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By Isabella Hendricks

Staff Writer

It’s a question that inevitably pops up  when faced with a school trip to a theme park: “Are you a roller coaster person?” For the many people out there (such as myself ) who answer no, fear not! There’ s no shame in being a mild rider among thrill-seekers, that is, if you know what to ride.

While the roller coasters are definitely the pride of Busch Gardens, the park does offer a nice variety of other rides with varying intensities. In addition to being a great way to cool down in the Florida sun, water rides like Stanley Falls Log Flume or the Congo River Rapids are also very laid-back. (Just remember to put any fragile items in a locker first, or you may have to deal with a soaked cell phone later.)

If you enjoy going to the zoo, Busch Gardens also features an ecletic selection of wildlife. Take a stroll through the aviary to observe beautiful tropical birds, or board the safari tour to get a closer look at elephants, giant anteaters, tortoises, or my personal favorite, the white tiger.

While there are many alternatives for us non-coaster people, being adventurous isn’t a bad thing. If you can figure out what bothers you about certain roller coasters, then you can try to find one that lacks that fear factor.

Can’t stand loops? Give the high-speed wooden Gwazi a try.

Despise steep drops? The Cheetah Chase is a pleasant ride with just a few sharp turns and no extreme plummets.

If you’re unsure where to start, one short coaster, the Scorpion, only lasts about a minute and features one short loop and a few quick drops.

Enjoy the alternatives to roller coasters, but don’t completely avoid trying new things. If your thrill-seeking friends try to drag you on rides that seem out of your range, don’t be too angry with them. You just may thank them for it later.