Soarin...terrified of heights...can I do this?

[Little_Sister]

I am absolutely terrified of heights...I get woozy and dizzy...so much so that I couldn't climb all the way to the top of the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse....

With that in mind, do you think I can do Soarin?

I almost tried it once, but chickened out as soon as I sat in the seat and then I had to slink out with my tail between my legs before they started the ride.

I'm afraid I can't handle being lifted off the ground (Dumbo scares me) or the slight tilting that the ride does.

Everyone says "oh you have to do Soarin...it's sooooooo wonderful...it's really mild...and blah blah blah....but I'm really really terrified to attempt it again.

I feel bad because my boyfriend loves it, but hates riding by himself (I left him on it the last time!!) so I'm wondering if I should just give it a shot again and maybe the lift off isn't as scary as I think???? Is it better to sit in the very last row so you're not quite as high as everyone else?

For those that have experienced it...and based on my crippling fear of heights...should I just continue to avoid this one?

 

[Jacklynn]

You can't see the ground while you are on it, so if you just think about it as the ground is a few inches down you might be fine. It really is a good ride and I'm not a fan of hanging high in the air either. I think the bottom row is probably only like 20 feet off of the ground, but the seats are amazing and the lift itself is amazing that I always forget that I am actually even off of the ground.

 

[daannzzz]

You would definately need to ask to be in the back row so you didn't go up as high but when the contraption lifts up it is fairly thrilling, though less so in the back. Then once you are up all the scenes are from way up in the air. Are you bothered by scenes in movies where the view is of the ground way below?

 

[WEDWDW]

I am absolutely terrified of heights...I get woozy and dizzy...so much so that I couldn't climb all the way to the top of the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse....

With that in mind, do you think I can do Soarin?

I almost tried it once, but chickened out as soon as I sat in the seat and then I had to slink out with my tail between my legs before they started the ride.

I'm afraid I can't handle being lifted off the ground (Dumbo scares me) or the slight tilting that the ride does.

Everyone says "oh you have to do Soarin...it's sooooooo wonderful...it's really mild...and blah blah blah....but I'm really really terrified to attempt it again.

I feel bad because my boyfriend loves it, but hates riding by himself (I left him on it the last time!!) so I'm wondering if I should just give it a shot again and maybe the lift off isn't as scary as I think???? Is it better to sit in the very last row so you're not quite as high as everyone else?

For those that have experienced it...and based on my crippling fear of heights...should I just continue to avoid this one?

I have to be honest.If Dumbo scares you,I think Soarin' would definitely scare you.If you do decide to try it,the third row would be a big help to you.

 

[BYC]

If I were you, I would ask for the back row. Then, if you are afraid, all you have to do is close your eyes. If you can't see the movie, you will not have the sensation of height. I can understand your fear, because I have a problem with some heights, too. I had NO problem with Soarin'. I could not wait to ride it again!

 

[~Kik-Kik~]

My Grandma and Grandpa did it and she is terrified of hights too. She didnt like when they swing you up, but the ride is really so emersive that you forget that your up there. My grandma did get a little dizzy, but she did end up enjoying it.

Then there is my grandpa...he is afraid of every ride, including Buzz Lightyear. He wen of it and he has a problem with motion sickness, speed, going too slow and pretty everything else... The olnly rides he goes on without putting up a fight is Small World, Sorain', Pirates, Jungle Boats and the Dark Rides. Other than that...nothing.

It is really tame, the most action is that the seats rock and there is a gust of wind.

 

[mickeymedic]

Soarin' is one of my favorites. That being said, I think - based on your description of yourself - that Soarin' is NOT a ride that you would enjoy. If you are seated in the front row you are relatively high off the ground. If you are seated in the back row you are not as far off the ground. But the entire ride gives you the impression that you are "Soarin" high above the ground. With your fear of heights, I just see this being scary for you.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Honestly I would avoid it.
I am not what I would consider 'afraid of heights' but this ride scares me a little.
The entire ride gives you a feeling of flying. So regardless of where you sit, you will feel like you are are up very very high. My palms sweat everytime I am in the middle of those hot air balloons and when you come over the high mountain where everyone is skiing,
If you have a crippling fear of heights I would definately skip it.

 

[chessie]

When we were on soaring my daughter in law started to hyperventilate. and leaned over to me and said. I can't do this. I told her to close her eyes,take a deep breath, and remember this is Disney, you are only 12 feet off the ground. ( I have no idea how high off the ground we were.) it worked and she enjoyed the ride.

 

[ToTLaugher]

My DD14 is terrified of heights, but had thought this would be okay. She came off trembling and white as a ghost. I felt like the worst mother in the world at that moment (even though she was the one who wanted to try it.) I would suggest you avoid this.

