How To Coach Someone Onto Thrill Rides

[ArwenMarie]

In the age of Youtube videos for literally every ride out there, if they are interested but scared, I say offer to show the person a video (if they don't already know how to do this themselves) and let them decide for themselves. Key point...if they are interested.

Kids included.

 

[alvernon90]

With that being said, I have also seen parents force there kids onto rides. Once on the ToT there were 2 little girls literally hyperventilating, their dad told them to suck it up. It took all my will power not to interfere. The poor girls were crying, screaming, and clinging to each other throughout the entire ride. They were visibly shaken when the ride was done.

This reminds me of a classic thread from some years back where a guy convinced his young son to ride ToT by flat-out lying to him and saying it was a normal elevator. Then he posted a photo of the kid immediately afterward asking the boards if he was a bad father. The kid looked positively stricken. It was extremely sad.

When I took my daughter on ToT the first time the whole way through the line I reminded her that we did not have to do it. In the loading area she started crying and I said once again that we could walk right out and go ride something else or get a snack. She insisted on riding, and it immediately became her favorite ride ever.

So that's what I think is the best coaching method: reassuring reluctant riders that they don't have to do it.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Trust me, I'm sure there is an entire line of people on vacation that do not enjoy spending 30-45 minutes listening to your child throw any kind of tantrum because YOU think it is worth getting them on a ride. ...

It's one thing to find yourself in the middle of a child's unanticipated meltdown, it is an entirely different thing to knowingly cause a tantrum and then force it upon others for a significant period of time in a confined space...again for the sake of a ride.

Even if you are so sure you are doing right by your child, you might think about having some courtesy to those around you.

First, I'd never get into a 30-45 minute line with my kids unless it was for something they loved. Second, I'm sorry if my parenting technique somehow infringes on another guest's vacation experience, but I don't give into tantrums at home and I'm not going to on vacation, either.

We've had 4 trips to Disney. I mentioned the three times in riding 100s of rides on those trips where I had to take an objecting child onto a ride. On the LM, he objected all the way through the queue--the FP+ queue, that is, which we walked right through. A couple of minutes at most. On Splash, he said he changed his mind right as we were getting into the ride vehicle (he was fine through the queue)...I told him it was too late and he was going on the ride. On HM, he objected once we got through the stretching room and he saw the doom buggies. I told him just to hide his eyes and that everything would be OK. Once on the ride, there was no crying/fit throwing. Why? Because his tantrum didn't accomplish its goal, which was to get us to do what he wanted. It wasn't necessarily that he didn't want to ride, but he didn't want to ride on someone else's terms. Mama don't play that game, vacation or not. Just because it wasn't his turn to pick the ride (everyone takes turns deciding where to go next) didn't mean that he was going to derail the whole family.

 

[Kathryn777]

I am bummed that my DW refuses to ride ToT with me. She loves Twilight Zone as much as I do, and whenever there's a holiday weekend marathon happening, we tend to spend more time watching it on the couch than we do attending BBQs. I know she would love the actual ride itself based on other rides she adores. She just has some mental block in her head that makes her refuse to ever want to ride it. Is it better to try to Jedi mind trick her into riding it despite the fact she would be scared to a point of near panic, or respect her wishes and go ride it solo while she enjoys something else? Seems like a no brainer to me.

My DH got me on it last trip. Scariest. Ride. Ever. At least I could ignore his guilt trips the rest of the trip though
I ride everything unless it is spinny or a simulator. 6 flags coasters, everything else at wdw. But that ride is awful. Not having a clue what is coming just makes me think we're going to die and I can't control my stomach. Hate it hate it hate it. Everyone is different and I'm happy you ended your post saying you respect her wishes

 

[itchin2go]

First, I'd never get into a 30-45 minute line with my kids unless it was for something they loved. Second, I'm sorry if my parenting technique somehow infringes on another guest's vacation experience, but I don't give into tantrums at home and I'm not going to on vacation, either.

We've had 4 trips to Disney. I mentioned the three times in riding 100s of rides on those trips where I had to take an objecting child onto a ride. On the LM, he objected all the way through the queue--the FP+ queue, that is, which we walked right through. A couple of minutes at most. On Splash, he said he changed his mind right as we were getting into the ride vehicle (he was fine through the queue)...I told him it was too late and he was going on the ride. On HM, he objected once we got through the stretching room and he saw the doom buggies. I told him just to hide his eyes and that everything would be OK. Once on the ride, there was no crying/fit throwing. Why? Because his tantrum didn't accomplish its goal, which was to get us to do what he wanted. It wasn't necessarily that he didn't want to ride, but he didn't want to ride on someone else's terms. Mama don't play that game, vacation or not. Just because it wasn't his turn to pick the ride (everyone takes turns deciding where to go next) didn't mean that he was going to derail the whole family.

