The Disney Attractions Discussion Series: TZ Tower of Terror

[The Little Merman]

<b>The Disney Attractions Discussion Series
Part One - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6648" target="_blank">Space Mountain</a>
Part Two - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6699" target="_blank">Peter Pan's Flight</a>
Part Three - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6739" target="_blank">Pirates of the Caribbean</a>
Part Four - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6774" target="_blank">Tom Sawyer's Island</a>
Part Five - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6828" target="_blank">It's A Small World</a>
Part Six - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6903" target="_blank">Star Tours</a>
Part Seven - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=7004" target="_blank">Splash Mountain</a>
Part Eight - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=7183" target="_blank">Mr Toad's Wild Ride</a>
Part Nine - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=7388" target="_blank">The Haunted Mansion</a>
Part Ten - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... hp?t=14225" target="_blank">Soarin'</a>
Part Eleven - The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror</b>



<b>Statistics</b>
*<i>The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror</i> debuted in Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World on 22 July 1994.
*Disney's California Adventure received their own version of <i>The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror</i> on 5 May 2004.
*Walt Disney Imagineers screened each of the 156 episodes of The Twilight Zone at least twice to capture the mood of the television series. Many episodes were screened three or four times and studied in regard to props, guest stars, settings, and music for inspiration, as well as to find the most representative quotes and characteristic phrases used by Serling in his role as host of the show.

[The Little Merman]

Amid the Tower's terrifying aspects lies my all-time favorite attraction. Every and any time I go to a Disney theme park, I must go on this thing, or, oh..I don't even want to think of what that would do to my nerves!

*tlm

[Disney-Fan]

Best. Disney. Attraction. E-v-e-r!!!
My absoloute favourite ride, rivaled only by The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, and The Incredible Hulk. I actually came OFF this ride shaking. It's usually quite the opposite! My favourite part is, of course, The 5th Dimension. Awesome stuff right there! A true Disney classic, despite it's thrilling nature!

10/10

[Disney Princess Ariellen]

An incredible ride and a great example of the theming and story that made The Twilight Zone such a wondefully creepy show and that sets Disney theme parks apart from other amusement parks.

One thing that I love about this attraction is that the DCA version ISN'T an exact clone of the ride at MGM. I think that MGM's Tower LOOKS better (I like the decor of the attraction and the effects used to make it seem abandoned...there's a little much green and purple in the boiler room area at DCA for me and I think it gives the atmosphere more of 'cartoony' feel, whereas MGM's is chilling.)

The random drop sequence is great; I love that the ride is never exactly the same twice.

I really like that they have the Rod Serling narration on the RIDE at MGM, not just the preshow like at DCA. I think in terms of thrill factor, though, the edge goes to DCA; I love that the drop catches you by surprise and the mirror where your reflection dissolves. There's no 'OK, I can feel the sticky heat of the outdoors, the drop is coming' sensation, and I think that adds excitement.

I like that you can SEE the Fifth Dimension at MGM, but I like that you can watch yourself fade away into the Twilight Zone at DCA. Anyway, I definitely consider this a must-see on both coasts.

Oh, and random funny story: I was once on the ride with someone who forgot to take her Cheshire Cat baseball hat off before the drops began at WDW, and through the entire drop scene, you could just see this bright pink hat floating in mid-air; it was really funny. I would have bought the picture if it had been visible there, but since the elevator paused, it had fallen to the ground. People thought my friend and I were insane for laughing the entire time as everyone else was screaming. (Maybe I'm easliy amused, but oh well.)

[singerguy04]

I absolutely LOVE this ride. It truelly brings disney magic to life!

The sad thing is that the Disneyland Tower of Terror is NOWHERE as good as the original at WDW. I hope that the new one they are building at DisneySea doesn't get the cheap wannabe that the California Adventure did. I mean yes it's still thrilling at California Adventure, but if you are expecting the same exact ride as WDW's then you'll be sadly dissapointed. My huge problem with it was that there really was no build up. you got in the evelator, saw some ghosts, droped, and it's over. not as elaborate as the original.

[Continuum]

I wasn't too sure I would like it, but I was suprised when I did. It's not something I'd do over and over again, but it was fun. The atmosphere they generate as you wait in line is very nice.

[Loomis]

What can I say? It's the ride that made me a thrill ride junkie.

The night before we went to DCA, we were planning out which things we should see, and what we couldn't be bothered with (didn't realise just how few attractions there were!). We'd both agreed to give ToT a miss, thinking it would be too much. However, after seeing an ad for it we spontaneously decided 'Why not?'.

We were first in line the next morning when DCA opened, and petty much walked straight into the lobby. I have to say that this was one of the most impressive aspects of the attraction, along with the Twilight Zone motif.

The anticipation mounted as we entered the basement area, which was less spectacular but curiously moody. Strapped in, there was no turning back.

The special effects were quite astonishing. The 'starfield' was pretty amazing, and the 'ghosts' at the end of the hallway looked terrific.

You expect the first drop but nothing can prepare you for it. In the photo, everybody looks as calm as Hindu cows, except for me (I'm laughing at my girlfriend, who is shrieking beside me ...yes, I'm a bastard). Then it drops again..and again...it seemed like a few

Since then, I guess I've been trying to get that rush back. Hell of a ride. Can't wait to try the (by all reports superior) WDW version.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Best. Disney. Attraction. E-v-e-r!!!
My absoloute favourite ride. I actually came OFF this ride shaking. It's usually quite the opposite! My favourite part is, of course, The 5th Dimension. Awesome stuff right there! A true Disney classic, despite it's thrilling nature!

10/10

I couldn't have said it better myself!

A tremendous ride that combines thrills with theme! It's what the mouse does best!

I've done the one at MGM and the one at DCA, and MGM>DCA by a long-shot, but DCA's version is still entertaining, but it doesn't have the cool effects of the MGM one.

In fact the one at MGM might be my favorite ride EVER.

I mean I can't name one other ride at Disney that's so intense(well Dinosaur is pretty close).

You definetely haven't been to MGM Studios if you haven't gone on TOT.

[BrandonH]

What else can I say about this ride that hasn't been said? It is a spectacular experience, thrilling, well-themed, and an absolute blast!

Tower of Terror is not to be missed at either park.

[The Little Merman]

I couldn't have said it better myself!

A tremendous ride that combines thrills with theme! It's what the mouse does best!

I've done the one at MGM and the one at DCA, and MGM>DCA by a long-shot, but DCA's version is still entertaining, but it doesn't have the cool effects of the MGM one.

In fact the one at MGM might be my favorite ride EVER.

I mean I can't name one other ride at Disney that's so intense(well Dinosaur is pretty close).

You definetely haven't been to MGM Studios if you haven't gone on TOT.

A to the Men!

*tlm

[I am the Doctor]

Well, I may be to only one to think so, but I actually prefer the DCA version of Tower of Terror over the MGM version. Unlike many, who happen to like the part where the elevator leaves the shaft (part of the MGM version), I just don't care for it.

Besides, the mirror effect at DCA is pretty darn cool!

[crunkcourt]

I can't give this ride enough praise. I rode it for the first time in 6th grade and was petrified, but after it was all over it was awesome. The theming of this ride rivals as one of the best in all of WDW. Every corner is themed and seems real enough to really give you the spooks. Definately give this one a chance no matter how scared you might be, you'll be thankful you did!

[gypsies]

I love this ride, I only rode it for the time last year and was terrified to go on as I expected it to drop all 13 floors but didn't.