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(aka: How to tell if you’re OK to ride thrill rides)Â

In podcast #16, I published a list that I’ve given to people for many years. It seems to change slightly with time, but the concept remains the same. It answers the question “how do I know if I’ll be OK to ride a certain thrill ride?” — Its a question many people ask. Since there have been so many thrill ride-related deaths in the media lately, I thought I’d go public with my list and share it with everyone. Enjoy.

Van’s Decision Evaluation And Determination list for thrill rides:
(WDW Edition)

How it works:
I’m going to list seven ride tiers. Ride each of them in order (1 = least intense, 7 = most intense). When you get to one that makes you feel uncomfortable, stop. Do not ride any attractions that are listed in that category or above, until you feel comfortable riding this ride again. If you’re OK with the one I list in any tier, you’re probably going to be fine riding the other attractions listed for that tier as well.

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Tier 1: Goofy’s Barnstormer

This ride is 60 seconds of mini-coaster excitement. Don’t worry that the average age of people on this attraction is probably 8 … you being there tells those kids that its more intense than they think and THEY should reference my list for kids called “How to Understand Rollercoasters List — the H U R L system.”

Other Tier 1 Attractions: All attractions not listed elsewhere on this list.

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Tier 2: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Now THIS is a rollercoaster … but its not terribly intense. There aren’t any huge drops or up-side-down things … just pure fun. It will test your ability to tolerate speed, climbing heights and exciting turns.

Other Tier 2 Attractions: Test Track, Star Tours, Kali River Rapids

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Tier 3: Space Mountain
Here we’re going to test your comfortability with being in the dark for a long period of time. If you’re not sure about that one, maybe ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority first … it goes right through Space Mountain for about 90 seconds, but only travels at 10 mph. Space Mountain will also test your ability to do slight drops and lots of quick direction changes. Oh yeah … and your resistance to head-aches, neck-aches and general…aches.

Other Tier 3 Attractions: Stitch’s Great Escape, Haunted Mansion, Pirates (because of the small drop), Primeval Whirl, Dinosaur (CTX), Body Wars (if they ever open it again)

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Tier 4: Expedition Everest
Head over to Animal Kingdom and check out the brand new Expedition Everest. The ride is designed to be fun, but also have a more slightly more intense track. You’ll try out going backwards and down an 80 foot drop. Its a smooth track, too. So if you walk off of this one feeling woozy, stop.

Other Tier 4 Attractions: Splash Mountain

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Tier 5: Tower of Terror
Sure, you don’t move about in the traditional sense on this one, but lots of people have trouble with being about 200 feet above the ground and sudden dropping sensations … much less 4-5 of them in a row.

Other Tier 5 Attractions: Astro Orbiter, Soarin’

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Tier 6: Rock-n-Rollercoaster
If you’ve made it this far, you’re doing great but the intensity is about to take a serious step up … so be sure you’re comfortable with everything you’ve done to this point. Also, be sure you haven’t eaten within the last 30 minutes. Head over to Rock-n-Rollercoaster, also in MGM.

This ride is fast… zero to 60 in 2.8 seconds fast. That’s right at the beginning, too. And that goes into a loop where you’ll be upside down and then go into a corkscrew and another one a bit later in the ride. The ride pulls about 5 G’s during its 1 1/2 minute journey and blasts one of 5 Aerosmith sountracks at you using the 32,000 watt, 900 speaker on-board stereo.

Other Tier 6 Attractions: (None at this time)

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Tier 7: Mission:Space
IfI you’ve made it this far, you’re in great shape. But there’s ONE MORE RIDE on my official Subjective High Intensity Test or my “S H I …” nevermind.
The final ride is Mission:Space. And not the wussy version where the centrifuge doesn’t spin … the real one, the original one. This ride will spin you into oblivion as it simulates a launch into space, a slingshot around the moon and a landing on Mars. Its unlike anything you’ve ever done … its in tents.
Other Tier 7 Attractions: (None at this time)

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About the author:
While Van often registers for seminars and conferences as a Doctor, he does not hold a doctorate or advanced degree in any medical field. He does dispense medical advice at will, but it is no subsitute for asking YOUR DOCTOR if you are medically fit to ride attractions in theme parks.