The "big drop" sensation: what does it feel like to you?

[hellerjw]

Given that a controlled drop like that is one way we take pleasure in cheating death, I've always likened it to the feeling you might feel if your soul was being ripped from your body (it helps to imagine your soul being anchored to the bottom of your stomach) and then it quickly snapping back into your body as if it was a rubber band being released.

I can usually handle the rides with one big drop in them, like Splash Mountain, but the ones with multiple drops in fast succession, like Tower of Terror, tear me up inside and I have basically refused to ride them anymore.

 

[kmb584]

I'm not a fan of big drops either so when someone does manage to get me onto a coaster that involves one or several I get a tickling, weightless feeling -- it's almost hard to describe.

I do love thrill rides though and went on RnR for the first time ever back in April. That was huge because I HATE being upside down and I always have this innate fear that the ride is going to break down and I'm going to be stuck that way. Aside from the takeoff on RnR, I LOVED it. I'm a speed junkie and think that that had a lot to do with it because even the inversion didn't bother me. It probably helped that it was in the dark and I couldn't see what was coming next.

 

[dizneyjill]

As a thrill ride junkie and someone who thought EE was fun but kinda boring, I will say that drops/free fall makes me feel like flying and I love it.

I agree. EE twists as it drops and I don't get that feeling like I get on a straight drop coaster.I have a hard time doing things that spin or curve.Last trip I took Dramamine and had a much better ride on EE..I LOVE LOVE LOVE TOT..I love to hold my hands up and float off the seat...your purse or backpack will float over your head. Love the drop on SM..AH.....I wish I was there now..............

 

[Stew_Mouse]

Given that a controlled drop like that is one way we take pleasure in cheating death, I've always likened it to the feeling you might feel if your soul was being ripped from your body (it helps to imagine your soul being anchored to the bottom of your stomach) and then it quickly snapping back into your body as if it was a rubber band being released.

That's very specific!

 

[Peachkins]

I am actually starting to get over my fear of drops. I used to get so incredibly nervous before riding something with a decent drop. I would actually feel sick even before getting on the ride, and I always hated the sensation of going down hills. Oddly enough I was okay with launching coasters, twisting/turning, and going upside down.

My last trip to Disney was a bit of an epiphany. I got on every ride there, including several I never thought I would ride: Splash Mountain, ToT, and EE. I have found that screaming at the top of my lungs and closing my eyes actually helps quite a bit, as does hanging on for dear life to whatever unlucky soul that ends up sitting next to me. I actually rode my first world-class wooden roller coaster this past weekend as well as a log flume ride I never would've tried going on a couple years ago. Didn't have any of the debilitating nervousness or feelings of dread that I used to.

 

[Princess32]

I love that sensation! To me I've always described it as your stomach and your brain switching places temporarily haha. At least that's how I feel!

 

[Jesobelle]

Hell on earth - that's a 'thrill ride' drop to me. Pure terror. No logic to it - I'm just weird. I feel the same with harsh spins, rides that feel 'fast' etc. Drops are the worst, though.

I put it down to having a different fear response to most - I hear others talk about a 'buzz' or 'rush', but I just get fear. Unpleasant fear, with no up-side.

I do enjoy dips in the road though, so it's not a thing about the stomach feeling for me.

 

[Couchy]

As I get older I like the feeling less and less each year

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

Pretty much feel like I'm gonna die.

But... ToT does not give me that feeling. Nor does EE or Space Mountain. Splash on the other hand....

Go figure.

 

[MarciaBrady]

The big drop feeling just feels AWESOME!! I feel like I'm flying at a million miles an hour and for just a second, I'm somewhere else!! Oh yes, and I screech and scream too. Mainly, though, I'm just having fun and I like the weightless feeling. Maybe I'm weird, but sometimes my stomach doesn't even 'drop', but I do feel airtime. Also (this is on Apollo's Chariot at Busch Gardens Williamsburg), that first 210 foot drop feels awesome, but my stomach did NOT get left behind much. But, near the end of the ride, there's several smaller hills. On those, I got the "stomach-droppy" feeling. Very odd, but very cool.