Splash Moutain Fear

[MmeLeota]

I may be in the minority here, but I've never found closing my eyes on "scary" rides helpful. In fact I always found closing my eyes scarier, especially on coasters; psychologically, it has always helped me to see whatever's coming up on the ride and mentally prepare for it rather than closing my eyes and being totally surprised every time there's a sudden drop or loop or whatever.

So my advice for Splash Mountain would be to lean forward (as others have suggested), keep your eyes open if at all possible, and exhale during the drop to get rid of the tickle in your stomach. That's what worked for me anyway.

Hope that helped!

For some, closing the eyes is either the principle of "what I can't see can't hurt me" or "ignorance is bliss". Whereas BTM is a coaster which frequent turns and fast motion, Splash Mountain on the other hand is easier to cope with to me because it's just the one drop and it's pretty quick. You know when it's coming thanks to the vultures and upon reaching the top of the incline its over and done with in less than a minute.

For me, I have to close my eyes on Splash...I can't stand watching the "fall". But as far as coasters go, I have to be able to see the track. The only one I absolutely have to sit up front on though is Space Mountain...there's usually just enough light to see the track...it's the only way to keep my equilibrium in check.

[SoarinSoarin]

I'm the same way. I won't do Tower of Terror or Rockin' Roller Coaster due to my fear of falling (ToT) and looping roller coasters (RRC). It took me a while to jump into the line at the Expedition Everest AP Preview. Since then, I've been on it 168 times. For me, I have to analyze everything that happens in the ride, make sure I'm okay with it, then I'll go.

My advice would be to take her down to the lower bridge, where you can see the logs going under the bridge and around the bend, and have he notice how everyone in the logs is usually laughing and having a good time. Seeing these guests in their enjoyment may comfort your wife into thinking it's okay. Plus, it's all about the anticipation. I hate the lift up to the big drop, because all you can do is think about the plummet, but afterwards, I'm having a great time, and hopefully not wet.

[trekty]

As someone who suffers from panic attacks, I would recommend you not push your wife to ride. I have tried Splash and everytime I end up in a panic attack (and that is NOT what I go on vacation for ) IMO it isn't worth the panic/fear for a family photo.

[MmeLeota]

As someone who suffers from panic attacks, I would recommend you not push your wife to ride. I have tried Splash and everytime I end up in a panic attack (and that is NOT what I go on vacation for ) IMO it isn't worth the panic/fear for a family photo.

I think it also depends on what triggers the attack...for me, the biggest trigger is my claustrophobia.

[mindflipper]

As someone who suffers from panic attacks, I would recommend you not push your wife to ride. I have tried Splash and everytime I end up in a panic attack (and that is NOT what I go on vacation for ) IMO it isn't worth the panic/fear for a family photo.

I think it also depends on what triggers the attack...for me, the biggest trigger is my claustrophobia.

I think I have mine just waiting for the park to open in the morning...

[cousininmiami]

Splash Mountain is fabulous and fun and I hate roller coasters! Yes I am a weenie. But I go on them anyways, all of them, even the really scary Everest one in AK. Tell her to go and have fun, all the little critters are cute!

[dwellsbct]

Sorry I'm with your wife on this one. I *DID* talk myself into riding Splash Mtn once that was enough for me. NEVER again... I love BTMRR it is fun has no real drops but Splash has the drop of death!!!! But I did try it once... maybe your wife will like it if she tries it but not me, sorry

[nicklesm17]

in my teenage days, i rode the worst great america (gurnee, il) had to offer, again, again and again. 25 or more years later, i look at these rides and say "no thank you". now my 3 year old, is pushing that this october he wants to do this one. i said, "but barnstormers left you screaming and crying during the whole ride on our last trip!". he doesn't care, "will you go on that with me daddy?". what am i gonna do? i took heart in the posts about universal jurassic drop being worse (i have done that several times... 5 or so years ago). yet this last post says what i'm thinking, i'm not gonna like this. kind of a shame, for years i've been trying to screw up the nerve to do this one and t o t. i guess a 3 year old will force my hand. i may have one more year on this one, he may not make the height requirement... ha ha!

[Amy]

Sorry I'm with your wife on this one. I *DID* talk myself into riding Splash Mtn once that was enough for me. NEVER again... I love BTMRR it is fun has no real drops but Splash has the drop of death!!!! But I did try it once... maybe your wife will like it if she tries it but not me, sorry

"Drop of death!!!!" Aha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
That's a good one dwellsbct

...now my 3 year old, is pushing that this october he wants to do this one. i said, "but barnstormers left you screaming and crying during the whole ride on our last trip!". he doesn't care, "will you go on that with me daddy?". what am i gonna do? i took heart in the posts about universal jurassic drop being worse (i have done that several times... 5 or so years ago). yet this last post says what i'm thinking, i'm not gonna like this. kind of a shame, for years i've been trying to screw up the nerve to do this one and t o t. i guess a 3 year old will force my hand. i may have one more year on this one, he may not make the height requirement... ha ha!

That is sweet that you are willing to go on something that scares you for your son. You might want to make sure he is wearing very thin flip-flops that day ~ the height requirement is only 40 inches!

[Jacca5660]

After reading all of this, I find I'm totally opposite. I keep thinking that Disney needs to build a coaster like Dueling Dragons. I LOVE R&R, SM, and Goofy's Barn Stormer, but IMHO Disney needs to build a bigger coaster. I can't get enough of them!!

[mindflipper]

After reading all of this, I find I'm totally opposite. I keep thinking that Disney needs to build a coaster like Dueling Dragons. I LOVE R&R, SM, and Goofy's Barn Stormer, but IMHO Disney needs to build a bigger coaster. I can't get enough of them!!

Did somebody overlook Expedition Everest? I thought that classified as "bigger coaster".

[nicklesm17]

That is sweet that you are willing to go on something that scares you for your son. You might want to make sure he is wearing very thin flip-flops that day ~ the height requirement is only 40 inches!

well, i think i'm ok then. it's funny you mention the flip flop thing, we've been using that around the house since we made the reservations... "better start lookin' for some really thick flip flops if you wanna do that one" (he wants to do nearly everything now).