Tell me about the Tower of Terror harnesses

[DonaldTDuck]

Last year we rode ToT after we watched Fantasmic so it was probably like 10 at night Im assuming. When we put the seatbelts on the CM stood in the doorway and said "pull on the yellow strap to make sure your seatbelt is tight" ya know the routine stuff. But then he said, "If not then thats what the cage is for" and he pointed up. That was the coolest thing. BTW the ride is killer at night. If you have never ridden at night you should.

The first time we rode was at park opening, back in1995. There was fog about 140 feet off the ground, so when the doors opened, fog rolled in. We thought that was the effect. We rode it again in the afternoon. Amazing. Then that night, the trifecta. But the fog was even better than the lights at night. Hope you get to experience that sometime.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Maybe mine wasn't secure enough, because I was out of my seat during each fall. Even my 240 lb. husband said the same thing!

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

From my memory, we were in the 3rd row I think and my DS (almost 17 at the time) was the first in the row, me 2nd and then others not with us past that point. It was my first time and honestly, the air I got really surprised me! My purse wound up above my head! I screamed louder and more than on any ride I have ever been on. When my butt came off that seat--I felt like I was just going to keep going up. The only "handle" that I remember would have been beside where my son was sitting on the end. I tried to grab onto my son but he was having none of it lol Unfortunately for the guy beside me, i grabbed not only his arm, but also his short pants leg-holding on for dear life. After the ride, I apologized to him but I just couldnt help it lol It is now my fave all time time ride, Disney or not.

 

[DebbieB]

I miss the lapbars, you got more airtime! I always hold my arms up, you get more airtime that way! The back row is the best! Love it!

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Maybe mine wasn't secure enough, because I was out of my seat during each fall. Even my 240 lb. husband said the same thing!

50 lbs. or 500 lbs. zero g is zero g.

 

[inkkognito]

BTW the ride is killer at night. If you have never ridden at night you should.

And even better yet if you ride it all ALONE. I was at DHS for a private party when the Idol attraction premiered. Everyone was focused on meeting the celebrities even though the rides were open (that's how I got the pic. of Ruben in my siggie), so I did ToT and was the only one in my elevator. Freaky! I don't get scared easy, but it totally gave me the chills. I went to ride it again, and there was a woman waiting. I asked if I could wait for my own elevator again and she said, "No! Please ride with me." I have to admit, I was actually a little glad she did.

I like the seatbelts. I leave it a little loose and get plenty of air time.

 

[karly05]

Are there handles now? In '99, we had the lap bar (one bar for the whole row). I liked that; it gave me something to hang on to. Although I can see the problem, if you're a small child in a row with some large adults. In '04, we had the individual seat belts; that was scarier, because there was nothing to hang on to. I was in an "aisle" seat toward the center of the elevator, and I had one hand under the side edge of the seat - if there were official handles, I missed them. I do love ToT, but it's about the limit of my scare tolerance.

 

[CLR4321]

It is a snug fitting seat belt that goes across your lap. No over-head restraints are needed, as the only fast part of the ride is when it is going up and down. To be secure on ToT, this is all you need, however some people feel less secure due to not being "enclosed". It's all in their heads though, for those who feel less secure, as an overhead restraint would serve no purpose. You rise up from your seat (just enough to get that fabulous floating feeling!) in the locked seat belt just as much as you would if you were in an over-head restraint, perhaps even less. I believe that the seat belts on ToT have a locking mechanism also that would prevent anyone from unbuckling them while the ride is moving. I haven't tested that one out!
Over-head restraints like what RNR has are there because the ride moves forwards and has parts where the ride brakes a bit for effect as well as drops, so the over-head restraints keep you from being thrown forward and rising up all in one restraint.
ToT is 100% safe as long as you obey the rules of the ride.

 

[Robo]

I believe that the seat belts on ToT have a locking mechanism also that would prevent anyone from unbuckling them while the ride is moving. I haven't tested that one out!

Absolutely true.
Likewise on Soarin,' Star Tours, etc.

Once all belts are latched, they cannot be released until the end of the ride.

I have twice been "stuck" on ToT in the "change-over room" just before your elevator car reaches the main "drop shaft."

We could not unbuckle the belts to leave the stranded elevator until a
maintenance CM arrived with a laptop computer (or similar device) to connect
to a port on the outside of the elevator that allowed the seat-belts to be unlatched.

 

[penguintux]

Thanks so much for the info on the seatbelts!

I just have one more question that has arisen from reading all the responses.. Are there handles to hold onto during the falls?

 

[Boo To You]

Thanks so much for the info on the seatbelts!

I just have one more question that has arisen from reading all the responses.. Are there handles to hold onto during the falls?

Yes, there are.

 

[penguintux]

Yes, there are.

Thanks, Skillet :]

 

[Boo To You]

I would post a picture of them, but alas, I don't have enough posts.

 

[penguintux]

Unfortunate.

Fortunately, you Facebooked one to me. :]