Comparing Mickey's "Fun" Wheel

[disneygal6568]

So I have heard that the swinging gondulas are HORRIBLE. I live near the Boardwalk, so I am used to those pirate ship things that swing. Can somebody compare the swinging gondulas to those pirate ships? Thanks!

 

[KalamityJane]

Ok, I have been on the pirate ship thing - that was doable. We went on the REGULAR Fun Wheel cars and DH and I were whiteknuckled. It was BAD! Mainly because it is not constant, you are going super slow, one car at a time, and never know when a car is going to come whizzing at your head. I do rollercoasters and this was a million times worse, I think because of the psychological part.

 

[Girimama33]

When you say Pirate Ship thing, are you referring to something like the Dragon Swing at Knotts... A big boat on a pendulum that swings back and forth?
If so, Mickey's Steel Cages of Death are nothing like that.

 

[Zbugz]

I did not enjoy them AT ALL. I think it is because it is uncontrolled motion - back and forth, back and forth until the swing moves to the next position. Ugh.

My kids love them though, and I will give them a second try next time we go.

The view is fantastic if you can concentrate on that.

 

[nicolispicoli]

It's the only ride I have seen in the parks with vomit bags in each car, seriously! We finally went on it last year for the first time and I took my 9 month old DD on with us. I had no idea they were so forceful or I would not have taken her on there, I felt so bad after getting off. And actually, she fell asleep, but I got motion sickness and it felt like the longest ride in history. I definitely will not be going on the moving cars again!

 

[noga]

It's not like the pirate ship. it's weird: i am sure that the actual motion is not any bigger, but it sure does feel like it.
I think the biggest difference is that there are no seat belts or bars or anything to hang on for dear life

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

We took the whole family on it. I was worried it would be bad, but it wasn't bad at all! In fact, DH was trying to make the thing swing further!! HA! I thought it was great, and the kids loved it too! The hubs and I will definitely be riding again next month!!

 

[Topolina]

I suggest doing a youtube search of Mickey's Fun Wheel Swinging Cars. It will show you exactly what to expect (and the reactions of people riding).

 

[brenda1966]

The cars on Mickey's Wheel of Death have no lap bar, no seat belt. I think that's part of what makes them so scary! You feel so vulnerable!

Compared to the big dragon boat swing, I think you actually swing far less on Mickey's wheel. You spend a lot of time in your car where you are not swinging at all, so part of the fear is anticipation and not knowing when that big swing is coming. On the Dragon ride you know exactly when it's coming.

I'd say they generate that same kind of feeling in the pit of your stomach, but in slightly different ways.

 

[StarGirl11]

The cars on Mickey's Wheel of Death have no lap bar, no seat belt. I think that's part of what makes them so scary! You feel so vulnerable!

Compared to the big dragon boat swing, I think you actually swing far less on Mickey's wheel. You spend a lot of time in your car where you are not swinging at all, so part of the fear is anticipation and not knowing when that big swing is coming. On the Dragon ride you know exactly when it's coming.

I'd say they generate that same kind of feeling in the pit of your stomach, but in slightly different ways.

Wait those things don't have lap bars? Just a quick question those things can't go upside down right (has been of swinging ferris wheels with the capacity to do a complete circle but they had lap bars).

 

[Tiradan]

My very first time to DCA (way back when), my friend and I decide to try the swinging cars on the Mickey's Fun Wheel. We can see how they swing while waiting to get on, but that did not prepare us at all.

Once we got in and the gondola started swinging we were scared to death and wanted to get off immediately! To this day I have not stepped foot on a swinging gondola, although I do enjoy the view from the stationary ones

 

[disneymom0104]

It is a different sensation than the pirate's ship, but we didn't think it was bad. I took my 18 month old on it, and he was fine. My 6 and 9 year olds liked enough to do it again. You really only swing 4 times each loop, and it loops you twice. So, twice going up and twice coming down and of those, some are less dramatic "falls" (or slide). The worst for me is not the sliding, but the swinging after the slide was done- but again, it really doesn't last that long. There are also moments when you are just hanging in the cart, just like any other ferris wheel.

 

[ValpoCory]

I suggest doing a youtube search of Mickey's Fun Wheel Swinging Cars. It will show you exactly what to expect (and the reactions of people riding).

Yep, and some are NSFW due to language.

 

[disneygal6568]

I suggest doing a youtube search of Mickey's Fun Wheel Swinging Cars. It will show you exactly what to expect (and the reactions of people riding).

I have actually done that, and the movement on the cage reminded me of a pirate ship, which inspired this question.

 

[disneygal6568]

How many times does it go around. I tthink somebody said twice but then I reread it and was confused. Thanks!

 

[Capt Silly]

How many times does it go around. I tthink somebody said twice but then I reread it and was confused. Thanks!

It goes around once, stopping at each new car to load more guests. Then it does a complete, unstopping, rotation. So, depending on where you are in line, you may get one rotation of stopping followed by one non-stop, or one non-stop followed by one of stopping.

I personally like the swinging cars, they add a bit of excitement to a slow moving ride. The swinging cars don't move fast enough to require any restraint. I don't like the pirate ship type rides, something about the motion makes me queasy.

 

[disneyismyheart247]

I've been on both the stationary and swinging gondolas. I'm afraid of heights so both experiences were kind of bad for me, but the swinging gondolas were definitely much worse. I was DEATHLY afraid. It was like being on a swing at the park but very high up in the air. I clung to the side gates, I was so scared. You swing pretty high. It's nothing like the Dragon Swing at the Santa Monica Pier or Knott's. I can get on those with no problem whatsoever. I'm not going to say never again for Mickey's Fun Wheel but I have a feeling the next time I get on the wheel again will be a while from now.

 

[Jkpark]

I will not be riding the swinging gondolas again. DD4 and DD6 both love them - good thing DH does too. I went once years ago and remembered hating it - but when the kids begged and my MIL went on - I didn't want to be the chicken. I was frantically trying to remember what to do to not vomit - close my eyes? Find a focal point? It seriously didn't matter. Luckily for EVERYONE I didn't get sick but now DH takes them on without me

 

[sunny45]

Are the two different queue's for swinging and non-swinging gondola's?

 

[MamaChelle]

Are the two different queue's for swinging and non-swinging gondola's?

Yes, 2 different queues! Make sure to stand in the right one!