Help me put my scaredy-cat DH on a roller coaster.

[Winnowill]

My best friend and her family accidentally (but happily) overlapped with us on our trip to DLR last August for a day. Since I'm a planner and they'd never been there, they decided to tag along with us for the day we coincided. She wasn't interested at ALL in any thrill rides. However, since my plan included Indy and Space, she gamely agreed to go along, despite her trepidations. Indy, she missed because one of their kids was, like, a quarter inch too short so she stayed out with her (rider swap is a pain on Indy because the walk to the actual ride is so darn long). But she went on Space. And came off ecstatic. "It's a thrill ride that's really more fun than scary!" was how she phrased it afterwards. And so she went on other "thrill rides." Loved RSR. Skipped Screamin' and ToT, but LOVED Soarin'.

In other words, some people surprise themselves.

 

[avalon451]

This is a really interesting thread, to hear how people would help somebody get over their fear. One the one hand, I can sure see "don't make him if he doesn't want to," on the other hand, he may have expressed that he'd like to get over his fear. One DD has never liked fast/bumpy rides, and we just don't make her. Another DD was kind of scared but wanted to try them, and we eased into them. She always said she'd never do ToT, but when she and I took our mom/daughter trip, she tried every other ride and found out she loved them. So I "challenged" her to try it (without forcing or shaming), saying 'you've loved every one of them, you might regret not trying ToT" and also explaining the mechanics and telling her how the ride went, and that she could take the "chicken exit" if she decided at the last that she really didn't want to get on the elevator. She ended up trying it, and did just fine! She even went again the next day. So that was a good story. My husband, however, tried ToT and was really white-knuckled-- did not like it at all, though he was ok on the other coasters. I will not ask him to try it again.

I like the idea of starting with Gadget. If you can get to Toontown right when it opens (usually one hour after regular park opening) you could probably ride it with minimal wait.

 

[Disney Rose]

I'm not a roller coaster person. I have to really summon my bravery to even think about it. Normally theme parks are a waste of time for me because they're full of thrill coasters. Disneyland is fantastic for people like me - the coasters are pretty tame and there's lots of other attractions. At Disneyland I've tried BTMR, Space Mountain, the Matterhorn and The Gadget Go Coaster. I've also done RSR, Indy and Splash Mountain but I don't consider those roller coasters.

My advice would be that if he considers RSR and Indy enough of a coaster to not normally try them - then start with those. If those terrify him then don't even try the others. If he's fine with them, then try one of the others. Which is most suitable will depend on what scares him most. Is it the heights, fast movement, sudden drops, motion sickness or lack of control? You need to work out exactly what scares him about roller coasters to work out which is the safest bet. Don't discount Space Mountain. I found it surprisingly fine. It feels fast, and I felt queasy for about 30mins afterwards but it wasn't scary and I would do it again. I wouldn't be rushing over there, but I could cope.

Is he fine with going down big slides? Like at a playground? If so, then perhaps Matterhorn would be okay as its just like going down a giant slide in a ride vehicle - it doesn't have the big ups and downs of traditional roller coasters.

Is it the heights? then perhaps Space Mountain would be good because you can't see anything to be scared of!

Is it the motion sickness? Then perhaps Go Coaster as its over quickly.

Is it that they don't seem safe? Then perhaps Space Mountain as you can't see anything to worry about - i.e. you can't see a big drop off the side.

Get him to watch some youtube videos in advance and see which one he's most excited about trying. Ultimately, the motivation for giving it a go needs to come from him for the best chance of success.

 

[NannyBeBe]

I am afraid of roller coasters, mostly because I am afraid I will fall out. I can do Splash Mountain, RSR, Indy, and Thunder Mountain. Last year my daughter urged me to go on Space Mtn with her. Big mistake. I screamed the entire ride because I was sure I was going to fall out and die. I was shaking for several minutes after we got off the ride. People enjoy DLR in different ways. And it is OK to be afraid of things and not do them. I would not try to get someone on a ride if they are afraid. And I surely would not lie to them to get them to go.

