Scaredy-Cat needs advice

[WinifredBanks]

Okay, I'm new here, and while not a first-time visitor to WDW by any means, have not been since the 90's. I have always enjoyed all of the parks, (AK was not there yet last time I went, but it looks good, too)... but my problem is I'm a total wuss when it comes to rides.

I'm planning a trip for 2015, and looking through the attractions, trying to determine if there are one or two that I can use to "branch out" a bit from my coward mode. Roller coasters are out of the question for me, and I actually have been known even to freak out a little on the Haunted Mansion, (because of the slow backwards descent near the end). I can do Pirates, though I do have to sort of "brace myself" for that drop in the beginning.

So my questions:

1.)How much higher of a drop does Splash Mountain have compared with Pirates? Or how about Maelstrom compared with Pirates? (Or if there's anybody here that could possibly compare either of those 2 to Amazon Falls at Kings Island in OH?)... Also, would you consider Dinosaur at AK to be very tame, or is it even remotely roller-coastery? (The only descriptions I see keep saying that it jerks you around a lot... which I can take, as long as it's not dipping downhill and stuff).

2.)If I am going with a friend that _does_like roller coasters, etc, and she is planning, naturally, on using her FP+ choices up on them each day, (riding solo), then is there even any point in me using FP+ for my tame rides, (where we'll both be riding)? Because that would put us in 2 different lines, right?? I'm assuming we'll just be stuck in standby for every single ride in which I am a participant :/

Thx for any helpful suggestions...

 

[luvthemouse71]

The drop on Splash Mountain is 50 feet. It's over quickly though and the ride is so cute, I wouldn't miss it.

On POTC the drop is 14 feet. Maelstrom, I'm not sure, but it's nothing to be scared about. It's small.

Dinosaur is just fast and a little bit jerky. No big drops.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is technically a coaster but there are no big hills either. It's just fast and fun, you should try it.

 

[DakotaRose]

Welcome to the forums!

I'm not an expert, just someone who finds thrill rides terrifying. I also have a real gift for motion sickness.

Splash Mountain has a couple of little drops, a few medium ones that are bigger than Pirates (one in the dark), and the Holy Cow drop at the end. Try Maelstrom first. It's a bigger drop than Pirates, and similar to the medium ones on Splash. For the big drop on Splash, when the boat starts to tilt, I count one-thousand one, one-thousand two, one-thousand... and we're at the bottom.

Dinosaur is a jeep ride on a bumpy track that has some sharp turns and one dip, about 5' in my estimation. What makes it rough is that the jeep has pistons on each corner that a computer controls to make it bounce up and down awkwardly. The ride is pretty dark, so you can't see the track to anticipate movement. That can make it seem rougher, too. It's not roller-coaster-like. We usually ride it twice.

While your friend is riding a roller coaster, you might consider using FastPass for a meet and greet or to re-ride something you enjoy. I like to catch live entertainment while DH rides the thrillers. We don't mind splitting up for an hour or so each day.

Spaceship Earth is like Haunted Mansion, except it's up inside the sphere with some slow climbs and descents. Perhaps try Soarin' but ask for the lower level. The ride doesn't move much, but the film makes it feel like you're moving. If you're not enjoying it, you can look to the edge of the screen and see lighting for a frame of reference. There are lots of ride videos on YouTube, which will help you know what to expect. I must have watched the Splash Mtn one 20 times before I finally rode.

 

[JillyBean1899]

Are you wanting to get over the whole "scaredy-cat" thing? Or have you embraced the fact that you're not going to do these rides and just want alternatives?

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

(1) Splash Mountain end drop is much longer than Pirates drop - more than 5X and there is also a slightly-smaller-than-pirates drop mid-ride. That being said, however, my parents in their 80's can do this since it is smooth and the ride before that is so enjoyable that the drop is worth it. Expect to get wet from a wet ride seat or full on splashed. It's not as bad on the ride as it looks from the bridge watching the ride.
Maelstrom may be bigger but, if so, less than 1.5X. It is, however, faster.
Dinosaur is a ride vehicle on a level track. The "road" has no drops - just turns. The vehicle, however, goes up and down - while tilting to feel like hills or just to rock and jerk. My issue with Dinosaur is not the motion but the intensity - it is NOT tame. (I like some coasters, but have serious wimp tendencies and need ear plugs on some WDW rides.) Dinosaur seemed darker than other dark rides and has very bright flashes - all accompanied by deafening sound level - to me, anyway... (Having been traumatized at Universal Orlando in the early 90's, I am considering riding Dinosaur again as a test of my Universal mettle before planning on taking the teens there in 2015. )

(2) You are correct. If only you have a FP+ for Small World and she doesn't (because she used hers on a coaster) then you will be in different lines, which does not sound fun. Depending on what you want to do, you may want some FP+s for coasters and some for together rides. We do this with our teens because we don't do Mission Space and they love it. Your friend has to be willing to coordinate with you and you have to be comfortable switching MB's for a ride or two, though.
Say you both will ride Splash Mountain and Peter Pan so you both have those FP+s and you are both willing to experience and stand in the stand-by line for Haunted Mansion and Pirates; then you can get your 3rd FP+ for Big Thunder Mtn RR and she can get her 3rd FP+ for Space Mountain. When you both get to BTMR, you buy a mickey ice-cream bar from a near-by cart (first b/c you'll charge it to you, not her) then switch MB's with your buddy so she rides BTMR using FP+ and will likely be off the ride and joining you again about the time you finish your ice-cream. Switch back to your own bands and you're ready for more fun This kind of thing has worked efficiently for our family when not everyone wants to ride the same things but we want to stay together for the day.

