OOO i hate that feeling in my stomach!
Well, I have this terrible fear of Roller Coaster drops. I just absolutely hate the feeling i get in my stomach when i go down a drop. I feel like Im gonna pass out or die or something! I really need to get over this fear! Any Suggestions?
Well, I have this terrible fear of Roller Coaster drops. I just absolutely hate the feeling i get in my stomach when i go down a drop. I feel like Im gonna pass out or die or something! I really need to get over this fear because all of my friends love coasters and make fun of me when i dont go on them. Also, Im not afraid of anything other then the drops! I love loops and speed, just not drops! The biggest roller coaster ive probably ever been on is Space Mountain at disney. I know you all are gonna say just GO ON THE ROLLER COASTER! but i cant bring myself to ever do it. Suggestions?
My husband had the same problem, but then realized that it actually helps to keep your eyes open and scream your head off. Something about releasing all that built-up tension from going up the hill, I think, makes a difference.
Audrey is right, the key is keeping your eyes open and SCREAMING, it's quite exhilarating, even throw your arms up to fully feel the effects of the G forces. Take a trip over to Busch and work your way up from Scorpion (if need be) to Shiekra.
Yeah, I disagree whole-heartedly. I can't stand the drop feeling either. I've got a season pass to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and I ride everything there...and I never shy away from a coaster because I know that once over the hill, it's going to be great.
For me, screaming and looking are the absolute worst. Screaming makes it hurt like a punch in the gut.
In my experience, hold on, tighten your muscles and wait for ti be over, so you can enjoy the rest of the ride. In other words, deal with it.
When you think about it, it's kind of like a microcosm of the entire theme park experience: it hurts, and may even make you a little sick to dish out $50 at the gate...but just do it, because the rest of the day is going to be great.
Go on a little kiddie coaster to start off and then get a little taller and faster and just work your way up. I used to be terrified of roller coasters but once I went to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg and I rode Big Bad Wolf first and then rode Appolos Chariot last and my fear of roller coasters has long since disapeared.
Kendall, I totally feel you. I'm in the same boat...the dropsies are the biggest reason I don't ride coasters. I feel bad for my wife because she loves coasters and has to ride alone all the time.
Just the idea of getting that sensation sends me into an anxiety attack. Like you, I love speed, so I hate that I miss out, but not worth having a coronary over in my book.
I am with all of you on this. I hate the dropsies. I really do. The best and worst part is the ride up the hill. The anticipation of getting there and staring over the top. How'd I get over it? One Word: HULK. You dont have the problem of seeing whats coming, it starts you off in a tube and launches you, all you see is up, and you dont see where it drops down. Once you get out of the tube and down into the loop, its all thrills. I agree with keeping your eyes open and screaming, but hold on for dear life. It works for me each and every time. However, I cant do Dr. Doom, and TOT. I just cant bring myself to drop my butt that far down. Sheikra is not a problem, but TOT is. I know what we say is not what you want to hear, but just go on it. And dont worry about working your way up to a big coaster, just go big to start. Once you do, you'll get amped and hooked, and you'll want to do it again and again. Start with a behemoth of a coaster and everything else will be cake.
I totally agree with Erik. I to have a huge fear of fast drops and the almost unbearable stomach churning action that comes along with riding roller coasters. My thing is, I feel so proud of myself and completely exhilarated after I ride one that it's definitely worth the few minutes of AHHHHHHHHHHHH that goes along with it. My best advice is holding on for dear life, tense up and keep your eyes open at all times! I also find that yelling every once in while when you feel the g's coming on strong helps a lot as well.
I have the same fear of drops. What I usually do is locate all the drops, count them, and memorize where they are. By the time I get in the cart, I know exactly whats coming up and when to brace myself. If coasters had no drops...well life for me at theme parks would be fabulous! But I guess what goes up must come down! Dont get me wrong, I am still scared poopless of coasters...but this tends to help. My only problem is keeping my eyes open!! I CANT DO IT!
It would not be natural if you didn't get a little nervous anticipating the drops, but it's the release of the built up tension that makes thrill rides so exhilarating. The best thing to do is just suck it up and hold on tight, you'll be proud that you did when it's all over.
It's the effect of G forces. (I'm told that this feeling, the free fall of a coaster, is what it feels like to be in space. 'Cept that's 24/7 for the whole time you are up there.)
