View Full Version : Single loop rollercoaster?
rainyday
06-07-2004, 00:07
My 12 year-old is nervous about going on looping rollercoasters (we've queued lots of times for Collossus/Nemesis at Thorpe Park and chickened out at the last minute). He assures me that once he has done one loop, he'll be fine but he wants to start with a 'tame' rollercoaster with only one loop. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Scorpion at Busch Gardens is the only single loop coaster I can think of. It is very short and tight, so doesn't make for a smooth ride.
Are you thinking Florida or the UK?
In Florida there are a couple of 'tamer' coasters at Busch Gardens (along with a few wild ones too). There is a coaster called The Scorpion that has just one loop. Almost next to it is The Python which has 2 (like the Corkscrew at Alton Towers) so if you are OK with the one you can try the two loops.
In the UK you could have a day up at Alton Towers. The Corkscrew there has 2 loops but is reasonably tame. The drop is worse than the loops and the tow up is worse than the drops ... typical of most coasters I think. There is a Nemises (dangling) ride at Alton Towers too. If you are OK with that then the Oblivion ride (vertical drop) is about as bad as it gets. If you survive Oblivion you are more than set for the best that Orlando will throw at you.
Good luck ...
Or if he's not bothered about riding in the dark, go for space mountain.
rainyday
06-07-2004, 00:43
Thanks for these - and sorry for not being clearer, I'm talking about Florida. We'll try to do Busch Gardens early on and get him on the Scorpion. Thanks.
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
06-07-2004, 00:44
But that does not have any loops - or at least it's never when I have been on it [msnwink]<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by wilfy
Or if he's not bothered about riding in the dark, go for space mountain.
[/quote]
Here's the loop:D
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/lakul/200475204849_Scorpion.jpg
huckleberry house
06-07-2004, 01:01
What about the rock`n roller coaster at MGM ? Cant remember how many loops but it is relatively tame and is all in the dark so the anticipation or fear that comes from seeing the ride doesnt happen. Could be a good one for him to try to see that they arent so bad as he imagines, you might even get away with telling a few porkies about the ride and say it doesnt go upside down, it will be too late when he finds out and it is a very fun ride.I cant stop laughing long after I come off it.
Lesley
E. Cosgrove
06-07-2004, 01:37
I think the idea of riding in the dark is the best. Space Mountain in Florida doesn't have any loops ( unless they've upgraded it since I was last there)but A good idea to get used to riding in the dark on.
Rock and Roll rollercoaster could then be the next step.
Liz
Nostromo
06-07-2004, 01:41
For those who are really scared about going on rollercoasters, there are some 'tame' ones in Orlando.
1. Goofy's Barnstormer in Magic Kingdom
2. Primeval Whirl at Animal Kingdom
3. Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster in Universal Studios
4. The Flying Unicorn at Islands of Adventure
5. Scorpion at Busch Gardens
6. Wave Swinger in Old Town
These can be used to 'introduce' your son to the thrills of rollercoasters and once he gets 'into' them, he'll be heading for the front row of the Kraken before you know it! :)
Another point in favour of Rock 'N' Roller coaster would be the way it is launched at the start. Most coasters have that big winch up with the ratchets going clack clack clackettty clack which is the worst part of the ride (for me!). Once you go over the top your body's adreneline kicks in and you just love the experience. R'N'R doesn't have that when it just accelerates you on the flat straight into the dark. There is also the pre-show part of the ride (in the studio) that takes your mind off things and the loading area moves pretty quick so there isn't a lot of time for your brain to contemplate what's about to happen.
I completely agree with what Lesley said earlier and always come away laughing. It's a great ride!
You can fastPass it too in order to avoid a potentially long wait at peak times (and thus leave less time for your head to worry about what is going to happen).
i know how your son feels once he has made one big ride there is no stopping him the fear will be over.
It is not the loop on the ride which is terrifying it is always the initial big drop which gives you the speed to acheive the loop.
