Tower of Terror

[Disney-Nut]

I'm totally afraid of heights but really want to do this ride. How long does it usually take from first drop to the last drop? Would it be easier to do the ride at night or day? Any easy way of getting my self psyched into doing this?

[Strmchsr]

How long it takes depends. The ride has a randomizer program and you can experience anywhere from 3-6 drops. It'll be different every ride.


One thing that might help you is to realize you're not actually being dropped. The "elevator" you're riding in moves into a box and locks into place. That box is then pulled up and down at faster than the speed of gravity. That's why you get the "weightless" (technically it's "free fall" not "weightless") feeling where you rise up out of your seat. So, it's not an instance where you're just being dropped from a large height and hoping you stop. It's a controlled pulling mechanism up and down. Also, you don't actually see the drop. The doors open and you very briefly see out into the studios, but when the actual "drop" occurs it's mostly in darkness except for some other special effects type scenes they have built in.

[faline]

The drop sequences are random so they are not set at all. I think the anticipation before the drops is more difficult for folks than the drops themselves. Most of the drop sequence takes place in the dark and you would not really be able to tell how high you might be - there are a couple of times when you do have a view through the open doors over the park but these are very quick glimpses.

Once you enter the car, the first part of the ride is interior presentation and preparation. When your car moves forward, you will know that it is getting into position for the drop sequence.

[Polynesian Dweller]

The actual drop sequences are very short, I'd say no more than 2-3 min if that long. Regardless of sequence it's over before you know it. Also, being in the dark you don't get much sense of being at any height. I don't like drops or heights but love this ride.

[MrPeetrie]

This is truly an amazing attraction and you should definitely try it at least once.

The drops are not long drops like you see in amusement parks. They are short bursts - both up and down - and mostly in the dark. To be honest, sometimes I'm not sure which direction I'm traveling in - up or down. But there is so much more to this ride than the drops.

The attention to detail as you enter the lobby is amazing. The special effects as you ascend are terrific. The CMs seem to really get into character here.

Truthfully, you have no frame of reference to frighten you of heights as it's in total darkness. If you take a chance on this, I guarantee you'll enjoy it.

[BuddyL4]

I tried this ride for the first time on our last trip. My son and his friend talked me into it. I am glad they did. The main reason I wanted to try this attraction is the company I used to work for, I made one of the pressure sensors on it. I had to make sure it worked
I am glad to report it worked fine!

[CanadaLovesDisney]

This ride is sheer hell. I was so excited for it and I wanted to actually die half way through. My stomach dropped so many times and not a little bit like air plane turbulence - big big drops that feel like they drag on forever. I don't recommend.
Others in my party love it - they are crazy and I will never trust their judgement again. Worst/scariest ride in all the parks in my opinion. Thought I was going to have a stroke and I'm in my 20's!!!!

[Tigerinvestigator]

The ride is surprisingly smooth. The drops are not nearly as bad as the anticipation of the drops. It is truly one of the best attractions ever created, from the lobby all the way to the exit.

[Zippy 1]

I tried it on our last trip. I am scared to death of heights. We sat closer to the back and I did ok. Not sure I will do it again but I did survive.

[azcavalier]

This is truly an amazing attraction and you should definitely try it at least once. (stuff removed)
The attention to detail as you enter the lobby is amazing. The special effects as you ascend are terrific. The CMs seem to really get into character here.

Totally agree. As far as theming goes, I think that Tower of Terror takes the cake. It's amazingly well done. If NOTHING else, go through the queue and pre-show, and then take a chicken door.

The ride is surprisingly smooth. The drops are not nearly as bad as the anticipation of the drops. It is truly one of the best attractions ever created, from the lobby all the way to the exit.

Again, agreed. I don't like the "drops" either. But it is completely safe, and the actual drops aren't long at all, and are very smooth. 3-6, randomized in height and duration, but I would bet that the entire dropping experience is less than a minute in length. And like someone else said, you're not dropping....it's actually pulling you down. It's *extremely* safe.