Anyway, you could look up at the sky. Helps with the drop, but does create a rather brutal rush when you bottom out. But I prefer to focus on the track and to pretend that I'm gassing my car down the hill. Fool yourself into thinking that you are in control and your stomach can handle most anything.
Wow! I thought I was only a punk but it looks like it's not that bad since many others experience the same. I got on The Mummy last year by accident because I didn't know it was a coaster. I had a lot of fun but I almost died. I mean my heart was beating so fast I thought my chest was going to pop. I would never get on that type of ride because drops just kill me. I wish I could open my eyes but it's hard to be focused when you can't breathe.
From nina mall
Posted June 15, 2006 at 12:44 PM
I used to hate that feeling, but i still went on the coasters, and gradually i have started to actualy enjoy the feeling. when i go down the drops i tense my stomach muscles and keep my eyes open. i also push myself into the back of my seat.
From Gareth H
Posted June 15, 2006 at 1:56 PM
You'll hate Dr Dooms fall of fear. Its the only ride I can't (Excuse the pun) "Stomach" (I'm on fire today).
I love the feeling it gives me.
My motto for anyone afraid of rides is
"Turn that fear into fun"
Thanks. Ive also been told that thinking of something else works. Like doing a math problem in your head or spelling out a word helps get your mind off the drop. Does that help any?
You might also try Ginger root pills (just pure ginger root crushed up and placed in pill casings.) They're made to help motion sickness, and I've found that they work pretty well for keeping you from having stomach pains on roller coasters as well.
I saw that episode of Mythbusters. It works for some people. Ironically enough, I get car sick if I'm riding (but not on coasters...weird) and the only thing that works is a sip of beer. Just a sip, as I think the yeast in the beer tends to settle my stomach....anymore than that and you run into open container laws.
From nina mall
Posted June 16, 2006 at 4:06 PM
I take a dramamine (a type of motion sickness pill) and that seems to help.
I feel for you, I really do.
I refuse to go on any amusement park ride that may have even the most subtle hint of any stomach churning sensation. I have a cast-iron stomach. Nothing makes me ill. That being said, I have never been on a roller coaster that has had flips, spirals or any inversions. The only roller coaster I have ever been on was a clanky small wooden roller coaster in Six Flags New England called "The Thunderbolt." My mom forced me to go on -- she said that I had to face my fear -- I agreed and tried it. Once was enough for me.
I then went to Florida, Universal Studios, and attempted to ride Hulk. My mom went on the ride and said that the stomach churning sensations were minimal at best for such a large roller coaster. I couldn't fathom such a thing, in my physics obsessed mind, I am well aware of air time -- negative and positive G's -- with loops or inversions or sudden drops. Well, I took her word for it -- putting my own thoughts aside. I walked into the loading dock and sat down in the seat. I soon started to shake and sweat horribly. I couldn't talk or move. My muslces had tightened so horribly that my hands would not let go of the restraint. I was having a huge panic attack -- those are usually reserved for airline rides -- but one hit me. HARD! My mom walked me off of the ride and I just broke down. My muscles all relaxed at once and I collapsed to the ground. I couldn't stop crying -- this was when I was 18! I felt like such a coward.
Well, my mom, dad, sister and I walked around the park. Went on Spiderman (I even hated that because my stomach felt that sensation near the end when he catches you in the web) .. went on Popeye Bilge Ride .. I wouldn't go near Dudley Doo Right -- I could see the drop right in front of me! No way! No how!
We ventrued towards Jurassic Park (no attempt at Dueling Dragons) .. and I asked my family to go on the river adventure first then report how it felt afterwords. They did. My mom told me that the drop is completely enclosed and you don't feel anything. It's not that big of a drop she said. WHAT A FREAKIN' LIAR!
I have the picture to prove that I went on it -- I look like someone is grabbing my balls and I am constipated at the same time. Not a good look. I was so angry with my mom telling me that it didn't make your stomach drop that I went on it again. Was I crazy? Did I actually enjoy the ride? No. I just didn't want to ruin my mom and dad's trip. That's not fair to them. I did tell her though, this is the last time. She was happy with that.
I have never been on anything else that makes your stomach drop. Never. I can't tell you what to do. I just avoid them -- it makes for a much less stressful day for me and everyone else. We know what rides I will and will not do -- so no one pressures me.
