I am scared of the "big kid" rides can you help me?

[californiamomof4grls]

I have only been to DL twice last 2008 and 2009. Now we had all of our girls with us and were not interested in ride swapping with them so I have never been on any of the "big kid" rides. So here are my questions

I would like to start out small and get bigger?

If I decide that I don't like the "crazy" ones (if there are any) or there tricks to better seats, rows, sides ect. that might make them more tame ?

If you had to make a list of "Had to Rides" what would those be?

The first time I rode pirates it scared the crap out of me! After riding it a handful of times I got over i, knowing where the bumps and dips are helped me. Having said that it is my FAVORITE ride.

BTW I don't think I can do tower of terror but I would like to try and psych myself up for it any thoughts?

On a side note; I also have a motion sickness issue. I am going to get something for that any recommendations for that?

 

[l’amore bella]

By "big kid" rides do you mean roller coasters? If so, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad might be a nice ride to start out on. It was the first faster ride I tried at Disneyland and felt that it was pretty tame.

 

[nana50]

I love Big Thunder. I can't do Space Mountain or Splash Mountain. After you conquer Thunder Mountain you are ready to tackle the Matterhorn. Stay away from that roller coaster in CA. A lot depends on your stomach also. Mine is sensitive so I take Bonnine before I go. What other ones do you want to try.

 

[brittanyherndon]

is splash Mt at disney land the same as Disney World

 

[Eeee-va]

What don't you like about "big kid" rides?

I don't like drops, so I don't ride Tower of Terror or the Maliboomer and am not interested in Jumpin' Jellyfish. I rode California Screamin' once, but probably will not ride again. (I might give it a try at night if my good friend who loves thrill rides ever comes out from Florida.) I haven't been on GRR (being strapped in to a boat in the water worries me a bit but I saw a ride-through and it doesn't seem too bad). I think besides that I can ride anything, though.

I think if you are seriously debating whether or not to go on something you should give it a try, but if you are outright terrified of it, or you know the ride itself is basically only stuff you don't like, then there's no shame in sitting it out.

In most coasters, the back rows seem to move faster (not sure if that's how it really works because of physics or if it's just the feeling). Of course, the front row, you see exactly what's ahead. Middle rows might be best, unless you want/need to see where you are going.

The shortest (and IMO tamest) roller coaster would be Gadget's Go-Coaster in Toontown. About half of the ride is the lift hill; the whole thing takes less than a minute. It does have some kick to it but there aren't any scary drops--it's just a quick little ride (with very small cars, but two small-to-medium-sized adults can just fit). There is plenty to look at while you ride. (I'm not trying to disparage that roller coaster, though; I used to LOVE Gadget from Rescue Rangers and still have a certain fondness for the ride. )

You might like Indiana Jones all right--it is VERY jerky, but no drops to take your stomach away, and it's very immersive. I had a good friend who was terrified to go on all thrill rides (from how she was going on about it, I was worried that Peter Pan's Flight might be too much for her!). But she ended up enjoying Indy quite a bit.

Big Thunder Mountain is my second-favorite and I don't think it's too bad--it is quite fast-moving and I think the longest coaster (besides California Screamin'). But there is a lot to look at so hopefully that would distract you. There are some curves that feel pretty fast, but the drops are pretty minor. I love the speed of mild coasters, so it's a great fit for me.

The Matterhorn can be really rough, but it's over 50 years old, so I have an easier time thinking of it as a tame ride (even though some 80 and 90-year-old wooden coasters have quite a kick ). If you are TERRIFIED of heights it may be a bad idea because it feels like you're quite high up. It's the only coaster in Disneyland itself that I don't actually enjoy just because it's so rough. I find it uncomfortable/awkward to ride with two people in a car, but the cars are just too big for one person by her/himself and that makes the ride even jerkier.

Unlike most people, I find Splash Mountain to be the scariest ride in Disneyland proper because I do not like drops at all. The vast majority of the ride is tame, with I believe one minor drop and then the big one that will probably make you scream. That said, if you feel that Pirates of the Caribbean has more than two "dips"/etc., you will probably find a lot more of Splash Mountain to be horrible, as the logs seem to float less smoothly than the larger boats on Pirates. (Pirates has two drops, both fairly minor by most definitions, though the first drop in Splash might be smaller than the two in Pirates; I'm not sure.)

I don't love the drops in Pirates either, but I've gotten to where I am fine with them. My friend who was terrified of most thrill rides was fine with Pirates too.

Space Mountain is considered the scariest one in DL by many. I LOVE it and to me it has just one little dip that takes your stomach away just a tiny bit (two if you are in the back), which I find to be delightful. It's my favorite ride in the parks. My friend who was terrified of most thrill rides found it to be probably her worst experience at all of Disneyland, it sounds like--she was absolutely terrified by the ride. I'm not sure what she didn't like about it, though; perhaps a lot of the problem was being in the dark?

