[PhantomCat]

This isn't just for Carowinds; try it in any park.
I played in the park with a Carowinds virgin on Friday July 2. I consider myself an experienced rider but I was not prepared for the lightheadedness I felt, along with my friend.

It was the end of the day. We had played in the park from 11 am - 8 pm with a total of 22 ride to our credit - including all 13 coasters except for NightHawk and Intimidator. It was around 7:30 pm when we bent over to pick up fallen change and we both felt a sharp, temporary pain in the brain when we stood up. Has anyone else experienced this? What in the world is that and why did it happen? See if it happeneds to you. After a long day of rides, bend over as if to pick up a quarter, straighten back up and see if your results are the same. I'd love to hear the feedback.

P.S. My friend loved the park and couldn't get enough of Carowinds. He loves it!
Thanks to your past tip about the Vortex leg separator, I passed it on to him - to sit on it in the station. After it's locked into place, stand-up.

Also, The Carolina Cyclone did not give me that temporary headache it has in the past.

I have ridden The Intimidator 3 times but my stomach did not fully fall as it did on my first 2 times. I must be becoming immune, like skydivers.

[TrojanCamMan]

Sounds Painful, I'll give it a shot next time I make my way to the border.

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

Hmmmmmm, well I had some major pains in the head after coasterstock last year, but I dont know if it was the same as what you had. But I was sore all over (I am sure most were), but my head hurt pretty bad but I just think its from the jarring on the coasters. Now at coasterstock I did ride hurler, thunder road, and afterburn A LOT, I think that was the cause of my headaches. I will definately try it out though next time because it seems like that has happend to me as well, not sure what it is, it has to be something to do with jarring or G forces or somethin....hmmm...

[PhantomCat]

I guess if we experienced the Gs everyday we'd get used to them because even astronauts and fighter pilots have to train and get used to them. It's not everyday that I'm flipped and dipped, even though I love it so! I guess it's also like some people can ride the Fly Ace Balloon Race in Planet Snoopy but they can't ride Woodstock Gliders because they say it makes them sick. Go Figure. Again, I only felt the pain when I bent over to get the fallen change. As long as I was upright I was fine.

Interesting fact from the History Channel: Fighter pilots in jets have been know to faint for short periods because of the strong G forces during maneuvers. I thought that was very interesting.

It's also interesting that I did not experience the same falling pit in my stomach from my third Intimidator ride, which was weeks away from the first two rides which were on the same day. Maybe I should just change my name to Iron Claude now.

[CarowindsFan]

I have ridden The Intimidator 3 times but my stomach did not fully fall as it did on my first 2 times. I must be becoming immune, like skydivers.

What Row did you ride each time? I have ridden several times but always between rows 4 - 9 and it has never made my stomach "fall". Not sure why as other coasters do no matter where I sit. It feels as if you just float down the hill to me. A totally awesome experience.

[Jay]

This isn't related to Carowinds at all, but I have noticed, especially towards the end of the day, if I am sitting for a long period of time, and then stand up, I will become dizzy and even "grey out" for a small period of time. It doesn't hurt at all, but it is uncomfortable.

I will agree with you about being "jaded" as well. Having ridden over 550 coasters, they definitely don't give the same feeling (for me) as they did even 5 or 6 years ago. A part is your body being used to so much, as well as you just being so prepared for what is coming next.

[Mountain3307]

Its called getting OLD....


I am not a spring chicken anymore!!

[PhantomCat]

CarowindsFan
I first rode in the first seat, then last seat in the same day. About two months later I took seat three.

JamminJ
Whoa! That reminds me of my first time being on a boat all day long. When I got off the boat my head held the sensation of going up and down on the water for about two days. I really hated that! It was most uncomfortable. I know, if I ever take a cruise I'll have to take that pill or the patch they offer for motion sickness. If I rode on the water all the time there would be no issues with it.