Please Encourage This Ride Chicken To Try TOT

[barbeml]

I am a pathetic ride chicken. Last year, with encouragement from many folks on the DIS, I tried Splash Mountain for the first time.

Now, I am working up the nerve to do Tower of Terror. I am a Twilight Zone fan, but I used to work in a building with scary rickety elevators and I have had many nightmares about elevator freefall.

So, can you help me work up the nerve to do it? Thanks!

 

[tink2]

I am generally not a chicken when it comes to rides, I just don't like things that freefall you- like TOT. However, we travel with my whole family and my oldest brother would not let me live it down if I chickened out. Sooo, each trip I muster up the courage to ride it once. I just don't like the ride. The freefalling thing drives me crazy. So, from one chicken to another, you will survive. To make you feel even better, my 8yr neice loves it- it is her favorite ride! You might try my tactic- just close your eyes real tight the whole time and bury your head in your DH- or someone's - shoulder!
Good luck!

 

[donna in Oz]

Try to keep in mind that the drops are only a small portion of this attraction . . . .they'll only last a minute or so (or maybe even less).

There's so much to experience in TOT that has nothing to do with the drops. Go For It!! You'll be proud of yourself afterwards, and might even discover that you want to ride again!!

 

[lexiluke]

I also am trying to muster the courage for TOT. They say on the commercials that you never know how many times it will drop. Do the drops sometimes seem to go on for an eternity? I couldn't take that!

 

[WDWorBUST]

I am currently trying to talk my best friend into trying it without tricking her so with that in mind I will tell you the same thing I did here. If you're afraid of elevators - as she is - the thing to remember is it's not like a "normal" elevator. First off you are sitting down and not standing up - why did they show that on that one commercial ? And the drops are not all there is to the ride as the other poster stated. So I don't think you will have an even bigger fear of elevators after riding this one. The drops are a little scary - but it is great fun. And if you hate it you never have to do it again

 

[melomouse]

Hi -

Just went on ToT two weeks ago on the 4th WDW trip!!!! I totally embarrased myself beforehand asking EVERY CM I ran across about the "chicken exit"!!!

Loved it and want to do it again!!!!

And feel extraordinarily PROUD!!!!!

So much pre-show and other aspects to enjoy, as a previous poster suggested!

Go for It! We'll be waiting to hear!!

Good Luck!

melomouse

 

[Slainte]

I love this ride so much that if it were closed for rehab I'd cancel my trip. It IS WDW to me.

I think it's a blast and not scary at all. My son rode at 4 and LOVES ToT. That said, if you have a deep rooted fear of falling and elevators you are not going to enjoy yourself. The vast majority of people are grinning ear to ear after riding, but every once in a while you get someone in tears...and it is almost never a child.

It is true that the drops last for a total of less than a minute. The longest drop probably lasts somewhere between 3 and 5 seconds are so, but you do never know exactly how many drops you are going to get.

 

[pegasusEH]

This is the ride that draws us back to MGM everytime we go. If it weren't for TOT we would give MGM a miss.

I can't promise that you will love it but it's probably not as bad as you think.

The drops are in the dark which, in my opinion, makes in much easier to deal with (I have been on Dr Dooms at IOA twice and I WILL NOT go on that ride again).

My MIL is afraid of heights and will not go on the big coasters (not even been on RnR Coaster yet) and this is her favourite ride.

I took my son on it when he was six years old and he really did not enjoy it. However, he does say he will ride it when we go back in a couple of weeks time.

I hope you build up the courage to try it and are pleasantly surprised. Remember, it's been running for many many years now and it is controlled.

Good luck.

 

[caitycaity]

barbeml-

my dh hates drops (he will only go on splash mountain with me 1x per trip ). however, during our honeymoon, i was able to convince him to go on TOT and now it is one of his favorite rides!!! he loves the theming. i would say try it once - at least taht way you will know if it is for you or not.

 

[10drum]

The special effects are well worth any fear of the fall, and once you experience the fall, it's not bad, actually you get a feeling of wieghtlessness. A cool ride done in the true Disney fashion.

After you've done that, go next door for RnR.

 

[barbeml]

Thanks everyone! It really helps to know that there is much more to the ride and the drops don't last too long.

 

[Horizons16]

you should do it... c'mon just once and if you dont like it then you dont ever have to go again...

just do it... dont even second guess yourself, if you do then you wont ride it. I was the same way, and i love the ride now!

 

[Eeyore2003]

I agree with tink2. Don't really like it, but I finally mustered up the courage last time and did it, twice even. I just squeeze my eyes shut and think that it will be over in a few seconds. No it doesn't go on forever and ever. Just several up and downs. Of course we had to buy the picture cuz I was pretty proud that I was so brave, my eyes are shut tight, hubby, 16y/o son AND my 80 y/o mother in law were all smiles and having a great time!!!

 

[ListenToCKY]

If you are afraid of falling out, etc, you have no reason to worry. You are safe as can be.

If the height/falling is the scary part, well, I'm not too sure. Just try it once to get it over with. At some point or another, we all have to do things we fear or don't like. Sometimes you end up liking it afterall! So all I can really suggest is you just go for it to get it over with. If you enjoy, excellent; if not, try again.

I know my advice is pointless and won't work, but I just wanted to throw my two cents in.

 

[sha_lyn]

I hate drop rides but had to try TOT for the experience. I agree with pegasusEH, since it is inside and in the dark the drop does not seem as bad. However there are dooors at the very top that open so you do see out for a second or 2. The theming really keeps your mind off the fact that you are going up.

A couple of pointers

Do not sit in the very front or very back row the first time. You'll feel more secure (or at least I did) sitting between other rows.

Also be sure to relax your legs. The first ride I tensed up, and I felt like I was being pushed out of the seat. Turns out it was my own legs doing the pushing. Now I just raise my feet a little off the floor

 

[Minniespal]

Hiya,
As said in earliar posts the ride is only a small part of the attraction. I don't like free falling but luv roller coasters. So what I usually do is go on and when you know that it is going to drop stuff my face into my DBF shoulder. This approach has always worked for me!!!LOL!!!!!!

 

[PaulaJ]

IMHO ... the actual drop is pure bliss!! It's the ANTICIPATION of the drop (when???) and the amazing special effects that are scary. TOT is my favorite ride. I was scared to death the first time, and each ride it got easier and easier, and now I actually miss the "fear factor". Only ride I won't do again...Alien Adventure...ECH!

 

[barbeml]

Many thanks to the latest posters. Seems like I've got to do this!

 

[stacie_d]

In my opinion, the anticipation was the "worst" part. When I rode it the first time, I had no idea when the "drop" would happen. Luckily, it is actually pretty obvious when you are getting ready to drop. Just hang on, and have fun.

That being said, my DH, who is not a fan of the drop rides at all, loves this one.

 

[grinningghost]

Oh you have to go on it!!! If you don't, you'll be missing out on what's arguably Disney's finest hour. The theming is sensational, the preshow brilliant, the special effects amazing - the drops are really a tiny portion of this attraction. It's everything else that's important. And you'll survive the drops - so far, I believe everyone has - no casualties yet. Odds are in your favor - GO ON IT!!!