ava1enzue1a
Mega Poster
The Goliath @ SFMM in 2002 
What made you fall in love with coasters?
- Thread starter JackFish
- Start date
I fell in love with rollercoasters back when I was super young, when my mom took me to a small amusement park in Oregon (Oaks Park) Not big nor small. There were a couple rides and I tried to ride on them (this was back in 2012) and went on the same ones multiple times, soon riding myself.
Ever since recently I've delved more into the coaster industry, researching some new rides, etc.
It's fun being an enthusiast!
Ever since recently I've delved more into the coaster industry, researching some new rides, etc.
It's fun being an enthusiast!
LightningColossus46
Mega Poster
I got bored during the pandemic, and stumbled across coaster youtube. Since I had nothing better going on, I did a lot of research, then got credits once parks reopened.
Long long time ago.. Dragon khan! Like a rough prince charming he literally swiped me off my feet and thrashed me around like no one else did before.. It was love at first ride. Must say I wasn't faithful, actually turned into a coaster eater ever since.. A coaster slapper if you will (and please excuse my French).. 
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JackFish
Mega Poster
Exactly what I did
I had 2 chapters.
First time was as a young child, maybe 6 or 7, the one that stood out initially was Space Station Zero at Thorpe Park. I was terrified as had no idea what to expect and went on with my sister and grandad. Because we each needed an adult sitting with us a member of staff offered to ride with me, can't imagine you'd get that happening these days! From then on it was always the rides that incorporated theming elements that resonated the most.
Second time was as a father. Hadn't been to many theme parks for the previous 15 years but seeing the joy on my sons face on the Vampire at Chessington has created a revival of my obsession.
First time was as a young child, maybe 6 or 7, the one that stood out initially was Space Station Zero at Thorpe Park. I was terrified as had no idea what to expect and went on with my sister and grandad. Because we each needed an adult sitting with us a member of staff offered to ride with me, can't imagine you'd get that happening these days! From then on it was always the rides that incorporated theming elements that resonated the most.
Second time was as a father. Hadn't been to many theme parks for the previous 15 years but seeing the joy on my sons face on the Vampire at Chessington has created a revival of my obsession.
I had a rather rough start when I had a bad experience riding Space Mountain at Disneyworld as a kid. For the next 20 years I only rode a few coasters here and there, and mostly only if I was asked to accompany someone. In those days coasters (anything bigger than a boardwalk or fairground coaster) were scary and I white-knuckled my way thru them. But I somehow became deathly afraid of coasters with inversions, and I wouldn't even go to a park unless someone invited me. And then I avoided looping/inverted coasters at all costs. Well, one day when I was in my mid-20's, I did get an invitation. A family friend invited me and my mom to go with her and her family as guests at a company picnic at a nearby park (what is now Six Flags America).
I had no idea what sorts of coasters they had, but I planned on making a point to avoid them if I could. At that time they had one wooden coaster, which I reluctantly rode and was glad when we got off. There were two coasters with inversions, one of which I was glad to discover it was closed for the day. But the other one was running, and it was this one that I got dragged onto. I tried to get out of it but my riding companions for the day would not take no for an answer. It was that, or be forever branded as a chicken... I was scared half to death but I chose the coaster, figuring I'd only have to ride it once to prove myself and I could hopefully deal with a minute and a half of terror. Well, I rode it, and I thought for sure I was going to die right after the first drop. I was so glad when it ended, and glad that the park had no more coasters.
But a strange thing happened the next day - I had a strong desire to go back to that park and ride that coaster (and the other two) again. So I had a friend who liked coasters and we spent the rest of the summer into the fall revisiting that park and a couple of other area parks and rode as many coasters as I could. That was back in the mid 90's and I've been riding ever since, and have ridden over 275 coasters. So somehow I was a phobic who got turned into a fanatic...my mom still blames that friend for turning me into a coaster enthusiast!
I had no idea what sorts of coasters they had, but I planned on making a point to avoid them if I could. At that time they had one wooden coaster, which I reluctantly rode and was glad when we got off. There were two coasters with inversions, one of which I was glad to discover it was closed for the day. But the other one was running, and it was this one that I got dragged onto. I tried to get out of it but my riding companions for the day would not take no for an answer. It was that, or be forever branded as a chicken... I was scared half to death but I chose the coaster, figuring I'd only have to ride it once to prove myself and I could hopefully deal with a minute and a half of terror. Well, I rode it, and I thought for sure I was going to die right after the first drop. I was so glad when it ended, and glad that the park had no more coasters.
