Going to Alton Towers as a chaperone .. help me woman up!!

[Annoy]

I’m a teacher at a PRU and I have stupidly agree to take 4 boys to Alton Towers next week 🙈.... I know they’ll love it! They come from backgrounds/homes were they never get to really ‘play’

But I’m shitting myself 🤣🤣... They’ll want me to go on everything with them! They’ll love it if I do!

I have been on most of them before... Oblivion, Nemesis. The Smiler wasn’t open when I last went.... so was a long time ago!

I’m 37 now and worry that my body won’t cope! I’m fit though, will that make a difference?

Why oh why did I agree to this?!.... Any tips??

Thanks!

To clarify, not for the whole daytrip, just on each ride. You can queue and exit just by the ride, if you don't want to go on.

I once had a panic attack on the swinging boat at the fair because my friends made me sit at the back where it rocks most . I'd imagine SEN DCs would find it very disturbing if you had a strong emotional reaction so best to avoid that if possible.

[quote SleepingStandingUp]@annoy you'll be fine. You've been on most of them before, you're fit, worse case scenario is you scream like a baby but the kids will think it's brilliant you're going on and hysterical if you scream. Just laugh any feat off. You'll Def be the cool grown-up after this[/quote]
Thanks! This is what I mean, the kids really like it when you get involved. They’re a mix of kids in care and tough home lives and really thrive on adult interaction... I want to do it for them... but it’s a scary thought.

I’m not terrified! Just really nervous

@Judd

I bet they'll love seeing your reactions on a ride! Perhaps agree to every other one so you've got time to recover? Or do a thrill ride and then a less adrenaline-charged one? I hope you have a fantastic day and the weather is good xx

Thank you 😊

Honestly woman up and go for it! You'll only regret not going on them afterwards if its something you're not totally sure x

@inappropriateraspberry

You didn't mention fear in your OP, and said you'd been on them before! If you don't want to go on them, don't. They'll have a great time regardless.

Is that your justification for your 1st twatty post?

Of theres 4 of them then adding a 5th will be awkaward for seat pairings etc. Just send the 4 of them on and then wait by the exit for them to come off surely?

@inappropriateraspberry

You didn't mention fear in your OP, and said you'd been on them before! If you don't want to go on them, don't. They'll have a great time regardless.

Also... I did say I am shitting myself! Another way of saying I’m scared.

@cookiecreampie

You either like rides or you don't. If you don't like them, don't go on them. You can't just overcome fear because you feel you should and can't be expected to go along with something like this for a job.

Thanks @cookiecreampie

@ArchbishopOfBanterbury

How old are the boys? If they are over about 12, I'd send them by themselves I think.

Yeah, all 12 and over... but have a tendency to start fights and steal stuff

DS is 14. He has a RAP pass and needs to be accompanied. As DH has some medical issues that falls to me.

I enjoy some rides a lot more than others. Oblivion is a straight no for me, but I love most of the others. My advice would be to start with galactica or thirteen. Fairly tame but thrilling enough to give you a rush and get you in the mood for more. Once you get started Im sure you'll love it. I'm 45 btw, and still in one piece.

We were in Alton Towers just over a week ago mid week for a couple of days and waited 70 minutes for Smiler , 45 minutes for oblivion , 90 mins for Rita , 90 mins for thirteen. We ended up buying fast-track for the second day. Get to the park early, they opened the park gates well before 10 and the queues had started. Target whatever ride they want to do most first. We couldn't get onto Galactica on the first day as they'd closed the queues every time we checked but we managed to do it as our first ride on the second day by getting in the queues early and then used our fast-track on it again later. Also download the app as the queue times are live.... can't give you any tips how to cope on the rides though as I'm mainly a spectator.

@ArchbishopOfBanterbury

To clarify, not for the whole daytrip, just on each ride. You can queue and exit just by the ride, if you don't want to go on.

That’s good to know, thanks

I'd pick and choose OP. They will appreciate you joining one ride, but it won't be great for anyone if you spend the journey home vomiting after going on them all (Do you have to drive?)
For what it's worth, I really enjoyed Nemesis, but I really put my foot down at Oblivion.

It’s not that my body ‘won’t’ cope it’s just a worry since I’ve not been on one simce my early 20s

Tbf I was definitely worried my body wouldn't cope! As I sat harnessed in about to go on the saw ride I said to DD "I'm 39 I'm too old for this!". Evidently I said this a little loudly as the ride operator curled up.

If you haven't taken a break it's no big deal. It may not be rational but I think worry about our body's limits is very human.

@rookiemere

I once had a panic attack on the swinging boat at the fair because my friends made me sit at the back where it rocks most . I'd imagine SEN DCs would find it very disturbing if you had a strong emotional reaction so best to avoid that if possible.

They’re SEMH/ADHD/PDA/childhood trauma... No ASD boys are coming on this day.

@Shakirasma

DS is 14. He has a RAP pass and needs to be accompanied. As DH has some medical issues that falls to me.

I enjoy some rides a lot more than others. Oblivion is a straight no for me, but I love most of the others. My advice would be to start with galactica or thirteen. Fairly tame but thrilling enough to give you a rush and get you in the mood for more. Once you get started Im sure you'll love it. I'm 45 btw, and still in one piece.

Great advice! Thank you

Just tell them you're a 'bit of a wuss' and let them have a giggle at your expense. If they manage to convince you to get one one of the more terrifying rides then they'll be chuffed that they've 'persuaded' you. Make out that they're brave for going on the big rides, it might be good for their self esteem.

Have fun!

Horizons83

My dad is 73 with a heart condition and still goes on all the roller coasters! You will be fine“

Admire his spirit but there are signs all over the place saying people with heart conditions shouldn’t go on them 🥴

Maybe time to downgrade to Merry go rounds?

@1fluffydoodle

We were in Alton Towers just over a week ago mid week for a couple of days and waited 70 minutes for Smiler , 45 minutes for oblivion , 90 mins for Rita , 90 mins for thirteen. We ended up buying fast-track for the second day. Get to the park early, they opened the park gates well before 10 and the queues had started. Target whatever ride they want to do most first. We couldn't get onto Galactica on the first day as they'd closed the queues every time we checked but we managed to do it as our first ride on the second day by getting in the queues early and then used our fast-track on it again later. Also download the app as the queue times are live.... can't give you any tips how to cope on the rides though as I'm mainly a spectator.

Great advice for the logistics! Thanks

Do it do it do it.
Nothing like your experience but I worked in a youth club in a rough area. I was never the cool youth worker 😂 until I started joining in 5h3 dance offs and went on the scary rides at Alton Towers. Subconsciously I think they liked that I made myself vulnerable (in an appropriate way) in front of them.

Stay hydrated. Take ibuprofen at the first hint of a headache. Have fun!

I didn’t say you do but you say you’re fit. I assume therefore you don’t have a dodgy hip.

Don’t go on the rides if you don’t want to. If you do want to woman up and get on them then do.

Send them alone! You can go through the queue with them if you want and wait at the exit. My mum always did that when I was younger and I went with my brother/ a friend, always worked for us!

@Hallyup6

Just tell them you're a 'bit of a wuss' and let them have a giggle at your expense. If they manage to convince you to get one one of the more terrifying rides then they'll be chuffed that they've 'persuaded' you. Make out that they're brave for going on the big rides, it might be good for their self esteem.

Have fun!

Thanks! Yeah, they’d love that 😀