TOT seating question

[unbroken chain]

Does anyone know what the seating arrangements are in TOT? I read that there is an elevator at the top for those who don't want to ride down?

Do you ride up and down both? Can I ride up with my kids, then take the (non-falling) elevator down, while my kids take the ride down?

And if so, how does the seating work? Do you stay in the same seats or get out at the top and get in another line to another set of seats for the trip down?

Most importantly, can 3 kids sit together on the way down or are the seats 2 by 2? Are the seats REALLY secure for a squirmy 9 year old (other kids are older?)

TIA

 

[ash&abby'smom]

I rode recently, and once you were on the ride you rode it all the way. There wasn't any getting off at the top and switching seats. As far as seating goes, yes three can ride together. There are three rows of seats. First row 2 sets of 3 seats, row 2 2 sets of three seats and the back row has 1 set of 3 seats and on the other side 1 set of 4 seats. At least thats how I remember it. Once you are buckled in, they have you pull on your seatbelt the make sure it is locked in. It will not come unlocked until the ride is over. Hope this made sense.

 

[ChrisFL]

No, there is no going to the top and taking an elevator down...there IS an elevator you can take right before you board which will take you to the exit. This is after one room where you get an introduction of the twilight zone from Rod Serling.

 

[unbroken chain]

Ohhh, thanks. I was thinking the elevator for those who didn't want to ride was at the top. I was hoping I could do half the ride and not the rest! Hmmmm....

Is there anything under your feet or do they just dangle down? Maybe I will try it in a middle row where I can't see/panic too much!!

 

[ash&abby'smom]

Ohhh, thanks. I was thinking the elevator for those who didn't want to ride was at the top. I was hoping I could do half the ride and not the rest! Hmmmm....

Is there anything under your feet or do they just dangle down? Maybe I will try it in a middle row where I can't see/panic too much!!

Your feet don't dangle, there is a floor. Hate to tell you, but it doesn't matter where you sit, you will still see and feel everything. I've ridden in the front and back rows, and I hated both. The seats are elevated like stadium seating. I say try it once. I've done it twice and have no desire to do it again. I hate elevators and the feeling of falling, so this ride isn't for me.

 

[Aimeedyan]

There is a chicken exit - you can go all the way until they are lining your party up to get into an elevator. My great uncle opted out at that point and met us by the photos in the gift shop afterwards. I didn't ask him what it was like to leave but they just showed him the way. You would be able to see the video and wait in line with them.

Yes, 3 people can sit together. It's stadium seating in a 3 sided elevator. I feel very secure in it.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

If you don't think the motion will bother you, give it a try (if it's just a fear thing).

As someone said above, you are in a large, enclosed cage. I'm sure someone can give an exact figure, but I think they hold like 15 people (and the seats are decently roomy). The floor and the bottom half of the whole thing is solid. The only thing you can see out really is the front. Actually, the back row might make you feel the most "secure", as you have the wall right behind you.

The motion is pretty intense, but not insanely so. I've brought my mom and aunt on it (both of whom don't like "thrill rides" - my Mom won't even do Splash Mountain) and they both did it a couple of times and said "it's not so bad".

My vote is to give it a try, at least once. If you don't like it, you don't have to do it again. If your kids want to do it again, you can accompany them all the way through the queue (an experience in and of itself), and take the "chicken" elevator which will take you to where they unload (a different section of the building). You will be standing there right where they get off (though be careful - there is a tight doorway near the elevator I've seen people smack themselves in to many times).

But again, give it a try, just once. Be "brave mom". You may not enjoy it enough to do it again, but at least you can say you survived...

<cue creepy music>

TOWER OF TERROR!!!

LOL.

NED

 

[Straitlover]

If you want to feel a little more "secure", sit on the top row in the corner. You have something to lean your head back on, and you have the wall to one side. Also, you have the one handle on the wall all to yourself and only have to share the one on the other side.

I've always sat on the back row.On my Dec trip, I might try to be brave and sit on the middle row. I'm not ready for the front yet!