I agree, even my timid 8 year old was persuaded to go on Rock 'N' Roller Coaster by telling her that it did not go upside down (as I had a senior moment and forgot) and she coped with it well:)
ncmurray
06-07-2004, 12:10
I also agree that rock'n'roller coaster may be the one to go for, for two reasons, 1) it is enclosed so he doesn't have time to watch it and chicken out (nemesis being a case in point), and 2) it is over before you know it.
The point about the fast start is a good one. You could also assure him that if he has his eyes closed he would never know when he is going around a loop, as it all seems the same.
good luck
Nuala
caroline
06-07-2004, 13:12
Definitely Rock N Roller coaster, for all the previously mentioned reasons but also you sit in a car (no dangly legs!) and the restraint comes down over your shoulders (unlike Space mountain which clamps you between the knees onto your lap) so it "feels" really secure - can you tell I'm a bit of a wuss[:I]
Big Keith
06-07-2004, 16:15
it's a different approach to those given above, but I had never been on a rollercoaster before going to Florida a couple of years ago. I thought about "building up to a big one" but in the end just swallowed hard and went on Kraken as my first ever ride. I loved it and never looked back.
Good luck and have a good time.
Cruella DeVilla
07-07-2004, 16:44
Tie him up and take him on the hulk or duelling dragons at IOA, you will have him running back for more!![}:)]
All this talk of the coasters is making me ill:( I am afraid I am that person who always chickens out at the gate[msnembarrased]
rainyday
07-07-2004, 17:09
Thanks everybody for your suggestions - the tying-up option, though a bit cruel, would probably work best as I know once he starts, we won't be able to stop him - probably not allowed though! I loved the rock n roller coaster in Paris so I may try to tempt him onto that in Florida - Fastpass and not being able to see it will help - I can lie and say there's only one loop. It's particularly important to get him on them soon as his sister is almost tall enough to go on the big rides and she'll give him a hard time if he chickens out.
One last question - is Kraken pronounced crack or crake at the start. Thanks.
jolliffee
07-07-2004, 18:05
The IOA Hulk is fantastic but if I tell you some of the Y’s it would spoil it. Trust me it is good.:D
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/jolliffee/20047714523_ForumSizeHulk.JPG
Just tell him the MGM Rokin roller coaster has one loop. once he has got off tell him YOU LIED!!!!!!!![}:)]
But he will have got over his fear....
DOM
I can sympathise with the problem of timid children! Or at least those who THINK they're timid. Last year my youngest niece was 6 when we went & wanted to go on "big rides". As soon as she was strapped in she cried (& we are only talking about the runaway train type of ride here!). Everyone around thought we were so cruel, but then as soon as shes done the first drop she laughs histerically!! But she's already worried about what she will have to go on this year - Kids!! :D
Cruella DeVilla
07-07-2004, 19:40
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by jolliffee
The IOA Hulk is fantastic but if I tell you some of the Y’s it would spoil it. Trust me it is good.:D
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/jolliffee/20047714523_ForumSizeHulk.JPG
[/quote]
I loved the first surprise.
GAWD! WHAT A SHOCK!!!
Cruella DeVilla
07-07-2004, 19:42
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by rainyday
Thanks everybody for your suggestions - the tying-up option, though a bit cruel, would probably work best as I know once he starts, we won't be able to stop him - probably not allowed though! I loved the rock n roller coaster in Paris so I may try to tempt him onto that in Florida - Fastpass and not being able to see it will help - I can lie and say there's only one loop. It's particularly important to get him on them soon as his sister is almost tall enough to go on the big rides and she'll give him a hard time if he chickens out.
One last question - is Kraken pronounced crack or crake at the start. Thanks.
[/quote]
Pronounced crack.
Cruel well that's the name!!!![}:)]
I do the rollercoasters at the end of the day as I get a bit headachey afterwards! Something to do with G Force[B)]