DCA Sun Wheel

[Misskitty3]

DS will want to ride the "ferris wheel" at DCA. Is it an option to NOT ride in the cars that swing around?

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

DS will want to ride the "ferris wheel" at DCA. Is it an option to NOT ride in the cars that swing around?

You can do that and I do it every time!!!!
To enter the ride DON'T go through the regular line. You enter to the left of the ride if you are facing it. It is really through the exit but there is usually a sign to direct you to the non-mobil cars. This way you don't feel any movement but still enjoy your ride and seeing the parks from a new view.....

Have fun!

 

[hlbtimes2]

Not only can you, but you'll get thru line much quicker! Most people want the ones that rock, so that line gets backed up.

 

[DisneyloverinWA]

Yes! We took our kids last year, when our daughter was 1 1/2. We rode in one that did swing and she was pretty scared. She didn't cry, but it definitely made her stomach queasy.

Good luck!

 

[slp87]

I just read today that they've added "barf bags" to the swinging cars. I had to pass, but DD said she hated it! She'll definitely do the stationary cars next time.

 

[jemilah]

I can't even get my soon to be 10 year old in the stationary cars! But I don't want to swing and last time there was a sign saying only those cars were open.............but I will look at the exit side for the sign , maybe I have missed it before.

 

[disneydreamerbelle]

I love thrill rides, and those swinging cars are the only thing on the face of the earth that I will not go on. I tried it once, and that was it. The line for the stationary cars is there, and defintely the better choice in my opinion.

 

[SilverCeladon]

I had no idea! I think I would try the non mobile cars. Thanks!

 

[minnietoo]

I almost "died" on the sun wheel. I got so nauseated from the swinging cars that it took me over an hour before I could even walk again - then I left the park early as I was afraid to go on any other rides. It does something to your inner ear, equilibrium, blood pressure etc - my whole body was sick. I felt dizzy, weak, shakey, nauseated, and downright sick. RIDER BEWARE: the sun wheel is hazardous to your health!

 

[mikayla73]

I love thrill rides, and those swinging cars are the only thing on the face of the earth that I will not go on. I tried it once, and that was it. The line for the stationary cars is there, and defintely the better choice in my opinion.

I feel the same way, but the more I read and think about it, the more I think I would like to try it once more. This time with someone that I know.

DH wouldn't go on the Sun Wheel, stationary cars or not, so I went by myself. I was with a nice family, and I didn't get physically sick like others have, but it was one of the scariest rides I have ever been on. When I tell people that they think I am crazy (well everyone except for DH, he thought I was crazy for going) it's just a ferris wheel. YEAH RIGHT!! They have no idea. However, I am still tempted to go again, if our friends get to go with us when we are there next year .... I may get to try it once more. Or I could chicken out... we'll see.

 

[Misskitty3]

I feel the same way, but the more I read and think about it, the more I think I would like to try it once more. This time with someone that I know.

DH wouldn't go on the Sun Wheel, stationary cars or not, so I went by myself. I was with a nice family, and I didn't get physically sick like others have, but it was one of the scariest rides I have ever been on. When I tell people that they think I am crazy (well everyone except for DH, he thought I was crazy for going) it's just a ferris wheel. YEAH RIGHT!! They have no idea. However, I am still tempted to go again, if our friends get to go with us when we are there next year .... I may get to try it once more. Or I could chicken out... we'll see.

Are you belted into seats? What was so scary?

 

[mikayla73]

Are you belted into seats? What was so scary?

No you are not belted in. We are talking about the moving cars, not the stationary ones. Have you ever seen the Sun Wheel in person? I'm not trying to be funny, but people I have told this and they have only seen pics, they don't really get it.

I guess it would be the feeling of falling the cars give you. It is not the good feeling that TOT gives you. It is like the car is falling forward and at the last possible second, you kind of swing up because you are at the end of the oval. Then you just kind of swing back and forth for a min or two, until it's time to swing back the other way. It is kind of an uncontrollable falling feeling.

Anyone else have a good description?

 

[disneycutie84]

No you are not belted in. We are talking about the moving cars, not the stationary ones. Have you ever seen the Sun Wheel in person? I'm not trying to be funny, but people I have told this and they have only seen pics, they don't really get it.

I guess it would be the feeling of falling the cars give you. It is not the good feeling that TOT gives you. It is like the car is falling forward and at the last possible second, you kind of swing up because you are at the end of the oval. Then you just kind of swing back and forth for a min or two, until it's time to swing back the other way. It is kind of an uncontrollable falling feeling.

Anyone else have a good description?

I completely agree with your description! Its not like your going straight down or in one solid direction, its constantly sliding down and then rocking and etc. Eeeek! The terrified screams of the other riders don't help much either.
I am hesitant even on the stationary cars because I have a fear of heights, so even those are a "thrill" to me.

 

[minnietoo]

Are you belted into seats? What was so scary?

For me it wasn't scary - it just plain made me sick.

 

[minnietoo]

No you are not belted in. We are talking about the moving cars, not the stationary ones. Have you ever seen the Sun Wheel in person? I'm not trying to be funny, but people I have told this and they have only seen pics, they don't really get it.

I didn't get it by looking at it running either - who would have thought that the movement in two different directions at the same time would play such havoc on one's body? Looks are decieving - this is a killer ride!

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

I didn't get it by looking at it running either - who would have thought that the movement in two different directions at the same time would play such havoc on one's body? Looks are decieving - this is a killer ride!

The physical problems you described from riding the Sun Wheel are how I get riding any kind of spinning ride. From the Tea Cups to the Carousel, but not the Sun Wheel. Queasy, dizzy, shakey, headaches, not being able to walk or even see straight for hours afterward. My DDs ask me every Disney trip to do the Tea Cups or Carousel and don't really understand how ill I would be afterward and for how long.

The Sun Wheel scares me because I'm not fond of heights (but love all rollercoasters) and the fact that it's over the water. (Have a fear of high bridges, especially over the water as well) That constant dropping/sliding and swinging back and forth just terrifies me.

DH and my DDs love it, and rationally I know it's ok so I go on it every trip (swinging cars always). And every trip I close my eyes as tight as possible and not look around. When we stop swinging, I love the view as long as I don't look down.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I love riding those sliding cars in the Sun Wheel. I remember the first time, though, and thought we were going to slide off the seat.

You sit in gondola type baskets, with 2-person benches facing each other. As the wheel moves, you end up sliding on the rails twice - once as you go up the wheel, and once as you come down the wheel. There are no belts, and I think you need to brace yourself, but you aren't flung anywhere - it's just that feeling of sliding.

The view is great from up there, too. I think the last time I actually rode it was with Tink33 & I have pics of her LAUGHING.

But, here is a pic of the view from the SunWheel. You can click for a slightly larger one

 

[mikayla73]

I did love the view from up there when we weren't sliding. I think I am going to see if I can't get our friend that is going with us to ride it with me again.

 

[bambigirl88]

On the non-sliding ones, can it be a somewhat "restful" kind of ride - like maybe have a snack or drink while riding? How much, if at all do the stationary ones move/rock?

How many times do you go around?

 

[Misskitty3]

How much, if at all do the stationary ones move/rock?

QUOTE]

Good question...