In DCA, I think the only coaster besides California Screamin' (which I'd avoid until you like the coasters of DL ) is Mulholland Madness. If you like little zippy rides it might be fun, but if you hate quick turns and/or drops I'd definitely avoid it, because it's basically all quick turns and drops. I found it kind of fun and kind of nauseating. It's nothing like Gadget's Go-Coaster.

I don't know if you've done Soarin' or not but even if you're somewhat afraid of heights (as I am), it should be fine. It does not feel like you're high up at all, to me. The very first time I did it, I did not care for it much because I didn't know what to expect and so the slow banks/etc. worried me a little bit, but now that I have it "memorized" I have no problems with it.

If simulators in general don't bother you then Star Tours should be fine--the first couple times it's kind of trippy but at this point I find it almost boring and non-immersive.

Are there any other rides that worry you that you were thinking about riding?

I can't really advise on any motion sickness stuff. I went on a 2-hour or so cruise on a tall ship/sailing ship and was worried about motion sickness (since the Internet told me to worry ) so I had a little candied (food grade) ginger beforehand and I was fine. I have no idea if it actually had any effect or if I would've been fine anyway, though.

I'd love if you would post back about your experiences when you come back. I am always wondering how different people take different rides so I can better know what rides others might be able to ride.

 

[Eeee-va]

is splash Mt at disney land the same as Disney World

Not really. You sit single-file (except in the back row) and the ride is much shorter than WDW's. The majority who have done both (including myself) prefer WDW's version to DL's.

 

[Princess Row]

I am deathly afraid of drops. Pirates used to scare me to death it is now my favorite ride that i know where bumps are. This past trip my bf took me on big thunder i loved it, matterhorn is just fast the small dip is nothing. I would say do matterhorn first. I rode splash mountain when i was five, never again, looking at the ride makes my heart drop to my stomach. I ride about 3-4 rides in CA adventure and i was totally scared of the grizzly run (2 large drops) but i got over that. The ride wasnt that bad but i wouldnt do it again in a second. Tot i dont think would be a great ride to "test run" if your scared of the DL rides still. Space mountain i absolutely love now the first few times i couldnt stand it. Hope this helps. ~Rochelle

 

[disney-inspired]

My "must rides" are Big Thunder, Space Mountain and the Matterhorn.

Big Thunder - not that fast and no big drops, just a fun runaway train ride.

Space Mountain - It's dark so you don't see the drops but there really aren't any. It's mostly like a big slide where they take you to the top and you go down in a spiral.

Matterhorn - fast, bumpy and no drops. The ride is similar to Space as you go down in a spiral.

 

[Disney Dreams]

is splash Mt at disney land the same as Disney World

You can find on-ride videos of both of these on youtube.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I have only been to DL twice last 2008 and 2009. Now we had all of our girls with us and were not interested in ride swapping with them so I have never been on any of the "big kid" rides. So here are my questions

I would like to start out small and get bigger?

If I decide that I don't like the "crazy" ones (if there are any) or there tricks to better seats, rows, sides ect. that might make them more tame ?

If you had to make a list of "Had to Rides" what would those be?

The first time I rode pirates it scared the crap out of me! After riding it a handful of times I got over i, knowing where the bumps and dips are helped me. Having said that it is my FAVORITE ride.

BTW I don't think I can do tower of terror but I would like to try and psych myself up for it any thoughts?

On a side note; I also have a motion sickness issue. I am going to get something for that any recommendations for that?

Well I was typing out a whole response to you but my computer froze. Anyway, you need to figure out what kinds of things cause your motion sickness. For some people it's drops, for others it's spinning or virtual reality type rides. Motion sickness is caused when the brain gets confused due to certain stimuli. For example, I can't do flashing lights, so Space Mountain is out. But I could ride it when they had lights on throughout the entire ride back in 2005 for the 50th. I can't do spinning, so Teacups is out. But I can handle Roger Rabbit as long as it's not being spun crazily. I can't ride Cali Screaming as the sudden stop at the end gives me a headache. I can ride Tower or Terror as long as I am not in the first row. For some reason being right up in front of the doors makes me sick when it starts bouncing up and down. When I'm in the back row or middle row I am fine. (Something to do with my vision confusing my brain.) I can't do Virtual Realty rides, so Star Tours is out for me too. Again, it's the visual thing confusing my brain. Any of the other non mentioned rides are fine though... Ride Splash in the back or 2nd to last row to avoid getting wet. It's a lot less scarier when you're in the back too. You should defintely try everything at least once so you know what works for you and what doesn't.
I highly recommend the Transderm scop patches. You wear one for 3 days so it's great because you don't have to remember to take anything at a certain time or worry about it wearing off in a few hours. If you use the patch, chances are you'll be able to ride everything without fearing getting sick.
HTH!

