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| land=[[Sunset Boulevard ]]| image=rocknrollerTowerofterror.jpg| smaller=true| caption='''The exterior of Rock 'n' Roller CoasterHollywood Tower Hotel'''| park= Disney's Hollywood Studios| opened=July 2922, 1999| Host=Aerosmith| speed=57| duration= 1:221994| height_requirement=4840| vehicle_typebased_on=Stretch LimoThe Twilight Zone | lengthhost=3403| track_height=80| sponsor=HanesRod Serling| custom_label_1= Fastpass Disney Genie +| custom_value_1= Yes (Group A)}}The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is an attraction located on [[Sunset Boulevard]] in [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]].

The history concept of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster began in the early 1990s when the Sunset Boulevard expansion Twilight Zone Tower of Terror actually began in Euro Disney-MGM Studios was being planned <ref name= "Martintower"> https://web.archive.org/web/20120106171353/http://www.martinsvidstowerofterror.netorg/?s=Rock+%27n%27+Roller history/origin </ref>. The original designs for In the expansion featured seven different sectionslate 1980's, with one section being earmarked for the addition of Disney wanted to build a roller coaster new attraction known as Geyser Mountain <ref name= "Martintower"/>. Imagineers eventually came up with the idea for "Rocking Rollercoaster". The original track layout for the attraction called for guests to loop over World Drive. Eventually however, this Idea was unusedwould have ended with a jet of water pushing the ride vehicle up and down a drop shaft <ref name= "Martintower"/>. Although the attraction was never built, the drop shaft concept was one that stuck in Imagineers mind.

Construction While work on Rock N Roller Coaster began in early 1998Euro Disney continued, with Disney was also planning a massive expansion for Disney-MGM Studios. The new area would be known as [[Sunset Boulevard]], and it would feature new restaurants, stores and hopefully a new "E Ticket" attraction. Although initially Disney Imagineers pitched attractions such as Dick Tracy's Crime Stoppers and Toontown Trolley for Sunset Boulevard, none of the track being completed in Juneprojects were green lit <ref name= "Martintower"/>. In March Then, in the fall of 19991989, testing began on director and producer Mel Brooks met with Disney Imagineering. Disney CEO Michael Eisner wanted Mel to produce his films at the Disney MGM Studios. Furthermore, creating a new attraction with hope that the roller coaster would open in Juneproducer was something that appealed to both Imagineers and Brooks <ref name= "Martinstudios"/>. On June 12, 1999 Disney announced that Aerosmith would be featured in the attraction (Aerosmith had previously announced their involvement in the project in May of 1999 <ref> http://www.wdwmagicstudioscentral.com/attractions/rockearly-ndevelopment-rollertower-coaster-starring-aerosmithterror </newsref>. The original idea that Imagineers came up with was called "Castle Young Frankenstein" <ref name= "studios"/06may1999-aerosmith-comment-on->. The proposed attraction would have featured a village with winding streets, all of which led to a castle. As Imagineers continued to brainstorm however, the-rideattraction was changed to "Mel Brooks' Hollywood Hotel"<ref name= "studios"/>.htm [[Image:TOTCOncept.jpg|thumb|350px|Early Tower of Terror concept art]]The idea of a Hollywood hotel was one that had actually originated right around the time that the Studios opened <ref name= "studios"/>. Disney Imagineer Bob Weiss wanted to create a resort hotel that was based on the art deco Hollywood hotels of the 1930s<refname= "studios"/>). In Imagineer C. McNair Wilson then suggested that the hotel be the scene of a press release announcing murder mystery, which guests could solve by investigating clues hidden around the decision hotel<ref name= "studios"/>. The hotel cast members, would be able to incorporate give guests small hints that would lead them to clues. If guests solved the band into case, they would be given a certificate for their efforts<ref name= "studios"/>. Eventually, the new roller coaster Walt Disney World President Al Weis noted:idea of the murder mystery in the hotel led Imagineers to consider re-theming half of the hotel as the Hollywood Horror Hotel<ref name= "studios"/>.

