Compared to the Tower of Terror...

[Cinemacrap33]

So basically, at Disneyland, it's been said that these rides, compared to other amusement parks, are for other kids. Not as in, Kiddie-baby rides, but enough enjoyment for kids. However, I've been told that the TOT is basically the scariest ride at the park. Now, compared to other drop towers, how bad is the Tower of Terror? Even with the thrills, how bad is it, as compared to Drop Tower: Scream Zone or Supreme Scream, or even Falcon's Fury?

 

[Indiana Scott]

The difference that TOT holds over other drop rides is that it doesn't just drop, it pulls the rider down.
OTOH, Disney never goes for all out thrill rides. They leave that stuff up to 6 flags and others. Where Disney excels is in theming but like some kinds of art or music, not everyone appreciates or even notices it.

 

[bumbershoot]

The difference that TOT holds over other drop rides is that it doesn't just drop, it pulls the rider down.

Yep.

And that makes all the difference for me. I wanted to die on Universal's Dr Doom Fearfall. But I willingly go on TOT and have a great time. And I bet TOT is pulling me down *faster*.

But for me, the fact that pulling is the *action* of the ride, and if the action breaks down the brakes come on, makes it safe-feeling.

Also, you're inside a building. Yes you can see outside but if you rationally look at the distance between where you are and where the outside is, you're NOT going to just fall out. And that allows me to enjoy myself.

 

[Astylla]

I've never been a fan of coasters or anything that "drops" , it always used to make me feel queasy.

HOWEVER , now that I've gotten over my fears I love ToT. The seats are comfortable , the seatbelts secure , they have handles to hang onto , or I grab my husband LOL.
I really find the motions very smooth and even the front row there is a locking door and you aren't on the edge or anything.

I cried like a baby the first time and barely could walk off it - but that was nearly 5 years ago when Splash Mountain gave me issues.
Honestly though i'm glad I kept trying and going back because now it's so fun.
Give it a try no matter what.

 

[vault19dweller]

The difference that TOT holds over other drop rides is that it doesn't just drop, it pulls the rider down.

This ^

And when it went still in the dark, I could never tell if it was going to sky rocket - or plummet (I've also heard they randomise the pattern, so you cant tell for sure exactly when you will rise, or fall) - so to me the anticipation was a huge thing that made this ride especially fun (well for me at least)

I also love that its inside (rather than some outside sky-drop type rides)

 

[Canuck16]

On our first trip we all stood on the street and watched as the doors opened and all the people were screaming and said "No way, not doing it" But our 6 year DS wanted to go on it so bad that we decided to give it a try and instantly fell in love with it. It is a must do for us several time per trip every time we go now.

ToT is not that bad at all....the whole experience from the time you enter the hotel until the time that you get off the elevator is all part of what makes this ride so great. The CM are amazing in their charater on this ride.....go for it and have fun!!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

My DH hates, no...DETESTS, drop rides like Free Fall at Magic Mountain and refuses to go on them. However, he loves riding Tower of Terror.

 

[Metalliman98]

This ^

And when it went still in the dark, I could never tell if it was going to sky rocket - or plummet (I've also heard they randomise the pattern, so you cant tell for sure exactly when you will rise, or fall) - so to me the anticipation was a huge thing that made this ride especially fun (well for me at least)

I also love that its inside (rather than some outside sky-drop type rides)

The one at DHS is randomized, but the one at DCA is the same pattern each time. Still a great ride!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

My DS wants to do this so bad but every time my tummy tells me not today. I keep wanting to try it for him. I did it in wdw, my hubby hates these rides and wont do it. he did it in wdw with me but we saw some one getting carted away on a stretcher I think that kinda stuck in our heads too.. I like these rides normally but then I have that pit in my tummy saying not a good idea today.

 

[bumbershoot]

My DS wants to do this so bad but every time my tummy tells me not today. I keep wanting to try it for him. I did it in wdw, my hubby hates these rides and wont do it. he did it in wdw with me but we saw some one getting carted away on a stretcher I think that kinda stuck in our heads too.. I like these rides normally but then I have that pit in my tummy saying not a good idea today.

Do you mean you're afraid, like having a premonition? Or do you mean you don't like the "heart n your mouth" feeling?

the funky stomach feeling CAN be helped out with a forceful but slow exhale. (some people call that "screaming", but you don't have to add your vocal cords to the mix if you don't want to) I find that nearly eliminates the floopy stomach feeling. Makes for weird ride pictures, but oh well!

I'm not sure there has EVER been an accident or fatality on TOT, so someone being taken out on a stretcher probably just means heatstroke. I nearly got that at a picnic once; doesn't mean I avoid picnics.

 

[Mysteryincorp]

The one at DHS is randomized, but the one at DCA is the same pattern each time. Still a great ride!

For sure, not true. Tower of Terror at DCA is different every time. I've gone many times ina row, very different ride each time.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I mean I get sick easy when running around and every time we go near TOT i think, "am i really up to this?" i'm not scared of it I actually like it but just can't always take a chance.

 

[dotfurio]

My husband and both of my kids LOVE TOT (oldest has been going on it as soon as she was tall enough and youngest just recently became tall enough).

However, I've ridden it twice and couldn't keep from crying either time. It goes up and down and for me I get to a point where I can't tell what direction I'm going. Combine that sensation with a fear of heights and elevators and I feel like it's never going to end. FWIW I get terrible motion sickness on roller coasters and spinning rides and it doesn't make me feel queasy at all.

