Talk me into ToT

[southernbella]

Hi, I am proud to say, after trying on 3 different trips & chickening out, I am no longer a TOT virgin! I feel the same way you do, petrified of falling elevators (falling off of anything!).

I ended up riding it 3 times in a row. Yes, I still got scared every time, but that's the point. It's not a "real" elevator like other posters said, it's a ride. Got into the ride reminding yourself of that. Trust me, once the drops start, you won't have much time to think your fears (you're too busy having fun)!

I will say to you the same thing I tell my DDs. Don't ride something you don't want to ride. Mickey just wants you to have fun! Sbella

 

[Teacher03]

ToT scares me to death, but I love it! Every time we go on it, my stomach is in knots....yet it is my favorite ride. My son (19) has been to disney twice since ToT opened, and he refuses to ride it. If you can get up the nerve, I would give it a try. Good luck!

 

[Nedebpats]

Five years ago I went to WDW with my son and 5 yr old grandaughter, we went into TOT and I was petrified, I went out the chicken out elevator. Couple days later my 5 Yr old grandaughter told me how much she loved TOT and would I please try it. I figured if a 5 yr old can ride so can I. Well that was my 1st and last ride on TOT, my son even bought the picture because he said my face of terror was priceless. I hate that feeling of leaving my seat during the falls that is why I won't ride splash mountain either. I have ridden Space mountain and enjoyed that but I won't try RRC either.

Guess I am not the one to talk you into trying it.

 

[bushdianee]

I ALSO AM NOT A ROLLER COASTER PERSON BUT I DO RIDE MOST OF THEM AT DISNEY (NOT RRC THOUGH). I WILL RIDE TOT ONCE ON EVERY TRIP TO WDW. I HAD A FUNNY EXPERIENCE ON TOT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. I HAD A BOTTLE OF WATER ON A STRAP AROUND MY NECK. I WAS HOLDING IT BETWEEN MY KNEES WHEN ON THE LAST DROP IT SUDDENLY "FLOATED" STRAIGHT UP AND WAS FLOATING IN THE AIR. IT WAS REALLY FUNNY AND A LITTLE EERIE SEEING IT JUST FLOATING IN THE AIR. i WAS ABLE TO REACH OUT AND GRAB IT BEFORE IT HIT ME IN THE FACE!

 

[suezb]

I'm scared of elevators falling, and even when driving on certain roads my stomach does flips. However, I keep thinking I need to ride this ride. But the more I read about it, the more I'm getting scared! Like the random drops, my stomach's going to be deserting me!
Any suggestions on how not to scare myself out of riding this in the next 4 months!?

 

[richs52]

I agree with the others, Do it, Do It, DO IT!

The ride is so much more than just the drops. It is a truely well done ride from the time you get in line, until the exit. Try it once!

 

[karenloo]

After years of refusing to try ToT, I finally did it last week for the first time and I'm proud of myself for breaking out of my comfort zone and doing it. My husband and three boys had ridden first, without me, and were begging me to go on with them. I had forgotten that the ride is programmed to be different throughout the day, and it turns out my ride with them was WAY more intense than the ride they'd done without me! About six or seven drops, where they had only three their first ride. Wow, what a rush. I'm not a rollercoaster person and I can't do anything that goes upside down, but I can handle the straight drops, like with Splash. So I figured I'd bust out of my wimpyness (is that a word?) and just go for it. I have to say, I'm not sure I'd ride it again because it did give me a headache. It wasn't the dropping, but the rushing upward that did me in. A couple advil fixed me right up and it didn't interfere with my day at all, and I am still very proud of myself for conquering my fear. BUT, that's a decision everyone has to make for themselves obviously.

 

[Tam1067]

If you have a fear of elevators, do not do this ride, regardless of what others tell you. I, too, fear elevators and really anything associated with heights. I went on ToT because DH and DS who went before me assured me it was a great ride that I would love. I HATED it. I was terrified. I know it's irrational, but it doesn't matter, and while I realize the experience is fun for most people, I'm not one of those people. Although I can't speak for you, I would advise others who are like me to avoid it.

