Disney Top Ten: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Several months ago while volunteering at my son’s school I started a conversation with a fellow volunteer. She was wearing a sparkly Minnie Mouse t-shirt at the time, so I had a pretty good idea we’d get along. We did. We talked about Disney World for a bit as we checked well-loved books in and out at the desk and returned them to the short library shelves. I can’t recall if it was the library setting or something she said, but eventually I mentioned The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. She looked at me rather blankly and said “What’s that?” After explaining I was referring to the attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios she laughed and replied, “Oh yes. The scary one. I don’t even see it because there’s no way I’d ever ride it.”
I smiled and continued shelving, while quietly wondering how it was possible to not see a 199-foot tall PINK tower. Realizing it wasn’t the right time to make a case for one of my all time favorite rides though, I let it go. At least until now. Today’s post shares ten reasons why The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is one of the best attractions at Disney World.
1. History
Let’s start with the ride’s rich history. Literally.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror was the most expensive attraction at Disney World when it first opened its elevator doors in 1994. Part of the expense was caused by the new Autonomous Guided Vehicles Disney needed to develop to bring the attraction to life.
I’d elaborate why they needed this new technology, but I don’t want to scare away those that relate to my Minnie Mouse-clad friend so early in my list.
Actually, scaring was part of the plan from the beginning. Disney wanted a darker-themed ride to attract older guests to the young theme park. The idea of an out-of-control elevator in a grand hotel fit this goal. To make it even scarier, Disney wanted to add an overriding theme. The company considered tie-ins with Stephen King and Mel Brooks before choosing The Twilight Zone instead.
2. Storyline
Part of the appeal of the scary ride is its interesting storyline. Every Disney World attraction has one, but the Tower of Terror’s story rises above (pun intended) for its unique subject matter and flawless execution (pun not intended).
The Tower of Terror is really the old Hollywood Tower Hotel that has recently reopened after years of neglect. Originally created as a glamourous playground for Hollywood stars, the hotel was forced to close due to an incident in 1939. Lightning struck an elevator on a rainy Halloween night that year and transported five guests into another dimension. Today, guests can explore the hotel grounds, peruse the grand lobby and of course, board the same spooky elevator where this supernatural event took place.
We know these details of the ride’s back story because they are clearly communicated to guests in a pre-boarding video. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror was one of the first attractions at Disney World to use this approach and it greatly enhances the overall ride experience. Sometimes I wish the Haunted Mansion had one too.
3. Queue
The interesting storyline drives the design of the entertaining queue at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror as well. Personally, I think it’s one of the best places to wait in line at Disney World because it adds so much to the experience. Guests pass through the stately, gated entrance before winding through the lush (and mostly shaded!) grounds. They then wander under a pergola covered with overgrown vines and a few columned archways before reaching the hotel’s notably pink façade.
Again, how do you miss that?
The line continues into the grand lobby, which serves as a snapshot of the hotel’s glamourous past. Thoughtful touches like a coat and hat on the reception desk or a board game in play on one of the tables suggest the guests have just stepped away for a moment. The cobwebs and dust, however, let you know their departure took place long ago.
The queue then continues into a well-appointed library, where guests watch the video I referenced above. Then guests travel through a secret door into the hotel’s dark boiler room, complete with sound effects, and into the mischievous elevators.
There are so many details throughout the queue space, like the 13-Diamond Award on the wall in the lobby or the missing letters on the marquee sign near the elevators. It is easy to spot something new each visit.
4. Twilight Zone Theming
It may be possible to spot a few old things too, like direct references to The Twilight Zone television series.
There are props and nods to specific Twilight Zone episodes throughout the queue and the ride itself. For example, William Shatner consulted a fortune teller machine in an episode of the Twilight Zone entitled “Nick of Time.” You can easily spot the same machine on a shelf in the attraction’s library.
I never have my camera out in the final room of the ride, but if I did I could have captured an image of Caesar, the ventriloquist dummy from the “Caesar and Me” episode (shown above with Jackie Cooper).
Another subtle Twilight Zone reference is the treatment of the floor numbers above the elevators. The top image is from an episode entitled “The After Hours” in which a mannequin-turned-human travels to the unlisted 9th floor via elevator. The bottom image is from the Tower of Teror, in which guests travel to the unlisted 13th floor.
Of course the ride has some very obvious tie-ins to The Twilight Zone too. My favorite part is seeing Rod Serling, the brilliant creator and original writer of The Twilight Zone series. He appears a few times during the ride, most notably as the host of the pre-boarding video. Serling passed away in 1975, so his appearance in the video is really a compilation of clips from the TV series along with supplements by voice actor Mark Silverman. The effect is perfectly believable.
