Is my 11 year old sister ready for Knotts Berry Farm?

If your sister is ready for a challenge, then she should not have any problems at Knott's Berry Farm. The one thing that your sister needs to know is that nothing bad is going to happen her. The only thing that's going to happen to her is that she will have a great time at Knott's Berry Farm.

My first roller coaster actually had a loop in it (I was 13 when I went on my very first roller coaster). It was Viper at Six Flags. My biggest fear was not the speed, but actually going through the loops. Actually, I was tricked by my uncle to ride it because he told me it was a mild ride (it wasn't, but I didn't know because it was my first ride). I rode Viper anyways and I remembered freaking out when I saw that loop. Once I went through that loop, I realized it wasn't even the most thrilling part of the ride at all. Not even close. It was the drops that gave me more thrill than the loop. I remembered liking the ride and wanting to go on it again.

Like Oman said (and he got me through this as well), life really is too short to let fear dictate your life. There were a few rides I didn't want to ride at Knott's and Six Flags because of death counts, but I realized after riding those rides that I was being too silly with my mentality. I was 20 when I posted all that on Yahoo! Answers and this is coming from the guy who went to Knott's Berry Farm almost every year. Now, I just say "Give me all you got!" because I don't let fear dictate my life anymore. Not just roller coasters, but life itself.

Best of luck for your sister.

As a serious ride aficionado, I can tell you that your sister is denying herself some SERIOUS fun. My youngest daughter was dying to go on California Screamin' since she was 3, and she went on it when she was 6. The loop is really no big deal: It's a cool experiment in physics, that's all. That ride was designed by computers and engineers who knew what they were doing. It's as smooth as glass, and one of my favorite roller coasters. I don't get how she can go on Space Mountain, which is a little jerky at times, and not go on CS.

Here's the deal: Modern rides are SAFE. They were designed with computers to exactly measure G-Forces, smooth out turns, and provide the illusion of danger while staying safe. Take California Screamin' for example: People think that they are going to fall out of the car in the loop. However, it's a physical impossibility. The G forces actually push you into your seat. Even if you had no lap bar, you could not jump from the car.

Whether your sister is 11, 18, or 51, it's all in her head. My youngest has gone on ALL those rides and loved them. They're safe. The only coasters I won't go on are Colossus (which is now being remodeled) at SFMM, Ghost Rider at Knott's, and the Matterhorn at Disneyland. Not because I'm scared, but because wooden coasters shake a lot, and I have very long legs which get bashed into the front of the car. And I won't go on the Matterhorn because it was designed before computers, and the turns are too jerky. It throws out my back. I love coasters, but as I get a little older, I've found that I'm starting to get a little queasy after riding them. But I put up with it because my daughter likes to ride.

Life is short. It's OK to be afraid, but letting fears dictate your life makes life rather boring and dull. Tell your sister to face her fears. That's how we grow.