 

[ChrisParker]

Wowsers! I went to sleep after I wrote that message and woke up to a tonne of advice. Thanks to all.

A few thoughts...

I think it depends on what is it about coasters that he doesn't like? For me it is my fear of heights, so coasters like TMRR don't really bother me too much. Dark coasters like SM may work because you can't see what to be afraid of, but probably not.
All that said, the older I get even non-height issue coasters get to me because of my lower back. They are just too hard on me. I do love the Seven Dwarf Mine Train in WDW though. It is so smooth.

For him it's the heights and the drops. He loves fast rides like TT at Epcot but is always worried about the drops.

DONT... Why would you want to do this? "White knuckle failure"... Let's see, what's the one thing you white knuckle over, oh now go do it!

Good question. It stems from the fact that last night I saw a spider and he said, "Oh I'm not afraid of spiders anymore." He has ALWAYS been terrified of them so who knows what gives on that. Maybe he's less stressed or anxious overall. Anywhoooo... so I said, hey you wanna try a roller coaster? Maybe you're not scared of those anymore either!

I guess it's kind of like the fact that I try radishes every few years. I always hate them but I find myself thinking...maybe I should try again. Everyone else seems to like them?

I don't like coasters - I don't like heights, sudden drops, going mega fast, or super-bumpy/jerky rides.
The last time I visited - and on the last day of the visit before that - I gave myself a personal challenge of trying a new ride each day that were on the outside of my personal comfort zone because I wanted to expand the rides I could go on, and maybe I'd find they weren't as bad as I thought. Both times I was traveling solo, so if I chickened out the only person who would know is me.
...
I agree with the "Why would you make someone who was white knuckled in fear go on a ride" posts, but I also know sometimes it's good to take on a small challenge. Am I ever going to get to the big coasters? Probably not - heck, I closed my eyes through out most of Soarin over California years ago - but I now know there are a few more rides I can enjoy ... well two.

Without knowing what it is that makes him not like coasters (as others have said) it's hard to know what to suggest, but for me RSR was a good next step.

Yes - he will deffo do RSR.

I have not good answers for you other than just to lie about it and get him on. Maybe call on his masculinity and tell him to "man up". Only thing I can think of does he suffer from motion sickness? Could be an inner ear thing for him.

Once I did that to my sister when we were teenagers. Not at disney but at Canada's Wonderland which is a Six Flags sort of deal. She realized after I reefed on the over the head restraint thingy what she was in for. Not something I would do as an adult...at least not to my husband. Maybe I should take my sister to DL.

I've got to go with don't make him do anything he doesn't want to. You enjoy yourself as you like and let him choose what he wants to ride. Fooling him or lying to him might ruin your day and DL is just too expensive to ruin over that. I say compromise and see some shows and ride the tamer rides with him and enjoy your day.

Good advice! He will be at a convention for the day times so I will do the scary rides without him and wait in line for Soarin' in the evenings. So I don't really even need to compromise.

My best friend and her family accidentally (but happily) overlapped with us on our trip to DLR last August for a day. Since I'm a planner and they'd never been there, they decided to tag along with us for the day we coincided. She wasn't interested at ALL in any thrill rides. However, since my plan included Indy and Space, she gamely agreed to go along, despite her trepidations. Indy, she missed because one of their kids was, like, a quarter inch too short so she stayed out with her (rider swap is a pain on Indy because the walk to the actual ride is so darn long). But she went on Space. And came off ecstatic. "It's a thrill ride that's really more fun than scary!" was how she phrased it afterwards. And so she went on other "thrill rides." Loved RSR. Skipped Screamin' and ToT, but LOVED Soarin'.

In other words, some people surprise themselves.

This is what I'm hoping for.

We have watched a POV about BTMRR and he seems happy to try that. I will post the results.

Thanks for all the great ideas!

 

[bumbershoot]

If he doesn't like the heart-in-mouth feeling, I have two suggestions.

MY suggestion is to breath out slow and controlled during the down parts of a ride. This is a game-changer for me. I don't like the belly drop feeling, and breathing like that really helps.

