Splash Mountain and Tower of Terror are very different. SM's drop is one small part of a long ride that lasts a couple of seconds, and is like a very steep slide. 80% of Tower of Terror is going straight up & down in a powered vehicle. I think you should try them both!All you first time riders make it sound simple. Just do it. Face your fear, etc. I like to think I could do that, but I need some bucking up. My biggest fear is stuff that keeps you off the ground. I can't comfortably ride a ski lift or a gondola where you are up in the air for several minutes. I hate the feeling of falling, but I made a bet with my DS11 that he'll ride RnRc for the first time (he's scared of going upside down) with my DW, and I would ride Splash Mountain (which I've never ridden on my previous 7 trips). I keep telling myself that the drop will be over in a couple of seconds, but I'm hoping for a short wait so I don't have to think about it too long.
So, assuming I don't die on SM, how would that drop compare to ToT? I have ZERO CLUE why I'm even entertaining ToT, but I guess reading all these responses has made me crazy.
Splash Mountain and Tower of Terror are very different. SM's drop is one small part of a long ride that lasts a couple of seconds, and is like a very steep slide. 80% of Tower of Terror is going straight up & down in a powered vehicle. I think you should try them both!
This is exactly how I am. I was terrified of the Hulk (at Uni), I did it, and was happy and relieved afterwards. Do not know if I will do that again, though!To be honest with the OP, you're going to hate it, until its over, and then I think you will love it. I say that because it sounds like it is the anticipation of the ride and big drop that makes you nervous. And there is a lot of build up on this ride. The pre-ride show, the winding line in the faux-boiler room, and then the story at the beginning of the ride as you slowly move toward the drop. There is a long build up and plenty of time to be nervous. But I say gut it out. Its one of my two favorite rides at WDW. The drop (there is always a big one) is very smooth and over quickly. And the ride up is not bad. Other free fall rides can leave me a bit starry-eyed if they jostle around too quickly. never experienced that on ToT. I think when its over, and your adrennaline is pumping, you will be happy you did it
TOT is a contender for best attraction on property. Have you ever seen episodes of The Twilight Zone? You should check a few out, they are classics and you'll appreciate TOT more if you're familiar with it. I don't know what else to say, it's really, really fun.
You are braver and more adventurous than I am, Micca, but, yes, being familiar with the Twilight Zone does allow one to fully appreciate the theme. I LOVED that aspect. Maybe I will give the ride another try in January. Want to have a DisMeet and join me on the ride so I can grab onto your arm? At least you're not a total stranger.
Sure, let's do it! The theming on this attraction is just incredible, heck even the queue is cool as you wind through the grounds of the hotel. There is so much going on in that lobby I never get tired of it, and the library with the video ties everything together so well. Really the elevator portion of TOT is only a fraction of what the entire experience is about.
Another idea is to check out the Disney "Tower Of Terror" movie. There are scenes in the movie that were filmed at the attraction. It might be on a streaming service, I just ordered a copy last week from Amazon. It's not much of a movie, but I love TOT so much I just like watching it for the attraction shots. BTW, it's not at all scary like a horror flick, it originally aired as a Wonderful World Of Disney made-for-tv movie.
I didn't get to read all the posts, but did anyone point out that the elevator is never in free fall: It actually is being pulled down mechanically, there are no hard or abrupt landings.