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Fear of rides - Alton Towers

Towerslover

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I couldn't find a suitable topic so I thought I would create a new one.

Now I've been counting down and planning my next Alton Towers trip for too long now, but tonight I've suddenly become quite nervous. I want to try new rides but then I don't. Last trip I somehow managed to wimp out of Thirteen! I was wondering if anyone has any advice for managing this fear, in recent years I've never not enjoyed a ride I've been nervous for. Just when I get in the queue I feel quite sick and the feel the need to sit down, I guess this is normal but just wish it wouldn't happen. Does anyone else get this? All of my friends don't get this at all. Hoping I have the guts to get on Rita and The Smiler for the first time. Oblivion at a push?
 
Don't worry, I had exactly the same when I first looked at oblivion. I think the best thing to do is to just do it. I understand that that sounds like the worst advice I could give, but if you just push yourself onto it you'll be able to do it again. Rita is really not that bad, the launch is fun, but keep your head forward on the turns for comfort. Same goes for Smiler. The only one in your list that is actually scary is oblivion, but once you've done it a few times it loses the effect.


And just for the record, I did apocalypse at Drayton Manor when I was ten and ran back on for rerides after ;)
 
I couldn't find a suitable topic so I thought I would create a new one.

Now I've been counting down and planning my next Alton Towers trip for too long now, but tonight I've suddenly become quite nervous. I want to try new rides but then I don't. Last trip I somehow managed to wimp out of Thirteen! I was wondering if anyone has any advice for managing this fear, in recent years I've never not enjoyed a ride I've been nervous for. Just when I get in the queue I feel quite sick and the feel the need to sit down, I guess this is normal but just wish it wouldn't happen. Does anyone else get this? All of my friends don't get this at all. Hoping I have the guts to get on Rita and The Smiler for the first time. Oblivion at a push?
I remember going to towers when I was about 13-14
Oblivion was the big ride and I went with my sister, her partner and there 2 friends.
They all want to do it but I was scared the queue was about 2 hours long iirc and they was no way I was waiting by myself when they went on so I went on it as well even though I was scared silly
My advice would be to do a similar thing and go with friends who wanna go on the rides and go with them


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I couldn't find a suitable topic so I thought I would create a new one.

Now I've been counting down and planning my next Alton Towers trip for too long now, but tonight I've suddenly become quite nervous. I want to try new rides but then I don't. Last trip I somehow managed to wimp out of Thirteen! I was wondering if anyone has any advice for managing this fear, in recent years I've never not enjoyed a ride I've been nervous for. Just when I get in the queue I feel quite sick and the feel the need to sit down, I guess this is normal but just wish it wouldn't happen. Does anyone else get this? All of my friends don't get this at all. Hoping I have the guts to get on Rita and The Smiler for the first time. Oblivion at a push?
I was the same for a while with Rita and oblivion. How I got through it was to first rationalise the fact that it is only 2 minutes I would have to endure if I didn't enjoy it. I also kept telling myself I would like it. The other thing I did was speak to one of the Friends I was with and tell them not to let me leave the queue. This really helped for Rita (which I was most scared for as when I was about 7 my dad and sister went on and hated it) it took me 3 years (one visit a year) to do Rita and 4 for oblivion. I was determined to do it and push through the anxiety. Which is hard but worth it in the end.

Now I regret not going on sooner so definitely do as many as you can (doing one and enjoying it should give you confidence for the rest). I was nervous about oblivion because I hate drop towers so if this is your reason you'll be fine because you don't get that horrible feeling like on a drop tower.
 
I couldn't find a suitable topic so I thought I would create a new one.

Now I've been counting down and planning my next Alton Towers trip for too long now, but tonight I've suddenly become quite nervous. I want to try new rides but then I don't. Last trip I somehow managed to wimp out of Thirteen! I was wondering if anyone has any advice for managing this fear, in recent years I've never not enjoyed a ride I've been nervous for. Just when I get in the queue I feel quite sick and the feel the need to sit down, I guess this is normal but just wish it wouldn't happen. Does anyone else get this? All of my friends don't get this at all. Hoping I have the guts to get on Rita and The Smiler for the first time. Oblivion at a push?
I almost chose not ride Thirteen the frist time I went to Alton so and totally understand this but tbh I liked to be a bit sacred going on a ride as I find it helps me enjoy it more . but if you don't that is fine. hope this helped
 
Fear is a fascinating thing (when you feel it at the right times.)
It can send your emotions into overdrive and like already stated above, when it comes to rides, just do it! Fear and anxiety is all in the mind but like I said can trigger other things, (nausea etc.)

If you feel fear/anxiety during everyday life then this is a different story and should be addressed.
 
