How to prepare for ToT? Help!

[lacy1101]

Okay, so I was reading the thread this morning about TheGoofster's little girl who absolutely loves ToT. I have been to WDW 8 times (currently planning my 9th and 10th) and have never ridden this ride. I have always been a little leery of thrill rides, often taking the chicken exit and waiting for the rest of my family outside. Over the years, however, I have managed to open up a little each trip and experience something new. It started with BTMRR, then Splash (which I vowed I would not ride again after the first time, but now ride it all the time and love it!), RnRC (rode the 1st time probably 5-6 years ago-said I would never ride it again-rode it the 2nd time last fall), Test Track, and then Space Mountain and EE last year. Out of all these rides, the only one that still freaks me out is RnR. I will continue to ride it probably, though, because once I get passed the first 8 or 9 seconds, it is not so intimidating.

I tell you all of this to preface this. My husband helped me get through that first terrifying part of RnR by telling me to just count out loud to 9 and then that first part of the ride that is so scary would be over, so thats what I did and it worked. What advice can you fans of ToT give me to psych myself up for this ride and make it less scary?

 

[ilovedisneyworld]

If you can do RnR you can do ToT. I'm not a thrill ride person either but I've ridden it several times. Just close your eyes if it gets to be to much. Thats what I do because I like to control the situation lol!

 

[BRERALEX]

For the most part, as long as you feel the air conditioning you're OK. Once the air goes away and you feel the heat...It's game time on ToT.

 

[lacy1101]

For the most part, as long as you feel the air conditioning you're OK. Once the air goes away and you feel the heat...It's game time on ToT.

Not sure this makes me feel better.

 

[lacy1101]

If you can do RnR you can do ToT. I'm not a thrill ride person either but I've ridden it several times. Just close your eyes if it gets to be to much. Thats what I do because I like to control the situation lol!

Thanks!

 

[bigbabyblues]

I am the ride chicken in my family, and I could have written a post similar to yours, except I still haven't braved RnRC or EE. In 2007, DH & I left the kids at home (I know, I know, but they had been 4 times at that point and we all went as a family 3 months later, lol) and went to WDW for our 10th anniversary. DH loves to ride almost everything. He pretty much dragged me on BTMRR, and I wasn't crazy about it, but I made it. I decided then that since our boys were growing up and the oldest liked to ride and the little one was showing his daredevil side at age 3, I would try a new ride each trip.

Fast forward to November 2010, the DS' are now 9 and 7, and they are both thrill seekers (as much as DS7's lack of height lets him be). DS9 has never done ToT, and neither had I, but DS7 had been riding it since he was 4 and he loves it. He persuaded DS9 & I to ride ToT with him. DS didn't want to, but that was the only thing he hadn't ridden in all of Disney except Dinosaur, and I told him if I could do it, he could to.

I did it, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, but I probably won't do it again. Maybe that's not what you wanted to hear, but it's the truth. It wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be, but the worst part was that I couldn't tell if we were going up or down, and I didn't like that. That was the only thing I didn't like, and the theming was great.

Hope this helps!

 

[lacy1101]

I am the ride chicken in my family, and I could have written a post similar to yours, except I still haven't braved RnRC or EE. In 2007, DH & I left the kids at home (I know, I know, but they had been 4 times at that point and we all went as a family 3 months later, lol) and went to WDW for our 10th anniversary. DH loves to ride almost everything. He pretty much dragged me on BTMRR, and I wasn't crazy about it, but I made it. I decided then that since our boys were growing up and the oldest liked to ride and the little one was showing his daredevil side at age 3, I would try a new ride each trip.

Fast forward to November 2010, the DS' are now 9 and 7, and they are both thrill seekers (as much as DS7's lack of height lets him be). DS9 has never done ToT, and neither had I, but DS7 had been riding it since he was 4 and he loves it. He persuaded DS9 & I to ride ToT with him. DS didn't want to, but that was the only thing he hadn't ridden in all of Disney except Dinosaur, and I told him if I could do it, he could to.

I did it, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be, but I probably won't do it again. Maybe that's not what you wanted to hear, but it's the truth. It wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be, but the worst part was that I couldn't tell if we were going up or down, and I didn't like that. That was the only thing I didn't like, and the theming was great.

Hope this helps!

It does help - thank you. I don't have to fall in love with the ride - I just want to make it through it, KWIM?

