Ride Host Social Skills

Hello,

I plan on working at the park this summer, I'm wondering how well do your social skills have to be to be a ride host? I wouldn't say I'm too shy but when it comes to talking to a crowd, I can get a little shaky. Does the company give you some kind of training in front of your team before they send you out? I'm just a little afraid of choking up while I'm spieling. I really want this job to strengthen up my social skills and be able to interact with people better.

Trust me, spieling and actually talking to a crowd is completely different. I'm horrible at public speaking, but I'm completely fine (and actually enjoy) spieling. It really isn't as scary as you might think. You will be trained before getting thrown on a microphone.

I know a lot of people who were extremely shy and reserved prior to working at Cedar Point, and then they were completely the opposite after working at the park.

I thought the same thing when I was going to start working. That I would mess up and whatever, but after the first week, your so used to talking already that it will become second nature. Keep in mind you'll be doing it 6 days a week lol. I'd be more worried about how tired you'll be after work and what not. Also totally reccomend Dr. Schouls. Your feet WILL be dead. And also buy a rain suit and if your gonna stick around for Halloweekends, I would also get the jogging suit or whatever you call it with the lining in it. Also, possibly think about extra shoes and extra socks so you don't walk around in wet stuff all day. That's my 2 cents. It's an amazing job that helped me out in so many different ways!

Thanks guys, I have couple other questions. How do they train you to spiel? How often do you get put on the mic. How long is a typical work day, what time do you start and leave?

They kinda do, for first years watch your TL/ATL (sorry guys I prefer the old term haha)

Those guys will probably spiel, explain it and show you how it's done. You'll pick up stuff as the season goes on as well.

If you figure out your ride, start looking up stats, important stuff, ect. That's basically what a spiel is, welcoming riders onto the ride and how to safely place the restraints and ride the ride, and what you're ganna expect. Not too crazy.

Buy the blue suit, it's worth the money I still have mine and use it. Well my gf at Kings Island kinda took it from me haha. The rain suit to me was garbage. The blue suit isn't perfectly waterproof but if you're out in rain and can't get shelter thats when you'd want the rain suit.

You literally get a sheet of paper that has the whole list of what you say on the spiel. Normally you just say the highlights and make it fun. You wanna make people pumped, thats the fun part!

That spiel sheet is so...bland though :P

"Oncoming riders welcome to ***, please carefully cross over the *** train and place any and all items in the *** bin. Once seated..

Buehler...Buehler