Soarin the fear of heights....

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

OK, I need everyone's help here. I am not a chicken. I am open to new things (for the most part). I love to explore. I DO get motion sick in simulator type rides AND I am incredibly afraid of height. Step ladders make me woozy . I once climbed a tree and was paralyzed there for what seemed like forever. (My kids and husband talked me down very well thankyou.... ) I want to ride Soarin but I just read in the Birnbaums Disney Book that if your afraid of heights to steer clear . I have ridden and LOVE the Tower of Terror (I don't look out the window, really) and Splash Mountain is terrific (I don't look going down!) So I am putting this out there so that you guys can give me a feel for what to expect and advice as to ride or not to ride.

 

[Magickndm]

It is such a smooth ride and it really doesn't make any sudden movements at all so I don't think that will be an issue for you. If you get the last row you'll be on the bottom row and only 10 feet up. Once the movie starts I doubt you'll even realize you're not on the ground.
Go enjoy it, it's fantastic!

 

[cleo]

As magickndm said, the third row rises the least so you are really not far off the ground. However, the nature of the show gives the feeling of 'flying' (hence, the name Soarin', right? ), so you may want to consider that when choosing to ride or not. I think it's one of the most graceful, smooth, and delightful attractions Disney has come up with and it would be a shame to miss it. But you do have the sensation of flying, so be prepared for that!

 

[FaerieG]

I had the same question. Glad to know I will be able to convince my sisters to join me on this ride (they don't do jerky rides).
FaerieG

 

[calie_j]

I am also afraid of heights and rode this 2 yrs ago at DL. We got the row the other posters were talking about and it was a bit scary when the seats went up. It did help that there are seatbelts. The movie itself wasn't bad, just like an IMAX, it's only when the seats lift up at the beginning that I had a problem and I did have to concentrate of the movie and try not to think about knowing I was in the air. I consider myself to have moderate/severe fear of heights......if you have an extreme case this might be too much for you.

Hope this helps you decide, I know it's not a fun fear and alot of people don't understand how it can affect you, Calie

 

[Minniemom97]

I too have fear of heights but decided to ride at the last minute. We asked for the bottom row. It was great! One of the best rides at WDW. I'm so glad I did it. I figured I could always close my eyes if it bothered me too bad.

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

I loved Soarin'! I also have a fear of heights but loved this ride. There are no jerky movements. The gust of wind being blown on your face helps too.

Nicole

 

[Magickndm]

Wanted to add to that the seats make you feel very secure. They have high backs and a nice deep seat, that may help too. And if you're still really squimish, you can use the strap that goes between your legs and thru the seat belt too.

 

[branv]

I wondered about this too. I have some truly undefined heights fear. Like...I can ride those roller coasters where you're hanging, and not even think about it (probably b/c you're moving so fast ) But ski lifts make me want to crawl out of my skin. I can be up on one of those viewing towers, and ferris wheels, but I also hate step ladders, and being on the Peter Pan ride creeped me out. I also can't do the fair type swings. I wonder if it has to do with knowing that the cable holding me up is itty bitty looking So...hoping Soarin' won't creep me out.

 

[Bellefan66]

I like so many others,also have this fear. I think my biggest problem,is I don't like rides like those "swings" at the carnivals? The feeling of "hanging" scares me. This is why I tend to do real well in roller coasters,your so snug and secure. I wonder if anyone else has this problem?

 

[Disney Parrothead]

I, too, have motion sickness problems, but rode Soarin' in June and was very glad I did. It was SOOOOO worth it. I did have to close my eyes a couple of times because of the effect of going too fast, and I couldn't let go of the armrests during the ride, but as long as I kept my head up and continued to look straight ahead, I was fine. I say go for it!!!

 

[rileyroosmom]

I too have a fear of heights, just watching someone up high makes my palms sweaty! (actually all this talk of heights is making me sweat!). However, I did ride Soarin in May and enjoyed it, but I was nervous and knew I wasn't on the ground. My ds8 was next to me and kept leaning over to look down, I thought I'd have a heart attack! I was relieved when it was over. That being said, I think I would ride it again and see if I could enjoy it more. As others have said, the seats were big, you had a seat belt but IMO, you do feel high up and feel as though you are moving. I enjoyed it, but didn't carry on about it as many on these boards have. Hope that helped.

 

[dan-tot]

OK I have the perfect comparison. If you have been on the energy ride then you have seen on soarin. When they are flying in a helicopter then you have soarin. If you can handle that then you can handle the ride. The only difference is you are picked up off the floor. I was on the front row so I went I would say about fourteen feet. I would ride the last row because that is the one close to the floor. The wind does help.


Dan-tot

 

[Magickndm]

I was on the front row so I went I would say about fourteen feet.
Dan-tot

Actually you were up about 30 feet.

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback! I really think that I am going to ride it, it sounds fantastic and I CAN always close my eyes. Ski lifts kill me! Last winter I wanted to die when my husband got me up on one. Everytime we went by those "transfers" (the pole with the moter and pully thingy) I truly thought that I would die... really. You guys say this is not jerky or loud sooooo I am going to trust my fellow dis'ers and just do it. Whats the worst, I could go through the whole thing with my eyes closed, but I'll get to smell everything.

It's nice to know I am not alone.... thankyou!

 

[Handbag Lady]

I think you are making a wise decision. I've not been on the one at WDW, but I've been on DCA's a thousand times (or so it seems!).

The seats are very secure and the seatbelt is firm. And it's not like you are up all alone as you can look right and left and see your whole row. The hand-holds are great, too. I dislike heights, but I love coasters. I'd take Soarin' over airplanes hands-down. And it's so gorgeous, you'll love the ride.

I did take a height-frightened friend on it who was so afraid after seeing the ride herself and getting strapped in that she made the CM stop the load process and let her out. Her fear of heights is such that she avoids flying, high buildings, cliffs, etc. She says it's so bad, she wants to jump to avoid being so high, and that's what scares her!