The irony of being terrified by the Tower of Terror

[ellie05]

OP what really bother you in EE? You won't get the g force feeling you get in EE. I love ToT and I am not a fan of RnRR take off or the backwards part of EE. I don't like the G force feeling, but I still ride them because I enjoy the overall theming and that feeling only last a few seconds. I think you should try it DH is prone to motion sickness but he does fine on ToT. It is so much fun!

 

[Skywise]

Drops occur in a random set but you'll know when the set is about to start. The drops are, for the most part, "gentle" and short. By "gentle" I mean it's very smooth and a good part of the drop is the ride decelerating at the end in preparation to take you back up. (Think of it like being on a swing but only going up and down.) Now it's still a drop (and I hate drop rides and the drops on coasters) but it's not as bad as the drop on a coaster.

 

[PlainJane]

I have motion sickness, but it's triggered mostly by cars, not rides. The only rides I ever have an issue with are ones like Star Tours. Sitting stationary, but visually it looks like I'm moving is something my brain just doesn't handle well.

I do not have issues on roller coasters or Tower of Terror. Besides slight nerves sometimes, I like roller coasters, but I do not like outdoor drop towers. The incident, at Six Flags, just confirmed that it's probably for the best. Tower of Terror doesn't bother me because it is enclosed and that makes me feel safer.

 

[pangyal]

OP what really bother you in EE? You won't get the g force feeling you get in EE. I love ToT and I am not a fan of RnRR take off or the backwards part of EE. I don't like the G force feeling, but I still ride them because I enjoy the overall theming and that feeling only last a few seconds. I think you should try it DH is prone to motion sickness but he does fine on ToT. It is so much fun!

Yes, it was the g-force feeling that bothered me. I felt like I was going blind and it was not enjoyable!

Thanks so much everyone for your input. I am still in the fence, but it seems like the actual drops aren't as bad as I thought.

Can anyone give an estimate of how many feet the actual drops are?

 

[Annadesu]

That was my same experience with Expedition Everest. I was so scared of it, but once I rode it, it is now one of my favorite rides.

I was wondering about TOT though. Is the drop sensation similar to Splash or a lot worse. The big drop on Splash Mountain is quick and fast and not even noticeable to me. I could probably do quick drops but not a full 100 ft drop all at once. I tried watching Youtube videos of TOT and people were screaming for a long time.

The thing with TOT is that they drop you a little different every time you go on, so it's not as predictable as Splash. But I personally don't think it's much of a difference in "feeling". The reason people scream more is because it's higher up, and they attempt to spook you on purpose. Splash doesn't do that, as much.

 

[SirMickey]

It's an intense ride, I'd say, by Disney standards. Is it as wild as others at, say, Universal? I'd have to say no, in my opinion. But, the random drops do add to the charm of this ride and make the experience different each time you do it. If you're contemplating it after reading the reviews on the boards here, I say give it a shot! It'll be a memorable experience for you, no doubt.

 

[sunshine1]

Tower of Terror isnt a 'drop' ride.
You are being 'pulled' down.

 

[Mainemama]

I felt sick. I hate Everest, won't do teacups or Star Tours, but can handle any other Disney ride (though can't always do two in a row on Space or RNRC.) my family tried TOT and said, " Mom, you will have no problem, it's fine. It wasn't fine. Too bad, as I love the theming! Wish they had a chicken version to just go up, then sloooowly down!

 

[cassie58]

I tried it for the first time 2 yrs. ago with my kids. I did not feel sick, but was terrified. DD and DS loved it and wanted to go again, but I am content to say I have done it once. We dropped about 5 times, the first time it felt like we went almost to the bottom, then pulled up, and kept dropping, some shorter, some longer. I was just closing my eyes, wondering when it was going to end. I love Splash, and used to do Free Fall ride at G.A., but I guess because you are outside and it's one drop, it is a little scary, but exhilarating. For me, not knowing when it was going to stop and being in the dark was frightening. I usually feel like a ride is easier once you know what to expect, but for this I feel it would be harder to get back on knowing what was about to happen.

 

[Janed]

Tower of Terror isnt a 'drop' ride.
You are being 'pulled' down.

This. I can't ride anything 'spinny'. On our last visit we spent three days at Universal. I had a wrist band that was going to be my ticket to no more motion sickness. It's the kind that sends a minor 'shock' to your wrist and supposedly up the nerve which effects your equilibrium every few seconds. Tried the Harry Potter Gringots attraction and ended up having to close my eyes for most of the ride. Spiderman made me sick. Didn't even consider The Simpsons. Can't ride simulators any more. Star Tours leaves me too ill to enjoy the rest of the park. The Tea Cups would be well beyond me.

