How manydrops on Tower os Terror?

[Kitty347]

I've been to WDW many times and have avoided TOT. It's my worst recurring nightmare to be in a falling elevator! HOWEVER, my 9 year old Grandson is looking forward to his first-ever trip to WDW and is DYING to go on TOT. It'll be just the two of us, so there's no chance of switching off, and I really don't want him out of my sight for long (nervous Granny syndrome!) so I wouldn't like him to go alone. I'm about ready to grit my teeth and go on with him. I understand the number of drops it makes varies from ride to ride. What is the maximum number of times it drops?

 

[tinkie]

That is so funny, I just had a dream about being on TOT last night - and the ride would NOT stop dropping....I finally woke up in a full sweat!! I've never gone it either and am planning on trying during my March trip - so I'm looking forward to seiing the replies you get here!

ps you sound like a wonderful Grandma!! I hope I can be as much fun when I have grandbabies (hopefully not for 20 years or so!)

 

[bali]

Kitty, I feel your pain -- it took me two years (and some extensive research into the mechanics of the ride) to finally go on TOT. As it turns out, you aren't actually "dropping" per say. The ride is on hydraulics, and you are technically being PULLED down -- at a rate faster than that of gravity (thus the "weightless" sensation). Anyway, it is perfectly safe.

As to how many times it drops, WDW has changed the ride so many times that you just never know. When I was on it last October, we were lifted and dropped about 4-5 times, I'd say. Also, another note of caution, if you have any heart problems AT ALL, I'd seriously reconsider going on this ride. If you don't feel comfortable going on it, check with guest services and see if they have an alternative to sending your DGS on the ride by himself. Maybe they can have a cast member ride with him?

 

[SimbaNoodle]

The new ToT has random drop sequences. You never know how far or how many times you will drop. I rode once and it started up instead of down. That will get your attention.

 

[hyzdufan]

I'd love to answer your question, but it's hard to count how many drops when you're being thrown up and down so much in the dark. Half the time I couldn't tell if I was going up or down.

 

[cheerdaddy]

ToT has a random drop sequence now...in general, you can count on between 3 and 5 drops....

 

[poohtown]

when my 8 yr. old went on the first time, it dropped twice - she loved it. The second time it dropped 5 times and she came off crying because she thought it was never going to stop

 

[HookdonWDW]

Hmmm... kind of reminds me of the question of

"How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?"

 

[WdwJon]

If he is brave enough to ride himself, but you are like all parents and grandparents and don't want to let him out of you sight, you may walk with him though the preshow all the way right up to the doors of the elevators. You can then be take the "chicken elevator" right to the gift shop while he does the ride. Many people do it. Don't feel funny about it. It is done all the time. You just mention it to the elevator operator and DON'T get on the ride.

Good luck.

Jon

 

[Tigger&Belle]

According to one of the ToT cast member, there are now 4 drop sequences. We experienced at least 3 of those sequences when we were there last week (we rode 5 times). I'm really not sure how many times we dropped. I'm a pedometer geek and tried looking at my pedometer before the drops, but then forgot to look again before I got off the ride. lol

My 4yo liked this ride a lot. He's always been kind of chicken, but seems to be over that. My sister and I figured that we'd get him on the ride once and then would have to do the baby swap if we wanted to go on it again (it's our favorite ride!), but he wanted to go again.

Like Jon suggested, you could walk through the preshow with him and then go out the chicken exit. You could meet him where the ride pictures are viewed, which is where he'll exit.

If you think that you might want to ride with him, keep in mind that it is a cage that you are in (not a tiny enclosed area like a real elevator) and you sit with a seatbelt on. You can pull the seatbelt tight so you stay close to the seat (I try to keep mine a little loose to I have a little wiggle room).

It really is a fun ride and the theming is wonderful, even if you only do the preshow.

