Tower of Literal Terror

[monorailrabbit]

I LOVE this ride! It was one of the first rides DH and I did on our first trip and I was terrified. Ironically heights don't bother me - they bother DH and he was the one begging to go! We rode it at night, about 11 PM (Which was awesome!) That little spot where you are going down the hall in the dark I was totally freaking out - just not knowing when the drop would come! Ours went up first then all the way down! I scream/laughed the whole time! SO much fun! It's now one of our favorites! Go for it!!

 

[twoplustwins]

We rode it like ten times one day in February. Each time was different. Some of the drops were very small, like maybe two or three floors.
One time we rode it, it did full top to bottom drops and mid-size drops.
One time, it didn't stop at the "look out opening" when it brought the elevator back up to the top. We just went past it and fell back down.

We love it because it is different each time. Our fave was at the end of the night when it dropped us probably 9 times.

 

[Amelia :)]

I like to look at it from a different perspective. Being scared is good! You're meant to be scared, if you weren't scared, the thrill and the adrenaline wouldn't be there. Whenever my daughter complains she's scared when she's about to go on a ride I just say "YEP! You're supposed to be!". Embrace it!

 

[TinkerPan]

I rode for the first time this year. I too am not into thrill rides but I made up my mind I would ride this time. Years ago I went through the queue (which had a long line) just to get a sense of the atmosphere. The details are amazing. But, at that time my husband and I and our two young teens took the chicken door and never rode. This time I was determined to do it. And I did. I of course had my reservations. I told the cast member this was my first time and asked suggestions as to where was the best place for chickens to sit. She recommended the last row and made sure we got those seats. The pictures of us in the car are priceless. Everyone - but me -are smiling and many have their hands in the air. My face was one of pure terror. My son-in-law blew my face up and added the caption "Happiest Place on Earth?" That said, the ride wasn't that bad and I'd do it again. My advice: ask for the back row, take in the details, know you'll be fine (Disney is into family friendly rides not really into Terror) and know it isn't as bad as it looks. Much of the terror is in building anticipation not the drops themselves.

 

[NemoMomof3]

My DD wanted to ride this ride on our last trip 3 years ago and chickened out at the last minute. I've always "wanted" to ride but HATE that drop feeling in your stomach. Our next trip is November and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to avoid riding this time. DD has entered her adventurous stage and loves roller coasters. Wish me luck.

 

[Peepster]

My spouse always had a problem with ToT (which is my favorite in the entire universe) until I taught her to completely relax and let go when entering the drop area. She said that was the best advice she ever got and doesn't even hold on anymore...just enjoys the "air time" as do I. And she has severe motion sickness which no longer bothers her here. Sounds goofy, I suppose, but works for us.

 

[tomlinson]

You can do it! What'll psyche you out are the people screaming. Remember, you're at Disney World. Nothing bad is going to happen to you on the ride. You're not going to die. You're not going to fly out of your seat. Your stomach may feel weird. You may scream. You may want off the ride, but just as quickly as those feelings wash over you? The ride will be ending. Close your eyes! I personally find this ride to be so tame that I pretend to be sleeping for giggles.

 

[Arielfan98]

When I was very young (8 years old maybe?) I was absolutely terrified of it, but my parents didn't want to do the ride swap option. So, my dad made me a deal that if I rode Tower of Terror, he would buy me that expensive Ariel doll in the gift shop. I was terrified the entire time, but I was motivated by the doll. I realized the worst part was the build-up to the ride and all the creepy decorations, and the first few seconds of the drop. Beside those factors, the ride is very enjoyable. As childish as it might sound, bribe yourself. If you ride the Tower of Terror, treat yourself to a Mickey Bar, a dinner at California Grill, a T-shirt you saw in the gift shop, a night out at Disney Springs, something special, etc. Most importantly, use your girlfriend as a motivation. I'm rooting for you!

