Thrill Rides for a Sorta Chicken

[MinnieEsq]

Hey folks! Longtime WDW fan, new to the boards as I'm planning my husband and I's first trip together for this May, just the two of us. He enjoys thrill rides, like big coasters and such, but I've never been as big a fan. That said, while I don't have that great of a time at places like Six Flags or Dorney Park (for the northeasterners on the board ), I know the thrills at WDW can be a lot more tame. So I'm looking for some advice on which of the bigger thrill rides people think I'd be able to enjoy with DH.

I've been to WDW several times before, and have ridden and really enjoyed BTMRR, Splash Mountain, Test Track, Kali River Rapids, Dinosaur, and Star Tours - all relatively moderate in the thrills department. The only one in that group that I had a bit of apprehension on was Splash Mountain, because it's really the rides with big drops that aren't my cup of tea. High speed, dark, and twists and turns are pretty much all good with me though.

So with that background, what do people think about ToT, RNRC, and EE for me? What are the experiences like, and which of them would be too much vs. just right for a semi-chicken like myself?

Thanks for any advice! (And please see my other thread if you feel like killing some time by helping out with our itinerary! )

 

[JESSketeer]

Hey folks! Longtime WDW fan, new to the boards as I'm planning my husband and I's first trip together for this May, just the two of us. He enjoys thrill rides, like big coasters and such, but I've never been as big a fan. That said, while I don't have that great of a time at places like Six Flags or Dorney Park (for the northeasterners on the board ), I know the thrills at WDW can be a lot more tame. So I'm looking for some advice on which of the bigger thrill rides people think I'd be able to enjoy with DH.

I've been to WDW several times before, and have ridden and really enjoyed BTMRR, Splash Mountain, Test Track, Kali River Rapids, Dinosaur, and Star Tours - all relatively moderate in the thrills department. The only one in that group that I had a bit of apprehension on was Splash Mountain, because it's really the rides with big drops that aren't my cup of tea. High speed, dark, and twists and turns are pretty much all good with me though.

So with that background, what do people think about ToT, RNRC, and EE for me? What are the experiences like, and which of them would be too much vs. just right for a semi-chicken like myself?

Thanks for any advice! (And please see my other thread if you feel like killing some time by helping out with our itinerary! )

RNRC doesnt have any big drops, but it does have some loops and if I remember correctly some corkscrews, I'm not sure how you do with that.

I think you should give Splash Mountain a chance. The end drop may look scary but its really not that bad at all! And I think you'll be just fine on EE also, this ride pretty much covers high speed, dark, twists and turns!

 

[bball15fan]

Rock and Roll is the only coaster I go on that has inversions, but it doesn't seem too bad. Only ride I won't go on at Disney is Tower of Terror....and I am in the same boat as you. I think you would be fine with the others.

 

[btuftee]

I'd start with EE - no inversions but more intense than BTMRR and Splash. If you're good with that, move on to RnR. RnR is the most extreme you can get at WDW I'd say.

ToT is an entirely different kind of experience than a rollercoaster - even though I was great with Splash, it took me awhile to love ToT. I used to be a little apprehensive about ToT, but now I love it. It probably boils down to how you handle the big drop on Splash. If you dread it, then don't ride ToT. If you love it, then ToT is worth a try at least once. Remember, on ToT, all the dropping is over in about 20-30 seconds, max - it won't kill you!

 

[mom2cinderella]

I have a huge issue with heights.

RnRC was over so fast I didn't have time to be scared.

EE has a big hill I don't like going up, but if memory serves you can see Spaceship Earth from it so I just focused on that.

Soarin' - I do better if I'm in the row that is closer to the ground.

I have vowed to go on Space Mtn and ToT next trip. Mission Space no way just because I'm afraid I'll be sick the rest of the day.