Ask that your family/friends understand and hopefully they will. I know, though, one of these days that I am going to have to face my fears and go on the Hulk. I dread that day.
Good luck!
The only way to get over your fear of something is to do it repeatedly. I was nervous the first time I climbed into a rollercoaster, but now.. you can't keep me off 'em.
right ride it over and over.I remember riding to tower of terror,i scared at first but now after riding it it's one of my number one rides.
Pat Adams - Thanks for the laugh.
Nice sense of humor.
From steve lee
Posted February 13, 2007 at 7:28 PM
My gf tried to get over her fears. She decided she was going to ride a coaster at IOA (and Flying Unicorn wasn't going to be it). We decided Hulk was the best option because of the launch - logically you have less time to freak out if there's not a lift hill involved.
I gave her as many "outs" as I possibly could, but she was determined to overcome her fears. Once she was strapped in, I noticed she started kicking the crap out of the floorboard in front of her. Why? She figured that if she managed to hurt her foot, she'd have something else to think about as opposed to the impending death on the coaster.
Well, long story short it didn't work. This puts me in a difficult position, because she wants to ride stuff like Mummy and Everest, but I really don't know how to legitimately figure out if those rides are too intense for her.
But hey, single rider lines rule!
From Gareth H
Posted February 13, 2007 at 7:47 PM
Don't tell the wife I said this, but I really wish I'd married a chick who was into coasters! Sssssssh!
From ken brad
Posted February 26, 2009 at 8:45 PM
i really got to tell you this it might reall help you . You can just tighten your ab muscles and tip over a little but it tightens up your stamch and grip the bar really tight as tigh as you can while your going down the drop and when your going up the drop i know this is wierd but just think like wat am i doing on this ride and just think like your going to be in your bed tonigh thinking and laughing about all of it and remember looks sometimes can be deceving you actually really like it and just keep trying this technique and really all ways remember this the roller coaster wont hurt you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! your strapt in just sit there an tighten your muscles and tighten them to the point you cant tighten them know more and by that time really the first drop will be over and you probaly wont feel a thing because your focusing on your muucles and abbs hope this helps you i know it probaly better than wat other people put
From Ben E.
Posted February 27, 2009 at 6:24 PM
I love that feeling, it freaks me out everytime, but i still love looking forward too it. I will admit i was freaked out when i rode Top Thrill this august. After it was over, I laughed and said, I thought that was going to be scary sarcastically.
hey,
i used to feel the exact same way...
I'm only 14 yet and my first coaster was at age 9 i was so excited because i had no idea what to expect. I went down the 1st hill and HATED it i screamed SOMEONE CALL 911 so loud!!! my 1st coaster was the viper at six flags great adventure. Now i rode all coasters at six flags st louis and i have a couple tips...
1. SCREAM it really help!!
2. think about something else [say a word like 20 times fast until the hill is over]
3. get trying until your comfortable
4. sit back in the seat !! that made a HUGE difference
5. put your hands up!!! the tummy drop is soooooo much worse when u hold on i promise!!
It's all about gravity. If you mind isn't ready, than your stomach won't be either. On the first drop....lean forward and anticipate the drop. It's probably tough if you don't like heights so much, but if you don't like the feeling of your stomach going into your throat, than it's the best thing to do. Just remember that you are strapped in and safe. I've had that feeling a few times on first rides, and I don't mind it. I've found that when I'm ready for the drop, that feeling doesn't happen, and if it does it usually only happens when I ride for the first time.
It may be something you suddenly stop worrying about. My parents took me on Back to the future when I was 7 and it terrified me so much I didn't ride a thing til I was 18 I went to seaworld with a friend and just thought screw it and went on kraken and I've never looked back I'm stil a bit nervous and scared but it's controlable the more you ride the more you start to enjoy it, try going with a coaster loving friend and just remember nothing bad is going to happen to you it's all in your head!!
