Does fear contribute to excitement??

Im trying to express to a friend, how fear can condribute to an overall ride. For instance:

When i rode S:RoS @ SFA my first time, i was extremely scared, but the ride was amazing in every aspect, and i just couldnt stop riding. Now, 2 seasons later, i rode it, and i only got about 1/4 of that effect. It was still a decent ride, just not as fun as it used to be.

So, do you think when you were at first scared, did it make the ride more exciting, or has your excitement never changed? To you, does it really matter if you are scared or not?

Your replies are appreciated. I would like the answer for myself, and so that i can prove to a friend, that even though she is scared, it can make the ride better.

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#1-MF #2-Apollo's Chariot #3-S:RoS

-Why a car if i could have a coaster train on wheels??

I believe fear was listed as a requirement by John Miller and many of the others. Fear (of the unknown with an unfamiliar ride) works wonders on the imagination.

If you have been on the ride before you know what will happen and you get pretty used to the ride so the excitement and novelty ware off.

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I am still scared of Drop Zone at PKI to this day. Not even sure why..... it's a completly unnatural fear. We even did the travel channel shoot, and rode so many times that day. Still scared of it, and because of that, it is probably so much more awesome for me.

Eric

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A one that is not cold, is hardly a one at all.

I've ridden Lochness Monster @ BGW countless times now and everytime I get it on it, I'm scared out of my mind! That first drop is a killer. It takes my breath away and gives me that discomforting *butterfly* feeling in my stomach. I hate the feeling and love it at the same time. After that first drop, i'm fine :) So, yes I feel that fear contributes :)

I am still scared of The Pittfall at Kennywood Park. Ever since I rode it when it open in 1997 the fear of going up a tower a 251 ft. and looking out at the park and dropping down without warning is very, very scary for me. I ride it at least 5 times when I go and the feeling never goes away. Every time I get in those restraints, I just start loosing my mine. But I love the weightlessness on the ride!

There are very few movies, books, etc. that are better every time you see/read them. Coasters are no different. Fear is a part of it, but I think most of it is surprise, suspense, and the unexpected.

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Sean, who was asked for ID when buying RCT2.
Nitro, Gemini, Laser, Ice, Thunder...The American Gladiators!
The only Coasterbuzz member with Ridgeline Racer in their Track Record.

The first four times I've ridden Giant Drop were absolutely amazing, I couldn't look down because of how fearful I was. Today as much as I hate it, I am no longer afraid, it no longer seems high enough (got to get down to PKD next year, yeah like that's gonna happen!) I must say that I will no longer wait an hour for that ride, fear is obviously a huge contributor because that cold fear is almost like potential adrenaline and only become kinetic when the ride begins.

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The below statement is true.
The above statement is false.

You can get used to coasters over time, but those Intamin Drop Towers, forget it. Even the small by comparison Tower of Doom at SFA still gets to me a little bit each time. Let's face it, there's nothing natural about climbing a tall tower like Pittfall @ KW or Drop Zone @ PKI, only to know that you're going to be dropped at a rapid pace. If the height doesn't get to you (I started getting scared when we got higher than SOB @ PKI), then the fear of not stopping will. The S&S space shot towers really play with your head also. From the weighing in (the part where the capsule rises up a little bit), to the loud air bellowing, Stan Checketts has done his job well.

As far as being scared on a coaster this summer, nothing even comes remotely close to Ultra Twister at SFAW. From the shoulder harness that was way too high above my shoulders, to the first drop with those spiral rails around you, and the twists, nothing compared.
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If you want expensive rides, you're going to pay for them, in one way or another.

I Agree Eric! I am STILL afraid of Drop Zone! Ridign it 8 times at the Travel Channel thing should have cured me, but that ride is STILL the scariest in the park for me!

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Women was god's second mistake.

First off, there's another thread like this around here somewhere... But since I'm lazy, too, I'll respond anyway.

Fear is instumental to some rides. Drop towers, and other highly thrilling thrill rides (not coasters) need it. And the more you go on them, the less you are afraid, and the less fun you have. For me, anyway. A good coaster, however, is different. Fear can be a good way to start out: Even today, I feel a twinge of fear when I go on some new rides. It adds a little spice. But a truly good coaster doesn't actually need it. Take the SFGAm Viper, for example. I've ridden that thing many times, and no longer have any fear of it. I know every twist and turn on the course by heart. But it still amnages to thrill me. It's just such a fun ride. The speed, turns, drops, and airtime are all bound together by a perfect pacing, and it takes my breath away every time. So, coasterdude04, I would suggest that you stop expecting to be scared, and just relax the next time you ride Superman. You might be surprised at the results.

*** This post was edited by (SF)Great American on 10/27/2002. ***

Fear of the unknown contributes to many rides, but others do what they do so well that I love them no matter how many times I ride them. These include SROS at SFA (sorry CD04 I feel differently than you do), Phoenix, the first hill on Millenium Force, Nitro, Medusa, and Raven. The more I ride these rides the more impressed I am by what they do.

*** This post was edited by Jim Fisher on 10/27/2002. ***

I'm definetly not scared of heights. I don't even know what about drop zone scares me. It just does. I know that you will stop at the bottom, I know the harnesses will stay locked. Yet, I'm still scared. I don't even think about being scared before getting on, not afraid of getting on, but once I'm on, it sets in. That's why it's so great. After dropping the fear is gone, and now I'm one happy mutha! LOL. The S&S power shots scare me just as much, if not more! But the one at IB is so amazing, and I'll ride it over and over again. I am never scared on a coaster, no matter how high, how fast, or how crazy. Except once on Raven, when I seriously thought I was going to fall out!

Eric

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A one that is not cold, is hardly a one at all.