 

[Simba07]

If dark, fast, and turns are better than drops, then I'd say space mtn and RnR would be better than EE or ToT. If you try EE be prepared for the backwards part. Some in our party who weren't huge roller coaster fans freaked at going backwards.

 

[MinnieEsq]

Yikes, I didn't even think to be nervous about Soarin'. Is the height that bad? I remember being less than thrilled on Spaceship Earth, but able to focus on the other things that were happening, so I'd ride that again. Is it like that? Or is the height aspect more obvious? (Possibly a silly question for a ride literally named Soarin' ...)

As for EE, it's great if there's no huge drop. I've just seen pictures of that period where you're climbing up the hill to enter the mountain, and it reminded me of past climbs from huge coasters I got pressured into riding in high school (anyone ever been on Steel Force? ). Those climbs are prime time for *really* reflecting about the choice you made getting on the ride, wondering how you're going to get down from here, etc., LOL! Hoping to avoid that panic if I can.

 

[AlexLovesCats]

Definitely do not miss EE. Such a fun ride and not super intense. I find RnRC pretty mild after the take off, it's also very short so if you aren't enjoying it, it will be over before you know it. ToT scares me most, the anticipation of not knowing when you will drop is scarier to me than any roller coaster. At least in splash you know when you're going to drop. I think you should try Splash once just because the whole inside part before the drop is so worth experiencing! I was so sad it was down on my trip in Feb.

 

[AlexLovesCats]

And I don't remember EE having a very steep drop. After it goes up it kind of winds around different ways rather than going straight down.

 

[mom2cinderella]

Those climbs are prime time for *really* reflecting about the choice you made getting on the ride, wondering how you're going to get down from here, etc.,

Haha! Exactly!

This page EE has a picture that shows where you go up and the hill down. I didn't think it was bad. Maybe watching ride videos would help?

I feel like the top row of Soarin was 40 feet up? That's just a bit much for me.

 

[bball15fan]

Rock and Roll is the only coaster I go on that has inversions, but it doesn't seem too bad. Only ride I won't go on at Disney is Tower of Terror....and I am in the same boat as you. I think you would be fine with the others.

 

[MinnieEsq]

Thanks! This is all super helpful. Somehow in my first post I forgot to ask about Space Mountain, another one I've never been on. How does it compare?

 

[wiigirl]

Rock and Roll is the only coaster I go on that has inversions, but it doesn't seem too bad. Only ride I won't go on at Disney is Tower of Terror....and I am in the same boat as you. I think you would be fine with the others.

 

[Chuckers]

Thanks! This is all super helpful. Somehow in my first post I forgot to ask about Space Mountain, another one I've never been on. How does it compare?

Space Mountain is 90% in the dark. There are no steep drops but quite a few sudden dips. The fact that you can't see them, means you won't have time to get nervous about them. It's not really as fast as it seems, but the dark heightens the thrill. It's very twisty. The dips in Space Mountain are like the dips in Splash Mountain.

I had a friend that would only ride Space Mountain because he was terrified of coasters and could handle it because he couldn't see it.

EE does have a few steep-ish drops. One is in the dark (it's a curving drop) and the other is when you come right out of the mountain. Neither of which you'll be able to see until they happen, so I don't think you'll have time to get nervous about them either. You're worst part is the initial climb. The good thing about EE for many is that the track is relatively close to the ground (like Thunder Mountain) so it doesn't seem like a roller coaster so much as a fast train.

 

[MinnieEsq]

Space Mountain is 90% in the dark. There are no steep drops but quite a few sudden dips. The fact that you can't see them, means you won't have time to get nervous about them. It's not really as fast as it seems, but the dark heightens the thrill. It's very twisty. The dips in Space Mountain are like the dips in Splash Mountain.

I had a friend that would only ride Space Mountain because he was terrified of coasters and could handle it because he couldn't see it.

