We Rocked This Roller Coaster
I was only around 7 or 8 the first time I rode a roller coaster. Even though it was almost 4 decades ago I remember exactly where it was and who I was with. My dad and I were at Kings Island riding the Racer. How we arrived at the point of me riding it, I don’t remember. Maybe I bugged him. Maybe he encouraged me. All I recall is that I closed my eyes and executed a duck and cover move until it was over. It was crazy. I was scared. My stomach did flip flops.
I loved it.
Ever since that day, any time I have an opportunity to ride a roller coaster with someone, I jump at the chance. Riding by myself isn’t fun for me. I need someone to enjoy it with. As the girls are getting older, they are more willing to take on the challenge and this year was the top. During our trip to Walt Disney World in May for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, we were able to participate in a ride-mount video opportunity before the parks opened. There were a variety of choices for different ages and levels of thrill-seeker, but I selected the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
This was made possible by the Social Media team who coordinated for us to participate prior to the each of the parks opening to general admission. Some boarded buses for Magic Kingdom where they rode Dumbo or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. The rest of us headed to Hollywood Studios with half of us participating on Tower of Terror and the other half the Rock ‘n Roller Coaster.
Miss M was nervous. The last time I took her on one of the ‘big’ rides was Expedition Everest when she was 8 and only about 50 pounds. She swore off roller coasters until our last trip to Disney when she opted for Thunder Mountain Railroad. This time she was taking a big step and it meant the world to me.
I’m so glad we did it. I’ve never watched myself ride a roller coaster before. If you haven’t watched the video yet, please do. I’ll wait. Are you back? I apparently smile A LOT when I ride coasters.
Many people, including myself, are always curious about rides before getting on them. If you’re curious whether or not this ride is for you, here are a few things Miss M and I made note of during and after our ride.
If you have a bag, you’ll be able to store it between your legs. I hooked my legs through the backpack straps and it was just fine. When you’re going really fast, the force keeps it from flying out.
The music on the ride is loud, but in a good rock and roll kind of way.
The ride is completely inside and very dark. There are features that light up to help tell the story, but in general, it’s dark.
The front car and the back car offer very different experiences. At the front you can’t see the path so flips and turns take you by surprise. In the back seat, however, you can see all the cars on the rail in front of you so you know exactly when those flips are coming.
The back allows you to mentally prepare yourself for the ride. The front is like an earthquake. You don’t know when it is coming and by the time you figure it out, it is over.
The takeoff of the ride is abrupt like a launchpad. The closest ride comparison I can make is Test Track.
The ride itself is smooth. While it is dark like Space Mountain, it isn’t nearly as jolty.
Like it or not, there’s a photo-op. Disney has implemented quite a few features with their Magic Bands. One is the ease by which you can get your ride photos onto your PhotoPass account. These are totally worth buying and if you’re like me, just get the Memory Maker package that allows you unlimited ride photos and videos like this. Awesome memories captured in the heat of the moment.
The entire ride is only 90 seconds. A minute and a half. That’s it. Anything is possible for 90 seconds, right? Personally I thought it was too short!
Overall, Miss M and I both felt Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster offered the speed excitement of Test Track with the joy of Space Mountain less the tossing and turning. Definitely one that we’ll add to our must-ride list every time we visit Hollywood Studios from here out.
What types of rides are your favorite?
We always skip the roller coasters at Disney. And everywhere. We don’t like them 🙂
Looks like you had a lot of fun! Our family loves roller coasters! Can’t get enough of them when we are at theme parks.
I am such a roller coaster chicken! I am sure I would not look this composed if I were to ride one!
Roller Coasters are so much fun!! Looks like you both had a blast, I love Disney parks and their rides are so much fun.
This is my favorite ride. My son and I went on a Disney press trip a few months back and got to go on this ride unlimited over and over. We got off and went right back on. Love it!
We love roller coasters!! My 6 year old has been fearless so far. Plus he’s really tall so he’s done a lot already. Love the video!!
Doing things as a family are such great memories. Our oldest is really not a fan of roller coasters though.
Rock n roller coasters is seriously the best! I lived in Celebration, which is right next to Disney for years, had an annual pass and unfortunately the ride is so popular that it really doesn’t matter when you go to the park, always such a long wait -_- totally worth it if you have never been on it before! So much fun!
Looks like a blast. I have a favorite roller coaster at Kings Island that I wish was sitting in my back yard so I can ride it over and over and over again!
Roller coasters are a lot of fun! I can’t wait to take my daughter on her first roller coaster and I will definitely be buying a photo of it! I have the photo of me on my first roller coaster and my face is priceless!
We have not been on this yet but looks really fun!
My son and I LOVE this ride! It is one of the best Disney roller coaster’s ever!
That looks like one heck of a fun roller coaster! I’m kind of a roller coaster junky myself, but haven’t been to Disney in many years. It’s time to get back there for sure!
That was adorable. She looked petrified the entire time and ends with how awesome it was 🙂
Miss M looked so nervous while you were all smiles! I wouldn’t blame her. I am not a big fan of roller coasters. I would rather watch people screaming their lungs out with me safely on the ground.
I am not a huge fan of roller coasters. On the other hand, my husband and kids love them.
I was so glad to see your daughter smile!!! She and I must have similar riding styles. My daughter loves Rock N Roller Coaster and I’m terrified to ride it with her. Last trip, my sister took it for the team and rode. This time, I’m the only one who can go with her, so I’m VERY nervous. I am planning to get the photo package because I love to see my daughter’s grin when she rides a coaster!
We have not visited since they started using the bands, but I love the idea of easily getting your pics from it.
Roller coasters are way too fun. Hubby is not a fan m though, so it’s usually just me and the kids.
I am not a huge fan of coasters. I do love the photo pass from Disney, the pictures from it are amazing!
I used to love riding roller coasters. They are a blast but now I can’t ride them. There are just too many jolts and with a bad back it isn’t comfortable.
Ah I do love that ride. The take off is the best evahhhhh!! Fun pictures you got too!
Wow, the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster looks like a blast! I have always loved roller coasters. My dad was really into them and used to take us to a theme park every year and as I got older, the theme parks got scarier and more exciting. I totally agree, though, a lot of roller coaster rides are just too short. 90 seconds is almost nothing when compared to the hours you can spend in line waiting to ride.
I loved all the Ride-Mount footage from my fellow #DisneySMMC moms. I was too chicken to sign up.
Awesome roller coaster. We have been to Disney World so many times over the last couple of years and we never grow tired of it.
I loved roller coasters as a kid, and I would go for a ride whenever I had a chance. Strange as it might seem, now I’m a bit afraid of them.
I am going to Disney World in April, 2016. I want to know what the Rock n Rollercoaster feels like, and what does it feel like to go upside down
I am going to Disney World in April, 2016. I want to ride the Rock n Rollercoaster. What does it feel like?
If only they didnt force you to listen to Aerosmith during such a fun coaster