and here's the proof

[acroyear]

Yes, they actually got me back on a roller coaster for the first time in 13 years (and without really trying, too). The coaster was the California Screamin', which is actually a very nicely balanced one, in having a little something for everyone. One good 0-G drop from hell (the part I *really* hate, and the reason I don't ride coasters normally), some good banking curves (which I *DO* like), that don't bounce your head all over the place, one decent loop, and a few rare features like having an music sound-track in the car and a gaussian magnetic launcher instead of the typical "clack clack clack" that drives me nuts.

The pic was taken between two rounds of the banking curves, hence the look on my face. If taken at the top of the first hill, it would have shown a seriously phobic-ified crankyboy.

click for larger scan

Also pictured is faireraven, and behind us, our guides for the day rennfoole and gargoylez.

Comments

[xpioti.livejournal.com]

*delighted squeal* I'm the same way about coasters: put me on a coaster with a 0-G drop, and I will manage to entwine myself in the seat. (BE can tell you all kinds of amusing stories about my 3 rides on Superman. I've never made so many death threats as when I was going up that lift hill... I'm afraid of falling. :})

Re:

[blueeowyn.livejournal.com]

However, you have to admit that I am pretty good about telling you the risks/rewards of coasters that I have been on and that when I say that I think you will probably like this coaster (or tolerate this coaster), I am usually right. I think (based on what Joe said) that he would like Volcano a lot, he might also like Avalanche. Hypersonic is a No Go for him but Anaconda might be (there is surprisingly little air on that one).

[acroyear70.livejournal.com]

I did Anaconda the year it opened, and rode it twice the same day. The last coaster I rode (and not because of a bad experience, just 'cause after i graduated, i had little reason to go to a park anymore...on my income in the 90s, faire and my CD habit was expensive enough).

Anaconda has that drop, but just as it starts to feel the zero-g i hate, it goes into a curve in order to get into the underwater tunnel, and suddenly i can feel seat again and all is well. Avalance I would ride 2-3 times a day when the lines were short on weekdays; the whole "no track" part is great, as it means physics/inertia rules, and the feeling is because of the track, not because the car is fighting the track.

Basically, I like banking curves where gravity increases, and I don't much care for zero-g moments.

[cozit.livejournal.com]

Same part I don't like... it's that 'falling thing'. (Well, that and the poorly designed older coasters that shake you back and forth so quickly that you whap yourself on something and it *hurts*... some of the 'kiddie coasters' are built that way as well)

It's also why you'll *never* catch me on one of those 'Tower of Terror' type rides... they not only do a drop, but they whip you down faster than gravity would carry you (I've seen some interesting photos from that ride....).

You do look as if you're almost enjoying yourself there, though... maybe not as much as the other three, but, almost a real smile :-)

Re:

[rennfoole.livejournal.com]

Liz, have you ever been on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror? gargoylez didn't think she would like it. Actually, she didn't...she LOVED it. She is really looking forward to riding the new one at DCA which opens in May (look at the pics and video here). Yes, it does push you faster than gravity but just enough to give you a small bit of air-time. Just like any good roller-coaster. It is unlike any of the carny-type drop rides found in most theme parks (including the "MaliBoomer" at DCA). It's probably my favorite ride at Walt Disney World - as it is now gargoylez's!!!

watch your abbreviations

[acroyear70.livejournal.com]

if one didn't know you meant Disney California Adventure, one could get very confused, as to us, "DCA" is the 3-letter airport code for Reagan National here in DC.

Re: watch your abbreviations

[rennfoole.livejournal.com]

Actually I did mean Reagan National Airport. Ever since they re-named it there had been a major drop in quality!!! *grin*

Just kidding.

I did fly out of Reagan once, a few years ago, and it just seemed like one of the worst designed airports I had ever been in (in both decor and layout). Not like I have to go through it much - not with BWI so close to MDRF!!!

Re:

[cozit.livejournal.com]

Nope, and I won't... though one of these trips I do want to see the 'pre-show' and take the chicken way out. I figured out a while back that it's not so much a fear of heights I have as a fear of falling (not that there's that much difference). I'll go on the occasional 'tamer' rollercoaster, but that's it (and I actually enjoy some of them... Splash Mountain on the other hand may never see me ride it again... that falling thing, esp. w/ no straps).

Odd thing is that while I can deal with the occasional rollercoaster, and love waterslides (except for the trip up to the top), I can't deal with high open stairways.... Can't make it higher than about 2 stories up the Cape Hatteras lighthouse... and need help going part way down from there.

*g* There's a reason I'm staying away from the drop-type rides now. (well, that and even though you're seated it's just too much like a real broken elevator ride I took once... thankfully its drops weren't so far at least... just jerky enough to scare the bejebers out of me)