The High Roller Las Vegas

Fear and Loathing on the High Roller: Acrophobia and Jumping Children


Blonde4ever experiences such great heights –and fears– on the High Roller…

The question of the day; should a person who is afraid of heights ride the High Roller, the 550-foot high Ferris wheel at the Linq? I pondered this for quite some time. Sometimes the glorious sights in front of me override my terror of being so high in the air. I have managed to visit the outdoor area of VooDoo lounge at the Rio and the top of the Eiffel tower without incident. I love the balconies at Cosmo as long as my back is up against the wall. I decided I would be able to handle thirty minutes on the High Roller too.

The High Roller appears enormous from a distance, but as you are walking down the Linq towards it, it seems to grow (or maybe that is all in my head). I looked up at this monster with trepidation as I stood next to the entrance. “You are here now,” I said to myself. “and you don’t want to waste a free ticket.” I was relatively calm as I wound my way through the stanchions and ropes that led to the spot where you entered the pods. It was only when I was confronted with the pods themselves that I started to panic.

The High Roller Las Vegas

I had realized on the ground that the wheel never stopped moving, but it didn’t dawn on me until I was right next to the pod that I, slow moving, semi-handicapped I, had to step onto a moving ride! As the door to the pod grew closer the attendants motioned me to step up. I said to them “I don’t think I can do this”. I am assuming that they have seen this panic stricken look on many occasions so the female attendant began talking into to her headset. “Slow it down. Slow, slow, slow” she said. I was relieved and somewhat thrilled to see the pod slow down until it was barely moving. The male attendant stepped into the pod himself and reached out his hand to me. I grabbed it and he pulled me over the threshold. Success! I am finally in this thing. Now I just hope I live through this ride.

Something that affects your enjoyment of the ride is who you have in the pod with you. It was my misfortune to have a Dad, Grandpa and two poorly behaved little girls in the pod with me. The girls had no fear and jumped and spun around the cabin with wild abandon. I was fervently wishing that “mom” was there too because I felt sure she would have kept them in line. Dad and Grandpa seemed oblivious. My favorite moment, as we rose higher and higher into the sky, was when they chose to press up against the door of the pod. I watched breathlessly, half expecting the door to pop open and the girls to fall to their untimely ends, but thankfully that did not happen.

The High Roller Las Vegas The High Roller Las Vegas

I think fear must breed hostility in me because I was also feeling all kinds of hate towards the dude on the screen above my head who kept announcing how many feet in the air we were. Every time I thought we were at the pinnacle of this thing he would announce that we weren’t there yet. After what seemed like an eternity we were finally at the top and beginning our descent. I felt a good deal calmer on the way down than I did on the way up. I relaxed enough to take in the gorgeous views around me and to snap a few blurry pictures. It is very hard to take good pictures in the pods because of all the reflections off of the glass. Announcer dude kept giving me the good news that the ground was getting closer.

The High Roller Las Vegas The High Roller Las Vegas

Strangely I found disembarking much easier than embarking; perhaps because I was so eager to get out of there. Be assured that if you are afraid or have a disability they will slow the ride down and help you; also they stop it completely for riders in wheelchairs. The High Roller is a memorable experience but not one I am eager to repeat. Don’t let my paranoia affect your decisions, though, you are likely to enjoy it thoroughly.

[Photos: Tagac27, Michael Movestro, Craft + Brand | Cover: Eva G.]

18 thoughts on “Fear and Loathing on the High Roller: Acrophobia and Jumping Children

  1. Haven’t done it yet myself, but good to know that they have compassion for those of us who are ‘slow movers’! :-)

  2. I think if I had to be in one of those cabins with kids jumping around, I would have had a panic attack. I think I’ve made the right choice buying a ticket for the happy hour cabin. Not only will I not have to deal with kids determined to detach the pod, I’ll have access to some liquid courage! Thanks for the report!

  3. I, too, am afraid of heights. I actually started crying at the Grand Canyon last year while still on the paved path, away from the edge. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed my ride on the High Roller. I attribute this to 2 things: 1) I got the Happy Half Hour Groupon and was slightly inebriated for most of the ride, and 2) I looked out, not down. It’s looking directly down that fills me with terror. By looking out, I was able to appreciate the sparkly lights of Vegas, take a few selfies, and have a good time. The one time I looked down, I immediately had to grab the rail and find a seat while I regained my composure.

  4. I am not afraid of heights but I got quite anxious as I was walking up to the High Roller. It was in the middle of the day and there were very few people in line. I was assuming I would have a pod to myself but they put me in a pod with two 60-something honeymooners who were just as puzzled as I was as to why they did not get their own pod. We made quick friends and helped each other with our pictures. It took me a good quarter rotation to relax and enjoy the ride and the views.
    Great article and great attraction in Vegas!

  5. You may want to avoid the SkyJump at the Stratosphere, considering it’s 300 feet higher AND you jump off of it :)

  6. When I rode it, there were only four of us in the cabin.Besides my friend and I, was a couple from New Zealand on holiday. While my friend and I laughed at the 420 joke on the screen, we had to explain it to our new friends. :)

  7. blonde4ever, this is one of you best reports ever! I have the fear and panic as well. I also would love to do the zipline downtown. people always say “just have a drink or a shot or two” before getting on. well that might help, but if I ever do it, I would like to be totally sober so I can remember it. so it may never happen. :-(

  8. I am not afraid of heights and went on the high roller at dusk.was beautiful.we received deal at Paris for high roller ticket and the Eiffel tower and you could ride at anytime.truly enjoyed the experience.

  9. I was very lucky the night I rode. There were four in our party and we had drinks from the bar. They pulled us aside and put us in our own pod. Getting on and off was terrifying to me. It made the rest of the ride seem peaceful.

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