Getting over fear of Tower of Terror

[Skeleton Jack]

I am scared of heights, but Tower of Terror is one of my favorite rides! On our last Florida vacay, I did the roller-coasters at Seaworld, as well as The Hulk at Universal Studios I find as long as I feel SAFE on the ride (like, I'm enclosed, like on Tower of Terror) or I feel strapped in really good and tight

 

[dan-tot]

It's not so much the heights that bother me, it's the falling, and falling straight down. The looking out of the top of the ride is actually one of the parts I want to see.

It does seem kind of silly that the backwards part of EE didn't phase me at all, but sitting in a chair and falling down scares the heck out of me. But, I knew the backwards part was coming because of the info channel in the room. I watched a video on youtube and was a little freaked out just looking at it. I suppose the randomness also plays a part.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'll take a look around for some technical information on the ride.

The next challenge would be to see if I could work myself up to the Rock n Roller Coaster. On that one, it's the speed and upside-down that have me freaked out.

You don't really free fall. It just seems like you do. I ,like you did the same thing I went to the elevator and couldn't get on so I went to the hallway that goes into the gift shop. The second time I did it I sat in the seat where the bar went on your lap. I was by myself the second ride and they put me into seat 5 this was the lap belt seat and it was great. Now all seats are lap belts like Star Tours. I think you will have fun with it. I was surprised when I first did it like when I went on space mountain same thing.

Dan-tot Oh by the way what do you think tot means?

 

[JennyMP03]

The anticipation dread is what gets me. The sensations of the drop are fine, but I hate to know that any kind of surprise, pleasant or frightening, is imminent whether it's on a ride, in a show, a movie... I can't watch a "4D" show like It's Tough to Be a Bug without sitting on the edge of my seat as if prepared to bolt. Logically, I know it's ridiculous, but there's a part of your brain that just won't be reasoned with sometimes! That part of my brain plays a loop that goes, "Here it comes. Oh no, here it comes! OHGODNOHEREITCOMES--"

It helps me to hold someone's arm. Not for their comforting presence, but just to know if I go down, I'm taking someone with me.

Also, maybe you can promise yourself an "I survived Tower of Terror" treat after you've conquered the ride. Plenty of stuff like that in the gift shop at the end, I'm sure, or you could save your favorite park snack/meal as a victory reward.

 

[jpeka65844]

Alcohol helped me.

Seriously, I rode it 6 years ago on my first trip and swore never again. Since then, I've found I can't do spinning rides anymore (goodbye Mission Space!) so I thought I'd try to put ToT back in my rotation.

SIL and I got a little tanked on Electric Lemonades at lunch at 50's PTC and I went for it.

LOVED LOVED LOVED it, although I still can't put my arms up but I'll ride it every time from now on!!!!

 

[DopeysGal82]

I don't really know. I would say just go on it.

My DH HATES ToT. He hates drops. He isn't scared, he just doesn't like the feeling. As of our first Disney trip he had never been on a rollercoaster that does upside down. He went on all the rides for me since I LOVE coasters. When we were on line for RnRC (which we rode first) he was green. He was so nervous. He actually did great on it and loves it as much as I do now, and it was a gateway to other roller coasters. He also loves Everest.

On ToT he was blue and clammy. No color in his face. He hated it. He still hates it. Until the trip before our most recent one, he was still cold and clammy getting on the ride. This time he didn't have that reaction, but he was nervous. The music makes him get anxious even! However, we rode it I think 3x this trip, and the 3rd time he said "That one really wasn't so bad". So I think he's getting used to it.

In case you're about to say I'm a terrible wife for making him go on it, I've offered to go alone, but he insists.

 

[heatherbynum]

I close my eyes on it and just hold on lol

 

[Disney girly]

I have bad anxiety. So when I get on roller coasters or thrill rides I get really upset and panic. I rode this ride when I was 4 and hated it. I vowed to never get in this ride again. Therefore it became my worst fear to get on this ride. 7 years later I decided to get on the ride again. I LOVED IT. Even though I started panicking before I got into the elevator, it was still amazing. I rode it again this past thanksgiving and I didn't like it. Now that it's computer activated, it dropped me for so long the whole ride I was gripping onto the handle bars to where my hands were red and blistered. I'm thinking about getting on it again in 3 months but I still haven't decided. It's not the actual ride that scares me, it's when I'm waiting. But I do have to say, it helps when you sit in the very front.