 

[mrssmith06]

I'm a big chicken, I hate thrill rides but I did ToT. So did my DH, DD7 AND our DS4!!! I admit, I hated it! BUT, could I do it again? Yes, only if my kids begged me too though.
I couldn't watch the screen... I kept my eyes either shut or on the kids and held on the the bars as tight as I could! Falling 13 stories will put your stomach in your throat... It was never terrifying enough for me to want to scream, panic and cry... just enough for me to keep my eyes closed and pray for it to be over. It really only lasts a couple of minutes even if it feels much longer. I think if you can handle RnR you can do ToT. My DH couldn't get me on RnR!!
Our kids giggled and talked about "how cool" ToT was after it was over... I thought they were crazy!

 

[Yankeemouse]

a couple of suggestions that work for me. First off, take a Bonine or Dramamine a couple of hours before you ride. If I don't, I get a little nauseaous when the ride is over (but I have had motion sickness issues my whole life.)

I am not a thrill ride lover, but I will do ToT everytime because it is SO fun! I actually get more nervous before boarding than the actual ride everytime lol!

The mood that is set is amazing, beginning with the walk thru the library, and basement. It takes longer to see the pre-show, then the drops and the shooting up! Remember also, that you are not really falling...a cable pulls you up or down, depending on the sequence. Keep your eyes open too, you will see some amazing sights!

Try and relax your body for the drops..once I did this, I didn't get that sort of stomach in the throat feeling as much..I even keep my arms up sometimes..its kind of cool feeling weightless for a couple of seconds!

Hope you get to ride and enjoy, even if its only once!

 

[chesterpdt186]

Not to spoil the fun. But ToT is not a free fall. The elevator you are in is pulled down and up. This gives you the crazy feeling but you are completely safe.
The drops seem shorter then the original version so it does get me a little disoriented. But, if you can handle RnRC and Splash then you would be fine.
Just take a deep breath.

My favorite part of this attraction used to be the middle seat back row.
It had a old fashion seat belt that you could take off once the ride started=)
Made for a really exciting ride as your are lifted off the seat.

Side Note: do not do the penny in your hand trick. It will go flying and smack someone in the head.

 

[sdchickie]

I don't mind rollercoasters but I have a fear of heights and falling so this ride was one I never wanted to do. My son (8 at the time) found out he was finally tall enough to ride and wanted to go on it so bad. So I figured there was no way I was letting my 8 year old on this ride without me and I went on it. It is now my favorite ride at HS! I love this ride, it doesn't feel like you are really falling just that you are being taken up and down really fast. The best part is one of the drops you get a feeling of weightlessness and that is fun. Which goes to show you never know what you will like or hate till you go on it. Now when I look back on all the times I was too chicken to go on it I kick myself and think man I was missing out.

 

[willowsnn3]

I can't really agree about the 'if you can ride RnR you can ride ToT'. My grandson age 10 loves RnR but he really scared me after riding ToT. I thought he was going to pass out. That being said, I can take ToT or leave it. Just don't hold your breath, lol.

 

[nblake05]

The first time I rode RnR I was 29 and screamed for my mommy! ToT wasn't as bad for me. I agree w/the pp who suggested taking something for motion sickness if that is problem for you (it can be for me). I found EE to be far more frightening. Although I do scream my head off at ToT... but thats part of the fun, right? I just went skydiving this year... I'm curious to see if that makes ToT less thrilling!

 

[kdka421]

Okay, so I was reading the thread this morning about TheGoofster's little girl who absolutely loves ToT. I have been to WDW 8 times (currently planning my 9th and 10th) and have never ridden this ride. I have always been a little leery of thrill rides, often taking the chicken exit and waiting for the rest of my family outside. Over the years, however, I have managed to open up a little each trip and experience something new. It started with BTMRR, then Splash (which I vowed I would not ride again after the first time, but now ride it all the time and love it!), RnRC (rode the 1st time probably 5-6 years ago-said I would never ride it again-rode it the 2nd time last fall), Test Track, and then Space Mountain and EE last year. Out of all these rides, the only one that still freaks me out is RnR. I will continue to ride it probably, though, because once I get passed the first 8 or 9 seconds, it is not so intimidating.

I tell you all of this to preface this. My husband helped me get through that first terrifying part of RnR by telling me to just count out loud to 9 and then that first part of the ride that is so scary would be over, so thats what I did and it worked. What advice can you fans of ToT give me to psych myself up for this ride and make it less scary?