{{Quotation|"This thrilling new attraction is a perfect fit for Disney-MGM Studios and its celebration of show business -- film, television, theater, animation and now music, and AerosmithAlthough these ideas proved to be the most influential, Imagineers also came up with its multi-generational, international appeal and ever-youthful approach to rock 'n' roll music, is a fantastic match other ideas for this new thrill ridethe Hollywood Hotel.One idea would have featured Vincent Price narrating the attraction as guests took a "ghost tour" <refname= "TOT"/> http:. Another suggestion was to create a comedic version of the [[Haunted Mansion]] featuring Mel Brooks and Young Frankenstein <ref name= "studios"//www>.wdwmagic.com Finally, Imagineers Steve and Tim Kirk suggested a hotel/attractionsattraction hybrid that would have had guests being driven from the Orlando International Airport in a 1930s station wagon <ref name= "studios"/rock-n-roller-coaster-starring-aerosmith/news/12jun1999-press-release---aerosmith>. Eventually, however Imagineers proposed working the theme of the Disney-MGM Studios into the attraction. They came up with a story that would feature a murder mystery and a dead director. It would be up to-rock,-the guests-(who were playing extras) to-roll-at-new-disney-mgm-studios-thrill-ridetry and figure out who committed the crime.htm </ref>}}

Despite not yet being open to Although the publicmurder angle of the story was eventually dropped, Aerosmith members Joe Perry and Steven Tyler road Imagineers liked the ride together 12 times in idea of guests trying to solve a row on June 11, 1999mystery within the haunted hotel <ref name= "TOT"> https://web. Soft openings for archive.org/web/20120106171335/http://www.towerofterror.org/history/design </ref>. Disney decided that to enhance the attraction , it needed some kind of movie tie-in. Imagineers eventually began agreed on June 26the idea of theming the attraction after the Twilight Zone. The initial concept of the attraction, 1999called for cast members who would dress up like various employees of the hotel. Each employee would seem a little unstable, with (such as a bell boy who walked through the Grand Opening for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster took place on July 29th 1999line asking if guests wanted to check any luggage) <ref name= "terror"> https://web. Aerosmith archive.org/web/20120106172759/http://www.towerofterror.org/history/early-development </ref>. Other enhancements to the queue, including an old man who would "come to life" and interact with guests, and an Audio Animatronic elevator repair man were eventually discarded <ref name= "terror"/>. Disney decided that the cast members would slow down the line too much, and park Operations was on hand for hesitant to assign more cast members to the eventattraction then was absolutely necessary <ref name= "terror"/>.

