Overcoming Fear of Rollercoasters

[Hannahinwonderland]

Hi everyone,
I have been on several family trips to Disney and a couple trips with my friends, and each time, I have been way too terrified to ride any of the "scary" rides- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is above my limit. On my last trip, I was even too scared to get on the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train! I was able to ride Splash Mountain my past three trips, but each time, I spend hours beforehand riddled with anxiety beforehand. Next week, I am moving into the Disney College Program (so excited) and will be spending months in Orlando! I really don't want to be crippled by these fears when so many of my friends will be riding together and making memories; I don't think I'll ever become a big coaster person, but right now I can't even get myself to ride Space Mountain once to experience it!

Does anyone have any tips, or any stories of how they overcome fear of rollercoasters? This fear is kind of debilitating to me as a lover of adventure travel. While I turned down ziplining last year, I did go an an extremely ricketedy cable car, parasail, and climb a high mountain; so kiddie coasters are in my potential domain if I can ever get over the fear. Any advice?

 

[buzzrelly]

You kind of just have to suck it up and do it. I'm not a huge roller coaster fan but I have now officially ridden every ride in WDW. Just this past April I finally rode EE and ended up riding 5-6 times! Before I went, I watched a lot of You Tube videos so I knew what to expect. I also knew it didn't go upside down which I am not a fan of doing. And when the big drop was coming, I just closed my eyes and it was over before I knew it. And you know what? It was fun and I am glad I did it. I will probably go on it each trip now.

I also have done RnRC but the take off scares the pants off of me. My strategy? Again…I close my eyes. Yup…on this ride I kept them closed the whole time and it was over before I knew it.

I know you weren't asking for these two rides specifically, but I think you can use the same strategy. Plus, you can reason with yourself and think of how many people have gone on these rides and not gotten hurt. Plus, tell yourself that you only live once and riding is WAY more fun than not riding!

Good luck!

 

[ZoaKrystyn]

If it makes you feel better, I still get nervous before going on Splash, but have zero problems with Space, Thunder, or 7 Dwarfs. Splash has a build up to the drop that makes it difficult, as does Everest. If you've done Splash you should be able to ride everything at MK with out issue. I also second the recommendation to watch ride videos. Some might say it take takes away the magic, but if you are nervous it takes away the nerves about if there is going to be an unexpected drop. I don't have advice about Everest besides that you should work your way up by doing the others first and then do it!

 

[Kathryn777]

I think spash is the scariest of the MK rides, if it helps. I love it but I get anxious heading into the big drop

 

[Karin1984]

The only 'practice' I can think of is going to Epcot's Sum of All Thrills. You can design your own coaster and can increase the intensity. As it's a controlled environment, in a way, it might work as preparation

 

[Tomh]

Hi everyone,
I have been on several family trips to Disney and a couple trips with my friends, and each time, I have been way too terrified to ride any of the "scary" rides- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is above my limit. On my last trip, I was even too scared to get on the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train! I was able to ride Splash Mountain my past three trips, but each time, I spend hours beforehand riddled with anxiety beforehand. Next week, I am moving into the Disney College Program (so excited) and will be spending months in Orlando! I really don't want to be crippled by these fears when so many of my friends will be riding together and making memories; I don't think I'll ever become a big coaster person, but right now I can't even get myself to ride Space Mountain once to experience it!

Does anyone have any tips, or any stories of how they overcome fear of rollercoasters? This fear is kind of debilitating to me as a lover of adventure travel. While I turned down ziplining last year, I did go an an extremely ricketedy cable car, parasail, and climb a high mountain; so kiddie coasters are in my potential domain if I can ever get over the fear. Any advice?

Hang in there, don't be too tough on yourself. You sound relatively young. When I was a teenager, I wouldn't get on anything that even remotely looked like a roller coaster, or thrill ride. No Big Thunder, No Splash Mountain, No Space Mountain (still haven't done that one). To be honest, I wasn't even thrilled about Pirates of the Caribbean (the drop is not my favorite part of that ride to this day).

When I was in my early 20's, I went to a small theme park in upstate NY with my then girlfriend. She wanted to go on a ride there called the Steamin' Demon, which is a small Arrow branded coaster with a single lift hill, then a drop into a single loop, banked 180 turn, followed by two barrel rolls, and then just a couple of more little turns to get back to the station. She actually rode it twice with one of her friends, and my best friend at the time before he kicked me in my backside and convinced me to get over the fear and go ride with her. I was scared to death, legs literally trembling as we walked to the coaster, but . .. . aside from the drop, I loved the ride.