 

[rszdtrvl]

I highly recommend the Transderm scop patches. You wear one for 3 days so it's great because you don't have to remember to take anything at a certain time or worry about it wearing off in a few hours. If you use the patch, chances are you'll be able to ride everything without fearing getting sick.
HTH!

I recommend them too. I must wear them when I go to Disneyland. I am okay with air travel without the patch, but can't do any rides or anything without them. I get really nauseous, clammy, etc.

My son keeps his eyes closed throughout a lot of rides. I tried that trick before I discovered the patch (I asked my doctor about it - our first trip I only took Dramamine, and it is okay, but doesn't help as much as I need it to), and it helped a bit. I was able to go on the Xcelerator at Knotts by keeping my eyes closed : http://www.knotts.com/public/park/rides/coasters/xcelerator/index.cfm

If you are really worried and prone to motion sickness, ask your doctor about the patch. It helps a lot.

 

[nunzia]

I'm a certifiable ride weenie...
I did Splash once. Hated the drop and won't do it again (there was a thread awhile back that linked to ride info and it seems that the drop in Pirates and Splash are the same..just different angle..Pirates being sloping and Splash being..in my mind, STRAIGHT down)
I've done Big Thunder several times and just don't like it..I don't know why, but I don't see it as fun.
Matterhorn, never
Space NEVER
California Screaming ditto NEVER.
Gadgets is fun, Indy is one of my favorites as is Pirates. Star Tours is still a hoot, but will be glad when it's redone. I think the back row is supposed to be much bumpier than the front.
Cannot stand spinning things..forget the teacups. Roger Rabbit spins, but it's fun,not extreme like teacups.
In DCA. love Grizzly! great fun. Soaring is spectacular, don't worry about it at all. I would not do TOT..my husband, who rides everything, did it once and said never again. I also don't do the swings ( I did the mini version in Bugs Land and was kinda getting queasy...)
Also won't do Mullholland or Maliboomer and forget Mickey's Wheel of Death....
Good thing there's alot of rides, eh??

 

[Hawleys]

Well I was typing out a whole response to you but my computer froze. Anyway, you need to figure out what kinds of things cause your motion sickness. For some people it's drops, for others it's spinning or virtual reality type rides. Motion sickness is caused when the brain gets confused due to certain stimuli. For example, I can't do flashing lights, so Space Mountain is out. But I could ride it when they had lights on throughout the entire ride back in 2005 for the 50th. I can't do spinning, so Teacups is out. But I can handle Roger Rabbit as long as it's not being spun crazily. I can't ride Cali Screaming as the sudden stop at the end gives me a headache. I can ride Tower or Terror as long as I am not in the first row. For some reason being right up in front of the doors makes me sick when it starts bouncing up and down. When I'm in the back row or middle row I am fine. (Something to do with my vision confusing my brain.) I can't do Virtual Realty rides, so Star Tours is out for me too. Again, it's the visual thing confusing my brain. Any of the other non mentioned rides are fine though... Ride Splash in the back or 2nd to last row to avoid getting wet. It's a lot less scarier when you're in the back too. You should defintely try everything at least once so you know what works for you and what doesn't.
I highly recommend the Transderm scop patches. You wear one for 3 days so it's great because you don't have to remember to take anything at a certain time or worry about it wearing off in a few hours. If you use the patch, chances are you'll be able to ride everything without fearing getting sick.
HTH!

We recently traveled with some DLR newbies, one of whom has a problem with motion sickness. There were two rides that gave him trouble. The first was Space Mountain where the launch tunnel effect made him very nauseous. Before the lift you travel slowly through a tube and lights circle all around the car to give the illusion of spinning. It tricked our friend's brain, just like DisneySuiteFreak mentioned and he told us after that it felt like his car was flipping upside down.

Star Tours also gave our friend some problems again because of the illusion of movement. If these kinds of scenarios trigger your motion sickness than it might be best to avoid these two rides or take the medicines mentioned.

I agree with all the previous posters who recommend BTMRR as a good starter "big kid ride". No big drops, just some long banked turns but still enough zip to feel like a real coaster. Our dear nauseous friend loved it and we rode three times!

Just remember that there is no pressure to ride anything that you are worried about. Even if you never set foot on a coaster there are so many other wonderful rides at DL.

 

[Eeee-va]

Oh! If you think you may have trouble with Star Tours, the seats that move the least should be in the middle of the middle row. The edges move more dramatically because it's a simulator. I think the back is probably worse than the front.

 

[Perdygirl]

I never used to want to ride the "scary" rides, then my DS said to me. "It's two minutes of your life, so what if you don't enjoy 2 minutes of your life, just try it". Well, I tried it, and I'm hooked.

