The good news for those of you thrill ride fans: More than two dozen new attractions are debuting at large and small theme parks this spring and summer with unprecedented technology, spins and speed, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
Spin and loop multiple times seven stories in the air on the new Joker Chaos Coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. Did I mention you can control how much you spin?
Dive down 137 feet at to 60 mph on Rougarou at Cedar Point in Ohio. As if that isn't enough, the ride is based on a scary werewolf type creature.
Not only are there more thrill rides but more "dark" rides, like the new 50,000 square-foot "Fast & Furious Supercharged" motion simulator that has been added to the Hollywood Studio Tour at Universal Orlando, offering a 3-D experience they promise is like none other.
But if you have some thrill-averse family members or some who just aren't sure they're ready for such extreme thrills-please don't force them. I see parents doing that at theme parks doing and that is the worst thing you can do, the Academy of Pediatrics experts tell me.
How do you know when your child is ready for thrill rides? When they are tall enough and want to ride, the Academy of Pediatrics experts say.
First, if you can, take a virtual tour of the attractions you are considering and see what the kids think.
If this is your child's first time to ride big thrill attractions, consider starting off with something gentler-a family coaster, for example.
When you get to the thrill attraction, make sure you pay attention to the age, height and weight limits.They are there for a reason-no standing on tiptoes! And take care that safety bars and straps are adjusted and locked appropriately, the experts say.
If the kids are skittish but you think they'd enjoy the thrill, show them the smiles on the faces of those coming off the rides.
What you shouldn't do is force a child to ride-even if you have waited on a long line and spent big bucks to get into the park-an average $55 a ticket. (A one-day ticket to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is nearly double that.) Parents can typically swap places without waiting on line twice.
Just remember, thrill rides are supposed to be fun, not something to endure-for adults as well as kids.
