Amusement parks are one of the most popular destinations for a fun day out. Even though there are lots of different things to do at amusement parks, rollercoasters are undoubtedly the main event. Some people live for the exhilarating feeling they get from riding at breakneck speed, whereas others would rather be anywhere else! No matter if you love them or not, though, these hilarious mid-ride emotions are guaranteed to make your sides split!
If You're Feeling Scared Just Hold On Tight
Come to Disneyland, they said. It'll be fun, they said. That's exactly what must be going through the mind of this poor guy as his partner pulls his face apart while clinging on for dear life mid-ride. Not only is the unfortunate young man likely to step off Splash Mountain with an incredibly sore mouth, but there's also a good chance he'll be without his sunglasses and baseball cap!
We're pretty sure this was the last ride of the day for the couple — certainly for him, at least! Let's just hope all was forgiven and they were able to enjoy the rest of their stay.
Grandpa Got Bored Of Playing Bingo
As far as rollercoaster photos go, this might be one of the most joyous we've ever seen. What's captured here is one of the highlights in presumably a wonderful day out for an older gentleman and his granddaughter, and we are in love with it! Seeing the uncontrolled joy on both of their faces makes us want to know more about their afternoon together at the amusement park. So cute.
So often, the rollercoaster ride photos captured mid-journey are either less-than-flattering or downright hilarious, but this one is rare for its unfiltered joy. We'd like to think the photo is framed and on a mantelpiece somewhere.
When You Look Up The Dictionary Definition Of Terrified
So many rollercoaster ride photos are hilarious, but this one almost makes us feel bad. What you see here is 3 generations of a family, absolutely terrified — we're not sure who's enjoying themselves the least, the boy, his mommy, or his granny! Either way, we're not sure any of them will be visiting The Great LEGO again anytime soon. Who knew those little building blocks could be so frightening?
Most amusement parks pride themselves on being a fun day out for the entire family, but it's unlikely The Florida Resort will be using this photo for any marketing purposes!
That's What You Call A High-Speed Proposal
Who doesn't love creativity? 10 out of 10 for this genius proposal stunt by a soon-to-be (we hope!) groom, who brought his friends along for the ride — in more ways than one. Fair play to the group of buddies here, because making sure all of the signs were held up correctly to spell out "will you marry me" can't have been easy, especially while traveling at breakneck speed!
We love the idea that this lucky girl's boyfriend presented her with the photo from the rollercoaster, then burst into tears and said "yes!" The best part? The couple has their very own souvenir of the exact moment he popped the question.
The Dad Of The Year Trophy Evaded Him Again
Well, at least dad seems to be enjoying himself! While this might not exactly be a rollercoaster ride, it may as well be for this little guy who is absolutely petrified, whizzing down a wooden slide. If we could give the little man some advice though, we'd recommend he puts his hands in front of his eyes rather than over his ears. This wouldn't be half the picture it is if he had, though!
Perhaps some of the other folks who feature on this list should have done as this kid did and opted for the slightly more gentle option rather than braving a big rollercoaster.
Do I Look Impressed?
It has to be said, the unimpressed look etched across the face of this older lady is meme-worthy. This is the expression of someone who has been there, done that, seen it all, and a log flume at Busch Gardens clearly isn't cutting it for her. In fact, it's not just boredom that she's serving, it's more than that. With the hood up and shades on, this lady looks frankly disgusted with the so-called entertainment!
Either this is someone who has been on too many rollercoaster rides to remember, or she's been dragged along to the amusement park against her wishes. We'd love it to be the former, but it is most likely the latter.
There's Multitasking And Then There's This
It's true, we've all seen some pretty cool rollercoaster ride photos, but this might be the most impressive of them all. Talk about multitasking! Not only do these two seem completely unperturbed by the rollercoaster itself hurtling around the track at great speed, but they're also doing a fine job of playing a competitive game of Jenga. Did it all fall to pieces a split-second after this photo was taken? We'll never know.
Arguably the best part of this snap, though, is the kid's face sitting directly behind the Jenga jokers. His reaction sums up exactly how most of us feel when we first see this photo!
When You Scream So Hard You Go Horse
There is so much going on in this photo we don't really know where to start. But let's address the elephant (or should that be horse) in the room first. That's right, sitting casually in the front row of this rollercoaster carriage is a person wearing a horse's head, making out with their partner. Don't ask why, we have no idea either, but it's certainly one way to take your mind off the terrifying ride!
Directly behind the horse, another guy valiantly covers his partner's eyes — although she doesn't seem to know where she is. behind them sit another couple, petrified. Surely one of the greatest group shots of all time?
