Warming up to Roller Coasters - MK

[Felipe4]

My BF has never been on a roller coaster. I had been in a somewhat similar boat until a few years ago and now I'm all for the giants.

Our first day, we're going to MK. We have a pre-park ADR at CP for 8:20 (and constantly looking for earlier times), but I just don't think we'll be out by rope drop for 7DMT - which I thought would have been a good warm up coaster for him before things like BTMRR or Space.

I figured maybe we could get an early-ish FP for 7DMT since our breakfast is later - the earliest time was for 11:40 AM (which is a great time to go on it, but afterwards the other coasters will have super long lines as well.)

I was able to score a FP for Space at 10AM...but this might be a bit much for a first timer. Any coaster plans for warming up to them in the mornings? I thought maybe the Barnstormer (it's also fairly close to Space), but I also know that Splash and BTMRR have relatively short lines in the mornings when everyone's running to 7DMT, A&E, and Peter Pan.

In general, I thought the following would have been a good plan:

Barnstormer
7DMT
Splash (it's not a coaster, but it has a drop)
BTMRR
Space

Thoughts?

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I definitely wouldn't start with Space for someone who's never ridden one! You may not get them on anything else after that!

I'd head straight to Barnstormer after breakfast. Then you should still be able to get on Splash fairly quickly after that. Any chance you can get a 10 for BTMRR? And then move Space until after your 7DMT FP. I think after Barnstormer and Splash, you might be okay for BTMRR. Then you've got 7DMT after that. See how that goes and see if everyone's still up for Space after that!

 

[Doug M]

Barnstormer, 7DMT, BTMRR, then SM for most gentle to most intense. I was never a roller-coaster fan either, but now i am all in. Cant wait to try RnRC this December.

BTW, no MK roller-coaster has any big drops or inversions.

 

[Bullseye]

Felipe, I think that's a perfect order for warming up a new coaster rider. You started at the tamest coaster and keep building on that.
In general I think Disney is a great place for breaking in new coaster riders as none of their coasters are goliaths! All of my kids were "broken in" on WDW coasters. In fact my youngest will be going on RNR for the first time this summer and then my coaster work will be done.

 

[lilclerk]

My boyfriend haaates most roller coasters, but he loves BTMRR. He hasn't been since 7DMT, but I think he would like it, it's even tamer than Big Thunder. I never had him try Space, I think he would hate the not-knowing-where-you're-going aspect.

He hates the drop on Splash, but will tolerate it because the rest of the ride is so awesome. I think he likes Big Thunder so much because there aren't really any crazy drops, just steep curves.

 

[Felipe4]

I was able to switch things around! We moved Peter Pan earlier in the morning (10am) and put Space after WCC lunch (hopefully this does not induce sickness haha). Fingers crossed that this gives us time to do Barstormer, Splash, BTMRR, and then 7DMT (and PP, Tea Cups, Dumbo, and HM). Is this ambitious? Absolutely!

I also have to break him in for the rest of the trip! On day 2 we're doing RnRC and ToT, Day 4-5 we're going to Universal and clearly need to do Dueling Dragons, Escape from Gringotts, Universal's rock and roll coaster, and The Hulk (though I may let him sit out of The Hulk and go with my BFF instead). Day 6 we're doing Everest at AK. IDK if Mission: Space counts at Epcot, but that's on day 7.

 

[tobikaye]

In general, I thought the following would have been a good plan:

Barnstormer
7DMT
Splash (it's not a coaster, but it has a drop)
BTMRR
Space

Thoughts?

I have not rode SDMT or Barnstormer (it was always done on previous visits) yet, but the point of view videos make these almost non-coasters. These would be good starters, but if you cannot get to them early, I would start with BTMRR. If you can do SDMT and Barnstormer first, then I would switch BTMRR and Splash. The drop can be intimidating to many people and if they are not used to that type of drop, it might throw them off.

 

[CAS239]

I really wouldn't start with Barnstormer. It's a waste of time unless you're under the age of 8. AstroOrbiter is a bigger thrill

Wait in line for 7 dwarfs if it's not an insane wait. It's also geared toward little kids, but should be good for someone who hasn't rode a coaster. Then go to BTMRR, then space.

