Tower of Terror Drop

[sgtpeper]

Hey all! I have an admission to make and I am a little scared to do it. I know that MC is the place to be to be honest and forward. So i ask that as usual (for most posters) be kind and gentle, but most of all be honest.

I am a big scaredy cat, wussy to the max and all that jazz but i need a little help...

I am scared to ride TOT at DCA!!!

*whew i said it and feel better*

I am not a big fan of those drop style rides, (I don't ride the Maliboomer either but i don't think i'm missing much) and although the Twilight Zone is my all time fave sci-fi/horror tv shows, i just can't get myself to get on the ride. I've been in the gift shop and gotten as close as the front entrance, but i always talk myself out of it and run away.

This is hard for me cause like i said, TZ is one of my fave shows and i hear that the que and ride expierence is really cool. So i turn to my fellow Micechatters.

Can you all give me some tips and motivation to get on the ride and actually enjoy it! It's also important to me since my son is getting older and already is loving the Gadget go coaster and trying to get on BTMRR and Mattahorn with me so i know the day will come that he will want to go on the TOT and I'm going to be scared to go.

Thanks for all your help!

[2DieFR]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

It's really not bad at all. The very first drop is sudden and unexpected, but the motion of the elevator is super smooth, and it feels right. Right, as in not jagged, excruciating, or severe.

My mom absolutely hates drop rides like the Maliboomer, but she often says she wishes the drop sequence on the ToT elevators were longer because "it just starts to get fun and then it's over!"

Your son probably has a little ways to go, but I would say that the ToT is not far behind Big Thunder or the Matterhorn in thrills and Haunted Mansion in show elements.

[Frosty Bear]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

It's not bad at all. I must admit before I went on it I had major butterflies. After I went on, man I felt I could do it 100 times. Before you go on, if you try again, just think to yourself has anybody ever been injured on this ride and it's Disneyland how bad can it be. Don't forget to take deep breaths.

[SilentDante]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

I'm a thrill rider. I've ridden ToT dozens of times (on both coasts). And yet, for some reason, it's the one ride that still gives me butterflies. I can't explain it. It's not particularly scary when I'm on the ride, but I always get a little nervous right before I get on. I don't know how much that helps you, but when you're on the ride it's not nearly as bad as you think it will be. The fact that I keep going back should tell you how great it is.

On that note, I think the WDW version is a little better Twilight Zone themed, but you'll find lots to appreciate in DCA's version. I hope you get the chance to ride it, but I won't push you. Do it on your own- you'll love it.

[2DieFR]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

Before you go on, if you try again, just think to yourself has anybody ever been injured on this ride and it's Disneyland how bad can it be.

Just don't try this direction of logic on Big Thunder, or the Columbia, or Roger Rabbit, or...

[tiggrfan]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

It really isn't too bad. A plus for TOT over the Maliboomer and rides like it is that your feet don't dangle in the air and you can't look down and see how high you are, as you are enclosed in the elevator and can only look forward. It is so smooth that sometimes you can't even tell if you are going up or down.

[KISSman]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

Drops are the thing I used to like the least when it comes to thrills. But I think with the Tower of Terror, the thing that made it easier to do the first couple times was the fact that you can't see how far you are dropping. Other than the moment when you look out the window at the top, it's dark. And remember, even when you do look out that high-up window, you aren't plummeting to the very bottom. At this point, the drops don't phase me at all.

The Maliboomer really intimidated me until I went on it and after I did it, I loved it. That rush is awesome.

The motivation I always use is I look around at the line and notice all of these little kids who are doing these rides with no problem. If they can handle it, shouldn't I be able to? Absolutely.

[NeverNeverland]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

It's totally different than Maliboomer, if that helps any.

[FinalAdventure]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

If you're used to calm, Disney-like rides, that's what you'd expect from Tower of Terror, except up a few thrill notches. The first drop is completely unexpected, but the rest is very thrilling.

Tower of Terror, I've heard, drops at 65 mph, faster than gravity... and it sure feels like it. But then again, I've heard somebody else say that it's 32 mph... so now I'm confused. To me, it feels like it's 65 mph... it does feel faster than the Screamin', but it feels a lot more worth it.

It's worth it, even if you don't like the drops. It's fun.

