We all have that one friend who is a die-hard adrenaline junkie who loves to discover their next greatest adventure. That friend is me…
This feature is all about uncovering Lake Nona and Orlando’s greatest activities, especially if you enjoy living life on the edge!
I’m pulling up to Magical Midway and the giant, neon-colored slingshot is all I see. I have this overwhelming knot in my stomach. Things like this fall into a category I classify as fun and adventurous, but most say “no way” when it comes to handing over their control of a situation. This is the exact reason I’ve been called crazy every so often. One of the only people crazy enough to experience the slingshot with me was, of course, my boyfriend, Andrew. I’ve always wanted to experience the slingshot, but I’ve always chosen other activities over it – until now – mostly because I was worried about the infamous flip riders experience when they reach the maximum height and begin to make their descent. I’ve gotten to that point in my life that most children dread – when twists and turns and spins and flips begin to make you nauseous. Welcome to adulthood. (Throws imaginary glitter from my pocket in celebration.) Yay!
Pricing is a bit expensive at $25 per person for just the ride, $15 for a t-shirt and $20 for a video of your ride, but there are package options available as well. Package A is for one person at $50 and includes one t-shirt and one video, while Package B is for two people at $75, including two t-shirts and one video. It’s one of those activities where it’s hard to justify not getting a video, especially when this is not something you do every day, and some might never do again! Riders also receive a card that allows those in the original video to ride again at the special price of $15 per person, and a free video will be included.
As soon as I walk up, I’m immediately asked if I’m ready to strap in and launch. I hesitate for a brief moment. I swallow my pride and hop in. Let’s go for it! Go big or go home, and I’m not going home until I’ve experienced the tallest slingshot in the world.
I sat down, made sure my restraint was tight, and had a death grip. No, seriously, it was a white-knuckled grip. Our restraints were checked by the attendant, and he locked us into the launching position – leaning back and facing your destination, the abyss of the night sky. We find ourselves in the pit of the volcano, with fog obscuring our vision and sound effects of bubbling lava and dripping liquid providing the full cave ambience. The anticipation is building, and I’m not sure when we’re going to launch. The attendant asks if we’re ready, and I yell, “Yeah, let’s do it!” and off we go! I think, internally, I was screaming, and out came a weird noise, but hey, that’s just me. We peaked and did a flip, and, luckily, I didn’t feel sick. We bounced a bit and gradually made our way back down to the launchpad.
The attendant asked if we wanted to go again, and with no hesitation, I agreed. I asked to loosen my restraint a bit because I wanted to experience the weightlessness, and that’s when he decided to say the second-time challenge was that our hands had to be up the entire time. Of course, I couldn’t back down from this challenge. We go for round two, and this time was so much better. We flipped one and a half times, and as we rotated toward the crowd below, all I heard were screams. That was unnerving, and immediately my thoughts turn dark and I’m thinking, “Oh my gosh, we’re going to die!” I was still laughing and having the time of my life, however. Once we got back down, the attendant asked if we had noticed a difference this time around, and we definitely did. Turns out, he cranked up the pressure, so we had launched much more quickly. Now that’s what I’m talking about!
Joe was our attendant for the ride, and after the fact we discussed a few pretty interesting stats about the ride. The slingshot reaches speeds anywhere from 85 to 100 mph, and riders have been as young as four and as old as 86. There’s also an acceleration of six G’s. When I asked Joe how often he rides the slingshot, he said it had to be well over a thousand times. Can you imagine!? He even mentioned how he and the other slingshot operators have a competition on who can do the most flips in one ride because you can manipulate the ride with how you rotate your body and legs – and it’s around 22 times. No way! That’s something I’d have to sit out on. I’d be so sick.
So there you have it; I was launched more than 390 feet in the middle of the night, and I actually enjoyed it. Call me crazy. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time. I won’t be surprised if I find my way back to the Orlando Slingshot for a quick dose of adrenaline. If you’re looking for an excuse to try something new and need an adventure buddy, you’ve got one in me. I definitely recommend everyone experience that feeling of adventure. As the Orlando Slingshot’s motto says, the sky really is no limit.
Click here to view the first ride video.
Click here to view the second ride video.
Have a suggestion? Send an email to nicole@nonahoodnews.com or fill out our NonaVentures column form at http://nonahood.to/nonaventure. What do you want to see me review next?