Next big jump for me was doing a rotor with another best friend of mine, then many years later, my DD convinced me to go on the Tilt a Whirl with her. Nearly made me sick, but I did it, and then did it again, and another time. I think 5 times in all that day.

As I have gotten older, my ability to push the fears and anxiety back, and go on the rides has gotten MUCH better.

Start small. Seven Dwarfs is a pretty mild coaster, not terribly fast, no inversions, and very smooth riding. I would say that is a pretty good place to start. Heck, if you made it through Splash Mountain (to this day that ride scares the bejeesus out of me, and DS LOVES it, drags me on it every trip) 3 different times, you can do Seven Dwarfs. No big drops, it should be a piece of cake for you.

Big Thunder is a bit faster than seven dwarfs, the drops are a bit more pronounced, and the ride is a bit rougher, but it isn't a whole lot more intense, and in my book, it still has NOTHING on Splash Mountain, which, in case I forgot to mention, scares the snot outta me.

Take them one at a time. Pick a good friend, and tell them to drag you on at least one of them. Worked well for me

 

[jerseygal]

Hi everyone,
I have been on several family trips to Disney and a couple trips with my friends, and each time, I have been way too terrified to ride any of the "scary" rides- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is above my limit. On my last trip, I was even too scared to get on the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train! I was able to ride Splash Mountain my past three trips, but each time, I spend hours beforehand riddled with anxiety beforehand. Next week, I am moving into the Disney College Program (so excited) and will be spending months in Orlando! I really don't want to be crippled by these fears when so many of my friends will be riding together and making memories; I don't think I'll ever become a big coaster person, but right now I can't even get myself to ride Space Mountain once to experience it!

Does anyone have any tips, or any stories of how they overcome fear of rollercoasters? This fear is kind of debilitating to me as a lover of adventure travel. While I turned down ziplining last year, I did go an an extremely ricketedy cable car, parasail, and climb a high mountain; so kiddie coasters are in my potential domain if I can ever get over the fear. Any advice?

I'm the "BAG HOLDER" for DH and 2 sons when it comes to roller coasters, lol! Looking forward though to trying 7DMT! BEST OF LUCK in the DCP! ENJOY!

 

[IrishNYC]

I had to get over my fear of roller coasters because I gave birth to a kid that is obsessed with them. She asked to ride EE four times last week before I finally said I couldn't anymore. Same with all the others. She's 5. I was scared, but I did it for her and it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

 

[fla4fun]

Plus, you can reason with yourself and think of how many people have gone on these rides and not gotten hurt.

Every time I ride Space Mountain I get bruised somewhere, because being in the dark I can't prepare for drops and turns. After the third time, I said no more.

I am not really into thrill rides though. Wasn't as a kid, or a teen, and I'm not now. I can do Test Track and BTMRR, but that's about it. I would suggest trying a ride once if you know there isn't something particular you object to (for example, I won't go upside down, and won't try any ride that goes upside down) so you will know for sure. I know you'll be a nervous wreck the first time (and the suggestion to watch videos will be a help), but until you ride something you don't really know whether it has the elements you don't like. For me, it's huge drops and upside down that are the worst issues, but for some it's airtime, or the sharp turns.

 

[fantasia94]

Disney is actually responsible for my love of roller coasters! I used to be terrified until a wonderful cast member at the entrance to Splash Mountain, seeing my panic, told me that Disney's rides are among the safest in the world (they absolutely are). Now I love the adrenaline rush! Just remember that people ride these roller coasters day in day out, they rarely break down, and Disney have put them there for you to have fun

Personally I'd start with 7DMT, and then look at perhaps doing Everest/Rock 'n Roller Coaster - they're fast but very smooth. I dislike Space Mountain because of the joltiness but because it's pitch black it may work better for you to not worry about what's coming next?

Congratulations on the DCP by the way - I'm an ICP coming over for the summer too exciting!

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think the best way is just to do it, and as much as possible, so you become desensitized. Another trick is to count while you are on it if you are scared...gives your mind something to focus on.

 

[nilla]

What is your fear, specifically? Getting sick? Falling out of the ride?

If it's the latter, take a rational look at statistics.

This probably won't work for most people, but I try to think, "if I do fly out, wouldn't that be an amazing way to go?"

 

[Lavitz]

Maybe look at how many minutes each ride takes, so you know if you don't like it at least it ends soon. They are all very quick rides.

Also I'd suggest not doing Space until you're comfortable with something like BTMR. Space would be harder for you since it's in complete darkness so you can't prepare yourself for turns.

Also take a look at Youtube videos of the rides. That might help you get comfortable with exactly what the rides looks like and what to expect.

