Seriously, how scary are Disney World rides?

May 23, 2005 1:03 PM

I know that this is a VERY subjective question but can you provide any insight on the terror quotient of Walt Disney World "thrill" rides?

I am 43 years old and am going with the SO and two kids (8 and 11) to Disney World this summer. This question is for *me;* the kids are much braver than I am. I'm particularly interested in people's experiences with the Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain and Space Mountain.
For an indication of my cowardice level, I provide here a link to something I rode last year that scared the life out of me.

posted by anonymous to travel & transportation (28 comments total)

If you have a problem with weightlessness, I would suggest maybe skipping all three rides, as each features a moment where you kind of lose your stomach for a split second. Personally, Space Mountain terrified me as an 8 year old, but when I got older I started to enjoy those anti-gravity moments, and all three rides feature that.
posted by mathowie at 1:12 PM on May 23, 2005

Most of the rides in WDW are pretty easy. It is, after all, designed for kids.
The coasters are fairly vanilla, without loops or really steep drops.

If the Sea Dragon gave you the willies though, I would definitely avoid the Tower of Terror.
posted by madajb at 1:12 PM on May 23, 2005

My (then) 8-year-old daughter loved Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. I enjoyed the splash, but not the space. In fact, I hated Space Mountain, was terrified the whole ride, and was physically uncomfortable for at least 30 minutes afterwards. We didn't do Tower of Terror.
posted by MrMoonPie at 1:13 PM on May 23, 2005

I don't think there are many scarier rides than the Sea Dragon (and it's Viking Longboat counterparts). They also scare me at a realistic level, since I think Disney takes better care of their rides than Joe Carnie.

Space Mountain is pitch dark, so it's mainly physical thrills instead of that mental anticipation thing like the other two.
posted by smackfu at 1:15 PM on May 23, 2005

Lol @ this being anonymous! :)

Anyway, stay off of Space Mountain and you should be ok.
posted by eas98 at 1:17 PM on May 23, 2005

BTW, Tower of Terror is in MGM Studios.. You only asked about Disney World, but just in case, DO NOT RIDE THE TOWER OF TERROR if you found the Viking ship to be frightening.. You will likely pass out!
posted by eas98 at 1:18 PM on May 23, 2005

For what it's worth, I sympathize with you. I've never been on any of those rides, though; I went on Thunder Mountain Railroad, a pretty tame one, when I was younger and I HATED that, so I never even tried Space Mountain or the Tower of Terror. If you're anything like me, honestly, I'd just advise skipping them entirely.

Naturally, it's up to you, but it's not worth the anguish if you know you already don't like those types of rides, IMO. I've been to WDW more times in 24 years than most people go in their lifetimes, and I always managed to have fun in the park without going on any thrill rides (Haunted Mansion forever!)
posted by Kosh at 1:19 PM on May 23, 2005

I'm somewhat of a wimp when it comes to scary things and I loved Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and some ride based on the Aliens movies. None of them bothered me at all.

I have never been more scared than I was on the Tower of Terror ride, however. The buildup had me wimpering and if they had stopped the ride and asked if anyone wanted to get off, I would have. My wife loved every minute of it. The drop was a peice of cake though, and actually quite fun. I'd do it again in a second and I don't think I'd be scared at all. I think I was expecting it to be a lot worse.

If you're afraid of heights you may want to avoid it though. the doors open at one point and you look out to the street thirteen stories below. I loved that part of it since I like heights.

There was a Star Wars motion simulator ride and one based on Fantastic Voyage (I think) that made me motion sick.

The prices will scare you more than anything.
posted by bondcliff at 1:25 PM on May 23, 2005

I used to be such a chicken on rides (now I'm trying to skydive, go figure). My scardy-catness was totally lost during my Disney World excursion. So I was probably in your shoes going into "The World", here are my thoughts:

- The Aerosmith ride isn't so scary as it is a shock going so fast. It's pretty much pitch black and is over so fast you don't know what happened. Having to watch several trains go from 0-70MPH in a few seconds before you load is the scariest part.

- Space Mountain was definitely the easiest. If you can ride a roller coast at all you can ride this one. It's really tame compared to modern rides. The darnkess provides the real "thrill", but again it lasts only a few minutes at tops. Maybe the visual factor scares me the most about rides, but I had no thrill "oh my god" factor on Space Mountain.

