Tower of Terror v Parachutes

[jillrobinson]

I've ridden the parachutes several times but have never plucked up the courage to ride ToT and I'm wondering how do they compare ?

and what are your thoughts on RC Racer, again I've managed to wriggle out of that one too.

I admit I'm a bit of a wimp, I have ridden all the coasters at DLP,wouldn't rush back to do SM again, but I would do RnR at a push and I love Indianna Jones and BTM.

OH loves the big rides and really wants to do ToT but won't go on them on his own, the boys aren't fussed, so I need to do this one with with him and to be honest I'm desperate to go inside the hotel for a look around.

 

[Tink'sMum]

Am interested in the replies too! DS (6 at the time) wanted to do ToT last time and I was too chicken!

 

[giuly09]

IMO you can't compare Parchutes and ToT, ToT is designed to scare if it makes sense so everything from the moment you get into to the pre-show and the CM's themselves do their best so you arrive on the ride pretty worried about what's going on lol
Then the drops of ToT are a lot quicker then the ones on Parachutes.
Just to say, i nearly ate the Hello kitty pendant on my necklace last time i was there because it jumped into my mouth lol

I love ToT but every time it starts, well i feel that certain *something* in my stomach...

 

[micksn]

No comparison! ToT makes me scream loudly and close my eyes, I've done it twice at WDW and once at DLP and am looking forward to it this time! I like all the other coaster, but just don't fancy RC racer - think it would make me feel sick Parachutes was really very gentle and pleasant in comparison.

 

[wmoon]

Call me a weirdo......but I would rather ride tot than parachutes!

Parachutes terrifies me, I feel far to exposed, I grin and bear it as I don't want to put my 5 year old off, but it's clenched teeth, white knuckles and closed eyes all the way!

I love tot... DS is keen to try it this trip, not sure about that......

 

[giuly09]

Call me a weirdo......but I would rather ride tot than parachutes!

Parachutes terrifies me, I feel far to exposed, I grin and bear it as I don't want to put my 5 year old off, but it's clenched teeth, white knuckles and closed eyes all the way!

.

Ditto!! Nothing scares me more than Dumbo and Flying Carpets as i feel i am too much exposed and - as i use too say - i can see very well the way down.
I am much pelased to see i am not the only one

 

[zanzibar138]

Let me start by saying I love rollercoasters But I'm generally not a fan of rides that just drop.

TOT is the scariest ride I've been on. When I went on it at DLR, it was the first time in years I'd been genuinely scared and screamed on a ride - usually I just giggle Having said that, I'm planning to ride it again.

I haven't done the parachute drop, so I can't compare those two, just letting you know how I found TOT.

Just wondering what your OH has against going on rides alone? Really, once you're actually strapped in and going, you don't really notice who's sitting next to you - it's not like you have a conversation while you're going around or anything. And he'd probably be able to get on quicker as well!

I've heard that there's a chicken exit in the US versions of TOT - I imagine this would be the case at DLP too. That way, you could wait with OH and see all the theming, but not have to actually ride the ride Maybe just give the CMs a heads-up on what your plan is.

 

[DLPDreams]

I love ToT - my fave 'adult' ride. As we had VIP FP on the last trip, we decided we would take the girls on ToT . They are 4 and 7! DD2 was just tall enough (she is very tall for her age and could get on BTM too). We decided to have a go as they had been on BTM countless times by this point in the trip, and it seemed the faster/hairier the better .

However, ToT was a different matter for them - it is meant to be scary - the whole place itself, the video preshow etc - but then if that sort of thing doesn't bother you, you will probably be fine. Just the suspense of waiting outside the lift is tense/scary!

We didn't get to do Parachutes as we only did a few hours stretched over a couple of days in WDS and the queues were always too long for it. Honestly, I must be one of the only people, but TSPL just didn't live up the expectations if I'm honest - it just seemed packed in . We much prefer the shows at WDS to the rides (other than ToT!).

I would give it a go if I were you. It is amazing. The first two times I went on it, something funny happened though (fortunately neither were with my girls).....

The first time it broke down mid drop (I'm not convincing you here, am I!). We were about 30 feet from the floor and were stuck for about 10 mins until a maintenance man came They nearly had to get a staircase to us to get us off!

The second time, I had DH on my right and an unknown man on my left (on his own). He got such a fright at the drop that he clung onto my thigh and obviously didn't even know he was doing it as his hand stayed there for most of the drops and became more constricting!! Afterwards he barely looked at me but looked very red . I just wanted to laugh but couldn't obviously! So, perhaps you could go on with your OH just in case!!

 

[iuil]

I'm going to force myself to do the Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster, RC Racer and Space Mountain this time so I'll have no excuse for when DD2 (my mini adrenalin junkie) reaches the minimum height for them ...

Tink's Mum, I'll need you to hold my hand

 

[Tink'sMum]

Don't forget Indiana Jones!

 

[Ware Bears]

I think if you'll ride IJ, SM and RnR then you'll find ToT a breeze. No way would I ride anything that tips me upside down but I love BTM and ToT.

The experience is basically the same as the parachutes but much more intense, you'll certainly discover those butterflies in your tummy and find you've left your scream behind at the top but I love, love, love the ride. You'll feel perfectly safe as each seat has a lap belt (which they didn't have when we first rode this in WDW ) and there are handles to hold on to either side of your seat although if you look at the ride photos very few people feel the need to hold onto them. Ask to sit at the back the first time - the front row gives a better experience but save this for the next time you ride ..... as I'm sure you will.