My SON's idea, or, well, his experience, is that he doesn't feel it as a scary feeling. He feels it as a tickle in the nether regions, and it makes him laugh. So if DH could somehow change his body's mind about where and how he is feeling it, maybe he'd like it more.



Yeah, that second part was WAY cuter to talk about when DS was 7, instead of the taller-than-me 12 (I need to change my sig) he now is, LOL.

 

[courtneybeth]

As someone who was in your husband's shoes, I encourage you to not do this and let him ride when he's ready.

My husband would mock me about being a wuss and too scared to go on to California Screaming. After YEARS of teasing and taunting I went on it - and nearly blacked out and had a killer headache when I got off the ride. As soon as the harness went down I went into panic mode and I wanted off. But we started to take off and I couldn't breathe. I screamed the entire time and cried... when I got off I was stuck to the chair and had to get a cast member to pull me out -- and I fell to the ground. My head felt like I need to rip my scalp off to relieve the pressure and I was in so much pain.

Ended up at the Disney hospital at the front of the park and missed my birthday dinner... two hours of laying in the bed and I finally felt better.

Trust me when I say this -- let him ride when he's ready. Don't force him.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Did he ride BTMRR in the world?

If so the new track at dlr has made it so smooth and amazing that it's my favorite ride now. I used to love screamin but now I can hardly go ok it since its bumpier than it used to be.

 

[ChrisParker]

If he doesn't like the heart-in-mouth feeling, I have two suggestions.

MY suggestion is to breath out slow and controlled during the down parts of a ride. This is a game-changer for me. I don't like the belly drop feeling, and breathing like that really helps.

My SON's idea, or, well, his experience, is that he doesn't feel it as a scary feeling. He feels it as a tickle in the nether regions, and it makes him laugh. So if DH could somehow change his body's mind about where and how he is feeling it, maybe he'd like it more.



Yeah, that second part was WAY cuter to talk about when DS was 7, instead of the taller-than-me 12 (I need to change my sig) he now is, LOL.

HA! I'll ask him about his nether-regions but I won't post the response. I'm not sure if that would be a deterrent...

As someone who was in your husband's shoes, I encourage you to not do this and let him ride when he's ready.

My husband would mock me about being a wuss and too scared to go on to California Screaming. After YEARS of teasing and taunting I went on it - and nearly blacked out and had a killer headache when I got off the ride. As soon as the harness went down I went into panic mode and I wanted off. But we started to take off and I couldn't breathe. I screamed the entire time and cried... when I got off I was stuck to the chair and had to get a cast member to pull me out -- and I fell to the ground. My head felt like I need to rip my scalp off to relieve the pressure and I was in so much pain.

Ended up at the Disney hospital at the front of the park and missed my birthday dinner... two hours of laying in the bed and I finally felt better.

Trust me when I say this -- let him ride when he's ready. Don't force him.

Blimey. Yes that sounds like a terrible experience. I certainly wouldn't force that on the poor guy. He's pretty game to try it out at this point. (see spider situation).

Did he ride BTMRR in the world?

If so the new track at dlr has made it so smooth and amazing that it's my favorite ride now. I used to love screamin but now I can hardly go ok it since its bumpier than it used to be.

That is a good thing to know. He wasn't crazy about the bumpiness of it at WDW the time he tried it. I will tell him it's much smoother.

Thanks!

 

[bcla]

Maybe he needs a babysitter while you ride yourself.

 

[ChrisParker]

Maybe he needs a babysitter while you ride yourself.

Why diddn't I THINK of that?? I've heard there is some nanny roaming around who can do all sorts of things with badly behaved but well intentioned English men. I'll see if I have an old boler hat kicking about.

 

[bcla]

Why diddn't I THINK of that?? I've heard there is some nanny roaming around who can do all sorts of things with badly behaved but well intentioned English men. I'll see if I have an old boler hat kicking about.

I was looking at your screen name and avatar when I made that post.

 

[g-dad66]

That is a good thing to know. He wasn't crazy about the bumpiness of it at WDW the time he tried it. I will tell him it's much smoother.

