Whether you’re deathly afraid of heights or just an adrenaline junkie, screaming on roller coasters is usually an essential part of any amusement park experience. However, if you’re at The Big Sheep theme park in Devon, England, maybe think twice before belting out as you go over the first big drop.
The all-weather amusement park is kindly asking its patrons not to scream or yell as they ride The Big One, the park’s newest coaster and an attraction that is being marketed as “Devon’s Biggest, Highest, and Longest Rollercoaster.” The coaster’s counterintuitive rule is the result of years of complaints by the residents Abbotsham, a nearby village.
Throughout The Big One’s construction, many in Abbotsham were apparently concerned about the noise the ride would cause, a concern that led to the amusement park taking a number of measures to ensure its noise level was significantly reduced. After hiring the UK’s top noise consultant, which is a thing that totally exists, The Big Sheep implemented a plan to cut down on the noise.
In addition to the no screaming rule, the park also planted 2,500 trees, set up multi-direction speakers around the ride and built a giant dirt mound in the middle of the coaster. It’s yet to be determined how well all of this will work, but The Big Sheep’s ability to enforce its no-screaming policy is sure to cause some trouble for the park.
To ensure they know about the rule, anyone riding The Big One is greeted with a sign that says, “This is a family ride—not a white knuckle thrill ride. Enjoy the views but we love our neighbors. PLEASE DO NOT SHOUT OR SCREAM! Thank ewe.” Beyond this, Rick Turner, the park’s owner, believes challenging riders to make it through the ride without screaming — thus turning a rule into more of a test of willpower — will provide patrons with a good reason to try their best not to make too much noise.
If that doesn’t work, try just covering your mouth with your hand.
Dillon Thompson is a travel intern with Paste and a student at the University of Georgia.