An Unusual Question

[kayeandjim00]

I think this might be an unusual question but I am hoping some of you may be able to "help" me. One of my husband's favorite rides is Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom, I on the other hand am about as far from a thrill seeker as you can imagine. So I would love to surprise him and ride with him on our next trip and with a month to go I am just wondering if anyone has any hints for "psyching" yourself up so to speak to take the plunge literally! Thanks for any help!

 

[jlaspoq]

If you have never experienced this attraction, you may think it is all about the splash at the end. In fact, you spend many minutes inside a charming set of scenes for Brer Rabbit and crew, with catchy music and a pleasant boat ride. The splash at the end will get you wet, and you will have a few moments of trepidation as you climb to the drop you know is coming. (Wear a poncho if you really hate to get wet - you'll only be a little damp that way.) But keep in mind, the majority of the ride is absolutely delightful! And your DH would love to share it with you! Go for it!

 

[cindy_k]

Most of the ride is very tame. It's only a 5 second fall at the end. So when your going up that hill with all the warnings to turn back, get ready to grab the hand rail and brace yourself.
It will all be over very soon.

It's not that bad.

Have a good trip!
Cindy in NY

 

[sunking]

go for it!!!! it's a great ride and as said above, much of the ride is setting up the story for the plunge (sp?) and it is pretty tame...the drop it self is over in a matter of a few seconds and really not all the bad...it's a favorite of this family and a must do each time we visit...
have a great time!!!!
sunking

 

[PrincessEilonwy]

Scream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! as you go down the flume....it lets out that stress of being scared and then you feel really exhilirated at the end.

 

[wdwnut]

hi: i am a self-confessed chicken here, but i go on splash several times each trip. i'm afraid of heights and can get dizzy just from being at the top of the stairs at home. the way i handle the drop is to just look straight out at the castle right before you drop. by the time you look back down from the castle, you are more than halfway down the drop. i still get a nervous feeling in my stomach on every trip. you'd think i'd be over that by now(been riding splash since 93).

 

[BrianD]

You can do it!!! Of all the Disney thrill rides, Splash Mountain is a great one for first time thrill riders, given that the "thrill" aspect of the ride lasts for only about 3 seconds or so.

Have a great time!!!

 

[Harambe]

Just think of the great picture of you guys going down the flume! My family has a few and every time I look at them, I'm sad that I've been to scared to do it - hence I'm not included in the great family shot!

So, my dear, the challenge is on! If you do it, I will too next trip!

 

[cd&kids]

GO FOR IT!!!!! As others have said, 99-percent of the ride is very mellow, very pleasant. Our 5-year-old went on the ride for the first time and I (the Dad) kept wrapping my arms around her and saying "okay, sweeetie, this is it!" and then it turned out to be nothing. I kept forgetting that the ride is pretty long and there are a couple of very little "mini-drops" before you get to the big drop at the end.
But please don't be scared. As someone else said, during the big drop, let out a big scream! Grab onto the sides of the canoe you are in (or as I did, wrap your arms tight around your child in front of you!!) and enjoy it! Honestly, it's over in about 3 or 4 seconds anyway!!!!!!

 

[mickeysaver]

I have taken the plunge only once. I was surprised at all the cute stuff you go through before you take the plunge. It's worth riding at least once. It's not that scary really. I was trying to keep my eyes open, but it just wasn't happening. lol I hope to ride it again this December.

A couple of hints, you get wetter on the right side of the log. There is a small waterfall that splashes water on the right side of the log after the plunge as you work your way to the unloading area. I suggest wearing a poncho. This of couse is all hindsight. I had no clue of just how wet you could get waiting to unload, other than that, I would have been just mildly spritzed. Mickey

 

[sha_lyn]

well usually this question is about reassuring kids.. in those cases I always suggest the Disneyland Sing along video. You might want to give it a shot, and watch it.

 

[jaysue]

Splash is a lot of fun - concentrate on the story line and absorb the visuals then grab onto DH for the plunge down. Close your eyes if you need to as well - remember you may want to smile for the picture

Thanks
Jason

 

[MOQ3424]

The story line is very fun just pay attention to the story and just dont think about the drop...and when the drop comes just close your eyes i guess ................ i like the ride so i dont know what to do when the drop comes... As some one else said try to smile in the picture.... which may be hard since it's your first time

 

[luvindisneyworld]

If i can do it anyone can.i CANNOT handle rides but i tried it last time and i loved it.i will do it again this time,but Splash Mountain is as far as i will go.Nope could not pay me to do any of the more intense rides.i dont care how much they beg and plead i Will not do it.sorry back to Splash Mountain is was very fun and the story line is awesome.try it you will enjoy.

 

[kayeandjim00]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I feel MUCH better. I am going to give it a try. Everyone's hints were very helpful and the picture is something that is definitely motivating me to just try it once. That and the fact that my DH who loves all of the stuff before the drop will be so excited that I finally got on it. Who knows maybe I will become a thrill seeker myself!

 

[mickeymom629]

I am a big chicken and did not want to do Splash Mountain for years. I used to do flume rides and one year, long ago, I just didn't like that dropping feeling. But my DH and kids kept telling me that SM was so fun and cute. So three years ago, I took the "plunge"! I was terrified and couldn't enjoy the Braer Rabbit stuff. I went all the way--terrified. There was an exit before the drop for chickens like me and I should have taken it!

So, just to let you know, if you go, relax while you are looking at the cute stuff because you will get a chance to exit if you don't want to do the drop. There is a first drop that is not as big as the big one. I'm not sure if the chicken exit is before or after that.

 

[pegasusEH]

My MIL wouldn't go on this ride until we were able to convince her that she would love the ride - it's now her favourite ride in MK.

The anticipation of the drop is much worse than experiencing the drop itself. Brace yourself, close your eyes and the drop will be over before you know it.

Good luck - hope you enjoy it!

 

[idontknow]

Another vote for SCREAMING!!!! DH said that it releases the pressure on your diaphram so you don't get that queesy feeling in your stomach. The next time we rode, I screamed my lungs out and didn't feel sick at all! (DH has a bad habit of giving tips after the fact )

 

[Disbug]

I have to agree with "Princess Eilonwy" and "idontknow"... You MUST Scream, Scream, Scream! I rode this ride for years and always closed my eyes and sunk as far in the log boat as I could when it was time to "go over the falls" (I was always the headless one in the photo at the end of the ride!) When I finally decided I was going to open my eyes to see what I was missing and Scream for it, I really enjoyed it! I finally realized that the whole ride was about being thrown in the briar patch (that is what I had never seen with my eyes closed) and I loved it! No more eyes closed for me! BTW this ride is definitely "Not to be Missed"!

 

[Matty_Disfan]

It's simply too good to avoid doing. This ride is the bomb, as the kids say.

The theming is text-book disney, one of the most evocative and thematic attractions they have made. One of th best parts is that after the drop you get to go to the Laughing Place, and that burns off the rest of your nervousness.

It's a rush, a safe and fun rush.