Tips for Overcoming a Fear of Roller Coasters

Do you have any tips for someone who never rode a looping coaster -- ones that could dispel some myths that they get stuck and are generally dangerous.

My mother (33) for some reason or another has never ridden a looping coaster. I couldn't belive this!

So I was wondering if you guys had any tips for someone who never rode a looping coaster and could dispel some myths that they get stuck and are generally dangerous.

Thanks!

I used to have a fear of looping costers but believe me tell her she wont feel a thing when she goes onto an inversion I went onto Alpengeist I was afraid I was gonna get sick on the ride but I didn feel a thing when I went onto the loop.

Well, they don't get stuck upside down.

They don't have any way to stop a train in a loop.

If something happens where a train doesn't have enough inertia to get through a loop, it will just reverse course and head backwards. Gravity wants those heavy trains as close to the ground as possible.

Thanks guys! She no longer has a fear of coasters after explaining to her what forces act upon you while your looping, and now she belives me when I say you dont feel a thing in a loop.

For physics geeks: It is all about potential and kinetic energy. Basically, when you are in the top of a loop, gravity *will* pull that train down. And the train's construction will keep it on the track.

Beyond that, the advice I ever got for riding a roller coaster is: Keep your eyes open! Look ahead to the track in front of you. That way, you eyes can help your body make all the necessary adjustments to keep you balanced. Keep your body relaxed, and let your neck and shoulders go limp enough to keep your head upright as it can be. If you start to feel queasy, push your right foot down into the floor of the coaster, grab the harness or lap bar like a steering wheel and pretend you are "driving" the coaster. That little fantasy might trick your brain into thinking it has enough control to keep your lunch down.

Hope this helps, and happy riding!

Actually, I'm wondering if it is theoretically possible for a train to get stuck upside-down in a loop. I've never heard of it happening, but the physics would be similar to what happened to Top Thrill Dragster a couple of weeks ago (stuck at the apex).

I read a story recently that when Anton Schwarzkopf (major roller coaster designer in the 70's) was first trying to sell his revolutionary (no pun intended) looping coaster, one of his major obstacles was park owners' fears that people would fall out during the loops. He invited some potential buyers to try out his prototype, and he had the coaster train stopped while upside-down in the loop. Even with just a lap bar, nobody came close to falling out. It makes me wonder why you never see a modern looping coaster with just a lap bar (some of the older Schwarzkopf loopers still have lap bars, though).

Well thanks for your help guys. Im leaving in just a few hours and we'll see if she's still afraid after the advice you've giiven me :)

I started on a indoor coaster, like Rock'N'Roller Coaster. It helps you ease into it b/c you can't see what is coming. Worked for me!

Yes, that roller coaster is good, but I have an even better one! I think that DCA's California Screamin is better because there is only one loop. She should also know that the car is connected to the track at all times regardless and gravity will more or less keep you in the car when going though a loop anyway. It also really is not as bad as it looks because the "upside down" parts are shorter than they appear!

I hope you had a great trip, but for anyone else reading this forum for tips, here's my advice:

Keep in mind that there's not been a reported incident of anyone ever falling out during a loop. It just won't happen! At least, that's what I always told myself. Keeping your eyes open really does help, as you're more likely to know what to expect. I told my husband this and got him on an "upside down" coaster for the first time the other day...now he's addicted!

Yea I had a great time thanks for your help guys! Wow the Silver Bullet is smooth. Not even that loud.

OK guys after going to Knotts Im thinking of going to SFMM, do you guys think this would be to big a jump for someone who just started riding bigger coasters?

I don't think anything is a big jump, but that's me. My first roller coaster was the Scorpion at BGT. It looped. That was a big jump: no rollercoaster to looping rollercoasters. If you can stand a minor rollercoaster, you should be able to have fun on a bigger one. I am ready to jump to FL's tallest. My theory is, if you are terrifyed of rollercoasters, go on the biggest and baddest. That way, you see how it is and may loose your fear.

Sounds logical, if you ride X first then say Flashback won't seem as bad at all.
I guess I'l try that.

Advice from a great movie:

Sometimes you just gotta say f*** it.

That's good advice for coasters. Just do it. Tell yourself you won't be scared and get on. You'll probably find it you really enjoy coasters.

Oh one more thing, I may not be so afraid of loops but I'm utterly terrified of heights! Goliath here I come :)

Then close your eyes and listen to the mother nature while you riding 'your' coaster.