 

[DisneyWorldWisher]

I wouldn't ride it if you were afraid. I was afraid of rollercoasters and it was terrible when I rode one.

If your that afraid of elevators, don't ride it.
I wouldn't ever do anything with spiders.

 

[Amphigorey]

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.

The Hollywood Tower Hotel is a beautiful place. The air of decrepit grandeur, of Hollywood glamour gone to seed, is magnificent. Given that, I think you should at least walk through the queue and the library if you haven't already.

The attraction itself is a credit to the creativity of the Imagineers. The effects are spectacular, and even the simplest ones (the starfield doors, for example) are beautifully done.

If it makes you feel better about the elevator *SPECIAL EFFECTS SPOILER ALERT*




it doesn't exactly move between shafts on its own. The car actually moves into a cage, another vehicle, when it enters the main drop shaft. Speaking of dropping, the Tower doesn't technically drop you, either; it pulls you down. Which means your falls are very precisely controlled.

 

[JPN4265]

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.

Take a deep breath, and have a great time. You will love this ride.

 

[3kidz4dis]

After years of refusing to try ToT, I finally did it last week for the first time and I'm proud of myself for breaking out of my comfort zone and doing it. My husband and three boys had ridden first, without me, and were begging me to go on with them. I had forgotten that the ride is programmed to be different throughout the day, and it turns out my ride with them was WAY more intense than the ride they'd done without me! About six or seven drops, where they had only three their first ride. Wow, what a rush. I'm not a rollercoaster person and I can't do anything that goes upside down, but I can handle the straight drops, like with Splash. So I figured I'd bust out of my wimpyness (is that a word?) and just go for it. I have to say, I'm not sure I'd ride it again because it did give me a headache. It wasn't the dropping, but the rushing upward that did me in. A couple advil fixed me right up and it didn't interfere with my day at all, and I am still very proud of myself for conquering my fear. BUT, that's a decision everyone has to make for themselves obviously.

You sound like my husband and he is not sure if he should go. (we are leaving in 10 days). He does not do roller coasters but thought might try this one because the drop would not make him sick. BUT does it go up and down and up and down at all? That park will make him sick? Does it have any of the motions that would make him motion sick other than the drop itself?

 

[Tam1067]

Take a deep breath, and have a great time. You will love this ride.

Please don't assume someone will have a great time. As I posted before, I have a fear (yeah, it's probably a phobia) of heights and drops. Regardless of the mechanics of the attraction, the sensation was truly awful for me and in no way enjoyable. As I said before, some people (those like me) will HATE the experience and therefore will not have fun.

While many (most maybe) people like it, please don't oversimplify the issue. I know my phobia is irrational, but that just doesn't matter. If you don't like the thought of a huge drop, then you probably won't like this ride and should steer clear. There are plenty of other great attractions to enjoy.

 

[SnackyStacky]

You sound like my husband and he is not sure if he should go. (we are leaving in 10 days). He does not do roller coasters but thought might try this one because the drop would not make him sick. BUT does it go up and down and up and down at all? That park will make him sick? Does it have any of the motions that would make him motion sick other than the drop itself?

After boarding the ride, your vehicle will ascend a floor or two. The doors will open, and you will watch a Twilight Zone scene. You will then continue to ascend another few floors. The doors will open, and your vehicle will switch to the drop shaft. In making the switch, the ride vehicle will move in a forward motion, VERY slowly, over a short distance. It's very similar to the motion experienced on the Fantasyland dark rides (Snow White, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh) Once you're in the drop shaft, you will then experience the climax of the ride. (The dropping, and raising in rapid succession)

The short of it is that with the exception of the switch to the drop shaft, it moves EXACTLY like an elevator (albeit a LOT faster at the end )