Help! I'm a big chicken!! Help!!

[charity]

Ok I have been going to WDW since I was 2, but I have never ridden Big thunder mountain or splash because I'm a big chicken when it come to big drops or hills. I REALLY HATE heights!
Well I don't want to pass this on to my DS4, last years trip was no problem because he was to small...but I'm in for it on this trip in September!
So I need help from other big Chickens how big is the drop on splash and what is Big Thunder Mountain like! Help!!!
Thanks

 

[blessedby3]

I was always a big chicken about SM too. Finally one trip I decided I just had to try it. I LOVED it once I went on it. There are a few small drops on the inside and so when we actually did the "big drop" I had to turn around and see if we had gone down the big hill or not. It just didnt seem as big as that hill looks. I think once you try it you will love it. Now BTMR is another story. There just arent any big thrill hills on that ride. My kids started riding that at 3 1/2- 4 yrs old and have never been scared on it. It is MUCH faster feeling at night, so ride it during the daytime first!

 

[Shells9]

Thunder Mountain is worse than Splash for me.

Splash is nothing, really -- you will not be aware of your height on the drop until it is over, and it goes by fast. The climbing of the big drop might be a little ominous for you, but you will do fine. The inside of Splash is so charming that it is a shame people miss it for fear of the drop -- it really is worth it. Just close your eyes and hold on if you're scared, and you will be fine!

Big Thunder Mountain is kind of rough, but it is no where near as bad as it looks. For me, the SOUND on Thunder Mountain is most intimidating. It is over VERY quickly, too, so I am sure you will tolerate it just fine.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[shyjade]

I am most definately a chicken!!! Never been on Space Mountain or Splash (afraid of that drop). Until last November, I'd never been on Big Thunder either. My DD9 and I decided to finally give it a try (after watching it on YouTube to make sure there weren't any big surprises)....and it really wasn't scary at all! In fact, we rode it at least 6 times during that trip! I still won't go on Splash, but maybe someday I'll give it a shot if DD decides she wants to try it.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I always wanted to ride BTMRR but was too scared. I did barnstormer with no problem and everyone assured me BTM wasn't much worse. After 3 trips, I finally set my mind to doing it and went on with DH. I screamed the whole time, but it wasn't scary or too much for anyone who doesn't like roller coasters. I would never try Splash mountain though!

 

[lustergirl]

I love Splash Mountain and it is a tradition in my family to get our picture every year. I usually have to go on 3 or 4 times because my face always comes out petrified on top on the big hill and I look realy silly!!

 

[toledo13]

i haven't ridden either of these yet... i'm excited to try!!!

 

[charity]

Thanks, this is helping! I'm going to be brave this year!!

 

[swimlib]

My whole family rides SM, even those who won't ride any other thrill rides. The theming is worth the big drop, but there are a few smaller drops inside that can scare you a little.

BTMRR is amazing in my opinion, but the ride chickens in my family do not like the speed. Over time everyone has tried it and said it wasn't as scary as initially thought, it isn't for everyone.

 

[bleeps]

My name is Jennifer and I am a recovered ride weenie!

Seriously, I spent my life HATING "big rides" after having a panic attack on a kiddie coaster when I was, well, a kiddie. I am uncomfortable with heights, and thought (swore) I would NEVER do Splash, or BTMRR, or Space, or even Goofy's Barnstormer!

But all that changed.

Once (two years ago?) when we were making our WDW plans and listing our "musts," my DS said, "my only 'must,' my only wish for this trip is that mama tries Splash Mountain because I know she will love it." Uh, honey? Are you sure you don't want to wish for something else?

OK -- so, long story short: what I learned is that (1) it really does make a difference to your family if you are the only one always sitting things out, (2) if you relax your body instead of tensing up every muscle, it makes a huge (pleasant!) difference, (3) it is possible to take baby steps and build yourself up and (4) even if you hate it, it doesn't last long.

BUT -- I don't hate it any more!! I LOVE BTMRR and can assure you it is NOT really like a roller coaster at all (no mega drops or anything). I advise trying and deciding that you can deal with Goofy's Barnstormer because in some ways I think that's actually worse than BTMRR. Can you handle Test Track? Then you can do BTMRR (and Test Track is another good introduction). As others have said, Splash is a tremendous ride even before you get to the drop and if you just relax your body and breath deeply then it's over before you realize it. I've even tried Space Mountain. I didn't like it, but it didn't do me any harm and I'm proud that I've got it under my belt.

