Thrill Rides

[nevertoo muchdisney]

Hi All! So I will preface this by saying I am a bit of a ride whimp haha and have been all my life so far ( I am 27). I will be in Disney World this year for a solo trip and trying to decide what rides I want to challenge myself with this time around. I would like to start to overcome my fear of drops/roller coasters so I don't feel like I'm missing out. The height or speed isn't really what bothers me just feeling like i'm going to fall out/ your stomach moving upwards. I have been on mine train and I liked it, big thunder mountain was a little tough I was in the back and there was more air time haha, I have been on JP at Uni, but that wasn't awful as it was dark, and the Mummy which was doable, but a little more intense than expected. I guess looking for some advice about which of the following to start with and maybe which ones to hold off on ( if any) until I build up my confidence a little especially since I will be alone:
- Splash MTN
- Space MTN
- Tower of Terror
- R and Roller Coaster
- Everest

 

[barb969]

Hi All! So I will preface this by saying I am a bit of a ride whimp haha and have been all my life so far ( I am 27). I will be in Disney World this year for a solo trip and trying to decide what rides I want to challenge myself with this time around. I would like to start to overcome my fear of drops/roller coasters so I don't feel like I'm missing out. The height or speed isn't really what ssbothers ee
me just feeling like i'm going to fall out/ your stomach moving upwards. I have been on mine train and I liked it, big thunder mountain was a little tough I was in the back and there was more air time haha, I have been on JP at Uni, but that wasn't awful as it was dark, and the Mummy which was doable, but a little more intense than expected. I guess looking for some advice about which of the following to start with and maybe which ones to hold off on ( if any) until I sbuild up my confidence a little especially since I will be alone:
- Splash MTN
- Space MTN
- Tower of Terror
- R and Roller Coaster
- Everest

I am a ride wimp and have been on all of the rides mentioned several times. I will not ride RNRC any more because at my height my head bangs on the restraints. I have always kept my eyes closed so I can’t tell when it corkscrews or loops. Space Mounain is too rough, not scary. Everest is similar in thrills to the Mummy which I ride. Splash has only the 1 drop at the end. It looks scary but is ok. I used to ride ToT once each trip. After 20 years I decided I like it.
Start with any of them. Ask to ride towards the front of the coasters for a tamer ride, not the 1st car, and close your eyes on RNRC. Have fun.

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

I would start with Space Mountain. It will whip you around a little, but there's only one small stomach dropping moment (and that's only on the track to the right). Splash is probably the next easiest in terms of the stomach falling out sensation, but its a lot more than SM. The other three are, I think, probably too much for you

 

[tileman]

I would start with Space then splash then RNRC

 

[ChoachMcGoach]

Yah, as everyone has been saying : Definitely start with Space. The first time I rode Space I was more nervous about the darkness. Not that I am afraid of the dark (LOL) but I feared not being able to see ANYTHING and not knowing when something was coming. But it's not like that. There's just enough light to make it comfortable. Anyway, space won't give you that losing your stomach feeling. Splash is probably the next best one. That one was has two instances that give you a little tummy tickle but it isn't that bad. After that I would probably go with Everest honestly. I feel like that one is really fast and you definitely get those g-forces on the turns but I feel that one more in the head and neck area. And as for me, Rockin Rollercoaster is only a killer for me at the very first launch. The rest doesn't feel too bad. Good luck man. You got this!

 

[disneyfan150]

Fellow whimp here. . .
I have kept my eyes closed TIGHT on all of the above rides until my last trip. Finally, I am opening my eyes at least some of the time. I now ride all of these rides. The order I started riding the rides you listed are as follows:

I have ridden Splash for many years. It has a couple minor drops in addition to the big one, but they are not bad and fun. On the big drop, I literally duck down in my seat. We have absolutely no ride photos of me on the ride that show anything except my back. I also wear my poncho and water resistant sandals because I HATE having wet clothes and shoes after the ride. This may be a good ride for you to try. Most of it is just a dark ride.

Space is pretty jerky. There is also not a head restraint. I am only 5'2" and my head bobs around. So I hold the back of my neck to keep it from bobbing. I have fun though. But once per trip is enough for me. DH was 6' 2" and stopped riding the ride because it caused him pain in his neck or head (I don't recall where) for rest of the day. So I am not sure if you would like this ride or not.

