Disney Tower Of Terror

[prettyprincessbelle]

Yes, controlled is a good way of describing it.

VegasMike21, this is what goes on in my head. If you're being pulled, all they have to do to stop it is to stop pulling. If you're dropping, it scares me more b/c you have to rely on something *stopping* you. With being pulled, that mechanism is already "there".

Might all be mind games with myself, but it really does feel different, physically and mentally.

I do NOT like the falling rides. I went on one once at Great America and HATED it. DH says he's going on Maliboomer this time, if he fits (he couldn't ride in Sept b/c of his belly and heavy back, since they couldn't get the center clip, from the harness to the seat, clipped) and the idea of him being on it makes me ill. Just to think of it does that to me, let alone riding it.

But TOT is great.

IMO, TOT is "worse" than the Maliboomer in the sense of that feeling in your stomach. With the Maliboomer, the only "scary" part is going up, and it's no where near the feeling you get when you're "falling" (or being pulled) on TOT. I think just seeing the Maliboomer like that out in the open makes it look scary.. The fall on the Maliboomer after you get shot up, is very very small and weak.. It's a fun ride, but not as scary as TOT, it's much more tame...

 

[eeyore3847]

ok let me say I personally have rode everything at disney but TOT! I hatedrops and I know I would totally get sick! YUCK!
But my 4 year old loves the ride. rode 3 times in the last hour of CA being open last saturday. Here she is at 10:15pm leaving the park! If she can do it anyone can. next trip I have promissed her I will do it!
Lori

 

[disneynoob08]

ToT is one of the only "rollar coaster" type rides the bf will go on! everything else, he'll sit out on or warn me that i'll have his lunch on my lap

I like ToT at DCA, but for some reason, the one at MGM made me sick.

 

[VegasMike21]

IMO, TOT is "worse" than the Maliboomer in the sense of that feeling in your stomach. With the Maliboomer, the only "scary" part is going up, and it's no where near the feeling you get when you're "falling" (or being pulled) on TOT. I think just seeing the Maliboomer like that out in the open makes it look scary.. The fall on the Maliboomer after you get shot up, is very very small and weak.. It's a fun ride, but not as scary as TOT, it's much more tame...

haha i guess everyone has their own ideas of what's worse between tot and maliboomer. me if i had to pick one to ride i would choose tot over maliboomer, i know for a fact i wouldn't like that liftoff like that plus the fact that i don't like heights that much either. at least in tot you really don't see much of the outside and how high up you actually are just for a few seconds.

 

[nunzia]

If you don't like that feeling in your stomach when you do drops then it is terrifying! I hate that feeling and, I was shaking so much after that ride. I don't picture myself on it again. I also don't go on Splash Mountain for the same reason. I really wanted to see the ride though so I pushed myself on. It is very short and it is smooth so that helps. Try it once and you may love it but even if you don't you will proud you did it and lived!

I also don't ride Splash because of the drop ( did it once and said..nope..the fun rest of the ride not worth it! Wish they'd have a second chicken track) I've not ridden TOT, and won't, but my DH who does it all rode it once and said never again because he does not like swearing in front of little kids.

 

[Cadillac_Dreamgirl]

I really enjoyed it. I remember my camera flying in mid air lol that was funny.

 

[DISJen]

Okay, I have to chime in on this one. I am a ride junkie, but what I hate most about rides is the drops. I love rollercoasters but I always have to suffer through the big drop in order to love the rest of the ride. So for years, I never rode TOT because I thought, "Why would I ride a ride that is all about the drops?!"

Last year, my husband got talked into riding it with the husband of a family we were there with. I thought he was crazy for riding it. He came off of it and told me that it was now his favorite ride and I should honestly try it. Over the course of a few hours, I let him talk me into riding it.

I'd have to say.... it's really fun. I didn't have the sense of dropping in my stomache.. that fear of dread until I hit the bottom, that I normally get when I ride big rollercoasters. In fact, it felt very soft and "bouncy" and I found myself giggling, yes giggling. I'm sure it's because of the mechanics that make it feel better. It really doesn't feel like a free fall at all. I can't wait to go back and ride it now and I can't believe I denied myself all these years.

I would say that if you enjoy all other rides, including rollercoasters, then you'll be fine on this one.

 

[jjames]

I'm terrified of drops, but I also love them. Go figure. Anyway, ToT actually has several drops, or pulls (they really don't feel like typical drops), which I wasn't prepared for. I felt like I was a bug trapped in a jar being shaken up and down by a two year old. It was ok, just not what I was expecting. DS13 LOVED it, DD15 thought it was OK, DD9 didn't really care for it, and DS5 went skipping off of it saying, "That was so cool!" I think you have to try it at least once, even if you do feel like a shaken up bug when you're finished.

 

[DoomBugger]

The drops are not the scariest part for some, it is (especially the first time) the narrative and the creepy, mysterious effects and how you are in a state of confusion and anticipation. The ride dropping I think actaully makes people laugh as it is not really dropping but more electronically descending and they have it just right so it just feels fun... but you don't know that the first time and don't know what to expect. That coupled with the story, mood and effect and you can freak yourself out over nothing.

