Tell me about ToT

[chickybanky]

I've never been on it, but I'm debating on whether to try it in April or not!

I love going upside-down, spins, corkscrews, etc., but I'm not a huge fan of the sudden freefall - anyone been on Freefall at Magic Mountain? I HATE that ride! Is that what ToT is like?

What about my DD (4)? Would you even attempt to bring a 4 y.o. on it?? Is there a height requirement?

 

[DSNY4ever]

Hmm ToT...I can only explain it as amazing! But for someone who doesn't like drops this might not be the best choice. I haven't been on the drop ride at Magic Mountain, but I have been on similar ones. ToT is not one big drop it is multiple ups and downs (each ride has a slightly different sequence). There is usually one big drop and several smaller ups and downs. I know some people who get scared on other drop rides like ToT better because there is a lot to look at and distract you from the thought of dropping. But if it is the sinking feeling you don't like, then that won't be avoided on this ride.

I find the Maliboomer scarier just because the feet dangling and being out in the open is a little creepier to me...even creepier than ghosts in an old hotel!

 

[DSNY4ever]

...and oh yeah I sat next to a four year old last time I rode (I have never seen a kid that young ride it), and he didn't make a peep the whole time, and he had a shocked face as I saw him walk out, but he seemed fine. I guess you'd have to know what your kid can handle. If she does alright on drops like Pirates and Splash Mountain, and doesn't get scared at things like It's tough to be a Bug 3-d, then maybe give it a try... If not, definitely skip it!

 

[bumbershoot]

I think the height is 40". My son could go on it (he's under 4), and is intrigued by it, but won't go.

It doesn't really feel like a free fall to me. I once went on a maliboomer type thing at Great America and I hated hated hated that. First, felt like it was going to just go off into space, and second the fall was just awful.

But for some reason, I feel that it feels controlled. And you have that nice floor under you. To me, you're just in a room going up and down. I have an elevator in my apt building, and that thing scares me more than TOT, because I know that Disney takes care of their stuff, but we also know that we got the cheapest elevator the company makes (it's amazing what the maintenance people will share with talkative folks!) and it's had some issues. And I"m only on the 2nd floor of my building!

To me it's fine. Exhilarating, takes your breath away, and try to NOT have any bags with you, and if you do hold on to them!

 

[Mouse13]

I would love to ride ToT and I really think that I would like it but DS won't go for it so DH and I can't ride together. It makes me nervous but I want to give it a try but I just don't want to go it alone. Maybe someday......

 

[kkheburn]

I rode it a few weeks ago and hated it! I was burried into my husbands arm the whole time I wanted to cry when I got off!

 

[disney-super-mom]

I would not take a 4 year old on it unless she is a very adventurous, thrill seaking type.

I took my 8 year old DS on it for the first time in October, and he didn't like it at all. He sat there stoned faced the whole time. And he's actually pretty adventurous. It's the only ride he's been on that he didn't like. I'm not sure which part scared him the most, the story or the falling?

He's the only one in the entire elevator with that scared stiff look on his face, while everyone else has their arms in the air with big ol' smiles on their faces. It's an hilarious picture, so of course we had to buy it.

 

[ballarinamom]

The ride actually pulls you down instead of a free fall. That way you actually fall FASTER than a free fall. Even with the seat belt on, my butt comes out of the seat because we are dropping faster than gravity. I wouldn't take a 4 year old on it. My DD is very adventurous and tall for her age- 49 inches tall. I think it's too much for her.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I have been on both and ToT is no comparison, IMOP, since FF changes position in respect to the drop(2 secs, 82 ft) and you wind up on your back, ToT is just a very smooth quick, elevator ride. The mental spookiness gets more people than the drop and you are inclosed in a elevator shaft. Very fun ride, and even more fun if you get into the mental aspect.

John

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I skipped it last trip, it's alright but I don't like that feeling in my stomach. My DD went last Sept. (she was barely 40 inches) she'll be 5 in July, I stayed behind with my not quite 1 year old (at the time) nephew. My mom loves the ride ~ my DS (almost 8) doesn't like it so much. Our next trip will just be the 3 of us ~ I don't know that we'll go on it.

 

[DoomBugger]

Freefall is a real drop where Tower of Terror electronically pulls you. Great, great ride and sometimes the only real reason I want to enter CA.

Unless you are really squimish go for it, such a great Disney attraction.

 

[Nomi]

I too am a very big fan of all thrill rides, but I have a dislike of drop rides. ToT is one of my favorite rides I have ever been on, if not my absolute favorite.

But to call the ToT a 'drop ride' would be like calling a daimond a peice of mud. It's an absolutly awesome experience, and I would recomend it to anyone. However, I'm not sure about how a four year old would handle it (the youngest person I rode with was 9, but she LOVED it). From what I've heard, the story, pre-film, themeing, ect. scares the little ones more than the drop does. I'm not expert in what to do with kids.