My 2 cents -
You and I sound very similar...I've always enjoyed doing some of the more "basic" thrill rides (the mountains, Everest, etc), but have also pushed myself to try new things as well. Last trip my husband got me on Mission Space, which I didn't think I'd ever go on, and I'm gearing myself up to try RnRC for the first time on our trip later this year.

I think you can handle ToT if you have found that you can deal with the drop sensation...it's like what you have already experienced on Splash, Everest, etc. It's a little bit intimidating I'm sure because you don't know exactly what to expect with the drops each time, but you may find that's part of the fun!
The ride is truly so well themed, it's so worth going on if you think you can handle it. Have you tried watching any videos of the ride on youtube? That might help you know what to expect. Just know that the last thing will be the drops, and you know that you can survive those because you've done it before!

 

[butterfly71076]

For the most part, as long as you feel the air conditioning you're OK. Once the air goes away and you feel the heat...It's game time on ToT.

LOL, very true!! We always use this knowledge to prepare for the fall. That way it's not such a surprise. You know once the air stops, you are going down! It really is alot of fun, so try it at least once! If you don't like it, then you don't have to go again. But, if you do like it, then you have one more great ride to go on! Happy trip!!

 

[lacy1101]

a couple of suggestions that work for me. First off, take a Bonine or Dramamine a couple of hours before you ride. If I don't, I get a little nauseaous when the ride is over (but I have had motion sickness issues my whole life.)

Try and relax your body for the drops..once I did this, I didn't get that sort of stomach in the throat feeling as much..I even keep my arms up sometimes..its kind of cool feeling weightless for a couple of seconds!

I agree w/the pp who suggested taking something for motion sickness if that is problem for you (it can be for me). I found EE to be far more frightening. Although I do scream my head off at ToT... but thats part of the fun, right? I just went skydiving this year... I'm curious to see if that makes ToT less thrilling!

The motion sickness medicine is a given for me. I learned several trips ago to start taking something a couple of days before we leave and continue taking it every night while we are there. I think that has helped me with some of the other rides I've tried in the past. Another trick I used on our last trip was to keep some peppermint Lifesavers with me and suck on those while in line for the ride.

I'm quite sure I'll be screaming. That's how I decided to get back on Splash. I just told myself that I could endure anything for 2-3 seconds (the drop), so I just close my eyes and scream! Is it possible to relax your body and scream at the same time?

 

[lacy1101]

It was never terrifying enough for me to want to scream, panic and cry... just enough for me to keep my eyes closed and pray for it to be over. It really only lasts a couple of minutes even if it feels much longer. QUOTE]

Close my eyes and praying . . . sounds like a plan!

But, if you can handle RnRC and Splash then you would be fine.
Just take a deep breath.

Thanks - so noted.

I don't mind rollercoasters but I have a fear of heights and falling so this ride was one I never wanted to do. Now when I look back on all the times I was too chicken to go on it I kick myself and think man I was missing out.

Sounds like me. Hope I feel the same after its over.

Just don't hold your breath, lol.

Gotcha!

I think you can handle ToT if you have found that you can deal with the drop sensation...it's like what you have already experienced on Splash, Everest, etc. Just know that the last thing will be the drops, and you know that you can survive those because you've done it before!

I guess that's true . . .

LOL, very true!! We always use this knowledge to prepare for the fall. That way it's not such a surprise. You know once the air stops, you are going down!

I can't decide if I'm better off knowing when they are coming, or not. You're the second person to mention this, though. Maybe it will be better if I know when its getting ready to drop, that way I can take a deep breath, let it out (no holding my breath), and try to relax . . . while screaming, of course!

 

[wdwtheplacetobe]

The first year that it was open, I skipped it....I have a horrible fear of heights.

The second year, I braved it and loved it! That was back when they had only lap bars and your butt flew off the seat.

Now they have individual seat belts and there is a handle to hold on to on the sides, so try to be the first in a row to go in.

It is not scary, since you are in an enclosed box.

GO FOR IT!!!!

 

[dalstitch45]

I used to be afraid to ride RnR and Splash Mountain. DS was always the one I let talk me into riding. Now I love both of these. I let him talk me into TOT. Never again will I ride this one. I still have to endure the teasing because so many of my family members were there to see the sheer terror on my face every time it dropped. I have mastered every ride at both WDW and DLR, and this is the one thrill ride that is too much for me. Good luck! Hope you fare better than me!

 

[twinz]

The best thing I can think of is something we told our friends kids (Ages 6, 8 and 9 at the time)the first time we went with them "Mickey would NEVER hurt you" they bought it!