These days it is becoming increasingly prevalent on large roller coasters to include an on board audio system, ala California Screamin’, Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride, The Time Machine (Led Zeppelin) and Hollywood: Rip, Rockit and Ride. Such a feature is a fantastic advertising point, as seen on H:RRR. By selling the different genres available to listen to while experiencing an already intense looking roller coaster merely raises the value and sell factor of any thrill ride.

However, I have bumped into a few people over the years that are less than fond of such a feature. Some find it distracting, others merely think it has yet to be done correctly. Things like poor song choice, poor speaker placement, incorrect volume, bass level, etc.  can be quite irritating, although in my book certainly not a deal breaker.

Something I have started doing is taking my iPod onto coasters, shoving it deep in my tightest pockets and rocking out to my favorite band while riding. Granted I would not recommend this for a ride that may feature a lot of smashing around if you value your headphones, or ears for that matter. But on a ride like The Matterhorn, Batman: The Ride or a ride of that nature such a thing can be a lot of fun.

So how do you feel about such a feature? What changes would you like to make? And what is a song you’d love to listen to whilst on a roller coaster?