 

[Showe]

I rode TOT for the first time w/ DH who said "o, come on - its great and you will love it" NOT SO. I thought I was going to pass out - but quite honestly it was from the "fear" of the unknown and not the ride itself. Second time I rode it was one year later, and by far a better ride. That ride I was right in the front too and I am petrified of heights. But, after knowing what to expect I had a more pleasureable time the second time around. I still screamed my fool head off but now I know that I can do it again !!

 

[3darlings]

I didn't like it at all the first time - I don't like free falls. However, I did again for my kids' sake, and I found that I liked it better each time I did it. Now I am at the point (probably 5 rides) that I really enjoy it. I think there is just an element of the unknown the first time that adds to the fear. My husband, however, has refused to go after he disliked his first time. So even if the first time seems a bit much, try it again, I think you will come to like it if not love it!

 

[hezreck]

I don't like the whole falling part of the ride, but I ride it because the rest of the ride is so cool. The only way I can get through the drops is just to SCREAM!! Screaming relieves the feeling in your stomach. So my advice is go on it and scream your lungs out!

 

[pugcrazy]

ToT is one of my favorite rides. I also do not really like elevators, I don't like the idea of being stuck in an elevator. I love this ride though. The show up to the drop it great! Being able to see the park from the top is Awesome! And the drops are exilerating. Give it a try! (I chickened out of RnR & have been kicking my self ever since! Next time!)

 

[disnut8]

I have personal experience on riding the Express Elevator on Twilight Zone (aka as the "chicken exit"). As of May, I cannot ride the ride anymore due to neck problems. Before that, it was a favorite attraction. After May, I go through the preshow and then through the boiler room with my husband. Those are the parts I really enjoy anyway and well worth going through up to that point. When we get to the seater person and they ask how many, we just say "one to ride, one to leave". The one to leave is directed to the Express Elevator and the one to ride goes to the other elevators as directed.

I rode up with a cast member and she walked us (there was a mother and her two daughters who opted out right after the preshow) out and down a short hallway to some recessed benches to wait for the rest of our party. I had time for one walk around the gift shop and my husband was off the ride. Very easy and painless.

Quite frankly, the preshow and the boiler room is enough to scare the daylights out of someone.

 

[Showe]

sort of off topic - but the last time I rode TOT it was just DH and myself. We got to the boiler room area and there was a mother and father with their son who was probably about 6-7. He was hysterical. He was crying and yelling please don't make me go on it - please don't make me go on it.....we stood in line for about 5 minutes listening to this poor child. Mom and dad just kept saying, "oh you'll be fine - you're going to love it". At this point, my fear became so insignificant. I just kept thinking about this poor child. as we entered the ride and the doors closed, I could still hear the little guy crying. I did not see them when we got off the ride but that image has haunted me for some time now.

Okay, otherwise if you think you can handle it you should try it at least once.

 

[BillSears]

Here's a picture of a mostly empty elevator. It wasn't real crowded that day and we got to ride one all by ourselves.

 

[Blythep]

My advise as are others is to try it once. I did and said I woundn't ride it again (2005). In 2006 DH asked me again if I would try it again and I concented. The first time I rode it we ended up in the front row, middle (only one handle to hold on to) the one in the isle is an indention. I hated that position. In 2006 we rode again and I was on the back row in the corner. I loved it, still screamed all the way through the ups and downs but felt much more secure. The second time I rode, I was in the middle, still ok, but I like the back row best. I will ride again in May of 2007, can't wait!!

 

[unbroken chain]

Thanks everyone!! I think I will give it a try (once!!). I guess I can request a certain row, right (letting people behind me go ahead if that row is already full in that car and waiting for the next one)?

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

As you can see in Bill's picture, there are 3 rows of seats, with 3 on one side, and 4 on the other. Each elevator holds a grand total of 21 people.

 

[twinz]

Just keep in mind, It's Disney and "he" won't do anything to hurt you. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this ride, has to be one of my absolute favourites.

 

[Remember The Magic]

i once spent an entire day in MGM just going on TOT over and over again, my total is about 300 times now!