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Are you an 'adrenaline junkie'?

Are you an 'adrenaline junkie'?

  • Yes

    Votes: 22 66.7%

  • No

    Votes: 11 33.3%
  • Total voters
    33
Laura

Laura

TS Member
Favourite Ride
blue fire Megacoaster
On my CV I have written things about my interest in theme parks and that I have a blog with rollercoaster photos on. I've been going to a lot of interviews recently and almost without fail I am asked 'so you're an adrenaline junkie?' or 'I see you're an adrenaline junkie.'

But I wouldn't say I was. I probably wouldn't do a skydive or bungee jump and the thought of any kind of motorsport makes me feel ill. Rollercoasters may provide adrenaline but that isn't the reason I really like them (or theme parks in general).

But when you have a few seconds to form a response in an interview, it just seems easier to say 'yes'. I have wondered what sort of connotations that carries, if anything. Would it be better than say...explaining about themeing and immersion and storytelling through rides (it probably depends on the interviewer tbh), which is where my personal interest lies.

So how many people here would consider themselves an 'adrenaline junkie'?

(Incidentally I would always advise to put interesting hobbies down on your CV, they are great ice-breakers and show you have some actual enthusiasm for life that will set you apart from 'socialising with my friends' and 'going to the cinema')
 
I'm a massive thrill seeker & adrenaline junkie, I've done stuff like bungee jumping before and I loved it!

Personally, thrills are the only thing that bothers me when it comes to rides, I mean I do like it when rides have good theming, but I'm not the sort of person whose really that bothered about "escapism", I just like rides that are really thrilling above all else. I'm not that interested about all of the story telling or immersion when it comes to rides either, not to say I can't appreciate it, just that I personally prefer thrilling rides with no theming, than well themed rides that aren't very intense.
 
I've recently realised I'm an adrenaline junkie in more ways than one. I love really intense rides. But I also love a new challenge, something new to look forward to, acting before thinking. It gets me into trouble though.
 
No, my adrenaline is brown. Coasters are wonderful feats of engineering. to be loved and enjoyed.

I wont jump from a perfectly serviceable aircraft, or off a bridge with rubber band to stop me going splat.
 
Well, if I was given one second to answer that question I'd say yes !
But then if I actually think about it I'm not so sure.... :S

I probably would jump out a plane or bungy jump from a bridge but then I have to ask myself if that's really the case how come I've made it to my forties without doing either ?

So, I voted "yes" but perhaps secretly I'm really a "no". :(
 
I love coasters because they are thrilling and adrenaline-inducing whilst at the same time (for the most part anyway Wild Mouse aside) maintaining a sense of control. I actually don't know whether I could do a bungee jump/skydive (probably would be more likely to do the former) because they just seem much less controlled.
 
I worry that they're gauging your appetite for risk taking from your interest in theme parks. We obviously understand there's a difference between thrill seeking and taking risks - roller coasters are an ideal example as they allow us to get our thrills in a safe environment. I see that as an important point to stress as it shows an appropriate approach to evaluating risk, which is something that most employers appreciate these days.
 
I think you are right, tryst. If I am given the opportunity to speak I do explain it's more of an engineering/escapism interest and that I like following development of new attractions so I have all the information before I embark on my first ride!

Also I agree with the comments on 'control'. I think the theme of The Smiler touched on this a bit and that might explain why it's got a bit of a following.

I could quite happily spend the day at Alton without going on any of the rollercoasters now (not the case when I was younger!)

It's very interesting to see what other people think about this question! Even though it's a niche interest we still all get different things out of it.
 
Personally, I'll do most rides and attractions (I draw the line at drop towers). As for things outside of theme parks I'm willing to give most things a shot. I probably wouldn't say no to a bungee jump, but I refuse to do a skydive, as I hate flying!

For the past few years I've traveled out to the French Alps with a group of friends for the whitewater kayaking. It's taken a good 4-5 years to get to the level to be happy with paddling most of it, but for me it's just such a rush! It's a completely different thrill to that of riding a coaster. I think it's purely down to the fact that unlike a coaster you are in control, and anything can (And usually will!) happen. The level of risk is much greater than riding a coaster, which I think only adds to it.

