I have climbed rather steep ridges, can swim so far out into the ocean that my feet cannot touch the floor, and would gladly start a campfire with my own two hands. However, the one thing that I refuse to do is go on roller coasters. When I was informed that I would be chaperoning my sister and her friend’s trip to Universal Studios, I was immediately met with some anxiety knowing I would be forced to go on every single roller coaster there. So, here is my experience going on every roller coaster in the park, from least to most scary.

Level 1: Harry Potter rides

Standing in line for the two rides in Harry Potter World — the original Harry Potter ride and the Griffin Rider — I was a bit nervous, but quickly realized that the two rides were the tamest of all the ones at Universal Studios. The Griffin ride was fast and short, and the Harry Potter ride was a fun story ride, but was not one filled with drops and loops as other coasters were. Although these rides are tame, they are the biggest roller coasters I had been on in a matter of years. I actually found myself enjoying them and looked forward to the rides to come. 

Level 2: The Mummy

While the Harry Potter rides provided some much-needed nostalgia and a small adrenaline rush, the Mummy ride actually made me quite nervous. Seeing all of the carvings on the walls — although fake — added to the fear and anxiety growing within my gut as we walked closer and closer to the actual ride itself. As they strapped me in the harness, I said a silent prayer and watched as the beginning story part of the right transformed into darkness. The ride jetted off, twisting, turning and dropping to its own likeness. To be completely honest, I had built a far scarier ride in my mind than what actually occurred during the three- or four-minute ride, and I found myself enjoying the ride, each time more than the last as my sister and her friends made me go on this ride a whopping four times. But alas, that was not the ride that had me most scared. 

Level 3: Jurassic Park

Now, I know what you avid roller coaster goers are thinking: “The Universal Studios Hollywood rides aren’t even bad.” In all honesty, I agree. There is no Drop of Doom or Colossus, but in my defense, fear is relative. And fear is what I certainly felt on this ride. Although the animatronics were cool and all of the details were movie-accurate, I could not give myself the time to enjoy this ride, as I was too paranoid about the inevitable drop at the end. As the ride hit its climax and we were sent into the abyss, I quickly realized my fears were well placed. Although the drop was not the biggest, nor was it the fastest, my dislike and fear for drops showed true and this ride truly did scare me to my core. I preferred not to think about it, and I definitely refused to go on it again. But, I did what I claimed I would, I rode a roller coaster for an article. 

I hope you found my journey to be as amusing as I did terrifying, now excuse me as I will never go on the Jurassic World roller coaster again.