I don't know you or your ride limits, but I suggest you consider riding the following together for your "branching out" - based on what my parents will do when with us: Splash Mountain, Soarin' (spectacular and smooth), Toy Story Midway Mania (does whip around corners with a spin but totally level), Kilimanjaro Safari (huge jeep - will bump through ruts in the road and there is one short animatronic rickety bridge crossing), and possibly others - but this is a start.

 

[Enchanted]

It sounds like you're not a big fan of drops (I don't blame you, I used to be deathly afraid of them as well, but I eventually got over my fear.) so I would recommend what DakotaRose already suggested and say ride Maelstrom first to work your way up to Splash Mountain. Splash Mountain is AMAZING on the inside, but there are several smaller/medium drops leading up to the big drop, which is BIG. Very BIG.

In fact, I'll be completely honest, I've ridden every thrill ride Disney offers, from Tower of Terror to Everest to Rock n Roller Coaster and everything in between, and I ride them at least once every trip. I LOVE thrill rides now. But the drop at the end of Splash Mountain? Is still the one I have to breathe through. There's just something about it.

We LOVE Dinosaur. My mom hates roller coasters and Dinosaur is one of her favorites. If you're worried about it being too rough, I suggest sitting in one of the inner seats because the ride is rougher on the outside seats.

You might consider Kali River Rapids at AK as another choice if you haven't ridden it already. There is a drop but since it is at an angle, and you're in such a big boat, it's not scary, just a fun slide down. But beware, you will likely get soaked. My mom and aunt wear ponchos when we ride, and they STILL get wet. It's always a blast though!

Hope you have a great trip, and good for you for trying to expand your horizons!!!

 

[ashprincess]

My fiancée is terrified of heights (he wouldn't look over the edge of our 3rd floor balcony) but remembered liking splash from when he was a kid. He now tells me the characters were mocking him and that it definitely isn't a happy place! Apparently it scared him!

Having said that he LOVED dinosaur. I am comfortable enough with myself to admit this ride scared me tremendously. It was rough and I mean to be technical I don't think it dropped or anything. But that silly dinosaur popped out on my side of the vehicle and I jumped and screamed a little! Or course the small kid behind me was freaking out before the ride started so I kept trying to put on a brave face for this scared little boy! If I wasn't I probably would have screamed a lot. My fiancée wants to ride again when we go back for our honeymoon but idk if I can! (I do love thrill rides though)

It took me all week to get him on space mountain but he did love it once we did!

 

[jrdgtr]

The drop on maelstrom is also whole the boat is backwards. I would try big thunder mountain railroad. I hate coasters but love that one. Also another one to try is test track. It's just fast at the end.

 

[AshleeH]

Disney doesn't really have thrill rides - Universal has the market cornered on that - so as long as you avoid Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' RollerCoaster, you should be fine. Space Mountain is also pretty jerky and since it's in the dark, it feels bigger than it is with the drops.

 

[Iowajes]

2.)If I am going with a friend that _does_like roller coasters, etc, and she is planning, naturally, on using her FP+ choices up on them each day, (riding solo), then is there even any point in me using FP+ for my tame rides, (where we'll both be riding)? Because that would put us in 2 different lines, right?? I'm assuming we'll just be stuck in standby for every single ride in which I am a participant :/

Could you get FP for tamer rides near the roller coasters, so she FP the coaster while you FP the tamer ride at the same time?

But rides you want to ride together, yep- probably will be in standby, because if she wants to do the coaster type rides, she'll really want to skip the standby line.

 

[WinifredBanks]

Thanks for all the quick responses everyone!

I think this pretty much confirms my suspicion that I should stay clear of Splash Mountain, as awesome as the POV videos of the inside are. Last time I went on a "log flume" type ride with a huge drop (20 years ago, but I haven't changed much! lol), a high-school friend of mine had convinced me that the ride was not scary and I should go with her.... After the drop at the end, they had to stop the
ride and 2 park employees had to actually pry me off of her and out of the boat, I was so petrified. Not kidding.

But Maelstrom sounds okay, and I'm happy to hear that Dinosaur sounds like it won't be a problem for me I don't care if something's herky-jerky, or has spooky things jumping out... It's really mainly big drops that I can't tolerate, I guess.

 

[mrsmomo]

Thrn definitely try thunder mountain its fast and rollercoasteish without the big drops