When It's So Good You Can't Remember A Thing
Well, at least this girl has photographic evidence that she braved the Goliath rollercoaster because it looks like she had no idea! It's not uncommon for people to pass out on rides that flood the brain with adrenaline. The scientific term for this phenomenon is vasovagal syncope, which happens when the heart rate slows down and blood pressure drops, causing the sufferer to faint. So, either vasovagal syncope kicked in for this girl or she was so bored she drifted off.
Presumably a group of friends, we also love the expression on the face of the other girl in the second row. Is it nausea? Is it apathy? Either way, she's making sure she preserves her, ahem, dignity.
So That Explains Why The Ride Sounded Extra Squeaky
Well, this isn't something you see every day. In fact, this is probably a scenario nobody has ever thought about until seeing this hilarious rollercoaster ride photo! For those of you unfamiliar with traditional Scottish bagpiper regalia, these gentlemen are all sporting kilts, plaids, and a feather bonnet, plus the many additional metal parts including belt buckles, a sporran cantle, a dirk, and a plaid brooch. And yes, these are all real words!
We'd love to know the backstory to this. Perhaps this is a bagpipe band on tour, spending some downtime at the local amusement park? Or maybe they're doing an unorthodox photoshoot? Either way, it's hilarious and we love it!
Instagram Versus Reality: Rollercoaster Edition
We've all been there. Feeling cool, not a worry in the world, a little bit cocky perhaps. Then reality hits and all of a sudden we're scared out of our skin! Well, this pretty much sums up the situation for this young man at the amusement park. This classic 'before and during' pic surely sits proudly somewhere in his family's house, a favorite to laugh at with guests when they come over for dinner!
The only element missing from this hilarious story is the 'after' photo. We'd love to see the look of relief on the kid's face after surviving that stomach-churching ordeal.
Holding On For Dear Wife
We highly doubt this photo is going to end up on the mantelpiece, although it wouldn't be a surprise if the cheeky chap kept it in reserve to embarrass his partner. While we don't know how or why she ended up riding this rollercoaster at Playland, we can probably assume the petrified lady won't be going near a ride ever again. Perhaps she was tricked into it by her man? He looks like he's having a whale of a time!
This is another example of an amusement park photo where you feel kind of sorry for the person clinging to the carriage. As long as they were able to laugh about it afterward...
She Stepped Off The Ride Feeling A Little Red-Faced
Okay, we feel kind of cruel laughing at this photo, but honestly, it is just hilarious! It takes a minute to realize that, no, the rollercoaster hasn't made this girl morph into a tomato, rather, she has had her face painted elsewhere at Dollywood. (Great name, by the way.) Her expression is made all the more dramatic by her red face, however, as dad sits calmly next to her, without a care in the world.
In fact, so calm is his expression that it almost looks slightly creepy. The young lady certainly looks like she's seen a ghost, making this look like a poster for an amusement park-based horror movie!
Put Your Hands Where I Can See Them
The more time you spend looking at this photo, the more it looks like the girl who is absolutely petrified (second row, obviously) is, in fact, screaming about the hand in her face rather than the rollercoaster ride itself. Okay, so this may not be the case, but it's pretty funny nonetheless. We're genuinely convinced that some people shouldn't go on amusement park rides at all, for their own safety!
Surely the best thing about this photo, though, is the difference in reactions between the girl who is losing the will to live, and her extremely laid-back neighbor. She's just chillin'.
Someone Had Too Many Beers Last Night
The sheer drama of this photo had us rolling around on the floor with laughter! Sure, we know it's pretty gross — and this can't have been a pleasant experience for the poor guy or anyone in his vicinity — but let's be honest, it is hilarious nonetheless. The longer you look at the photo, the harder it is to decide which of the unfortunate rollercoaster riders is the worst off.
At first glance, you assume it's the lady sitting next to Mr. Projectile, but upon closer inspection — and taking the law of physics into account — we think the two guys sitting behind him might be in serious trouble!
When The Ride Is So Good You Lose More Than Your Mind
Now, it's pretty difficult to work out what the item is that's gone flying mid-journey here. Is it a cell phone? A rogue piece of plastic? Who knows. Either way, the passengers on board at Silver Dollar City don't seem too bothered and are having the time of their lives! Anyone who has ridden a rollercoaster before knows how crucial it is to secure any loose personal belongings, prior to takeoff.
Whatever that item is, we just hope it wasn't something too precious because barring a miracle, it will never have been seen again! Thankfully, that guy's favorite Star Trek t-shirt looks a little more secure.
The Definition Of An Explosive Experience
While the girl in the previous photo had a face full of makeup, this guy is all-natural. His favorite band? Surely it's Simply Red. In all seriousness, we're slightly worried for him — the force of this rollercoaster looks like it might be too much for his body to take, and if his head doesn't actually explode then surely the sunglasses he's gripping will! Oh, how we'd love to hear the noises being made.
