Tower of Terror

[kcool]

I hate the straight drop rides that are at most theme parks, but I do like ToT. At the other parks I felt very vulnerable, like I could slip out of my harness, but at ToT, it is more like you are in a room that is dropping vs you yourself dropping. I say, try it once, if you hate it, you don't have to ever do it again!

 

[summermac]

It's my favorite ride at WDW. Seriously. I love it - and the theme is so cool too!

 

[Narnian_Princess]

I like a lot of "big" coasters, too, and I'm going to join the minority who hate ToT. I rode it once and said "never again". Then five years later I thought, "it can't be as bad as I remember" and rode again. Oh, yes it could. I want to see the theming again but there's no way you'll get me to ride.

I have ridden Hulk several times and while I'm not a fan of the launch I found it 10x more tolerable than ToT.

 

[buzz2400]

I would not try this ride for a very long time even though I love thrill rides. I finally decided to try it (what could possibly happen in the three to five minutes of the ride). First, there is a theme to the ride which is very good. Second, you don't know how many drops you are actually going to have. Third, you are in a box, with a strap on your waist and there are handles on the side of the chairs that you can hold on to. Four, most of the drop is in the dark, you only see light when you get to the "holes" of the building.

Now when the ride is over, we look at each other and say "that's it?". If you get the courage, just try it. It is only a few minutes of your life and then you will know if you like it or not.

 

[KimmiP]

Does anyone know if the WDW ToT always had staggered drops, or when it first opened did it just have a straight 13 story drop?

When it first opened I believe it had only one drop. I remember going when it first opened. Then they made more than one drop. Then they changed it again to be random drops.

It was a long time ago and my mind is going so forgive me if I'm wrong.

Btw...as far as I'm concerned, best ride in WDW. I could do it all day

 

[KimmiP]

Ok dating myself...but I remember the ride when you just had the lap bar that went across the whole of 4 people and not the individual belts. You get a pooh sized person next to you and you are definietly getting air time . The only seat back then that had the seat belt was the middle seat in the last row, the seat facing the aisle (those that have been on the ride know which one I mean). That my friends is the seat you want for the experience

Seriously, try it once. That is my advice.

 

[Squirlz]

Ok dating myself...but I remember the ride when you just had the lap bar that went across the whole of 4 people and not the individual belts. You get a pooh sized person next to you and you are definietly getting air time . The only seat back then that had the seat belt was the middle seat in the last row, the seat facing the aisle (those that have been on the ride know which one I mean). That my friends is the seat you want for the experience

Seriously, try it once. That is my advice.

The first time I rode it 13 years ago I realized I was standing in the spot for the "seatbelt seat". I was so exited! Then when the doors opened a kid darted in front of me and tried to grab it. I said move along son.

 

[larryz]

I'm not a fan of drops either, but ToT really isn't that bad.

OP, you have nothing to worry about. Technically, it's not a "drop" -- it's a "pull."

 

[larryz]

Does anyone know if the WDW ToT always had staggered drops, or when it first opened did it just have a straight 13 story drop?

It never dropped 13 stories... between the equipment above and below, you're lucky if you get 7 or 8 stories per drop.

Most drops are a lot shorter than that, due to the random cycling.

 

[DizFanSLD]

I will say, that if you have been on those bone jarring rides like Free Fall at Six Flags and their ilk, it's no wonder you hate straight drops. That thing always made it feel like they were trying to make your kidney come out through your nose. But the drops on ToT are smooth. You get the stomach dropping effect, like in a fast express elevator, but you are NOT thrown around.

I'd say give it a try.

 

[TooExcitedCantSleep]

I can't handle the drops but everyone should experience TOT once. Even if you just check out the queue and use the chicken exit - its that good of a ride. I wish they could split this ride into green and orange like Mission Space for people who want to do the dark ride portion without the elevator drop.

 

[Micca]

BTW, for those on the fence: In addition to the fantastic theming in the lobby, the library, and the boiler room, the special effects at the beginning of the actual vehicle motion are very cool and not at all intense (just a little dark).
Fans of the original Twilight Zone tv series will especially enjoy this attraction.