- Splash Mountain, the scariest part is the several hour wait. The whole thing is exeedingly tame until the very end where you feel like you're falling, but seems to end before the real fear goes in. It's low on the scare factor, especially considering you know what's going to happen well in advance and they don't try to scare you with it.

- Tower of Terror is by far the worst. Standard Disney theatrics combined with a real fall that you don't know when it will happen put this on my "don't do it again" list. The visuals are so cool I'm glad I went on it.

What really pushed me at WDW was wanting to see the whole Disney experience. The rides aren't about thrill per se as much as the immersion. I'd recommend doing a few shots or whatever needs to be done to at least try the rides to get the theatrics.
posted by geoff. at 1:25 PM on May 23, 2005

I'm not good with coasters. They scare the shit out of me.

I've been on Space Mountain a half dozen times during the past twenty years. Why? I don't know. It scares me stiff. Except this last time: on a friend's advice, I asked to be seated in front. The Disney line-guy pulled me aside and had me wait (I'm not sure for what), and then put me at the very front. My god. I was still scared to death, but in an exhilerated way. I mean, I was so scared that I was laughing. It was great fun. To summarize: space mountain can be scary, but if you're going to do it, sit in front.

I've done Splash Mountain a number of times, too. I've never found it scary. It's fun.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Matterhorn (in Disneyland, anyhow -- are they at Disney World?) are both moderately scary for me, too. Indiana Jones isn't so much scary as violent. I once lost a ballcap from the top of my head; it was thrown off by the sharp turns in the ride.

Because I hate coasters, I tend to do things like ride Pirates of the Carribean over and over and over again. I once road it five times consecutive while everyone else was out watching a parade and fireworks.
posted by jdroth at 1:27 PM on May 23, 2005

Don't listen to these people. Tower of Terror is one of those "gag" rides, where they make you think it's going to be horrible, and the thing is really just a lot of convex mirrors, eerie music and slow-moving trams.

At one point, you get into a seated "elevator," which takes you to the top of the "Tower." At the top, you're treated to one of the best views of the MGM park there is!

It's really quite relaxing.

...

And then you plunge 13 stories to your death.

gulp.

Probably the closest I ever want to come to a runaway elevator. And it'll certainly make you rethink that old idea you had that all you have to do is "jump up" at the last minute of a shaft plunge and all will be fine.

Harrowing.

I rode it twice! But if that gentle swoopy-ship thing makes you nauseated, stay away from this and stick with the "Small World" ride.
posted by baltimore at 1:27 PM on May 23, 2005

eas98 said:
"BTW, Tower of Terror is in MGM Studios.. You only asked about Disney World..."

Sorry to be pedantic, but MGM most definitely is a part of Walt Disney World (Which consists of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM, the Animal Kingdom, two water parks, not to mention umpteen resorts and golf courses and shopping areas, etc.

As to the question at hand: you will definitely want to skip the Tower of Terror. I love it, you would hate it, enough said. You probably wouldn't like Space Mountain either, but you might still want to give Splash Mountain a ride. Yes, there is the one big drop, but the rest of the ride is very tame and honestly the drop really isn't that bad.

One ride you really should check out is the new Soarin' over at Epcot in the Land pavilion. It is a clone of the ride at Disney's California Adventure, if you are familiar with that. Although it is a "flight simulator" the movement is silky smooth and the scenery is breathtaking. I know several people who hate motion rides, and they have all loved Soarin'.

By the same token, you will definitely want to avoid Mission: Space, and you will probably want to skip Test Track as well while you are at Epcot. Be sure to hang around for IllumiNations at the end of the evening, it's the single best fireworks show at WDW.

At the Magic Kingdom I heartily recommend you check out Mickey's PhilharMagic, it is hands down the best new attraction at the Magic Kingdom in years. The recent rehab of It's a Small World was very impressive, and well worth going on as well. I would recommend skipping Stitch's Great Escape only because it is really weak and needs major work before it becomes a must-see attraction. You should also stick around for the Wishes fireworks show, it really is a great show. Find a spot to stand in the Hub if at all possible, or else at the bottom of Main Street near the train station.

There really isn't anything at Animal Kingdom for you to worry about (at least not yet - Expedition Everest will surely be on your must-avoid list when it opens next year). At MGM you'll be skipping Tower of Terror and the Rock 'n Roller Coaster, but everything else in the park you will enjoy. If you get a chance to watch any of the street performers, you really should - it's great fun.

