Universal Studios Florida Premiers Pilot Coasterphobic Stress Program

Officials of Universal Studios Florida are being pro-active in getting people ready to ride the two new world-class roller coasters at their new Islands of Adventure theme park, set to open this spring.

They have set up an elaborate, well publicized program to help people who want to ride roller coasters but are hesitant or scared to do so. The original concept behind the pilot program was to help "coasterphobics" learn to relax and enjoy high-speed roller coasters.

As far as anyone knows, it's the first attempt at a theme park or amusement park to train people to ride the rides. It works at Universal because the two new roller coasters are among the most high profile, most intense rides premiering in 1999.

Because of its uniqueness, the program has received nationwide attention, from "The Today Show" and New York Times to "virtually every television station in the state of Florida.

"It certainly brought attention to the fact Universal's Islands Of Adventure will have two extraordinary roller coasters," said Jim Yaeger, senior vice president of publicity and public relations, Universal Studios Recreation Group.

Being positioned as a stress management program for people who are afraid of riding roller coasters, the program focuses on maximizing a comfortable environment for all riders of roller coasters at the park.

The initial two-day program ran Jan. 26-27 and consisted of a day of training for the Islands of Adventure Ride and Show and Health Services staffs, followed by a second day of practicing techniques and putting the program to the test with coasterphobics.

Fourteen volunteer phobics were chosen from thousands of letters written to two Harvard-trained psychologists, Dr. Brian Newmark and Dr. Michael Otto. The volunteers were found through classified advertising and newspaper stories that appeared nationwide. The doctors screened candidates and chose males and females of various ages.

The basis of the program was to provide coasterphobics a good understanding of the difference between the illusion of danger and real danger, while focusing on the purpose of the ride — to have fun.

The 14 volunteers and chosen members of various coaster clubs were all presented with the top four tips for enjoying roller coasters:

• Remember the purpose of a thrill ride is to experience sights and sounds that are out of the ordinary.

• Sensations of speed, tight turns and sudden drops are all part of the ride; keep reminding yourself these are programmed thrills and not actual danger.

• Allow yourself to enjoy the thrills — this means letting your