 

[tigger & mickey]

Being afraid of heights myself and having made it to the seat on soaring a few years ago but chickened out, I convinced myself that I could do it this past summer. Well, I couldn't. It wasn't the lift off the ground that did it, it was watching the movie. While I can see why everyone loves this ride, it is definitely not for me, I felt like I was falling out of the seat the whole ride and truth be known I was pushing myself so far back in the seat, I was nowhere near falling out. You need to judge for yourself, like someone else said if you can watch movies with "height" scenes you will probably be all right. Good luck.

 

[HolliePoppins]

I am also terrified of heights (I usually get dizzy and feel sick also). That being said I do Soarin with no problems and it is now one of my favorite rides. The only part where I get slightly dizzy is the nightime part along the city streets but that is over quick. I think it really depends on the person, you just have to try it once for yourself. Also we always ask for the first row (go figure) I cant stand having the feet dangling in front of me. I wouldnt recomend that for you though as other posters said ask for the 3rd row first if you do ok than maybe you can move up the next time. Good luck





Yes she should be here by now but nothing yet, come on Rose we are waiting for you. See below.

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

For me, personally, I am absolutely terrified of heights (two steps up a ladder and that's it!!). That being said, I decided to give Soarin' a try for my DD. My first trip on they put in the first row, centre....Yikes. I kept calm, all the while dying inside. I didn't want to put my fear onto my DD. As we "lifted off" I froze and pushed back into my seat as far as I could. Next thing I knew, I was relaxing and loving it, even began leaning forward to get a better view! I went on Soarin' 9 times that vacation and it is now officially one of my Disney favorites.
Good luck in your decision, whatever it may be!

 

[srwarden1928]

Soarin is the scariest ride in WDW for me. I ride all of the coasters, TOT, Splash, etc with no problem whatever. Its just that on Soarin you hang there and Im afraid Im going to fall. While I am most definitely afraid of heights, I never thought of the Swiss Family Treehouse as being scary.

Soarin is a wonderful attraction. I would do it again despite being so scared. I hold on tight on both sides. From your description, you seem even more scared of heights than I am. It may be the most popular ride in Epcot and one of the most popular in Disney, but it may not be for you. Pixiedust to you.

 

[MouseketeerOvaHere]

I am not terrified of heights but I do have a slight fear of heights and the first time I rode soarin' I had a death grip on the handles. We were the highest up though as we were seated in row 1 and the ride does tilt a little to give you the affect of flying. It's made to seem like you are hang gliding so it can be frightening to someone that is terrified. If you do decide to ride it ask to sit in row 3 (back row) as it is the least lifted into the air and be prepared for the fireworks at the end. There is a big BOOM and the ride shakes and air is blown in your face like you are feeling the affects of the firework up close. Honestly, it's up to you if you think you can handle the ride but if you are that terrified of heights, I would avoid it. If you do decide to ride it I think it will become one of your favorites.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I am terrified of heights. I did Soarin twice and no more. I can't do Dumbo or Magic Carpets either. When I tried Soarin the first time we were on the second row, last time was on the third row and even though it is the height, the swaying made it worse and one of the scenes made it even more unpleasant.

I went, I saw (twice) ain't goin back again.

Suzanne

 

[skw444]

I don't like Dumbo, but I loved Soarin! I was even able to convince my 6 year old who is afraid of everything to go on Soarin twice. I think for me, it's knowing that I'm not far off the ground but with Dumbo I can actually see how far off the ground I am!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I say avoid.

I thought I'd conquered my fear of heights years ago. I am fine with flying type Imax rides so I didn't expect to have any issues with this ride.

Then I rode it. I hated the feet dangling feeling and during a couple of the scenes, I thought I was going to freak out.

At one point, the woman next to me asked if I was ok - She told me after the ride was over that she thought I was going to pass out.

If you are at all afraid of heights - even the littliest bit - don't ride.

 

[steelfish535]

Are you afraid of movies scenes where you are flying or the ground is far below? If you are, then I'd definately skip this.
If you can handle those types of movie scenes, and you want to try it, make sure you sit in the third row. If you do panic a little, just close your eyes. The third row really isn't that high up, and you can see the bottom of the screen and people's feet above you, giving you a better sense of where you are. The top row goes up kind of high, and you really feel immersed in the movie. Not so much on the bottom row.
Based on your description of yourself, and if you DO have a problem with movie scenes like I described above, I'd DEFINATELY skip it.

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Yes, you can do Soarin'! I have a real height phobia, but I conquered and enjoyed Soarin', even in the leftmost seat (no other seat to my left side) in the front row (the one that goes up the highest). You might want to not sit in one of the end seats is my only advice.

It is a nice ride. Enjoy!