Originally Posted By darcy-becker So it looks I'll finally get my brother-in-law to DL for the first time next year. He claims he doesn't like roller coasters though he's never actually been on one. My sister and I think he will really like them. So I'm trying to decide what order to them in. Obviously, Gadget's Go Coaster first and California Screamin' last and probably the Matterhorn second. But I can't decide what order Big Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain go in. Any thought?
Originally Posted By phruby There was a time when the Matterhorn didn't have an height or age limit. People would take babies down that thing. Heck, I once took my son down Knott's log ride when he was a year and half. I would say Gadget, Matterhorn, BTMR, Space and then Screamin'. Space isn't as fast as BTMR but it feels like it.
Originally Posted By Disney Joy What a list !! What are you doing to the man .... he he he I hate roller coasters .... so probably best not to make suggestions on this one
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I think phruby has a pretty good order there. I'd also add in Goofy's Sky School between Big Thunder and Space. It's a little coaster, but manages to pack a pretty good punch A quick word of caution, if he's a bigger guy (taller or heavier), he might have a really tough time fitting in the tiny cars on Gadget's. In addition to possibly feeling silly for riding the 'kiddie coaster' not being able to get comfortable may turn him off from the whole experience. Sky School can also be bad since the cars are so small, and the contoured seats combined with slamming on the breaks aren't always the best combination for guys Some people have also claimed that the new Matterhorn seating configuration is uncomfortable for bigger people, but I've never found it to be an issue (on the Matterhorn or WDW's Space Mountain). If he needs a little more space, make sure he doesn't sit in the front of the car, since that seat is especially tough for people with long legs Good luck!
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 If it were me, I would actually start him with BTMR first. It is not too intense or too rough and will give a good sense of whether he actually likes roller coasters or not. I would skip Gadgets all together, as it is uncomfortable for even average sized adults and isn't that fun. Ferret was right about the size issues. Space Mountain, Gadgets, and Goofy's are going to uncomfortable if he is very tall or big at all.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I LOVE major steel coasters at parks with multiple inversions and speeds above 70 mph. But I only ride the very tame (in comparison) Space Mountain once every two or three trips. It is just too darned tough on my 60-year-old back. Once of the roughest coasters I've ever been on. P.S. My experience is with the Orlando Space Mountain... the DL version may be smoother after the recent track replacement. At any rate, I agree with BTMRR as the best "beginner coaster".
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones The answer is, anything at Disneyland. RoadTrip, the DL version was always smoother than the WDW version.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Yes, DL's Space Mountain is much smoother than the one at WDW. It's not quite as good as it was in 2005 just after the track was entirely replaced, but it's still one of the smoothest coasters out there If you're looking for something a little rougher, head to the Matterhorn. Its old fashioned designed, coupled with decades of wear and tear (though well maintained) just makes it a rough ride. People have complained that the new vehicles make it feel even more rough than before, but I really couldn't tell the difference; it's always been a rough ride (at least in recent decades)
Originally Posted By danyoung >My experience is with the Orlando Space Mountain... the DL version may be smoother after the recent track replacement.< Trippy, this has been my experience as well. The WDW SM is just too rough for me, and I rarely ride it. The DL version, however, is butter!
Originally Posted By tashajilek I find pretty much every coaster in Disneyland to be very tame, I don't even really consider them coasters. I guess having been to Knotts and Six flags during DL trips would make it feel that way. I think WDW has the better coasters in my opinion with the exception of Screamin, and I personally prefer the actual ride of Space Mountain better too. For a beginner BIg Thunder is probably the best to try.
Originally Posted By Bellella Big Thunder was certainly my first roller coaster at D-land (probably anywhere, I was really young.) A few years later I moved up to Space and the Matterhorn. Not sure exactly when I started riding those two. I just know I have always ridden them and loved them.
Originally Posted By phruby How about going the shock therapy route? Take him to Magic Mountain and put him on X2. He will be so freaked out that riding any ride at Disneyland will look tame in comparison.
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin I have never been on Gadget's at all. I find Goofy to be too tight and I'm just under 5'10". I also find the changes to Matterhorn made it too rough for me (and DH) - we actually skipped it last trip. BTMR has always been super fun for me, but I have taken a few people who get motion sick on it. Space Mountain at DL has never been to rough for me and is my favorite ride there. Space Mountain at WDW was so rough it is a skip for me (but not as bad as their POTC). What about Splash Mountain? Or do you not want to get wet? I do not like big roller coasters but Screamin' is acceptable. I would probably take an adult on POTC to get them used to rides, and then do BTMR. Matterhorn and Space after. Screamin' last.
Originally Posted By darcy-becker Thanks for all the advise everyone. We will definitely do Splash Mountain, it is my favorite. I didn't include it because it is not a roller coaster.
Originally Posted By HRM Sometimes people can't ride Coasters for medical reasons... I used to ride coasters, then stopped for a few years. Jumped on Screaming at California Adventure, yelled through the entire road and had fun.... then stepped off and had to go to First Aid due do dizzyness and feeling lightheaded, found out BP was elevated and couldn't stand for an hour. Never had that problem until that day.
Originally Posted By darcy-becker A friend and her daughter might come to DL with me in December. The daughter won't be able to do any roller coasters because of some neck problems she's had. She probably won't even be able to do Pirates.
