Millennium Force is too severe for the non-fanatic
I'm joining this board to confirm that MF can really mess you up if you don't ride rollercoasters on a regular basis. I went with the girl known as Larger Than Life on this board (she's my girlfriend) and rode MF 3 times. I have since felt nauteous, disoriented and somewhat confused. It's difficult to explain but those are the best words to describe my current condition. I strongly recommend not introducing people to coasters via this ride, they will not thank you for it.
My girlfriend meanwhile has experienced none of these problems as she's been riding coasters since she was 10. Like any physical trauma, her body has been conditioned for the varying G forces of a coaster, making MF's rather violent ones take a negligible toll on her body. I wish I could say the same for myself. I'm never riding that coaster again.
My girlfriend meanwhile has experienced none of these problems as she's been riding coasters since she was 10. Like any physical trauma, her body has been conditioned for the varying G forces of a coaster, making MF's rather violent ones take a negligible toll on her body. I wish I could say the same for myself. I'm never riding that coaster again.
Did you ride any of the other coasters at the park? For sure, Mantis and Mean Streak will apply more pressure to every sensitive part of your body. Are you sure you're not feeling effects from some other ride? I know I can't walk straight for 15 minutes after I ride Mantis (but I love it!). MF, though I have not yet ridden, is supposed to be the smoothest, completely non-violent ride ever..from the other people who've ridden here. It's possible you're not well disposed to coasters in general. I doubt MF would be the one to mess you up that bad. Just my thoughts. Hope you're feeling better!
Jman
Jman
The basic premise of the original poster is that MF is too extreme for normal people. I'd suggest that it might be too much for folks that have a certain physiological makeup, but I don't think that includes most people. My wife, for instance, has a very delicate inner ear; she cannot tolerate anything that spins or flips. A ride on Raptor, Mantis, or the Exterminator at Kennywood would make her sick for hours. She loved MF.
The acceleration forces on MF are unique, but hardly extreme. It's a much more comfortable ride than Mantis, Mean Streak, Steel Phantom, or even Magnum. Your girlfriends body hasn't been "conditioned" in any physical sense (unless she's been training all winter.) She, like most other people, just isn't as affected by those particular kinds of G-forces as you are.
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Dave McWilliams
*** This post was edited by DavidM on 5/18/2000. ***
The acceleration forces on MF are unique, but hardly extreme. It's a much more comfortable ride than Mantis, Mean Streak, Steel Phantom, or even Magnum. Your girlfriends body hasn't been "conditioned" in any physical sense (unless she's been training all winter.) She, like most other people, just isn't as affected by those particular kinds of G-forces as you are.
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Dave McWilliams
*** This post was edited by DavidM on 5/18/2000. ***
Actually I'm Backstreet Girl hun. When did you join this board? lol (the original poster here is my boyfriend who was with me on opening weekend, btw)
And Pete and Jeffrey shame on you for that remark and laughing at it!!
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Natalie
ATL Zone 3 Sweeps 2000
*** This post was edited by Backstreet Girl on 5/17/2000. ***
And Pete and Jeffrey shame on you for that remark and laughing at it!!
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Natalie
ATL Zone 3 Sweeps 2000
*** This post was edited by Backstreet Girl on 5/17/2000. ***
I've said it before several times... I don't know what the gravitational forces are on the ride, but seeing as how they haven't published them (at least I haven't seen them), I doubt they're very extreme. If I had to guess, you'll pull about 4 G's on the first drop for maybe a half-second. The rest of the ride isn't intense at all aside from speed.
Sorry, but I think any effects this ride has on people are psychological, not physiological. Raptor and Mantis pull more significant sustained forces (not to mention cause disorientation due to rapid changes in direction).
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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
Millennium Force laps: 23
Sorry, but I think any effects this ride has on people are psychological, not physiological. Raptor and Mantis pull more significant sustained forces (not to mention cause disorientation due to rapid changes in direction).
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Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
Millennium Force laps: 23
Exactly Jeff-People just happen to notice a feeling they probably have on every other ride and attribute it to the size of MF.
People need to quit whining-CP never forced you to ride it. Plus, when you get in line, there is a sign that says "Due to the magnitude of this ride, some people may not be able to ride" I have never seen this type of sign before and that should scare anyone who is not coaster experienced or has doubts about motion,etc from riding.
People need to quit whining-CP never forced you to ride it. Plus, when you get in line, there is a sign that says "Due to the magnitude of this ride, some people may not be able to ride" I have never seen this type of sign before and that should scare anyone who is not coaster experienced or has doubts about motion,etc from riding.