Ask to sit toward the front of the train.

The ride in the back is way bumpier.

 

[ChrisParker]

I was looking at your screen name and avatar when I made that post.

Omg. That makes it even funnier!! I was picturing Mary Poppins but Chris Parker is better. All I can think of is now is coming back off a ride and saying... Don't **** with the babysitter!!

Running across the park to get Brenda off the monorail station.

Jumping into a stolen racer by mistake.

I love that movie way too much.

 

[Sagginit]

I am going to be the voice of dissent and say California Screaming is not a bad idea. I developed a terrible fear of roller coasters in my tweens. I was trying to be brave and went on a crazy mouse when I was about 11 or 12 which was terrifying as the lap bar didn't do much to hold me in place. It led to two argument filled trips to WDW in the next two years with my dad. Lots of negotiations to get me on rides the second year, I had full on melt downs my first year as I didn't trust the rides to keep me safe more so than motion sickness or anything.

I got over my fear in high school out of pure peer pressure and put myself on the newest, scariest coaster in Six Flags at the time (steel track with huge loops and no floor, you were attached from the top and your feet dangled). I hate bumpy rides and I found the big scary steel coaster wasn't that bad once we got going. If I closed my eyes the sensations were OK and I felt very secure. I think California Screamin is very smooth. I would explain that to your husband. I liked steel coasters as there was a feeling of flying through the air. Matterhorn and Big Thunder feel like I am fighting gravity and losing. Ironically my mother loves Test Track and Splash but won't do coasters, she went on Big Thunder in MK and hated it as she bumped her knees as you are not as secure. I feel she might actually like a real coaster but can't get over the idea of them so she has never been on a nice smooth steel track. If he can do Splash and RSR he can think of it as a combo of the two.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

For him it's the heights and the drops. He loves fast rides like TT at Epcot but is always worried about the drops.

This is really good to know! It might be your husband doesn't understand that there's a big difference between amusement park roller coasters and Disney "roller coasters". Parks like Six Flags, Cedar Point and Kings Dominion have the scary kind of roller coasters: super fast with steep drops and flips that leave you gasping for breath. Roller coasters like that are designed for thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies.

At Disney, their "roller coasters" are slower, the hills are much smaller (think dips more than real drops), and the ride is equally about the visual experience as it is the sensation. Disney rides are designed with children in mind, well, children tall enough to ride. Disney didn't want to make scary rides because that's not what Disney parks are about. They are here to bring us amazing experiences.

The following 'coasters' are not aggressive rides. I won't go into Screamin' because that's the only traditional coaster in the parks. The rest qualify as Junior Coasters which don't have the height and drop issues typical of real coasters.

[Roller coaster scale: 1 being a mild ride that resembles a coaster. 10 being a hyper coaster that pulls the blood out of your brain and occasionally causes blackouts.]

Space Mountain, 1-10 on a roller coaster scale, would be about a 4 if you only consider how the turns and dips makes your body feel. The real thrills are visual and come from riding in the dark with blaring music and stars all around. Space has no real drops; it goes up a large incline then gradually descends for the remainder of the ride (with twists, turns and dips along the way). Tummy-wise, there are a few spots where it feels similar to going up high on swings. Here's a model of Space. You can see that there are no big drops anywhere. Maximum speed: 35 mph.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad would get a thrill rating of 3.5 because it doesn't have any real coaster drops or high speeds or even scary heights. BTMRR is all about the scenery and Disney magic. Caves, waterfalls, "dangerous" mines, animals; that's what makes this ride so neat! It contains gradual descents of turns and dips instead of any one large scary drop. Maximum speed: 35 MPH.

Matterhorn. Bumpy and uncomfortable with lots of turns and great scenery. Gradual descent. A few tiny dips that even small children love. Coaster rating: 2.5 and would fit nicely in Planet Snoopy if the ride were smoother and lost the Yeti. Maximum speed: 27 MPH. This picture shows the one straight incline, then the slalom curves downward. At no point do get a 'top of the hill' feel like that on roller coasters. The ride travels through caves so it ends up feeling like a zany ride. It's very fun!

