Wooden roller coasters are the oldest and most classic coasters. Usually operated on chain-lifts, they’ll go very fast, but never go upside down or in complicated loops, for the most part. Steel-track roller coasters are much more complex, featuring lots of twists and turns, often upside down. But some steel coasters are good because they will have more turns and not as many drops. They will also be less rickety and smoother than wooden ones. There are some small steel coasters which are great for first time as wooden coasters are very bumpy. If you’re scared of the big drops, look for a roller coaster with a curved drop instead of a straight drop, so you’ll get a gradual ride and won’t feel as if you’re plunging. You can also choose a launched ride, which accelerates you at high speeds instead of dropping you off of a large hill, though these are just as intense in some cases. It may seem silly, but most kid rides allow anyone to ride, and can be a great start. Try not to find out specific things like how tall the coaster is, how fast it goes, and other specific “scary” numbers. It is a good idea, though, to check out the twists and turns so you can brace your body and know what to expect from the ride and avoid rides that do stuff you’re intimidated by. Find these things out after you ride so you can tell others and be proud of yourself.
Talk to family and friends, as well as park employees at the gate who enjoy roller coasters. Ask them what rides at the park are the smoothest or the tamest, and which ones to avoid. Another good idea is to ask people what their first roller coaster experience was. You can get a good idea of what to avoid on your first ride. Read online about the good coasters at the park you’re going to visit. Try to watch YouTube videos on anything you think you may go on to see if they seem tame enough for you.
Some injuries are reported each year from riding a roller coaster, but the vast majority of those injuries are the result of rider error and rule-breaking. If you listen to instructions and stay seated, you’ll be fine. Statistically-speaking, you’ve run a greater risk of injury by driving to the theme park than riding the roller coaster. [2] X Research source The chance of fatal injury on a roller coaster is 1 in 1. 5 billion.
The people in your environment can have a lot of influence on you. So be with supportive people. [3] X Research source Don’t go with people who will push you to do things you don’t want to do. When you find your limit, don’t ride anything bigger unless you are ready to push your limits. It doesn’t matter what everyone thinks of you if you’ve found your comfort zone and want to stay in it. Don’t let anybody try to push you around or pressure you into riding rides you aren’t comfortable with yet.
Ride some other exciting rides first to get your adrenaline up and to get used to the sensations. While roller coasters might seem like a big deal, they’re not usually much more scary than other types of rides. If you can handle the Scrambler, you’ve got a roller coaster on lockdown.
When you’re waiting in line, focus on looking at all the people getting off the ride at the end, not on the scary drops and loops. They all look, probably, like they had a blast, and they all came out just fine. So will you.
Alternatively, you might want to sit in the front so you can see, if it makes you feel better. Not knowing what’s coming is scarier for some people. Don’t sit in the back-most seats, which exert stronger g-forces during the sharp turns and the drops. The ride feels more intense when you’re sitting near the back of the cars.
When you sit in your seat, make sure it feels comfortable and that the safety harness comes down across your lap snugly. If you can’t reach it, or if the harness is especially complicated, wait for the park helper’s instructions. If you lock it in yourself, they’ll still come around and check to make sure everything is solid. When you’ve got your harness on, sit back and relax. Stow any glasses, or loose jewelry that you might have on in your pockets, and take some deep breaths. You’ll be fine!
This is especially helpful if you’re going on a loop. Look straight ahead and focus on the track and you’ll only feel a slight feeling of weightlessness that should actually be pretty pleasant and should pass in a moment or two. Resist the urge to close your eyes. Inexperienced riders often think that closing your eyes will help make it less scary and that you’ll feel better, but closing your eyes will lead to feelings of disorientation and can make you feel nauseated. Focus on something stationary and don’t close your eyes.
To help you focus, count your breaths as you take them. Breathe in deeply for a count for four, then tense your muscles for a count of three, then blow your breath out for a count of four. Continue cycling in this way to calm your nerves.
On a roller coaster, adrenaline will be released in large amounts, triggering your fight or flight impulses. Your blood pressure will rise, you’ll sweat some, and your breathing will quicken. Your vision should also sharpen and you’ll be ready for action. You can alleviate this slightly by tensing your muscles, communicating to your body that it can chill out a little.
Alternatively, some rides with a story-line can help to distract you. If you get caught up in it, just stay focused on the fun of the story and stop worrying about the ride being scary.
Get pumped up and be a beast. Pretend that you’re an unleashed Kraken or some kind of dragon on the high rides. If you have the feeling of power, you will feel less tension and your mind will think of something else. Some riders like to have a mantra, or a little bit of a song that they use to chant during the ride. Keep the melody to “Reflection (Mulan, 1998)” or “Poker Face (Lady Gaga)” in mind and just focus on the words instead of how you’re feeling. Or just recite something simple, like, “I’m gonna be fine, I’m gonna be fine. " There are different degrees of fear. Recognize whether it is an imaginary or an actual fear where something needs to be done immediately at the moment. [5] X Research source Try to have a deep inner trust that you know better than the fear.
A roller coaster’s track is typically inspected each day before the ride is run for the first time, and will be closed down if a problem is detected. [6] X Research source If a ride has been closed frequently over the past couple of weeks, it might be best to avoid it. The chances of an undetected problem are slight, but it might make you feel better to skip the ride.
