Tower of Terror

[Albertan mom]

Is it really scary? I am trying to figure out if my 7 year old can handle it. (or if I can for that matter!!)

Will he get nightmares? Like is there 'freaky' things?

The actual ride--is it fast? Dark? Bumpy? Nauseating?

Thanks!

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

If he can handle the Haunted Mansion inside Disneyland then I think the "scary" effects of ToT will be ok. It's dark, it can be loud (effects). If you want to prep him you may want to watch an opening sequense of the Twilight Zone (not the whole show).

As for the actual ride movement it's smiliar to a free-fall ride. Not jerky, it is dark

 

[Albertan mom]

Are you sitting in seats? With seatbelts?
Do a few people sit in a row, so he could sit beside me and I could hold his hand? Or are the seats kind of seperated?

 

[mwehttam]

Yes, you sit with seat belts. And you will be right next to him so you can hold his hand the whole time.
Liek mentioned also it is a free-fall ride that will go up and down, fast. How does he do on roller-coasters? Any motion sickness issues?

-Matthew

 

[Albertan mom]

He doesn't do too bad with motion sickness. He loved Mulholland Madness.
He also likes rides that bounce up and down.

But he doesn't like the dark rides (pirates freaked him out!), or at least he didn't
when we went 2 years ago.

I am hoping he will like TOT, because I want to go on it!!

Thanks for all your input!

 

[mwehttam]

TOT does get dark when the doors close. But 2 years could be a big difference for someone that young. I would bet he might like pirates now. Maybe take him on that first to gage his reactions.
Good luck and have fun!!

-Matthew

 

[PattiPB]

ToT is my all-time favorite ride, and I'm an all-time favorite WUSS!!!!!

The staging area shows a TV show-like beginning, at the end of which there is a second or two of darkness (similar to the end of the stretch room on HM). You are seatbelted into the ride in rows of 3 or 4, with plenty of "give" so he could hug you and bury his head if he wanted.

There is another second or two of darkness before you are dropped/shot up during the ride sequence. My kids have been doing it since they were tall enough, but they are roller coaster junkies.

BTW---if you kid has slight darkness issues, have you tried bringing a small flashlight into rides with you. He could illuminate it when he gets nervous without bothering anyone else.

 

[Albertan mom]

When you are shot up and down, the doors to outside open and shut right? So it is light/dark...light/dark/light/dark?

The flashlight idea is a good one. He has a small keychain one, I could attach to his belt loops. I wouldn't let him bother anyone else with it, but may make him feel secure. thanks!

 

[crazypom]

my DS first went when he was six (at WDW)- scared the pants off him but he loved it and went back for more. We went again when he was seven and still a bit scared but wouldn't admit it and went several times. He says its his favorite ride. He can't wait to try the one at DL when we go in DEC We actually rented the movie after the first visit which he and DD 10 thought was great ( a little scary though)
There is definately alot of screaming going on but it is a very fun ride, hope you get to try it!!

btw-DD10 who likes most any ride and roller coaster does not really like this ride - says it gives her a "weird tummy"

 

[lulubelle]

The drops are the hard part for me. There is nothing to hold on to. I remember the first time I rode - on the first big drop I grabbed the knee of the man next to me and screamed. At the end of the ride I apologized, he was a good sport, said it was no problem, but I am sure I surprised him It is what I would call a dark ride, but when I ride it I see many, many children who seem to enjoy it. Oh, and I totally get the "weird tummy" thing, I get it too, due to such long and quick drops. See how it goes when you get there, good luck and have a wonderful vacation.

 

[Albertan mom]

How long does the ride last? The actual drops and stuff?

I hate when when rides go on and on and on and on and on.............

 

[Janomi]

You have about 4 drops, each at a different height. Picture shot is 2 or 3rd drop when you're able to look outside the tower. Unfortunately, the ride goes pretty quickly and is over in less than 20 seconds or so.

 

[mickey4ver]

We just took our 5 year old gs on it....he was ok with it, but said he didn't want to ride it again.....LOL...I think it was more the stomach factor than being scared.

There are actually handle grips down on the seats by your knees that you can grip on it...and believe me, I always do

 

[PattiPB]

The drops are the hard part for me. There is nothing to hold on to. I remember the first time I rode - on the first big drop I grabbed the knee of the man next to me and screamed. At the end of the ride I apologized, he was a good sport, said it was no problem, but I am sure I surprised him :

Maybe we should start a thread "I met my spouse by grabbing them during a scary ride"