I don't suffer from motion sickness, but my DH does. He can ride Space Mtn, Splash Mtn, Big Thunder, Indy, Star Tours, Soarin', and has done Tower of Terror once. He won't do Maliboomer or Screamin', or anything that spins, including the teacups. The worst motion sickness he got was on Mickey's fun wheel when we tried the moving gondola. I personally don't like Mulholland Madness, because it kind of jerks you around the corners and hurts my neck.

I say, take the plunge, you only live once.

 

[californiamomof4grls]

Thank you so much for all of your input!
So here is the break down!
Fears: Drops! Motion sickness!
Can't do anything that makes me

I did Soarin and I was TERRIFIED! I don't know if it was because my kids were with me and it seemed like we were really "soarin" I was afraid my girls would fall out. I know it's silly but it freaked me out. I do intend on trying it again though with my hunny. He makes me feel safe! LOL! I can't spin it makes me really Teacups were a no go!!!! There was one in Bugs Land that spun my kids thought it was funny as I made the sounds. I was really pukey after that one! Mickeys terror wheel scared the out of me!
That said I love Haunted Mansion and Pirates! It did scare me at first but the more I road the less scared I was!
So here is my list!
Big Thunder Railroad
Splash Mountain
Indy
Star Tours
Grizzly Rapids
Space Mountain (?)
Screamin
Soarin
Not necessarly in that order! LOL! We'll see how I do as I go through the list. Did I miss any?

 

[aussietravellers]

Ok, now I love rides like Matterhorn, Big Thunder, Tower of Terror etc, but do you know what I was terrified on. That little kids jumpin jellyfish ride!!!!!! I mean seriously it is a little kids ride and I was having a panic attack on that, sweaty hands it was absolutely ridiculous another that I had to get off was NEMO!!!!!! CUTE LITTLE NEMO, NOT EVEN A SCARY RIDE But when we were on, it was just so claustrophbic and the thought of them closing those hatches and being locked in there, I just freaked out. Thank goodness they have this wonderful room for people like myself and those who are unable to get down into the submarines where you can experience the whole ride, but in a room that is decorated like a submarine but its just a room.

To be honest I don't think you have to worry about the big kid rides, if you don't like them, don't force yourself to go on them. If everybody liked those kinds of rides then there wouldn't be the slower/non scary type rides. But what is scary to one is not scary to another. I say to my son, try everything once, so I try to get him to try rides once, but he would truely hate screamin or tower of terror for example so I know not to even bother with those with him. Maybe one day as he gets older he will like them. There are plenty of adults who don't like big kid rides

Good luck with your list and I hope you enjoy them Tip... Wear a poncho on grizzly rapids

 

[sahbushka]

Matterhorn...and if you ride on the one to the right it is slower and longer...if you ride on the one to the left it is faster and shorter. Just FYI it was the first "big ride" that we took my ds4 on. I think it was a good one for him because he could sit between my dh's legs and therefore felt safer. Then we did Big thunder, splash, and Tot which he loved! Good luck! Oh and if you ride BTMRR sit in the front...it is way less whippy.

SarahMay

 

[Had2stopLurking]

Total ride whimp here. Took me years to go on BTMRR (now love it), Matterhorn (beats you up, but not a bad ride scare wise when you've done it), Splash Mountain (now will ride it as many times in a row as we can in nice weather without getting off if there is no line).

I FINALLY rode Space Mountain this trip. I had done the one in WDW years ago and HATED it. I usually just wait for my spouse to ride it himself. I'm glad I did it in DL. SO much smoother and better. I did have to close my eyes in the beginning because it was a bit disorientating, but, other than that, it was fine.

Our trip in December I finally rode the front row of Soarin and quite honestly, it wasn't that bad. I did use the center "kid strap" though, haha. Now I probably wouldn't bother using the kiddie strap.

p.s. I suggest riding both Matterhorn and BTMRR in the DAY before you ride them at night so you know when the turns, dips, ect are. Then when you ride them at night after a few times in the day, you'll be ready for Space Mountain

Next up the next couple of trips, Tower of Terror and California Screamin'. We go quite often and I usually wait for my spouse to single rider CS and then ride Monsters Inc while he does ToT. One of these trips though, I will will myself to go on those two as well (I'm taking baby steps). If my 8 year old niece can do it, I can stop the mocking by her if I go too, haha.

From a fellow fraidy cat, trust me, the mountains at DL are NOT that bad. Once you know what to expect after you ride them once, you'll be fine. It's the fear of the unexpected that is the worse. Overcome that, and you've got it beat!

Good luck!

p.s. I suggest riding Matterhorn and BTMRR in the daytime before riding at night so you can see what is coming up. Work your way up to riding them at night before attempting space mountain. You'll be fine

 

[heatherleigh]

Don't forget Gadget's Go Coaster in Toon Town.