Sun Wheel in DCA-noone said it was the SCARIEST ride in both parks!!

[disney-super-mom]

I need to know...does anyone LOVE the swinging gondolas?

I'm considering including it on my itinerary on my solo day, but it's my only iffy ride.

Gee, so many people hate the swinging gondolas on the SunWheel, but I actually like them. I don't think they're scary at all. My entire family thinks the swinging gondolas are fun. And I'm a person that doesn't like big drops, and my hubby is terrified of heights, but we're both fine with the swinging gondolas, so go figure.

 

[VegasMike21]

Gee, so many people hate the swinging gondolas on the SunWheel, but I actually like them. I don't think they're scary at all. My entire family thinks the swinging gondolas are fun. And I'm a person that doesn't like big drops, and my hubby is terrified of heights, but we're both fine with the swinging gondolas, so go figure.

not a fan of heights or drops either, but i do fine on the sun wheel's swining gondolas as well...can't wait to ride it in two weeks!

 

[sam'smominco]

I just sent out a email last night to our friends and family recapping our trip two weeks ago. I did a bunch of bullet point observations...this was one of them...

*The best moments are those you cannot possibly plan. The scene was late Saturday night at California Adventure. After the Electrical Light Parade, the crowds call it a day and head out (amateurs!). Knowing there is a full hour before the park closes at 10pm, we knock out rides like only the Bowens can (this generally involves pushing, shoving, cutting in line, and lying to get handicapped passes). Sarah and I decide that a spin on the giant ferris wheel might be a good way to wind the boys down from the excitement of the day. We are one of the last groups to board the ride before closing. From the ground, it appears that some of the gondolas might rock gently with the blowing breeze…I believe they call them the “sliding gondolas”. What Disney should really say is, “WARNING! These gondolas will sending you hurtling through the darkness and nearly flip you and your very small children completely upside down! You think Space Mountain is rough? Take a spin on this bad boy!” All 8 of us are able to squeeze into one “sliding gondola” for our supposed “make the kids sleepy” ride. Uh, think again. As the four adults are laughing hysterically and screaming our guts out as we ORBIT THE SUN, the four kids have looks of complete terror on their faces. Keep in mind that these children include four-year-olds who rode Space Mountain earlier in the day and barely two-year-olds who were dragged onto the Matterhorn. I am just thankful we didn’t discover the margarita stand until the next day. Had we found it before that ride, it could have been a disaster of epic proportions.

 

[kikiq]

I usually love ferris wheels, but when I finally got on the moving gondolas, omg, I was laughing hysterically. My friend said the gondolas really swing when you get more folks in it and the gondolas is a little off balance or if the wind is blowing<G> My dh says it looks so "tame"<G> who is he to talk, he won't even get on the stationary side.

 

[lugnut33]

There's no way it can be more scarry than riding the ferris wheel on Chicago's Navy Pier at night, during the winter, with snow falling, temperature 25 degrees, and wind coming off the lake at 25 mph.

 

[PigletGurl]

I love the swinging gondolas, and they dont make me queasy at all lol
I think the stationary ones are boring.

 

[tofubeast]

I am just thankful we didn’t discover the margarita stand until the next day. Had we found it before that ride, it could have been a disaster of epic proportions.

Your review of the Wheel of Death is priceless. And if the Tag Fairy doesn't tag this quote, I would be surprised.

 

[kelmac284]

I absolutely HATE ferris wheels and I love most all other thrill rides. LOVE TOT LOVE Screamin you name it but I HATE Sun Wheel. I got stuck on a Ferris Wheel at our local state fair for over an hour and it terrified me. The carnie had to pull the thing down by hand and of course I was up on the very top with my daughter and it was summer so I was in shorts and it was night time and a breeze came up and I was absolutely freezing and shaking. I kept screaming at him to get me off the thing. It was terrifying being stuck up there and all I could think about was the thing breaking and my daughter and I falling to our deaths.

Then when we rode on the Sun Wheel I constantly felt like every time it jerked to a stop that we were going to fall. I HATED every second of it and could not WAIT to get off and that was just in the stationary cars. There is no WAY I would ride in the swinging cars. I just hate that feeling of being out of control and falling or dropping. That is one of the things I hate about flying too is when the plane drops and you feel like you are falling. You would think I would hate ToT but probably because of the seat belt I feel safer I don't know.

But I will NOT be riding the sun wheel again. NO THANKS!

 

[Disneylover 2]

I've only gone once to the swinging gondolas. I never went on it again. But this year, I'm going to give it a try since my sister says that it's a lot of fun and that I'm missing on alot! I would prefer seatbelts.

 

[cats mom]

Oh you all now really have me on the fence about going on the Sun Wheel of Death.