[KylesMom]

It took me years - and I do mean YEARS - to get the guts up to try ToT. It is now among my favorite attractions in the parks! While I have never been bothered by heights, I was concerned about the feeling of being dropped. It's exhilarating. AND it's the only ride at Disney that makes me scream and laugh at the same time with joy! LOL

[Mrs Bus Driver]

Only you know what you can tolerate. I would suggest to try it once. At least go through the pre-show and the line. The attention to detail is not to be missed. Especially if you grew up watching the twilight zone like I did. I always remember I was about 5 or 6 when I saw the episode where the little girl gets lost in another dimension under her bed. Her parents could hear her crying behind the wall. Scarred the heck out of me. But I love a good scare . There is a wall in the line where you can hear her crying and many other things from different episodes. So go and enjoy and if you reach the elevator and can't do it tell the CM and they will show you to the exit. I know there are people who have gone through the line just to see the detail and then leave without riding.

[Aurora]

Raise your hand if you've ever taken the "chicken" exit.

I love this ride but can't do it anymore because of my dreaded motion sickness. It gets worse as I get older. So I go through the line with the rest of my party and then take the back exit out.

I agree with the others about how great the detail is on this ride. I love the part where you're moving forward to get into position -- the effects on this are mind-blowing!

Definitely a must-see if you've never done it.

[DonaldDuckUSA]

I agree with what most are saying here about the "drop."

The best example I can give is that my father LOVED this ride and the was terrified of drops. It's not a drop like a roller coaster where you're plunging to the ground. Its up and down. I think what freaked him out about drops on roller coasters was the tilt of the ride car. You don't have that in the ToT. You're upright in a seat. It's a different experience.

My mother has had reoccurring nightmares of elevator drops and she was so scared to ride it. Now, it's one of her favorites.

Try it, see what you think. Other posters are accurate when they say you're inside of an enclosed area for most of the ride so you maybe only see how high you are at those one or two points when the elevator doors are open.

[EJS-Houston]

I tried this ride for the first time on our last trip. My son and his friend talked me into it. I am glad they did. The main reason I wanted to try this attraction is the company I used to work for, I made one of the pressure sensors on it. I had to make sure it worked
I am glad to report it worked fine!

Friends of my mine who don't like scary rides/ coasters at all also tried Tower of Terror for the first time on our last visit...and they loved it!

[PopPhan]

Raise your hand if you've ever taken the "chicken" exit.

I love this ride but can't do it anymore because of my dreaded motion sickness. It gets worse as I get older. So I go through the line with the rest of my party and then take the back exit out.

I agree with the others about how great the detail is on this ride. I love the part where you're moving forward to get into position -- the effects on this are mind-blowing!

Definitely a must-see if you've never done it.

I admit, I was a wuss and 'chickened out' the first time through the ride. I have problems with heights and didn't think I could handle it.

BUT, I have come back and enjoyed it numerous times since then. The first time 'jitters' are the worst. Once you have ridden it, you know what to expect and it makes the ride all that much fun.

[#1donaldfan]

It's a great ride and the fact of being scared of heights play no factor in this ride. You are inside and cannot tell the height you are .... plus when it gets moving, it's ALL FUN !! It's a very good ride and a must each visit !!!

[bruin1344]

I admit, I was a wuss and 'chickened out' the first time through the ride. I have problems with heights and didn't think I could handle it.

BUT, I have come back and enjoyed it numerous times since then. The first time 'jitters' are the worst. Once you have ridden it, you know what to expect and it makes the ride all that much fun.

same here

[CU Tiger]

It does not seem you are as scared to the height as you are to the drops. You can only see how high you are for a split second before the drop sequence starts. You can close your eyes for that portion.
The dropping is intense, but I do not feel as if I am falling as much as I am being pulled up and down. I say try it once. What is the worst can happen, you will not like it? You may be suprised and love it!

[Ms. Mode]

Hands down: Best Ride EVER! Please give it a try.