tower of terror

[Tinkershell]

I have a question about the Tower of Terror ride. I have an 8 year old daughter and an 11 year old son and we've talked them into going on the tower of terror when we go to Disneyworld in 3 weeks. Is this a mistake? How scary is it for kids? I would love any feedback!

 

[wdwrich]

All children are different of course, but my (then) 7yo grandson loved TOT and rode multiple times.

 

[phisigprincess]

My dad gets scared on it. Really, it's not too bad. As long as their not scared of the dark or loud noises they should be fine.

 

[foolishmortal]

My son 9 loved it......after I had to bribe him.

I knew he would love this ridre since he rides things similar her in Denver, but for some reason this one scared him event hough he was never on it. So I told him I would by the picture of his first ride for him and he got to choose the next ride of the day (Rockin roller coaster, if this tells you his ride prefs).

When we were done he was so happy to have ridden it, and we did 3 more time before the week was done.

 

[Tinkerchele]

Hi Tinkershell (nice name! )

Last June we went and my 5 year old daughter went on with my husband. When the ride was done, she came out looking pretty scared. But, 5 minutes later, she was asking to go on again and she dragged me and my son (the chickens) on that time. She was a little more afraid of the 'themeing' than the dropping. It was the dropping I didn't like that much!

She wants to go on again when we go in October.

 

[isyt]

My kids are 4,6 and 8 and are terrified of the sight TOT. I think my 6yr old would love it but she is too scared to try. If they are brave enough to try, why not??? Good Luck !! I will also be there in 3 weeks if you see a woman with 3 screaming kids running of TOT.

 

[Eljay]

The ride itself is not really "scary", but the sensation of falling happens to scare me silly! I'm fine with looping coasters, etc, but for some reason, I was not a happy camper on ToT.
Don't laugh, but I actually had an elevator phobia for a short time after I rode it!
Lots of people think it's the best ride at WDW, but if you don't like the falling sensation, don't ride.
I do highly recommend going through the line for the pre-show and ducking out the "Chicken Exit". You just tell the loading CM that you aren't riding and they will escort you to a real elevator. Don't worry, I was afraid that I was being tricked the first time, but you sit in the ride elevators and you stand in the Chicken elevator!
Go for it, if you think you'll be okay with multiple drops!

 

[oogie boogie]

My 8yo daughter loved it! But keep in mind we go to CA ADV every week and ride the one there. I did prefer the one in MGM cause of the random drop sequence (still waiting for that at CA ADV!!!). But that was one of her favorite rides! I guess it would depend on if your kids can handle the other faster ride (Space mountain, big thunder, rockin rollercoaster)?

 

[eam]

Does this ride jerk you around much???

 

[civileng68]

While many kids love TOT, be responsible. You and only you know your children like that.

Some kids that you think would do great go into a frenzy and have a meltdown during the ride. My dad of 54 years had a meltdown on the ride in July after riding nearly every other ride at WDW.

Remember that some people do great on all thrill rides but don't do well free-falling. It's a whole different "beast".

While I think kids will like it, be very very careful. It's one of those rides where if they panic after you've told them it's ok, they may not trust you on even the simple rides in the future and refuse to ride them.

One thing you can do is talk them into going in with you and then they can do the "chicken exit" and wait at the end for you. You can chicken exit just before getting on the elevator, so they can see the whole pre-show. You can feel them out in there.

Just be careful...........because once those doors shut, there's no turning back if they start melting down.

I think you'll be fine but just raising awareness.

 

[singingpixie]

My brother and I went on it and both LOVED it when we were 10 (me) and 8 (him). I was a ride wimp, and even so it was my favorite ride in all of disney world. My brother was already riding roller coasters at 8 but I think it was his favorite too.... or at least in the top couple. As for the person who asked about bumping, I don't think I remember it doing that at all... but it was 11 years ago so I might not remember accurately.

 

[Hockeychic]

I agree you have to know your own kids. My DD has been riding it since she was 9 and it is still her favorite ride and she is now 13. However, this is the same child that loves horror movies.

I don't think there is alot of jerking, just the up and down motion.

I think the scariest part is that quite a bit of the ride is in the dark and with strange noises it could be scary even for some adults.

Kim

 

[Tinkershell]

:thewave: Thanks for all of the great info on the Tower of Terror ride! Everything helped a lot. After hearing the feedback, I think we are gonna go for it! (We are bribing our 11 year old to go on it, but the 8 yr. old is up for anything!)

 

[Tinkershell]

That's so cute that we have close to the same user name! Thanks for the reply to my post. I'm thinking that if your 5 year old liked it and was ready to go again, my 2 kids should do fine. I also think that the part that might bother them is the theming, and not the dropping, but think they'll be ok. CUTE picture of you and your daughter!

 

[justplaingoofy]

No side to side jerky, just some falls up and down. My neice & nephew 4 & 6 went on it and loved it! Unless they are absolutely terrified, I say "you never know until you try"

 

[kim35]

Is it like the Doctor Doom ride at Universal? How do the 2 compare?

thanks

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

DS9 loves roller coasters and did fine on every other ride. He WANTED to go on ToT, he has seen the shows on the Travel Channel so he knew what it was. But when we rode it he was completely freaked out. When we got off he said it was horrible and he doesn't want to go again. I didn't love it, but it was fine. I would ride it again.

 

[eam]

No side to side jerky, just some falls up and down. My neice & nephew 4 & 6 went on it and loved it! Unless they are absolutely terrified, I say "you never know until you try"

Thanks for the replies! I am going to be a WDW Oct. 1st, and I have a "frozen shoulder" -- very painful. But the opportunity to travel to WDW arose, and I decided I would go for it!!!

 

[dreamscometrue47]

I guess my kids are in the minority here..last time they rode TOT was in April 2004, when DD was 14 and DS was 10. They both were really afraid of both the theming and the drops, and these are 2 kids who ride every other thrill ride at WDW and some pretty intense coasters at other theme parks. They are now 16 and 12 and full out refuse to ride TOT again. Even though this is one of my favorites, I totally understand where they are coming from. My kids are WDW veterans and take in the theming of rides as much as the ride itself. And they say the theming for TOT before the drops is much more scary than the drops themselves. They'll ride other "drop-like" rides at other amusement parks, but won't do TOT again....

DH and me? We love the whole experience and now give the kids ice cream money while we ride!

 

[allaboutmm]

You know your kids best . My DS who was 8 at the time wanted to go on( he loved Mission Space, so I thought he would fine) and I love rides...what a bonding DM/DS opportunity. The drops were a doosie and you have no idea how mant x's it will drop!! Lets just say I bought the picture b/c the looks on our faces were worth a million $! We noticed that my son had bruises( my fingerprints) on his arm the next day. Glad we can say we did it. Not sure if we are brave enough to do it again?!