From Lucas Lee
Posted April 1, 2009 at 4:14 PM
I was afraid of drops too. what i do is tighten the muscles in my stomach, scream my head off, and lean forward. i actually made an experiment to see what helps you not feel the feeling you get in your stomach the most. what i did was i went on a rollor coaster with a drop and tried all the different "solutions" I've heard about from people to see what worked best. my concusion came to doing the three things i stated above. another thing you can try is go from easy to hard and progress slowly. You should be glad yur not asian like me. Asians learn to get over their rollor coaster feers by having yur parents, Cousins, or older siblings force you onto the ride with the biggest drop. lol. well i hope my advice helps. =D
Wow, I thought I was alone on this one!! I tell everyone that I love roller coasters except for the stomach-dropping feeling, then they look at me like I have four heads and say "That's the best part!" I always feel like such a wimp. I managed to go on Great Bear at Hersheypark. That's a ride where the seats are hanging from the track. I was strapped in really tight and didn't feel anything on the 124' drop. And yet, I couldn't take Yankee Cannonball at Canobie Lake Park, very similar to Lightning Racer at Hershey, which I also went on with little of the stomach dropping feeling. I went on a Pirate ship at Hershey and I got the stomach feeling a lot, but it did feel nice for once. Yet again that ride hardly dropped you at all. In June of '10 (yes I'm already thinking ahead that far) I'm going to Six Flags New England with my school, and Bizarro (the remake of Superman) apparently gives you huge amounts of the stomach dropping feeling, evilly nicknamed "airtime." Aaaah!
Oh and Patrick I sooooo know how you feel, when I was 10 I broke down before riding Thunder Mountain at WDW, because I had ridden Mini Mine Train at SFOT and gotten the stomach thing a teeny bit and I was scared to death of it, and I thought that would happen to me on Thunder Mountain...No seriously I was crying hysterically and the attendant is like "There's no loops...No drops..." and my face brightened immediately. Seriously though, my mom took a "before" and "after" picture. LOL Funny stuff.
OOOOOOO I hate that feeling in my stomach when I see Sorceror's Mickey's Hat in front of the Great Movie Ride!
That gives you a stomach feeling? You're just standing.
But have you seen it?
Yeah...like twice. Are you being sarcastic or something?
Unfortunatley Ms. Dravick you have not been a TPI member for only a couple of weeks. Its kind-of an inside joke. There was a thread awhile ago on this subject where people either hated the hat or liked it. TH Creative, who is a TPI member, was one of the contractor or planner who built the hat and defends the hat when ever he can.
So yes I was being a little sarcastic but it is an eyesore except when it is dark and light up.
I used to have the same problem. It wasn't fear exactly, just hate that tummy churning feeling. At first I kept my eyes shut but now I look at my feet or some other near distance object, and scream, that does help. The other thing is C-bands. They can be bought at the pharmacy counter at Wal-Mart. They are elastic bands that fit around your wrist with a little plastic knob that puts pressure on a certain spot on your inside wrist and it helps with car sickness, sea sickness, motion sickness, morning sickness, etc. I was skeptical but they really work! I always got sick on swinging rides like the Battering Ram at BGE or DaVinci's cradle. After wearing the C-Bands, no problem. I even rode DaVinci's Cradle after eating pizza and was fine! Better than motion sickness pills. Still get woozy on superfast launch coasters though. But only for a few seconds. Good luck!
Thanks but what we're talking about isn't sickness exactly, it's more like the feeling of floating out of your seat and the stomach drop that comes with it.
Like the Tower of Terror!
Boo Yea!
Hey thanks for that, now next time I go to Disney I'll remember not to ride it.
I was debating whether or not to go on :)
That's probably the only ride I'm never gonna go on at Disney. I wouldn't go on the intense Mission Space either cuz I'd probably throw up. Haven't been on Everest yet but really want to =)
I think the Tower Of Terror ride is awesome. I was so scared to go on it, but my family said it was fun, so I decided to go on it. The first time, I was scared, but after the ride, I wanted to go on again and again, which I did. It's my favorite ride, now.
oooh guys i'm going to universal =) any tips on stomach drop rides??
Well yes on IOA like Dueling Dragons and Incredible Hulk. Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket is the only tracked thriller in USF!
I'm definitely riding Dueling Dragons cuz i went on a similar ride at hershey...seriously debating hulk tho. does the drop make ur stomach feel like it's floating? cuz i hate that.
The drop isn't too steep in Dueling Dragons. Incredible Hulk a bit. Dueling Dragons have some near misses on collision so watch out.