My friends who aren't the best when it comes to the bigger rides start the day off like this, too nervous to go on anything. What we started to do to help them get over the nerves is start on the smaller rides like Blade and Runaway Mine Train. From there you just build up and up. Sonic to Thirteen, Galactica, etc. Seems to help them out.
 
My honest advice. Don't think about it. Keep your mind occupied in the queue, when you get on and sit down think about how much fun you're about to have and how you'll be able to share your experience with others after.

Tbh I'm probably not much help as I'm an idiot and will strap myself into just about anything haha
 
I am one of the rare people that absolutely loves Rita...but i get terrified every time I go on it! I can literally be stood in a que dreading it, come off like yeah let's do that again!!! Get back in the queue straight away and start telling my friends "I can't do it I'm so scared!!" Maybe that's why I like it so much but I have no idea why it's the only ride that makes me feel like this!!!


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You won't be the first, you won't be the last on there.

Start with Oblivion because the daunting part only lasts 5 seconds tops!

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I couldn't find a suitable topic so I thought I would create a new one.

Now I've been counting down and planning my next Alton Towers trip for too long now, but tonight I've suddenly become quite nervous. I want to try new rides but then I don't. Last trip I somehow managed to wimp out of Thirteen! I was wondering if anyone has any advice for managing this fear, in recent years I've never not enjoyed a ride I've been nervous for. Just when I get in the queue I feel quite sick and the feel the need to sit down, I guess this is normal but just wish it wouldn't happen. Does anyone else get this? All of my friends don't get this at all. Hoping I have the guts to get on Rita and The Smiler for the first time. Oblivion at a push?

I've taken numerous groups of people to Towers over the years and coached them around the park, there are some who fear everything and there's nothing to be ashamed or nervous about when fearing rides. I've never forced anyone or peer pressured them into riding and they've still enjoyed their day a lot. This was evident a few weeks ago with a new girl from work who joined us, she was scared of everything coaster wise and after discussion she decided on Th13teen, whilst she did punch me on the lift hill when I told her there was a twist, she got off the ride really happy, she felt accomplished and left her coaster count for the day at that.

A lot of it stems from your own peer pressure and a lot from overthinking it. If you're not a typical 'adrenaline junkie' these rides can be very daunting and intimidating. Th13teen, Nemesis, Oblivion, The Smiler & Rita all have a theme which is dark and doesn't help some people with reservations especially with "Sit back it's fright time" "Don't look down" "Don't go alone" being some of the coaster tag lines.

The only advice I can give you is, don't rush into it. If you're not ready to ride these rides yet then don't and don't let anyone force you to do so. If you enjoy going to Alton and not riding the coasters then good for you, nobody says you have to ride the coasters, you ride what you want to ride and what you're comfortable with. I noticed you said you were 'counting the days down' Try not to think about it so much, you could be being detrimental to yourself by making it such a big pressure; look at the ride on the day and you will know deep down if you're ready, if you take the step to queue for it - remember you are NOT committed to riding, you can always choose leave when you get to the ride. It might explain why you feel sick in the queue lines. Also, they're not as big and scary as they look, I would hold off riding The Smiler, Nemesis & Oblivion until you've ridden RMT, Th13teen, Spinball, Rita and Air/Galactica.

If your friends are any kind of friends they would understand and hopefully talk you through it as that can help a lot, ask someone to be your ride buddy, someone you trust who can reassure you and to take the plunge; once you have, you'll never look back and you'll want to ride everything. ;)

Take your time, don't rush, don't overthink it, enjoy yourself :D
 
I love this post that a dad posted on Facebook (28th Oct at 21:41) "told her he would put the ride on 'slow mode' for her" :D

A huge thank you to the great member of staff who gave encouragement to my daughter (pictured) at about 6.30pm.

Chelsea, at the age of 10 (and 1.41m) went to ride Nemesis with two friends earlier and I was on the row behind. She was desperate to go on the ride but when seated, just prior to it starting got herself a bit anxious and worked up.

The young guy helping carrying out final safety checks came and spoke to her, told her how good the ride was, double checked her safety harness and told her he would put the ride on 'slow mode' for her. This gave her the confidence to ride Nemesis and in doing so she has now managed to go on every ride over our four visits this year - something she is hugely proud of.

Thanks once again - this guy is a credit to Merlin, if anyone knows who I am referring to please pass on my sincere thanks
 
Back row, end seat! Surprisingly not too rough!
Best place I find if you have anxiety about going on certain rides. You feel a tad safer with people in front of you and you'll never be surprised about the twists and turns upcoming if you keep your eyes peeled on the front row.

Well in!

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