I don't know. While I must admit, I've only ridden one time, I remember feeling like I was being pounded nearly the whole time. Perhaps it was because I was screaming my head off (like I always do), but it felt like I couldn't breathe until atleast the return hill. I was not the least uncomfortable, I was loving every second of it. Maybe it's also the wind that makes MF feel more powerful. God knows I'm not a scientist. I only know what I know from that one ride I took and it felt strong. I'm not saying that MF is dangerous, or extreme or people who don't ride coasters all the time shouldn't ride. I'm just saying that those people with borderline health problems, might not be able to get away with MF like they can on some of the other rides because it felt so powerful. *Whew*
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aIrtIme'S oVeRrAtEd...
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aIrtIme'S oVeRrAtEd...
Oh come on!!! Just because it's a big coaster, everyone thinks the forces are way to extreme! Intamin designed the thing so the forces wouldn't be extreme!!! You can have a huge coaster, and still pull the same g's as the mine ride...it all depends on how you design it!. Millennium Force, in my opinion is probably the most fun, crowd pleasing, user friendly coaster since the Gemini!
So quit it with the g-force non-sense! If you want to feel "almost to severe g-forces" try the Mantis!!!!
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magnum of MF now that is a real question.
Yesterday, I saw an older woman of about 70 get on MF. She looked fragile to me but when she got off she had a huge grin on her face. The part that I noticed the most g-forces was on the bottom of the first turn on the island going into the over-bank.
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Millennium Force: As fast as a male horsefly!
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Millennium Force: As fast as a male horsefly!
"MF ... is supposed to be the smoothest, completely non-violent ride ever" -Jman
It was very smooth - I don't think I've ever ridden anything that smooth, especially at that speed. The ride was thrilling and if it didn't have the after-effects it did, I'd still be raving about it like I was initially to friends and family. It is very impressive. However, I was referring to the sharp change in g's, by the word "violence," rather than violence in terms of shaking and throttling. The key isn't the length of time you experience the positive g's, as referred to by Jeff, but rather the time you spend weightless, and then the sharp change in g's when you finally hit the bottom that I suspect to cause this.
"People just happen to notice a feeling they probably have on every other ride and attribute it to the size of MF" -Rob
"Raptor and Mantis are more intense" -Hooper
This may well be true. Having come with Ms Coaster Fanatic (Backstreet Girl, Larger Than Life, whatever) ;o) I rode almost everything in the park - MF 3 times, but Raptor twice, no Mantis because it is apparently the Devil, Magnum twice, and then all the little ones once. I suspect MF because of what I stated above. Before this past weekend I had never ridden a coaster over 100' (I suspect anyways - I've been to Canobie Lake Park a number of times, and Six Flags NE once maybe 2 or 3 years ago - I've ridden all the coasters in both parks, so take the tallest from there, I'm sure someone here will know).
The intent of this post isn't to say MF is the Devil, or that we should all go out and sue Cedar Point for making a good thrill ride (like a woman suing McDonald's for heating her coffee), but to get the word out. My head really hurts. I'd like to at least see that I can prevent other people who are unaware of these very ill potentials to know they could happen and use caution. I went with a coaster enthusiast and I'm sure the people on this board are going to be bringing new-comers to CP like crazy. That's why CP courts you like they do. You might want to warn them before they take a shot at MF (or who knows, maybe Raptor and Mantis). It should be noted that I am not physically weak. I can run 2 miles in 12 minutes, bench almost 200lbs, and am often presumed a jock by people who judge me by appearance. I have no outstanding health conditions. I just want to get the word out.
It was very smooth - I don't think I've ever ridden anything that smooth, especially at that speed. The ride was thrilling and if it didn't have the after-effects it did, I'd still be raving about it like I was initially to friends and family. It is very impressive. However, I was referring to the sharp change in g's, by the word "violence," rather than violence in terms of shaking and throttling. The key isn't the length of time you experience the positive g's, as referred to by Jeff, but rather the time you spend weightless, and then the sharp change in g's when you finally hit the bottom that I suspect to cause this.
"People just happen to notice a feeling they probably have on every other ride and attribute it to the size of MF" -Rob
"Raptor and Mantis are more intense" -Hooper
This may well be true. Having come with Ms Coaster Fanatic (Backstreet Girl, Larger Than Life, whatever) ;o) I rode almost everything in the park - MF 3 times, but Raptor twice, no Mantis because it is apparently the Devil, Magnum twice, and then all the little ones once. I suspect MF because of what I stated above. Before this past weekend I had never ridden a coaster over 100' (I suspect anyways - I've been to Canobie Lake Park a number of times, and Six Flags NE once maybe 2 or 3 years ago - I've ridden all the coasters in both parks, so take the tallest from there, I'm sure someone here will know).
