In what order have you tried CP's roller coasters?

So my son started with jr. gemini, graduated to woodstock express and then rode Iron Dragon & Mine Ride all last year. This year he ventured to Gemini and enjoyed it. What would the next logical step be in terms of roller coasters, and why?

Thanks!!

Corkscrew would be the next logical step to introduce him to inversions. From there, I would go to Gatekeeper, then Maverick, then MF.

I agree, Corkscrew should be next.

^I would try Mean Streak or Magnum before MF if he liked Gemini, but those two could both be rough rides, depending on what day you go.

MagnumForce14 said:
^I would try Mean Streak or Magnum before MF if he liked Gemini, but those two could both be rough rides, depending on what day you go.

He is afraid of going upside down (skyhawk freaked him out) but there is a ride at Canada's Wonderland that is pretty small and goes upside down and we might try that. I haven't been on Magnum in awhile, has it gotten rough? That's why we stayed away from the Blue Streak. He went on some mean rough historic wooden coasters at Kings Island and Dominion and didn't enjoy them.

Love all the feedback, thanks!!

I'm going to be honest, I didn't know I liked roller coaster this much until recently. I am 15 right now. My first coaster was Blue Streak in 2010, followed be Iron Dragon the same day. In 2012 I rode Mean Streak, Mine Ride, Gemini, and Corkscrew for the first time. In 2013, I rode GateKeeper. This year I grew up a little bit, and i'm not scared anymore, I rode wicked twister, Magnum, and just 4 days ago I rode Millennium Force for the first time, and I loved it!

My son only rode Iron Dragon until this year. He actually rode Gemini before Blue Streak. After he rode BS something woke up in him... Mine Ride was next. He was scared of going upside down so corkscrew was out, after much talking he decided to try Magnum next, then Mean Streak. He rode MF for the first time a few weeks ago. He loves Magnum and MF and says they are his favorite rides now.

Magnum can be rough at times but when he first rode it I made sure to be in the front third of the train. He ended up loving the ride and rode it several times in a row. Of course everyone is different but if your son doesn't want to go upside down talk to him about Magnum. I think we had at least 2 or 3 visits from the time he started talking about riding Magnum until he actually went through with it.

Honestly, I'd take him on Millenium Force next. I don't know one person, of any age, that has been on MF and didn't like it.

It is super smooth, and although the first drop is intimidating, it isn't as bad as it looks.

My best friend and my sister were terrified of riding any big roller coasters. I forced both of them to go on MF and they both loved it.

Magnum is still pretty rough. It is one of my favorite coasters, but everyone I have taken on it doesn't really care for it. lol.

Blue streak is fun and seems like a smaller coaster, but it has A LOT of air time. So if he likes that feeling where he is floating out of his seat, then he will like Blue Streak.

As for roller coasters that go upside down, I'd take him on Gatekeeper. It is also very smooth.

I used to be terrified of going upside down, and was forced by friends to ride Raptor. I loved it after that. I couldn't even tell that I was upside down.

Raptor can be on the rough side though, so Gatekeeper would be the best bet..since it is soo smooth.

I hope you guys have fun. :)

^You know, I, too would get him on Millennium Force. This will probably build his courage so when he gets off (and he will probably love it) he will want to ride everything else smaller than it. It is super smooth and does not go upside-down. He'll be scared at first, but just talk to him about it and try to keep him cool. You really cannot find a person who dislikes the MF!

Thank y'all for giving Corkscrew the love it deserves btw :)

While I agree that MF is a great choice for the next ride my son didnt want to go on it. I never tried to push or force him to ride anything. Each time we talked about MF he said he'd ride it, until he got there and was really intimidated by the height. Now, he laughs about being afraid of it...

My wife still will have nothing to do with MF... So every person is different, I would be willing to bet if you can talk your son into going on it, he'd love it. I have not witnessed many people who did not like the ride while exiting the train after it was over.

shamrockcb said:

He is afraid of going upside down (skyhawk freaked him out)

Skyhawk scares the crap out of me, especially when you're on the side when you look down at the pavement below you. Skyhawk scares me more than TTD. I wouldn't use Skyhawk to gauge fear of coasters.

If I was in your position, here is what I'd suggest.

Have him try Blue Streak next, and be sure to sit in the middle of a car. Each train has 3 rows so sit in the middle row. It isn't over a middle row and will have a MUCH smoother ride experience.

