Help me with my fear of Splash Mountain

[hollypoast]

I think it all stems from my fear of heights. The last time I rode it was 1995!!! I was on my honeymoon and I cannot forget the awful feeling of my behind leaving my seat as we went over the edge.
(I closed my eyes and was sure I was a goner.)

I know I'm crazy and its perfectly safe. So, I added it to our FP+ reservations for my DD (8) and I for our upcoming trip. Then went to bed and of course, dreamt that my (very light, skinny) DD flew out.

Talk some sense in me. Is the ride different now??? How do the law of physics make this ride perfectly safe???

 

[DVCcurious]

Here's the beauty of Splash Mountain. When you pee your pants out of fear you just say "darn water splashed over the side into my lap" and nobody will ever know.

Seriously, though. Splash Mountain is, by far, my favorite ride at WDW. And it's not because of the drop. The story-telling, music, and just plain ride enjoyment are through the roof. So here's my help to you: yes, the drop may be scary. Yes you may lose your stomach. But the 8 minutes of awesomeness is worth 5 seconds of discomfort/fear.

As for the physics ask someone else. But I know they added lap bars a few years ago, so that may help your fear.

 

[Alesia]

Disney is not in the business of killing their guests. Flying out of the seat is physically impossible. The only reason the lap bars are there now is to prevent idiots from standing up during the ride.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

You know that it is safe but are still afraid, so we can't help you. Only you can help you. You have created this fear. You can destroy it. Just decide that you are no longer going to let irrational fear rule your actions.

 

[Micca]

DVCcurious says it very well: Splash Mountain is a fantastic attraction with great scenery, animatronics, terrific music, and is a total piece of cake except for that last drop. The drop is a little on the intense side, it lasts only a matter of seconds (three maybe?) and you can close your eyes if you want.

 

[Alesia]

I should add: Years ago I was afraid to ride RNRC. My husband looked me straight in the eye and said, "Get on the damn ride - it's not going to kill you." He was 100% right.

 

[Cuchman]

The fact that it is scary is supposed to be part of the fun. Any you know it is safe....the flume can't fall any faster or slower than you...it is only your sense of equilibrium that makes you feel like you are floating.
But even bigger....there are lap bars now, right?? There weren't before. What could be safer??

 

[Lee & Kerry]

The best thing you can do when you take that last plunge is just relax....easier said then done, but this was not one of my favorite rides, but I learned to relax and it makes it much much better.

 

[DisneyHardin]

There is a lap bar now that wasn't there in 1995, so that will probably make you feel safer. That being said, even before the lap bar, no one ever fell out going over the drop.

 

[Cynister]

I can understand the fear. I was like that for RNRC, Test Track, & even Soarin. You logically know nothing will happen but you just can't get past the fear part. I gotcha. This year was different for me though, I decided to go on all of those. I wasn't going to miss out on prime memory opportunities with my son, & I certainly wasn't going to inadvertently transfer an unreasonable fear to him. He shouldn't live with these fears, so that meant I needed to buck up. Think from your DD's perspective. What from your example is she learning? Kids pick up on everything you do, not what you say. Now for me, I found a 1/2 an Ativan & 2 Bonine about 20 mins before a ride I was REALLY worried about did the trick. Might help you too. In all seriousness though, the ride is computer controlled the entire way through the track. The log cannot go faster than the computer is programmed to allow it. The boat is attached to the track & will not come off. Unless your very thin daughter sits with a very large person so the bar doesn't reach her lap, then she's not coming out of the log (btw the CMs would check to make sure the bar goes down far enough). You don't need to worry about any of that.

 

[hollypoast]

This is good. I'm feeling better already. I'm so happy about the lap bar... whether I need it or not.

This is going to be the year. After 20 years of fearing it I'm just going to do it. And try to sound convincing when I tell my DD that's it'll be fine. I think I'll quote you Alesia, "Disney is not in the business of killing their guests." LOL

 

[hollypoast]

I I wasn't going to miss out on prime memory opportunities with my son, & I certainly wasn't going to inadvertently transfer an unreasonable fear to him.

Inside Out has made us all smarter and braver.

 

[Tigerlulu]

With FP you hopefully won't have to wait in line. I had 1/2 a Xanax and I walked right on. Otherwise I couldn't have done it. It was a blast. I really enjoyed it.

 

[bdiddy]

Just hold on and close your eyes. That feeling is over so fast. Like others have said, the ride is worth those few seconds of feeling that way.

 

[alicat8]

I'm following so you can come back and update with your ride photo!!

Don't miss it-it's such a good ride. And the drop is over in 3 seconds. Don't let that 3 seconds make you miss out on the rest of the ride!

 

[5kidsmommy]

I hate that fricken ride with a passion. We went on it last January and I swear I will never go on it again. Sorry I can't help, I know it's perfectly safe but I just hate it.

 

[MischaOz]

I think if you hold on to the bar with both hands and brace your feet hard against the ground it will help you feel less like you're flying out of your seat. Good luck!

 

[tinkerbella16]

This is one of my absolute favorite rides... The story telling, animatronics, long length and small drops. It is really much more fun than scary. When I was a kid, the big dropped looked huge to me lol. It really is not that bad and is a lot of fun. It has been 10 years since you rode it so you never know, it might turn into your favorite! And the lap bars will ease the fear a little, I think.

 

[lchuck]

I'm 6'2", 250lbs and I rode with my 4 year old who was 40.5" and 38lbs and he didn't fly out, so you'll be just fine. FYI, he rode on it 3 times over 2 days, so there's even a decent sample size.
Also, my 7 year old, who is a bit afraid of heights, decided to concentrate on the story as he went along and got so into it that after the final drop, his first comment was "So, I'm going to need to ride this again because I think I missed a few things."

 

[Sarah Brozdonis]

It is one of our favorite rides! When we went in January, we were able to ride it 3x in a row one day, normal line, no waiting! It's just a fun ride-the animatronics, the story....it is different than a lot of other rides. Give it a try, you might love it!