How to convince people to ride rides?

[MaeB]

Hey all,

I'm going (probably) to WDW in June with my dad, aunt, uncle, and 2 cousins. They will be 11 and almost 13 when we go. I went to Six Flags with them over the summer and learned they are not ride girls at all. When I went to WDW when I was 9 my mom made me ride EVERYTHING. Believe me, there were tears (I was SO scared on the Maelstrom...I hated anything to do with boats or water. Let's not even talk about the Back Lot ride at MGM )

Anyway, how can I convince my cousins to ride some of the rides that might scare them? Space Mountain will be closed when we're there, but I want to get them on Splash Mountain and...I don't know...maybe even Tower of Terror. I want them to experience as much as possible cause it will be their first trip, but I don't want to scare them too much. Suggestions?

 

[SGMCO]

You need to find out if they are scared of riding or
do they maybe get motion sickness from rides?

I get motion sickness and was scared to ride for years
until I found something that worked for the motion sickness
and now I am able to ride most rides--I had a wonderful trip
last year and look forward to riding the rides this year.

 

[figueroa4]

OH! Please tell me what you use for motion sickness. I am afraid of that very thing ruining our first trip there in March!

 

[livndisney]

Hey all,

I'm going (probably) to WDW in June with my dad, aunt, uncle, and 2 cousins. They will be 11 and almost 13 when we go. I went to Six Flags with them over the summer and learned they are not ride girls at all. When I went to WDW when I was 9 my mom made me ride EVERYTHING. Believe me, there were tears (I was SO scared on the Maelstrom...I hated anything to do with boats or water. Let's not even talk about the Back Lot ride at MGM )

Anyway, how can I convince my cousins to ride some of the rides that might scare them? Space Mountain will be closed when we're there, but I want to get them on Splash Mountain and...I don't know...maybe even Tower of Terror. I want them to experience as much as possible cause it will be their first trip, but I don't want to scare them too much. Suggestions?

I would get them a book about Disney and let THEM figure out what they want to ride. Who wants to remember WDW as a "scary" place?

I think you can also watch some clips from some of the rides on Youtube.

 

[all4fun]

Have you gotten the WDW planning DVD? Maybe order one to be sent to their house and make sure they watch it. Remember WDW is more about the themeing (is that a word? lol) and atmosphere than it is about "thrills" like Six Flags. It's really different. You also might get them the Birnbaum's WDW for kids, by kids book to read (if they are readers). We bought this for our 11-yr old nieces a few years back and unfortunately, it was a little bit of a waste because they didn't read it until we were on our way to WDW...but it's a thought.

I hope this helps. I know how you feel though. We took our 10 and 14yr old nephews last April and the 14-yr old didn't want to ride anything even remotely thrilling (no BTMRR or Splash Mtn for him)...but he enjoyed himself anyway. So try not to stress out too much about it if it turns out you can't change their minds!

hth!

 

[MaeB]

I would get them a book about Disney and let THEM figure out what they want to ride. Who wants to remember WDW as a "scary" place?

I think you can also watch some clips from some of the rides on Youtube.

Oh my gosh, I would never want to make them have a horrible time or anything. Even though I was scared when I was made to go on all the rides when I went as a kid (I cried big time riding King Kong at Universal) I'm happy that I went on them. I just think that if they tried some of the rides they'd like them. I was never a ride person until I sucked it up and just tried a rollercoaster. Now I can't get enough. If they truly don't like them that's one thing...but how would they know unless they try? Either way my dad and I will be going on everything! I almost hope they decide to "save face" in front of me just so they get on everything.

 

[SGMCO]

OH! Please tell me what you use for motion sickness. I am afraid of that very thing ruining our first trip there in March!

I bought a Relief Band and I also take Ginger Pills.
Relief Bands were created for Stunt Pilots and is well worth the
money. I bought mine on Ebay. The relief band also has help
with airsickness for flying and migrains.
People also use the Relief bands for Cruises so they won't get
Seasick.

 

[AMVmom]

You could maybe start them slow and work your way up. Start with rides like Winniw the Pooh, Peter Pan (maybe not Snow White) than work up to Dumbo, Alladin's carpets, then Goofy Barnstormer (they may see alot of Little kids like 4-5 years of age and feel they can do that too.) From Goofy I really feel that Big Thunder is a pretty small step and so on. I probably wouldn't push too much as there are some kids who might never have really tried rides too much and are not used to the motion. I'm sure they'll still have a ton of fun!

This also reminds me of an evil thing I've done in the past. After we got married we wanted to go on a honeymoon overseas but I did not have a lot of time off from school (I was in grad school at that time). So we went to WDW which was DHs first time (and my zillionth time). He knew nothing of the rides and TOTALLY trusted me. I got him to go on ToT and insisted that it was a souped up version of the haunted mansion . Luckily there wasn't much of a line and we got onto the elevator quick (he never fully appreciated hearing the screaming). Let's just say I enjoyed his reaction way more than the ride! Afterwards I apologized and took him to Aerosmith and told him it was a mild rollercoaster. I guess that did it because after that he hasn't listened to a word I said or trusted me since Still, that had to be the best vacation I ever had!

 

[My Grandpa]

They are gonna have so much fun ... and so will you experiencing them discover WDW!!!!V Absolutely make sure they see the Planning Video. Try some of the non-ride experiences first: Bugs Life, Muppet 3-D, Micky's Philrmagic (I didn't spell that right). Then move up some "rides" Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, the Haunted Mansion. I would stay away from Space Mountain and Tower of Terror. They are intense.

And a little reverse-psychology never hurt. Just watch the folks at the plunge bridge for Splash Mountain .... and keep saying "No way I'm going on that ... no way." You know how SM zip-a-dee-doo-dahs you into a false sense of happiness - until it sends you over the edge!!! Then buy the photo and the kids will go bananas!!!!!!!!!

 

[eliewriter]

Hey thanks, all4fun, for the tip on the Birnbaum kids' guide. I've heard of a lot of Disney books but never this one! I'm definitely going to check into it for my son.

He's 11 and this will be his first time at WDW. He's excited about the rides in general but hates water rides. We watched video clips of rides at Disney.com and read comments about them in the Unofficial Guide and he decided he'll try Splash Mountain but not Kali River Rapids.

If the kids live nearby, you can get on the Disney site together and look at the rides, then save their favorites and request free customized Disney maps marking where those rides are.

I agree with the others who recommend letting the kids have a lot of say about what their limits are. I think I heard that Disney offers an exit if they get in line for a ride then change their mind.