Mickey's Fun Wheel--Swinging

[colin25]

I used to like the swinging gondolas, but on my last trip I started feeling a bit queasy, and this is coming from someone who loves extreme roller coasters. I'll stick to the non-swinging gondolas from now on since the view is fantastic. Of course, it's still one of those "once only" rides at the park. I like to do everything at least once. That being said, I still haven't ridden the tea cups due to the spinning(which is something I can't handle very well), but on our next trip, we'll be going on them. Let's hope there's no

 

[alohamom]

Well, we didnt know that some of the cars could swing! I hate heights so I waited at the bottom as my DH took the kids (6 and 8 at the time) on this nice Mickey Mouse ferris wheel. OMG!!! They started sceaming MOMMY-HELP, HELP US as soon as the swinging started, they were bawling their eyes out and totally freaking out! The MOMMY-HELP just about killed me, and they screamed at the top of their lungs the whole ride. I think you could hear them in San Diego.They got off and swore they would never go on it again, even DH. Holy cow, what a horrifying ride!!!!

 

[Scribble Kitty]

The swinging doesn't look bad when you watch from the ground, but you can get near horizontal when you start swinging.

I got a bit queezy on it, but will ride it again. The boyfriend loved it and the couple we were sharing with was not prepared for such an intense swing either. Our whole cart was freaking out, half laughing half screaming.

All the kids I saw riding it were loving it though.

 

[KTR]

I am very prone to motion sickness and the swinging cars don't bother me. I think it's because there is so much fresh air and a nice cool breeze while you are in them. As far as age appropriateness this is the absolute favorite ride for my 2 year old! My 4 year old loves it too. Even my 4 month old got caught up in giggles on it. It is my family's favorite Disney ride because we can all go together and everyone just laughs and screams through the whole thing.

 

[bumbershoot]

The swinging seems to have a longer line most of the time.

Our experience was that the stationary side had a longer line.


Even in the stationary cars you can see the swinging cars. That, to me, was nearly as bad as being in a swinging car. It made me dizzy seeing all those gondolas moving around, even though we weren't moving.

I didn't much like it.



And I think it's awesome that even people who *like* the ride call it Mickey's Wheel of Death, or variants on it.

 

[snoangel]

I had the most terrifying experience on that ride. My first time in DCA we had my 3 month old daughter with us. Somehow we got in the swinging line without knowing it. The attendant didn't say a word about having the baby with us. Anyway it was swinging and I had a horrible time holding onto my infant and bracing myself at the same time.
I probably should have known, but somehow I still think the CM should have said something about bringing a baby on the ride.

I am FOREVER traumatized!!!!

 

[uneekstylez]

We went on MFW last Oct when DS was only 2. We went on one of the swinging ones. There was another family with us and they had a 4 yr old. My DS and the other kid were actually having fun. My DS was laughing the whole time. For some reason, I liked it, too. I'm afraid of heights and I did feel a bit queesy at times, but overall, I liked it. And I even went on it again this past March. DH isn't too crazy about the ride. He wanted the non-swinging one...but I like the swinging one. I scream when it swings, but I still like it. LOL. I'm weird.

 

[KTR]

I had the most terrifying experience on that ride. My first time in DCA we had my 3 month old daughter with us. Somehow we got in the swinging line without knowing it. The attendant didn't say a word about having the baby with us. Anyway it was swinging and I had a horrible time holding onto my infant and bracing myself at the same time.
I probably should have known, but somehow I still think the CM should have said something about bringing a baby on the ride.

I am FOREVER traumatized!!!!

We took my 4 month old on it multiple times. I never once felt like I was having a hard time holding onto him. He loved it. Even at 4 months he would start giggling everytime we got a big swing.

 

[narsel]

by far, the most terrifying ride - anywhere! I feel like crying just thinking about it.

 

[DLovinFam]

My DS was 3.5 the first time he rode it and he LOVED it! He would get that huge belly laugh every time we would swing, as I held onto him for dear life!

ETA: My daredevil of a teenaged daughter who will go on any extreme ride, who wants to go skydiving someday, HATES the swings on the fun wheel! She would have to go on the Maliboomer (when they had it) after riding in a swinging gondola just to calm her nerves! LOL

 

[tanyaewa]

I am a huge lover of thrill rides and love going on them over and over again. I have no fear of jumping out of an airplane or bungee jumping. If it will get my heart pumping then I want to do it.

That said, you will never see me set foot onto the swinging side of that Ferris Wheel EVER AGAIN

This is my husband. I have never ever seen him scared - except on this. He did go again on our next visit - but hated it.

My BIl took his 4 kids on it - aged 4-11. and it turned into a nightmare sobfest. The ride didn't do him, in it was trying to comfort terrified kids.

 

[KTR]

I suppose I should be glad so many people hate it. It means shorter lines for my family when we go! It really is our favorite ride in both parks.

 

[Mama Who]

People who love "Screamin'" have told me the Death Wheel is too scary.

 

[Brady's Mom]

When we went on our first family trip 5 years ago in October, I ended up on this ride at about 9:30 at night with then DS's 2, 4 and 10 and 18. We really didn't know much about it except that from the ground the swinging gondolas looked cool. DH will NEVER ride ferris wheel type rides since he is deathly afraid of heights - so that's why it was me and the boys.

The saving grace of this ride was that we had a great view of the fireworks at DL. It was the only thing that kept my 4 yr old from totally freaking out! I could distract him with the fireworks every time he started to cry or have a breakdown.

When we went back to DLR in April 2010 DS 8 (my previous 4 yr old) went on the swinging gondolas with DS 15 (then 10). I went on the stationary gondolas with DS 5. DS 15 ended up asking the CM to let my 8 yr old off the ride after they'd finished loading everyone - because he was so scared he was crying! The CM was super nice about it and DS just waited at the exit to the ride while we went around the last time.

I am sure DS will NEVER get on a swinging gondola again!!

I like the stationary gondolas, and love to see what new construction is going on at DCA. It's been fun to watch what is happening at Carsland and what little you could see of Little Mermaid and, of course, WOC and the installation of all the water jets..