I have a bad case of acrophobia, but still ride roller coasters...the higher up, the better. I think the only reason I was able to start riding roller coasters was because my friends helped me work up the nerve. The more roller coasters I rode, the more I got comfortable with them. All you gotta do is keep challenging yourself to do it when YOU feel comfortable with it...I've noticed getting forced into it never worked for me.

It's funny...although I'll ride the craziest roller coasters around, I still can't work up the nerve to ride on any of those "drop" rides...where they take you all the way up (usually to the top of a tower, riding a saddle or seat-type apparatus with your legs just dangling) and drop you fast all the way down. Those I probably will NEVER ride.

 

I got over it many years ago when I went on the Hulk at Universal Studios. I love roller coasters now.

 

If you have rode the Jurrasic Park ride at Universal then you should be able to ride a roller coaster with no problem. I love roller coasters, I especially like the initial drop. The drop on the Jurrasic Park ride is one of the biggest drops I can remember. So if you can do that, then you should be able to do a coaster. But if you are worried about the drop try the hulk roller coaster at Islands of Adventure, there is no drop on that one.

 

I used to only ride the wooden roller coasters until I was about 16. I watched a discovery/history channel episode on coasters and safety features and decided to bite the bullet and ride on with loops. Loved them ever since. If you love going around corners fast, you will love all roller coasters. It's mostly just g forces acting on your body. And the fact that they have dozens of safety precautions built in really helps, like wheels that surround the track and such.

 

Yo, this is totally me. I've scared sh!tless everytime the talk about me going to get on a roller coaster. I just cant get myself to get on one. I'd never experienced one, but my brain is telling me I will die if I get on one.

More than 10 yrs back, me and 5 others went to 6flags to have a good times. I had a crush on this cute chix. She asked me to keep ker company while she was waiting in line for this wicked ride, just the sucker I am, I did. We were talking about all sorts of stuff and then the ride attendant opened the gate to let us in. I was like "HELL NO, I AM NOT GETTING ON THIS". There were hundreds of people in line behind us, half of them were encouraging me, and the other half yelled out "Chicken". The attendant said it doesnt matter, there's no way out. The exit is on the other side, after the ride. To my dismay, the ride was this one where it lift you up into space and then just DROP STRAIGHT DOWN. I was forced against my will to do it, man, what must guys do in front of chicks. I almost crapped in my pants, lost half of my life. Made a fool out my myself. But was all worth it cause she was holding my hand. After that we when on to a couple more rides. That was the end of it. Since then, I've not gotten on one at all.

 

i'm scared of roller coasters, also. I've been to six flags once and i don't plan on going again.....

 

I am 30 years old and my GF makes fun of me and she feels she's dating an old guy.

 

I'm terrified of heights but don't mind roller coasters for some reason, it's kind of odd. The only roller coaster I really don't like that much is Space Mountain. It's kind of fun but I don't like the jerking side to side without seeing it coming (that and the fact I'm ducking the whole time so my head doesn't get chopped off ).

 

the very thing that makes roller coasters so fun is exactly the feelings you are describing.

we all are apprehensive about heights and loops and all that stuff. the reason we all get rushes when we ride them is the adrenaline we all release because we all have the same sub-concious fears. Some will say "heights dont bother me etc etc" but it is a natural psychological and physiological response to exhibit a myriad of responses to roller coasters. It is why they exist. if no one got any rush or emotion from riding it they would not be around.

Now, if your apprehension is too high, you will not enjoy the ride at all. If all you are going to do is clinch up , shut your eyes and scream the entire time, you will not benefit from riding one. You have to "experience" the ride if you are going to gain any perspective on it.

If you decide to ride one do it full on and dont hold back. pick a newly designed, metal tube track coaster and wait for the front car and let go. Keep your eyes open and your hands up.

if you choose an older tube coaster or a wooden one you will experience (most likely) a very bumpy and jarring ride. most of the old school metal coasters were very choppy and kidney smashing nightmares compared to the coasters built in the last 10 years or so.

The wooden coasters have their own special magic. they are supposed to be bumpy and clackity, that is what makes them so fun. I would just jump right into a new metal coaster for your first ride. These woodies and old school coasters are fun but they will seem like child's play compared to a floorless or invert coaster.

Dont get too gimicky for your first one. Dont go for a stand up, invert, or other themed coaster for your first one. that will probably too much input to process for a first timer. just pick a good solid standard coaster or a dueling/race coaster for your first time and then work your way up from there.

So choose wisely and just get on it!!!!! you will enjoy it if you can avoid over-thinking it and just let go



good luck

 

i hated them for a long time..then got on some lame wooden one...loved it...now i go on everything when im at a park..i love the dropped stomach feeling..and no hands is awesome...the feeling is ALMOST as good as sky diving and cheaper