 

[DLPDreams]

Ask to sit at the back the first time - the front row gives a better experience but save this for the next time you ride ..... as I'm sure you will.

The CM insisted that we sat in the front row with our girls.... not sure why (you know the way they pick the numbers beforehand to tell you where you sit, he said "the little princesses must sit in the front row for safety?"..... not sure what that was all about then. But other times I've been on minus kiddies, we've been at the back (thigh grabbing incident!) and also in the middle. And yes, I agree the front was the worst as you can see so much better and the film bit is up much closer!! Probably not the best place to initiate my children . Needless to say, they don't fancy going on again. Thankfully, my Mum can babysit next trip so that DH and I can ride together .

Jill - dying to hear if you go for it.....

 

[jillrobinson]

1) Remove jewellery
2) Sit at the back
3) Avoid sitting next to strange men (OH excluded)

I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it.....................................................................................................

When I said I've ridden Space Mountain it was just the once and I had no option, I previously told OH I would do it and then 1 morning during EMH the boys were doing Buzz for about the dozenth time, I said I didn't want to go in again and OH noticed SM was operational, it was the best laxative I've ever had in my life and I'm one of those people who won't normally "go" in a hotel room let alone in a public loo, but thank god for those ones by the Nautilus. After the ride I rushed around to buy my photo and the booth was closed - Aaaarggh!!!

 

[IsobelJackmummy]

I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it.....................................................................................................

You will love it! I was the same before I rode this for the first time, in WDW. I love roller coasters, but hate anythng that drops you. This isnt like that at all, its more about the overall experience, which starts as soon as you enter the hotel. it's FAB!

 

[adr2.8i]

simply no comparrison......parachutes is much worse than TOT, but RC is the worst of the lot!

i hate TOT but its a ride u must have to do everytime u go to DLRP. the theming and the building up to the ride.......the wait in the que........the lift operators.........ooooooooo its just so spine chillingly awesome!!! when im on the ride i scream louder than the women!! everytime i go on it i do think im gonna die!!! when the ride finishes, you just cant help but laugh and shake uncontrollably!

 

[scampbunny]

jill.... i love tot - both boys.... not so keen lol
have only been thru the 'hotel' once, but found it very scary - hence y ds1 doesnt like it lol they do a good story with twilight music etc and it is designed to scare!

the ride i love, i love the feeling of my stomache being in a diff place lol ive only ever sat in the middle for the 3 times ive ridden so cant help on the seating - but wud love to b in the front....

also - id imagine doing it at night wud b an experience, seeing the view lit up....

go for it - at least then u can make an informed decision on what u think - and do come back and let us all know!!!

 

[A Small World]

Im another one who hates riding anything that goes upside down but loves TOT.

Ive never done SM, Crush, RRC or IJ at DLP as I was always too scared but have done SM in California as it doesnt go upside down and love it.

I cant compare it with Parachutes as Ive not been to DLP since they opened (Yes its been that long) but I think the fact its in the dark so you cant see makes it more exciting but also in some ways less scary as well as you cant really see the ground below while you are dropping.

There is a chicken exit as someone mentioned so you could always queue for the experience and then chicken out. The first time I rode it I had intended to do this but sort of changed my mind at the last minute and decided to risk it - I sort of chickened out of chickening out

Oh and yes Ive also been stuck on it - at the top for approx 20 mins - alone and in the dark. The doors kept opening and we kept expecting to drop and didnt and the doors opened again and again.
In the end they switched the lights on and a CM appeared telling us all to stay seated. They then lowered us very slowly and gently to the ground.
They then offered us the chance to ride it again in another lift but I declined - I think the sight of the firemen waiting for us to exit made me rather wary.
I have riden it again though despite saying at the time Id never do it again

 

[jillrobinson]

We did the London Dungeons, so that drop (all 20 foot of it) was made to be scary and it was in the dark, I think I'll be alright with that bit, it is just the drop itself that bothers me, but I've kind of persuaded myself (with all your help) that actually it will be a "nicer" than the parachutes having a floor and being enclosed.

I really appreciate all your views, I'm still not sure either way, if I do ride it, it'll probably be an instant no going back decision.

The first time I rode IJ, it was running backwards and I thought I was going to die on it, it took a lot of persuasion to get me back onto it after it started running forwards again but I do really love it now, so who knows !

 

[DLPDreams]

The first time I rode IJ, it was running backwards and I thought I was going to die on it, it took a lot of persuasion to get me back onto it after it started running forwards again but I do really love it now, so who knows !

I really wish they would do that again - imo it was a much better ride going backwards. Was my DSD's first ever coaster and it almost put him off for life - bless him. He forgot to say before he went on that he suffers from slight vertigo . Funnily enough, he hasn't been on it since.... Still, we have November to work on him.

Jill - sounds like you are talked into trying with all our 'advice' . Honestly, it's over so quickly, you'll be wondering what you were worrying about - and it's worth it for the view alone once the lift doors open - if you haven't got your eyes shut that is!!

 

[scampbunny]

Jill - sounds like you are talked into trying with all our 'advice' . Honestly, it's over so quickly, you'll be wondering what you were worrying about - and it's worth it for the view alone once the lift doors open - if you haven't got your eyes shut that is!!

go for it jill...... will b waiting to hear what u thought