Splash mountain fear

[33Legend]

Don't miss this ride. Many don't realize that the greatest part of the ride isn't the drop. It's the phenomenal story and theming that goes on in the ride. It's also one of the longest theme park attractions you will ever ride- an absolute classic.

 

[HopperFan]

I remember first time I rode I was so surprised that there was so much scenery and cool stuff inside and along the ride. It truly is a VERY VERY tame boat ride until the big drop. So that you know in advance, no surprise, so if you think it might freak you out, close your eyes. The expectation is worse than it really is. Kiddie ride compared to SM and BTM. I mean it didn't even used to have lap bars it's that safe.

PS DD never wanted to ride just because of the drop. She finally agreed if she didn't have to watch. She loved the entire ride, was really having a great time. At the top she, as planned, closed her eyes. Just as it was ready to go I yelled "look at the castle" to which she opened her eyes, proceeded to drop and stayed mad at me a long time. But she loves the ride, one of her favorites now. Sometimes you just have to do it, to see it's not that bad and then you won't be afraid.

PSS I am terrified of heights. Maybe if you just have a good plan for a good pose or face, you will not focus on the drop.

 

[KimBean]

I am terrified of splash mountain but my friend wants to go for her birthday to Disney and get on can someone tell me what to expect. I am terrified of hights and drops but I have ridden Matahorn, California Screamin (hated it btw) SM, Big thunder, RSR pretty much everything except Guardians and Splash. I need to be convinced to not be a chicken

My dd16 is the biggest chicken she screamed at me in BTMR saying how could you tell me this isn't scary?!??! Didn't even attempt 7DMT. Barnstormer is too much for her.

She loves splash. It is nothing at all like a slow boat ride until the drop and by the time you are dropping it is over.

 

[drinkme]

I agree with what everyone says. The drop looks much scarier than it really is. If you plan to count to 5 as you are going down the drop you will get to the bottom before you get to 5.

The ride itself is great. The drop is tame. But I do get your hesitation. I was the same way years ago. Tell yourself you will go on it at least once. Ask to sit in the back and the drop will be even less eventful.

Let us know if you go on it!!

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

When you see the vultures who say, "this is my laughing place" you will know you're on your way up to the big drop. Close your eyes and brace yourself then. It's over very quickly, and you'll feel the log floating before the drop ends.

This is how I handle it. I am not a fan of drops, but Splash Mountain is one of my favorite rides ever. Those 2 or 3 scary seconds on the hill are worth it. The entire ride is pure joy. I love it. The music, the details, and the animatrons are just fantastic.

Knowing when it comes, helps.

It is over very quickly. The drop is just long enough for me to scream. I've found that it helps if I take a big deep breath right before the fall. Then force it out as I am falling. Sometimes it is let out in a scream, but oh well. I'm sure that I have people laughing at me as I go down.

It isn't horrible, for someone that hates drops/falls. I've done worse. But it isn't the piece of cake some say it is. Especially for those that don't like falls.

 

[danielocha30]

I'm terrified to ride too. I've watched numerous youtube videos and finally have gotten the nerve up to ride on our next trip and then I read that it'll be closed for refurb. Phew! Not gonna lie, I'm not mad!

I rode on my teens and hate it, been avoiding Splash like a plague, but now that I know it will go down for refurbishment and we will be there on the last day it will be open I'm seriously think I will ride it

 

[AntJulie]

I rode on my teens and hate it, been avoiding Splash like a plague, but now that I know it will go down for refurbishment and we will be there on the last day it will be open I'm seriously think I will ride it

Just do it! I've disliked roller coasters all my life. I was reluctant to go on Splash because I knew I didn't like the drop, but my granddaughter really wanted to go on so I took the plunge and glad I did!

 

[jen7233]

It's nothing like a big roller coaster drop, referencing that end drop on Splash. It doesn't have that same feeling to me. It's not bad at all. I'm a big chicken myself about huge coasters. Hate the big Six Flags type rides and not sure how I rode them in the past and of course now those theme park coasters are bigger and creepier for more thrill. The theming itself makes the ride so worth it, and it's a nice long ride. My kids are going to go on it whenever we get another trip to Disney, they agreed. They wouldn't go on it last time so I went on myself while dad watched them. There were quite little kids in my boat. Really, love Splash, probably my favorite ride in MK.

 

[ministrychick77]

I'm facing the same issue. My boyfriend wants to get me on Splash on our trip... And I am *terrified*! I can't stand drops. Jumpin Jellyfish was an issue for me. I just recently went on Space for the first time. I'm perfectly fine with Pirates, though. Can also do Matterhorn, big thunder, and RSR. I keep watching ride through videos to try to normalize it, though still terrified.
Know that you're not alone here!