 

[cagirl4life]

While I have no fear with free fall rides, my BFF and Dad both hate free fall rides but LOVE TOT. My dad is afraid of heights so the being enclosed helps him. Where my BFF hates the feeling of the stomach in your throat feeling and I think the pulling down helps with that (also screaming though thats involuntary for me). I forced her to go on it her first time and she has loved it ever since. I have done this with many people on trips. I always have them sit next to me because I have ridden it enough that I will tell them when the first drop is going to happen. That always helps them. I have only had one person (BFF's hubby) say they never want to go on it again and that is because he doesn't like thrill rides, he doesn't do CA Screamin.

FYI the DCA version is not random. I know this because I warn first timers who are scared with exactly what is about to happen. So I have learned the basics of when it goes up and down.

 

[Metalliman98]

For sure, not true. Tower of Terror at DCA is different every time. I've gone many times ina row, very different ride each time.

Nope. From Wikipedia:

"The distant guests fall, then the distant elevator, followed immediately by the ride elevator. California's version does not have a randomized drop sequence. The ride experience is identical in every drop shaft, regardless of which floor passengers board on. Two small drops occur in pitch-black darkness, followed by a rise to the top of the tower as in-cabin lights flicker. The doors then open out to reveal the view from the top floor before the ride drops briefly, pauses, and drops the remainder of the shaft. The elevator then rises and immediately drops without stopping in complete darkness. The elevator then rises to the top of the tower, shudders, and falls to the bottom of the shaft to the area in between the two loading floors (to assure each ride is identical) before the elevator returns to its load level and is horizontally pushed back into place at the boiler room service doors."

Same ride every time.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Twilight_Zone_Tower_of_Terror#Ride_experience

 

[JadeDarkstar]

1. Wikipedia is not always the best source. (As i'm told by teachers when writing essays)
2. I have heard many times TOT is never the same ride every time. They have a bunch of different things to it. I don't know enough about it but I have heard about this many times.

 

[emmybee]

The last time I rode it, which was a couple of weeks ago, there were two top floor reveals during the ride. I remember being surprised by that. I am also deathly afraid of heights and won't go on similar rides that are out in the open. The fact that it's in an "elevator shaft" is very comforting and allows me to enjoy the ride.

 

[Mysteryincorp]

Unfortunately Wikipedia often has misinformation.
I can say, without a doubt, that I have been on tower of terror over 100times. I go to Disneyland at least twice a month, usually once a week. For sure, 100%, all the times I have been on it tower of terror it has been random and different. There a few I actually find "tamer" and a few that make we want to barf...... In a good way of course.

 

[Metalliman98]

1. Wikipedia is not always the best source. (As i'm told by teachers when writing essays)
2. I have heard many times TOT is never the same ride every time. They have a bunch of different things to it. I don't know enough about it but I have heard about this many times.

Sigh. Yes, you have heard that. It applies to the one at DHS which was the first one built and is set up completely differently from the one at DCA. The one at DCA is not randomized. I have ridden it several times and it is the same exact pattern every time.

Wikipedia is not always the best source, but it is often sufficient. But since this issue is somehow still up for debate, here are some other sources that say the exact same thing:

1. From touring plans: "Once you're on the elevator, however, the two attractions really part company. In the Disney World version, the elevator stops at a couple of floors to reveal some eerie visuals, but then actually moves out of the shaft onto one of the floors. The effects during this brief sojourn are remarkable, and more remarkable still is that you don't know that you've reentered the shaft until the elevator speeds skyward. In the DCA Tower of Terror, the elevator never leaves the shaft. The visuals and special effects are equally compelling, especially the unique ghostly mirror not found in Orlando, but there's never that feeling of disorientation that distinguishes the Florida attraction. The DCA Tower of Terror is more straightforward, and consequently a little less mysterious. Once the elevator dropping ensues, both versions are similar, but Florida features multiple randomized drop profiles, making each re-ride a surprise, while every stay in DCA's hotel is the same. Regardless of which version you try, unless you're already fanatically familiar with the superior original, you're unlikely to be disappointed.

2. From a website called Tower Secrets: "Construction on the DCA Tower of Terror completed about a year and a half after Tower4 drop profile was introduced at the Hollywood Studios Tower of Terror. Tower4 and its “random drop profiles” experience was not imported to DCA (or Tokyo or Paris) (thanks for the tip, Renan!). Instead, DCA has its own drop profile (that may or may not be shared with the Paris tower – can anyone out there confirm similarities?)

After the two scenery stops (ghosts in the hallway and the “wave goodbye” mirror), the elevator drops, then climbs the height of the elevator shaft all the way to the top set of doors which open to give riders a view of the park before dropping the length of the shaft, climbing up halfway, then dropping, then all the way back up to the top before dropping one last time.

Source video:

Some fans have expressed interest in bringing the random drop profile to DCA. While some fans feel the random drop experience makes the Hollywood Studios Tower of Terror the best of the bunch, others think the one drop profile present in DCA, Tokyo, and Paris is more polished and offers more “airtime” than many of the Tower4 sequences offer."

Those are but two. Google can provide you several others.

 

[Mysteryincorp]

I must be hallucinating then!!
Because it's been different for me !! Maybe every time I ride it more than once, they know I'm on it and they randomize it for me! I am pretty awesome.....