Japan Is Asking Riders Not To Scream On Rollercoasters At Reopened Theme Parks
Many theme parks are now open again in Japan and like pretty much everywhere around the world, things look pretty different because of precautions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. But one guideline released by Japan's theme park association is a bit more unique: Park-goers around Japan are being discouraged from screaming on rides, according to The Wall Street Journal.
On paper, the regulation makes sense, as experts believe that COVID-19 is spread by respiratory droplets, which can increase while loudly talking or, yes, screaming. But anyone who loves thrill rides and rollercoasters knows that half the fun is screaming your head off. Not only that, but sometimes it's also just kind of...involuntary.
“There’s just no way not to scream,” college student Rika Matsuura who was visiting Tokyo Disneyland, told the WSJ: “It’s kind of torture to be back at your favorite place in the world and to not be able to scream and enjoy everything 100 percent.”
That said, it's unlikely there would be any punishment if you did scream on rides. In fact, several people who talked to the paper admitted to letting out screams on their recent trips. Tokyo Disneyland operator Oriental Land Co. told the outlet that those screaming on rollercoasters would not be punished.
But some theme park experts are setting out to prove it's not impossible to enjoy your time at the parks while keeping silent. Two executives from Fuji-Q Highland amusement park in Japan have now gone viral for riding the park's super fast Fujiyama rollercoaster while wearing masks and remaining completely silent.
“We received complaints that the theme park association’s request to not make loud noises was impossible and too strict. That’s why we decided to release the video,” a Fuji-Q spokesman told WSJ. The video ends with a now truly iconic line: “Please scream inside your heart.”
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