Any Tips for Helping a Friend Get Over Their Fear of Rides?

[ultradude306]

You see, my friend is possibly going to the carnival this weekend. As far as i know, they are a total GP, but will ride any of the flats (there aren't any coasters there) that are set up there. However, there is one acceptation... they will not ride the drop tower (ARM Super Shot). Normally, this wouldn't be an issue, as the fair sets up behind my house each year. However, this year the fair is across town, meaning that it's really only worth going once, and it's not like I can go back and ride the tower later.

 

So, I'm really not sure what to do. I don't want to ditch my friend and ride, but, the tower hasn't been to my town in 5 years, and my town is absolute S*** in the ride department, so this is actually a pretty big deal that it's here. Do you guys have any tips on what I can say/do to help them get over their fear?

[FreeFaller]

^Why don't you ride it without your friends? They could wait for you

[Nrthwnd]

Money and offers of sex might help.

 

[Dinnwitted]

Money and offers of sex might help.

 

That will force a person to a date site.

I always say, it's better to tackle the fear one step at a time.

[ultradude306]

^Why don't you ride it without your friends? They could wait for you

Well, I guess I'll just do that.... thanks. kinda feel bad making my friends wait though

[PCW_Nut]

I am a little evil in the sense that I tend to take first timers, or those with fear, onto the biggest/fastest in the park right off the bat. The way I see it is that if they survive that then the rest of the rides should be nothing. It's worked 3 out of 3 times so far.

[simon8899]

Do not force people who are afraid. If they want to try a ride - ride with them together.

 

I've a friend who isn't a rides person - but he's doing log-flumes and rafting rides. A beginning. On flats he got with us onto the Rotor - a good ride to start cause this has no sudden movements and you simply "stick" to the wall. On coasters he rode with me the Hochschaubahn at Vienna Prater - and he liked it, wanting to do a Zierer Force and Tivoli Rutschebanen next. If he likes Tivolli's Rutschbanen I'll take the subway with him to Bakken...

 

I might also try to get him onto Demonen - a floorless B&M looper - which hasn't the forces of the old woodies. But getting fearful people into anything inverting is another story...

[kailisun98]

Offer an bribe like maybe paying for dinner and snacks or just offer him marijuana and just see what happens

Just kidding. DONT DO THAT!!!

[palmerleeberry]

My advice when helping a friend conquer their fears when riding rides is to start small and work your way up. Too scared to ride an major roller coaster? Then ride a junior roller coaster. Too frighten to ride a ride that goes way up high? Then ride one that isn't that high. Afraid they might throw up on a fast, spinning ride? Then have them ride a slower spinning ride like the carousel. One thing you do not want to do is to force someone on a ride if they don't want to. I have this arrangement with my riding buddy whenever we go to an amusement park together. There are some rides he won't get on ( mainly spinning flat rides ), so he'll let me ride by myself as he takes a smoking break. Just as you have the right to ride a ride providing that you meet the requirements, you also have to right NOT to ride if you don't want to. Hey, if your friend just wants to ride only the carousel, bumper cars, log flume, and antique cars and nothing else; then be supportive of your friend's choices, then maybe the day will come when your friend might want to try out that intimidating ride!

 

"I'm not perfect; I just love to ride"