Will I be "Soarin" if I'm terrified of heights?

[kathyg]

After reading all the posts on this topic, I am still not convinced. I know that if I go I should ride in Row 3...exactly how far off the ground is that? It all just sounds to scary, but I really would like to do it.

Thanks.

 

[Hobbes]

Honestly, its nothing. I am TERRIFIED of heights-I even get nervous on Dumbo! The theatre is dark, you have no concept of how high you are, and the film is so engrossing you don't think about it. Its the only ride I have been on where people applaud when its over, its fantastic.

Erm I just re-read that last part, they're not applauding cos its over!

 

[KimWDW]

What rides can you go on? Can you go on coasters or ferris wheels?

I'm scared of heights, but in a strange way. I can't go on a Ferris Wheel, but I can go on roller coasters and love them. I think it has to do with being buckled in. I feel vulnerable in a ferris wheel, but safe in a roller coaster with a harness on, etc. On Soarin, you are buckled in, so I felt perfectly safe and LOVED that ride.

 

[elastigirl]

I think I've read it's about 30ft up in Row 3 , if I remember correctly? I'm not sure on that, sorry.

Soarin' is an amazing attraction. I hope some others who have a fear of heights who have ridden it can help you out.

 

[WinnePoohlvr]

My dad is afraid of heights and Soarin' is probably one of his favorite rides. You really don't notice how high you are because you're so engrossed in the film. You are buckled in, but honestly you don't notice how high you are.

 

[wld]

just don't look down!!! That made me a bit nervous when I did that. Stared straight ahead and did fine.

 

[allegracristina]

I would have to say that Soarin' might not be the greatest ride for someone who is afraid of heights. There's little way to know without trying it first. I will say that we thought it was a great ride-well worth the hour-long wait to ride it!

 

[jenelope]

One of my friends is a white-knuckle rider on Soarin' but it's his favorite new ride and he can't skip it. He just clutches the arm rests and goes with it.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

It depends on what you mean by scared.

If you're ever felt panic due to heights, stay off.
If you're just nervous and uneasy but it doesn't ever get beyond that point, then I think you're ok.
How are you on airplanes when you take off? If that's bad, stay off.

It is impossible to distinguish how far off the floor you are once you get up. The place is dark. But you do know you're pretty far off the floor, and even though you do have a belt, your feet do dangle.

**********spoiler alert************
It also moves you into position quite quickly and the apparatus banks right immediately as the movie begins. The shots on the scene look and the apparatus makes it feel very realistic. The opening scene has you flying over the Golden Gate Bridge from a fairly high vantage point and obviously the musical score starts quickly too. So it does feel like you're a good ways up. The simulator movement is very smooth though and never did it feel like I didn't have something solid underneath me.
********** end spoiler alert*********

So really it depends on how scared you are. If it's a recurring problem or it gets to the point of panic, stay off. I wouldn't want you to panic, rip your own belt off, and jump off the thing in a panic induced attempt to get out of there. If you've never had those kind of problems but you're just apprehensive, (and note I am apprehensive of heights and stuff like that) and the opening scene really did spook me a bit. But I just took a deep breath and enjoyed it. Also, try to look straight at the screen rather than exclusively down at the bottom of the screen. You get far more sensation of movement if you look down near the bottom.

 

[POOHDRMR]

I am afraid of everything and I went on with my 4yr dd and husband.I thought it was amazing-but I was alittle scared a few times.I was holding on very tightly and remembering that I was not that high off the ground.I do recommend it as it is the closest I will ever get to hang gliding!I would go on again but I would be a bit nervous again.

 

[Henlady]

DH is absolutely terrified of heights, but he really wanted to ride Soarin' so we went. As soon as the bench/seat started moving upward I looked at him and thought he was going to either panic or have a heart attack and I thought "UH oh, here we go. He looked absolutely terrified, then next time I looked at him he was smiling from ear to ear. He LOVES the "ride" and can't wait to go back again. He said that is the one thing on his definate TO DO list.

Kris

 

[owensamo]

I used to be petrified of heights, but since having our DD (she's 4) I've been trying to get past my fears so that I don't pass them on to her. Still, I'd rather not hang in the air 10-50 feet if at all possible.

That said, I went on Soarin' by myself (single rider) as my DD, DH and I went to the parks by ourselves and she was too short to ride. I ended up on the end of Row 2. I closed my eyes for the ascent and descent, but once the movie was playing, I almost completely forgot about being in the air! There are armrests you can hang onto if you need to. I do look forward to going on it again in August!

Mur!

 

[TLC371]

I'm terrified of heights, but still went on Soarin'. I love the ride, it's awesome, the only thing I don't like is when the ride starts, the seats lifting up and I had to close my eyes for the first part because I didn't like the way it felt when the screen was nothing but clouds. After that I was ok....but I did come off the ride with sweaty palms that were red from grasping the seat so hard.

 

[asa'smom]

I'm scared of hieght also, but I loved Soarin. It was great.

 

[Leash]

Ok I don't even like being on the 2nd floor of a building but I love this ride (well the California version anyway but from what I hear they are the same). Anyway, close your eyes for the ascent and it feels like you are just moving forward, not up then just watch the screen through the ride, this will be very easy to do as the film is great. Hold on to the hand rails it will make you feel more secure, I know I can't fall but holding onto something makes me feel more secure. While the ride is realalistic you can tell you are watching a movie so I don't feel like I am that high up. Finally I do not mind the descent but you might want to close your eyes then as well since the room will be completly dark and you won't be able to tell that you were up high.
One final note my feet barely touch the ground but I pick them up just before "take off" so that I don't have to feel them leaving the ground.
All I can reall say is try it and see. :

 

[nhpooh]

My DD(17) is terrified of heights, we went on Soarin'. She said the ride was amazing, but the whole time she was on the ride. All she could think of is how high up she was. I think she had a death grip on the arm rests. She's glad she did it but most likely not again.

 

[Spaceship Earthfan]

I'm not a big fan of heights, I don't consider myself "afraid" of heights, but being up high tends to make me a little shaky...for example I once did some bridge-climbing and came within seconds of passing out...luckily I was able to calm myself down enough to manage.

The first time I did Soarin' I was in the back (3rd row) and really enjoyed it, although I kept a strong grip on the seat handles the whole time. The second time I rode (I had an extra fastpass) I got put in the middle row, and halfway through I thought to myself "Why in the world did I go on this ride again". I think it's definitely something to experience once, however I would definitely request the last row (the CM will happily allow you to sit there). I found it comforting to be able to see the shoes of the people in the row in front of/above me.

 

[kathyg]

Thank you all so very much for your replies. I know that this is something I really want to do and your thoughts were very helpful. I will try my very best not to chicken out at the end because I know it will be worth it!

 

[tinkerbellsmommy]

Another person with a fear of heights here and I loved Soarin'. I admit I too closed my eyes in the beginning. I got a little nervous but kept reminding myself that I wasnt really that high. Please go. It's something us chickens will never experience any other way.

 

[Slakk]

The first time I went on I hung on for dear life sure I was going to fall. Then we rode it again right after and was FINE. The third time even better. If you are really scared I suggest getting in the front row then you are maybe 6 ft off the ground and have no worries.