Tower of Terror question

[stefani_]

Hello everyone

I've been reading up on the ToT and learned that the only restraint is a seatbelt which seems kind of scary to me eek:!!!) I know there used to be a lap bar and some people have commented that there are bars on the side, but these comments were very dated, so I was wondering if someone could give me a current comment about whether there is anything (bars etc.) on the sides or something to hold onto??

I'm 18 but I don't think I would go on it if there was just the seatbelt and nothing to hold onto Maybe I'd put my hands up and enjoy the ride eventually... but not on my first go, and alone!! (I've been to WDW twice in the last 2 years but skipped ToT both times. I always ride thrill rides alone because my mom won't do them with me. But I really want to try it next time!)

TIA

 

[umichigan10]

it's a seat belt, but it's very tight. Also there's bars to hold onto that are next to the seats (one on each side) to grip onto so you don't go flying out of your seat. Also, I believe the middle of each row has a bar in front of them to hold onto but I can't be sure.

ToT is my favorite ride, and there's so much to it besides the drops (there aren't that many drops to begin with) give it a shot

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

You are secured with a very safe seat belt, the buckle locks when the ride starts and you cannot undo it until the ride ends. There are bars you can hold onto on both sides of you, they are attached right next to your seat, so if you were to feel right next to your lap, you would feel the bars. I have never felt unsafe in that ride, it's one of my favorites at Disney. Enjoy!

 

[DustyPixie]

Yes, there are bars at your sides and in front of you in most seating areas. The seatbelt holds you in enough, though. When you drop, you are sometimes float just above your seat for a second, but it never feels like you aren't secure. Just a momentary thrill, and then your seat and your butt meet once again!

ToT is awesome, and while it is a thrill ride, it's so much fun and you never actually feel like you are in danger. The ride is computerized and hydraulically operated so that it's never actually a free fall. It's very safe, but so much fun!! Don't stress. Just enjoy!!!

 

[Rhonna]

The seat belts are actually more restrictive than the old bars. In the past, if you had someone larger next to you or managed to put your bag in front of you (w/o a CM catching it) you would end up with space between you and the bar and could get some great lift off - actually get your bottom off the seat - on the drops. Unfortunately, the seat belts don't allow for that leeway.

As someone said, there are also strong metal bars on both sides of your hips that you can hold onto if you want that feeling of extra security.

This is NOT an unsafe ride. And it's one of my favorites. Go and enjoy it!

 

[fizbobunny]

And all of the seats are in a box... meaning there is walls on the side and a "ceiling" on top so you don't have that feeling like you will just fall out. I think the seatbelts are way more secure than the bar was. I rode one time with my sister when they still had the bar. She was young and tiny. The guy next to us was really tall and his knees kept the bar from coming down. I had to hold my sister down into the seat to keep her in place.

 

[stefani_]

Thanks everyone!! I just watched some Youtube videos too. I think I'm ready for it next time, very excited I can't believe kids younger than 5 are brave enough to go on this ride !!!

 

[Mary976]

I rode this ONCE with DD and was scared out of my mind, but I never had any safety concerns. The belts hold you in well and I fixed a death grip on the handles next to my seat.

Mary

 

[dcarjn]

Yeah, the belt holds you in real well. I try to keep it a little lose for the extra thrill of floating for a few seconds, but either the CM makes me tighten it or it retracts automatically. But even when I get away with being a little lose, there is no chance of falling out of the seat belt.

 

[brightvalleyjrts]

My son was 4 when he rode this and totally loved it!! Now my 7 year old not so much. LOL!!

 

[1971DBday]

My youngest DD5 was 4 last year and it was her first time riding ToT....it is now her favorite ride in WDW!!!! We rode it 9 times last year and by the way I have a fear of falling. I was numb by the 9th time...but my heart still starts to beat fast thinking of going on it again this year.

The seat belt is plenty. DH and I were nervous for DD5 because she is so tiny (40" and about 33 lbs. last year) but she was fine. At first we both kept and arm on her but by the 9th time we realized she was fine on her own.

She laughed and giggled the whole time and adults who were shocked she was going on were giving her high fives and congrats out of amazement. (She was at BBB that morning and had her Belle dress on - it looked funny.)

Have fun...you will be fine.

 

[disneychic2]

I love ToT and am so glad you've decided to give it a try. Even if you are a solo rider, you don't really feel alone on this ride. Enjoy!

 

[kaligal]

It's not that scary a ride.

But if you don't feel comfortable riding with only a seat belt, don't ride it. That's easy enough. Plenty of other things to do.

 

[ThreeBeans]

On average, only 8 people annually are flung to their deaths from the highest point of ToT due to not being held in securely enough.

Given the number of people who ride that ride every day, those odds seem reasonable

If you are very skinny, though, you might want to embark on a diet of soda and cheeseburgers before you go, just to give the seatbelt something to grab

 

[larryz]

I'm 18 but I don't think I would go on it if there was just the seatbelt and nothing to hold onto Maybe I'd put my hands up and enjoy the ride eventually... but not on my first go, and alone!!

Go anyway -- there's usually someone sitting next to you, and you can always grab onto them if it gets too scary.

Seriously. I've been on multiple rides where ladies on either side of me who couldn't find anything else to grab, grabbed ME!

They usually apologize right afterward, with a slightly embarassed look, and it's always "no harm, no foul."

I should probably learn that phrase in Portugese...

 

[MisWal]

I rode this ONCE with DD and was scared out of my mind, but I never had any safety concerns. The belts hold you in well and I fixed a death grip on the handles next to my seat.

Mary

This is me exactly. Right down to the scared out of my mind!

 

[MikeOhio]

considering that in over 10 years no one has ever fallen out I'm assuming the seat belts are pretty safe.

 

[aaylasecura]

Also, on the seatbelt, there is this yellow loop that you can grasp onto. That's what I usually use.

 

[DebbieB]

I miss the lap bars, you used to get some great air time. I've found you get a better sensation if you hold your arms up during the fall and look up. Awesome

 

[brokenzipper]

Is it true that there is a certain seat known as a jump seat or a seat that give you more of a butt off the seat feeling. I thought I had read that on these forums somewhere but can't find it now. I would like to avoid that seat next time. I believe I was in it 2 years ago and I can never remember being as terrified like that before. Lol