The Enthusiaist Problem

The reason I started to love coasters was because the scared me and were thrilling. But now, after several years of being a fanatic, and many coasters later, there just not caring me at all anymore, and all of the thrill is gone. Do any of you have this problem? I'm thinking of making a big sacrifice, not going on any coasters for about ten years, so when I do go back on them, they will be thrilling again.

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Did you know that 3 out of 4 people make up 75% of the world's total population?- Light travels faster than sound; that's why some people appear bright before they speak.-"Did you know that the hole's only natural enemy is the pile?" -Bart Simpson

Hmmm, don't quite have that problem yet. I have been riding coasters since I was 7 or 8 and have been an *enthusiast* for about 4 years now.

I guess there are some coasters that I just don't ride anymore, simply because they either hurt or the thrill is not there. If it's a coaster I have never been on before I will try it out anyway, even if I already know that it's going to kick my ass. :-)

Take the Viper at SFMM for example. I knew it was going to hurt, but I decided to give it a fair try anyway. Not bad, but luckily the painkillers kicked in right before I got on it. Most 80's and early 90's Arrow Headbangers usually don't do it for me, other than give me an insane headache. There are some that REALLY surprised me though, like the Carolina Cyclone at Carowinds. I could not believe how smooth it was.

If I go to one of my *regulars* being CP, PKI or SFWOA I will stick to what I know will thrill me, and forget the rest.

:-)

-Tina

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Gimme speed, height, airtime or plenty of LAUNCH!!!!

*** This post was edited by coasterqueenTRN 7/26/2003 12:04:37 PM ***

Interesting. Ive never heard of that before. Maybe you have a crumby home park, like Elitch Gardens or something and all the thrills are gone. Keep the faith. Never give up on roller coasters. Are you insane?

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On the seventh day, God created coasters!

Aww...the thrill is gone? I can see how this could happen on some coasters you've ridden hundreds of times, but hopefully your love for them is still there. Like GASM at SFoG which I've ridden countless times, and granted the thrill isn't what it was the first few times I rode it back in 5th grade, I still LOVE that coaster. Maybe you just need to get out to some other parks with different coasters. That always kicks me in the crotch when I discover a new coaster.
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Nashville needs a theme park!

I've lost any thought of being scared before getting on a coaster (although some flat rides still give me butterflies). I wish there was a coaster that struck fear into my heart again somewhere.

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Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

I feel simular in that I don't get that awestruck feeling looking at most coasters. I use to be very afraid of heights but coasters (especial inverts) have eliminated most of that.

Now I mainly only like coasters that have a lot of G's weather positive or negative. Laterals are good but only on smooth coasters or ones that are well padded.

About the only rides I still get butterflies on are drop rides.

Bartman

I think every enthusiasts hits that point where coasters go from scary to fun. Sadly, I don't think anything will every get that feeling back - even a ten year hiatus.

I appreciate coasters for totally different reason now than just 4 or 5 years ago. Rather than being terrified, its now silly fun and I find myself appreciating a good ride on a different level. Whether it be a nicely engineered ride, or a spectacular element or section of track - whatever.

Think of it this way. Anyone (of legal age, of course) can enjoy a glass (or 7) of wine. We know we like it or we don't. But there are a certain segement of wine "connoiseurs" who just enjoy the taste of wine and sampling as many fine wines as they can. It's not about drinking a bottle and getting a "buzz" - it's about an appreciation of the product. The focus shifts. I think the same thing happens to most enthusiasts over time.

I'm a coaster connoiseur! :)

(I kind of like that term better than enthusiast :) )

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www.coasterimage.com
Dorney Park Visits in 2003: 15

Space Mountain, The Matterhorn, Adventure Express, Wildcat, StarJet, and Gemini are some of my favorite coasters. I don't think I understand this topic. ;)

-Danny
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Coaster Insomniacs

I was talking to a friend of mine about this that is also an enthusiast. The fear is gone... but it comes right back and you have flashbacks of being a little scared kid when you ride TTD. I hope this is true and I can manage a ride on it. The last time I was scared was going up the hill backwards on AE not knowing what a backwards coaster was like. That was really thrilling!