You can often tell how hardcore the rollercoaster ride is by how heavy duty the seatbelt is. In this case, it would appear that the carriage was moving at some serious speed!
What's Your Morning Routine Like?
There are badass, choreographed family photos... and then there's this! Hats off to this dad and his three kids for not only having the creativity to stage this hilarious scene but also having the nerve to pull it off. We can't decide who our favorite family member is — they're all awesome — but the sheer casualness of the eldest daughter calmly applying her makeup whilst traveling at breakneck speed is hard to beat.
It's difficult to know if the guy in the pink shirt sitting behind the family is smiling out of enjoyment of the ride itself, or out of appreciation for the choreography.
Not Exactly The New Profile Pic We Intended
From one cleverly choreographed group photo to... well, there's not much clever about this one, although it is a group photo. It's hard to know if this is a planned shot or if the rollercoaster this group of buddies is riding is so intense that they've literally lost control of their faces. Either way, it's pretty funny and we sincerely hope the boys purchased the picture and use it as their official group snap.
Upon closer inspection, it would appear the guy in the second row on the left has his arm in a cast. We're no medical experts, but presumably riding rollercoasters isn't part of his rehab program?
Just Do As The T-Shirt Says
Never has anybody embodied the slogan on their chest more so than this cool kid right here. Donning a set of shades and seemingly mimicking the pose of Rio de Janeiro's famous Christ the Redeemer statue, the young man would like pretty chilled out if he was riding solo. The fact that he's surrounded by a scene of chaos — and probably a chorus of screams — only adds to his level of C.H.I.L.L.
The expressions on the faces of the group of girls behind our Mr. Cool show how lively this ride is, but the insane amounts of sweat on their t-shrts take it to another level!
This Is The Last Time I Listen To You, Mom!
You can almost feel the lurch in this poor kid's stomach by the expression on his face. Based on the angle of the photo, this looks like one of those pirate ship or magic carpet type rides, that rock from side to side on a pendulum, gradually getting higher and higher. Certainly not recommended if you're not a fan of heights — or if you've just had your lunch, for that matter.
The fact that this youngster almost looks too skinny to be sufficiently secured on the ride surely can't be helping his blood pressure either! At least he has an adult hand clutching onto him.
The Guide To Good Parenting Never Mentioned This
This poor little lad probably woke up that morning expecting another relaxed day playing with wooden blocks and reading picture books. What did he get? Well, possibly the most harrowing experience of his young life to date! We're really trying to find a glimmer of excitement in that facial expression, but no matter how hard you look all you'll see is terror. Whatever you do, don't let go, mom!
One for the photo album without a doubt, this is the perfect photo for parents to use to tease their teenage boys who think they're too cool for school.
The Ride That Hits You Square In The Jaw
These two must be brothers, surely! Anyone who has siblings will completely understand this silliness, which, while funny at the time often overspills into a full-on brawl. Either that or they're buddies. To be fair to the kid being punched, he seems to be handling it pretty well and doesn't seem too concerned by the log flume also. What's remarkable about these pics is their timing. How do people know when the photo is being taken? Impressive.
We'd love to know how the kid with a fist in his face got his own back. However he took his revenge, we hope that it too was immortalized on camera!
This Isn't The Honeymoon She Expected
You would think that after one high-octane experience on a rollercoaster that left you questioning your life choices, you'd call it quits. Well, this clearly wasn't the case for this lady who foolishly accompanied her boyfriend to Cedar Point amusement park. We presume she rode on the top coaster first since here she looks petrified but still somewhat in control. That's more than can be said for the photo from Valravn, where the poor lady looks genuinely worried for her life!
It's not unusual for couples to be complete opposites when it comes to their attitudes towards rollercoasters. Clearly, the guy is having an amazing time and seems to find his partner's terror nothing short of hilarious.
Clearly Something Happened Early On In His Life That Changed Him
The problem with rollercoaster rides that fit the entire family is that, invariably, someone is unlikely to get much out of it. In this case, it's the older brother in the light blue t-shirt, who looks like he's watching a re-run of his favorite cartoon. His younger brother, on the other hand, looks as though he's just done a 100m sprint after partying until 6 in the morning.
It's unclear whether these formative experiences give kids the bug to try out more adventurous rollercoasters, or whether they scar them for life, ensuring they'll never set foot in an amusement park again.
When You Confuse The Rollercoaster For The Dentist
There is so much going on here it's difficult to know where to start. Surely it can't be a coincidence that the three guys on the right-hand side all happen to be pulling that dentist-chair expression? If so, that's amazing. Also, what's with the pink bowtie? What's also a strange coincidence is that all of the passengers on the left-hand side seem to be super chilled out and loving the experience. Weird.
Something that's slightly troubling — given that this appears to be a pretty rapid coaster — is the number of sunglasses dangling on t-shirts. Remember people, secure your personal belongings before they go flying!
