"Scariness" of DLR rides?

[twelvesixteen]

I will warn you all to bear with me right off the bat!

I am a self-proclaimed chicken. I went to Disneyland once when I was 5 and did all the Fantasyland rides (minus Matterhorn), Jungle Cruise many a time (still is one of my faves), the Riverboat and Pirate ship, and enjoyed an eyes-shut trip through the Haunted Mansion.

My next trip back was when I was 10. This time I improved by keeping my eyes open through the Haunted Mansion (applause, thank you), and my five year old brother literally had to physically push me onto the boat for Pirates. He giggled and clapped his merry little hands all the way through the drop and made my entire boat go "awwww" while I hung on for dear life with my eyes shut (not that I could see anything anyways).

We didn't go back until 2007. Didn't try anything new that time.

2009. I did Buzz, Toy Story Mania, etc (anything that stayed on the ground, basically). Tried the Matterhorn and LOVED it. Started enjoying that drop on Pirates. 2010, same as above.

This year I want to try Splash Mountain, Big Thunder, Space Mountain, Goofy's Sky School (yeah, yeah), Jurassic Park at Universal as well as the Simpson's Ride. I will never step near the Tower of Terror or Mickey's Wheel of Death.

How do those drops/rides chalk up to Pirates and the Matterhorn?

Thank you in advance!!

 

[jacs1234]

I am a HUGE lover of fast and scary rides. Honestly though, the tower of terror still makes me nervous when I'm on it. I LOVE it, but it's pretty scary. The dip on splash is pretty big but it's over pretty quick and the ride really is lots of fun. it's a fair bit bigger than the pirates dip. The BTMRR is one of my faves. No really huge dips, it's just fast. I really think you'll like that one, especially as you loved the matterhorn, it's not much different to the matter horn. Same with space mountain, it's not really a dippy ride, just imagine the matterhorn in the dark. It's fun and different. The jurassic ride at Universals is one of the steepest dips I've ever been on. It's a fun ride but the dip is pretty drastic. I consider the splash dip to be tame compared to the jusrassic ride.

Maybe for TOT, if you remember that it's perfectly safe and the whole idea of the ride is to scare you, then maybe you'll do better on it. The thing that gets me the most is that I can never judge just when it's going to drop, I know it's going to drop, I wait.........and wait.......and then ................argggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh. Fun though.

I think it's fantastic that you're giving it a shot and overcoming your fears.

 

[skiingfast]

Maybe try Mickey's Wheel of Death. Don't do the swinging cars, that put death into the name. The other cars are fine and stable.

If heights is the problem, have you ever been able to work around this? I have had a bad fear of heights for most of my life. Sometimes I have a spell where I feel like it my be a better option to throw myself off rather than dealing with a racing heart and naseau.

So on MFW, I try to either pay attention to the riders with me, and or look far away not strait down. That how I've been able to ride it a few times.

 

[halfwaynowhere]

I'm a big chicken, too. I nearly had a panic attack on Astro Orbitor a few weeks ago. that thing is scary! It should not be allowed to go that high and that fast! And with children on it, no less! lol.

I love Pirates, even the drop, though I do get a teeny bit nervous each time. Indiana Jones is the "scariest" ride I'll go on regularly. Those seats are really comfortable, as long as you have a good grip on something. Don't really like sitting behind the steering wheel, feel like I'm going to fly out, but the people next to me kept joking about my bad driving, so it was all fun.

I've been on Splash Mountain and Space Mountain once. Splash took me a few times of chickening out once i got to the front of the line before I could actually get on, and the look of sheer terror on my face in the photo was priceless to the group I was with. That was 10 years ago, so maybe its time to put on my big girl panties and try it again.

Space Mountain wasn't too bad, I think. I had my eyes closed through most of it. I had taken my glasses off so they didn't fly off, and everything was really blurry so it didn't do much for me. Did that one about 3 years ago. Now that I have contacts, I plan on trying it again at some point, but I'm waiting til the off season for both those rides, so the lines are shorter and I have less time to chicken out.

I have an irrational fear of the Matterhorn and BTMR. Never been on those. I figure I've survived the other rides, and thousands of people survive them every day, so it can't kill me. But I'm just a big ride chicken. But seriously- Astro Orbitor- a kids ride?

 

[Bungle]

Just starting off with Jurassic park is WAY more terrifying than tower of terror to me at least. But I still love them both.

I would start with big thunder, then move on to splash mountain, and then whatever else you think you can handle afterwards.

