The Psychologial Change in Riders.

Have any of you noticed that whenever you first started riding coasters you would look at the track and say "I don't know if I can go on that" and you'd be terrified and consider not riding, just by looking at something. But now, it's more like "Wow, look at that ride! There's no way I'm not going on that" and rather than queuing edgily considering it all the time, you just bowl up to the queue and talk contentedly getting more excited as you progress through the queue.

I noticed this as I overheard some random guy saying "I don't know if I could go on that" whilst watching Oblivion run it's course. I actually laughed at him as I trundled merrily past. I just can't imagine me ever thinking that ever again!


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"'cos you know, it's strange! You stand in a library and go "AAAAARRRRGGGHHHH" and everyone just kinda stares at you, but if you do the same thing on a aeroplane everyone joins in!"

Personally, I've never really felt that way, as if there was a coaster I wouldn't go on. For whatever reason, they don't intimidate me or scare me or make me nervous or whatever. When I see a new, intense looking track, I'm always excited and anticipating a thrilling ride. A lot of that, I'm sure, comes from working at a park for a few years, including working coasters, so I really know the ins and outs about safety and how they operate firsthand - there's nothing to be afraid of!

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Po!nt of View: A different look at Roller Coasters.
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/index.html

Before I rode my first looping coaster, (Mantis) I would say that. I hestitantly got in line thinking to myself, "What am I doing? Can I do this?".... After the ride, no other coaster has ever intimidated me from getting on it. I guess it's that one that breaks you in and makes your realize what a coaster nut you are ;)

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"Your love is like a roller coasta' baby baby..."
If love is like a rollercoaster, doesn't that mean you should be happy ALL of the time? ;)

Shawn Bailes
110 Drumline
http://ohiodrumline.tripod.com/

I really miss that feeling, actually. I still get butterflies when I'm strapped into the Power Tower, but not like the first time I had to talk myself into going on a looping coaster. I took a friend of mine to Cedar point last year and he spent three days looking at the MF trying to get up the nerve to go on it. He finally just couldn't do it and ended up going home without riding it. He was 30 years old, too. Now, of course, he regrets it.

Jeff

When looking at the SLC, Mind Eraser, I would say that I would "never ride that in a million years." The next year I rode it.

Yeah, not being scared of a coaster really takes much of the thrill out for me.

There are times when I get a little "weirded out" before and during a ride, but generally speaking there's something else that gives me perspective. For example, last weekend on Kennywood's Pitt Fall (an Intamin drop), I was a little alarmed about going on it. When I put it into perspective with all of the times I've been on Power Tower, it wasn't a big deal.

More specifically, I find comfort in taking in the details and sensations. The padding in the restraint, the loading procedures, the location of prox switches (even if I have no clue what they're for), etc. The downside of that is I'm being scientific about something that's supposed to be fun, but at least I don't scream like a little girl!

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

I do not feel scared, perhaps just a slight trepidation. And that is only going on certain coasters and rides, such as S:ROS at SFNE, Magnum XL, and Giant Drop at SFGAm, and Shockwave at SFGAm. Of course these were only felt the first time I rode them. Usually something along the lines of "what am I doing riding something up that high? Will it survive?" After I am over that lift hill then its ok. Except for Giant Drop, I hate that ride and others like it, just hate 'em, not my thing.

I remember being blown away by Vortex at Carowinds, which now isn't exactly my favorite coaster. I remember being totally disoriented by Alpengeist when I first rode it in 97 and looking down from the brake run and feeling like the earth was 200 miles below. Now, before I ride coasters, I know exactly what to expect and I usually know the layout before riding. Instead of being disoriented, I notice things like airtime and G forces.

I remember going on Oblivion for the first time. I knew all the hype and how it did what it did. I didn't have time to think in the queue as we had XRT tickets (get in early and ride befroe the park opens, it was also whilst everyone was in school so there were only a few of us).

Nothing has ever made me feel the way that did. Nothing could have prepared me for the rush. As you get hung over the edge (for what seemed to be like an ETERNITY) my friend and I looked at each other in terror. I put my arms up, she grabbed the handles of her restraint (it all felt very Matrix), then the car continues to tip over...and it just keeps going and going and going, and WHOOOOOOSH! You just get faster and faster. Then it's dark, then you swoop out then you hit the softest brake run and I was actually in the same position as I started the ride. Mouth wide open, arms up, shock across my face. I went back on not 5 minutes later!

It was the only coaster I've been on that delievered that kind of buzz. It's not the same now I've ridden it loads, but that first time is amazing!

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"'cos you know, it's strange! You stand in a library and go "AAAAARRRRGGGHHHH" and everyone just kinda stares at you, but if you do the same thing on a aeroplane everyone joins in!"

Wow,this makes me feel kind of old,lol.The last time i was scared of a coaster i was 11 years old.It was lightenin loops when it was at Sfgadv and,it was my first looper.Just going up the stairs to this coaster and,feeling them shake when the train left the platform gave me butterflies in my stomach.I entered my seat and felt my hands trembling a little bit to.I used to get that sensation from drop towers until i did my first bungee jump.I miss that scared feeling to.

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~*Rickyswmn*~

The only coasters I get scared of are SLC's, Old Arrow Loopers, Boomerangs.....I Think to my self If I ride it.. How much head banging will I Do. LOL
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Roller coaster of Love ~ ooi ~ ooi ~ ooi

I have never been afraid to ride a coaster, but the only ride that came close to that would be the Big Shot at the Stratosphere.

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Nitro: The Most Explosive Coaster on the Planet explodes at Six Flags Great Adventure in 2001.

I remember looking at RB, it was the tallest coaster I had ever seen, and staring in amazement. I was a little bit scared, but I thought, I have to go on that! Then just Saturday, I went on Cyclops for my first time ever. The way it catapults outta your seat on the drop scared the hell out of me. I wasn't expecting such a small coaster to pack such a huge punch. I thought for sure I would fly out, but somehow I fell back into the seat. After that though, it wasn't scary anymore, just very fun,
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Bull rides:76
Batman rides:42