Look at my sig. Been on Tower of Terror 24 times and counting! Try counting each time you go on the ride -- it's fun! Makes the experience super awesome I'm also counting the times I go on Nemo subs lol

[RooBear]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

I HATE drop rides. Took me forever to get on ToT too. But I read about it; read about it and read about it some more. I reduced the fear factor by understanding it better. I so did want to go on it. I wanted to see the ride itself, not the drops. But alas, I couldn't have one without the other.

So I did it. My partner held my hand tight as can be and talked me through it. The first time was the roughest...not the ride, understand, but getting over my fear! I was so focused on that freeggin drop I forgot to enjoy myself.

But when I realized I had lived through it, I rode it again. That second time was awesome! I saw more and could relax.

You'll be fine. If I can do it, you can do it.

It is so worth it. It is, truly, one of Disney's best ever creations. I've done both coasts. The ride itself is much better in California...but Florida has a bit more storyline plotted out, so the show works smoother there.

Strangely, I kinda prefer Cali's. Go figure.

And let us know when you go! We'll coach ya through it!

Peace,
Roo

[pianoman13]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

ok. Don't freak out too much, the first drop is "unexpected" but if you don't mind me telling you were you drop i'll tell you.(in spoiler text so if you don't want to ruin it)

Spoiler

ok so don't freak out about the mirror part. Nothing happens until you get in the hallway and everything turns into stars and when the narrator says "but this time it's opening for you" that's when you fall, the rest of the time it's obvious to tell

[pianoman13]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

If you're used to calm, Disney-like rides, that's what you'd expect from Tower of Terror, except up a few thrill notches. The first drop is completely unexpected, but the rest is very thrilling.

Tower of Terror, I've heard, drops at 65 mph, faster than gravity... and it sure feels like it. But then again, I've heard somebody else say that it's 32 mph... so now I'm confused. To me, it feels like it's 65 mph... it does feel faster than the Screamin', but it feels a lot more worth it.

It's worth it, even if you don't like the drops. It's fun.

Look at my sig. Been on Tower of Terror 24 times and counting! Try counting each time you go on the ride -- it's fun! Makes the experience super awesome I'm also counting the times I go on Nemo subs lol

and how many times have you been on the nemo subs? sorry...:ot:

[Datameister]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

Like many other posters, I generally don't like drop rides. Maybe I'd be able to tolerate them now, but the last time I went on Drop Zone (at Great America in Santa Clara), it gave me a worrisome pain in my gut. Not fun.

I decided to try ToT despite this. I had major butterflies all the way through the queue, but I ended up riding anyway. It really was fun. It was easy! I wanted it to keep going. Much tamer than I expected, and I felt no pain.

Do it. It's just a fun ride, not a bad one.

EDIT: And by the way, ignore reports that the ride drops you faster than the "speed of gravity." There is no such thing. Gravity accelerates you. Supposedly, the downward acceleration exceeds that of 9.8 m/s/s, the standard value given for the acceleration due to gravity. Really, it's just marketing.

[missmonkey]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

The fear is way worse than the drop. However, I notice the ride goes a little easier if you ask to sit in the back row. Also, stay out of the aisle seats for the first time you go on. All of the other seats have two grab bars at seat-level. The ones on the aisle are missing so you only have one measly bar to save your life! Eep!

You'll be so proud of yourself after you finish that first time. You'll wonder what took you so long.

Have fun!

[Sambo]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

What is more fun is what they do to create the illusion of dropping faster than gravity. There is technology involved that makes the drop seem much faster than it really is.

[The Disneylander]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

It's not that bad at all. Just grit your teeth and do it-you'll be glad you did.

[Trekkie Dad]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

I don't like drop rides either, but I'll do TOT with MiceChatters any time I am with them. Here I am front and center:


And here's Jimmie and I on the WDW TOT (center row, right)

[ChrisFL]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

I've done both WDW and DCA's and thought DCA really got a crappy version, overall it's just weak compared to Florida, storyline, ride length and number of drops is not even comparable.

[missmonkey]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

I've done both WDW and DCA's and thought DCA really got a crappy version, overall it's just weak compared to Florida, storyline, ride length and number of drops is not even comparable.

So the moral of that story is wait until you ride WDW's version to get really scared.

[mushufan]

Re: Tower of Terror Drop

TOT is the most intense Disney ride in my opinion. If you have issues with flying because of turbulence you will have an issue with TOT. If your child is just now getting onto BTMR I think you need to wait. TOT is DARK and spooky to some kids in addition to being intense. Just my opinion having an 8 and 11 year old who have grown up at Disneyland. TOT is the only ride we do not all ride together.