For young riders, amusement parks often have kid-oriented coasters that give you thrill but are designed especially with kids in mind. Even if riding the child coasters isn’t an option, most parks have a range of coaster sizes so you can find one that fits you.
If the track has multiple big drops, loops, corkscrews, or other features that scare you, maybe pass on that particular coaster for now. Try to find one that seems like the right intensity for you. If you are with friends, ask if they have ridden specific coasters and can tell you about them. You can also ask people coming off of the ride what the experience was like for them.
If you aren’t comfortable in the test seat, you will most likely not be comfortable once the ride is fully in motion.
Sitting in the front gives you a view of exactly where you are headed, which may seem comforting in theory but can actually be scary for first time riders. The back of the train experiences the highest speed going down hills and tends to have the roughest ride around curves. [3] X Research source
You can also purposefully take some slow breaths to calm your heart down if it is still racing from the ride. Another way to calm down is to talk to a friend about what the experience was like.
One thing to pay attention to is what type of seat the coaster has. Are your feet dangling? Are you standing up in the harness? You can tell a lot by the track and seats of the coaster. If you can tell for sure it goes upside down, goes super fast or you can see huge drops, consider whether you are ready for these aspects. Most mid-size to large parks have steel coasters that are more moderate and may be fast and high but don’t go upside down.
Take the step of letting go and raise those hands up for the whole ride, as long as this is an option. If you have ever kept your eyes closed before, try keeping them open and seeing all the different views along the way. You may have noticed people tend to scream on roller coasters. This can be a fun way to release any lingering fear you may have during the ride.
Sit in the very front and see things before everyone else. Sit in the very back for a faster and rougher ride. Some coasters may have forward and backward facing seats, so pick a direction you haven’t faced before.
If you have never ridden a standing coaster, find a park that has one and go ride it. Never ridden one where you are hanging from the seat and facing the ground? You’ll feel just like you are flying. How about riding one that launches you at top speed or one that faces backwards?
Far more people are affected by car accidents than by roller coasters, but people are rarely afraid of riding in cars. You could plan which coasters to ride before you go to the amusement park and you could specifically research those coasters to find out the safety features and what their track record is like. Park websites should include safety information.
The main benefit of learning about coasters is that once you know some of the physical aspects, it won’t be as mysterious to you.
Visit the website of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) at www. iaapa. org for lots more information on safety features, regulations, and advancements.
