How does Guardians of the Galaxy-M:B! compare to Tower of Terror?

[ashley0139]

That...is good to know. Really...good...to know...

Honestly, the seat belts hold tighter than the bars did really. Of course, there's nothing to hold onto unless you are on the side, but I think you got more "air time" with the bars.

Yeah, it actually makes it less scary because you don't get any air time. The seat belt, obviously, holds just you down so it doesn't matter if there's someone bigger sitting next to you.

I miss the lap bars because I loved getting air time. As a kid sitting next to my dad I could get a good couple seconds.

 

[Ride Junkie]

I was generally against the change since I love the ToT, but after riding it last week, I do think they did a nice job. The rid has so much energy and is a ton of fun. It also dose feel more intense, but I don't know if that is just perception (also I am more used to the WDW version of the ride with is mechanically different). I greatly enjoyed it!

Same here. I miss the creepy music and mist outside the ride. However, the ride now seems less scary because you aren't always in complete darkness, and there is fun music playing (we got Elvis "Burning Love"). There is more bouncing, which is awesome, and the overall theming made it really fun. And this is coming from someone who knows zero about GOTG. I always tell people, try it. It'll be over in a few minutes, and if you don't like it, you never have to ride it again. My 8year-old was nervous but loved it.

 

[megh315]

I loved Guardians!! For me the ride is all about the drops; I don't really care what the storyline is. That being said, Guardians is WAY MORE FUN. The songs are loud and fast and the drops are crazy and unpredictable. In that sense it's more physically intense and you will fly up in your seat but the seatbelt holds you in. Tower was supposed to be dark and creepy, so if that sort of atmosphere is an issue for people it won't be for Guardians. Guardians is pure pumped up fun.

I found a video of the ride on YouTube, you couldn't see a ton of the ride itself beyond the queue (which I didn't watch because I want to be surprised by that if I do go) because of the dark sections but everyone really did seem to be having a great time. There was a lot more cheering vs. screaming. I think it'll be easier to enjoy it if I'm also laughing while screaming instead of being super creeped out.

 

[BrianL]

I didn't even think to wonder if TOT in WDW was different from the one that was in DL...I just assumed they were the same.

From what everyone is telling me the theming on this ride is great and really helps give off a totally different vibe than TOT which was always a barrier for me to get over since I'm a huge chicken.

Yes, the Hollywood Studios version was the first one built. It has four loading shafts and two drop shafts. The cars move up to the level where it then enters "the fourth dimension" as it is called, moving forward into the drop shaft. Then once it has pulled back, the other car goes through to the shared drop shaft. They begin and end on different levels.

At DCA (and ALL other ToT versions throughout the world) there are 3 drop shafts each with two loading positions, an upper and a lower. They can load one while the other pulls back into the drop shaft (this is why there is such a huge "front" on the building and the tower portion is set back). The cars begin and end in the same place.

I think the HS version is actually a better experience, however it is more prone to mechanical problems which I believe is part of why they made the change. When one side goes out at HS, it cripples the ride capacity.

One other note. The ToT and Mission Breakout are not free fall rides, but actually a powered drop where you are pulled down faster than the pull of gravity alone.

 

[megh315]

I hated Tower of Terror - outside of the up and down I found it incredibly boring - same thing every.single.time and honestly very outdated.

I LOVE GOTG - of course it helps that I loved both movies and love the soundtrack. The music makes all the difference in the world - people seem to be having a much better time. My entire family says this is now their favorite ride. We must have gone on it a dozen times our last trip. If you don't try it - you will really be missing out. But that being said if you don't have a clue what the movies are about that takes away from it too.

I am familiar with the movies and really enjoyed them, especially Rocket who seems to be be the narrator for this from what I've read. The soundtrack is one of the best parts for sure so I like the idea that for each drop sequence they use a different song.

I definitely think after reading everyone's comments that I'm leaning towards giving it a shot, it really does seem like something I'll regret if I don't do it, especially since I have no idea when I'll get back to California.

Thanks for your advice!!

