Soarin question...

[SapphireMarie]

...can anyone tell me if this is going to TOTALLY freak someone with a fear of heights out? My 13 yr. old son is terrified of heights but thinks Soarin will be this amazing thing he can do to experience it safely. I worry it might still "ping" his fears and he'll be stuck there, terrified.

Thoughts??

 

[smitch425]

...can anyone tell me if this is going to TOTALLY freak someone with a fear of heights out? My 13 yr. old son is terrified of heights but thinks Soarin will be this amazing thing he can do to experience it safely. I worry it might still "ping" his fears and he'll be stuck there, terrified.

Thoughts??

Maybe, but one suggestion I have is to ask to be put in the third row and make sure he doesn't sit on one of the ends of the row. The third row is the lowest to the ground. Show him some youtube videos so he knows what to expect, and reinforce the fact that there is absolutely no way he will fall.

 

[DavidNYC]

It sounds like you're talking about the "height" that it looks like you're at as opposed to being afraid of the height they raise the gliders to.

But I think he'll probably be fine. It sounds like in his mind he's looking forward to it and knows he isn't really that high so it might not trigger the psychological response. He can always close his eyes if the view makes him anxious.

If he's afraid of the glider itself going in the air, you can always request the bottom row which doesn't rise that far off the ground.

But I think his attitude towards the ride is more telling. But make sure he knows he will go a short distance in the air so he doesn't get thrown off by that first little rise.

 

[Raenstoirm]

It is not that high, but in the dark with the screen on it is MUCH higher from a visual standpoint. I am not afraid of heights, but there is one scene coming over a mountain when my stomach flips a bit. If he is really terrified, I might skip it. If you know his triggers, you might want to ride it first and see.

 

[hailbug]

I have a fear of heights and Soarin didn't bother me at all. I never look down though. I think he will be fine

 

[Abharmagic]

I am afraid of heights and I rode it an enjoyed it. DD is too- she also wants to ride it again. She did tell me that it kind of scared her, but not so much she doesn't want to do it again.

 

[SapphireMarie]

Thanks! Yes, it's the fear of how high it looks as opposed to how high the gliders are.
He's seen youtube videos and thinks it's no biggie but I think he might have a full blown phobia. We live in the mountains and he has a really hard time being anywhere high, even on the ground. One time he was on the ground hugging a twig of a tree almost in tears. It's, of course, really embarassing for him and I have cried more than once watching him. It's upsetting to see someone so terrified.
I've told him...you KNOW how scared you are, really think about it - but he insists "I'm in a chair in a room, it's fine!" I am torn between "knowing better" and realizing he's not really a small child and should make his own choice here.

 

[MMS1125]

I have a daughter that's afraid of heights (and somewhat claustrophobic) and it was her favorite ride. I didn't even have to beg or convince her to ride it she chose on her own. Looking up youtube videos is awesome I never would have thought of that!

 

[smitch425]

Thanks! Yes, it's the fear of how high it looks as opposed to how high the gliders are.
He's seen youtube videos and thinks it's no biggie but I think he might have a full blown phobia. We live in the mountains and he has a really hard time being anywhere high, even on the ground. One time he was on the ground hugging a twig of a tree almost in tears. It's, of course, really embarassing for him and I have cried more than once watching him. It's upsetting to see someone so terrified.
I've told him...you KNOW how scared you are, really think about it - but he insists "I'm in a chair in a room, it's fine!" I am torn between "knowing better" and realizing he's not really a small child and should make his own choice here.

Do you have an IMAX theater in your area? Lots of museums have them. The screens are pretty identical to Soarin', but the seats are stationary. Perhaps that might be something he could try and see how he does.

 

[SapphireMarie]

Do you have an IMAX theater in your area? Lots of museums have them. The screens are pretty identical to Soarin', but the seats are stationary. Perhaps that might be something he could try and see how he does.

That is a great suggestion - thanks!!!

 

[Raenstoirm]

I've told him...you KNOW how scared you are, really think about it - but he insists "I'm in a chair in a room, it's fine!" I am torn between "knowing better" and realizing he's not really a small child and should make his own choice here.

If he is old enough to understand his fear, he should be old enough to make decisions based on it. As long as he understands he is in a room, if the video gets too rough for him, he can just close his eyes.

 

[Disneykidsdad]

My wife has a fear of heights and will NOT go on Soarin.

 

[ttintagel]

I have a mild aversion to heights, and Soarin' doesn't trigger it at all.

 

[Ginny Favers]

I have a fear of heights and the first time I rode it, I remember feeling queasy. The second time I rode it with DD, who begged me to go on it, so I couldn't escape. I told myself that if I got queasy, I'd just look at her. Just looking away from the screen, closing your eyes, stops the vertigo.

 

[SapphireMarie]

If he is old enough to understand his fear, he should be old enough to make decisions based on it. As long as he understands he is in a room, if the video gets too rough for him, he can just close his eyes.

I agree!

He will make his own choice, I just want to prepare him the best I can.

 

[SapphireMarie]

I think the "close eyes/look away" advice is good too. He's flown and as long as he isn't by a window, he's fine. I don't think it's something "conscious" that scares him about heights, he just sees it and has no control over freaking out.

 

[maxiesmom]

I am going to have to be the naysayer. I have a mild fear of heights, and Soarin does me in. The last 2 times I was on it (I rode it for other family members) I had my eyes closed the whole time, and was shaking like crazy.

I climb ladders at work that go up higher than 10 feet all of the time with no problems at all, yet Soarin gives me the shakes.

It is NOT like being in a chair in a room. You swing a little in time to what is showing on the screen. Plus your legs dangle, there is nothing at all under your feet. Also you only have a seat belt holding you in, so as you sway it does give you the feeling of not being that securely in your seat. And all this happens at a minimum of 10 feet up in the air.

I do agree that you should ride it first, if you son really wants to go on. If he decides he wants to ride it make sure he knows once he is on, he is on. There is no getting off once you are buckled in. If he panics, he will have to tough it out for the rest of the ride time.

 

[North of Mouse]

If your son wants to ride, I'd say to not do anything to discourage him. He's old enough to try it for himself - it's only about 3 min. long, and this could help him tremendously overcome some of his fear. I am terrified to fly, and don't do it unless absolutely necessary, yet Soarin' is my favorite ride. If he were a small child, I might suggest differently, but sounds like he's old enough to make his own decision. Good luck to him It is not very high, and this may well give him the great confidence he needs to face other things.

 

[ajpa]

Iirc if you are in a lower row you can see the feet of the first row people if you look up and that help combat the illusion, imo.

 

[SapphireMarie]

Thanks all!

I did wonder about the whole seatbelt thing too. I mean if u seem to be that high and there's nothing but a seat belt - I can see how that would be concerning!