WDW Rated & Reviewed - The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

[Red Randal]

I thought we could use a BUMP to celebrate the ride's 13th anniversary today on Friday the 13th!

By the way, for all of my usual readers, I apologize for not posting a review in what seems like an eternity. I was so bogged down with senior year, graduation, and then getting settled into a work schedule that I haven't had time to write a whole lot. I plan on getting back on track soon and producing more regular content for everybody here at I-Cot. For now, enjoy this review of one of the all time greatest...

Most people will agree that this is one of the best rides at Walt Disney World. Time to find out if I agree.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Intro: The Tower of Terror opened in the new “Hollywood Boulevard” section of the Disney Studios in 1994. Its opening revitalized a park that was lacking in attractions and excitement and has lead to the Studios being the thrill center of Walt Disney World.

Queue: In through the courtyard of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, which has fallen into considerable disrepair and then through the once ornate lobby. The lobby appears to have been frozen in the time of the early days of Hollywood, now its beauty is covered in cobwebs and dust. The attention to detail is magnificent as you make your way past registration and into a small room of the hotel which has many bookshelves and some old style televisions on the wall.

Preshow: The book room houses the preshow. On those old televisions, when the room is darkened, plays the Twilight Zone theme song and then introduces the attraction. Rod Serling, himself, joins us (awesome!) to provide the introduction, much like he did for so many episodes of the television series. Hollywood in 1939 was in the midst of its Golden Age. The centerpiece was the Hollywood Tower Hotel where many of the stars would frequent. However, one night, all that would change; lightening struck the tower, causing a wing to disappear and five guests to plunge into the Twilight Zone. Tonight, a maintenance service elevator waits for you, if you dare to step aboard for a ride directly to the Twilight Zone. Great preshow movie, one of the best they have ever done. After the preshow, the line continues into the bowels of the building before you board your maintenance service elevator.

Ride: The doors are closed by an ominous, Haunted Mansion-esque bellman, and then you are lifted up one floor. That familiar Twilight Zone music plays and the doors open. Looking down a large corridor you spot those same elevator passengers from the movie and then the lights go out and various spots in the room begin to glow. Your elevator then moves OUT of the elevator shaft and down the hallway! Passing more ominous sights, similar to the opening of the television show, you make your way down the corridor to the end of the hall and another set of doors which open up. Rod Serling then lets you know that the doors are opening to the deepest, darkest corner of your imagination, in the Tower of Terror. Then it’s a DROP! UP! DOWN! At totally random intervals, sometimes three, sometimes thirteen drops. Some are larger, some smaller, some offering views of the park if you could look fast enough. When it is all said and done, you have experienced Disney Imagineering at its finest and after Rod Serling offers a final farewell, it’s over.

Postshow: No show, but it lets you off in a really neat gift shop with stuff you can only find at the end of the ride. I really want one of those Hollywood Tower Hotel bathrobes.

Thoughts: What a great ride. Depending on my general mood, this switches with Splash Mountain as my favorite ride at Walt Disney World. It’s not just because it has all of the great thrilling drops, really the ride is not about that. It’s all about telling a story and then building suspense upon it, before delivering the knockout punch with the drops to send you home happy and dying to ride again. This is everything an amusement park ride should be. Just awesome!

Overall Rating: *****

Now, how 'bout you? Do you agree?

[DawsonAR]

It is my favorite by a long shot.

[WDW1894]

i luv this ride!!!!I EVEN have a saying from it just below!!!SEE!!!!!!!!!

[Stickey]

TOT is arguably the best ride at WDW. It is in my top 3.
The random sequences make each ride unique.

[BelleKP]

Depending on my general mood, this switches with Splash Mountain as my favorite ride at Walt Disney World.
Overall Rating: *****

Couldn't agree with you more! I still can't believe it took me three years and three trips before I would try it!
But now . . . well I just can't get enough of it!

[Disney Doll]

It is an awesome ride. DH and I both love it. You are exactly right about telling a story. To me that is what sets Disney rides apart from all the others.

[CU Tiger]

ToT is a must ride for every trip to DW!! I love to see our expressions on the pictures after the ride is over .

[karenrarintogo]

I think TOT is the best theme park attraction ever created. It is the standard by which I judge every other attraction. Some come close, in and out of WDW, for sure, but this one sets the bar, in my opinion. k.

[ISLE39]

tower of terror opened in 1994 not 1996 and yes its my all time favorite ride

[scoot241]

Tower of Terror is one of the marvels of Disney Imagineering. The entire attraction is perfectly themed.

I have heard recently, however, that they removed the letters from the bottom of the message board inside that spelled "EVIL TOWER U R DOOMED" or something to that effect. It was one of those little touches that always impressed me and I hope they put it back.

[Mousemates]

Best thrill ride I've ever ridden...love the view (especially at night) just before you discover your lack of immunity to the effects of gravity.

[Bobby T]

Tower of Terror is one of the marvels of Disney Imagineering. The entire attraction is perfectly themed.

I have heard recently, however, that they removed the letters from the bottom of the message board inside that spelled "EVIL TOWER U R DOOMED" or something to that effect. It was one of those little touches that always impressed me and I hope they put it back.

I've posted this nuance in previous posts regarding Disney secrets, and the responses also have indicated this detail is now extinct. I'm going back in November...one can only hope.

[DIZNEYMOM]

I just love TOT. It took me most of the day at MGM to get enough guts to ride it ... trust me I had myself scared to death ... but lo and behold, I loved it. Got off & went on 2-3 more times.

[Diznee4Me]

I agree with you about Splash - it is also my favorite, but ToT is way up on the list. Great ride and theming!

[wdwgrl377]

ToT is my 2cd favorite ride at WDW! The minute i went on it for the first time in 1996 I couldnt get enough of it. I remember back in the day when it wouldn't drop you like it does now!Although it was still awesome back then. but today's drops are extremely better and more thrilling than I remember back a few yrs ago.

I love to ride it at night time and see everything lit up. It makes it even better to ride at night - kinda adds to the story and all - and I love how Disney just adds a story to the ride. So awesome!

One day, yes, i will be purchasing the Bathrobe in the Gift shop! It's so cool!

[mook3y]

Woot thanks for the GREAT review!!!

Would you all agree that this ride would be too intense for my DS 4 who is a little afraid of the dark? He does ok on HM and LOVES roller coasters and says he wants to go on it... but we think it might terrify our little guy.

Anyone else have experience here? THANKS!

[WDW1894]

my first time going on the ride was when i was 3. i had a little fright of the dark but the ride didn't scare me at all.i rememberi asked my dad if i could ride it again.

[Goofyguy2]

I think ToT is a great ride I just luv how the building looks and how the whole feel of the rid eis done I think it is disney at its best!!!!

[mook3y]

my first time going on the ride was when i was 3. i had a little fright of the dark but the ride didn't scare me at all.i rememberi asked my dad if i could ride it again.

Thank you so much!

Mookey

[DisneyorBust]

DisneyorBust Dad here,
The Tower of Terror is one of the attractions that really showcase the Disney Imagineers talents and attention to detail. It is one of my favorites because of this, you really get the feeling that you are in an abandoned luxury hotel. Oh and the ride is pretty cool too!