Will I ever do EE? Probably not. But I have exponentially more fun at WDW now that I'm willing to try and enjoy more rides.

 

[daisax]

I finally got over my Splash/BTMRR fear and rode them on my last (7th-8th?) WDW trip. Believe me, the "big drop" is an optical illusion when seen from outside the ride. It's simply NOT that steep or long. I spent many a minute staring at that drop from below, trying to get up the courage to ride and not managing. Now that I've done it, I regret having waited and making my niece ride alone. The only problem is that you have to learn it for yourself, and the ride is quite long BEFORE you get to that drop, so you're less likely to enjoy the ride and only be bracing yourself for it. Also, if it helps (and it did for me), you are sitting VERY low in the log, so it's more a feeling of sliding down a hill on a toboggan leaning backwards than leaning forward, which was my fear. No sensation of leaving the seat.

When I was working my way up to it last Fall, somebody posted a VERY detailed description of the entire ride. It helped a LOT -- basically it outlined where the little and big drops were, so that I was able to relax after the small ones and know nothing at all was going to happen until xyz appeared. It's hard to be tense for 10 minutes, so that was a Godsend! I may still have the person's description written down somewhere, but I probably didn't save the poster's name. If that person is reading this and wants to repost it, please do, or link to that thread.

BTMRR like others have said isn't really much of a roller coaster -- there aren't any big drops and the drops there ARE are on curves, so really you're circling down the hill rather than plunging, if you know what I mean. For a weenie (me) who is always afraid of falling OUT of rides, it was a revelation that I never once felt like I was out of control within my seat.

 

[Jacklynn]

Never done Splash but LOVE Big Thundar Mt. and I'm not a fan of big drops.

 

[Al&Emsmom]

If you sit in the front of BTMRR, the ride feels more calm. In the back, you feel the wind more and it feels faster. In all though, the ride is fairly tame. I am kind of a wimp on rides and this is one of my favorites.

 

[SeattleGirl]

One thing that helped my DBF (a real ride weenie) was watching YouTube videos people have made of the rides. He LOVED BTMRR. I think his rationale for riding after seeing the vid is that if someone can keep their videocamera still and intact for the ride, it can't be all that bad.

 

[missesdisney]

I am a semi-recovered ride chicken. I hated big rides - it's my mother's fault - she had me convinced I'd fall out of them as a kid until I went on my first roller coaster at 14. I am determined not to pass that fear onto my son. So I started to go on roller coastsers and such a few years ago. I could not believe that I made my poor husband go on Big thunder alone all those years! I love it. What I have figured out is that I hate drops so I avoid Splash unless the little guy pushes me to go. I do love EE though - and it's fast and high and has a drop and makes me dizzy but I love it.

Now my big problem is in the interest of getting my DS7 over his fear of rides I said when he goes on TOT for the first time I will go with him. WHAT WAS I THINKING? I went on it about 10 years ago for the first time and hated it and that was when it was tamer and predictable and now I hate it!

He's considering it for the November trip - it's the epitomy of all that I hate on rides but I'll do it....if I have to. I promised so if he asks I have to go.

I have also tried RnR and Mummy at Universal (I won't do the crazy loop ones) and didn't hate either of them but would not be so upset if I never rode again.

I say try it and the worst that happens if its just fear is you'll hate it for the few moments it lasts. You may love it - never know.

And it is worth hating it for the few moments to me not to pass the fear on to my son.

 

[Melora]

Giant ride weenie here!

I was just having this discussion with my family.

I LOVE Thunder Mountain (though the one is Disneyland is much smoother) and I really do like Space Mountain though I always get little scared before the first time I ride it.

I did Splash Mountain one time ages ago at Disneyland and was so scared the entire ride anticipating the drop that I don't remember it.

Everyone keeps telling me that EE isn't as bad as I think it is. That the big drop goes through a turn so its not that bad.... But I am still petrified.

I LOVE the later part of RnR but am afraid of the take-off. I've been on TOT twice and spent the entire ride panicking about the drop. (So if I've gone twice why won't I go again?? because I can remember how each time I started to cry when the elevator doors closed and how trapped I felt.....Yeah proud moment for my family who was sitting with me )

The problem I have is the anticipation... I am so afraid in the line and while getting into the cars that I feel like I'm going to pass out. If I could just get over that... I really do want to go on these but I don't know how to get over my fear. I know I'm not going to be hurt or die so I don't know why I cant tell myself to just do it.