Ten years ago, if you would have asked me what one thing is the most important item to bring on a visit to Kings Island, I would have emphatically declared it to be a great pair of shoes.
In fact, I did declare that. Many times.
Today, however, after being at Kings Island all day, after riding every roller coaster that my son wanted to ride, metal and wooden, I now have a different one essential item.
A sports bra. A very tight, possibly even two sizes too small, sports bra.
That, or a roll of duct tape.
See, riding roller coasters now is waaay different than it used to be. I grew up spending a lot of time at Kings Island because my dad worked there for a few summers. We had passes and stayed from opening time until the fireworks were over. (Do they still do fireworks?)
I was on one of the first rides the Beast ever took. The news was there to film us on the ride. (I think I was actually too small to ride it, but the height restriction was initially lower.) I used to run to the Beast, first thing, when the rides opened. That first hill nearly made me puke every time. It seemed as if I would never, ever reach the bottom.
Then one year, we had season passes again. Only this time, we had three small children. A friend kept all the boys over in kiddie land so that Jon and I could go on a ride once. One ride. He let me choose, and I chose my old favorite, The Beast.
But the ride had changed. It jerked more and bounced incessantly. It made my neck hurt and my spine feel as if it were jabbing through my skin. I wondered if the Kings Island people knew about this...
Today I again rode The Beast. Many times. Along with the Vortex (which was a major victory beings that it has over-the-shoulder harnesses. Makes my heart pound just thinking about those restraints.), the Diamondback (Hated, hated, hated. Dislike, dislike, dislike.), and a bunch of other thrill rides.
I refuse to step another foot on those rides without a very good, insanely strong sports bra. Because when you have to go through a roller coaster with one hand holding onto the bar, and one hand holding on to...oneself...it ain't much funny when the ride's camera clicks and that picture is posted as you exit the ride.
5 comments:
I so hear ya on this one. I also grew up going to Kings Island (although I think I am older than you we may have ran into each other at some point!). The Beast rocked as did the backwards Racer-later on of course. We went before we had kids and I couldn't believe how much the roller coasters jerked me around. It was amazing to me that it felt so different as an adult. I think they would probably make me naseous now, how sad.
Carol wears 2 sports bras when we go, and still the girls are a little tender the next day
The Beast was my favorite when I was a kid. When I was older, I didn't go to KI for many years and then when I went back, I eagerly rode the Beast only to find that I was terrified! I literally felt like I was going to die! Now I all rides make me dizzy and nauseous. I can't even swing on a swing.
You're brave, girl! I too liked roller coasters as a girl but I clearly remember my last ride on the Vortex. I remember thinking that if I never felt that fear as you're heading up that first hill that I would never miss it. I only rode the Beast as an adult and almost died so never again. I did enjoy Top Gun though:) My kids don't even like the roller coasters so we rarely go.
I've always wanted to take the kids there, but never have yet. Maybe next summer. I will keep this very important piece of information on hand seeing as I may once again have two boobs to strap down. :) I have been saying it all year--one advantage to having only one boob--you only have to hold onto one of them when flying down the waterslides! I'm sure the same would hold true for a rollercoaster. I remember naively going to an amusement park as a young girl once--it was super hot that day and I just thought about keeping cool and really should have planned for centrifigal force. I wore a tube top. Nuff said.
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