Busch Gardens Williamsburg just uploaded an official POV video for its oldest coaster, the Arrow double interlocking-loop classic, Loch Ness Monster.
This coaster stands 130 feet over the park's Grove Creek... as well as very close to my heart. Nessie was the first roller coaster that convinced me to trust my life to the laws of physics. I was visiting Busch Gardens - The Old Country, as the park was known then, with my Boy Scout troop, so I had no parents or little sister there to comfort me had I decided to continue my tradition of only riding coasters where my head stayed about my feet at all times. No, my only companions were a few dozen other teen and pre-teen boys, who wouldn't hesitate to tease any fellow scout who showed the slightest fear of anything.
Taking a look at Nessie's unique design, I figured that since the loops were over water, should laws of physics fail me, I'd simply drop into the water, where I had a much better chance of surviving than if I'd plopped down onto hard concrete. So I climbed aboard... and enjoyed the best ride of my life. (Cue Homer Simpson: "So far.")
After my ride, I didn't hesitate as I bolted through the exit and ran back around to the entrance for another go.
I didn't visit the park again until a few years ago, when I brought my family to Busch Gardens Williamsburg on one of our cross-country summer roadtrips. And on that day, the Loch Ness Monster became the first upside-down roller coaster that my daughter ever rode, too.
When we finished, she didn't hesitate in grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the entrance to ride again.
What was the first upside-down coaster you ever rode, and what convinced you to put aside any fears and ride?
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Now this place\park is a Six flags New England...
I must admit this title threw me off a bit..hahaha
The rationalist in me said "if people were going to be falling out on the loop, I'd be seeing it happen, over and over." But they didn't, so I didn't mind trying it. I was a "seasoned" coaster enthusiast ever since my mom took me on the Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk when I was 6.
The Revolution was a remarkably smooth coaster, and it goes through a short tunnel, where there used to be a strobe light. You could stand on the roof of the ice cream place which was right under the loop, and watch the loop close up, and keep an eye out for people losing their socks (the advertising claimed "it would knock your socks off!").
It holds a special place in my memory because it is the only looping coaster that I've ever been able to talk my wife into riding. (She still holds it against me.) ;>)
Later that summer I went to Six Flags Magic Mountain, and while I was too afraid to ride Batman, Riddler's, or Viper, I did ride Revolution and despite some roughness I enjoyed it. I also gave Colossus a try and realized that big coasters aren't all super scary. However, the coaster that really convinced me to start trying more intense rides was California Screamin', which opened the following year. After that, I was still somewhat slow in expanding my coaster horizons, restricting it to one new feature at a time, but I made a point to try stuff even if I was a little hesitant. It took a few years before I was confident enough to ride everything, but now I absolutely love roller coasters of all types and it's been nearly ten years since I've hesitated before stepping aboard any thrill ride (Xcelerator was the most recent when I first rode it in 2006).
In any case, I was scared to death (figuratively speaking, of course) of a standard roller coaster's drop, and convinced myself that being launched would be a better alternative.
Now I love roller coasters, and it was all thanks to finding one that had a different way of accelerating.
My first loop would have been in the late 80s when I was about 9 - I went on Montezuma's Revenge at Knott's Berry Farm. I still remember my knees trembling and the slightly sick feeling in the pit of my stomach as I walked away afterwards.
Is Montezuma's Revenge even there anymore? I remember being quite amazed by the catapult start straight into a loop, something pretty commonplace these days.
In 2001 I was in the US for my brother's wedding and went with my family to 6FMM, the first ride we went on was the Viper. My cousin, about 10 years older than me (and I don't think had ever been on a real coaster before) was gung ho and ready for action. Following the Viper we moved onto I think the Ninja. Asked my cousin if he was coming? "Oh, I think I'll sit this one out." He didn't go on another ride for the rest of the day.
Even though I was really scared, all my friends were going on it, and I didn't want to be left out. I ended up really enjoying it and the coaster helped spark my love of coasters.
Today, there is a 5 minute wait for this coaster no matter how busy the park is. I still love it because of the memories but the thrill just isn't there. It did however launch my career as a coaster enthusiast because after that, there was no stopping me!! :D
I had just started dating my now husband and our first trip together was to Busch Gardens for my 33rd birthday. I did not want to admit I was terrified, so I didn't tell him of my coaster virginity until it was over. But I loved it! We found a passion we shared and over the next few years, rode over 100 coasters together.
Then marriage and kids came along and we haven't ridden much since. But we'll get back to it someday. We've taken the kids to a few parks, but they're more into water rides than coasters for now.
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