Ride wimp: which coaster first??

[JCH]

I hate drops. Hate them! Even that little drop in Pirates makes me cringe when I come up to it. It took a lot to get me on Barnstormer and Flight of the Hippogriff.

But after reading someone's confession of a ride wimp about Space Mountain, I have decided I need to at least try one of the big kid coasters! I have been looking at YouTube videos, and they don't look as bad as I picture them.

So, should I try Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain first? They both appear to not have any really scary drops. I can do fast, I can do spins, I just can not do drops.

 

[Mary*Poppins]

I hate drops. Hate them! Even that little drop in Pirates makes me cringe when I come up to it. It took a lot to get me on Barnstormer and Flight of the Hippogriff.

But after reading someone's confession of a ride wimp about Space Mountain, I have decided I need to at least try one of the big kid coasters! I have been looking at YouTube videos, and they don't look as bad as I picture them.

So, should I try Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain first? They both appear to not have any really scary drops. I can do fast, I can do spins, I just can not do drops.

In my opinion I think Space Mountain is scarier than Big Thunder, maybe because you are in the dark, but it feels to me like the drops are bigger on Space, just my opinion. I remember getting off Big Thunder the first time wondering why I was so scared. I liked space mountain better before they redid it, when I went on it last time, I felt like I was going to get whiplash! Big Thunder just seems tamer to me, but still fast and fun!

 

[KrazeeK120]

You are right, neither of them have big drops. However, I would go with Big Thunder first. I think it has less of a "scary factor" because you can see exactly where you're going. It really isn't too wild of a ride.

That said, if you can get past the fact that Space Mountain is in the dark, it's not too bad either. It jerks you around quite a bit, but doesn't have big drops or go upside down or anything like that.

 

[comicguy]

Have you considered sitting towards the front of the Big Thunder Train. That would be a way to experiance the ride but also with minimal jerkyness and you are actually about half way down the "drop" before the final car in tour train crests the hill and lets loose.

Just a thought

 

[queenofpainting]

I agree that you should start with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I found that ride underwhelming myself, but Space Mountain was a bit more thrilling.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I agree with Big Thunder first. Both rides are rather jerky, but neither have big drops. With Space being in the dark, it can feel more intense than it really is.

 

[j&j620]

Have you considered sitting towards the front of the Big Thunder Train. That would be a way to experiance the ride but also with minimal jerkyness and you are actually about half way down the "drop" before the final car in tour train crests the hill and lets loose.

Just a thought

This is excellent advice! And it's also the reason we always sit in the back, haha.

 

[Gmouse]

Non of the roller coasters at Disney are really scary. I've been on ALOT WORSE. They are all "friendly" coasters Now I will tell you- if you brave up enough to ride Expedition Everest- stay away from the front seats!!! When it gets to the edge that you THINK you're gonna keep going off- it is SCARY!! It's so high up I was screaming my head off!!!!! I LOVE coasters, and love that one too, but that front seat----OMG. It's so high up up can see CANCUN...well almost The drops themselves are really not bad on it either. They just built the whole thing up high to make you think it. There are really no drops straight down....just in a curve or 2. We were kinda disappointed the first time we ever road. We were expecting some good drops. But we still like it anyway. I just don't know if I want that front seat again! Oh- and the backwards ride is the BEST!!!
We love BTM, RRC, but skipped over SM last time...it's just too rough and jerky. It really takes the fun out of it. You should start with BTM, THEN EE, then RRC....RRC is the most fun of all!!! No big drops, loops- yes, but they are so fun! The take off is the worst part- just take a deep breath during countdown! You'll be good to go My son who is terrified of EE, loves RRC! he likes that it's dark and he can't see what's coming! He freaked out- LITERALLY- on Slpash Mountain- heart was pounding, shaking and hanging on to me for dear life!!! He made me scream when it wasn't time to scream!! It was closed everytime we went before and missed it. So this last time he finally got to ride...after almost dragging him on it!! But I knew once he did it and got to see the whole theme inside that he would LOVE IT. And he did That drop is mild too...it's nowhere near other log rides we've been on....try the one in Dollywood!!!
You'll be fine on all Disney coasters
If you want a REAL coaster- go to Universal or Busch Gardens, or anywhere else. Because any Disney coaster is just "mild" compared...but we still love em

 

[myjourney]

I am like the OP and do not like drops, it is not really fear but they make me feel almost like my chest hurts. I love BTMR, Dinosaur, Star Tours. I have made up my mind that SM sounds OK, so I am going to try it next month. What does everyone think of me trying EE? I see some say it is very intense and others say it is not bad?

 

[Gmouse]

I am like the OP and do not like drops, it is not really fear but they make me feel almost like my chest hurts. I love BTMR, Dinosaur, Star Tours. I have made up my mind that SM sounds OK, so I am going to try it next month. What does everyone think of me trying EE? I see some say it is very intense and others say it is not bad?

If your chest hurts on those- stay off SM! It's rough!!! It's really not the greatest ride, you're not missing anything. EE is not bad really! It's just "stimulating" with all that goes on INSIDE It's a fun ride!

 

[kaligal]

They're both wimpy coasters, that's for sure. Not thrill rides that would compete with REAL thrill rides.