The first time I got on a roller coaster was when I was 24. I will be honest with you, I was scared s***less of roller coasters for all of those years prior to that. If you are going to ride one, try to get as much information as possible about the ride. Do not pressure yourself to go on it if you do not want to. If you do go on it, try to have an open mind about it. I am 45 now and until last week, had not been on a coaster for 5 years. I sat on the front row of Rock 'N" Roller coaster with my 15 year old. It had 2 loops-including a corkscrew loop-never done that before-and I will tell you this, it made me feel like I was a kid again. If you have a fear of heights, do an inside coaster. It may be better if you do not see what is coming up. Good luck!

Just say to yourself before boarding (or while on the lift hill) that if you don't like it you never have to do it again, its just a couple minutes and then its over. I still use this saying while I am on a rough ride (Hurricane at the Myrtle Beach Pavillion, Ninja at SFOG, etc.)

I actually thought that you could fall out of looping coasters when I was little. I rode Corkscrew and Raptor at Cedar Point and I'm cured.

This sounds strange, but close your eyes whilst queueing. While waiting in line for my first coaster, which was the Hulk, I was getting so nervous seeing myself get closer and closer to the front.. so I just closed my eyes and had the people I was with pull me along. I didn't open them until the operator said "How many?" and I had to walk to my seat. Also close your eyes during the lift.. but open them during the tiny little pre-drop, because going down a drop with your eyes closed is scary =D

I am scared to death of rollercoaster drops and loops i am going to six flags over georgia in 3 days i need help with this fear my friends will make fun of me if i don't ride any suggestions

Just think you will be ok on the roller coaster! Honestly, going upside down (if you never have done it before) is really nothing because it goes so fast! Gauge the roller coaster before you go on it as well! There should be some looping roller cossters you can go on that are not as "bad " as the others! Also, just think that you will be alive after it and nothing will happen to you (honesly!) I have gone to theme parks my entire life and I have never seen a roller coaster get stuck upside down! Not saying this would happen, but the chances are pretty low. But the main point is be your own judge and your safety is much more important than your pride!

Good luck, you should have fun!

I heard on a TV show that you're safer riding a roller coaster then using a toothpick. ;D

Hows that for comfort? :D

My wife had an incident on a fairground ride in England about 10 years ago (Before I met her). Because of this she has the biggest fear of going on rides. Living in Orlando and going to Universal most weeks it was very frustrating for me having to go on all the rides on my own. I AM a coaster junkie, the bigger & scarier the better.
We moved to Orlando, from england, just over a year ago but prior to this we spent 2 months here in 2004 and prior to that vacationed here every year....
She did happily go on rides like Jaws and King Kong (Surprisingly!), Earthquake & Twister (OK, so its not a ride) but wouldn't try anything else. Over the past 2 years I managed to persuade her to go on Men in Black, which she now loves, Back to the future (Hates it as much as me) and most recently Spiderman (Took me 4 years of persuasion, she finally went on at the end of Halloween Horror Nights).
I know she'll hate Jurassic Park but really want her to go on it becasue she loves the films and it is such a well themed ride. I'm currently in the process of "pursuading" her to ride Revenge of the mummy. The biggest fear I think she'll have of this is the darkness and the first big drop....
What I've done so far is explained the ride, in detail, from start to finish. I've explained the loading system, the seating plan, the things the staff do (Thumbs up, thumbs down), the motions of the cars and the effects used in the first 2 minutes. I then drew a very basic map of the ride (Showing the forward and backward motion, the lift and drops and then a rough guess at the track path).
She's getting pretty confident now and knows that if she does it once she needs to do it again pretty quickly after, so the adrenalin rush doesn't turn to fear. this worked on water rides at Wet'n'wild (Yep, shes that fearful, Blast and the boat ride above it).
I will let you know when she goes on the mummy and also let you know how she reacted! Shes been on worse as far as I am concerned, but coasters are her biggest fear.

Before anyone says that I should just leave her to not go on any, this is her wish , not mine. I'm jst happy to support her and looking forward to a companion on the rides, and a partner in my love of all things fast...

yea thanks for the advice i am just going to go on and just do it it will be fun

JUST GO ON IT! ONCE U GO ON IT YOULL BE FINE

I rode the georgia scorcher and i pooped in my pants on the first loop because i was so scared
thanks for the advice guys

I used to be the same way. Had a bad experience with the Zipper at the Virginia State Fair when a teen (back 40 years ago!) and was soooo afraid to ride what I called "upside down" roller coasters. Spent many hours sitting around waiting while husband and kids rode them. Was told by friends that the Rebel Yell at PKD was "Much rougher" then the Anaconda. I rode the RY but was afraid of the Anaconda. Decided to just do it. Kept eyes shut in loops. True, you go so fast you don't really know you're upside down. Now I cheerfully ride just about anything but those free fall drop tower type rides due to my extreme panic attacks over such heights.