 

[jguynn]

I also have a fear of rollercoasters. You are not alone! My husband LOVES them. My oldest daughter is a lot like me. Last trip we skipped all of the coasters and SM. We are going back in Oct. and we as a family are planning on more of the rollercoasters. I probably still won't do Everest, or SM. My daughter and I have watched a few of the U Tube videos and found that it put us more at ease. People who have no fear of rides really don't understand the stress we go thru with rides. I feel your pain. Try watching some of the U Tube videos and then start off with the smaller rollercoasters and work your way up. Best of luck!

 

[BigHeroKen]

Disney World is the best place to get over your fear of roller coasters and this is how I recommend you do it, based on how we handled my son and wife's fear (they both love them now). First, you should start small, ride the Barnstormer, it will give you an idea of the way roller coasters move and the forces involved. If you are OK with that roller coaster, I would suggest the Seven Dwarves mine train next, then moving your way up the list to Thunder Mountain Railroad, then Space Mountain, Primeval Whirl, Expedition Everest, then finally Rocking Roller Coaster.

If you can handle the drop on Splash Mountain, the roller coasters aren't that much different.

Once you are comfortable riding those coasters, you might be ready to try a coaster like the Hulk or the Dragon Challenge.

 

[Random Ninja]

What helped me get through Space Mountain without a panic attack was a guy in our meet-up who started singing "It's a Small World" at the top of his lungs as we started the ride. It was the most random thing that we all started laughing and singing along. I'm not scared of Space Mountain anymore but I still sing every time I ride it. Is anything really scarier then getting stuck on IASW?

 

[BarbieGal457]

I totally know where you're coming from! I am very afraid of roller coasters, but I have braved everything in Disney but EE (doing it this trip). I also have bad anxiety in general, so it just makes it worse. What I did to overcome a lot of my fear was to watch ride videos on YouTube, over and over if I had to to prepare myself. For instance, I keep watching videos of EE over & over. I like to find ones with night vision too so you can see the dark parts better. I always think of how many millions of people have ridden them, especially in Disney, and haven't been really hurt at all. Yes, I have totally walked away from Space Mountain with the occasional banged up knee, but it really was nothing serious!

I agree that you just have to hype yourself up and force yourself on. Whenever I need to conquer one, I try to do FP and as early as possible. I am afraid really of the drops, so after chickening out my whole life on Splash (not a coaster but a huge drop obviously), I made a FP and did not stop walking until I was seated and then I had no chance to turn back! If you get on one and REALLY hate it, try to steady your breathing and remember it will be over in a minute or so - most Disney coasters aren't long at all! It's funny too - Rock and Roller Coaster is my FAVORITE Disney ride ever, and I'm afraid of coasters! Once I did it, I became obsessed! So you may find you like something more than you thought. The nice part is, if you hate it, you at least tried it to know you hate it and know you never need to do it again!

Remember though, if you get to the front and walk away, that's okay too! You're not a "chicken" at all and don't beat yourself up. It takes a lot to overcome a fear and pressuring yourself, then beating yourself up, won't help. I waited in line for 4+ hours for Everest right after it opened and I still walked away! Take your time, breathe, watch some videos, and remember you don't NEED to push yourself if the time doesn't feel right.

 

[BarbieGal457]

What helped me get through Space Mountain without a panic attack was a guy in our meet-up who started singing "It's a Small World" at the top of his lungs as we started the ride. It was the most random thing that we all started laughing and singing along. I'm not scared of Space Mountain anymore but I still sing every time I ride it. Is anything really scarier then getting stuck on IASW?

Off-topic but was stuck on IASW for over an hour once, and they wouldn't shut the music off. Can confirm, scariest possible experience in Disney.

 

[BigHeroKen]

Rock and Roller Coaster is my FAVORITE Disney ride ever, and I'm afraid of coasters! Once I did it, I became obsessed! So you may find you like something more than you thought. The nice part is, if you hate it, you at least tried it to know you hate it and know you never need to do it again!

If you can do Rock n Roller coaster, Expedition Everest will be an easy ride, other than that one drop at end, it is pretty much a standard Disney Roller coaster and that drop isn't any worse than Splash Mountain, IMHO.

As a side note and a coaster lover, if any of you haven't tried the Hulk coaster, you must do so the next time you are at IoA. Launch coasters are great at helping you get over your fear as you sit in your seat waiting.

 

[MrsHull]

I used to have an intense fear of all coasters (imagine a teen bawling outside of Space Mountain because she irrationally thought her mother was going to die on the ride). Now, I just fear all non-Disney coasters. Lol

They aren't that bad once you force yourself to go on them. In fact, you might have fun. But, it took me 5 trips and 20 years to work my way up to Space. Next trip-- RNR!