Well, I obviously don't know your family, so I don't know if your assessment about WHY someone didn't want to ride a ride is right or wrong.

That said, I'm glad my family didn't work this way. I'm a ride chicken and I would have been miserable.

This is just me, but I have no investment in my child riding things she doesn't want to ride. Trying foods she doesn't want to try? Yes, but not rides.

I can actually remember my mom chicken-ing out of Haunted Mansion on our one and only childhood trip to Disney. She is claustrophobic and the stretching room was too much for her. I went with her when she exited. I understand fears and even changing your mind.

 

[Pixiedustaway]

This reminds me of a classic thread from some years back where a guy convinced his young son to ride ToT by flat-out lying to him and saying it was a normal elevator. Then he posted a photo of the kid immediately afterward asking the boards if he was a bad father. The kid looked positively stricken. It was extremely sad.

When I took my daughter on ToT the first time the whole way through the line I reminded her that we did not have to do it. In the loading area she started crying and I said once again that we could walk right out and go ride something else or get a snack. She insisted on riding, and it immediately became her favorite ride ever.

So that's what I think is the best coaching method: reassuring reluctant riders that they don't have to do it.

Agreed. I ask, they say "no way, Jose". End of discussion.

I'd never force them onto anything. And I know them well enough to know what kind of rides they will like. Like my 4 y/o nephew absolutely loved tot, loved it. But he's a nut ans his parents know that. He went on twice, for Pete's sakes. My girls won't and thats ok by me.

 

[cattywampus]

First, I'd never get into a 30-45 minute line with my kids unless it was for something they loved. Second, I'm sorry if my parenting technique somehow infringes on another guest's vacation experience, but I don't give into tantrums at home and I'm not going to on vacation, either.

Perhaps your parenting style is creating the tantrums.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Well, I obviously don't know your family, so I don't know if your assessment about WHY someone didn't want to ride a ride is right or wrong.

That said, I'm glad my family didn't work this way. I'm a ride chicken and I would have been miserable.

This is just me, but I have no investment in my child riding things she doesn't want to ride. Trying foods she doesn't want to try? Yes, but not rides.

I can actually remember my mom chicken-ing out of Haunted Mansion on our one and only childhood trip to Disney. She is claustrophobic and the stretching room was too much for her. I went with her when she exited. I understand fears and even changing your mind.

Great, whatever works for you and your family. In my situation I, too, made the right choice for my family. We've all ridden all three rides I mentioned happily since then. Again, for me, I knew it wasn't about the ride. But to an outside observer? I'm sure it looked totally different.

Perhaps your parenting style is creating the tantrums.

Curious, do you have or have ever had a 3 year old? If you did, you should know how ridiculous that statement is. I'd say we weathered the tumultus toddler years pretty well. Four small tantrums in two Disney trips (with two trips there were no issues) isn't too bad of a record, IMO. Luckily, we're behind that age now and so we don't really have to worry about bothering other guests with trying to keep some semblance of our house rules in place while on vacation.



To try to bring this back on point...I think there are situations where talking or cajoling someone onto a ride is totally inappropriate, and some situations where encouraging someone to try something new is totally appropriate. As someone up thread said, it's all about the relationship you have with the person in question and also why they object.

 

[smidgy]

Omg, saw the saddest thing ever last ToT. (Mind you this it's the firsttime on ToT since being convinced as a child "it's not that bad. Come on!" and getting off the ride crying hysterically....)
We were in the queue right before it goes inside and a little boy, 6ish, was sobbing with no parents around. I was going to tell the next cmwhen we came around the pillars and saw the parents peeking and giggling. Eventually the boy continued on in the queue (clearly they had pulled the "you'll just have to wait by yourself"type comment which is why the went on but were waiting for him to inevitably follow). When we entered the little room he lost it. Total hysteria screaming "noooooo!I'm scaaaaared "while they laughed and carried him kicking and screaming. Honestly once we started boarding I quit paying attention because I was basica lly experiencing the same panic attack in adult form. I literally kept violently grabbing the inner thighs of the men on either side of me while curling into a fetal position. Luckily my husband and cousin happened to be the men on either side, although I did apologize profusely to my cousin for the extreme awkward touchingthat I subjected him to.

isn't that wonderful? how someone's fear can be FODDER for someone else's amusement?

 

[smidgy]

This reminds me of a classic thread from some years back where a guy convinced his young son to ride ToT by flat-out lying to him and saying it was a normal elevator. Then he posted a photo of the kid immediately afterward asking the boards if he was a bad father. The kid looked positively stricken. It was extremely sad.

When I took my daughter on ToT the first time the whole way through the line I reminded her that we did not have to do it. In the loading area she started crying and I said once again that we could walk right out and go ride something else or get a snack. She insisted on riding, and it immediately became her favorite ride ever.