The intent of this post isn't to say MF is the Devil, or that we should all go out and sue Cedar Point for making a good thrill ride (like a woman suing McDonald's for heating her coffee), but to get the word out. My head really hurts. I'd like to at least see that I can prevent other people who are unaware of these very ill potentials to know they could happen and use caution. I went with a coaster enthusiast and I'm sure the people on this board are going to be bringing new-comers to CP like crazy. That's why CP courts you like they do. You might want to warn them before they take a shot at MF (or who knows, maybe Raptor and Mantis). It should be noted that I am not physically weak. I can run 2 miles in 12 minutes, bench almost 200lbs, and am often presumed a jock by people who judge me by appearance. I have no outstanding health conditions. I just want to get the word out.
From observing the ongoing conversation I think we can sefely draw two good conclusions:
1. Some people ARE just physiologically less capable of tolerating some forces found on amusement rides, mainly due to the fluids of the inner ear that act as a gyroscope.
2. IMHO The agreement that beginners DO have to learn the tricks to riding a coaster well and minimizing its negative impact on the body. Hecks, for those who say one does not have to get used to or learn to ride, just examine our past posts: those especially regarding making the Mean Streak rideable by doing this and that at certain times, etc.; where to sit to avoid getting the roughest ride; how to ride Mantis correctly; how to anticipate change in force/motion; and even how to hold your head/neck when in the presence of OSTRs; even overcoming the fear of heights. The MOST important aspect that I believe we as enthusiasts overlook, though, is how to tighten your gut and lower body to lessen the affects of g's. We have this acquired trait in common with jet fighters who are taught this in training; enthusiasts learn this on their own, though.
(Just to keep myself safe here from any debate on this issue, I would also like to expound on the subject of childhood ridership of coasters and such as they are not as susceptible to the detrimental effects of these forces like adults are as their bodies are not as developed, they do not carry as much mass, and their inner ear is not fully developed either. Thus, they cannot be included in this group of unexperienced riders.)
With that said, you can probably see I'm trying to make love and not war here. In conclusion, though, I believe that Soopah Doopah Man (couldn't resist the ebonics) DOES need to get some more riding experience under his belt so he can learn to ride a roller coaster and maximize his fun without having to worry about any detrimental post-ride impact. We have thousands of rides under our belt while he has no where near as many.
I believe MF's sheer presence may be intimidating you slightly along with your inexperience in riding these things.
From negative feedback that has resulted from the more extreme designs manifesting themselves during the nineties as more or less bland inter-park competition, I believe popular opinion has now changed the way everyone thinks about the latest technology and thrills. The new philosophy for the industry is to design rides that are not so much as thrilling in the fact that they turn you upside down more times or apply more forces, but rather, original rides that you just have fun riding time and time again.
-Dave Kochman
Pittsburgh
*** This post was edited by DaveTKoch on 5/17/2000. ***
1. Some people ARE just physiologically less capable of tolerating some forces found on amusement rides, mainly due to the fluids of the inner ear that act as a gyroscope.
2. IMHO The agreement that beginners DO have to learn the tricks to riding a coaster well and minimizing its negative impact on the body. Hecks, for those who say one does not have to get used to or learn to ride, just examine our past posts: those especially regarding making the Mean Streak rideable by doing this and that at certain times, etc.; where to sit to avoid getting the roughest ride; how to ride Mantis correctly; how to anticipate change in force/motion; and even how to hold your head/neck when in the presence of OSTRs; even overcoming the fear of heights. The MOST important aspect that I believe we as enthusiasts overlook, though, is how to tighten your gut and lower body to lessen the affects of g's. We have this acquired trait in common with jet fighters who are taught this in training; enthusiasts learn this on their own, though.
(Just to keep myself safe here from any debate on this issue, I would also like to expound on the subject of childhood ridership of coasters and such as they are not as susceptible to the detrimental effects of these forces like adults are as their bodies are not as developed, they do not carry as much mass, and their inner ear is not fully developed either. Thus, they cannot be included in this group of unexperienced riders.)
With that said, you can probably see I'm trying to make love and not war here. In conclusion, though, I believe that Soopah Doopah Man (couldn't resist the ebonics) DOES need to get some more riding experience under his belt so he can learn to ride a roller coaster and maximize his fun without having to worry about any detrimental post-ride impact. We have thousands of rides under our belt while he has no where near as many.
I believe MF's sheer presence may be intimidating you slightly along with your inexperience in riding these things.
From negative feedback that has resulted from the more extreme designs manifesting themselves during the nineties as more or less bland inter-park competition, I believe popular opinion has now changed the way everyone thinks about the latest technology and thrills. The new philosophy for the industry is to design rides that are not so much as thrilling in the fact that they turn you upside down more times or apply more forces, but rather, original rides that you just have fun riding time and time again.
-Dave Kochman
Pittsburgh
*** This post was edited by DaveTKoch on 5/17/2000. ***
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