 

[melanielll]

If you are terrified - don't do it. I saw a study a few years back that looked into amusement park attractions and people who were convinced (or possibly coerced) into riding something they didn't want to ride. 80% regretted riding after they did. It's vacation - don't do something you don't want to do.

Also - Splash has been breaking a lot. We spent 20 minutes on the hill up to the big drop on out last trip. In no way enjoyable. I can't imagine being stuck there if you were afraid of the imminent drop.

 

[Klayfish]

Also - Splash has been breaking a lot. We spent 20 minutes on the hill up to the big drop on out last trip. In no way enjoyable. I can't imagine being stuck there if you were afraid of the imminent drop.

Stinks that you had that experience, but I don't think it's fair to put a blanket over it and say it's been "breaking a lot" because you got stuck. In all of our recent trips there, unless the weather was bad, Splash was almost always up and running. I'm sure it has occasional outages, like most rides there do, probably because of ignorant guests. But I don't think it's trouble prone.

As for OP question, I'll take a different approach. A lot of people try to sugar coat it, but it is what it is. It's a pretty big drop. Not world record holding or anything, but it's big. However, as scary as it may seem, I promise...you'll survive uninjured. You may get wet, but you'll be in one piece. I do agree that it really doesn't last all that long, but that's because it gets down the hill pretty quick. I do agree that compared to a mega sized coaster, the drop is small, but for someone who doesn't like drops, it's definitely big. Having said that, I can't recommend Splash enough. The ride is a lot of fun. DW hates coasters and even has to close her eyes sometimes on the carousel (really), but SM is her favorite ride in the entire park.

 

[DisneyOma]

When you see the vultures who say, "this is my laughing place" you will know you're on your way up to the big drop. Close your eyes and brace yourself then. It's over very quickly, and you'll feel the log floating before the drop ends.

This is how I handle it. I am not a fan of drops, but Splash Mountain is one of my favorite rides ever. Those 2 or 3 scary seconds on the hill are worth it. The entire ride is pure joy. I love it. The music, the details, and the animatrons are just fantastic.

Sometimes the wait to get past the vultures is long - back up at the unloading area, etc, can have them slowing the ramp, or even stopping it. So I suggest waiting until you get to the top of the ramp before closing your eyes and holding your breath.

I hate the drop, as it makes my innards very uncomfortable. But I do it 1-2 times a trip, as I love the inside, the view from the top of the drop, etc. I have even managed to keep my eyes open and head up for the photo! But I used to close my eyes, brace, and count "1 one hundred, 2 one hundred, 3 one hundred, 4 one hundred" and the drop would be over.

 

[epcotty]

It's really not bad at all. With all the rides you've done Splash should be easy

 

[Minnesota!]

It's an easy ride - way more fun than scary. Just do it

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I HATE drops. I've never been on ToT (and never will be) and can't do EE, Space Mountain (too jerky) or RnRC any more. I can handle BTMRR (no drops!) and 7DMT (wouldn't call those drops), otherwise, no way, no how on roller coasters. About two years ago, after DS9 finally got up the nerve to ride BTMRR, he wanted to try Splash. I hadn't been on it for over a decade, hated it when I rode it before and had no intention to ride again. But he really wanted to do it and there was no way he was going alone. So, I did it. The WORST part is (as PP's mentioned) not knowing when the drop is coming. There were people on our boat who had been on it before and they knew I was nervous, so they talked me through it so I knew when to expect the big drop. The other thing that bothered me was, after getting on the ride, knowing I couldn't get off. BUT, it was fine! And I have no problem doing it now (I do hate getting wet though, so I wear and wrap a poncho around myself!). As PP's have said, if you know when the drop comes and take a deep breath before you go, it's over in seconds. The worst part for me now is getting stuck at the bottom at the point where the water gushes and you get soaked!

 

[JordanWV16]

I feel like splash mountain is pretty laid back, yeah there are the small drops and the big one, but you have the little scenes between. It's great. I just always have bad luck with it being down,having extremely long wait times, or no FP+

 

[Klayfish]

Actually, the one drop that drives me nuts in Splash isn't the big one, it's the one before you drop into the Laughing Place...the one that is in complete darkness. For whatever reason that one makes me gnash my teeth...and I'm not afraid of rides...RnR is my favorite ride in WDW. I just don't like that drop for whatever reason.

 

[mindeola]

I hate drops. Hate , hate, hate them. I love the ride though. The drop lasts less than 2 seconds. I close my eyes and hold my breath!

 

[mindeola]

The worst part is the anticipation going painfully slow up the hill to the drop. Try not to focus on the drop, but the amazing view at the top right before you actually drop.

Yes! I can't tell you how many times I've been stuck at the base of the climb and really thought about jumping out. LOL MY anxiety gets me! That view at the top though!

 

[marcyleecorgan]

I agree with everyone else as I am a 'fraidy-cat! Take a DEEEEEEEEEEEP breath and look at the castle! It will be over before you know it!