Astro Orbiter-Is it worth it??

[crystalcml]

I really dislike this death trap they call a "ride"! I went on it once in 2006 and I will never never never go back on it. I was scared to death that it was going to break and my poor brother kept moving the cart up and down it almost gave me a heart attack so I asked him to stop. To some people it is on their must do list. To me it's on my don't do list.

 

[JoePa4Ever]

I really dislike this death trap they call a "ride"! QUOTE]



I have never been on this ride. I enjoy the rides like dumbo, aladdin's carpets, etc. However, I don't like heights, so that's why I've always been hesitant about Astro Orbitor. I should try it sometime, but more than likely I'll skip it again this year.

 

[allisonswonderland]

THAT IS THE MOST TERRIFYING RIDE AT WDW!!!! I mean seriously..i will ride upside down roller coasters, TOT anything but that, up high, with a little strap (nothing secure) I felt like the car was going to break off and I was going to die. I felt like that when I was about 12 and my husband and I rode that last time in November but we were apparently to big to both fit in the car together (hello we are not THAT big). It was awful....scary! I am not afraid of heights either...

 

[JacknSally]

i like Astro Orbiter, but it does make me feel nauseated while I'm riding it... it -is- the same principle as Dumbo and Magic Carpets, but I did get some cool pictures while up in the air. The height aspect never got to me, as you can't look straight down and see the ground. You're on top of a platform (since you're on top of the People Mover.... er... TTA), and it has a rather wide berth, so you just see the platform. What got to me, though, is that the cars themselves aren't exactly "roomy" by any means, and the higher in the air you make the rocket fly, the more it tilts towards the center of the circle you're flying in. You kind of have to strain to sit straight up in them, if you're high in the air. Not to mention it starts to rock the higher you go. The strap that holds you into the rocket isn't much either.


My shots from the ride:

 

[4Ollies]

We have to ride it at least once when we visit. The view is great at night, we haven't tried it during the day. Might help that none of us has any fear of heights though.

 

[bas71873]

Yes, yes, yes. We rode this twice, once during the day and again during the P&PP party....both with no wait at all. The night ride was BEAUTIFUL!!!!

 

[scoolover]

I will also take a try it once vote. It made me sick all day but that's my problem. The view was great.

 

[GoofyKidd]

Maybe I'm the only one-but I would never ride Astro Orbiter again. You are up so high, it's scary. Not to mention the fact that the seatbelts seem completely inadequate-I was so worried that my 3 year old would fly out of his seat. I was white-knuckled the entire ride and could not wait for it to be over. I'd find the view elsewhere that wouldn't cause heart failure!!!!!!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

If the rocket is "down", the outer rim is lower and you are leaning out so it seems as if you are going to be flung down and out. If the rocket is "up" then the outer rim is higher and you are leaning in so there is less of an urge to be flung up and out.

If you start to feel dizzy, I suggest closing your eyes. Fortunately I did not feel dizzy on Astro Orbiter, but if we follow the recommendation of riding Mission Space, you should feel less dizzy if you face the center pivot of the entire ride as well. (Looking straight ahead on Mission Space equals facing the center pivot of that ride.)

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[aidansmommy]

I LOVED the ride! The elevator ride up however....not so much! Let's just say the peeps on the elevator had deoderant that was less than sufficient....ummm.....they were smelly. And I mean to a point where I was nauseated(sp?)....it was bad.

Luckily the ride made up for it and I made sure to be in a different elevator on the way down. I really felt bad for being so witchy about it, but it really was awful.

 

[One Year Pin]

I really loved working this ride.

At its highest point, the rockets are 60 feet off the ground. It does go faster than Dumbo, especially when it starts to come down at the end of the ride. If the CM running the console works it right, the rockets go into a free spin for about two revolutions before coming to a stop. You can really pick some speed then.

One tip for the females who want to ride...and I'll try to be delicate about this. Wear slacks. Don't wear a skirt or loose shorts or you might...um...reveal...more about yourself than you want.

The rockets are pretty tight. I don't usually put more than two people in a rocket unless two of the three are small children. If you are a size 14 or above, and your mate is not rail thin, two people don't comfortably fit in one rocket.

 

[Moonpie]

This was one of the most terrifying rides I've ever been on. Not only is it really high up, but you feel like your spinning around in a tin can. I was holding on for dear life, and when I got off my legs were trembling. I had never been so happy to see the ground.

 

[SnwflkCts]

I'm with MOONPIE ... I have never been so scared in my life. And please understand -- I LOVE ROLLER COASTERS -- you know the ones at other theme parks that go STRAIGHT UP IN THE AIR AND STRAIGHT DOWN. I can ride those with no problems. But Astro Orbiter ..... AHHHHHHHHH TERRIFIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You couldn't PAY me to go on that again.

I couldn't tell you what the view was like because I was too busy praying that it would end soon and I would still be alive!

But DH likes it and I will wait on SOLID GROUND while he rides it. It can be a very long wait. It is just one of those that is slow loading. Slow to go up elevator ... slow to load. He likes the view and also says that ride is the most like what it feels like when piloting a [small] plane. (OK ... well I don't think I WANT to fly a plane!).

 

[WVParkfan]

WORST case of motion sickness I've every had. MUCH worse than Star Tours. It is nothing like Dumbo, Triceratops Spin, or Magic Carpets of Aladdin.

After riding Astro Orbitor one fine morning, I was not able to ride anything else for the rest of the day. It practically ruined the day for my wife and kids. NEVER again.

 

[DisneyCrazy915]

Hmmm, I'm not so sure now. It kinda sounds like some terrifying but fun carnival rides that I rode as a kid, but I think I'll still try it at least once. I definitily won't be eating before it, as I do get motion sick and I'll be taking a bonnie.

 

[DVCJEN]

One thing to not if you are tall or on the larger side it can be a tight squeeze.

 

[rainy~daze]

this past December we were on it during the Wishes finale, talk about spectacular!!! It was one of the most amazing things we have ever seen. Best seat in the house at that moment.

 

[SnwflkCts]

You will have to let us know if you ended up liking it! It is a tight squeeze (like another poster stated) though my 6'5" DH fit in ok ... we had to ride in separate "ships" -- I'm sure an adult and a child should be able to ride ... but just a heads up about that. Have fun. I'll be on SOLID GROUND cheering you on!

 

[Mickey_Man]

I am another who has never rode Astro Orbiter. I am ok with Mission Space but cannot stand the teacups. I enjoy TOT and RNRC, but get sick from Star Tours. I am a bigger guy (6'2" and wide shoulders ) - will DW (small) be able to ride with me or will we be in separate cars? Should we even attempt it given the other rides that make me woozy?

 

[vellamint]

This is the ONE ride in the Magic Kingdom that I have never done......