[Question] Scared of rollercoaster??

[LittleImagineer]

Okay, so, I'm getting a foreign exchange sister this month! ) My family has never done foreign exchange and we're all excited and even a bit nervous. Her and I are the same age so it's perfect.

Anyways, my mom and I have been emailing her. We told her we go to Disneyland usually once to twice a month depending on how busy we are, etc. She answered saying that she loves Disneyland (she goes to the one in Hong Kong), but is terrified of roller coasters! Uh oh! I'm not sure what type of rollercoasters she's taking about. Disneyland HK pretty much only has Space Mountain and the new Grizzly Gulch ride. I'm not quite sure the extent of her fear.

Anyways, for all you people scared of rollercoasters, what Disney rides do you go on? Indiana Jones isn't necessarily a roller coaster, would you go on that? How about Thunder Mountain? Were any of you once afraid of rollercoasters and then were talked out of it?

This will likelybe our last year with Disney passes as we're kind of boycotting the price increases, haha! Any suggestions on how we can make the most out of it with our student? We've taken my little neices who are scared of some rollercoasters, but that's a bit different than taking someone older.

Thanks for all your help!

[alphabassetgrrl]

Re: Scared of rollercoaster??

I suspect she'll let you know which rides are and are not acceptable! Just go, and have a great time, and if there are things she won't go on- you can go on them later, on another visit. Just have fun!

[ohmyjustin]

Re: Scared of rollercoaster??

My friend cannot stand big drops, which is what I assume is the same issue as the foreign exchange sister. The only rides my friend can't do are Tower of Terror and Screamin', but she still shows signs of weakness on Space Mountain.

[matman730]

The best cure for a fear of roller coasters is to ride them as much as possible. However, you should never pressure anyone to ride anything they don't want to (not that you would.) If there's a ride she's not sure about, do your best to describe it for her, and let her know it's totally cool if she doesn't want to ride, and that you'll be there for her if she'd like to try it. I'd start her off with some of the tamer thrills and let her work up to the bigger thrills at her own pace.

[Irish Princess]

Re: Scared of rollercoaster??

I'm terrified of roller coasters, but only because I can't stand the feeling of falling. Splash Mountain is the only ride in Disneyland I won't ride. Try taking her on Gadget's Go Coaster since it's really tame and lasts less than a minute. The Fantasyland side of the Matterhorn is also a good ride for people trying to get over a fear of roller coasters since it's mostly enclosed and the drops are small.

[Quarar44]

Re: Scared of rollercoaster??

To get my buddy to go on his first roller coaster, I told him that Space Mountain was a calm tour of the galaxy in a rocket . He was terrified for the first few seconds after you speed up but it ended up being his favorite ride (and first roller coaster). I don't know if this would be the best strategy for someone you had just met though...

[swampymarsh]

Re: Scared of rollercoaster??

Carpe Diem! She coming for an experience, not to sit on the couch.

[bayouguy]

Re: Scared of rollercoaster??

A no pressure, let them take the lead approach would be nice. Being afraid or nervous of an attraction is not "silly" or "childish". It's a real deal fear or anxiety.

[Jerrbear]

Re: Scared of rollercoaster??

Like others on this thread, a long slow climb to a terrifying drop is something I've never learned to fully appreciate, which is precisely why I love the Disney coasters so much (except for Splash). This may be the kind of coasters your exchange student is timid about. Even California Screamin' avoids the scarey drops by energizing the coaster in the lagoon before it injects you up into the hills and loop. You may not have a problem with her at all.

[Rebekkap]

Re: Scared of rollercoaster??

Disneyland HK pretty much only has Space Mountain and the new Grizzly Gulch ride.

Actually it also has a U shaped coaster in Toy Story Land - which looked so hideously scary that I - who isn't even a little scared on Space Mountain, BTMRR, the Matterhorn etc - wouldn't go on it.

RC Racer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: Scared of rollercoaster??

Can I make a teensy weensy suggestion?

Dont take her to Disneyland as much as you like to go. Chances are she isn't as big of a fan as you are, and there is a LOT more to do out there than just Disneyland. I'm sure this student is excited to see it, but I'm sure she is just as excited if not moreso to see other areas of California that hight have caught her interest.

It's like if I were to go to Paris. Sure, I might check out DLP, but I definitely would not want to miss seeing the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre.

[DonaldMissingPants]

Re: Scared of rollercoaster??

I am personally not very good with thrill rides but the ones that I can't do are ToT and Screamin' and sometimes splash (i hate drops). I can do everything else. RSR is just a car ride, Space isn't too extreme, Matterhorn is bumpy and fast but not scary, Indiana is just a very bumpy car ride, etc. I've actually found that Gadget's Go Coaster and Goofy's Sky School are actually more terrifying than all the others.. i don't know why.

[Malina]

Re: Scared of rollercoaster??

With coasters---I have a friend who is terrified of coasters, but is fine on Space Mountain because she can't see where she is going or the height from the ground, and the music distracts her. If your student's fear is about the height or the drops, that might be an option.

I'm totally in agreement with those who say that nobody should be forced or pressured to go on a ride they don't want to do. I also like the idea of trying Gadget's Go Coaster as a "starter" coaster if she's up for it.