Why I Still love The Twilight Zones Tower Of Terror!

The Hollywood tower Hotel is considered the best thrill ride at Disney’s Hollywood studios theme park. It is a thrill seeking single drop ride in a haunted elevator-style lift. Whether you go do Disney for the Magic kingdom or for Mickey Mouse you can not go to a Disneyland resort without riding on fright elevator from hell! This great movie ride has special effects and different versions of the attraction depending on which one you go on. Lets find out how scary the the Tower of terror really is!

So do we all like being scared? Everything you need to know about the Twilight Zones Tower Of Terror!

What is the Twilight zone?

The Twilight zone is an American media franchise based on the anthology television series created by Rod Serling. The TV episodes are in various genres but were normally a horror or a psychological thriller with often unexpected twists. We watched the revival series of them in the 1980’s. It is good to know the back story of the television series before you encounter that fateful night.

Twilight zone memories

I can always remember when I was a child hiding behind the back of the sofa with my Friend Lynsey watching scary movies. We were probably a bit too young and missed half of it from covering our faces. But one of our all time favourite scary TV shows was The Twilight Zone!

Who could not be excited when you were kid than to watch a tv show called Dead woman shoes! We just loved being scared in fact it was a daily hobby!

My first encounter with Disney’s Twilight Zones Tower Of Terror was two years after the ride opened in 1994. The ride was totally unexpected and I was exceptionally scared!

From the moment you join the queue be prepared for bumps in the night!

What is the set of the ride Tower of terror like?

From the moment you join the queue you are aware you are entering an old disused hotel the plants are overgrown and there are cracks in the walls. Even the cast members are in Costume as bellhops and rather eerie. You step in to the Reception of the hotel Which is covered in huge cobwebs, rather like the scene from Mrs Haversham in Charles Dickens, Great Expectations.

It’s all the details of the set from the leftover guests belongings and the way it looks untouched for years. Theres a small waiting area and a hotel lobby key desk covered in cob-webs, the phone is off the hook and you can still see all the beautiful items for sale in the glass cabinet. Perfume bottles, Jewellery and the art deco style handbags.

Inside the tower of terror ride

As you are ushered in the hotel’s library it becomes very dark, two televisions come on and play a short scene from the twilight Zone. You are then told the story of how the once elite Hotel was struck by lightening during a violent storm. This caused the guests in the elevator to disappear in to The Twilight Zone! I just love the glamour of the characters in their beautiful dresses and the small little girl clutching a teddybear on the TV screen.

Next you really are entering The Twilight Zone

Then you really are entering the Twilight Zone. The Library Door swings aside and you step in to the boiler room to take a ride in the only elevators still working the Maintenance Elevators.

If you are not taking part in the ride you have the option to miss out on the main ride at this point but its so worth it not to.

Once entering the service elevators you are seated in the ride vehicle in rows of seats and secured with a seat belt. It is an enclosed space and very dark. The narrator from the Twilight Zone Rod Serling Tells you something along the lines of “ One stormy night long ago Five people stepped in to an elevator to a nightmare, this time that door is opening just for you”.

As the ride starts there are several scenes from the movies on a gloomy halloween night around the hotel. I normally have my eyes closed at this point! After a short show the elevator doors close and you are in position to free fall! The door opens again to show Hollywood Studios and the whole of Walt Disney studios park from a great height. ( I never see this! ) Then before you know it the elevator car drops down the lift shaft. It rises again to fall roughly another two times.

As you can see from this picture above I was petrified, My friend Steve thought it was hilarious hearing me scream and the kids were styling it out for the camera. I’m so not cool!

Make sure you catch your photo for your Disney Photo pass on the way out form the ride. A quick tap of the Mickey Magic Band for the photo pass and you have survived, Ready for next time ! Every single time we go it never fails to reduce me to tears and then in to total hysterics

Who can ride the Tower of terror?

It is nor advisblae to ride the tower or terror if:

• You have a Fear of heights
• Fear of fast drops
• Claustrophobia or fear of enclosed spaces
• You should be in good health and people with back problems, neck problems should not ride
• Pregnant women ( expectant mothers ) should not to ride.
• It is not advisable for small children. There is a rider switch opportunity for those with small children who still wish to ride.
• It s also not suitable for people with motion sickness due to the various drop sequences.

What is the best way to get on the tower of terror ride?

The best way to get on the tower of terror ride and avoid the wait times is to either get there early for rope drop or have a fass pass ready for the lightening lane. This ride is the perfect accompaniment to the haunted house and still very popular today for many Disney fans.

Tower of Terror frequently asked questions

Does Tower of Terror have a single rider?

The Tower of terror does not have a single rider lane but Cast Members will call for singles to fill empty spaces in cars as you get close to the elevator loading zone. 

Does the Tower of terror make your stomach drop?

Yes the Tower of Terror makes you feel like your stomach is going over and be a strange sensation.

Has the Tower of terror ever broken down?

Yes the Tower of terror broke down and got stuck on the 10th of December 2022. Guests had to exit via emergency lighting in to the backstage area.

How many tower of terrors rides are there?

There are now four Tower of Terror attractions at Disney Parks they are:

• Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort
• Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort
• Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris
• Tokyo DisneySea 

Is the tower of Terror ride different every time?

The Tower of Terror is different each time with various drop sequences. There are roughly 4 sequences that range from a short drop to a long drop and vary each time in the order of drops. This way the rider if having been on the ride before does not know what to expect.

When was the Tower of terror built?

The original Tower attraction opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 1994. The California one opened in 2004 and Tokyo version of Tower of Terror opened in 2006. The Paris version opened later in 2007.

This Is Why I Still love The Twilight Zones Tower Of Terror!