It took me a couple rides (on a couple trips) to have fun on TOT. The drops are huge. The first drop is always the worst for me because I work myself up worrying about when it will happen. But I will now ride this more than once on the same trip if I am able. But I will say that I really fly out of my seat even when I am pushing down on the bars.

The drop on Everest looked way worse that it actually was for me. Some people don't like/are afraid of the backwards part of the ride. After reading some article about how much safer riding backwards is (on a plane or something), I don't mind going backwards on the ride. I rode with my eyes closed super tight for a long time. I now keep them open except for the drop. On the last trip, DD and I rode EE three or four times in a row on an EMH morning.

RnRC was the last ride that I managed to work up enough guts to ride. That was two trips ago. I felt sorry for DD and rode with her. I seriously prayed the entire ride. I rode it again last trip and just sang along in my head. I even took a 3 second peek. I push my head into the head restraint so it won't bounce. I am thinking this ride may be too much for you.

It is hard to say how anyone would react to any of the rides, but I thought I'd share my thoughts in case it helps you decide.

 

[girlinspace]

I would go in this order.

Space is pretty slow-moving actually. It only goes 27 mph. It's jerky but no huge drops and only mild stomach drop sensation.

Splash only has the one big drop, and while it's a big one, the rest of the ride is a pretty calm boat trip, with a few little drops here and there.

If drops are what really bothers you, then RNRC shouldn't actually be too bad. I've only ridden it a few times, but I don't remember there being much of a stomach drop feeling, and it's in the dark, so you can't really tell what's going on. It's also only 90 seconds, which is a bonus. The main issue is that it does go upside-down (you can't really tell because of the darkness), and if you don't have your head back the whole time, it will hit the restraints back and forth.

Everest is gorgeous. It's definitely more intense than Space or Splash, but like RNRC, a lot of it is in the dark. There is one slightly large drop, but it isn't too bad.

TOT may be a good one to wait for until you've tried the others. I love TOT, but the whole point of the lobby and queue is to create an atmosphere of fear. It has the biggest drops on the list.

 

[sponica]

I much prefer RNRC to Splash mountain. I hate that drop on Splash, absolutely hate it. The launch on RNRC I find much less intimidating and you're going so fast, you can barely perceive what goes on around you.

 

[cgattis]

I’ve got to say—if you did Mummy, I think you’re fine on anything at Disney. I also think it’s cool that you’re tackling it solo. You go!!

 

[ChoachMcGoach]

I much prefer RNRC to Splash mountain. I hate that drop on Splash, absolutely hate it. The launch on RNRC I find much less intimidating and you're going so fast, you can barely perceive what goes on around you.

This is true but no matter how many times I ride RNRC, I can not get my face on the on-ride photo not to look like I got punched in the stomach! Lol!

 

[OSUZorba]

I would start with Space then splash then RNRC

RnRC is pretty much the only thrill coaster on property, I would recommend it be the last if you are a ride wimp.

I will say, I will ride any ride in the world without a second thought, and so will my 3 yo daughter, so I am probably not a good reference point, since I can't really relate.

 

[cindyfan]

I feel very differently than alot of people here.....
I would not do Space MTN. I would try Splash first because it's really only that one drop. Most of Splash is a fun boat ride.
I feel you'd be able to handle RnRC much better than you think... because it's the only one with the shoulder bar. It holds you in so very snug.... you won't feel like you are going anywhere! With Space MTN I don't feel secure at all!
Also.... RnRC is the only launch start.... you won't have that creepy climb up to the top and then drop like on all the others.
To me.... RnRC, even though it's the fastest.... is the least intimidating...

 

[sponica]

I'm with you @cindyfan I think RNRC is the least terrifying/least intimidating.

 

[ChoachMcGoach]

I feel very differently than alot of people here.....
I would not do Space MTN. I would try Splash first because it's really only that one drop. Most of Splash is a fun boat ride.
I feel you'd be able to handle RnRC much better than you think... because it's the only one with the shoulder bar. It holds you in so very snug.... you won't feel like you are going anywhere! With Space MTN I don't feel secure at all!
Also.... RnRC is the only launch start.... you won't have that creepy climb up to the top and then drop like on all the others.
To me.... RnRC, even though it's the fastest.... is the least intimidating...