5. Disney Cast Members
The attraction’s storyline and unique theming are also brought to life by the Disney cast members running the attraction. They are dressed as hotel employees from the 1930s, of course, and equipped with solemn attitudes to suit the theme.
Most cast members refrain from smiling as they slowly guide you in and out of the library and onto the elevator cars. Sometimes they’ll surprise you with last minute instructions like “One more thing I thing I forgot to tell you!” as the elevator door slides closed in front of them. They may even place their hand on the opaque glass like they’re reaching out to you as the elevator lifts away. It suits the theme perfectly and adds another layer of fun to the experience.
6. On-ride photography
Speaking of fun, another reason the Twilight Zone’s Tower of Terror is high on my list of attractions is the on-ride photography. The Tower of Terror is one of twelve Disney World attractions that captures guest images while they’re experiencing rides. Unlike some of the other attractions though, the cameras on The Tower of Terror are well-positioned and perfectly timed. The cameras snap a photo toward the top of the tower, after the exterior doors have opened and right as the car begins its first descent.
The resulting images are surprisingly bright and extremely entertaining. Each photo includes all 21 passengers, which means you may just capture the full range of human emotions.
The Tower of Terror is unique from most other attractions at Disney World because it also offers on-ride videos. Disney (usually) inserts two different clips of your elevator journey, one using night vision and one in full color, into the attraction’s dramatic storyline. It’s a fun little extra and a great way to relive the experience, should you want to, long after you’ve left the park.
7. View of the Park
I mentioned above that the attraction snaps your picture right after the doors at the top of the tower have opened. If you’re not too distracted by the impending fall, this is a great chance to get a sky high view of Hollywood Studios. The elevator cars pause around 130 feet high, so they provide an awesome view.
You have to look quickly, of course, and you may be distracted by what’s going to happen next, but if you can keep your eyes open it’s another great perk of the ride.
8. Holiday Overlay
Another reason the Tower of Terror ranks high on my list of attractions is its magical transformation during the holidays. Starting in mid-November and lasting through the end of the year, Disney projects holiday images onto the exterior of the tower each evening. The building serves as a focal point for the rest of the holiday activity taking place on Sunset Boulevard, including animated billboards, twinkling lights, a holiday soundtrack and simulated snow. It’s incredibly festive and fun.
The ride still operates during the nightly transformation which makes it even more interesting, in a slightly Nightmare- Before-Christmas sort of way. Images of gingerbread and candy canes dance on the outside of the tower, while guests continue screaming from within it.
9. Ride experience
Ironically, one of the strongest arguments for my case to name The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror one of the best attractions at Disney World is also the primary reason so many people, like my fellow volunteer, avoid it. The ride itself is incredible or completely terrifying, depending on your perspective.
Guests board elevator cars that lift upward, glide forward, lift upward some more and then drop, or rather get pulled back down again. Disney designed the cars to drop faster than natural gravity, sometimes reaching a top speed of 39 MPH. Hats, purses and Mickey ears will literally fly off your head or out of your lap if you forget to hold them down.
It’s completely exhilarating.
Another reason to love (or hate!) the ride is the randomization of the experience. A computer determines the specific drop sequence for each individual car, so the length, number and speed of the drops could change each time you ride. It’s a brilliant way to keep the ride interesting for repeat riders and well, continuously terrifying for their fearful companions.
10. Icon
Another reason the I think the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is one of the best attractions at Disney World is its icon status. Similar to Spaceship Earth at Epcot, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror serves as the primary symbol for today’s Hollywood Studios.
That wasn’t always the case. First it was the Chinese Theater, then it was the Mickey Water Tower, then the Fantasia hat and then back to the Water Tower or the Chinese Theater. Honestly, it changed so often I lost track. Hollywood Studios kind of struggled for an identity over the last several years and the revolving use of park icons is another symptom of that.
What I do know is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror outlasted everything else. It turns 25 years old this summer. It’s the tallest structure in the park and the one Hollywood Studios landmark you can easily see from other locations around Disney World. The ride’s success led to the development of similar attractions at Disney TokyoSea, Disney’s California Adventure and the Walt Disney Studios Park near Paris. The Tokyo version does not include a Twilight Zone tie-in and the attraction at California Adventure was changed to a Guardians of the Galaxy ride in 2017.
I suppose that gives us another reason to enjoy the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios now, since we’re not quite sure how much longer this gem will be around in its current form.
Final Thoughts
So, that’s the end of my case. Ten reasons why I think the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is one of the best attractions at Disney World. Thanks for hanging with me. I’m pretty sure my volunteering friend would have walked away by now.
I also realize that none of these reasons could change your mind about The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror if you’re fearful of heights or weary of The Twilight Zone in general. At least now, I suppose, you’ll know a little bit more about what you’re missing.
Maybe it will even encourage you to “see” it on your next visit?
Add a little (Tower of Terror) magic to your world!