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Fear of TTD... Hmm...

Cedar Point: We're going to Cedar Point next summer, and already my son is scared to go on TTD... Any advice?

From Steve Pint
Posted June 3, 2009 at 7:01 AM
Me and my 12 year old son (13 when we take the trip) are going on a theme park trip to 5 different parks in 7 days, Cedar Point is one of them.

My son can never stop babbling on about how much he loves Cedar Point, he explains every fact, every interesting detail he can find about the park and shares it with the whole family.

And of course, his favorite coaster is TTD... Problem is, he's VERY scared to go on it. Even now he's worrying about going on it, and I don't want this to ruin our trip... So... Any ideas on how to get him to go on it?

He'll have no trouble going on Millennium Force, so right now I'm telling him "It's only 100ft taller then Millennium Force, ride that first and you'll do fine" But it doesn't seem to be enough.. I'm not the parent to force my kids onto rides, but I know he'll be extremely disappointed if we leave CP and he hasn't ridden it.

Any ideas??

Thanks!!!


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Sarah Meeks
Posted June 3, 2009 at 10:31 AM
I was the exact same way with Dropout at Raging Waters. The first time I went, I chickened out on Dropout, I regretted it for 2 years. So, your son has to ride Top Thrill Dragster or he'll regret it. I have been on it, it is fun, but it is too short of a ride. I like Xcelerator. My favorite ride at Cedar Point is Maverick.

From Eli Katzman
Posted June 3, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Yeah, this is ALSO like my drop zone fear at KD. I wimped out 2 years ago, and I have wanted to ride it ever since I got over my fear of them! I'm going August 5th, though!

From Brandon S
Posted June 3, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Try getting there early so the line is short and he doesn't have much time to watch the trains go. They look a lot faster than it actually feels on the ride. Then he might not doubt himself as much when waiting.

From David Sutter
Posted June 3, 2009 at 4:44 PM
yea, let him watch it run and make up his own mind. Please, nothing worse then a child being talked into riding...Ive worked many parks over the years and most host and hostess..are sharp at reading childrens faces...And will often ask them once sitted if they want to op out of the ride...If hes that unsure, just skip it altogehter.

From David Sutter
Posted June 3, 2009 at 4:44 PM
yea, let him watch it run and make up his own mind. Please, nothing worse then a child being talked into riding...Ive worked many parks over the years and most host and hostess..are sharp at reading childrens faces...And will often ask them once sitted if they want to op out of the ride...If hes that unsure, just skip it altoge
ther.

From Derek Potter
Posted June 3, 2009 at 4:55 PM
just get on and go...if he won't go, then bribe him.

From Brandon S
Posted June 3, 2009 at 8:33 PM
^I like that idea, you're not making him, but you're giving him an incentive to do it. then if he likes it, you two will have a better time IMO.

From Steve Pint
Posted June 4, 2009 at 8:29 AM
Thanks for all the ideas, I really appreciate it. :)

From amy lockland
Posted June 4, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Last summer I took my 8 year old son to SFGAdv and he spent the bulk of the day trying to ride El Toro! He would chicken out every time! I did not push him to ride it, but around 8pm I told him I was sure he would be disappointed if we traveled all that way (we are from NM) and we left without riding it. That was all it took, we rode it 5 times before we left that night!

From Audra Distler
Posted June 4, 2009 at 2:21 PM
I agree to not push your son into riding, but let him do what he wants. However, there is something to be said about regretting NOT riding. Honestly, though, the line is almost ALWAYS long, so try to get in line for that right at 10 AM, as long as it's running correctly!

From Steve Pint
Posted June 7, 2009 at 7:28 AM
Well, surely one of these or all of them combined can get him to go? :)

From Ryan Sanford
Posted June 7, 2009 at 8:27 AM
I would have him close his eyes when the coaster in front of you goes. That's the part that use to get me... Seeing it get to the top in 5 seconds or w/e.

Once you get going, tell him its not bad.

From Anthony Aldridge
Posted June 7, 2009 at 12:00 PM
i used to be scared to death of a LIM Launch coaster at my home park Six Flags ST. Louis you may have heard of it the rides name is MR. Freeze theirs only one other ride like it anyways after chickening out the year before i regretted it i went on it with my dad as long as he was in the seat next to me i was ganna ride it and i did and i loved it, it is now my favorite ride. Just tell your son that you will be right next to him the entire way and that he will regret not riding it.

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