Fear of Heights and Soarin'?

[webepirates]

I just posted about this in another thread last night. Soarin' is a lovely idea but made me cry by the end. The gantry motion and illusion of movement in the air is just nuts. I cannot sit in nose bleed sections either, or look down from buildings, even if its on TV I have to look away. I went on bc my MIL said it was no problem. Wasnt for her, was for me, so I guess its hard to say definitively. I did it but never again.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

my DD age 5 get car sick, so much so we cant' take Disney ME from the airport.
Will this make her car sick?

 

[monkee04]

I'm afraid of heights as well. Start getting sweaty palms whenever I see something high on TV or think about being up high. With that said, I LOVE Soarin'. I agree with others. If she does ride tell her to just keep looking forward (horizon level or higher). I was fine as long as I didn't look at my feet or farther down the screen. The only other thing she would have to get over is the gliding effect. Going up is fun, but it can be a little uneasy with the dips.

 

[CamoMama]

I am afraid of heights, but am usually okay if I have something under my feet or am securely strapped in. When I was in basic training I performed the night infiltration course, climbed the 3 meter wall just fine but when I got to the top I froze and couldn't jump down because I couldn't see the ground. I ended up sliding down the wall holding on until I knew I could drop safely (not easy to do in full gear and carrying a weapon). On the rappelling tower I was able to get into position, but couldn't move down the wall until a drill instructor physically pushed me.

The seatbelt on Soarin' is secure, but it doesn't feel that way to me when I ride it. I've been on it twice and each time was rough for me. The first time though, we were on the lowest level and I was all the way on the right side. I found that it I got freaked out I could look to my right and see off the side of the screen and see some of the actual theater which made it easier for me. The second time I sat in the middle and was a bit more freaked out. The worst part is when you feel like you're swooping forward. It was manageable for me and I absolutely love the beauty of the ride, but without my kids or parents with me I think I'd skip it.

 

[DisneyAbsolutely]

I wouldn't recommend this ride to a person suffering from legitimate acrophobia. If her fear doesn't totally consume her then I think it's worth attempting.

I personally have severe anxiety about heights and not feeling secured. But I'm also aware that it's very unlikely for a Disney ride to be unsafe. That's the important difference. Some people can't overcome the fear response and those people shouldn't ride. Because they can't get off once they are on.

I really loved this ride. I was extremely nervous about the seatbelts. I didn't feel very secure and it was kinda freaky. However, I knew the belts were locked so that made me feel better. I also knew that seatbelt malfunctions at Disney are probably unheard of. It's really important for a nervous person to feel reassured before riding. That's not possible for someone who is severely afraid of heights.

 

[DisneyAbsolutely]

I would have her skip it. I'm afraid of heights, but only to a certain extent. I can do Tower of Terror just fine, but Soarin does me in. The problem with Soarin is not only are you fairly high up (at least 10 feet off of the ground) but the ride dips and tilts too. Plus you only have a seat belt on to keep you secure, and there are only tiny side handles to hang onto. I my opinion, it would feel a lot safer if there was a bar in front of you.

Wonder why there's no bar?? To add an extra thrill?? Cause a bar would be super duper!

 

[scion5220]

Wonder why there's no bar?? To add an extra thrill?? Cause a bar would be super duper!

I think the seatbelt that fits securely against you is more comforting than a bar that could never be as snug. You definitely feel more strapped in with a belt.

 

[DisneyAbsolutely]

I think the seatbelt that fits securely against you is more comforting than a bar that could never be as snug. You definitely feel more strapped in with a belt.

I was thinking it would be nice to have the seatbelt and the bar! Or what about those "over-the-shoulder" restraints? That would be more secure and it wouldn't take away from the experience. That's my fantasy!

 

[ZoZo]

I'm quite afraid of heights but Soarin' is my favorite ride (even the top row!).

You might try a couple of things: Sit in the bottom row, have her watch a YouTube video to get an idea of what will happen.

Different people have different things that cause their fear of heights. For me, it's the fear of toppling off an unsteady ladder or off a roof. If I know there's no way to fall, I'm perfectly fine. But other people have other reasons that make them fearful, so it's hard to say. Reading the other posts here, others seem to dislike the motion of the ride (tilting and turning) plus the sensation that they're "flying." It feels as if you're on a hang-glider, especially with the pictures on the screen making it seem as if you're much higher off the ground than you actually are.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'm afraid of heights and decided to try Soarin'. Never again. I hated my feet dangling and all the movement.

The poor woman sitting next to me said she thought I was going to pass out when the ride finished I was so pale. She asked me if I needed assistance getting to first aide!

What's really strange is I can do ToT with no problems!