Talk me into ToT

[ihearttink]

I have never bee on ToT and I try to talk myself into it on every visit but I alway chicken out. I should let you know I am terrified of elevators. I was stuck in one when I was around 12 and that was enough for me. My greatest fear on elevators now is that the cable will break and we are history.

DD has always ridden it and loves it. DH went on it once with her and was spent the rest of the day. He was so pale I couldn't believe it. It scared him to death.

I can't understand how this elevator moves from one shaft to another and still lines itself up for the descent.

 

[DreamDelta]

I feel the same way, so I can't find it in my heart to talk you into it! I'm terrified of the darn thing and will never, ever ride it! Sorry....​

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

ToT is not really an elevator! It is a ride just like any other in Disney World! So if youre worried about the whole elevator thing, it is only the storyline that it's an elevator. It is not really an elevator like one youd ride upstairs in the hotel or the mall.

Also consider how it might help you get over your fears... when you come off you will feel like you survived the scariest elevator in the world!

Plus if the elevator part still scares you, let me let you know that it doesnt seem like youre riding an elevator at the time since youre sitting down the whole time and not standing. WHat elevator do you sit strapped in for safety on?

I will be cheering for you to go on!

 

[mickeysaver]

You might have some serious issues in handling this ride. I can see why you haven't tried it and I do no fault you for it.

This is quite possibly my favorite ride at WDW. I prefer wearing the seat belt and leaving the belt a little loose so that I "catch big air". The drops are randomized, so that you never get the same drop pattern twice. It's so cool! The ride car will take you on a short track ride from the entrance shaft area to the drop shaft area and to the unloading shaft area. There is of course themed entertainment along the way. Maggie

 

[DepCor0311]

I love the ride...in both MGM and at CA Adventure...and they are a little bit different at each park. I think the effects are incredible...Like the door disappearing into the star field, and (at the MGM one) the car moving forward...The drops are exciting and actually pretty smooth...But are fast and intense.

My DGF adamantly refuses to ride it, despite my pleas, sweet talking, bribes, statements of "its really not that bad", teasing, threats, and temper tantrums.

 

[Torjohnson]

Ok, I have only been on the DLand version, but it is so fun!!! I am not a heights person, but you really dont feel afraid in the ride...Yes, I am into all this stuff, but I recommend this ride to everyone. The story angle, the effects...it is really awesome.
I will say my wife hated it, she is a poster child for fear of heights...but I contest that it is so far beyond the frefall rides of regular amusement parks.

Check it out.

 

[hogwartsdropout]

I cannot recommend this ride enough. It's pure genius.
It's not like an elevator. You're sat down and strapped in. It doesn't even look like an elevator inside!
There's so much more to the ride than the elevator part anyway. You're really missing out by not seeing the special effects etc.
I have so much fun on it, I just laugh all the way down. It's such an amazing feeling.
And then there's the pure satisfaction that you survived it.

 

[mickeymousemom]

I don't know if i can talk you into it or not, but I think you may be analyzing the ride a bit too much. I'm not sure I understand why you are worried about the elevator going from "one shaft to another" and "lining up". I have ridden it once...and yes, I had to be talked into it. You board an "elevator" which is pretty big. I'm not so sure I even felt as though I was in an elevator(I hate them too). You're seated and lifted to the "13th floor"...the doors open and you go forward(unless it all an optical illusion). You are then told the story of what happened al these years ago at the hotel. The visuals here are amazing and I loved this part...I think it's Disney Imagineering at its best. After the story is "told" things go DARK. I knew this had to be the moment....and I was right. The drops are random(though I beleive there are four sequences that the computer picks from now??) and most of them weren't too bad(I had my eyes closed most of the time)...but the LAST drop...OMG..it was the BIG one. I hate drops so this last one scared the bejeezus outta me. All in all it wasn't that bad of a ride. I did actually laugh at times and it didn't make me sick at all. I still can't decide whether or not to ride again, but I do think this is one ride that everyone needs to try at least once(health permitting). I'm glad I did it, and I know there have been several people who were scared to ride it and then it became their favorite ride. I say go for it! It really isn't that bad.

 

[disnygoof]

ToT is awesome! I love to ride it. I think you should do it and you will feel SO good after you're done! I hate roller coasters that go upside down and this year, I am going to get over that and go on Rockn' Roller Coaster this year! If I can do that, you can do ToT! Go for it! I'm rooting for you!!