But a strange thing happened the next day - I had a strong desire to go back to that park and ride that coaster (and the other two) again. So I had a friend who liked coasters and we spent the rest of the summer into the fall revisiting that park and a couple of other area parks and rode as many coasters as I could. That was back in the mid 90's and I've been riding ever since, and have ridden over 275 coasters. So somehow I was a phobic who got turned into a fanatic...my mom still blames that friend for turning me into a coaster enthusiast!
Hudson_Woodlief
Roller Poster
Always wanted to tell this story. It's pretty neat!
So basically, we went to BGW in July 2013, I was only 4 at the time, but I have vivid memories just looking at these steel beasts and being so fasicnated by them! I remember going home, and on our family iPad, I would watch YouTube videos on Busch Gardens, and eventually other theme parks. This continued for a while, eventually landing me into a world of enthusiasm! I loved watching them, but they scared me. I didn't like that "stomach feeling" as I'd refer it to. We did a family trip to WDW in March 2017, where I rode plenty of roller coasters, and it was great! But I was still scared. It wasn't until our 2nd trip to BGW that same year, where I braved it up and rode Loch Ness Monster. Ended up riding it 3 times that day. I could say I was warmed up. I was still sort of scared until a Kings Dominion trip in 2018, where I rode as much as I could. Rode Fury 325 in 2019, and since then, been the enthusiast I am today! Although I am such a big enthusiast, I don't really go to many parks; I only have 33 credits. But that's fine with me, as sooner than later, I will be out and about hitting up as many parks as money can let me.
So basically, we went to BGW in July 2013, I was only 4 at the time, but I have vivid memories just looking at these steel beasts and being so fasicnated by them! I remember going home, and on our family iPad, I would watch YouTube videos on Busch Gardens, and eventually other theme parks. This continued for a while, eventually landing me into a world of enthusiasm! I loved watching them, but they scared me. I didn't like that "stomach feeling" as I'd refer it to. We did a family trip to WDW in March 2017, where I rode plenty of roller coasters, and it was great! But I was still scared. It wasn't until our 2nd trip to BGW that same year, where I braved it up and rode Loch Ness Monster. Ended up riding it 3 times that day. I could say I was warmed up. I was still sort of scared until a Kings Dominion trip in 2018, where I rode as much as I could. Rode Fury 325 in 2019, and since then, been the enthusiast I am today! Although I am such a big enthusiast, I don't really go to many parks; I only have 33 credits. But that's fine with me, as sooner than later, I will be out and about hitting up as many parks as money can let me.
coasterlog
Roller Poster
Trip to Chessington age 6 with my school. I was so scared of the rides there but got so fascinated. Especially by Vampire. I did ride Scorpion Express (rip) though.
LifeNCoasters
Roller Poster
Well at one point I was young (2-3 years old) my mom took me to Seaworld San Diego to ride one of the rides. It was a very small, slow moving one and had a lot of different things to it.
We kept going to amusement parks every few months or so for a while and kept going to other places. When I was very young, (I think I was about 5) I was able to ride most of the rollercoasters and man, I was so happy. I was cheering and so surprised that I met the minimum height requirements (48 inches). That's what got me into rollercoasters. I never was afraid of them to any extent, which made me force myself to scream and to "enjoy it".
Well, now I'm 15 years old and because I'm 6'2 now, some of these coasters are murderous for me now. Arrow coasters press SO HARD into my collarbones. What's worse, I'm all torso so I'm pretty lucked out. And don't get me started on possibly growing MORE. Yet, being tall is my identity.
Makes things worse when my weight is also in the 98th percentile, same for height compared to others my age and I was always a big kid. As I'm of a normal weight for my age with a big large body, I can't reap the benefit of fitting comfortably without my hips crushing into the seat. I'm not obese or overweight, just lots of bone and dense body.
My knees often bump the walls of the coasters. The over-the-harnesses are hard for my back and chest. Everything sucks now and I'm pretty uncomfortable.
