Advice Please. How to get scaredy cats onto a RC

Fustrating,isn't when one person in your party will not ride a certain rollercoaster and screws it up for the rest of the group. Help... Any advice,tips or success stories you can share on how you turned wimpy into thrill seeker.

Why even go to the park with them? Thats really bad to have a chicken trailing around with you. Just make them feel like the biggest wussie in the world and tell everyone you know about this person so they will make fun of them and eventually they will come around.
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I may be from IL, but i sure can't get enough of the FORCE. MF!!!

*** This post was edited by IL_MForce_Junkie on 10/10/2001. ***

I assume Coaster Bob that this person will ride other coasters, not just one particular coaster from your post. If this is the case, explain how the ride you want him or her to ride is like other rides they have already been on in the past. Just state that it is just a different experience and one they will be sorry they missed in the end for not wanting to try it.

You have a few options.

1. Leave them at home.

2. Take them with, say it's a choo choo ride (only works on little kids).

3. Make fun of them until they go.

4. Let them suffer, leave them at the exit waiting for you. Why should you have to suffer from their fear?

Hmm...IL_MForce_Junkie's plan certainly sounds compelling but I would tend towards something a little more sensitive.

Try to get a sense of their fear and don't force them onto something that they are clearly not ready for. Maybe offer a less intimidating alternative first to allow them to experience the sensations on a smaller scale. Try asking what it is, specifically, that they are afraid of. Remind them that riding a coaster really doesn't require anything of them other then to just sit there. They will be secured in the train and no special skill or ability is necessary. If they can't handle the height have them close their eyes - at least for the lift hill. Tell them it will only last a few minutes and then it will all be over. Chances are good that they'll come off wondering what scared them so much.

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everything's better with a banjo

I find that trying to coax somone into riding a coaster is the wrong way to go about it all together. I took my little brother on a trip to the park and tried to get him to ride anything and everything. He put up his defenses and refused at all costs. The next time I brought him, all I did was ask him if he was going to ride. If he said no, I said o.k.. Next thing I knew, he was voulenteering to ride the rides, after he felt left out. Thats the trick.

If it is a guy that is a good friend that won't go, the answer is simple. Blatently, rudely, maliciously, relentlessly insult his manhood until he breaks down and rides. Wait at the exit for a few minutes until some 6 year old girl comes off the ride smiling an laughing, point that out, then continue with the insults. This has actually worked for me in the past.

Then again, if someone is 100% not going to ride, then force that person to hold everyone's stuff while they ride.

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"X" marks the spot in 2001!

You can always try to rationalize with them that they should really try it. I always used to point at exceptionally young kids coming off the ride smiling. Also, you can reassure them that even if they hate it, it will only be at most 4 minutes of fear. (not that long at all!)
Note that there are people who do not go on rc's because of physical problems. I'm not talking about disabilities, just that some people simply don't have the stomach for it. I had a friend who couldn't even take the Iron Dragon. Can't get him to go on anything. He is smart enough just to stay home now.
PS Being rude is usually never the answer. If you try to coerce them by teasing them or treating them poorly, it will probably only strengthen their resolve not to go on. Furthermore, you might even lose a good friend over something as silly as a rollercoaster.

*** This post was edited by Kahnverse on 10/10/2001. ***

I'm a big fan of showing them POV videos on my computer. There's nothing like them being able to actually see what it will be like.. of course, leave out the part about loss of stomach and grey outs. :o)
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I rode "X" and never went upside down.

I go to Great America with a young child and she did not want to ride some coasters.

One time she went with a friend and her family and her friend convinced her that even though it's scarey it's also Fun! and she rode the ride and now she likes the rides.

Don't force someone to ride, but peer pressure may help.

Showing the POV's does help, the person can see what the ride is like before riding it.

Sometimes, though, people's fears are real enough in their minds that riding a coaster will be a bad experience for them. I know one man who will not ride coasters, because he rode something in New York 20 years ago and it 'causes him anxiety to think about it. Never will this guy ride anything else, it's like PTSD from a coaster.

Your mind can pull tricks on you. I am afraid of heights, I developed the fear and one day realized it. Usually, as we go up the lifts, I can feel an intense pounding and silence in my body(but it feels good, the fear) that goes away when the rides get rolling good.

If I knew someone who may seriously be afraid, I would never put them on a ride, but if it's a buddy of mine being chicken, I just need to point to all the ladies riding:), that gets 'em up there, "girls will talk to you in line, man" works pretty good. Usually they forget to look around for ladies not riding. I had a friend once who wouldn't get on something, I pointed out all the kids, he obviously thinks kids will do anything and aren't very smart.

Leave The Scaredy Cats Home.

If someone doesn't want to ride a roller coaster... you simply can not make them. People Usually have good reasons for not wanting to ride a certain ride. Teasing them and making fun of them will only make it worse. Instead *try* and be nice...and that just might work.

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There are NoLimits when it comes to Roller Coasters

You shouldn't try to force anyone on a coaster. That's akin to forcing a child, at the age of 2, to hold his breath in a swimming pool for one minute. It isn't fair, and it's usually terrifying. Leave the poor soul at home.... If that doesn't work, make sure you do as I did, and walk with a large group of friends. When you arrive at the loading area, make sure that their attention is "in the conversation" and not looking at the ride. The next thing they know, they are strapping in, and moving up the hill. It worked for my wife (who used to be scared to death of coasters) when we were at Nagashima getting ready to ride the Steel Dragon. Now, she is fearless, and has actually asked if we could go to SFMM for Christmas. She wants to ride X (if it ever opens.), so you just never know. Good luck!
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There is more...!
http://www.geocities.com/ethylsite

How about hitting them with a tranquilizer and then placing them in the train like they used to do on the A-Team with Mr. T when he was afraid to fly! (I ain't ridin' no rolla coasta, fool!)

Seriously, one friend who doesn't want to ride and doesn't mind waiting is the best. They can hold all of your stuff, go get you a Pepsi, etc... sort of like having a butler for the day!

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"Reality" is the only word in the language which should always be used in quotes.

I would say leave the scaredy cats home...but if they do go, make them go on something like Flight of Fear and say it is like a kiddie coaster.... :)
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Millennium Force: The 8th Wonder of the World!

When I was at Indiana Beach with my cousin when the Hoosier hurricane was new, I convinced her that te Hoosier Hurricane was just a tour around the park. LOL she fell for it but now loves rollercoasters, all thanks to a little trick by me.

Tell them not to think about it to much and just have fun.

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"Bubbles are the future!"

1. Tell them nothing is going to happen to you on the ride. It only lasts one minute then its over.

2. Call them a chicken untill they go on

3. Tell the person that if anything happens to the give them $5.(you usually won't have to give them any money because they enjoy the ride so much. )

SFDL fan said:
3. Tell the person that if anything happens to the give them $5.(you usually won't have to give them any money because they enjoy the ride so much. )

Trust me, if your friends are like mines, they'll remember the $5 ;)