Fear of Heights and Soarin'?

[Mrs. Bob Loblaw]

My mother in law is scared of heights. For example, she can't sit in the nosebleed section in a stadium. Do you think Soarin' would be too much for her? My husband says no, I think yes.. since we're torn, I was hoping for some more opinions, especially from anyone who is scared of heights and has been on the ride.

We're leaving in 6 hours.. woohoo!!

 

[Gorechick]

I'm having the same dilemma! I can see an overhead shot on tv or imagine being on top of the Empire state building and I feel the anxiety without even being there. I can however sit in a window seat on an airplane and am ok. I'm hoping a Xanax before I ride calms my nerves.

 

[Julie711]

I would say YES and skip this ride if I was her. I to am afraid of heights and dark spaces and DH said oh you will be fine even though the sign says dont ride if afraid of heights and claustrophobic so I did and it was horrible, actually the gentlemen sitting next to me ( whom I had never met before) we ended up grabbing the bar and holding hands because he was terrified. Its so funny because in your mind you know your only in a room raised up but to someone that is afraid it doesnt seem that way.

 

[dnsmills]

I think it might be but as I don't have a fear of heights, I couldn't say. But I would suggest if she does want to give it a shot, opt for the back row which will be the closest to the ground when the ride starts and everyone 'takes flight.' I'm not sure how high off the ground the back row goes. Might want to ask a CM working on the ride. Enjoy your trip! *JEALOUS!!!*

 

[spacemountainmom]

I am terrified of heights, the second step of a ladder puts me right over the edge!

The first time I went on Soarin' I was a wreck. I think I broke skin on my dh's and dd's arms I was squeezing so tightly. I finally relaxed some and decided that I liked the ride. I do go on it each trip and used these coping strategies: I use the child strap (lol), never look down and really focus on the screen.

It really is a cool experience if you can get over the initial anxiety.

 

[CTmommyx3]

I am afraid of heights and the first time i went on i got stuck on the highest part of the ride. A friend had told me that you are not all that high just enough to feel like you are flying. of course i had not idea there were different levels. I realized how high we were and was not too happy. The next time we went we asked to be in the lowest one. Still off the ground but not nearly as high as the last time. The thing that may not be so good is how you are just in with the seatbelt. That may freak them out even more if they are too high.
I am not afraid to be high seats in a stadium but would freak if i was that height say going up stairs that you can see thru if that makes sense! I have done the ride 2 more times since the first and i would do it again

 

[kristennn]

I am afraid of heights but do just fine on Soarin. You;re not up very high in actuality and the screen in front of you is all pretend. It can give me a little adrenalin maybe and I do have to remind myself to relax as I cannot fall into the pictures on the screen - but I generally *am* able to relax

 

[DizneyLizzy]

My mom is really afraid of heights but loves Soarin'. Two things we do:

1. We always ask to sit on the bottom row.

2. She keeps her eyes closed until after we have cleared the clouds/Golden Gate Bridge scene. Apparently the cloud clearing part is most unsettling.

 

[minnie mum]

If she sits in the back row (and yes, she can ask a CM to do this) then she'll be about 10 ft. off the ground during the show. I'm really afraid of heights and the last time I rode it I spent the whole time with sweaty palms and racing heart. I was practically trembling by the time it was over. So no more for me. Explain the ride to her and give her an option if she doesnt' want to ride it. Maybe she could view the Circle of Life or just have a snack at Sunshine Seasons while you go on Soarin'.

 

[tinkermama117]

I am afraid of heights and have been on Soarin' twice. Each time I requested to be on the lowest level. Something about knowing that people are above me makes me feel a little better. I don't love it and tend to freak out at the beginning but relax somewhat by the end. I am trying to get over my fear which is why I keep going on.

 

[MissLiz]

I am extremely afraid of heights and I've done Soarin' a few times.

The first time, anytime we went "over" something in the movie (the mountaintop, the aircraft carrier), my stomach flopped hard. I didn't think about the actual height of the ride that time.

The next few times, I was too chicken to ask for the last row, so I'd take whatever we got. Of course, one time we got the first row and I was in absolute tears before the ride, used the child strap, and kept my eyes closed the whole time.

Now, I'm more concerned about which row I'm instead of the movie. As long as I am in the last row, I can enjoy the ride. Anything else and I'm a wreck.

 

[kadesha]

You guys are inspiring. I am terribly afraid of heights but I tried to ride it on our last trip. I got mixed up and thought I was on the lowest level but after I had buckled up I realized that I was on the highest one. I really panicked and obviously couldn't get the seatbelt off. I had to get a CM to help so I could get off. I was so upset when I realized my mistake that I couldn't bear to ride. I think it is a cool ride in theory, but I have no desire to try to get back on it. I'm afraid of heights, so I don't want to feel like I'm up high. I'll eat some strawberry cake at SS while my family rides!

 

[scootch]

My dd hates heights, but her favorite ride is Soarin'. She does prefer to be on the lower two tiers.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

I am afraid of heights and was pretty much dragged onto Soarin' the first time a few years ago totally against my will. I started with my eyes squeezed shut tight and gripping the seat with white-knuckles. I slowly opened 1 eye and then realized that it wasn't REALLY like being in the air. It's now one of my absolute favorite rides!

 

[onnawufei]

I'm afraid of heights to the point where I don't even like standing on chairs, but I love Soarin'. I don't know why it doesn't bother me, maybe because I don't really see how high up we are.

 

[irishtigger]

I recently went in Sept with my best friend and she is scared of heights to. She can't sit in the nosebleed section and has a freak out attack if her boyfriend picks her up. She went on soarin no problem actually she loved it

 

[maxiesmom]

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.

 

[centurythree]

I would say explain the ride to her in detail and let her make the decision. Also consider what would happen if the ride suddenly stopped and the lights came on . . . that's a long way to look down!

 

[Mama Who]

It's so subjective it's hard to say. DS freaks out in nosebleed seats but likes Soarin. Dad is fine in a stadium but won't go on Soarin' for anything. I'd give your MIL the information and let her make an informed choice. Your DH may know from experience what kind of heights bother her since he probably has more years with her and her specific fears?

 

[ColinCodyMom]

My most favorite ride in all of WDW is Soarin. That being said my DH is afraid of heights and although he rides it for me, he doesn't like it because of his fear.