If he likes the airtime of BS, I'd recommend Magnum next. Tell your son it will feel a lot like Blue Streak except taller, faster, and longer. Again, sit in a middle row of a car. I have had many smooth rides on Magnum in a middle row rather a wheel row, where I have had very rough rides.

Next I would keep the momentum going and see if he's ready to go on Millennium. Explain that it's taller and faster than Magnum but is more smooth and graceful. Rather than lots of airtime, tell him that this coaster is more about speed and soaring through turns and over a few hills.

From here I would move on to Mean Streak. The reason I included it further down the list is due to its roughness. It would be best for him to get a better impression riding smoother, more fun coasters rather than jumping to one that could be a little unpleasant. Just be sure to ride in the front and to tell him to keep his head and shoulders forward (don't lean back against the seat).

Now that he has completed some of the "biggies," I'd recommend going to Corkscrew next. Hopefully by now, he has realized he enjoys coasters so he will feel confident enough to try one that goes upside down. I'd recommend sitting in the front row.

If he liked going upside down, try out GateKeeper next. It is very smooth and graceful and isn't too intense. It's the type of ride that is just fun and reridable.

Next would be Wicked Twister. This will introduce him to a launching coaster and he should enjoy it if he liked the aspect of GateKeeper that his feet dangled. (I'm still saving Raptor for later.) He will get a taste of what launching is like, so hopefully he will like it.

Following this I would go to Maverick. It has airtime, inversions, and launches, all of which your son (hopefully)already experienced and accomplished. This combines many elements he would have up to this point already experienced into one high paces ride. Previously, he could try rides that mainly had one of these elements. Now it would be time to have him ride one that included a big mix of them.

After this would be Raptor. I would definitely sit in the front (it's nice to see what's coming, especially for a first time rider). Be sure to mention that the turn into the final brake run can be a little snappy so that way he can prepare for it. Also, unlike some people, I don't like the feeling of blood rushing to my feet, so it's up to you if you want to explain to him that he might want to squeeze his lower body while riding to help stop this odd sensation. This part is optional, but is just something I always do when riding it to make it a better experience for me. This coaster is fairly disorienting so that's why I decided to hold off on it so far down this list.

By now your son will have experienced a lot. Hopefully with each coaster, he feels more comfortable and confident. Once he does this (it might even involve going back to some earlier rides before proceeding on to the ones further down the list), it will be time to end with Dragster. It's the most intimidating ride at the park, IMO, but I'm sure he will love it once he's more experience with coasters. If he's nervous, be sure to emphasize how quickly the ride is. Tell him it will be over before he knows it. Also, while waiting in line, have him watch the people on the trains that come back into the brake run. Make sure he notices how everyone always smiles, laughs, and is happy after riding. This will encourage him to ride it if he knows people enjoy it.

I hope this list helps!

My husband's theory, which he did with our oldest, is to take your child on Millennium Force first, that way every coaster after is a breeze. My oldest already loved roller coasters, though, my youngest, not so much.

Somehow my youngest had decided he will ride the bigger rides now. Last year, he liked Maverick but has been intimidated by the hills of MF and Raptor. He is tall enough for all coasters, but won't ride TTD yet, I don't blame him. It took me almost all season last year to finally ride it.

I think alphabetical is the only way to go.

In that case, you better start with Avalanche R.... never mind.

So, would it be "J" for Jr Gemini or "W" for Wilderness Run?

For my daughters first visit last year, I had her ride the following(in order): Mean Streak, Mine Ride, Gemini & Cork Screw. Later in the season she went with friends and rode Raptor(after 1 walk of shame)and GateKeeper. Even later in the season, I got her on Magnum and Maverick. She loves them all(other than Raptor)! This season we(together)fell in love with MF early May, and TTD late June, both our first time on TTD and MF. We now know what we were missing!I rode Mantis MANY years ago-1997. It wasn't my cup of tea. I tried a ride similar to WT(Superman @ old Geauga Lake?) and didn't care for its experience either. She however likes WT. It's all about having fun, and what the rider wants to enjoy..IMO

I love all of the discussion here and thank you for thoughtfully taking the time to post your strategies that have worked :) I really do appreciate it!

Please post how your next trip goes! I'd love to hear about your family's new experience(es)!