So that's what I think is the best coaching method: reassuring reluctant riders that they don't have to do it.

you sound like a wonderful understanding parent.

 

[cattywampus]

Curious, do you have or have ever had a 3 year old?

Yep. Son just turned 7 and he was indeed 3 years old, at one time. Has been a regular at DLR since he was one (probably 15-20 trips).

He just rode California Screaming on our last trip and loved it, but does not want to ride Haunted Mansion. Had we gotten all the way to the front of the Cal Screaming line and he changed his mind (like your Splash Mountain story), I would have had no problem letting the CM know that we would not be riding. In fact, I asked him if he was sure just before boarding because he knew once we were seated and the restraints engaged, we would not be able to get off, because of the way the ride worked. He understood, decided to ride and loved it.

I fail to see the benefit in forcing him on an amusement ride and have never done so with any ride. We are leaving for our first trip to WDW in 12 days, and no one be forced to ride anything. Rides are supposed to be fun and we have celebrated his courage on rides but never forced it.

I have been going to DL since I was 4. One of my fondest memories is having ice cream on the wall between Pirates and Haunted with my oldest sister, because I didn't want to ride. I'm not sure if she got bribed with ice cream or if she didn't care to ride but it doesn't matter.

She and I continue to enjoy the parks year after year together and with our own families. Interestingly, she doesn't remember the ice cream incident, but I smile and remind her every time I see that little brick wall that is still there all these years later.

I'm so glad my parents gave me a lasting special memory, instead of dragging a scared child on those two rides (both of which I came to love in my own time). I still managed to graduate from college, earn a great salary, and have a wonderful family without "household rules" that included dragging me on rides. Imagine that!

 

[cjbcam]

I would never try to push an adult onto a ride because they know what they would like or what would make them sick. But for my kids you bet I "forced" them onto rides. When my DD was 5 we took our first trip to Disney and she was scared of every ride. That is until we went on them. I knew she would love them. By the end of that trip I'm sure we had rode BTMRR like 100 times. Mind you she wasn't crying in line or anything like that.
I think with kids sometimes they need that little push to get them to try stuff. I would never try to force a child that was crying and panicking but I would force (more like encourage) a child that is just scared of the unknown.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

In the age of Youtube videos for literally every ride out there, if they are interested but scared, I say offer to show the person a video (if they don't already know how to do this themselves) and let them decide for themselves. Key point...if they are interested.

Kids included.

This is especially great for kids! My little cousin is going in a few weeks and she has watched all the ride videos and made a list of rides she wants to go on. I am curious to see how it turns out for her.

On another note, one of the kids I nanny for did this before their Disney trip about 3 years ago. He was around 8 at the time and insisted, begged, tried to negotiate to get his parents to let him ride TOT. I am sure he probably threw a giant "you don't love me" tantrum. (they were mostly afraid he was too young, not just trying to be mean) No one wanted to ride but mom finally gave in and went with him. The result? He hated it, screamed bloody murder and made a giant scene once the ride started. Mom was mortified and I am sure onlookers probably thought she was a terrible mom for "making her kid ride it" despite the fact she tried to convince him he would be too scared.

I still think watching videos is a great idea but some things, like loosing your stomach with the drops happen, can't be anticipated.

 

[ttintagel]

This reminds me of a classic thread from some years back where a guy convinced his young son to ride ToT by flat-out lying to him and saying it was a normal elevator. Then he posted a photo of the kid immediately afterward asking the boards if he was a bad father. The kid looked positively stricken. It was extremely sad.

My Mom is extremely coaster-phobic (when she was young, she witnessed a kid get horribly injured being thrown off a shoddy coaster at a sketchy county fair). On our first trip to WDW, Dad lied to her and told her BTMRR was just a scenic train ride. He learned his lesson when she hyperventilated and passed out on his shoulder after the first drop. (Come to find out, she also had undiagnosed high blood pressure.) I just can't imagine doing something like that to somebody one says one cares about.

 

[ttintagel]

Trust me, I'm sure there is an entire line of people on vacation that do not enjoy spending 30-45 minutes listening to your child throw any kind of tantrum because YOU think it is worth getting them on a ride. ...

It's one thing to find yourself in the middle of a child's unanticipated meltdown, it is an entirely different thing to knowingly cause a tantrum and then force it upon others for a significant period of time in a confined space...again for the sake of a ride.

Even if you are so sure you are doing right by your child, you might think about having some courtesy to those around you.

Some people are just more important than other people, I guess. Nice lesson to teach a kid, that all the people around him in the world don't matter.