(Full Disclosure: I live less than two miles from Disney property, and am in the parks several times a month.)
posted by Lokheed at 1:41 PM on May 23, 2005

On Space Mountain, I was more worried that my head would smash into the tracks that crossed overhead. There aren't any huge drops on that ride, though.

Scariest ride at Disney? SNOW WHITE.
posted by superkim at 1:46 PM on May 23, 2005

Okay, here's the poop from someone who feels pretty much like you. The problem with me is the feeling of falling (negative G's) -- that doesn't come from speed or twists and turns, but from acceleration towards the earth. I hate roller coasters with a burning, seething, roiling passion. But, I'm a new dad, and I wanted to indoctrinate myself to the whole experience so I wouldn't wuss out in front of my kid in a few years.

Big Thunder Mountain: Not much in the way of strong negative G's. Fast and tight. Ride it first thing in the morning when there are no lines (waiting in line will increase your anxiety and make the ride worse for you).

Space Mountain: Slightly more negative G's than BTM, but not much. Most of the thrills here are psychological. The ride isn't as tight'n'twisty as BTM. If you close your eyes on other roller coasters, this one won't be any different. :)

Splash Mountain: Two drops. One small one in the middle (about twice the speed of the small drop on Pirates of the Caribbean), and the big one at the end. It's a VERY tame ride otherwise.

With all roller coasters, sitting toward the front will reduce the negative G's somewhat, making the ride more tolerable. Don't be afraid to scream like a little girl, everyone else is, and it helps to release the tension. Laugh, too.

If you're staying at any hotels "on property", they have this weekly thing where you can buy a bracelet for $20 and have exclusive access to Magic Kingdom's most popular rides (including the coasters) after the park itself closes. Just you and a few thousand of your closest friends. That means that you could ride these coasters half a dozen times with no wait between each ride. Well worth it, for the training experience.

Tower of Terror? Stay away. Random number of drops, one of which pushes you down faster than gravity. It's a brute force ride.

Mission: Space: I haven't been on this one yet, but there is a circumfuge-like system for the ride. Luckily, this makes you experience more POSITIVE G's (acceleration AWAY from the Earth).

On a final note, go find a skydiving school and take a tandem jump. Seriously. That sick feeling comes from acceleration (I promise), and when you jump from a plane, you accelerate in mere seconds. Then, it's just like a fast wind coming at you. It'll make roller coasters seem easier, especially if heights enters into your fears.

Avoid tubular steel rides, stick to mine cars and "Mouse" coasters (they're both fast and tight with a minimum of drops -- mostly "lateral" G's, which may make some people motion sick, but isn't scary).

Hope my long-winded reply helps. I'll monitor the thread for a day or so, so if you have any questions about any particular rides (I've ridden them all at this point, except Mission: Space), ask away.
posted by Merdryn at 1:46 PM on May 23, 2005

To comment on another reply: Test Track doesn't have those negative G's I referred to. Neither does Mission: Space (it isn't a track ride, it can't really "fake" negative G's). If, after reading my post, you think that the source of your fear/sickness is acceleration towards the Earth/falling/negative G's, those rides are all safe. And I heartily second the Soarin' ride. Don't let the warnings in the entry fool you, it's a butter-smooth ride and a FANTASTIC view. Get a fastpass for it, if it's fastpass enabled, and make it your last ride while you're at the parks.

Oh, and don't forget to see La Nouba. :)
posted by Merdryn at 1:49 PM on May 23, 2005

I pretty much hate most roller coasters (but ride them anyway b/c my wife loves them.) I would say none of the roller coasters at Disney are that bad. You should give them a shot. The Tower of Terror is pretty scary, but it's so well executed that it's worth it - I mean, you're supposed to be scared of it. And the drop part itself only lasts for maybe 30 seconds?
posted by drobot at 2:10 PM on May 23, 2005

I loved rollercoasters as a kid (mid 60s), but these new coasters have something I simply hate. Those neck-cracking jolts! I would love modern coasters if the rides were smooth.
posted by mischief at 2:13 PM on May 23, 2005

Merdryn wrote:
"To comment on another reply: Test Track doesn't have those negative G's I referred to. Neither does Mission: Space (it isn't a track ride, it can't really "fake" negative G's)."