My first rollercoaster ever was the Jester at Six Flags New Orleans. Goes backwards the entire time with a loop being first followed by some corkscrews. Rode that now I love all coasters

 

[NYCANC]

I do not like coasters. In 1998 my DH (boyfriend then) and I were at DL. The last ride we went on was Space. He told me it wasn't a coaster! He actually believed that! He wasn't on it for years. He said it was just a ride. So I went on thinking it was Like Indiana Jones. I came off so pale and had to go to the restroom to put water on my face. And about an hour later, met my future mother-in-law for the 1st time at Claim Jumper!
If he doesn't like coasters, don't do it 1st and don't do it around mealtimes!

 

[awalker1015]

I really wouldn't start with Barnstormer. It's a waste of time unless you're under the age of 8. AstroOrbiter is a bigger thrill

Wait in line for 7 dwarfs if it's not an insane wait. It's also geared toward little kids, but should be good for someone who hasn't rode a coaster. Then go to BTMRR, then space.

My first rollercoaster ever was the Jester at Six Flags New Orleans. Goes backwards the entire time with a loop being first followed by some corkscrews. Rode that now I love all coasters

This. I would skip Barnstormer and start with 7DMT, which is very tame and still fun, then Splash or BTMRR. Then Space. If he can do that set, maybe he will be ready for ToT, RnRC and EE!!!

 

[Dano13]

The the mine train has moved up to one of our 2 favorite attractions in WDW along with Soarin. So much fun.

 

[aimes0105]

BTMR was my very first coaster when I was ten and had previously been terrified of them, I loved it and think it was a perfect first coaster. I don't think you need to worry about starting with 7DMT, sure it's more tame but logistically trying to get there or to barnstormer first would be much harder than just doing BTMR.

 

[tinkerbesh]

I think that's a perfect order, but like a PP said, Barnstormer may be unnecessary.

If you have time between fastpasses & want to do something fun - try a ride on the Peoplemover for him to get a glimpse of SM.

Then if your MK day goes well, you could see if he wants to try RnRC & Everest next. ;-)

And if not, maybe you could at least get him to do Primeval Whirl.

 

[MooksterL1]

I was able to switch things around! We moved Peter Pan earlier in the morning (10am) and put Space after WCC lunch (hopefully this does not induce sickness haha). Fingers crossed that this gives us time to do Barstormer, Splash, BTMRR, and then 7DMT (and PP, Tea Cups, Dumbo, and HM). Is this ambitious? Absolutely!

I also have to break him in for the rest of the trip! On day 2 we're doing RnRC and ToT, Day 4-5 we're going to Universal and clearly need to do Dueling Dragons, Escape from Gringotts, Universal's rock and roll coaster, and The Hulk (though I may let him sit out of The Hulk and go with my BFF instead). Day 6 we're doing Everest at AK. IDK if Mission: Space counts at Epcot, but that's on day 7.

I think you are good to start with BTMR. It is tame, but fun. We always ride Barnstormer because my 9 year old loves it, but it is so short.

Also, I hope you come back with an update after your Universal Days. I loooove Disney, but there isn't a ride in any of the parks that could prepare him for Dueling Dragons or The Hulk!!

 

[Terra Nova guy]

OP, if your BF can handle Splash Mountain, he should be fine on all the other coasters like RnRC and EE. I can do all the coasters, but I cannot handle big, straight drops, so I did Splash once and never again. I've never attempted ToT because I hate the "drop feeling" in my stomach so much.

 

[BugsDaddy]

I think that mine train, followed by big thunder would be the best order. And then Space Mountain and then Splash.

Actually, I didn't find space mountain much more treacherous than big thunder, just in the dark.

I have an issue with Splash mountain so I do try to avoid that one. Just not a fan of the big drops.

 

[kerplop]

OP, if your BF can handle Splash Mountain, he should be fine on all the other coasters like RnRC and EE. I can do all the coasters, but I cannot handle big, straight drops, so I did Splash once and never again. I've never attempted ToT because I have the "drop feeling" in my stomach so much.

ToT scared the pants off of me and I'm not afraid of any of the other "coasters" or even Splash (I think because they are all going forward while you drop), but ToT made me panic and cry. I think it's because I came out of my seat while I dropped and my brain was absolutely convinced I was falling to my death. Never again.

 

[LaBelleVie]

My husband has never had an interest in riding coasters, but he's open to anything that doesn't go upside down. Our first park is AK, so I hope he's still open to the others after Expedition Everest (which he did say he wants to ride, thankfully)!