 

[Moonwolf]

Speaking as a kids who was forced on a big ride multiple times before I was ready I can't approve of forcing someone on a ride. Encouraging someone who is nervous I think is fine but if they know they don't like the ride don't make them go.

My mother forced me on the log flume at our local Six Flags multiple times when I was younger and it pretty much ruined me for big rides. I think if it was only one time she forced me I could have over come it but the fact that she did it over and over again until I was old enough to put my foot down and wait alone was the breaking point. Now while I've done some small/mid-sized coasters anything with a large drop now makes me really nervous. Even things that I've done before and been fine with I have the possibility of psyching myself out later on and refusing to ride (example I road Splash with my friend last year and was fine but while in DL I had the chance to ride it there and backed out from shear nerve).

I also recommend being honest with your child with what you're about to ride. My cousins took their son to WDW and lied to him to get him to try out the big rides that he was tall enough for. He did them but was not happy and now no longer trusts anyone when they tell him something is an easy ride. My parents watched him while we were at our local Six Flags and he refused to do any of the rides even the little kid ones.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Sure, your dad wasn't scarred for life, but that's not how I want to spend my vacation. Nor do I want to spend even a second of my vacation barfing or having to lie down in a theme park. I think I have the right to decide for myself, and to not have to deal with even a moment of people trying to convince me to do something that I KNOW, beyond a shadow of a doubt that I don't want to do.

I think people without these kinds of fears, or without motion sickness issues, or people who LOVE that stomach drop feeling ... I *think* sometimes they perceive these things in other people as weakness. In reality, some people just KNOW they hate that stomach drop feeling, or they're prone to queasiness, or that being terrified is just not fun.

No one should be forced or ridiculed, I believe I said that. But, I am not going to feel bad about bribing someone onto the ride or encouraging them to try something new. If they say no, that's the end of it for me. But, if someone is such a delicate little flower that they can't even tolerate someone asking them if they might try it, then being a ride chicken is the least of their problems, lol. Remember, I used to be one of the biggest ride chickens going until I figured out that most people tend to build things up in
their mind to huge levels. Never has a ride been so awful that I felt traumatized.

 

[smidgy]

No one should be forced or ridiculed, I believe I said that. But, I am not going to feel bad about bribing someone onto the ride or encouraging them to try something new. If they say no, that's the end of it for me. But, if someone is such a delicate little flower that they can't even tolerate someone asking them if they might try it, then being a ride chicken is the least of their problems, lol. Remember, I used to be one of the biggest ride chickens going until I figured out that most people tend to build things up in
their mind to huge levels. Never has a ride been so awful that I felt traumatized.

the boldest parts shows to me your disdain for those who don't share your enjoyment of thrill rides. as if those of us who don't enjoy that "thrill" are somehow weaker.
I have felt traumatized on rides I was "bribed" into going on. you enjoy what you like. let others enjoy what they like. it's not that complicated.

 

[anonymousegirl]

My younger sister used to trick me onto carnival rides I didn't like and then laugh like a maniac when I panicked and screamed. Because of this repeated experience, I didn't want to go on Space Mountain when it debuted (no way did I ever trust her again when it came to rides). I didn't want to go on BTMR either when it debuted, and I really knew I would hate Splash when it opened.

Cut to 15 years later, I take my boyfriend on his first trip to Disneyland. We ride Matterhorn, and then he heads to Space Mountain. He finally connived me to try it just one time. I loved it. The we head to BTMR, I ride that and love it. Then we go to Splash. I tell him that I will hate it but he cites all the other times I said it and was wrong. So we ride it and I spend that 11 minutes dreading the drop and 2 seconds in a fetal position in the log. I was finally right!

Cut to 20 years later and my friend convinces me to try it again, and while it will never be my favorite ride, if I have to, I will ride it and survive.

Now TOT, I really hate. I have ridden it twice and hated every minute of it. Never again.

 

[CapeCodMouse]

My son had never ridden Rockin Rollercoaster. Once he got tall enough I told him I would walk him to the front and he could get on and ride. I HATE roller coasters but I figured I would just take the chicken exit once I put him on the ride. In line, he started to change his mind, getting nervous and coming close to a panic attack. I just knew he would love the ride once he got over his nervousness and told him that even though I hate roller coasters I would get on the ride with him. As we approached the front he got even more panicky, but I kept reassuring him and pointed out that I was going to ride it, even though I didn't like it. I ALMOST took him out just before we got on, but I knew once he rode it he would love it. So, in we went. As predicted, I hated it. When we got to the end and got off, I looked at my son and said, "how did you like it?" He immediately said, "can we go again?" At which point I said " not with me" and handed him over to his father. They rode it two more times, and then several times throughout that trip. Just perservering with that one ride made him try other things like Expedition Everest and Tower of Terror - both of which he loved. Sometimes you just have to coax them through their fear.