From Eugene Koh
Posted February 13, 2010 at 11:14 PM
Wow this thread is very funny... Can someone archieve this thread please?
From Crysti Gao
Posted November 1, 2010 at 6:20 PM
Well, first of all, I don't know if you've ever heard, but you are more likely to die on the car ride to the amusement park (not to discourage you from going there) than on a roller coaster itself, so reassure yourself that nothing bad can really happen.
There are several things you can do:
1. tighten your stomach muscles (ppl say this works, but only barely, i think)
2. either throw your hands up in the air, or hold on really tight (I'd say throw your hands up)
3. keep your eyes open (don't shut them, it only makes things worse, like you're riding in the dark and you don't know what's going to happen)
4. SCREAM!!! (I promise you, that is the most important thing of all. If you just forget about everything and scream, you'll survive.)
5. If you wear a watch, it might help to watch the time, and you'll see that it's not that bad.
Think about it this way: you are just trying to face your fear of roller coasters. Prove to yourself that you can do it, and face your fear head-on. You'll be so proud, and I PROMISE you that it will be worth every minute of discomfort or whatever you might feel at first on the coaster. In reality, it will only last a couple seconds, at most a minute.
Either way, sooner or later, I believe that you'll love roller coasters. It's usually the ones who start out hating roller coasters who end up being the adrenaline rush junkies who can't stay away from roller coasters.
Additionally, make sure you have someone to push you on a roller coaster and to remind you that if life didn't involve doing scary things, life would be pointless. I know someone who used to hate coasters, who once made herself a bracelet that said, "You can do it, hang in there. Relax, breathe, focus on conquering those fears. You can get through this. Discomfort will be worth it" If you think about that everytime, you'll be okay. And I promise you'll love roller coasters one day.
OK, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THESE STEPS IN MAKING YOUR STOMACH NOT DROP ON ROLLERCOASTERS : P.S. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS YOU
Step :
1. Give yourself the courage to ride the ride in the first place, examine the drop on youtube{pov} and time the drop so you can determine whether you want to get on the ride or not.
2.Always start off with the little drop rollercoasters first, this will not only give you confidence,BUT TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THIS : this remedy gets your stomach use to the drops, and your body will gain so much tension, that you will wanna keep riding them, and riding them so many more times.
3. NEVER CLOSE YOUR EYES! KEEP THEM OPEN!
while going down, and you close your eyes, your brain is going to make you believe that you are still going down even when the drop is over. you have to experience the thrill, so please do not close them, !!!
4. while going down confront the drop,
if you dont understand what i mean, i mean lean up, this actually does help ALOT for me, and also for you too hopefully, this helps because it creates tension in your body while going down, and it makes you forget all about the drop, but helps you remember to have fun.
5. HOLDING YOUR HANDS UP, DOESNT DO ANYTHING! Just SayinG!
iHope This Helped, Good Luck This Summer/Spring!
OH YEAH I FORGOT,
TIGHTEN THE MUSCLES IN YOUR STOMACH, IT DOESNT REALLY HELP THAT MUCH, BUT IT ALWAYS BUILDS TENSION IN YOUR STOMACH, AND HELPS YOU FORGET ABOUT THE DROP
BY THE WAY, NO MATTER WHAT THERES NO GETTING AWAY FROM THE DROP ON A ROLLERCOASTER, SO IF YOUR HIGHLY TERRIFIED JUST DONT RIDE THEM
From dan fisher
Posted February 24, 2011 at 4:31 AM
Have to agree with Pat Adams, DON'T BELIEVE PARENTS, THEY LIE!! mine told me that The Rvenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios was OK, even the ride operater told me all the stats, didn't seem that bad, just sounded like Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster but with mummies, ALL MEANS NOTHING in the dark, anyway I did go on it and like most people have said keep your eyes open (not much point on a dark ride), scream as loud as you can and hold tight, it's the best fun, I now go on anything and everything, I still have the feeling of apprehension although that's now part of the fun, and there are some rides I don't do twice (Tower of Terror) but I give everything a go. I would say I'm NOT an enthusiast but there's not much point going to a theme park if you're not going to ride the coasters. Remember, the rides are SAFE so long as you follow the rules, healthy people don't die on them, and the screaming is a primal thing and has got to be a good stress relief. To anyone nervous GIVE IT A GO, you never know you might just enjoy it!
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