The other thing is that rides that swing back and forth made me extremely nauseous; however, I got a pair of SeaBand Wrist accupuncture motion sickness preventers that have little knobs on the inside and press on a certain nerve in your wrist. I don't know if these things are a placebo or what, but they work for me. First time I rode that Battering Ram thing at BGW, I nearly hurled. While wearing the SeaBands, I rode the Battering Ram and DaVinci's Cradle after eating pizza and was fine.

Now I find steep drops more scary than loops, but I still like them.

Oh, yeah, now I can keep my eyes open.

Count me in as a coaster-chicken. Every year I go to Orlando with the intent of overcoming the fear. Same again this year. I see the smiles of people on the Hulk and wish I could experience that. Plus I hate making my wife ride alone. I've been watching a ton of POVs, especially of tracks in Orlando. I figure this way I might be less hesitant if I know the track.

I went on my first rollercoaster (kraken) when i was 18 im now 23 and i now love them i didn't have any method of getting rid of my fear i just thought f*** it and i haven't looked back since, i think its a matter of either you manage to overcome it or you don't, i still cant manage Tower of Terror or Doctor Dooms and i don't think i ever will. It is virtually impossible for a coaster to get stuck anywhere other than on the hill lift (and even thats rare) because of gravity (which is what gets the train round the track) as for them being dangerous its more than a 1/3,000,000 chance of anything ever happening to you on a coaster and im pretty sure that steel coasters are more safe than the wooden ones (correct me if im wrong)

I could've sworn a roller coaster actually did get stuck upside before. I'm not positive, but for some reason I think it was in Texas. Does anyone know anything about this?

Well due to all coasters working with the force of gravity surely the only way is some kind of freak accident involving some kind of emergency brake there is no other possible way of this happening unless gravity stops working!!!! there are reports but none of them seem to be confirmed so its probley just a lot of hot air, coaster urban legend if you will!!!

The Incredible Hulk did make an E-brake one time during one of the loops. The brake was released and they went to the next brake system where the riders were lead off of the coaster.

i aint neva scared

Well when most of the coasters at your favorite park dont work half the time, I wouldnt get scared either.

I agree with keeping your eyes open. Here is my trick when riding a new coaster because still today I get nervous on a new coaster. I sit in the middle of the train and I stare at the seat back in front of me. I can't close my eyes that freaks me out.

I did the opposite then what was mentioned above, I picked one of the slowest coasters first which was big bad wolf at 45 mph then I walked it up to Loch Ness near 60 and so on.

that kid erik is just so mad cuz he can't ride any big daddy rides while in Florida, im so glad im not in that state.

Oh it has happened a bunch of times at Six Flags Great America. Its a possibility, but not that common!

Roller coasters do get stuck from time to time, it's uncommon but it does happen. Even more uncommon is one getting stuck upside down, but I've actually seen it happen. This was way back in '95 or '96 but Viper at Darien Lake (before Six Flags bought it) got stuck inverted. Nothing to worry about though because you are perfectly safe.

As for getting over the fear, I have to tell you that I've been where you are. Back in '95, I almost fell out of a wooden coaster (Predator at Darien Lake*). I didn't ride any coaster again until the summer of '04. I was there again with my parents and they weren't happy with me because every time that I would go I would say that I'm going to ride a coaster. Well, this time I strapped myself in on Shockwave at Kings Dominion. Once we got to the top of the hill, I said "F*** it!" and threw my hands up and I've been hooked ever since. Pretty much, you have to accept the fear you will sense as excitment. If you do that, it turns into adrenaline and you get a high. True coasters aren't for everyone, but what you've got to do is pluck up the courage and just ride one big one. Yeah, it's tough to do that, but hopefully it'll pay off big time for you.

Well, my idea would be to start small with small coasters and build from there. Nothing with inversions, but build up the height or speed.

My latest coaster to date is the Mummy at USF. Next time around, I will probably do my first inversion coaster Scorpian at BGA.

It does help to have someone ride with you and comfort you throughout the ride, give reassurance and that sort of thing.

Try a Six Flags park!