Stuff like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Cb8AENkvY8#ws

Is half the fun! Well... It's not so much at the time. Then it's utterly terrifying! But look back 5 minutes later and it's a scream :p

The flying thing is just strange though. I utterly detest it. I have no problems with height, speed, open spaces, lack of control, etc. I just can't hack flying and being in that plane. Even the sight of one makes me feel uncomfortable :/
 
Me being an 'adrenaline junkie' couldn't be further from the truth, in all honesty, and I really dislike it when people ask me if I'm that sort of person whenever I mention my interest in theme parks.

Whilst I do enjoy going on certain roller coasters, I don't actually get that big a thrill kick out of most of them and, sometimes, end up being in pain which is why I tend to sit out sometimes; I just can't handle it as much as others who'll happily re-ride. It goes hand in hand with my preference for dark rides as I'm far more interested in that thematic experience and taking time. I'm not too fond of drop towers either, Tower of Terror and types like Ice Blast and Cliffhanger being exceptions.

Fast and thrilling rides just aren't entirely in my interest :)
 
I would say I'm an adrenaline junkie. But in terms of coaster, I'm not a massive fan of inversions. My limit in a coaster is about four or five, I didn't really enjoy The Smiler overly. I love speed, height and airtime, but inversions don't really do it for me, especially when used in excession. I enjoy inversions when used well, but too frequently is just really sickening.
 
Sort of. There's lots of high adrenaline activities that I'll actively avoid, but it must have something to do with my love of coasters, and the fact that I'm impressed on the (now rare) occasion that a ride still manages to scare me.

I've done one of these, if that counts - in fact, one of the falling bodies in this video may in fact be me, in my obese days.
http://youtu.be/cePtbeXCyVU
 
Although heights and speed don't bother me (as long as I'm on a roller coaster)

I'm much more into the experience and themes, thats why I'm more interested in dark rides and heavily themed rollercoasters than I am with just regular car park coasters.

:)
 
There's a SCAD tower at Blackpool isn't there?

I'd say I'm a bit of both. I appreciate and enjoy rides that have a good theme and create an experience through storytelling but I also enjoy a good coaster or flat ride without a strong theme.

It depends on the context of the park or attraction. If I were going for a day out at Disney, my criteria for what makes a good ride would be very different to if I were visiting Cedar Point for example.

The only thing I've done other than coasters that might be considered extreme is a few aerobatic sessions in a single prop trainer. It was a lot of fun but the closed canopy made it seem quite detached from reality. I don't know if I'd do bungee jumping or skydiving but I would never rule it out. I wouldn't necessarily define myself as being an adrenaline Junkie.

That said, when it comes to major coasters, I definitely prefer them to be at the intense and thrilling end of the spectrum. If there is a problem with being a coaster enthusiast, it's that you can get a bit too used to riding them. Once you've sought out a few really good ones, your average local coaster just doesn't cut it any more. You want to ride a coaster that will redefine the envelope. I've never gotten off a coaster and thought, "There can't possibly be a better coaster than this." There's always room for improvement.

It's quite frustrating because there are very few parks that opt to build boundary pushing coasters over less intense ones with more mass-market appeal.
 
Thrill seeker yes, hardcore adrenaline junkie, no. I love roller-coasters but am not usually fond of genuinely dangerous activities. Having said that, though I have gone from 'utter wimp' to 'thrill seeker' in the space of about half a decade. I remember going to Alton Towers for the first time when I was seven or eight. I was scared of the RMT tunnel, (although I liked the rest of the ride) and one glace at Oblivion convinced my I was going to have nightmares about it. Back then, I wouldn't have gone on Blivy if you have paid me a million pounds. Now, Blivy gets my pulse racing, but when I go on it, I am never REALLY scared. For some reason Rita scares me more. Don't ask me why. :/
 
SomeCrazyPerson said:
For some reason Rita scares me more. Don't ask me why. :/
Click to expand...

That's a perfectly natural reaction to any Intamin ride. Shows you're healthy and have common sense ;)
 
Ian said:
SomeCrazyPerson said:
For some reason Rita scares me more. Don't ask me why. :/
Click to expand...

That's a perfectly natural reaction to any Intamin ride. Shows you're healthy and have common sense ;)
Click to expand...

This is when i miss the like button. I am waiting for @DiogoJ42 to hit the Flag post button again ;)
 
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