 

[megh315]

Honestly, the seat belts hold tighter than the bars did really. Of course, there's nothing to hold onto unless you are on the side, but I think you got more "air time" with the bars.

Someone earlier had suggested sitting near a wall for a first-timer like me. Now that I know about the seat belts and no lap bars I'm definitely inclined to take that advice!!

 

[lalasmama]

I'm definitely going to keep in mind that bit about it being a controlled pull down rather than a drop. Knowing how a thing works is one of my favorite things, even if it does kind of disrupt the illusion, for me it just makes it better because the engineering is so incredible!

I wonder if there is a way to see how TOT or M:B! works, like a model or something like they used to show for Soarin'...

Thanks so much for the advice!!

They actually have a whole series about how the rides work. Its meant to be used for times like a middle school science class... But they are entertaining enough that we check them out at the library just for the fun of it! Search your library selection "Disney Imagineering Science Gravity" and you should be able to find it!

 

[megh315]

Yes, the Hollywood Studios version was the first one built. It has four loading shafts and two drop shafts. The cars move up to the level where it then enters "the fourth dimension" as it is called, moving forward into the drop shaft. Then once it has pulled back, the other car goes through to the shared drop shaft. They begin and end on different levels.

At DCA (and ALL other ToT versions throughout the world) there are 3 drop shafts each with two loading positions, an upper and a lower. They can load one while the other pulls back into the drop shaft (this is why there is such a huge "front" on the building and the tower portion is set back). The cars begin and end in the same place.

I think the HS version is actually a better experience, however it is more prone to mechanical problems which I believe is part of why they made the change. When one side goes out at HS, it cripples the ride capacity.

One other note. The ToT and Mission Breakout are not free fall rides, but actually a powered drop where you are pulled down faster than the pull of gravity alone.

That is really interesting to know! I never knew why TOT in Florida always seemed to have technical difficulties but I'm glad they learned better with the one in California.

Someone mentioned earlier about it being a powered drop and I'm definitely keeping that in mind. It sounds a lot more technical and less fun than "free-falling" but my peace of mind prefers it!

 

[BrianL]

That is really interesting to know! I never knew why TOT in Florida always seemed to have technical difficulties but I'm glad they learned better with the one in California.

Someone mentioned earlier about it being a powered drop and I'm definitely keeping that in mind. It sounds a lot more technical and less fun than "free-falling" but my peace of mind prefers it!

Well, they did, but it also ended in an inferior ride in my opinion. Moving through the scene really added to the ambiance. Also, the way you have to walk through this generic hallway to load and unload on the newer versions breaks the illusion that the elevator just came back and all the people are gone. I know they reduced maintenance issues and increased capacity (though I think each individual elevator loads faster at HS, there are only 4 load stations as opposed to 6 - still feels like the boiler room area takes much longer), so I get why they did it. I'll always love the original version best though.

 

[megh315]

My 9-year old was and is still scared of the ghost theming of ToT, but loves drop rides. She was thrilled with GotG -- she gets all of the ride fun with none of the scare factor (like you, she has serious pre-ride anxiety with the Mummy ride at Universal).

My husband, on the other hand, likes drop rides but gets motion sick easily. ToT was no problem for him, but the added ups and downs in GotG made him motion sick for hours afterward.

That's really helpful to know. In recent years my mom has been having more and more trouble with certain types of rides and motion sickness, it's why she stopped doing TOT and why most of the coasters are off her list as well. From what everyone is saying I'm a little nervous for her with the added bouncing. I'm going to run all of this by her and see how she feels about it.

She's pretty great so she may still opt to ride with her scaredy-cat kid just so that I have someone's hand to crush, even if she'll be queasy after!

 

[agamble]

There are handle bars to hild on to!

My husband was a big fan of TOT, but my older daughter and I were not. However, we all LOVE Guardian's. It's the music and the scenes and rockets "jokes" that just makes it fun. It is no longer a creepy ride. It's fun and silly and everyone has a good time. My daughter is 7 and this is her new favorite ride. She's trying to get her 5 y/o brother to ride it on his birthday tomorrow. I've seen kids as young as 3 ride it without freaking out. You can do this! Don't miss out.