I haven't actually timed it, but the "drop" portion of the ride probably is probably under a minute. Anybody know for sure?

 

[disnut8]

I don't like straight drops either but ride Twilight Zone.

HOWEVER - the thing that gets me is not the "drop" and the "ride" but the buildup. The entire Zone (pun intended) freaks me out. The lobby, the library, Rob Serling, the boiler room, the Cast Members in character, the elevators before even entering. Once seated, I will shake just from all that and then the ride begins.....................

And I scream some things that will never get mentioned here and I curse whoever came up with the ride but I emerge safely.

And then I go for a beer because, thankfully, Disney isn't stupid and has a stand very close by for that.

 

[Networth]

So no 13 story, 130 foot drop is good because if that was the case I would not be riding. Just bounce up and down unless I become unlucky and get the 3 big drop sequence eh? I am usually great about not tensing up for thrill rides. Like someone mentioned "going with it" or "being one with the ride" And not fighting it makes the ride fun. Maybe I'll take the last posters advice and have a beer or two and just get on the damn elevator lol. Thanks everyone for your input and opinions. The last time I was down I was on a bus to HS and the guy across from me was talking to his son how he won't go on ToT but will do RNRC again no problem which kind of ruined my "I'm doing it this time" mind set.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Now given my back story I feel like ToT should be nothing but I have this terrible fear of straight drops. Can anyone share some of their experiences? How bad is ToT? Can any compare it to some of the coasters I enjoy if you have ridden both? Are the drops very intense 30feet? 60 feet? 120 feet? I know most of this is subjective but ANY input would be appreciated. Riding ToT is litteraly on my list of things in life to do in 2014.

It's actually more intense than a straight drop because the ride vehicle is pulled by hydraulics at a speed faster than gravity. So you lose your stomach very quickly in both directions, going up and going down. You're also pulled up and down several times, so it's not just one drop you're talking about, it's several. Some of them are short and some of them are not--probably around 2/3 the heigh tof the tower, or around 130 feet of drop. And you're only held in by a seatbelt--which by design does not stop your rear from leaving the seat during the drops. So basically, ToT is probably the definition of what you're afraid of. I'd ride it anyway. If Hulk didn't kill you, neither will ToT.

 

[mentul77]

There's a really cool video that has background, inner workings, etc for ToT - now, when they do the ride on the drop sequence was done over multiple rides but this video is amazing. This is also MUCH milder than Dr Doom - that one is a never again and this one is one of my favorite rides (and I hate heights!) ToT Video

 

[2012wdw]

I like it, but I do hold on like my life depends on it. I too feel "safer" being in elevator and not an open drop.

If you sit against wall there is a handle on wall to hang onto along with small handles in between seats. Seat belts lock, feed it in nice and tight.

 

[agavegirl1]

I love ToT! That being said, I usually don't enjoy the "drop" type rides at "Amusement Parks" You know what I mean, no set up, no theme, you are raised above the entire park and just ...drop?

I will ride ToT over and over because it is always different and you don't just go down, you can go back up. Plus, when the doors open and you can see the park, you are not watching it all the way down.

I

 

[cymbaldiva]

You will LOVE the WDW version if you like the DLR one. I usually think the rides both parks have are pretty comparable/better at DLR but WDW's version of ToT is the exception.

Completely disagree - theming of the WDW version is better (more space of course), I can even go that the lead-ups up to the drop sequence at WDW is better (once again, space).

That said, the actual drops are far superior at DLR. Since WDW went random you have a chance of a good one; at DLR the ride is consistently excellent.

 

[agavegirl1]

Completely disagree - theming of the WDW version is better (more space of course), I can even go that the lead-ups up to the drop sequence at WDW is better (once again, space).

That said, the actual drops are far superior at DLR. Since WDW went random you have a chance of a good one; at DLR the ride is consistently excellent.

I agree, I did both DL and WDW versions and like WDW better.