Don't fear this ride, it is one the best attractions WDC has come up with in a long time. Ride it, love it... repeat.

 

[4Ollies]

I haven't been on Tower at DL but have ridden several times at WDW. My DS loves it and started riding at 5. At 4, neither he nor his twin brother would try it and we didn't push them to either.

My mom is terrified of heights but rode ToT at WDW several years ago. She probably wouldn't do it again but she did ride it.

 

[Terrif]

The tower of terror is so cool and nothing to be afraid of. That being said we took our dd then a tall 4 year old many times because her older brothers loved it. Last year when she was ten she wouldn't go on until the last day at wdw. She screamed bloody murder, it was ebarrassing. this year now 11 she is warming up to it. I think she remembers being really scared at age 4. It is dark and twightlight zone like so I think that is part of it. As long as I tell her when the falling is going to begin she is fine now. It is our (dh and both ds favorite ride). I love the feeling of weightlessness you get at times. Try it!!!!

 

[geetey]

Does the ToT at DL have random drops like WDW or is it the same ride each time? ToT is in my top 3 favorite rides at WDW! Just hoping DL's is the same.

 

[Terrif]

The dl has like 6 elevators. 3 on on floor and then 3 upstairs. Each elevator may have the same cycle of drops but we went on it about 4 or five times and was on the same elevator twice and not sure if it was the same or not. It felt different each time!

 

[julezdisney]

Loved it! But I like those types of rides. But rather than scream, I giggled the entire time, I could NOT stop laughing hysterically the entire time!

 

[VegasMike21]

Does the ToT at DL have random drops like WDW or is it the same ride each time? ToT is in my top 3 favorite rides at WDW! Just hoping DL's is the same.

supposidly, the ride is supposed to be different everytime, where you drops come out in a different sequence everytime, but i believe the final drop is supposed to be the same.

 

[DisneyPhreak]

supposidly, the ride is supposed to be different everytime, where you drops come out in a different sequence everytime, but i believe the final drop is supposed to be the same.

I dont think its that way at DL (at least it didnt used to be). WDW's ToT yes the drops are random...but at DL they're the same.

 

[MTCruiser]

it's not too bad

 

[VegasMike21]

here's some cool info i found on the TOT.

Secrets of the Tower of Terror
Facts

Opening Date May 5, 2004
- Reaching 183 feet, the Tower of Terror is the tallest attraction in the Disneyland Resort. Although the building is officially 183 feet tall, it also extends 40 underground.
-Number of elevator shafts: 3
-Number of elevator ride vehicles: six
-Number of guests per elevator: 21
-Number of Floors:
According to official city permits: 11
According to Twilight Zone records: 13
-The legendary Hollywood Tower Hotel:
Date hotel originally opened: 1928
Date the hotel originally closed: October 31, 1939
-The ride system is not actually an elevator - but rather a "vertical vehicle conveyance."
-Guest must be 40 inches or taller to experience attraction. Guests in wheelchairs must transfer to ride vehicle.

-The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ at Disney's California Adventure Park is based on the popular Disney attraction at the Disney-MGM Studios in Florida, which opened in July 1994.
-The Twilight Zone® originally ran for five years on CBS, from 1959 to 1964. Rod Serling, its creator and host, a six-time Emmy winner, wrote 92 of the original 156 episodes. He died in 1975.



Secrets

- The attraction features three of the largest motors ever build for such a conveyance. They are three times larger than the largest high-speed elevator motors and faster than the fastest high-speed elevator in the world.
-In the course of their tour of The Hollywood Tower Hotel, guests are led through the lobby, past the ruined elevator doors and into a Library. There they view the opening moments of an episode of The Twilight Zone®. This "lost episode", featuring a special appearance by Rod Serling, was never broadcast. It tells a story unique to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ and was created for the attraction.



Inspiration

-Architectural style of the Hollywood Tower Hotel: Pueblo Deco
-The episode from which Rod Serling's appearance was taken is "It's A Good Life", written by Rod Serling.
-Throughout the attraction, as an homage to the classic television series, there are props and design elements that recall specific episodes.
-The area music features jazz and popular tunes from the 1930's, such as "I Can't Get Started With You" by Bunny Berigan, "We'll Meet Again" by Vera Lynn, and "Mood Indigo" by Duke Ellington, which were all chosen for a certain timeless, haunting quality. The music was then sonically treated to suggest it was being performed in a distant ballroom, long ago.




Cast Credits for Library Film in Lobby Show:


Rod Serling: himself

Rod Serling sound-alike: Mark Silverman. (Hundreds of folks auditioned for the part but Mark was chosen for the role by Rod Serling's widow who made the final selection after listening to him on audio tape.)

Bellhop: Parviz Perry Vessali

Child Star: Lindsay Ridgeway

Nanny: Charlotte Helms

 

[lindsnlogansmom]

We love Tower of Terror. It is one of our favorites. I was petrified the first time we went on it and almost chickened out. It was the fear of the unknown and I am never scared on rides. Anyway, it is definately a must in my opinion.

 

[lindsnlogansmom]

oops