 

[Niltiac]

Honestly, the seat belts hold tighter than the bars did really. Of course, there's nothing to hold onto unless you are on the side, but I think you got more "air time" with the bars.

I agree, the seat belts are quite secure. But just FYI, there are handles to hold on to between the seats too, they're just not as convenient as the ones on the end.

 

[Ride Junkie]

Honestly, the seat belts hold tighter than the bars did really. Of course, there's nothing to hold onto unless you are on the side, but I think you got more "air time" with the bars.

True. I remember the first time I rode the one at Hollywood Studios. There was only a lap bar, and it only came down as far as the largest person in your row. I was holding my camcorder so I wasn't hanging on to anything. It was like a bucking bronco!!

 

[BrianL]

I agree, the seat belts are quite secure. But just FYI, there are handles to hold on to between the seats too, they're just not as convenient as the ones on the end.

I feel like those handles on the seat would require me to be touching the person sitting next to me. I mean, there's not that much room. They do exist though.

 

[Whistlebee]

Just got home and this is our new favorite ride! We all loved TOT and we’re sad to see it go, BUT, we absolutely loved Guardians! It is just so much fun! My 12 & 8 year old girls prefer it because it is less scary.

 

[ktlm]

If you like GOTG movies it is an absolute must do!

I liked the theming of TOT, but I HATED the ride. I only rode it if DH or DD really wanted to ride it. I would never have chosen to actually get on it myself, and would have skipped it every time were it not for one of them- primarily DH because DD had been known to claim she wanted to ride it and chicken out. I hate the drops and the dark.

I LOVE GOTG. It is a lot of fun. Yes it is intense, but to me the music and scenes makes it a whole lot more bearable, less scary, and fun. I am looking forward to riding it again on our next trip. We got 2 of the songs on our last trip. I can't remember the first song we got, but it was the most intense one. The second time we got Hit Me With your Best Shot and I absolutely loved that one. If I knew we were going to get that one again, I wouldn't even be the slightest nervous about setting foot on the ride again- which would be a first for me.

Just try it once, and if you hate it, you never have to get on it again.

 

[Niltiac]

I feel like those handles on the seat would require me to be touching the person sitting next to me. I mean, there's not that much room. They do exist though.

Yes that's true, I find it too awkward to use if I'm sitting next to a stranger, but if you're sitting next to someone from your party it's a good option.

 

[poetz]

That's really helpful to know. In recent years my mom has been having more and more trouble with certain types of rides and motion sickness, it's why she stopped doing TOT and why most of the coasters are off her list as well. From what everyone is saying I'm a little nervous for her with the added bouncing. I'm going to run all of this by her and see how she feels about it.

She's pretty great so she may still opt to ride with her scaredy-cat kid just so that I have someone's hand to crush, even if she'll be queasy after!

My mom is 69 and rode it with me twice. She's also having some problems with certain rides these days, especially the rougher coasters, but she surprisingly doesn't have much of a problem with ToT in WDW, and she didn't with this one either. She just wasn't expecting the first drop to happen immediately since she's so used to ToT where you move into the drop shaft first. But she knew to expect it the second time. She does hold on to those handles between the seats though.

 

[tanyaewa]

I can’t really add anything else! it an amazing ride and so much fun. I just LOVED the new exciting theming.
I did prefer the side seats because then I could hold on easier. The one time I sat beside a stranger I just asked which part of the handle was best for me to use. They are 2 sections to grab

 

[hilarys]

In recent years I had not been going on TOT at either WDW or DL, but did try GOTG this past fall and I love it. It is so fun and the motioning seems more like bouncy than scary drops to me. I am so glad that I tried it and now it is a "don't miss" ride for me. When we did our Backstage Magic ABD trip (while it was still TOT) there were quite a few of us (at least a third of the group) who passed on the ride. We went through the queue with our whole group and then split off when they boarded - one of our guides took a pass on the ride too. They had us going on the ride immediately after a big buffet breakfast so that was one of the reasons I passed. I think you should definitely give it a try, but if in the end you don't want to, don't worry about "chickening out" in front of the rest of the group.