Ride Advise Needed

[shoppingmom]

Trip is booked for November 2008, excitement is building, but......

The big dilema is our son who will be 13 for the trip loves California Screamin and he really wants someone to go on the ride with him apparently for the fun of it, I personally think it is his way of getting back at us. The first trip 4 years ago his dad went on it with him and vowed never again, so it is up to dear mom to find the nerve to ride the ride. I can do Space Mountain once a trip eyes closed and screaming my head off the entire time but I am just not sure about California Screamin - please help give me your best California Screamin Advise!

 

[Hojoanaheim]

ShoppingMom-

You're psyching yourself out! It's not that bad! It's definitely a thrill- but its a very safe thrill!

The first time I went on it, I was terrified! But it's a really smooth ride, and I was in and out of the loop before I even knew it! You'll do fine; just sit back and press your head against the headrest and breathe.

You can do it!

Lorealle

 

[disney-super-mom]

Or.....take one of his ride-lovin' friends along.

 

[EnnEss]

Scariest part is the start. After that its all very smooth and nice. So just think, if you can bare the first 6 or 7 seconds, you're home free.

 

[mariezp]

I'm with disney-super-mom on the take-a-friend-along idea! I have a teenage son and that's what we do for him.

Of course, that may not be an option so I know you gotta do what you gotta do! I know where you are coming from as I am also a mom not particularilly fond of thrill rides. I have had to make the sacrifice and ride the big stuff too. (and probably will have to again) But I am sure if I can do it you can too! Just think of it as one of those bonding moment with your son.... yeh, right! YOU CAN DO IT!

If you made it through riding Space Mountain I think you will be able to do Screamin, no problem!. Just keep you chin up, eyes closed and the air sick bag handy! And just think, your son will owe you BIG TIME and you can pick on dear hubby for not being brave enough to go! WHA-HA-HA!

 

[DLR29]

Just do it. If you think about it too much, you become even more unsure. Do it without thinking. Hopefully, you'll have blast.

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

Well, everyone is different, but I don't agree with mariezp. I happen to LOVE both Space and Screamin' -- but, imo, Screamin' is a more "intense" ride than Space (unless, of course, you find the darkness of Space more frightening).

If you have difficulty dealing with Space, then I honestly question your ability to handle Screamin'. (And I am not one to encourage anyone to go on rides they might be adverse to. I have learned that lesson the hard way with friends who simply cannot handle the thrill rides that I love.)

But California Screamin' has a single rider line, which is usually extremely short and will typically take no more than a few minutes to board. So just tell your son that he can go on it multiple times if he likes, as long as he leaves Mom & Dad out of the equation.

Problem solved.

 

[pixiewings71]

You know, I like Screamin' better than Space. If I have to chose one, I'll chose Screamin' any day!! It's FUN!!!!

 

[Leofoenget]

Trip is booked for November 2008, excitement is building, but......

The big dilema is our son who will be 13 for the trip loves California Screamin and he really wants someone to go on the ride with him apparently for the fun of it, I personally think it is his way of getting back at us. The first trip 4 years ago his dad went on it with him and vowed never again, so it is up to dear mom to find the nerve to ride the ride. I can do Space Mountain once a trip eyes closed and screaming my head off the entire time but I am just not sure about California Screamin - please help give me your best California Screamin Advise!

He could go single rider and get on quicker

 

[Stacerita]

Id let him go on it alone. The sweetpea just turned 12 and she rides it alone all the time. If the line is long, I will wait in line with her. Or she goes single rider. If its short, and no single line open, she will just get in line alone and I meet her after.

I don't like the ride, but she loves it. Last week she rode it solo, 4 times in a row.

 

[Sunobo]

My 8 year old daughter loves Screamin but doesn't like Space. I think it has to do with the darkness and not being able to see where she is going.

I personally find Screamin easier to ride because I can see what is coming and brace myself. Most of the ride is just speed with turns with the most intense parts being the beginning and the big drop. We went on Space once during our trip and Screamin about 10 times. If roller coasters in general freak you out than this one probably will too but I think you should give it at least one try.

 

[Mrs. Bee]

I am anything but a coaster lover. The first one I went on was Big Thunder at WDW when I was younger. But I never went on anything bigger until recently. I enjoy Space Mountain. Went on it for the first time after it reopened a couple years ago. I screamed my head off the first few times I went on it.