Well, that's what happened. Let's hope I don't have to face getting turned away for being... too tall for some rides. Curse you, height! Yet thank you!
We kept going to amusement parks every few months or so for a while and kept going to other places. When I was very young, (I think I was about 5) I was able to ride most of the rollercoasters and man, I was so happy. I was cheering and so surprised that I met the minimum height requirements (48 inches). That's what got me into rollercoasters. I never was afraid of them to any extent, which made me force myself to scream and to "enjoy it".
Well, now I'm 15 years old and because I'm 6'2 now, some of these coasters are murderous for me now. Arrow coasters press SO HARD into my collarbones. What's worse, I'm all torso so I'm pretty lucked out. And don't get me started on possibly growing MORE. Yet, being tall is my identity.
Makes things worse when my weight is also in the 98th percentile, same for height compared to others my age and I was always a big kid. As I'm of a normal weight for my age with a big large body, I can't reap the benefit of fitting comfortably without my hips crushing into the seat. I'm not obese or overweight, just lots of bone and dense body.
My knees often bump the walls of the coasters. The over-the-harnesses are hard for my back and chest. Everything sucks now and I'm pretty uncomfortable.
Well, that's what happened. Let's hope I don't have to face getting turned away for being... too tall for some rides. Curse you, height! Yet thank you!
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Matt N
CF Legend
I wouldn’t worry about getting turned away from rides too much. My dad is 6’6”/6’7”, so still 4-5 inches taller than you, and he can still ride plenty; there’s only the odd couple of things he’s ever been turned away from (mainly Spinball Whizzer at Alton, where they’re oddly on it with height checks, and Colossus at Thorpe, where he can’t physically fit into the restraint).
I myself can’t empathise too much, being only 5’10”, but all I’ll say is that if you’re anything like my dad, the less comfortable things will make you appreciate the more modern lap bar restraints all the more when they appear!
LifeNCoasters
Roller Poster
Except I went through puberty late. Going through it late means you'll grow more. So that doesn't help.
As far as I know most of the 6'5 guys did get turned away from the height limit of 77 inches at my park. So I'd say they can be strict but some rides do have a height limit and others do not. I'm worried.
I'll update this post in a few months to see if I grow or not.
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brokethemorning
Roller Poster
For me, I always enjoyed roller coasters. My parents would take me to my trifecta of home parks (Indiana Beach, Kings Island, and Kentucky Kingdom [when it was under Six Flags]) multiple times a year when I was a kid, so that played a significant role in me enjoying roller coasters for most of my life. I also made it to Six Flags Great America, Six Flags St. Louis, and Busch Gardens Tampa as a kid.
What turned me into a coaster enthusiast was a trip back to Kings Island in June 2017. I hadn't been to the park since 2014, so I was really excited to get back there and ride new coasters and enjoy old ones. The specific moment I realized "holy cow I reeeeeally like coasters" was stepping into the flying saucer at Flight of Fear. It invoked so many emotions and really reminded me how much I adore coasters. I've not looked back since and have enjoyed this wild journey of being a coaster enthusiast.
What turned me into a coaster enthusiast was a trip back to Kings Island in June 2017. I hadn't been to the park since 2014, so I was really excited to get back there and ride new coasters and enjoy old ones. The specific moment I realized "holy cow I reeeeeally like coasters" was stepping into the flying saucer at Flight of Fear. It invoked so many emotions and really reminded me how much I adore coasters. I've not looked back since and have enjoyed this wild journey of being a coaster enthusiast.
Ollie
CF Legend
It's probably the same for me. Remember taping it on VHS and watching the recording over and over.
Trip to Hansa Park with my family in 2018. My first inverting coaster was that day. We decided to do Karnan at the end, so the anticipation built up quite a lot. We almost didn’t go on it because we were all scared. I came off with tears in my eyes from fear, but a strong feeling of pride. Overcoming my fear is what made me an enthusiast.
John Wardley calls it the first in the world here but hadn't Batwing from Vekoma been open for a year at this point? According to Wiki anyway.
I always thought they'd struck a deal with Six Flags to open it before Superman to get the World's First claim so a bit confused on the chronology now.