EE does have a few steep-ish drops. One is in the dark (it's a curving drop) and the other is when you come right out of the mountain. Neither of which you'll be able to see until they happen, so I don't think you'll have time to get nervous about them either. You're worst part is the initial climb. The good thing about EE for many is that the track is relatively close to the ground (like Thunder Mountain) so it doesn't seem like a roller coaster so much as a fast train.

That's all good to know. From what everyone's said, sounds like I should be okay on Space Mountain and EE, with RNRC being more of a toss-up depending on how I feel about the inversion aspect (not sure, honestly). As I've long suspected, I think ToT remains a no-go for me. NBD, no need to do everything

Appreciate the advice, everyone!

 

[disneybliss2]

Space Mountain is very tame, but is very jerky and not an enjoyable ride in my opinion.

RnR is pretty fun. It's a very smooth ride, which makes it enjoyable. I'm a total ride wimp, and I really wanted to try this ride for some reason. The launch will take my stomach for a loop. I just gut through it and I actually enjoy the rest of the ride. I truly hate the launch part, but the rest is great. It's in the dark, so it makes it less intimidating for me. You don't really notice the inversions.

If Splash Mountain gets to you, ToT will be awful! I don't even want to try it because I know I couldn't tolerate it. I hate that feeling in my stomach.

EE-- you'll be fine; it's the backwards part that feels a bit weird. Brace yourself for it, and you'll be fine.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

Hey folks! Longtime WDW fan, new to the boards as I'm planning my husband and I's first trip together for this May, just the two of us. He enjoys thrill rides, like big coasters and such, but I've never been as big a fan. That said, while I don't have that great of a time at places like Six Flags or Dorney Park (for the northeasterners on the board ), I know the thrills at WDW can be a lot more tame. So I'm looking for some advice on which of the bigger thrill rides people think I'd be able to enjoy with DH.

I've been to WDW several times before, and have ridden and really enjoyed BTMRR, Splash Mountain, Test Track, Kali River Rapids, Dinosaur, and Star Tours - all relatively moderate in the thrills department. The only one in that group that I had a bit of apprehension on was Splash Mountain, because it's really the rides with big drops that aren't my cup of tea. High speed, dark, and twists and turns are pretty much all good with me though.

So with that background, what do people think about ToT, RNRC, and EE for me? What are the experiences like, and which of them would be too much vs. just right for a semi-chicken like myself?

Thanks for any advice! (And please see my other thread if you feel like killing some time by helping out with our itinerary! )

~Awww, that's so sweet. Anyway, I was born a coaster junkie & theme park lover. My parents still marvel at my vivid memories at Kennywood when I was a baby, lol. My favorite parks before falling in love with Disney was Cedar Point and Kings Island. I did not think I would like Disney but on the first visit but I was hooked! I love almost all of Disney's attractions and coasters, but the one ride that I cannot stand is the teacups -- this by far, is the worst ride at Disney for me. I have yet to try Stitch, but the theme doesn't appeal to me.

~I think Splash Mountain has one of the worst drops ever -- it's still one of my favorite's but I will never get used to that drop. If you can handle Splash Mountain than I think you should be okay on ToT. It's the darkness and suspense of not knowing when you will drop that gets to me. After the first drop, you should be okay because it gets easier each time. ToT is so amazingly themed that you should experience it, at least once.

~I love Expedition Everest! This is one of the most beautiful and well themed coasters in the world. Plus, this coaster is exceptionally smooth. This is another ride that you must try just for the experience.

~RNRC is fast & fun! And, I love the rock n' roll Aerosmith theme. It's all about the super fast launch with this ride and the inversions aren't all that noticeable to me. I love RNRC especially at night, it's lots of fun.

~Don't forget about Space Mountain, it's rough but will always be one of my favorites. I see no mention of Soarin' -- that's another fun ride and it's very mild where thrills are concerned. Also, Mission Space -- it's different. I find the orange side to be very intense but also fun & terrifying. The green side is very mild.

~Since you're going in May -- you'll be one of the first people to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train! Have fun!