I'm deathly afraid of elevators?

I'm going to New York City in a few weeks (who!) but the problem is, in order to go to the uncles apartment, we have to take an elevator 25 floors up.

It's not that I'm claustrophobic, it's just the fact that I feel unsafe in them, knowing it could drop at any second or just get stuck for a while.

Please don't tell me to just go on it, because I will refuse to go on it when it comes time.
Any suggestions on how I can get over this fear (at least enough so I will not cry and freak out in one)?

Thanks.
(PS sorry if there are any spelling errors I'm writing this on my iPhone)

You just need to know more how they work. For example, even if some god-like being snapped the cables holding up the elevator, even in the oldest most rickety buildings the elevator doesn't fall more than 11 inches because the mechanical brakes (no electrical power necessary) snap out and prevent the elevator from moving. I've seen building demolitions where the elevator shaft collapses but the elevator is still stuck in place with the mechanical shoes. True story.
Other than that, have your uncle meet you in the lobby for activities. It isn't fair to make your whole party wait a half hour while you take the stairs. Ya Know?

The safety features are pretty dramatic. The inventor of the safety brake (Otis) would stand in an open elevator at some world's fair and the cable would be cut. He would fall six inches or so. And they've had a hundred and some years to improve that brake.

New Yorkers are pretty famous for not taking any s… From anyone. If they were getting stuck in elevators, you'd be hearing about it.

So they're safe from falling, and reliable from stalling. But logic will never defeat a phobia. So I don't have an answer. 25 flights? My brother climbed the Calgary Tower once to prove he could, and that's sixty-some floors equivalent. What kind of shape are you in? (grin)

Better get in shape, walking lots of stairs, or start taking elevator trips to get used to it, or else you are going to make a scene and be looked at as a drama queen or crazy.

Learn the facts. Elevators are way safer than stairs and a million times safer than cars.

http://danger.mongabay.com/injury_death.htm

If there's an elevator, there will always be stairs. (It's a fire safety requirement). Get ready to walk about 300 steps!