How to overcome fear on scary theme park rides

When I was a kid, I still remember being afraid when riding even on small Ferris Wheels at local carnivals. Though I already love the small caterpillar rides back then because of its speed, but generally when it comes to rides that have great heights scares me. One of the experiences that I will never forget was riding a small Ferris Wheel in our high school fair, it made my knees shake where it came to a point that I cannot control it anymore. I was just looking down the whole time and was waiting for it to stop. It was going faster than I expected and thought I can overcome it, but fear crumbled and made me decide to not ride rides like that anymore. And to think of it, the Ferris Wheel was just approximately like 50 ft. high only.

Space Shuttle in Enchanted Kingdom theme park

But now, it is a different ball game between me VS any other theme park rides. I enjoy adrenaline rush moments by riding the fastest, tallest or even the scariest rides available to ride on. It gives a different feeling of an unexplainable excitement and satisfaction especially after, where you can say to yourself and others that you already overcame it.

Roller Coasters are one of the main attractions in amusement parks that can give this kind of rush and excitement. Join me by reading this article as I share my own experiences on how I overcame specific fears, and in return giving me experiences that few had dared to have.

Since I already developed a fear inside me on riding rides which have really good heights, I totally do not know how to deal with them especially when the time to ride again comes. Of course, when you go to theme parks, you should be able to ride their main attractions for you to be able to say to yourself that you have completely conquered it (the park). And there is no other way to do it but to ride them. For me, there are two big questions to answer before riding the attraction that scares you: One is who are you going to ride it with and two, what attitude should you be sensitive in while riding it. These two factors played an important role in overcoming my fears with scary theme park rides. (This suggestion might not apply to everyone as we have different kinds of learning ways)

First, who should you ride it with? Of course, an acquaintance or friend who is not afraid of it. It will be a big boost for you since you'll try to question why he/she is not afraid of it. Plus you will be encouraged to face it like him or her just like a role model. And if you are even competitive yourself, you will try to get better than him or her. Others may prefer riding on scary rides with a friend who is as well scared of it. But what most likely will happen is that your first may be your last ride. Though it is a good tactic for a one-time ride purpose only.

Second, the attitude. Retain positivity and enjoy the moment. It is important to negate any thinking of what bad might happened. You must compose yourself that what you are going to face is JUST a ride. It is already tested by many and safety precautions are always secured and checked before starting any ride. They made the attractions to entertain not to scare, well a bit to scare to put a little challenge on it and a sense of accomplishment after riding it. That sentence alone should deactivate any doubts of safeness already.

Actually for me, it started with an accident not knowing what I as going into. I was forced to ride the Anchor's Away in Enchanted Kingdom, Sta. Rosa Laguna - Philippines (which is a hanging boat ride, going back and forth that goes higher and higher as time goes by). One of my cousins dragged me on sitting on the furthest place which is the most elevated and most angled part you can go into to maximize the ride experience. During that time when the ride was going on, I was really really afraid that I might fall since there came to a point where we are like sitting in a scary 90-degree position angle already. But after that experience, I started to become challenged more and more to try different rides especially roller coasters that I encounter every time I go into different theme parks. I now am starting to enjoy the feeling of it which would not happen if I kept on resisting to try.
 

And with that experience, I already have tried various roller coasters including the "Hair Raiser" and "The Abyss" rides both in Hong Kong's Ocean Park, "X-2", "Superman, Escape from Krypton", "Tatsu", and many other different kinds of roller coasters in Six Flags-Magic Mountain Los Angeles, California. They have hanging, standing and chair turning roller coasters there which are some experiences to cherish!

My next target is either the Formula 1 ride Ferrari in Ferrari World UAE or the newly built "Zumanjaro" in New Jersey's Six Flags, which has the current record of having the tallest drop ride in the world. It is as well called the "Drop of Doom".

Remember, we have a saying that "It is better to try than not do anything at all". And besides, you will be the one to regret it afterward. I have few regrets about not trying anything at all on a general aspect but what I am excited about in the future is to what will come next. Because now, I will not let any opportunity come to waste anymore.

Experience the Formula 1 ride Ferrari World at UAE, Dubai - See more at: http://michaelshut.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_6.html#sthash.ZDGq4hkL.dpuf

Zumanjaro