Most people have experienced the thrill of riding a roller coaster, yet some are discouraged while others feel an adrenaline rush leaving them wanting more. This week, I had the privilege of going to Kings Dominion with my best friends. This experience was like no other. I realized the truth about the types of people who ride coasters and the ones who fear them.
Roller coasters have something about them that makes them so tempting. People either have a deathly fear of them or want to do nothing but ride roller coasters for the rest of their lives. Whether you are going to an amusement park or a carnival, everyone learns to either love or hate roller coasters.
The people that dislike roller coasters go through three stages of fear. The first stage comes from the height of the coaster. This typically happens due to the fear of heights many people have. People seem discouraged from just looking at the height of some of these coasters.
The next stage that others go through is the fear of being trapped in the restraints of the coaster. I don't know about anyone else, but when I get onto the ride itself, sometimes I feel like I'm trapped and cannot breathe. The restraints make me feel as if I'm slowly being suffocated and my body is being wrapped, much similar to the feeling when snakes catch their prey by slowly wrapping their body around their prey. The engineers that are designing these coasters should rethink their restraints. Maybe then people will not fear the roller coasters as much.
The last stage of fear everyone has is the inevitable fear of dying on the ride itself. Whether it is from imagining your death or a potential accident, we all have had a nightmare of dying on a roller coaster. I guess this comes from that initial fear of hearing about roller coaster deaths from the news and other stories people have shared.
On the other hand comes the millions of people who adore rides and the joy they can bring. For some, they recognize that roller coasters bring out the best in people. People become more outgoing while they start talking to others on the lines about their excitement. I still remember when the new ride in Busch Gardens Williamsburg came out last year. The new ride was Tempesto. This ride brought thousands of new visitors to the park. It also created massive lines that many riders are not fans of. No matter how long the line, millions of roller coaster enthusiasts will wait hours to get their turn on the ride.
Even if you have a fear of riding roller coasters, do not walk away! Try to take the feeling you have and use it to overcome the fear. The thrill of roller coasters may not always be pleasant for everyone, but it does not hurt to try. I understand that the ride may look intimidating, but the outcome is so worth it. The experience of riding a roller coaster can only determine whether you love or despise them. Next time you are at an amusement park, I highly encourage everyone who is afraid to take the initiative to ride that coaster. It helps if you bring a few friends for the support. Who knows, it may be one of the best experiences of your life!
