Tower of Terrror?

[excitedmomma]

My dd6 has seen a little about the TOT and really wants to ride it. However, it seems like a lot of children have been scared. None of us have rode so I'm not sure about it! Any comments?

 

[Selket]

Last summer my (then) 5 yr old had said he didn't want to ride ToT but then later changed his mind so I took him on it as he was plenty tall enough. (He was a few months shy of being 6). I was very surprised he wanted to ride it in the first place but he insisted - I've been on it a few times before. He braved it well but said once the ride was over that he didn't want to do it again - or perhaps ever again! He was not upset however - and I think he is somewhat proud that he rode it.

As long as your child is eager to ride it and still wants to ride it when she sees it then I see no reason not to let her ride it (unless she has some history of wanting to ride things and then being utterly terrified afterwards perhaps). And as long as you have a family member who wants to "take the plunge" with her. I think the key is following your child. Also try things that have height and a drop - like Splash Mountain maybe? and see how she handles that.

Have fun!

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

DS was 4.5 when we all tried ToT. I had decided against it, but he and DD (8) wore me down. I told him that if he really wanted to ride it, then backing out was not an option - I was not going to walk away after standing in line for however long. Well, the line was reasonably short that day - less than 10 minutes - but the theming made him pretty nervous by the time we reached the ride entry point. I reminded him of his promise to see it through and he got on - now, if he had become upset at this point, I never would have forced him; however, he needed that little push to actually try it. Not all children would have responded the same to this tactic, and I would not recommend it for any child who becomes emotional about it. He did not like the darkness and HATED the volume/noise at the top (as did I), but thought the drop was fantastic and well worth the negatives. DS led us out the exit and back into the line immediately; we rode it 4 times in a row, I think, and returned to MGM on 2 other days just to go back on ToT. However, once we returned home DS said that he felt no great desire to try ToT again for a long time, but couldn't explain why. Now he's 6 and tells me he can't wait to ride it in June.

If your DD is well aware of all aspects of the ride - the darkness, noise, and creepy/ghostly effects as well as the drop - and still wants to go, then I'd say go for it. Gauge her reaction to the theming area and use the "chicken exit" if you need to. After all, there's always next time, right??

 

[Jana49]

Help me here...

I rode the ToT and can't for the life of me remember when it was dark??? I am scared to death of the dark, so maybe I've blocked this - but I loved this ride and say if the child wants to do it, and meets the height requirement, go for it!

Jana

 

[mrsmom]

My youngest started riding TOT at age three, he loved it and he is 6 now and want to try rock'n'roller coaster next time we go, I say let them try it if they want to.
Kim

 

[TowerOfTerrorFreak]

If your child doesn't mind fast drops,then ya otta ride it

 

[my3princes]

My boys rode it last Aug they were 5 and 7. They did fine, but said they wouldn't ride it again. We got to the waiting area for the baby swap and the 5 year old that wasn't going to ever ride again went back on with DH. LOL. They both say that they will not ride next trip, but we'll see when we get there.

 

[WhenUwishUponAstar]

my ds was barely 4 on his first dip he cackled and giggled the whole time! It's always on his to do list. He's about 3/4 of an inch shy for rrrc and he's devistated! I thought he would be finally tall enough this trip but I guess we will just have to come back next year.

 

[moinab]

I rode the ToT and can't for the life of me remember when it was dark???

As I recall, it is darkish when the ride first starts, with the ghosts in the hallway/Twilight Zone part, and then gets pitch black as you shoot up the shaft. At least that's how I remember it.

I thought the theming was very effective and creepy. Maybe I'm just a wimp, but I couldn't imagine taking a young child on this. Having said that, though, I have to admit that my 15 month old DD is totally fearless, and will probably go on ToT with DH as soon as she is tall enough. LOL!

 

[jacksonsmom]

Here is our experience.

My son was 3.5 yrs old at the time & kept BEGGING to ride Tower of Terror.
I just wasn't too sure of it. DH & I decided to ride it first & then decide, we thought he wasn't ready for it.

The next time we were at MGM (same vacation) he BEGGED & BEGGED to ride Tower of Terror. We sat him down & explained the ride to him, the drop, the dark, etc.
He said OK & still wanted to ride it.

So we figured, why not.
He was totally fine in the line & even with the preshow.
He got in the ride with no problems & during the ride he was fine.

We got off the ride & he was PROUD that he went on it.
I asked if he wanted to go on it again & he quickly answered "NO"

We are leaving in about 3 weeks & I asked him if he wants to go on ToT again & his answer has always been the same:
"One time is enough, Mom" LOL!

So what I am trying to say is if your DD WANTS to go on it, let her. Then she can decide if she wants to go on it again.

 

[excitedmomma]

Thank you all for your advice and experiences. I am going to let her on if she wants. I've explained it best that I know and will go over it again before we get in line. She may then decide to never do it again. lol

 

[HollyJoy]

My soon to be 7 year old wants to ride it too. I've ridden it, but that was back in 1996, so the scariness of it has left me. I'll be interested to see what everyone says!

 

[Memaw2Wm]

My 7 y.o. granddaughter rode it last summer (8/2003) ... it scared her so badly she had tears streaming down her face when it was over ... said she'd never ride it again ... went back in January '04 and she didn't want to ride it.

6 y.o. niece rode it in October ... it terrorized her too.

8 y.o. grandson rode it with no problems, but he hasn't wanted to ride it since.

Gotta admit I'm not sure I want to ride it again either ... one long drop would have been fine with me ... didn't like all the mini-drops ... and it was black in there, except when the windows opened for a second.

Forgot to mention my g'kids love all the other thrill rides at WDW.

 

[ccalip]

Originally posted by my3princes
.... We got to the waiting area for the baby swap...

Where is the baby swap area? I've never seen this ride in person, but I'm worried my 4-year old will be scared by the sights visible from the line. Will she see these 'scary things' before we get to the swap area? She may not understand the concept of the swap and may think we will make her ride it.

Thanks!

 

[my3princes]

Ask the CM at the line entrance for a baby swap ticket. We have sat in front of ToT on the benches while doing the baby swap and when raining there is an area inside, beyond the gift shop that you can sit in. Unless the merchandise in the gift shop would scare your child you will be fine.