Splash Mountain - fear of heights and riding night vs.day

[Poohs Wishing Star]

Hi!

I have a fear of heights; however, I am determined that I am going to ride Splash Mountain on my next trip to Walt Disney World. Is there a difference in perception of this ride if it is ridden at night versus the daytime? Will it help me to "tolerate" the final drop if I cannot see the log going over the edge of the mountain (due to the darkness of night) and then down?

Thank you for any help that you can provide.



RJ

 

[2x_dis_dad]

There is a whole ride there not just the drop. It is acyually a pretty long ride with a great theme. The song always gets stuck in my head. Just ride it both in the daytime and at night. Then you can judge for yourself.

 

[lovethattink]

My son is scared of heights. He said Splash Mountain has never bothered him, the Tower of Terror does.

 

[Princess Michelle]

For your first time riding I'd suggest you do it in the daytime. That ride makes even me (who loves it, it's my favorite ride) get butterflies in my tummy when I ride it at night. For the drop, just close your eyes when you get to the top, by the time you blink you'll be at the bottom.

 

[2tinksmom]

I am afraid of heights to the point where it is embarassing to my family, but I love Splash Mountain! The drop looks bigger from the bridge than it does from the top. We always try to ride at least once at night to catch a glimpse of the castle lit up...it is really pretty. When you approach the big drop, you go from a dark cave, to the top and down. It is over before you know it! In fact, it took me a couple of times before I actually noticed the briar patch you fall into. Give it a try...it's probably no where near as bad as you think it might be!!
Michele

 

[ckj]

If you want to see what splash looks like at the top of the big drop go here and look under AK & MK Album.

http://community.webshots.com/user/ckj_jared

 

[BeamsofLight]

My husband is afraid of heights (specifically falling from heights), but he loves Splash too. I agree that the drop looks bigger from the bridge than it feels like it is on the way down.

I think the big drop is short enough that it would be over before you had time to be too afraid. You can't really see the log going over the edge, unless you sit in the front. If you're more to the back, I really don't think you see the drop until you're already dropping. So rather than a day/night difference, I would suggest trying to sit further to the back.

But definitely give it a try! The ride portion before the big drop is amazing.

 

[SnackyStacky]

When you're actually riding the thing, the drop is visually broken up.

As others have said, the drop really is just sort of gravy. The ride before the drop is EXCELLENT.

 

[SnackyStacky]

When you're actually riding the thing, the drop is visually broken up.

As others have said, the drop really is just sort of gravy. The ride before the drop is EXCELLENT.

As for the original question, the ride itself is lit, so you'll probably be able to see in the dark as well. If you're deciding when to ride to lessen ill effects, I'd take the advice earlier from someone with the same type of issue with the ride and ride during the day.

BUT, riding it at night is AWESOME. It's so beautifully lit, and if you time it just right, you can either see fireworks or a parade while you're on it.

 

[bubba's mom]

I have read on the boards (by people who are afraid of heights) to try this: when you start to peak over the top of the final drop, press your chin to your chest. For some reason this seems to help. Don't know why....we love the drop!!!

 

[sm4987]

ride it during the day. The ride on the inside is so beautiful and the drop is so quick. Try not to miss it when you go.

 

[CHIPSTER]

On the last drop, I just close my eyes and put my head down prior to reach the top and it's not that bad. I am not going to give up going on the rest of the ride just for the last drop. So to me day ornight doesn't matter. Although I prefer night because when you are floating on the boat it is nice to see things lit up.

 

[WDWprincessloyola]

My mother also has a fear of heights but is willing to go through the "big drop" to enjoy the rest of the ride. Something that she just discovered on one of the last times we were on SM is that if you lean forward with the log it isn't as bad. She always tried to lean back and brace herself on the seat as we went over, but she felt that it was better to lean forward and hold on to the handle bar in front. Also, the drop is VERY short, if you need to focus on something count to three and the drop is over! The ride itself is great, no matter have much focus is put on the fall it is the things you don't see from the outside that count!

 

[GrammieMame]

I don't mind drops, but the technique I use (and have taught my grandsons) is to take a deep breath when you reach the top and just scream bloody murder till you get to the bottom (just a few seconds). Works for me.

 

[stink]

The anticipation of the drop is more frightening than the actural drop itself. The drop happens so fast. My cousin closes her eyes or looks at the floor of the log as we approach the drop. Try it both during the day and at night, at night its cool to see the park all lighted up from a different vantage point.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I have a terrible fear of heights, to the point that I actually fainted in the American exhibit at the World's Fair many years ago. Forget the rides at water parks. I won't climb the stairs. I'm always harrassed because everyone says I'm the only person alive who would rather take off and land in a plane, than actually be in the air. The way I look at it, that's the only time I'm close to the ground. I do ride rollercoasters, and don't mind the drop, again I'm closer to the ground. It's the climb, that I pray all the way through. All of that said, when you ride SM you don't realize how high you are, unless you are concentrating solely on the drop. Try to concentrate on the ride, which I know is hard, but talk to whomever's riding with you about the scenery, that way you'll have to pay attention to it. During the drop, hold on, it somehow makes me feel more secure. Don't close your eyes whatever you do. Your imagination will be much worse that the drop. Also, look out, not down. Look for the castle, and see how much of it you can etch in your memory on this short ride. I agree with everyone else, who says ride it during the day. IMHO, the darkness will only add to your anxiety.

By the way, if anyone knows of any effective exercises or treatments for this fear, please share. It really limits my and others life.

 

[2Disneybuggs]

I have a fear of heights too. I won't ride coasters or log flumes because of that climb to the top. But on Splash it is different. I didn't even realize how high we were. As for the big drop I didn't even notice the view. I held on closed my eyes and screamed! I would have done it this trip too if I wasn;t expecting.

 

[Poohs Wishing Star]

Hi!

To all of you who answered my question about whether to ride Splash Mountain during the day or night due to my fear of heights, I thank you. Your encouragement and suggestions for handling this fear have been terrific. I am feeling more confident about riding this because I feel like I have my own cheering section.

There are three particular ideas that I will take with me when I go on Splash Mountain - face the fear and enjoy the ride, focus on the horizon and Cinderella's Castle, and "just scream bloody murder till you get to the bottom".



RJ

 

[rapriebe]

stink,

Finally, someone has the same opinion that I do. It's not the drop as much as the anticipation building up to it. After reading all these tips maybe I'll try it when we go back in December. I've heard the rest of the ride is spectacular but I am SO-O-O-O afraid of the drop. Oh well . . . .

 

[LorieR]

I have been chicken about riding Splash Mountain but am determined to ride it in 11 days!! I have been to WDW three times since 2001 (last trip before that was 16 years ago!!) and have been too afraid to ride it - that along with Rock 'N Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror!! Am going to do all three this time! It sure helps to see so many people with such positive comments on their Splash Mountain experiences!


Lorie