On the death wheel you can always choose a non moving cart. But it still might not be your thing if heights are an issue for you. Don't feel bad about not riding the scary rides. I LOVE thrill rides but the teacups are still my favorite, especially at night

 

[DisMike]

Frankly it's not the theming that scares me, it's the negative g pushovers and drops that get me. The only ride at DLR/DCA that I have even a slight problem with is TOT. The drops send my stomach up to my throat.

There's a little trick to helping those stomach churning moments on rides. Fighter pilots use it to counteract the horrendous g loads that they take. Pilots, when pulling high positive g's will tighten their stomach muscles and pull them into their stomach area. This pushes the blood back into the head. Since the 1940s they also wear g suits that do the same thing (including the legs). However, I wouldn't recommend using one on a ride .

But, if you do the same thing it will keep your insides in place and you won't get the stomach churning that scary rides cause.

Women have a natural way of doing this (far too uncool for us guys). They scream! It has the same effect as tightening your stomach muscles and pushing in.

 

[mousterpiece]

It's great that you're fighting your fears, first of all. In terms of which rides are scary compared to Pirates and Matterhorn, I think the only one that might be a concern is Splash, just because the drop is bigger than either one in Pirates. Space Mountain and BTMRR are similar to Matterhorn (even though the former is in the dark, the actual ride is pretty similar to Matterhorn or Goofy's Sky School), but Splash has a 50-foot drop, which is, I think, 3 times bigger than the one in Pirates. At least Splash, though, has its big drop in broad daylight, so you'll know what's coming. Good luck!

 

[SpaceMania]

I too, am a huge chicken. However I am getting better with Disney. I used to be terrified of the drop in pirates, and i only went on haunted mansion 2 trips ago ( i still hate the room everyone screams in.)

So for Splash mountain, I don't feel that the drop is any bigger than the pirates one, but i thinkk this has something to do with the daylight vs. being in the dark. Also, it looks WAY steeper (spelling?) than it really is. My baby cousin said it looked like it was straight down, but when it actually goes down the drop, its totally not. But be warned (because i didn't know this the first time i went on splash and it scared the crud out of me) there IS a drop, inside. in the dark. you are not warned about it, it just happens. But i would say that it is the same size as the pirates drop. Basically just don't look at the drop on the outside and you should be able to do it

Space mountain i love, it doesn't really have drops. Its just fast and goes in circles. So i did this one first (it was actually the first ever coaster i went on, because it was in the dark) and ifinally made myself go on BTMRR. I think BTMRR is about the same as space. It has a couple small drops, but other than that its just an easy coaster. if you can do space , you can do BTMRR.

I havent been on Goofys sky school cause it was closed when i was there a while ago, and then it was an 80 min wait when i was there a few weeks ago. no thanks.

The simpsons ride is kinda like a mix of star tours and soarin over california. and i found that if you sit on a 'side' and then you look down, you can see the ground. which helped me alot.

have a great time

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I am also a big chicken. I use to be terrified of Pirates (not the theming, obviously--I love those pirates)--but because of the dips. I would force myself to go on for the sake of my kids and keep a smile plastered on my face--but the 2 drops (they are both at the beginning so you can get over it and enjoy the rest of the ride) were so scary to me. Once this ride became my daughter's favorite, she wanted to go on it over and over, and that is what cured me of my fear. No I go on it and half the time I put my hands in the air and don't hold on for the dips!

Splash Mountain was one I never wanted to go on, but again I did it for one of my daughters. We rode it last summer for the first time all together. I loved the theme of the ride all all the beautiful animals and old southern house--but that drop still does me in. I would estimate it is 3 times as long as the steepest drop on pirates. I pretty much hate it, but love the other parts of the ride.

Matterhorn I will go on, but I hate being roughed up and shaken around so much. That ride give me a head and neck ache. Big Thunder is similar, and it gives me the feeling like I am going to fall out, which I hate. If they had better straps in Big Thunder, I would probably go on it because two of my kids love it. They do go on it together without me. The fact that they have had a few deaths on that ride where people have gotten tossed from the car keeps my rational mind from enjoying it.

I won't touch Tower of Terror, despite the cool Twilight Theme. I hate the feeling off falling or dropping.

Rides that I use to be scared of that are now some favorites:
The Silly Symphony Swings (feels like you are flying and so smooth and relaxing). Try it at night! We went on it 5 times in a row our last trip right before it closed for WOC.

Soarin' Over California: This is like a trip to a virtual spa for me. It is not scary at all, and I am afraid of heights. You don't even know you are in the air because the room is very dark and you are so immersed in the movie.

Mickey's Sun Wheel: The non-swinging gondolas. Gives you a great view of the parks and feels very safe and slow.

Star Tours: Use to give me motion sickness and wasn't worth it--now it is spectacular--and nothing scary about it.