However, ToT is my absolute favorite. The theming is perfect, the elevator experience outstanding. I could ride it over and over again.

Whatever you decide it will be what is best for you. Enjoy your trip!

 

[AGoofykindagirl]

I still have not tried Everest or Rock'n Rollercoaster, but I try to do ToT every time I go. I'll be honest- the nervousness I feel in line almost makes me chicken out, but I am always glad I rode it when I get off. I first went on it the year it opened. A CM asked me if I was having doubts getting on it (I always have to ride alone so nobody to chat or worry with). I thought for a moment and said, "If I can handle work, I can handle this!". I say it to myself every time I get in line. I just need to remember for EE and RnR so I can finally say I rode them. Anticipation does not seem to be my friend. The thought of riding it always is worse than the ride itself.
Whatever you decide , I hope your stay is both wonderful and full of magic!

 

[Micca]

We love TOT, it's second only to HM as our favorite ride at WDW. The theming and effects are exquisite, as a bonus it helps if you're a Twilight Zone fan. We laugh during the drops because it's so fun an lifts you out of your seat just a bit. We come off of TOT completely exhilarated.

 

[CarolynFH]

ToT is DH's favorite ride, so I'll ride with him once a trip even though I don't really like it. I usually don't have a problem with motion sickness on ToT (although I can't ride the Tea Cups anymore), but there is one sequence that I call the yoyo because it's a sequence of short drops & lifts that does make me sick. So if you want to give it a try (the special effects are worth it), then don't ride immediately after you eat!

 

[Floridaglen]

I get motion sick on any roller coasters that go upside down, anything that spins so the teacups are the worst and also simulators but TOT is nothing like any of those. Don't even get me talking about Everest, never, ever again. All it feels like, to me anyway, is being on a swing when you were a child. Remember that feeling in your stomach, well it's just like that plus you lift out of your seat slightly, but you are securely fastened in your seat so nothing to worry about. I love it, it's my favourite ride and I'm a complete wimp when it comes to coasters.

 

[Spork24]

I LOVE ToT. I deal queezy on mission space, star tours, Everest (not bad enough to keep me off it). But have never had a problem with the tower. I'm a big believer in try any ride once and find out if you like it. I hope you give it a try and love it!

 

[Shanti]

I get motion sickness on some rides (Mission Space, Tea Cups), but didn't get sick on this one. I was nervous as I'm afraid of heights, so I kept my eyes closed the whole time, which helped. Just keep reminding yourself that the "elevator" is on hydraulics, so it's impossible to really "fall". It just feels that way. I really liked the theming, though.

 

[blestmom]

I used to be absolutely terrified to ride "Tower of Terror." I would sit out when my older kids went on it. But now the youngest is a teen himself, so on my last trip when it was just me and him, I really wanted to be brave and ride it. What helped me was watching YouTube videos of the ride...so that I knew when to expect the first drop. That helped me a lot...and we had so much fun! Now I love the ride! If you have the Magic Band, you get a really neat video of you on the ride, which was so fun to prove to my family that "I did it!!"

 

[a1970model]

When we started going to WDW & Universal, I rode every ride despite my fear. TOT is only ride I "sit out" while my family rides it over and over (during EMH). I can do roller coasters, etc., but I can't handle the falling sensation. I agree with the poster above about it being "gentle"... it's smooth, but it is intense and you're pulled down at a high rate of speed. Sometimes, I forget how much I dislike it and get talked into getting back on it. My kids love to hear me screaming, begging for it to stop, moaning at going back up again, and gasping for air after its over. It is fun, but it is terrifying.

 

[DVCcurious]

ToT is my second favorite ride (after Splash). Everything from the Standby line until you're walking out of the building after the ride is amazing.

I love ToT so much I'd marry it!

 

[MamaMaleficent2016]

My FIL likes to tell the story of his first ride on ToT. He wasn't sure what to expect. It was brand new. He gets on and ...looks over to two CM who have gotten on the ride and are sitting in the steps in the middle. No lap bar. No restraints. He immediately knew it couldn't be too bad! Ha. I really think it's more psychological terror. Ihate roller coasters. I've ridden many at least once but I don't thrill seek. I can't do anything spinny- but ToT is my favorite ride. Good luck!