Actually, Mission: Space does have a period of weightlessness, after the initial launch and before the slingshot around the moon. It fakes that floating/falling feeling very well, regardless of whether or not it is a track ride. It is also a very bad ride to close your eyes on, unlike a roller coaster. Either closing your eyes or looking from side to side is likely to cause a "protein spill", as the cast members politely phrase it. Test Track you might be ok with, but stay away from Mission: Space.
posted by Lokheed at 2:24 PM on May 23, 2005

jdroth: Except this last time: on a friend's advice, I asked to be seated in front. The Disney line-guy pulled me aside and had me wait (I'm not sure for what), and then put me at the very front.

The front seats tend to be held for handicapped riders, and they get first crack at the seats. Since there weren't any, you got the seat.
posted by jlkr at 3:31 PM on May 23, 2005

I love rollercoasters but Splash Mountain scared the everloving crap out of me because you're not strapped in at all. I'm fine with almost any ride as long as I feel secure; I trust in the designers/engineers to keep me safe. But Splash Mountain is a glorified log ride so they don't have the safety bar. (Disneyland, CA, not Disney World, if there's a difference.)

And if Disney World has the same Fast Track system (or whatever it's called, where you get a fifteen-minute time slot to queue in), then waiting in line isn't as big an issue. But getting there early, like right on opening time, helps a lot too. We managed to do the Indiana Jones ride three times at Disneyland before the crowds really came in.
posted by tracicle at 3:42 PM on May 23, 2005

People die on amusement park rides. Seriously. If you're prone to high G-force headaches, you could have an aneurysm.

Not to spoil anyone's fun, mind you. Just be careful.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 3:55 PM on May 23, 2005

What scared you about the Sea Dragon ride? I hate that thing but I'll go on any of the rides at DisneyWorld/Six Flags/etc. The scary thing for me about the Sea Dragon is the point where it stops with you suspended upside down at the top. That's just not the way my stomach and I want to look at the world.

All of the rollercoaster rides - Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, etc. lack that quality of motionless terror. Even the rides that involve falling (Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror) keep you rightside up while you're falling. Also, few of them force you to look at the big wide world around you while you ride them.

Read the descriptions of the rides and start on the one that scares you the least. As other posters have noted, scream your lungs out if you get scared - it really helps to focus on something while you ride, and screaming is a very socially acceptable outlet in this context.
posted by rhiannon at 4:29 PM on May 23, 2005

I LOVE roller coaster. Love 'em. I haven't been to WDW, but Disneyland has a lot of the same rides and attractions. Almost all of the DisneyParksCorp coasters are really quite mild.

I love freefall rides. I haven't done Superman at Six Flaggs Magic Mountain yet, but I loved Freefall - the first vertical drop-type coaster of it's kind - and would go on it as many times in a row as I could. I even do scary cracked-out carnival rides with a possibly suicidal abandon.

However, Hollywood Tower of Terror scared the everloving poop out of me. I realize it's almost entirely psychological - the drops and action really aren't that severe compared to other freefall rides - but I swear I nearly wet my pants on that. It shook me up for the rest of the day.

I can't believe it's a Disney ride. It's easily the scariest ride Disney's ever made.

I don't scream in terror on rides - I make Goofy-esque hooting and laughing noises, shrieking in delight, basically. On Tower of Terror, I screamed like a little girl being chased down and thrown off a cliff by a horror-movie character - complete with clawing at my lapbelt and seat and hyperventilation and eyes bugging out of my head and everything. It's very probable that I would go on it again, but once in a day was enough the first time around.

And supposedly the Tower of Terror at Disneyworld is even scarier.

Also, I showed my GF this thread, and she says that those "dragon swing" or "boat swing" type rides scare the crap out of her, and she's also a coaster and ride fanatic. It's something about the motion and the skimpy little lap bar. I've never been a huge fan of them myself, either.
posted by loquacious at 6:42 PM on May 23, 2005

I'm not fond of amusement parks because rides that many people seem to find "thrilling" and fun I find very scary and shake me up. I don't like heights, I don't like drops, I don't like being thrown upside down. I hate roller coasters. I *really* like Disneyworld because I can ride almost all the rides and I'm not stuck being the jacket-and-purse-holder while everyone else is off having a good time! =P

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is fine for me. There's no big drops, just a lot of turns, and it's not too fast, but fast enough. Also it is not in the air for most of the ride; the tracks are on the ground (I don't like tracks in the air). I've been told Space Mountain is similar, but I won't go on it; the big hill at the beginning is in the air, and there are a couple drops that I've been told are not *that* big, but they're in the dark, and I just won't do that. My best friend says if you're anything like me you probably won't enjoy it. She also says Splash Mountain (another one I won't go on) has probably the biggest drop in the park, so if you don't like drops, avoid it.