 

[bluemoon9]

Any claustrophobic TOT riders out there who can comment on that aspect? Elevators and dark rides in general give me a good deal of anxiety. TOT sounds like it could be my worst nightmare but I would really like to ride it for the theming.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

It's exhilarating!!
H A N G O N!!

 

[HelloMimi]

ToT is far from my favorite ride at WDW, but it's pretty likely that whatever you're imagining the ride to be is 3x worse than the reality.

I was absolutely adamant about not riding ToT on my first WDW trip, and I'm still not sure what possessed me to get on that elevator, but I got off thinking, "Oh, that's it?" The first half of the ride is pretty terrifying because all you'll be able to think about are the inevitable drops, but once you get to them, they go by so quickly that you barely have a moment to process it.

One of my sisters loves ToT, so every time she and her twin ride it, I go with them. I could easily opt out, but I go because I know experiencing it together makes my sisters happy. OP, if you feel the urge to take the chicken exit, consider what experiencing the ride together might mean for your girlfriend. It'll be scary for a couple of minutes, but the shared memory will probably be one that you two talk about for quite some time!

 

[Planogirl]

Any claustrophobic TOT riders out there who can comment on that aspect? Elevators and dark rides in general give me a good deal of anxiety. TOT sounds like it could be my worst nightmare but I would really like to ride it for the theming.

My claustrophobia is pretty mild so I probably shouldn't comment but that part of it has never bothered me. It's a good size vehicle. You might want to check video and photos to see if it might be OK for you.

 

[TowerOfTurkey]

I am very encouraged by everyone’s responses, and I also see this is helping other people. The problem, as many have described, will be the mental buildup.

I need to do it once. If I like it, great. If I do not, I am sure some cast members can get me a change of clothes as soon as I get off the ride.

I do agree the TowerOfTurkey sandwich should be created. Good luck to me trying to get royalties on it!

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Any claustrophobic TOT riders out there who can comment on that aspect? Elevators and dark rides in general give me a good deal of anxiety. TOT sounds like it could be my worst nightmare but I would really like to ride it for the theming.

I get claustrophobic pretty easily. I dread going on regular elevators and flat out refuse to get on one with more than a couple of people in it as I start to panic. I have a crazy fear of being trapped in an elevator.

I love Tower of Terror! The "elevator" is MUCH larger than a standard elevator, the sides are a cage rather than a solid piece, so it seems less confined and the front is open. The people sitting on either side of you are close, but anyone in the rows in front of or behind you don't feel like they're in your personal space. The cast member will assign you to a row of numbers to stand on before you get on the ride. If you are first in your row, you will be sitting with the cage/ wall on one side and a person on the other. If you are last in your row, there will be a person sitting on one side of you, and a small aisle before the next person. I'd recommend one of these seats as then you only have a person close on one side of you rather than both sides. Really though, it's not bad at all for claustrophobia.

Funny story for you. A couple weeks ago, DH, DD7, and I got into line for TOT shortly before closing. We were about to enter the library when DD suddenly had to go the restroom NOW! I asked the cast member where the nearest one was and if we would have time to make it back here before they closed the line. She said we wouldn't, but to come to the exit and someone would hook us up. So anyway, we do that and another cast member meets us at the exit and says she's been waiting for us and takes us to a regular elevator to take us up to the boiler room/ ride entrance. It was a standard size elevator and apparently I was white as ghost when we got out of it because the CM asked if I was okay and if I was sure I wanted to ride TOT. I caught my breath and told her I was fine. We were immediately escorted onto the ride and I breathed a sigh of relief thinking, "Man, I'm so happy the ride isn't in an elevator that small!"

 

[hmcater]

My 16 year old son, who is not adventurous with rides at all, was also scared to ride ToT. We finally talked him into just trying it once a few years ago and now it's his favorite ride! It really is not as bad as it may sound. I find that it helps that there are handle bars on the seats to hang on to.