One day last year I decided to finally try California Screamin' because I know my husband loves it. Before had, I watched an on-ride video of it about a million times to sort of get myself used to it. The day I decided to ride it, there was no line. Meaning...no time for me to change my mind. I knew ahead of time I wanted to be on the right side because it has the stairs and stuff going up the big hill.

So we get in the seats and I pull the harness down. Then....I freak out! I was practically having a panic attack. My heart was beating like crazy and I'm about ready to cry while repeating "I don't want to go! I don't want to go!" I was hoping the CM's would let me off.

But they didn't. The ride slowly went around the corner and I thought I might hyperventilate. The launch was scary...but quick...and my eyes were closed. Then you go right up a hill and into a drop. I was screaming like crazy. Not my usual fun scream. It was a "I feel like I'm going to die" kind of scream. My husband kept trying to look at me to check on me but he couldn't see me because of the harness. Towards the end of the ride it got less scary but I was still freaking out and saying "I hate this! I hate this!"

And then the ride was over. We exit and my legs are shaky. But I survived. We looked at our on-ride photo as I calmed down. We started to walk away from the ride and then I said..."I think I want to do it again."

So we rode it again. And I LOVED it. Since then, I've gone on it maybe 40 or 50 times.

I even got my mom to ride it last summer...and she doesn't like rollercoasters either. She loved it and was laughing the whole time and yelling "this is great!" She kept thinking the ride was almost over..."is it done?" And I'd say "no...there's a lot more." She'd yell..."good! I love this!"

The ride jostles (sp?) you a little which can be a little uncomfortable but overall it's a really smooth and enjoyable ride. Scary the first time. But it's safe. And if you sit on the ride side, I think it's less scary if you're afraid of heights because you can't see a whole lot going up the tall hill unless you look to your left.

 

[shoppingmom]

Thanks for the advise, I will probably be going on the ride and I will of course be screaming the entire time!

 

[disneyfansmandl]

California Screaming is the only roller coaster I will ride that goes upside down. It is so smooth that I hardley notice the fact that I am doing the unthinkable to me (upside down) If you ride in the back, you get more whip action as in more weightlesness. My wife and I both love the ride and rode it 4 times last week until someone got sick in front of us and that about ended it.

Enjoy

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

I had to get past the launch and then I was fine.

I showed my DS5 video on Youtube. He decided he wanted to ride it. It ended up being his favorite ride. He told me, "I like everything except for the upside down part." He rode it at least 8 times, several times in a row.

I didn't like Space very well. He told me, "I don't ever want to ride that again." FWIW.

 

[Random Villains]

We just went this past weekend.

My girlfriend is terrified of coasters and refused to go on, but I talked her into it, and she loved it.

basically, here are 3 simple things to do...

Keep your head back.

Look straight ahead.

Do NOT close your eyes, that only makes it worse.

 

[tink2dw]

Don't avoid rides just get some Meclizine HCI 25mg chewable tablets!!!!!

Then enjoy the rides!! Meclizine changed my life!!
I even rode space mountain 3 times in a row!!

OK, heres the important stuff, Meclizine is the generic for Bonine[8 tablets,$10.00]. Meclizine can be purchased over the counter, a bottle of 100 tablets cost $11.00 at Walgreens. [They now have tablet you can swallow]

If you have a child with motion sickness ask their doctor how much to give, it will give them the relief they need to enjoy riding!!!

Take a dose the night before you travel and you will be good to go, each night of your travels take a dose!! You will think That you are a new person!!!!!

I don't have any drowsiness with Meclizine but I did with Dramamine. If I find I am getting a little car sick I take a tablet, it starts immediately to cure the ill feelings. From experience I know I need two tablets

I Have Extreme Car Sickness rode in my friends new Honda,I wasn't used to the Wish Bone suspension but when I felt that awful feeling I took the pills out of my purse, Bingo I was OK!!

It is a 24hr pill, dose 1 to 2 tablets, it works for planes, trains, buses, cars, boats and WDW rides!!

Take A dose of Meclizine and HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE!!!!

[EXCEPTIONS - If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to Antivert or similar drugs, do not take Meclizine HCI.

Try it before you go on vacation, all medicines work differently for each person, some have had drowsiness after taking Meclizine.]