Tower of Terror newbie

[kailuagirl]

Can someone please explain this ride to me, what's the scare factor? Never been on it and DD(4) isn't scared of anything and she is now tall enough to ride it. I see alot of kids really like this ride. I'm not so worried about her, but me, haha.

Thanks!

 

[krispin41]

I hated it. DH LOVED it. LOL. But basically you get on an "elevator" it takes you up and drops you, shoots you back up and then drops you again.

 

[Vexorg]

A lot of the scare factor to the ride comes from its unpredictability. The ride system randomizes the ride each time, so you know you're getting dropped, you just don't know when or how far.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Its an elevator that goes up to the top of the tower and drops you several times.

 

[emmysmommy]

The theme is that you are entering a hotel from the 1930's that has an elevator that takes you to another dimension. The ride has dark parts and unexpected drops followed by a rapid ascent. My DD didn't like the ride until she was 11 but she is a bit timid.

 

[marcemc]

Its an elevator that goes up to the top of the tower and drops you several times.

And it gets dark before it drops......

I really hate that ride

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

My son is NOT afraid of drops/coasters etc.. But he IS afraid of dark themeing. Like..EASILY spooked.

He was NOT afraid with this ride. Obviously the drops were great for him, but I was worried that the darkness and spooky theme would make him cry. He LOOOOVED it. We were so proud (he was 4) that we bought him a ToT shirt. He still tries to wear it even tho he's 7. ROFL

 

[rowan1813]

For me it was more of the unexpected (not that I didn't know what I was getting into, just more of the don't know when and how many) drops that freaked me out. I was talked into going on the ride even though the person knew I had (severe) problems with heights. I unfortunately came off the ride and almost had a panic attack right outside the souvenir area.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 'themeing' of the ride (I love old Twilight Zone eps!) and wish I could go through the beginning without being able to actually have to ride the elevator. In the "library" area you'll see a video that is supposed to be a lost episode of the Twilight Zone and I think (someone correct me if I am wrong) it is Rod Serling that is narrating like the old eps.

Ultimately if your DD (and you ) are okay with heights and the unexpected drops, then you should be fine!

 

[SilentFeline]

I am a roller coaster fiend, but I don't like free fall rides. However, I knew ToT wasn't exactly a free fall ride, so I thought I might like the thrill factor. I HATED it!!! That being said, I saw many kids in line, and I heard many of them saying it was their favorite ride and that was their 4th or 5th time going on it in a row. In fact, there were so many young kids who loved it that it kind of made me feel foolish and weak for feeling the way I did about it, so it's good to know I'm not the only adult here on the DIS who didn't like it! I don't regret going on it though because I feel that it's something you should try at least once for the experience, particularly if you enjoy thrill rides. YouTube has some ToT videos if you want to get a general idea of what the ride is and how it functions.

 

[kailuagirl]

Thanks! I'm not a drop person, can't stand them. I don't mind going upside, twisting and turning, just can't stand to drop. So guess I'm out on tihs one, DH will have to take her. Thanks for the heads up, I had a feeling I wouldn't like it.

 

[MattsPrincess]

I really don't like drop rides...at all. I was super nervous to have to get on this ride during the Halloween tour. (yeah, I know I didn't "have" to, but I also didn't want to sit outside alone). I LOVED THIS RIDE!!! I laughed the whole time and couldn't wait to get back on. It's my new favorite!

 

[mrslamb]

I don't *mind* drops, but I HATE heights. Somehow, TOT is ok for me. I wouldn't say I LOVE riding it, or even that I look forward to it, but I can handle it, LOL!

 

[jory29]

Thanks! I'm not a drop person, can't stand them. I don't mind going upside, twisting and turning, just can't stand to drop. So guess I'm out on tihs one, DH will have to take her. Thanks for the heads up, I had a feeling I wouldn't like it.

Probably a good call - I am the same way -love California Screamin, and other fast rides - didn't even mind the height of the TOT ride (I have tried it at least 10 or more times) and finally, I decided - I simply don't like it. Love the theming, the storyline, the ride idea - but hate the drops, up and down. Loved the maliboomer though. I DO find that with gravol in my system it is a whole lot easier.

That being said, my husband and son, almost 15 years old, love that ride. I guess it just depends on what your body can endure.

 

[kirstie101]

My DD (will be 5 in January) loves fast rides but can scare fairly easily by spooky or scary things. She rode TOT twice in a row last week! Before she rode we walked over to the ride and I pointed out the top of the tower and explained to her that the ride shot you up to the top super fast then you dropped down and then you shot up again and dropped down again. and she insisted that she wanted to go...After the ride the first time her exact words were "that ride spooked me out" but the next words out of her mouth were "I think I need to ride again." I wouldn't call it her favorite ride but she definitely liked it.

This was the first year she was tall enough for the big rides. Her other favorites this year were BTMRR and Star Tours and Little Mermaid. I would not let her go on Space Mountain since it had the Halloween overlay on it but I think I would have let her ride the normal version.

 

[twopeasonepod]

One of my (gigantic) 5-year-olds is 49", so he is used to going on all kinds of crazy fast, upside down, blast off coasters at Cedar Fair parks. The other loves coasters, too, but is a bit more timid and only 47" so he gets limited anyway.

On ToT, they both are really not happy during the preview where you watch the Twilight Zone in the library. One even makes me cover his ears and eyes. Going through the line is also scary for them with all the cobwebs and old stuff in the "basement" or whatever it's supposed to be.

Once you get on the ride, there is some more scary parts (where you wave goodbye to yourself and where the ghosts appear and beckon you).

But when the ride starts, they are fine! They even make shakas during the pictures hahahahaha! Seriously, they do it on their own!

 

[mydisneymoney]

I LOVE ToT and so do my DH and DS6. My DS wasn't so sure the first time and didn't want to go on it again at our first visit. But he ageed to try it again during our second visit in September and immediately asked to go on it again when we got off. I don't find it spooky at all and if you have your eyes open during the drops you can actually see the wall going by.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I don't like freefall drop rides at all and I was very nervous going on ToT. I did Demon Drop at Cedar Point - never again! But after riding ToT 1x, I immediately ran on again. And again. My first day on ToT and I rode it 5x back to back!

Don't avoid this ride because you think you won't like it. The theming is fabulous and its drops are hilarious because in the dark, it's hard to tell if you are going up or down. It's like eating veggies, you have to take a bite before assuming its yucky.

 

[01spirit750]

I stopped riding it when they added the loop.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I stopped riding it when they added the loop.

What loop. The whole family loves this ride except my closes her eyes. You are really not dropped but pulled down to simulate being dropped. 95% of the ride is the psycological work up.


Jack

 

[juliamollymama]

My DD6 loves, loves, loves this ride and has for past 2 years. She went 3 times a couple weeks ago. My DD9 went once and said never again. I am never really scared on rides, I love roller coasters and crazy rides, but this one gets me. I come off shaking and white and DD6 giggles and smiles through the whole thing. But I "Mommy Up" and go every time since she loves it so much. She wanted to go 6 times a couple weeks ago since we were there for her 6th birthday but I had to cut her off at 3. I just couldn't take anymore!