Rides I still haven't gotten the courage up to try:
Indiana Jones (I talked my daughter into trying it last trip, and she wanted to get out of the line just as we were boarding--so we will conquere it another time. I don't like to be bouced around, so I don't think I will necessarily love it.

Space Mountain: I am afraid of the motion sickness aspect. That is the only ride that ever made my youngest get sick after riding it. She felt sick half the day after riding it.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I'm a big chicken, too. I nearly had a panic attack on Astro Orbitor a few weeks ago. that thing is scary! It should not be allowed to go that high and that fast! And with children on it, no less! lol.

Brit,
are you kidding? It is like Dumbo (maybe just a bit faster) with rocket ships.

Maybe you are kidding and I am just dense.

 

[marcemc]

This year I want to try Splash Mountain, Big Thunder, Space Mountain, Goofy's Sky School (yeah, yeah), Jurassic Park at Universal as well as the Simpson's Ride. I will never step near the Tower of Terror or Mickey's Wheel of Death.

How do those drops/rides chalk up to Pirates and the Matterhorn?

Thank you in advance!!

I will add up Indiana Jones to your list (it's so cool ) & I will skip Goofy's Sky School, it just gives me a feeling that it will derail at any time every time it turns , just my personal opinion, my kids & DH love it.

 

[Potterswife]

I might be wrong, but the Astro Orbiters have a smaller turning radius and go faster then Dumbo. I can't ride them anymore because they make me sick

 

[pixiemomof3]

I completely hear you on the astro orbiter! I went on with my DD and I felt like I was going to fall out! I was freaked out on that ride, I seriously wanted it to stop the whole time. I think that is the only ride that is the scariest to me at DL.

 

[vettegirl]

The only thing that scared me at DL was the Maliboomer, never would get on it. Don't have to worry about that one now it's gone! TOT is probably the second most scary for me, just because of the drops.

 

[pinktink83]

Splash Mountain = that drop is pretty scary! I always close my eyes! But I still go on it at least ONCE each time. (once is enough for me). There's one drop comparable to Pirates, and then the BIG DROP at the end. Ther rest is really slow and fun.

Big Thunder = not scary! So fun! Matterhorn is "scarier" than this one, though they are both pretty bumpy and fast.

Space Mountain = if you can't deal with pitch black dark and SUPER fast, don't try this one. I LOVE IT though!

Goofy's Sky School = if its the same as maliboomers, I didn't like it. Im not good with heights and this had too many tettering turns for my taste. I'll still try it again for Goofy, but it probably won't be my favorite.

I won't do Tower of Terror either!

 

[TeddiBarra]

One things I told my girls that got them to agree to Splash, was that during the big drop, if they were too scared, to count really loud to 7. It helped, but I still have a hard time getting them to agree to that, even though they now love Pirates and the "waterslide".

Space- I still keep my eyes closed. It's not about scary- but for fighting motion sickness. (which I get easy)

Goofy's drops are very similar in length to Pirates. The ride feels alot like the Matterhorn- very herky jerky. It's not a superfast ride, probably slower than the Matterhorn or about the same.

On Screamin' I have one coping technique- scream my head off. It helps really it does. Also, not eating for 1 hour before or 2 hours after. My ToT is, use any "get out of riding free card". I like it, it's fun but yeah... I get heart palps after that one.

Give Indy a try. (don't think you mentioned that one) It's not fast, just bumpy but very fun. Some dark parts but not the whole ride. If you reach your chickened out quota, I'd try Indy over BTRR (which is pretty scary at night, esp cold rainy nights!)

Goodluck. YOU CAN DO IT. Last July we went with my babysis's BF and he was VERY phobic of just about ALL the fast rides. He rode BTRR for the first time, and Space and Indy (maybe more) but ended up really liking them all.

 

[AngelStitch]

This year I want to try Splash Mountain, Big Thunder, Space Mountain, Goofy's Sky School (yeah, yeah), Jurassic Park at Universal as well as the Simpson's Ride. I will never step near the Tower of Terror or Mickey's Wheel of Death.

How do those drops/rides chalk up to Pirates and the Matterhorn?

Thank you in advance!! [/QUOTE]



Well, my Mom is a big chicken but she will go on Matterhorn, Big Thunder and Space Mountain. She was TERRIFIED when she rode Mulholland Madness (now Goofy's Sky School) and said that was worse than any of the others! She still has not tried Tower of Terror, CA Screamin' or Splash Mtn. She has gone on the Mickey Wheel in a stationary car and even that she was hyperventilating.

I am just trying to share my Mom's reactions to the rides. We go to Disneyland a few times a month and she still won't go on the ones I've mentioned above.

