style" rollercoaster (Paragon Park) .
The new ones, RRC, are smooth and "flowing".

And Tower of Terror is just so much fun that I can honestly say you are CRAZY for **purposely** missing out on one of the best rides in the Park!!!

But if you're going to be down there in the next few weeks PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stay away from ToT and tell everyone you're with to do the same!!
LOL LOL

 

[emeraldlover]

Everytime we have been on TOT we have gotten the very first row in front of the doors. And everytime, I keep my eyes tightly closed and hold onto my husband for dear life. Hate the ride, but somehow seem to do it everytime. Last time we went we had the back row and I was supposed to sit in the seat with no bar - just a seat belt. Well no way, no how. My daughter was very happy to switch with me. She never holds on to the bar on any ride, always has her hands up, and the more wicked the ride, the more she likes it.
I guess it's because she has been riding them for as long as she was tall enough because my DH loves them too.

BTMRR is my favorite ride at MK. I enjoy Space Mountain (being in the dark helps). I cannot stomach RNRC. Splash Mountain is great. I just have a problem with the rides that take you up over 100 feet and then drop you straight down. The ones with gradual declines I have no problem with even if you are high up.

There is a coaster in Ohio at Cedar Point that is I believe just over 200 feet high. My DD and DH love it. I can't even imagine.

I believe though in trying (almost) everything once. If you hate it, don't go on again. At least you can say you tried. I did try Superman at Six Flags (over 100' high, almost 90 degree angle straight down), and HATED IT and WILL NOT go on it again. But at least I tried!!

Melissa

 

[saffymom]

I am the biggest coaster chicken ever, so I can sympathize. I actually hyperventilated once waiting to ride Splash Mountain (which I was only doing after LOTS of pressure from DH). I will ride it again, but only if everyone else is.

I can't even imagine trying to ride TOT. Even looking at the building freaks me out!!

However, this past trip I was talked into riding RNRC, and I have to say that it wasn't too bad (what I saw of it anyway). I had my eyes closed for most of it (and have a great photo of me looking absolutely terrified as we took off). But I didn't even realize we were going upside down and would probably ride it again.

BTMRR is one of my favorite rides, so you should have no problem with that. I think it's much smoother than Space Mountain. There are a few little hops where you jump out of your seat a little, but no big drops at all.

Good luck and have a great time.

 

[Lesley]

I feel your pain! It took me a long time to learn to love coasters. My first WDW coaster was BTMRR....and I immediately loved it. I really recommend this one as a "first" coaster for kids or the faint of heart. Its my favorite ride now.

Then I'd say Space Mountain is next....its a bit rougher and I avoided it for a long time, but once I rode it I realized its really pretty fun.

RNRC....well, as someone who thought she'd never ever ride a looping coaster...I can say that this ride is wonderful! Its very smooth and its over before you know it. Learn the basics like taking a deep breath before the launch (I can't breathe during the launch...not sure about anyone else) and keeping your head firmly back against the seat and you'll be fine. I also love RNRC now.

I've never been on ToT....I'll probably manage to avoid it until my youngest is old enough and wants to go on. Splash Mountain doesn't bother me much because I know the drop is over so quick...if I can keep myself from getting worked up about it. I'm really very afraid about Expedition Everest.....supposed to have a huge drop and like you, I hate drops! I'd rather go on ToT than a coaster with an extremely long drop...its that facing forward and popping out of my seat like I'm going to fall out head first that gets me. But I haven't found that to be a problem on any of the coasters at WDW so far. I don't mind the popping up if I'm not facing forward. I'm not sure why I hate the idea of ToT so much....but I really do want to see the non-drop parts of the ride.

Good luck!

 

[TrickyFish]

I used to be a BIG coaster chicken (well, scary ride chicken) when I was little. My trick was when I got scared to sing... no, really! I picked a song that made me happy and I'd just start singing, not loudly but enough to take my mind off things. It got me through the initial fear and I realized things weren't as bad as I thought.

I got stuck on a coaster at the aforementioned Cedar Point and a friend who was riding with me started having a panic attack. I got her to start singing with me and it definitely calmed her down. It sounds crazy, but it works...

