project ragdoll: the art of letting go
on coasters, chaos, and trusting the track.
Once of the best coasters I’ve ever ridden is the Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando. This Intamin steel dual-launched coaster hits a top speed of 70 mph, features a 155-foot “Top Hat” peak, 12 airtime moments, a 100-foot-long zero-gravity barrel roll over a lagoon, and—my personal favorite—simple lap bar restraints that create a completely open-air experience. This is where the term “ragdoll” really comes into play.
It’s about letting go—literally. Releasing any tense grip, trusting the restraint to do its job, and flailing freely through the elements. When you surrender to the ride, going limp to maximize airtime, it adds a kind of sadistic thrill. But in that surrender, there’s an unexpected sense of freedom. There’s truly nothing like it. It’s the greatest feeling.
Of course, there are clear parallels between physically ragdolling on a coaster and the way we navigate day-to-day life. It’s a reminder of the power of surrender—of not holding on too tightly, and trusting that whatever your metaphorical restraint is, it’ll be enough to keep you on the tracks.
project ragdoll is my attempt to bring more of that joy, chaos, and nostalgia that themed entertainment offers into the world. Here, I’ll share major theme park updates and occasionally dive deep into specific attractions or immersive experiences.
Much like my time on the VelociCoaster, this blog will be a bit of a ragdoll ride—likely chaotic, hopefully thrilling.
I’m just barely holding on and seeing where it takes us!!!!