 

[SnwflkCts]

It's hard to get on a ride if you are scared ... but that is why they are called THRILL RIDES! I really didn't find ToT that horrifying -- but I love roller coasters too!

Anyway, don't agonize about not going on it but if you are the least little bit curious -- give it a try. Like another poster said, it doesn't feel a whole lot like an elevator at all -- you move other directions too.

A ride at a theme park (like an elevator) is probably safer than a REAL elevator -- oops now I made myself scared of elevators!

 

[Azure]

Alright, I'll tell you a story that happened to me about 6 years ago.

I was 7 years old when we went for our first trip in 2000. Like anyother kid you would assume that they would be over joyed of going to the parks again and again but me I had a really not so great experience in MK with Space Mountain. I was yelling STOP THE RIDE and screaming at the top of my lungs.

The next day we went to MGM and the first ride we went to was ToT after Space Mountain I never wanted to be in the dark AGAIN! So we headed towards ToT and we came to a stop right in front of it. I slowly looked up at the building which was 6 times the height of it.

The truth is I screamed and screamed and cried because of the dark but the funny part is I enjoyed it because it was meant to be what it was like for a reason... for people to be scared and have fun.

I didn't go on it since and in 6 days I will.... But I know I will survive no matter what because there is magic in my head.

 

[MinnieMouse76]

I rode TOT in 2001 for the first time - and this was also definitely the last time! I couldn't wait for the ride to stop so that I could get off!

Janice

 

[Azure]

Welcome to the DIS! I'd go on it just try it.... 6 years later and i'm ready to face my fear....not spiders

 

[SnackyStacky]

As others have said, it's not really an elevator. My wife's biggest issue is that she thought you were standing. That's not the case. You are very much seated, and belted in.

I agree with the poster who says you may want to continue to skip this ride if you have an elevator-phobia. (I wonder what the clinical term would be! ) I wouldn't feel the least bit guilty about skipping it. I was the butt of MANY jokes because I REFUSED to experience Alien Encounter. I'm sorry, but there's NOTHING I fear more than being tied down and not knowing what to expect. I still don't feel the least bit guilty or ashamed of it!

 

[QuickGold]

It's truely an amazing attraction and the quintessential Walt Disney World imagineering feat. Check out http://www.towerofterror.org for lots of videos to help you get acclimated.

 

[WDWguru]

My motto is to try everything at least once, especially at Disney. I absolutely HATE falling and big drops on coasters (Splash is bordering on too much, but I do ride it) so I was really really freaked out, but I did it. In fact, I did it twice on different trips. After the second ride I confirmed to myself that it was just too much for me and I don't ride it now, but I'm SO glad that I went on it to know for sure. I do still go through the queue and preshow with DH but always ask for the "express" elevator when we get to the CM asking "how many?"

Bottom line - face your fear and try it once. You might love it! And if you don't, you won't have to wonder and you can never do it again.

 

[Tiggerlover48]

I rode it back in 1994 and at that time it only went down - not up!!! I was a little leary about riding it, but someone told me the drop only took about 5 seconds and I thought I can deal with that. And I must admit it was pretty amazing. I remember my husband and I looking at each other realizing we were on longer sitting on the seats and thought that was pretty cool.

I have to admit I have NOT been back on it since. I'm not sure if I like the fact that I will go up and I'm not sure how many time it will do it. I think the uncertainty bothers me. I know I could just suck it up and go.

Our other problem is that I would need my husband to come with me and our DS6 freaked out about every ride we tired to get him on. So I don't know if we will have better luck this time around.

 

[magicmouse2]

You will still be alive if you try it and hate it
I HATE drops full stop but the holographs, theming and whole ride detail are worth it. Plus the feeling of proudness at having conquered it. After a few rides I stopped having severe palpitations and panic attacks. It becomes addictive

 

[doc2b]

We alwats spend the first half of outr day riding it...cool ride....

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

Try a similiar ride at your local amusement parks. You know the ones that blast you straight up and then come down again. Its alot like that except your not in an elevator shaft like the Tot but outside. They even have the little version for the kids (which adults can go on) at six flag NE I think its the tweety/slyvester ride. If you can tolerate the ride in the open, then that's half the battle.

The doors do open (and you get the best view of the park for about 2 seconds) and then the drop and darkness and the up again and the doors open again. Then darkness-- so your not in the dark the whole time.

After 3 drops- I was done but my 5 yo said "its over already" - this was her 1st time on tot.