If you're not the singing type, just try laughing. Just start laughing, it makes things better!

 

[vettechick99]

I hate the dropping feeling, but I love coasters. The best way to beat the drop feeling (and that goes for SM, RnR, etc) you have to push your feet against the flooring/wall so they almost lock. Then close your eyes and hold on tight. I swear to you it works everytime. Now on ToT, there's nothing to really hold on to so you need a friend to clench. Men are especially handy for this.

I've been on SM at least 20 times and have never actually seen the drop...my eyes automatically shut. You can imagine what my pictures look like.

 

[buzz2400]

It took me years to try tot. Get a fast pass so you walk right up to the ride and not have to wait forever. That was my problem. The longer I stood in line, the higher the anxiety. Once I went on it was nothing. Not my favorite ride though. It was a little boring. If you do go, sit all the way to the one of the ends so you have a thing to hold onto. Regards to Rock n Roller coaster, it is in the dark with very loud aerosmith music playing. Whenever I am afraid to go on a roller coaster I try and figure out how long the ride actually is (which is usually less than two minutes). Knowing that it is so short, I feel a little better getting on the ride (knowing that it would be over very soon).

 

[kidd_freeper]

My wife HATES roller coasters.

She HATES RNRC and Space Mountain. Oddly enough, she loves BTMR and TOT (these are her two favorite rides).

With my wife, I think its a matter of lateral neck movement. Up and down movements don't seem to bother her.

BTMR is really quite mild, and the theming is really good. Try it and don't worry. However, if its really the drops you don't like, then avoid TOT like the plague - the drops are the whole purpose of the ride.

 

[Preds]

Probably the worst thing any of you could do on ANY roller coaster is to close your eyes.

It disorientates your senses and makes it MUCH MUCH worse.

Personally, I love any and all coasters, the bigger the better. RNR and The Hulk at IOA are 2 of my favorites, as is the Batman Coaster at Six Flags in Maryland (where you're suspended in a flying position).

FOr those really into sickness, I believe the tallest coaster at Cedar Point now has a 300 foot drop. They also have a 400 ft "coaster" that's shaped like a U with the coaster going straight up 400', then back down 400' and up 400' on the other side in reverse. Now that "coaster" will scare the heck out of most ANYONE!

 

[disneycake]

I was the hands-down biggest chicken for roller coasters and hate hate hate big drops because of the loss of stomach feeling. However, BTMRR is my hands-down favorite ride and I go on it again and again and again. Splash terrifies me with that drop, I do it for everything else but hate the drop. Space Mountain is so much fun - very relaxing. Never did RnR but my DB wants me to try it with him. Are the loops big with drops? I hated the hulk big time, got so sick on that thing.

 

[TrickyFish]

FOr those really into sickness, I believe the tallest coaster at Cedar Point now has a 300 foot drop. They also have a 400 ft "coaster" that's shaped like a U with the coaster going straight up 400', then back down 400' and up 400' on the other side in reverse. Now that "coaster" will scare the heck out of most ANYONE!

Top Thrill Dragster. It is, hands down, the most amazing experience EVER!! You're launched from 0 to 120mph in 4 seconds (RnRC is 0-60 in 2.8 seconds) and climb at a 90degree angle 420' high before descending back down at 90 degrees.

It's amazing. There are no words to fully describe it.

 

[ithacan]

I also HATE that drop feeling, but I was taking my two sons to Disney for the first time ever and didn't want to be constantly standing on the sidelines. Of course, they decided to ride ToT first. I had a read a lot of reviews about how amazing it was, so I just clenched my teeth and went on. We were supposed to be in the first row, but were able to easily get some other folks to switch. If you sit on the end (next to the wall), there's a handle to hold onto, as well as one next to you on the bench. I gripped with all my might....and it was fine. The visual effects are amazing. Since the "drops" happen in the dark, they are not as bad. I actually ended up going on ToT again a few days later. I also rode Space Mt and BTMRR - really like BTMRR, Space Mt was OK - a little rough. I was determined to try it once because I just didn't want to miss out on all the fun.