bar vs. belt at ToT

DizBelle

DIS Veteran
Joined
Sep 10, 2003
Messages
6,514
The last time I rode ToT (12/2001), it had a lap bar. I read in a post somewhere that it now had belts. Does anyone know why they changed it? Does it change the experience at all?

Thanks!
 
I didn't think so. I actually think that this is a good change. I'm a big guy and the lap bar in my row would only go down as far as my legs would allow it. This was not low enough for my my DD and DS. During the drops, they would come out of their seats and slam into the lap bar that was several inches above their legs. They don't have this problem at all now that there are individual belts. But it didn't change the ride experience in any way IMHO.
 
There are now only seatbelts on Tower of Terror. I kind of like flying up into the bar and being "suspended" in mid air. There's less of that now, but you still get that feeling of floating once in a while. I miss the bar because I would hang onto it for dear life!
 
They definetly need to bring back the lap bars. You do not get any air time with the set belts.
 

My first ride with seat belts was in August. I was glad to discover there is a sort of handle you can hold on to between the seats. And the two rides we took were very different and lots of fun. Sometimes I get so I can't tell if I'm going up or if I'm going down.
 
TOT is one of my favorite attractions (my wfie's, too). We ride it over and over and over...

Anyway, I have to say, one of my favorite things to do was get the, "jump seat". You know, the seat in the back row right in the middle. That never had a bar. I liked the belt because I felt less hampered. There wasn't this bar across your thighs. I'm hoping you get this feeling throughout the ride now.
 
I'm kind of small I've ridden ToT many times sitting on a row with larger folks which left me with about 8 inches between my lap and the bar. I never felt unsafe but I always wondered about little kiddies that might end up in the same situation with the lap bar around their noses.

I suppose it is safer for everyone to have their own belt for more individual security. I could have very easily just slipped out from under the bar (it would have to have been intentionally) and bounced around the entire car. I'm sure there is some thrill seeker out there that probably tried it too.

Can you set your belt a little looser to add to the "leave your seat" effect that we all enjoy?
 
I certainly thought the seat belts made the ride scarier. Before I would hold onto the lap bar, and I felt a bit more secure.
This last trip, I was terrified with the seat belts. And I did get some air time with it. So did my four year old daughter.
 
I like TOT anyway I can get it. When we rode in May, some cars had belts, some lap bars. Is this still the case? Or have they all gone seatbelts? Just wondering

I also like the seat belts for the individuality... I don't mind having someone bigger in my row with the lap bar because it gives me more airtime. But if you have a small person, clutching at the lap bar and wrenching it down on you, it makes the ride VERY uncomfortable!
 
No you can't leave the seat belts loose. They are the kind that retract automatically so they fit each individual. I miss the air time too when it was just a lap bar. But after the incident on BTMRR in DL it makes you think more about safety and ToT is safer with the seat belts.

Donna
 
I've only experienced the bar, so I can't compare. However, I must say that while I liked the suspended feeling, I didn't like having my thighs slam into the bar and the feeling that I could pitch over the top. It felt unsafe to me.
 
I have only did TOT twice with the bar. I didn't really like the bar that is why I always asked for the 5th row which was the lap belt seat. I got air time and I wasn't restricted by the bar. I wonder if they left the center lap the regular way or if they made it retract as well? Can't wait to get there in December even if Osborne lights won't be there. It has been a rough year and I need it!!


Dan-tot
 
Originally posted by TowerTerror
They definetly need to bring back the lap bars. You do not get any air time with the set belts.

Well, I am a pooh sized individual and found that the ride was enjoyable either way. I personally felt that I got way more air time with the seatbelt than the lap bar. I can't wait to buckle up again! Mickey
 
I love ToT!! I rode in the middle jumps seats before and also had the lap bar. I liked the bar better, I did get better airtime. But either way its still my favorite.
 
Haven't been on ToT since the belts were added. If the belts are self tightening then I guess I will have to sit on my hands to raise my lap up to give me some extra belt. I always thought the best way to ride ToT was to NOT hold on to the bar and rest my hands on my knees, that way I could really judge how much AIR TIME I got by how long my hands would be higher than my head. Will have ON HANDS experience in 2 weeks.:D
 
Welcome to the Dis lfontaine... since I am a ride sissy I am glad others answered your question, I just wanted to welcome you to the Dis.....:)
 














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