Raise Your Hand If Your Kid Won't Forgive You
We're not quite sure if dad has seen somebody he knows, or if he's just making a very "dad" attempt at a rollercoaster wave. We suspect it's the latter. Either way, his terrified little tot isn't impressed. Perhaps his dad was holding him with both hands until this very moment — the perfect moment for the family photo album it has to be said — then panic suddenly set in. Aw!
In all seriousness though, is it a good idea to take such tiny kids on amusement park rides, even the gentle ones? We're not here to judge, but... seriously!
NASA Astronauts Seem To Be Getting Younger And Younger
Okay, you know the rollercoaster ride is pretty serious when the harness is over the shoulder and around the waist, and even though this is a still image you can tell that this carriage is moving at quite a speed. How fast, exactly? Well, take a look at the kid at the front, who's doing a decent impression of a NASA astronaut going through G Force training.
We love the cute show of solidarity by the kid's dad, placing a protective hand over his son's. Amusement parks can be a great bonding experience for parents and their children, this being a perfect example.
Who Would've Thought This Was A Kids Ride
Clearly, the parents here are having a great time, while totally oblivious to the fact that their kids aren't just terrified but potentially close to vomiting as well. For youngsters of this kind of age, this ride is about as hardcore as it gets, so it's understandable that they're freaking out. For mom, dad, and any other adult aboard, this is probably a relaxing interlude from the more stomach-churning options in the amusement park.
While the kids all look equally uncomfortable, we have to give a shoutout to the brave girl making an attempt to copy her mommy and wave at the camera!
Did You Book To Go On This Ride?
We're a huge fan of choreographed rollercoaster ride photos, and in this case, everybody got the memo. Or should that be textbook? What's so impressive about this — aside from the obvious coordination — is that the entire group of friends is holding their nerve, none of their facial expressions betray the fact that they're about to plunge into a pool of water at a rapid speed. Well done class, A for effort.
Perhaps a good book is a way to ease in those who are frightened of riding on rollercoasters? Don't look down, just focus on this chapter of Harry Potter instead!
When Your Friends Won't Come With You To The Amusement Park Anymore
There's something so joyful about this photo! We're not entirely sure how this grown man ended up riding the rollercoaster with a group of kids — perhaps he's their teacher, or maybe he fancied a solo trip to the amusement park — but either way, they all look like they're having the best time. Let's be honest, kids typically enjoy rollercoaster rides more than adults anyway, so this guy had the right idea!
This pic also makes you appreciate how versatile the safety buckles are on rollercoasters. The man is probably almost twice the height of the kid sat next to him, yet they're both strapped in safely!
When You Just Can't Even
You know, some people love amusement parks. They live for the rides, the fairground stalls, the food, the noise. Others, it would seem, would rather be literally anywhere else. Now, we can't be sure this pose wasn't staged for the photo, but it's certainly an incredibly convincing impression of someone having the worst time. Perhaps he's bored? Or maybe the folks in front of him are being too noisy? Sadly, we'll never know.
The especially amusing thing about this photo is our miserable man's t-shirt, which is at odds with its owner's misery! Surely a plain sweater shirt would've been the appropriate option?
OMG This Is So Boring Compared To TikTok
It would appear this young lady doesn't quite hold this rollercoaster ride in the same esteem as Mickey Mouse, or... literally anything else. She seems genuinely bored, to the point of falling asleep — more than can be said for the guy in front of her, who is truly panicking for his life! We also appreciate the pose of the guy behind our not-fussed friend — dad, perhaps?
As we've mentioned already, wearing accessories on a rollercoaster such as sunglasses or a hat is incredibly brave, so to casually lower them like that for the camera? We're impressed.
When Your Mom Says Something Awkward During Dinner
When rollercoasters are described as 'hair-raising', it's not usually meant in the literal sense of the word. In this case, however, it couldn't be more true. We're not sure what ride this is, but it looks like it ticks all the boxes for adrenaline junkies: fast, terrifying, sweat-inducing etc. Oh, and of course suitable for sibling bonding experiences. Unlike many other coaster pics, this one definitely isn't staged, either. Pure, undiluted fear!
While it might not be the most flattering photo, we hope this is framed and sitting somewhere visible in the family home! The bathroom, perhaps?
Look Honey, It's Your Mother-In-Law
This guy is going to have to do at least a week's worth of grovelling after persuading his partner to ride this log flume. It's difficult to imagine how two reactions could be any more different — he looks like he's relaxing on a sun lounger, while she's literally clinging on for dear life, screaming at the top of her lungs. Still, they do say opposites attract, right?
You can be sure that this cheeky chap bought the photo and shared it with their friends. We just hope his girlfriend got her own back in style.