 

[mesaboy2]

Zombie Thread Alert.

 

[Dimaline312000]

Tot is one of if not my favorite rides in all the parks. I was more scared about SM than the Tot!!

 

[maryandtyson]

Funny story about Rock n Roller Coaster: my sister went with her kids and, somehow, they got her on RnRC. Months later, they were at my house and I mentioned the upside down part of the ride. She was shocked! Had no idea she'd been upside down on that ride!

Love ToT! Scariest part is the pre show!

 

[BLTLDZ]

LOL Funny story about my first ride on TOT.
For three trips I SWORE to DH I would ride it...I even got pushed to the front of the line when it was crowded on mothers day , as it was my birthday and the CM told us to go to the front. I chickened out every time! The very last second I would walk off and hubby would laugh and shake his head. He HATES heights but was was curious about this ride as well.

It took dinner on the Boardwalk and a few glasses of wine (during EMH) and I finally did it! HAD THE BEST TIME. That was the only time I ever rode it though! Hubby liked it but won't go again...I keep saying yes and chickening out. I guess I need to have a few before the ride!
I don't get motion sickness so not an issue with the up & down..

 

[PeasandCarrots]

I know that this is kind of an odd request for a strategy, but there's a part of me that really wants to experience the show part of the Tower of Terror, but the screaming, heart-pounding fear of the falling part is bigger.

Anyone have any suggestions for dealing with the ride? Something like what I learned for roller coasters last time--if you plant your feet and sit back in the seat, you move with the car. With that, I actually enjoyed Expedition Everest.

Things to keep in mind -
1) The ride is a controlled pull, not a free fall. So remind yourself it's not a literal fall, very strong cables are pulling you up and down.
2) The simulated "falling" doesn't last very long.
3) The seatbelt keeps you from moving much
4) If it makes you feel better to hold onto something ask the people on your row if you can please sit by the wall. There's a handle there.

I don't like "drop rides" but I love ToT. It is one of the best themed rides at WDW.

 

[mesaboy2]

Things to keep in mind -
1) The ride is a controlled pull, not a free fall. So remind yourself it's not a literal fall, very strong cables are pulling you up and down.
2) The simulated "falling" doesn't last very long.
3) The seatbelt keeps you from moving much
4) If it makes you feel better to hold onto something ask the people on your row if you can please sit by the wall. There's a handle there.

I don't like "drop rides" but I love ToT. It is one of the best themed rides at WDW.

FYI, the post you are responding to is over 3 years old.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

FYI, the post you are responding to is over 3 years old.

I saw it on the 2nd page of the forum today, didn't notice the age. Oh well hopefully they got over their fear.

 

[Lauralaylin]

I'm glad this thread was bumped. I have always chickened out, and I have a true phobia of falling (and flying), but I've wanted to go on this ride for so long. My son BEGS me to go on with him, but I always make his father go instead. But a few days ago in a WDW reddit sub, there was a thread by a woman whose daughter just died. She begged her mom to go on this ride with her, the mom never did, and now she's feeling guilty. I have been thinking about it a lot since, and I think I should face my fears and try it at least once with my son. But I'm wondering if I'll need a xanax to do it.

 

[margot31]

For me it was just riding. Every time I stand there i get a knot in my stomach and I have ridden that ride many times and its more just go for it. But that is me.

 

[mesaboy2]

I saw it on the 2nd page of the forum today, didn't notice the age. Oh well hopefully they got over their fear.

I just didn't want you sitting around waiting for a reply.

 

[THarrison]

I've been on the ToT 3 times and it was the 3rd time sitting waiting on the ride to begin that I almost lost my cool. It was my friend's first time on the ride and i didn't wanna back out. So the entire ride I held on to my mom and friend's arms and thought of a sitting in a field the entire time. Which probably sounds really strange but that's how i dealt with it.

 

[jen7233]

It's not bad, honestly. I was afraid before and would not ride it. I close my eyes after the elevator doors open before the drop. There is really not much to hold onto, just the side grips. But it's really not that bad of a ride. I'd say my scare before hand was worse than the actual ride!

 

[jen7233]

Oh, and maybe you can get a seat on the "back" of the elevator rather than be in the front row!