Good luck and hope you have fun.

 

[HappyHaunt]

Aw yes, another fellow chicken! lol I can remember them building Splash Mountain. I was probably 12 years old. I didn't go on it until last year for the first time! And you know, I loved it!! We went on it over and over this year. Space I did once, when I was 15, not a fan. lol Will not do Tower of Terror or Screamin. No wheel of death for me either. lol

I think you'll like Splash a lot. It's adorable, and that song is super catchy! lol The drops really aren't as bad as they look from outside. I'm so mad at myself for waiting that long to ride it. Especially when I found out that the animals inside are from America Sings (loved that show). I wanted to see it so badly, but was such a chicken!

I'd ease in to rides and see how you handle them, go from there. It's a slow process getting me out of being such a ride chicken. lol

Oh and we did Universal a few years back. My husband said he felt sick after the Simpsons, more of a motion sickness though I think. I didn't get on Jurassic Park, another one I regret not trying.

 

[twelvesixteen]

Hi everyone!

Thank you so much for all your advice, it is very comforting to know that I am not the only "chicken" out there! I see fearless small children hopping on Screamin' and I'm like It's great to hear all your stories and I appreciate them all.

If heights is the problem, have you ever been able to work around this? I have had a bad fear of heights for most of my life. Sometimes I have a spell where I feel like it my be a better option to throw myself off rather than dealing with a racing heart and naseau.

Heights is... kind of a problem haha. I used to be terrified of heights, like would not walk near second floor balconies, and the glass-bottomed elevator at the local mall scared the bageezus out of me. Heights are not really that frightening to me now. If I'm up high and I look up and out, it doesn't faze me but if I look straight down it's pretty freaky. What do you do to overcome this? I wouldn't mind the stationary carts for Wheel of Death, but no way in hell are you getting me on those swingy ones! No way!

I'm a big chicken, too. I nearly had a panic attack on Astro Orbitor a few weeks ago. that thing is scary! It should not be allowed to go that high and that fast! And with children on it, no less! lol.

Astro Orbiter is one ride that I will never do! It's freaky! I don't even know why it's that bad! Also, the Matterhorn is major fun. A lot of people with back problems that I know don't like it because it's super bumpy and it kind of feels like you're sitting on the floor (obvs, bobsled-style) but it feels like you're flying through the mountain and it's awesome because you round the corner and you can see the teacups and Monstro below you. I definitely wanted to try Indy as well but it's closed when I'm going this time (Aug 22-29th) unfortunately

There's a little trick to helping those stomach churning moments on rides. Fighter pilots use it to counteract the horrendous g loads that they take. Pilots, when pulling high positive g's will tighten their stomach muscles and pull them into their stomach area. This pushes the blood back into the head. Since the 1940s they also wear g suits that do the same thing (including the legs). However, I wouldn't recommend using one on a ride .

But, if you do the same thing it will keep your insides in place and you won't get the stomach churning that scary rides cause.

Women have a natural way of doing this (far too uncool for us guys). They scream! It has the same effect as tightening your stomach muscles and pushing in.

Thank you!! I will try doing that this time and see if it works. Sometimes I "suck in" voluntarily because I dance and it's natural to me to think up and out with my stomach muscles but I will consciously do this (and scream) and see how that works for me.

Rides that I use to be scared of that are now some favorites:
The Silly Symphony Swings (feels like you are flying and so smooth and relaxing). Try it at night! We went on it 5 times in a row our last trip right before it closed for WOC.

I was going to ask about Silly Symphony as well! I've always been terrified of those swing rides and have never tried them for fear of getting supremely dizzy. Does it feel like you're going in a circle, and do you feel weightless? I'm not sure if I would cope well with that...

I will add up Indiana Jones to your list (it's so cool ) & I will skip Goofy's Sky School, it just gives me a feeling that it will derail at any time every time it turns , just my personal opinion, my kids & DH love it.

Ahh... Goofy's Sky School was actually the one that I was most scared of in my list, haha. I think the thing that I'm scared of is that I'll go careening off the track, or the "straight down" fall will become a tip and tumble down the hill. Is it really that terrible?! haha

Thank you everyone else for your advice, I didn't want to make this post a novel, but I am glad I am not alone here and thank you for your luck and good wishes

 

[halfwaynowhere]

Brit,
are you kidding? It is like Dumbo (maybe just a bit faster) with rocket ships.

Maybe you are kidding and I am just dense.

I was making fun of myself. I seriously thought I was going to die on that ride, even though I knew it was stupid. Haven't been on Dumbo since I was less than a year old, so I have no recollection of it. I just don't get along with heights.