I agree about Space - I don’t feel very secure in there as well. I’m sure it’s certainly secure enough but yah - your upper half definitely gets thrown around quite a bit. RNRC you really are pinned right down.

 

[mikeyg1479]

To me, Splash is the mildest- one big hill you know is coming, is well telegraphed, and in the scheme of things, really isn't that big or steep- its like 3 seconds of thrill. The odd "small" drops aren't even worth mentioning- there are bigger thrills during your drive to work each day. Other than this hill, its pretty much like any other slow Disney "dark ride"

Space mountain to me is a much "harder ride" for someone who worries about riding thrill rides - its a fast moving, herky jerky roller coaster in the dark with little dips and banking twists and turns, so you can't really see everything coming properly. Sure its not really a super intense coaster (compared to most out there), but its still a roller coaster and a thrill ridie throughout its run time.

 

[Val56]

I'm a wimp and I HATE the feeling of a heavy adrenaline rush. Space was one and done for me 30 years ago, because it's very rough and totally dark, so you can't see what's coming. Tower is literally terrifying - the rises are worse than the drops for me. Again, one and done. I don't like Mission Space, either - rough and claustrophobic - if that helps you gauge how to evaluate my comment.

However, I've done both Everest and Rock'n'Roller more than once. Both are a fairly smooth ride (no bump-bump-bump-jerk), the restraints are good, and you can see the turns ahead of you so you can prepare. The music helps a lot on RORC, but DO shove your head firmly against the head rest! I'll probably do it again, but not Everest any time soon. Try Slinky Dog too, if you haven't done it yet.

 

[cobright]

Hi All! So I will preface this by saying I am a bit of a ride whimp haha and have been all my life so far ( I am 27). I will be in Disney World this year for a solo trip and trying to decide what rides I want to challenge myself with this time around.
- Splash MTN
- Space MTN
- Tower of Terror
- R and Roller Coaster
- Everest

Addressing the feeling of falling out. Disney does pretty well here and some of the more problematic rides are not the ones you might expect.

• Spash doesn't really have any negative gees, it's a much bigger version of the drop in POTC. You don't really feel locked down but the motion is normal gravity and only really in one direction.
• Space MTN I have mostly given up on the ride. It's just too rough. But Disney makes you feel pretty secure by having tall side supports and a lap bar that comes down below the tops of the side supports.
• ToT is designed to make you come out of your seat. on the other hand it's only moving up and down so even if your lap restraint failed completely, where are you going to go?
• RnRC has over-shoulder restraints and you feel completely locked down. If you let your head go slack ruring the ride there are a few parts that will rattle your noggin side to side into the padded restraint. The ride does a good job of keeping you pinned to your seat.
• Everest feels a little looser because its just restraining you at the waist. But the ride is built to secure you well and you aren't really going anywhere.

 

[epcotty]

- Splash MTN; not bad, really entertaining, one major drop and the rest aren't as bad, we do this every time
- Space MTN; really rough in our experience from not being able to see much, haven't done that in 9 years
- Tower of Terror- we don't do this at all, best to hold off on it
- R and Roller Coaster- done this once but rough, best to hold off for now
- Everest- really not that bad at all, smooth ride and enjoyable as long as you're ok with going backwards, we do this every time

 

[Figment Mom]

I like thrill rides but almost never do them because no one on my family will get on one.

On my recent solo trip I did them all multiple times.

The only one I had "enough" of was Everest. Loved the drops and curves but my head did not love the backwards part. I did it 2 or 3 times one afternoon and decided my body was done with it.

TOT was ho hum for me and not at all scary. I guess drops don't bother me?

Space is jerky.

BTMR is actually a little more intense than I remember it from my childhood. I still love it.

Splash was new for me. Other than not wanting to get soaked, there was a little feeling of anticipation about the big drop but it was fun and over very quickly (the drop, not the ride - it's actually quite a long ride).

 

[bryanb]

If you can ride the Mummy at Universal, there is really no coaster on here that is too intense, in my opinion. Mummy has the linear induction launch like RnRC, the backwards section like Everest, and the darkness like Space Mountain.

As you mention, Big Thunder can easily be made more tame by sitting toward the front of the train which is easily accomplished upon request. The only one that doesn't have a perfect match is Tower of Terror, and you either like drop rides or you hate them. But I still think it's worth trying out just for the immersive theming and creativity of the design.