Would I not be afraid if I am one who:
1) Loves roller coasters
2) could go on Tower of Terror multiple times in a row
3)Loves those "pirate ship" rides which go up and down so you constantly feel that dropping sensation

?????????????????????????????

It's hard to say.

I consider any other Disney ride to be pretty tame.
I could ride Maliboomer & ToT over and over too.
I love Screamin', Rockin' Roller Coaster, Mission Space, pretty much all the biggies.

I've been on every ride at Magic Mountain, even paid extra to do Thrill Shot and LOVED it!

See description and picture:

"The VertiGo was a slingshot ride that consisted of three 81 meter columns, made of carbon steel, that held a triangular-shaped carriage. The carriage was connected to the columns with steel cables. With passengers strapped in, the ride used compressed air to shoot the carriage 91 meters into the air, reaching speeds of 80 km/h. S&S Power, the manufacturer of the ride, calls the ride Insane. An identical ride is in operation at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, under the name of Thrill Shot"

But I've only been on the swinging cars on the Sunwheel once and I hope to never set foot in one again... ever!


DD9 asks to go every trip to DCA and I always beg off with the excuse that they're so darn slow loading; the truth is, I'm terrified... shhh, don't tell or I'll never hear the end of it from her.
BTW, I'd be glad to rent DD out to go with any of you who want to try the swinging cars of death, but don't want to go alone.


But it seems these *crazies are pretty much the opposite:

*not meant to be derogatory... just applies to anyone who actually enjoys the swinging cars on the Sunwheel.

wow, i guess i'm one of tghe few that actually likes the swinging gondolas of the sun wheel. i won't dare go on tot or maliboomer but the sun wheel is just a fun ride for me anyways.

Gee, so many people hate the swinging gondolas on the SunWheel, but I actually like them. I don't think they're scary at all. My entire family thinks the swinging gondolas are fun. And I'm a person that doesn't like big drops, and my hubby is terrified of heights, but we're both fine with the swinging gondolas, so go figure.

Go figure is right!

 

[Judy from Boise]

There's no way it can be more scarry than riding the ferris wheel on Chicago's Navy Pier at night, during the winter, with snow falling, temperature 25 degrees, and wind coming off the lake at 25 mph.

I rode that a few years ago, nice ferris wheel, but It was July

I loved their swing ride too, it was cool going over the lake !

 

[wendylady36]

I just found a picture I took of my sis the last time I went on the darn Sun Wheel, I think she says it all for me:



And yes, it was one of the swinging ones.

 

[TiggerandTink]

I'm so glad I found this thread. I needed some laughs tonight. I too have had my "one time and absolutely never again, you couldn't pay me enough" ride on the swinging wheel of death. I think I had passed screaming and was hysterically laughing (trying not to scare the kids, but I wasn't fooling anyone) and crying by the time I got off.

 

[eatmypixiedust]

*raises right hand* I solemnly swear never again to ride the swinging gondolas of death! It scares the begeezus out of me!

I felt like evil kinievel without the bike in the cage Oh and I discovered a sign that said motion sickness bags towards the bottom right of the swinging gondola but there were no bags available.

 

[tofubeast]

It's hard to say.
I consider any other Disney ride to be pretty tame.
I've been on every ride at Magic Mountain, even paid extra to do Thrill Shot and LOVED it!
But I've only been on the swinging cars on the Sunwheel once and I hope to never set foot in one again... ever!

Well,



If you even did that Thrill Shot ride, and STILL think the Wheel of Death is something to pass on (well at least the moving gondolas), that I think I can trust you. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[phisigprincess]

Your review of the Wheel of Death is priceless. And if the Tag Fairy doesn't tag this quote, I would be surprised.

LOL! I called it the Wheel of Death too! I don't get sick on rides, but after the swinging gondolas, it took me a good hour to feel like myself again. And for some reason I was the only moron screaming every time the thing moved.

 

[VegasMike21]

Haha with everyone posting that they ride all of these thrill rides and roller coasters but are still scared to ride the swinging gondolas just baffles me. It's too funny. The cars aren't going anywhere and it's safely secured. It just feels like your gonna fall of the wheel that's all.

 

[Quest4Kingdom]

think it's cuz you're not strapped in with a bar like on a roller coaster ride... and there's the anticipation of it about to happen, and it slowly creeps up on you into yet another swinging gondola episode and there is nothing you can do about it!
Hey I enjoyed it, the first couple of swings...

 

[pixiewings71]

It just feels like your gonna fall of the wheel that's all.

That's ALL??????????????????????? Ya, that's more than enough for me....

 

[OurDogCisco]

It just feels like your gonna fall of the wheel that's all.

I'll never ride the Wheel... No way... no how... And you just convinced me... LOL... I watch safely from the ground!