Observations of a Coaster Novice

Elsewhere in another post, I asked for advice on which large coaster I should ride, in order to get a picture. Being afraid of heights, and not real comfortable with roller coasters in general was making this a tough call. I got a lot of good advice, most of it directing me to the Millenium Force.

Well, unfortunately, even though I am considerably smaller than I once was, I am still a Guest of Exceptional Size when it comes to: Millenium Force, Raptor, Mantis, Power Tower, and the Blue Streak. Still too much of my seat for their seats right now, so those are future rides. Actually, the seat for the Force is great, but the seat belt is a bit short.

But, I fit just fine in the Magnum XL-200. :) Does anybody know how the Magnum was running about 8:00 on Saturday night? I have no frame of reference. It sure seemed fast to me! I was in the right-front seat of the 4th car on the train, and the ride was a walk-on. The view from the lift hill was amazing, and for some reason, although I was terrified, I was somewhat calm at the same time. Going over the top is the final moment of resignation to your fate. I have never appreciated what 60 degrees looked like until then. I wasn't expecting air time, and if anyone's belt or lap bar was tighter than mine, I'd be surprised. My butt was in the air a lot anyway! I didn't know about the curve on the 2nd hill. The pretzel was very interesting. The tunnels were incredible!. I never really thought about them before, from the outside, you don't. It's really a different perspective when you're plunging through them at breakneck speed, for the first time. When the ride ended, there were people looking around to see who was making all the noise. I think it was me. That's OK. I'm going to ride it next weekend, and get my picture with my daughter. Rideman said it was an aggressive coaster, and he was right. But, instead of scaring me away, I think the ride on the Magnum really turned me on to coasters in general. Next come the Gemini, Mine Ride and Mean Streak.

What would make the Wildcat slip on the lift chain, and bang backward? I know it was only about 6 inches, but when that happened Thursday afternoon, it felt like 6 feet! I wasn't really worried, because the ratchet-and-paw setup they use is very reliable. But, my neck still hurts a little from that one! Wildcat was living up to its name on Thursday. It was very, very fast. It seemed to be running slower on Saturday night.

Iron Dragon after the Laser show on Wednesday night was a lot of fun. Ride and ride in the dark. Maybe 6 or 8 people in a whole train. Very smooth and placid. I will always favor that ride, because it was the first major coaster I rode. I have gone from the Scrambler to the Magnum in 8 visits, which I think is pretty good.

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Tank
Magnum: 1

after not riding magnum in 2 years i was still amazed at its speed and force. all the hills always manage to hit me in a new way.

its an amazing coaster, congrats on getting your first ride.

Greetings, Tank!

As you can see by my screen name, I'm very stmpathetic to your ride restrictions due to size. I also love the Magnum, and am very comfortable riding it even though my size wouldn't make it seem possible (6'3", 335 lbs. with a 55"chest). Thanks to rides I can ride: Magnum, Gemini, Iron Dragon, DT, Wildcat, and 'certain' seats on Power Tower (which have longer belts), I don't feel cheated by not being able to ride WT, MF, or TTD. Although I'm a little disappointed that the crew on Corkscrew became stricter several weeks ago, and after riding it 20 or so times this year, I'm no longer allowed. I did squeeze on Raptor once when a Ride OP of Exceptional Size helped staple me in, and that was a great ride. I don't know your size, but the MS could be tough to get in. I actually rode the Mine Ride with my kids earlier this year, & could fit even with the thicker seats, but it was uncomfortable.

Eric

I fit just fine in the Corkscrew, but my head can't touch the headrest, so my neck snaps around in space. I just won't be riding it that much. It gives me a headache. :(

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Tank
Magnum: 1

Tank, that was a great post. I love going to CP with people who are rookies and seeing thier reactions. The Magnum is the ride that changed it for me as well. Once I conquered that, everything else was a breeze. I'm glad you had fun.

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Honest truth told to me by marina gate readmissions host:

Host: Hand stamped, two cents.

Me: That's cool, I think I have two cents.

Host: I better not take it, by the time you leave here its all you'll have.

Last year, my wife would not even *think* about riding Magnum. Earlier this season (on our "date trip") she thought about it, but too late in the day, after she was already fried. Later, when we went with the kids for an extended trip, she started out saying "maybe I could ride that". At the end of the three days, "I could definitely do that."

The next time we're there without the kids, she'll get in line. Whether she gets on the train or not, I can't say. But, it will be interesting to see what she thinks if she gets on.

She still says she'll "never" ride Millennium. I've decided not to remind her that she said the same thing about Magnum until after she rides it. ;)

Tank, welcome to the club. And, be thankful that your head snaps in space rather than against the headrest. It's more painful to have your ears boxed!

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It's not war, famine, or pestilence; it's only downtime.
*** This post was edited by Brian Noble 7/8/2003 7:56:25 PM ***

Thanks for posting that, Tanik. As said by others, I love getting first time reactions from people.

Although I broke my initial fear of coasters more than 30 years ago on Blue Streak, Magnum was the one coaster that abolished the fear completely and turned me into an enthusiast. Even the height of Millennium Force and TTD didn't phase me in the least.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
http://www.webtechnik.com/ebony/CPLady.htm

my mom got back into coasters by raptor, and then she almost stopped riding them again after she went on magnum. she was so scared she started crying. she shuts her eyes and that first hill killed her because we just kept going up and up and up and up. she wasn't really affected that much by millenium force since we went up so fast, but she was so scared by magnum. i keep telling her to open up her eyes but then she says i'm just lucky she's even going on the rides. she says the only reason she goes on them is because if we die on it she doesn't want to be the only survivor of our family.

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it's like a new pair of underwear; at first it's constrictive... but after a while it becomes a part of you.

-Garth Algar

I'm finding that more people are scared of Millenium Force than by Top Thrill Dragster. I wonder if it's because of the time, type of ride experience, or the simple fascination of Top Thrill Dragster.

But advice to your mother is to not close her eyes, it would seem overwhelming and scary because she does not know where she is going. Disaster Transport still makes me worried when it is completely dark.

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Life has it's ups and downs, might as well make it on a coaster!