T&B

 

[QuickGold]

Currently, there is a new drop sequence program known as Tower4. The drop sequence isn't actually randomly generated. There are four pre-programmed drop profiles (three new ones, and a slightly modified version of the existing "Twice the Fright" profile), and each time a vehicle enters the drop shaft, the ride computer randomly selects one of the four profiles, so it's not like it's actually making up a new ride each time, there are just many to choose from, as opposed to the same one each
time. The new profiles are enhanced by some new audio, smells, and a few other animatronics and visual effects.Answers to other frequently asked questions regarding the MGM Studios

 

[jellydisney]

I've heard other people say the the TOT drop is different from the drop on Splash Mt... Any opinions on this? I HATE the drop in SP, but I do it anyway because it's over in 2 seconds... but if I get stuck on TOT dropping FIVE TIMES... yikes!

 

[PandyPaws]

This site , WDW Magic, has great info on TOT...click on the Tower of Terror section, then click on Tower Info; scroll down, it pictures four graphs showing the drop sequences (two of them go UP first!)

 

[Valentine]

Just so you know... as other people have mentioned... you do not have to actually do the ride with him... you can go on the line.. scope out a "safe" family to send him on with... and go out the "chicken Elevator" my mom does it all the time.... and you will be at the Picture station waiting for him to come off... there is NOWHERE for him to go.. once he is on the ride.. till the picture station.. it exits directly there... and you can watch while he gets safely put into the ride.. and then see him come off.... I have offered several times to act as chaperone on the tower ride.. many parents do not ride.. while their YOUNG kids love it... so... if you really do not like drops.. I would definitely NOT do this ride.. even I.. the ride queen get a bit nervous before each ride.. and I have been on this too many times to count!!! Don't ruin your day.... trust the Disney magic.. and look for a caring mom with a few kids to put your grandson with... and you will feel a whole lot better!!!

Have Fun!!

Kathy

 

[GoofyDisney]

We were there a lot when ToT first opened. There was one big drop. The doors opened and you looked out over the parking lot. You could actually see the cars. Scared the JUNK out of me!!!

The scariest ride at WDW, though it has real physical sensations, is still fantasy. When you could look out on your car, THAT WAS REAL!!! Ever since then I can ride with no problem. The only reason I bring this up is that perhaps keeping this thought in mind will help abate the fear of the elevator actually falling. Just think, when you could see your car...it might have actually been real. Now, you might actually be able to the Muppets balloon...takes some of the sheer terror out of it for me.

 

[Kuzco]

Originally posted by jellydisney
I've heard other people say the the TOT drop is different from the drop on Splash Mt... Any opinions on this? I HATE the drop in SP, but I do it anyway because it's over in 2 seconds... but if I get stuck on TOT dropping FIVE TIMES... yikes!

I think that the drop on Splash is much worse than on Tower. I think the main reason is the sensation I get on Splash that I am going to come out of the log. The first drop on Tower always seems to be the worst (although I wouldn't consider it to be that bad), and after that the ups and downs it seems much more fun than scary. But it really just depends on your preference. I'm weird though - I think Dinosaur is 100 times scarier than Tower and is the scariest ride at WDW!

 

[JPN4265]

I usually stop counting after the 4th drop.

Does anyone else remember the brick wall when you were moved into the elevator shaft?

 

[jellydisney]

Originally posted by Kuzco
I'm weird though - I think Dinosaur is 100 times scarier than Tower and is the scariest ride at WDW!

LOL! I know what you mean! Psychologically, Dinosaur is terrifying! I had my eyes closed and my hands over my ears the entire time.

 

[Kuzco]

Originally posted by jellydisney
LOL! I know what you mean! Psychologically, Dinosaur is terrifying! I had my eyes closed and my hands over my ears the entire time.

I know what you mean! This is my one huge wimp ride. I think it is an awesome, well-put-together ride. But for some really it really scares me, so I guess it does its job! I also didn't really like Alien Encounter and am glad they are changing it. I guess I'm just not a fan of the psychologically terrifying!!

 

[Mymatisse]

When someone asks me about the drop on TOT I always say it feels more like floating that falling. I think it's because (as someone mentioned previously) the hydrolics pulling you down. It's actually a kind of cool sensation. You don't feel like you're going to fall out of the car at all like you may experience on rides like splash mountain. The scariest part is the anticipation. Once you work up the courage to actually go on, it's not that bad. It's actually kind of fun