Tower of Terror I wouldn't go on even if you paid me. Heights + drops = scary scary scary. Ugh.
posted by Melinika at 7:31 PM on May 23, 2005

As a young man who took some time off school to work in the WDW parks in the mid-90s, I just happened to land in Lake Buena Vista at a time when WDW was revamping the Tower to try to compete with Universal Studios' then-brand-new "Terminator 2 3-D" movie experience. They had added another drop and possibly revamped some of the visuals building up to the drop. [By adding another drop, I mean that the cars would drop, then go back up _rilly_fast, then drop again.] To test the safety guest reaction to the changes, they made the ride available after park closing, cast-members-only for several hours a night for two weeks.

I was not crazy about thrill rides -- I respected them but rarely rode the most intense ones, which made me not much fun to go to Cedar Point with -- but a neighbor of mine [also a cast member] talked me into going with her one night. And the next night. And the next... After the first couple of times I started to really enjoy the weightless feeling as the ride drops and after 20 or so rides over the course of the two weeks I was trying to stand in just the right queue spot to get the seat that just has an automotive-style lap belt rather than the big metal bar. And to this day I will ride anything that Cedar Point puts up, though I gotta admit I don't ride the Mean Streak every year anymore, I hate coming off a ride with a headache.

Anyway, I tell that story to tell you this: the Tower is pretty scary for someone who doesn't like falling downward. Especially the way they build up to it, with a Twilight-Zone-esque [right down to a Serling-sound-alike narrator and the Twilight Zone theme] story of a doomed elevator much like the one you are boarding.

The Rock-N-Roller Coaster is the only Disney coaster in Florida that has a loop-de-loop, but it's almost completely dark [only road signs illuminated] so you may not even know until it's past. I think Space Mountain and everything else in the Magic Kingdom are pretty tame. I guess the Splash Mountain drop is kinda steep but it's over quickly and you land in water. Also, it's not heavily advertised, but the Norway pavillion at Epcot has a water ride that is even tamer than Splash, as well as the GM Test Track, which is more of a technology demonstration than a pants-wetting thrill ride.

Also, if the animatronic Ellen DeGeneres inside ExxonMobil's Universe of Energy doesn't scare you, then the loud tiger roar at the very end might.
posted by britain at 7:54 PM on May 23, 2005

Gahh! Hot button issue! anonymous - my advice is this: If roller coasters or rides aren't fun for you don't go on them, and don't let anyone bully/mock/cajole you into it. *glares at ex-husband*

Amusement parks are supposed to be a good time. I personally don't find anything enjoyable about having the shit scared out of me, (yet alone paying the earth for the privilege) so I happily play sherpa and let everyone else go off to experience their own personal protein spill - without me.

I obviously don't have any experience with Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain or Space Mountain, but I can tell you that the Indiana Jones ride was a blast. I surprised myself with that one. Have fun!
posted by Space Kitty at 9:07 PM on May 23, 2005

The thing about Space Mountain, you have over-the-shoulder harness. Nothing to worry about, relax and enjoy the engineered thrill, which is mild, as coasters go.

But I love coasters. The only coaster I refused to take a second ride on was the Pepsi Max, in Blackpool, England. I do not like feeling I have to hold on to stay in my seat!

Yet, Sea Dragon? That's just a big glorified swing. It doesn't go upside down. It doesn't change direction except back and forth. Perhaps you should acquire a good taste for singing Tiki figures.
posted by Goofyy at 11:49 PM on May 23, 2005

I hate roller coasters myself but we took the kids to WDW when they were around 7 & 9 (about 7 years ago) & rode all the standard stuff. My oldest is a daredevil thrill seeker & got on the first seat of the first car at Space Mountain. My youngest (Katie) had to be coaxed into the third seat (in front of me on the fourth, 'natch!). As the ride started up Katie wanted off but it was too late - once you turn the corner its lights out an away you go - Katie screamed "God, help me!" the whole way down (we may, perhaps, not be the best parents).

We checked out the rest of the park & that evening had some time to spare & took a poll on what to do before the park closed. Katie? Space Mountain!
posted by Pressed Rat at 6:52 AM on May 24, 2005