They usually have a smaller looping roller coaster that works out well for "beginners"

I used to be terrified of a looping coaster I would ride any woodie around but would never even think about a looper. My first looping coaster was the Anaconda at PKD, I was 14 at the time I am now 24. Now I still to this day love looping coasters. My stepdad basically made me ride Anaconda, when we were getting secured in the restraints I was so nervous that when I held on to the grip bars, my hands were so slimy I couldnt hardley hold on!!

Heyyy now be nice! Some people just may not have had the chance to ride. I didn't get to ride til I went on a band competition trip to SFOM in 12th grade & I rode my first looper at age 24 btw, I just never got the chance to so I've been playing catch-up ever since, I'm 34 now & still haven't been to very many parks. My first looper was Flashback at SFOT but it gave me whiplash & I guess that was partly coz I had my eyes closed. If she's ridden woodies & just wants to advance, avoid boomerangs or inverted to start as some tend to make people dizzy, nauseous or as in the case of boomerangs, get whiplash. I'm just now getting comfortable keeping my eyes open or looking around while riding but most of the time you REALLY don't know you're in a loop coz you can't really tell, it's just an illusion. If there's a standup coaster where you'll be going, I'd seriously suggest her starting w/those. To me they are the least scary, in fact I really don't think they're scary at all since I can see all around me & feel more comfortable. I'd avoid any floorless, hyper/gigas, inverts to start out. I'd start out real light like for instance if you goto Busch Gardens Europe, start w/Loch Ness or Big Bad Wolf, that type of 'light'. She may not do well on inverts or feel comfortable. If she gets on a Swartzkopf, she may not ride again. (Swartzkopf is Silver Bullet:SF Frontier City, Revolution: SFMM, Mindbender:SFOG, Shockwave:SFOT, most shuttle-loop coasters like Tidal Wave, etc.) I personally HATE Swartzkopf coasters & won't ride them (except for Revolution of course for nastalgic reasons). They're rough, jerky, & the G force is so strong I always get whiplash coz I can't forcebly hold my head back the entire time but a lot of people like that in a coaster, I personally don't. So depending on where you're going, just use common sense. If I've ridden it before & if I think my hubby can handle it, I ride again w/him on board. You may can try that, ride it first then tell her what you experienced & let her decide. But unless I've ridden it before, I agree w/the previous poster saying that I usually start out in the back seat, second or third car back. If it's a 4-across, sit in the middle, that way she's next to someone or another seat on both sides, it's less nerve-wracking to me & just look straight ahead or at the track. Sometimes I close my eyes which is what I did for the LONGEST time. Loch Ness was I think the first sit down one I opened my eyes on. It's a great coaster, simple & not very long. A great one to start out on. My husband's first looper was Silver Bullet at SF Frontier City. It'd help if we knew where you were headed & we could make suggestions for you a bit better. I hope this helps, good luck & have fun!

umm MF is so special, cmon CF build gigas at all the Paramount parks....

Danny originater of this post, my hubby said try Dramamine (he doesn't do well on coasters much although he DOES try his best.) ;)

For the life of me I can't find any pics of a coaster stuck upside down right now. I know that they're out there, but it eludes me right now.

I can still prove that that can still possibly happen buy giving you the link to the opposite, getting stuck at the crest of the hill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nekzzvIicVA

Please enjoy. There are no brakes at the top of that hill. Somehow the launch speed was just right and that train was perfectly balanced. If you don't feel like watching the video, Cedar Point sent a mechanic to the top to give them a shove.

That odds of a coaster ever getting stuck upside down or at the crest of a hill as extremely low so you don't need to worry about it.

I know I've seen coasters stuck upside down before as well but it was years ago & can't remember which coaster it was but I know the problem was with a wheel or wheel mounting or something like that coming loose. But I really haven't heard of such since then & it was several several years ago.

only one incident that i have ever seen/heard of and it was a coaster in europe, no incidents in the usa as far as i know.....
saw the coaster on the travel channel, boy do i love that channel lol

Some roller coasters at Six Flags Great American in Illinois got stuck upside down!

Still pretty rare!

Love the Travel Channel too!

Anyway, with everything that's been said here, here's the major points.

The odds of one ever getting stuck upside down while you are on it are next to none. Yes it can happen, but you don't need to worry about it.

Are they dangerous? Yes, roller coasters are dangerous. Every time you ride one you are taking a risk. The chances of getting hurt or even killed though are, again, next to none. As long as you know what your limits are, you should be fine.

The two ways that seem to be most common, and either of which I'd recommend are as follows:
1. Just do it! Strap yourself in and do it once. You'll either like it or you won't.
2. Build up until you reach your limit. This way can be good for some people, while for others it just might make it tougher for when you do get to that 'big' one.

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