Just do what I did. Start riding all your favorites at night. Ghostrider, Legend, and Raven all changed dramatically, and reinforced the possibility that I could still be "scared" on a coaster. Just ask Moosh to tell you what my night ride did to my composure on Ghostrider last August. You can't even see me in the on-ride, I am cowering so much. ;)
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First Spinal Tap, THEN puppet show

I know how you feel. I am simply never scared of a rollercoaster anymore. I never have been since I rode the Steel Phantom when I was maybe 9 or 10. I used to be worried about such things as the lap bar coming lose, and me flying out, but none of that is there anymore. I dont get the rush I used to get on rollercoasters either. I did get a pretty nice rush on Millineum Force a few weeks ago, but nothing on Dragster. I dont think I'll ever stop riding, but I do wish there was something that made my rides more thrilling. Riding at night will do that with some coasters (Beast comes to mind) but not all.

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The Millenium Force ride Ops: Squishing you where it counts since 2000.
Track Record: 62 coasters at 17 parks.

Coasters...

Work...

Yep... still prefer the coasters.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
DELETED! What time does the water show start?

Cheers, Gonchar! :)

I don't really know what you are talking about but I just got back from CP and all I have to say is when you roll out to the "christmas tree" on TTD you get really scared.

I know exactly what you are talking about. I really haven't been scared for awhile now, now that I have become an enthusiast. I still remember what it was like, and i don't know whether or not I miss it. Sure, it was one of the coolest feelings, but I am perfectly content with how much fun I still have while riding. I just get so much enjoyment out of it.

Now, an exception to the rule was my very first ride on TTD. I wasn't scared, but i was really excited. It really reminded me of what the original excitement was all about.

Fine words, Gonchar. Coaster riding now for me is an appreciation of the "art."

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2002/2003
KWTM

Rob,

Your are so right about coasters being better at night, even the *less thrilling* ones. Ghostrider IS one of those that can only be appreciated at night. It's a totally different experience. :-)

Oh yes, the Legend and Raven are better after dark. :-)

-Tina

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Gimme speed, height, airtime and plenty of LAUNCH!!!

Don't give up. Just move on to diffrent coasters. It is still their. I thought that big riders on my last major coaster trip like Volcano would get me scared. They did not. All the sudden I rode Rebel Yell backwards, and screamed like a school girl. That ride took my stomich on the first drop. One type of ride that scares me are those crazy flat rides.

I rode one my friend draged me on, and It was like you sit in a row of about 6, and thier are all these arms, and they flip fowards, and then this huge arm brings you up high! then the rows start fliping like crazy! Not to forget the seats are like the type on the standing freefall rides. I was very paranoid on that thing!

It also starts to spin faster then it looks fro the ground. I get that too on coaster I have rode alot. Its all good though. I just move on to diffrent things.

I've pretty much gone through the same thing now. The only reasons I go to parks now are two get more coaster credits/ credits on a coaster and to keep myself from getting bored (cheap fun with season passes). As pathetic as it sounds, this is what has happened to me. I don't know what brought this on but it is what has happened. I remember the days when going to parks was so much fun and riding coasters was so thrilling now it is simply for credit and keeping myself not bored. I just hope none of you get to this stage.

Visiting only my local parks every year gets boring quickly. The challenge of saving funds to take coaster trips to parks I rarely (if ever) get to visit keeps it fresh for me. Of course I realize that not everyone can afford to do this, but even "fantasy" trips(like my current one to get to Japan) can be fun.

As for the thrill being gone, I no longer ride coasters to be scared(though Intamin drop rides still do the trick), I ride them for the escape, much like a good flick or book. But like anything else, moderation is the key. The one cool thing about X's horrible capacity is that I get one ride per visit, so even two years later it still feels like a brand new coaster.