 

[mrs.beast]

I was scared but took my DD4 on it when we went in Dec. It scared her, but she loved it. The worst for her was falling in the dark. She didn't mind the falling, but was freaked about the dark. I hid her eyes for the scary faces in the mirror (wasn't sure what was coming, but knew it could be scary) so we avoided that scary part. As someone who is very afraid of heights, and drop rides, I was not scared at all. I would even ride it again. I have ridden the old drop ride at Great America and was terrified, so I will not even try the new one, but TT was actually fun.

 

[pixiewings71]

My DD was 6 her first time. She LOVED it!!! I didn't ride it, neither did her older sister. LOL But, I've been riding it much more since we got our AP's and now.....I'm going to say this for the first time....it's one of my favorite rides!!! It really is! I seriously love it!! I have a major fear of heights/falling, mostly it's the falling part but I don't like heights much either and I love ToT. If you're really scared but determined ask the CM for a seat in the back and sit on the inside. You really feel more enclosed that way.

 

[bumbershoot]

The fact that you're pulled is probably why I do NOT get the heart-in-the-throat feeling. That's probably why I felt it was very controlled. I loved the floating feeling, but it was very odd to watch my shopping bag and camera bag/purse go up up up up and up some more!

 

[mama2twoluvbugs]

my 6 yr old was barely 4 the first time he rode and LOVED it and still does....I am a huge fan as well, my best advice is to try it yourself first to judge how you think she will handle it, you know your child best...good luck and have fun!

 

[Mrs. Bee]

I HATE HATE HATE this ride. I've been on it twice at DCA and once at MGM at Disneyworld.

I think part of the reason it is so horrible is that I don't know exactly when the drops are comming. The doors open up and the ride vehicle bounces slightly until it drops us. My hands are sweating just thinking about it.

The first time I went on it...I had my head buried in what I thought was my husbands shoulder. It was the strange man on the other side of me. I was too scared to even scream. I thought I was going to pass out actually.

The second time (a year or so later) I decided to give it another shot. Hated it just as much.

The third time was at MGM last month. I wanted to go on it for two reasons, it's slightly different than the one at DCA and has an added scene...and because my husband loves it. I hated it almost as much as the one at DCA. They have handles between the seats to hold onto...but I couldn't hold the one on my right because there was a large woman's behind covering it. When I wasn't holding my breath, I was screaming at the top of my lungs and/or yelling "I hate this!!!"

All three times when we got off I had to sit down because my legs were shaking so much. I do NOT like the feeling of being pulled to the ground. I don't like that my stomach ends up in my throat. I don't like it at all.

So far it is the only Disney ride that I truly do not like (although I have yet to ride the Death Wheel (sun wheel) or the maliboomer.) California Screamin', Rock N Rollercoaster, Expedition Everest....those I can handle. This one...not so much.

 

[Tink208]

I like ToT, but will not go anywhere near Maliboomer or any open drop type ride. The whole theming of ToT helps distract from the scariness of the drop (or pull, as the previous posters indicated). The first time I rode it, I went with a 13 year old and an 8 year old (friends' kids) and the younger one loved it but the older one was a mess when we got off the ride. This past November, my family all rode it and my 5 and 1/2 year old loved it but the 11 year old definitely did not like it. I think it must really depend on the child. My younger one is definitely the thrill seeker, while his big brother is a bit more cautious.

 

[DoomBugger]

I like ToT, but will not go anywhere near Maliboomer or any open drop type ride.

I used to love the Maliboomer, been on it countless times until that girl in Kentucky lost both her feet on the same type of ride. I have not been on it since and I'm just basically over it.

The Tower of Terror is just a total blast. The theming and story setup is just brilliant too and the best part to me (besides the actual thrill part) is that the story is vague and doesn't provide any answers or resolutions... Total Twilight Zone! Doo Dee Doo Dee..

If you think about it too it is really kinda neat that the ride is kinda like a tribute to Mr. Rod Serling who is one of the most influential figures in American Television history and pop culture of the 20th century in general.

Hail to the legend of Rod Serling!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

He's the only one in the entire elevator with that scared stiff look on his face, while everyone else has their arms in the air with big ol' smiles on their faces. It's an hilarious picture, so of course we had to buy it.

ROFL!! When we went to WDW, it was about 6 months before TOT opened at DCA. We really knew very little about it, and so we got on it. DD was 6 then, and had that same stone faced look on her face!!! DH is laughing, my head is turned so I am looking at DD. It is a hilarious picture. It made an awesome scrapbook page!!!!

When we got off, I swear DD didn't speak for a full minute. Her first words?

"Can we get back in line?"