Tomorrow it will be March, the month when theme parks across the country kick off their seasons. In honor of the start of the season I thought it’d be fun for everyone to share their first roller coaster ride.
Believe it or not, I’m not 100% sure what my first roller coaster was. Growing up in Virginia, I went to Kings Dominion often and I’m pretty sure that the Scooby Doo coaster was my first. Back in the 70′s and 80′s it was the centerpiece of the Hanna Barbera kiddie section. One of my favorite things about Kings Dominion was getting the sweet blue Smurf ice cream. My older brother and I were much too scared to tackle the larger coasters, but I do remember braving Scooby Doo. Those little hills felt enormous back then. Here’s a picture of it today.
One summer I remember going to Ocean City, Maryland. There, we rode the Toboggan at Trimpers Rides. It was a small, rickety contraption with golf cart-like cars and a scary vertical lift. Here’s a picture. Also, in the Summer of 88′ we made the long car trip down to Disney World. My brother and I weren’t up for Space Mountain, but we did ride Thunder Mountain Railroad. I remember thinking that it was a breeze because it didn’t really have any drops so I doubt that it was my first. Anyway, those were some of my early roller coaster experiences. What were yours?
Check out this pre-historic Kings Dominion commercial:
Okay, so it’s not that old. I was born the year after this was aired. Is that Dick Van Dyke? I barely know who that guy is…
Eric over at Theme Park Village just blogged about his first roller coaster experience. Check it out here.
Also, Pat from the A Walk in the Park Podcast, shared what his first roller coaster was on his Walk in the Park Blog.
What’s Your Take?
What was your first roller coaster? What was your first experience like? Leave a comment below.
August 22, 2012 at 00:04
My first major coaster was the Pepsi Ripsaw Coaster at the Mall of America (now Pepsi Orange Streak) but I rode small wacky worms and such beforehand probably. I basically fell in love right away and now you can't get me off of a coaster!
October 16, 2012 at 23:57
My first coaster was Millenium Force at CedarPoint. I seriously thought I was going to die! Omg. But it was alot of fun, plus I wasn’t as scared for all of the other coasters.
April 11, 2013 at 09:51
First roller coaster: Sideshow Spin at Dollywood
First real roller coaster and first roller coaster to go upside down: Tennessee Tornado at Dollywood
First roller coaster to have a height over 163 ft tall: Millennium Force
First roller coaster to have a launch: Maverick
First roller coaster to go over 100mph: Top Thrill Dragster
Wow, I could go on forever!