But whether or not you can deal depends on how big a coaster wimp you are!

If you're at rope drop, do Space first.

I don't think it makes any difference which one you try first, otherwise.

 

[twinklebug]

BTMRR is built to make you feel as though you're on the ground at all times, even with the 'drops'. Start with it.

In SM, you know your up in the air. I preferred it when I couldn't see the tracks, but with safety they have to have some light at all times now and it's easy to see where we're going. It's a tiny coaster. I think the long walk in and out are more exciting than the ride.

My favorite coasters, in order: RnR, BTMRR, EE, and believe it or not - Primeval Whirl, the mouse over in AK (at night only as I don't want to see how high I am). SM is not on the list simply because it has zero thrill for me.

 

[Quin]

I don't do roller coasters. My stomach hurts just LOOKING at the drop on Splash.

My job in life it to hold everybody else's hats and bags and drinks and sunglasses. I'm FINE with that. Really.

But last year DH (and the Dis) got me to go on BTMRR. You never get that stomach-drop sensation, just a lot of fast corners. I enjoyed it and we rode multiple times during our stay. Ride it during the daytime, and then at dusk, and then after dark if you can; the theming of the ride itself seems to change with the interplay of light and shadow.

Next trip I'll try another new thing; unsure yet if it's going to be SM or Astro Orbiters.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I am like the OP and do not like drops, it is not really fear but they make me feel almost like my chest hurts. I love BTMR, Dinosaur, Star Tours. I have made up my mind that SM sounds OK, so I am going to try it next month. What does everyone think of me trying EE? I see some say it is very intense and others say it is not bad?

I was too scared to try EE the first two times I went to WDW after it opened. This last trip, I got up the courage to ride. After I got off, know what I did? I went to the FP machine and got a FP to ride again!!! It does have one really big drop, but I just closed my eyes and it was over quickly. A lot of people say that the scariest part is going backwards in the dark, but I disagree as I don't like big drops. It's probably the best-themed ride in all of WDW and I'm so glad I got up the courage to ride it. Boy was I missing out before!

 

[DJFan88]

I hate roller coasters too and it has nothing to do with my stomach. Nonetheless, I would never do Space, the Aerosmith one, and I don't even do Splash. It's just real thrill rides in general I don't care for. However, I have done Big thunder Railroad and though I don't want to do it anytime again soon, I probably will do it again someday.

 

[encinc]

How much more jerky is Space than BTMRR? I enjoy both Splash and BTMRR, but what I've read about the jerkiness of Space makes me nervous. I'd love to experience it with my boys, but IDK if I can handle it.

 

[dontthrowsand]

I am taking the boyfriend on BTM first even though he usually does better if he can't see where he is going. I think he will be avoiding splash mountain though. That is one drop he won't be able to handle.

 

[JCH]

Thanks everyone! I guess I'll be trying BTMRR when it opens again. If I get through that, maybe I'll try Space. I think knowing that there are no drops will make it better. It'll be awhile before I work up the courage for RnR and EE. I've done the "stop being a wimp and just do it" thing before, when my sister made me go on ToT...needless to say with my hatred of drops, it's been awhile since I've tried another one!

 

[LadyLuck24]

How much more jerky is Space than BTMRR? I enjoy both Splash and BTMRR, but what I've read about the jerkiness of Space makes me nervous. I'd love to experience it with my boys, but IDK if I can handle it.

I don't think Space Mountain is THAT jerky....have you ever been on Primevil Whirl? Now THAT is jerky...SM is only a little jerky because you don't know where it's going so you can't anticipate what direction to move your body in. But I've never had neck or back pain afterwards or anything.

To the OP, I also HATE HATE HATE drops, so much so that I will NEVER again go on Splash Mountain and will never once go on Tower of Terror. BTMRR is my favorite--fast and fun, but barely a stomach lurch. Space Mountain is a little freaky because of the dark and because you know you're high up at some points, but not because of drops. There is one drop in there that gives you the tiniest of stomach flips, but by the time that happens the drop is over. I only get freaked out by SM because I know that little drop is in there and I don't know when it's coming because of the dark! But once I've gotten up the courage to go on SM during a trip, I go on it many other times---something I wouldn't do if it was a ride with a big drop.

Re: EE and RRC, if the reason you don't like drops is that "g-force" feeling, I wouldn't do either of these. The backwards part of EE gives you the same feeling as a drop (not to mention the drop itself). The beginning part of RRC also gives you the g-force feeling even though it's not a drop.

Some would probably laugh at my wimpiness here and disagree with my g-force comments, but I'm just telling you what I'd want to know ahead of time as a fellow wimp...

 

[DizDays]

Definitely Big Thunder Mountain. It's tame, it's fast, and it's fun. I always feel like I was mugged when I get off Space Mountain - even more so after the refurb.

If you ever work yourself up to my two favorites, you'll fall in love with them. Runner up: Expedition Everest - too much fun. And I will always ask for the front seat - best views! Winner: Rockin' Roller Coaster - the best coaster EVER! You have to do it at least once. But work up to it so you don't talk yourself out of it when waiting in line. It's smooth, it's fun, and it rocks! What more could you want?