 

[casagray]

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad would get a thrill rating of 3.5 because it doesn't have any real coaster drops or high speeds or even scary heights. BTMRR is all about the scenery and Disney magic. Caves, waterfalls, "dangerous" mines, animals; that's what makes this ride so neat! It contains gradual descents of turns and dips instead of any one large scary drop. Maximum speed: 35 MPH.

This almost makes me want to try it ... maybe on my next solo trip in November it will be on my list of things to challenge myself with!

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Since he didn't like the bumpiness of Big Thunder Mountain in MK, I think I would go with Hyperspace Mountain. I will only do Space Mountain at MK once per trip because it bumps and throws me around so much, but I rode it over and over last week in DL. It is very smooth, and you are sitting next to someone instead of alone.

I hated Matterhorn - said "Never again" when I got off. DD swears her next ride wasn't as bumpy, but our first ride was terrible. And that is WITH the new padded seats!

We did Big Thunder several times - I would say that it is a little less bumpy than MK but not significantly.

 

[mich311e]

This is really good to know! It might be your husband doesn't understand that there's a big difference between amusement park roller coasters and Disney "roller coasters". Parks like Six Flags, Cedar Point and Kings Dominion have the scary kind of roller coasters: super fast with steep drops and flips that leave you gasping for breath. Roller coasters like that are designed for thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies.

At Disney, their "roller coasters" are slower, the hills are much smaller (think dips more than real drops), and the ride is equally about the visual experience as it is the sensation. Disney rides are designed with children in mind, well, children tall enough to ride. Disney didn't want to make scary rides because that's not what Disney parks are about. They are here to bring us amazing experiences.

The following 'coasters' are not aggressive rides. I won't go into Screamin' because that's the only traditional coaster in the parks. The rest qualify as Junior Coasters which don't have the height and drop issues typical of real coasters.

[Roller coaster scale: 1 being a mild ride that resembles a coaster. 10 being a hyper coaster that pulls the blood out of your brain and occasionally causes blackouts.]

Space Mountain, 1-10 on a roller coaster scale, would be about a 4 if you only consider how the turns and dips makes your body feel. The real thrills are visual and come from riding in the dark with blaring music and stars all around. Space has no real drops; it goes up a large incline then gradually descends for the remainder of the ride (with twists, turns and dips along the way). Tummy-wise, there are a few spots where it feels similar to going up high on swings. Here's a model of Space. You can see that there are no big drops anywhere. Maximum speed: 35 mph.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad would get a thrill rating of 3.5 because it doesn't have any real coaster drops or high speeds or even scary heights. BTMRR is all about the scenery and Disney magic. Caves, waterfalls, "dangerous" mines, animals; that's what makes this ride so neat! It contains gradual descents of turns and dips instead of any one large scary drop. Maximum speed: 35 MPH.

Matterhorn. Bumpy and uncomfortable with lots of turns and great scenery. Gradual descent. A few tiny dips that even small children love. Coaster rating: 2.5 and would fit nicely in Planet Snoopy if the ride were smoother and lost the Yeti. Maximum speed: 27 MPH. This picture shows the one straight incline, then the slalom curves downward. At no point do get a 'top of the hill' feel like that on roller coasters. The ride travels through caves so it ends up feeling like a zany ride. It's very fun!

YES, this. We used the stats like speed and height to reason with our 10 (now 11) year old. We also watched many YouTube videos so he could see what happened on the rides. Now he'll ride anything but ToT and California Screamin. After 2 rides on Splash he still hates it. It's the drop, I get it.

 

[DLRExpert]

Start with Casey Jr. Most people do not consider it a rollercoaster but it has rollercoaster elements.
Then try Big Thunder as a test to see how he does.
After that Space Mountain. It is much smoother than the WDW version and is like Big Thunder but in the dark. SM has sharp turns and one significant drop but is quite small.
Next up the Matterhorn. This is similar to Space Mountainat WDW. The left side is a bit more jerky than the right.

ME