Roller Coaster POV Videos

Why Watch Videos?

Point of view (POV) videos can give riders a way to experience a ride that they many not be able to personally ride for a variety of reasons, such as:

• Health problems, including pregnancy, back problems, or motion sickness
• Budgetary concerns that may prevent guests from purchasing admission tickets at high-priced parks
• Long lines that prevent guests from riding the most popular rides when they visit theme parks
• Height, particularly for young coaster enthusiasts who haven’t grown tall enough to safely ride the most vigorous coasters
• Distance, including overseas coasters that are out of reach for many ride enthusiasts
• Timing, particularly for seasonal coasters – videos can give coaster fans the chance to experience their favorite rides over and over again even if the park is closed.

Types of Videos

There are three main types of roller coaster POV videos, depending on how the videos are filmed.

• Official: Official videos are authorized by the amusement park. They may be used for commercials or other marketing materials as well as park tour videos, educational films, or science specials.
• Unofficial: These lower quality videos are often taken illicitly by park guests and can offer a realistic ride experience from a fan’s perspective.
• Computer Generated: Computer generated (CGI) videos aren’t actual coaster footage, but with highly detailed 3D imaging and electronic models, computer POV videos can often be just as realistic as the most carefully filmed live shots.

For the best view of a ride, interested coaster enthusiasts should watch a range of different POV videos to get a true feel for the experience. Editing techniques, lighting, and other video tricks can make videos of the same ride seem drastically different, and watching multiple videos can offer a broader view of the true roller coaster ride.

Where to Find Roller Coaster POV Videos

There are several places to find on ride coaster videos. Official park websites often feature videos of their most popular roller coasters, and video clips may also be found on park informational or advertising DVDs. Educational videos on the history of the roller coaster or the physics of roller coasters often have footage of influential roller coasters. Online coaster and theme park fan sites also may archive POV videos that can be viewed online or downloaded. Sites offering different coaster videos include:

• Theme Park Review
• America Coasters
• Ken Denton’s Coaster Site
• Rollercoaster Videos Blog
• Leech Video
• Roller Coaster Central

The popular video archive site YouTube also has hundreds of coaster videos available of different quality levels. The following videos of some of the world’s most popular coasters are all found on YouTube:

Are you ready to ride?

• Incredible Hulk – Islands of Adventure
• Millennium Force – Cedar Point
• Top Thrill Dragster – Cedar Point
• Maverick – Cedar Point
• Kraken – Sea World, Orlando
• The Beast – King’s Island
• Batman The Ride – Six Flags Magic Mountain
• California Screamin’ – Disney’s California Adventure
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – Walt Disney World
• Superman Ride of Steel – Six Flags New England
• Tatsu – Six Flags Magic Mountain
• Kumba – Busch Gardens Africa
• Nitro – Six Flags Great Adventure
• Giant Dipper – Belmont Park
• Thunderbolt – Kennywood

Video Problems

While roller coaster videos can give fans a great view of a ride without waiting in line, spending money, or risking health problems, they aren’t the perfect substitution. Many videos, particularly amateur films, are poor quality with low resolution, unstable camera positioning, and jumbled sound that can detract from the excitement of the ride. Even with those problems, however, they can still be a way for interested riders to experience many different rides.

Taking Your Own Videos

Many roller coaster fans enjoy filming their own POV videos and editing them to provide a fun ride view. It should be noted, however, that most parks do not permit ride photography or filming on roller coasters without proper authorization, and LoveToKnow Theme Parks does not sanction or encourage any unauthorized filming. Park guests should always follow all rider safety guidelines, including securing loose objects or leaving them with a non-rider.

When riders do have the opportunity to take videos, these tips can help ensure the filming results in a smooth, clear video.

• Secure the camera as firmly as possible to minimize jostling for a smoother video.
• Record the ride experience in its entirety, though long lifts and final brakes can be edited.
• Avoid changing camera angles; keep the camera facing forward for a full track view throughout the ride.
• Edit the sound track or adjust camera settings to minimize wind roar and other background noise. Alternatively, edit the film to include an appropriate music track.
• Clearly identify the roller coaster and park so interested riders have the chance to ride for themselves when they are able.

Roller coaster POV videos offer interested riders an exciting glimpse of the ride experience no matter where or when they want to ride. With hundreds of videos available, coaster fans can ride a different roller coaster every day without losing the thrill of a great ride.