[[Image:RodSerling.jpg|thumb|300px|Rod Serling, the host of the Twilight Zone.]] After deciding on the basic concept of the attraction, Imagineers began working on the plot. In order to tie in the attraction with the rest of the studios, it was decided that guests would be filming a "lost episode" of the Twilight Zone <ref name= "TOT"/>. Although Rod Serling (the host of the Twilight Zone) had passed away in 1975, Disney Imagineer's still wanted to include him in the attraction. To do this, Mark Silverman recorded an impersonation of Rod, which was synced with the introduction of a 1961 episode titled "It's a Good Life" <ref name= "secret"> http://towersecrets.com/tower-of-terror-rod-serling-intro-video/ </ref>. The background image was then replaced with images of the Tower of Terror, thus giving the attraction an "authentic" Twilight Zone introduction.  As far as the layout of the attraction was concerned, it was decided that guests would enter the attraction on foot. Here, they would discover an abandoned hotel lobby, setting the mystery into motion <ref name= "Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?s=Tower+of+Terror </ref>. Guests would then watch a preshow video, which would tell them the attraction's backstory <ref name= "Martin"/>. The attraction would then conclude with guests going into the haunted elevator (the drop shaft) and discovering what really happened in the hotel<ref name= "Martin"/>.  One problem that Imagineers had to overcome when designing the Tower of Terror was the fact that most drop rides usually involved guests laying on their backs. Disney felt that this was not family friendly, and they attempted to find a new ride method<ref name= "Martin"/>. Partially based on the ride mechanism that was designed for Geyser Mountain, Disney developed a way to use multiple ride vehicles that would be able to both travel horizontally, and then drop vertically<ref name= "Martin"/>. The addition of multiple shafts also let Imagineers increase the capacity of the attraction<ref name= "Martin"/>.  With both the attraction plot and the ride mechanisms complete, construction on the Tower of Terror began in 1992<ref name= "Martin"/>. Imagineers soon ran into trouble however, when it was discovered that the initial site of the Tower actually sat on sinkhole<ref name= "Martin"/>. This setback required Disney to move the location of the attraction, albeit slightly. Finally, on July 22, 1994 the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opened to guests <ref> http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/mgm/st-tower.htm </ref>. Since its opening in 19991994, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror has not seen any major a significant amount of changes. In 2007 Hanes became May of 1996, a second drop was added to the official sponsor attraction <ref name= "Martin"/>. Besides the original thirteen-story drop, guests now also fell eight stories. During this refurbishment, the first photo that was taken of guests was also removed <ref name= "Martin"/>. The photo was originally taken early on in the attraction , and then later used in the 5th Dimension scene <refname= "Martin"/>. The idea was that guests would be able to see themselves in their ride vehicle as they entered the 5th Dimension <ref name= "Martin"/>. Unfortunately, the process was unreliable and in 1996 the effect was removed <ref name= "Martin"/>. Further additions came to the Tower in 1999, when a third drop was added to the attraction <ref name= "wdwmagic"> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/rockthe-ntwilight-rollerzone-coastertower-starringof-aerosmithterror/news/01nov200725feb1999-hanestower-toof-beterror-sponsorfear-atevery-waltdrop-disneyprofile-worldannounced.htm </ref>. The update was known as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: Fear Every Drop! At this time, new lighting effects and music were added, and the lightning effect was updated <ref name= "wdwmagic"/>. The most recent change to the Tower of Terror came in 2002, when the drop sequences became randomized by a computer <ref name= "Martin"/>. This allowed every ride on the Tower of Terror to be different and unique, meaning that guests could never be sure when they were going to drop<ref name= "Martin"/>.

The preshow for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster begins with guests entering Inside the fictional G-Force Records. HereLibrary, guests see lightning strikes the rock band Aerosmith finishing up their latest albumhotel, shutting off all of the power except for a television set which seems to be working by itself. Although As the band is happy to see their fansTV turns on, unfortunately they are late the opening for their concert at the Forum. After hearing a Cast Member’s suggestion, Steven Tyler agrees that guests should come with the band Twilight Zone begins to the concertplay. Aerosmith's manager then Rod Serling tells guests that he will send in Hollywood 1939, the Hollywood Tower Hotel was a "super stretch limo" to pick them upstar in its own right. ===Main Ride===After being invited to As glamorous people enter the concertelevator, guests are led down what looks like a back alley, to the rides loading area. Heretower is struck by lightning, they board into causing the 24 seat passenger limo. As the ride begins, guests are launched forward, going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2vanish.8 seconds. Each limo has its own unique soundtrack, which blasts Rod Serling then shows guests with Aerosmith musicthe maintenance service elevator which is still working, creating a soundtrack and "waiting for the attractionyou". After launching, He then informs guests go on a high speed tour that in tonight’s episode they are the stars of Hollywoodthe Twilight Zone. Finally, passing icons such as the Hollywood Sign television turns off and guests are ushered into the Roxy Theatreboiler room, where they enter the service elevator. The track that the ride takes place on is themed to look like ===Actual Ride===Once inside the Los Angeles Area Freeway (Including Interstates 5elevator, 10, and 101), and it includes three inversions (a corkscrew and two roll-over loops). After making their way through Hollywood, the attraction ends with Rod Serling tells guests arriving at the theater and walking down a red carpet.:

===Main Attraction <ref> https://wwwThe elevator then begins rising for a moment before coming to a stop.mouseplanet Here, the doors open revealing a long corridor.com/10848/Remembering_the_Magic_Rock_n_Roller_Coaster_Starring_Aerosmith </ref>=== Each limo on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster has its own unique soundtrackAt first, the only recognizable object in the corridor is a single window directly across from guests. The songs played for each ride vehicle are (Then, as identified by license platea storm rages outside, the five ghosts of the dead 1939 guests (who were shown in the preshow)appear, inviting guests to come and join them, before disappearing in a wave of electricity. After the ghosts vanish, the corridor fades away, turning into a field of stars (with the window still remaining). The window then morphs into a more ghastly looking window before shattering. After the window shatters, the elevator doors close and guests begin ascending again. Rod Serling then informs guests:

'''UGOBABE'''- {{Quotation| "Love in One stormy night long ago, five people stepped through the door of an Elevator" elevator and into a nightmare. That door is opening once again, and this time, it's opening for you."Walk This Way" (This license plate formally read UGOGIRL)}}

'''BUHBYE'''- "Young Lust"As his narration ends, "Fthe elevator moves horizontally into the Fifth Dimension.IHere, odd sights and sounds from the television show's opening can be seen.NAs guests travel through the Fifth Dimension, the Twilight Zone theme song plays.E.*" and "Love After guests reach the back of the scene, a star field opens in front of them (like an Elevator"elevator door) as Serling warns guests:

'''H8TRFFC'''- {{Quotation| "Back You are about to discover what lies beyond the Fifth Dimension, beyond the deepest, darkest corner of the imagination, in the Saddle" and "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)Tower of Terror."}}

At this point, guests begin the drop sequence. Although the drops are now randomized, every ride includes one complete drop (from the top to the bottom of the tower) and one "fake drop". Also, at some point during the drop sequence, the elevator doors open in front of guests, allowing them to see the park from a height of 170 ft.  After dropping, guests reach the basement of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, where they see a short clip which shows items from the show’s opening sequence, as well as Rod Serling and the 1939 elevator passengers falling into a vortex. Before they exit, Rod speaks to guests one more time: {{Quotation| "A warm welcome back to those of you who made it, and a friendly word of warning; something you won't find in any guidebook. The next time you check into a deserted hotel on the dark side of Hollywood, make sure you know just what kind of vacancy you're filling. Or you may find yourself a permanent resident of... the Twilight Zone."}} ===Exit Path and Gift Shop===After exiting the elevator, guests travel down a long hallway, eventually reaching what appears to be the "Lost and Found" of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Here, they can purchase ride photos which were taken in the drop shaft when the elevator doors opened (revealing the park). After passing by the lost and found, guests pass by a decrepit fountain and then the dining room of the hotel; The Sunset Room. Outside of the dining room, a menu which is dated October 31, 1939 can be found. Guests then enter a gift shop which sells Twilight Zone and Hollywood Tower Hotel merchandise. ==References to the Twilight Zone==Throughout the entire Tower of Terror attraction there are references, tie-ins and tributes to the television show The Twilight Zone. For the most complete list of these references check out:  http://www.towerofterror.org/secrets/twilight-zone-references ==Cast=='2FAST4U''Rod Serling'''- "Sweet Emotion Himself (liveMark Silverman impersonated him for additional dialogue.)<ref name= "pal"/> '''Bellhop''' Parviz Perry Vessali <ref name= "pal"> http://www.disney-pal.com/California%20Adventure/twilight_zone_tower_of_terror_video_sound.htm AUTHORS NOTE: Although the credits are listed for the Disney's California Adventure version of the attraction, the same film is used in both attractions </ref> '''Child Star'''- Lindsay Ridgeway <ref> http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0725864/bio?ref_=nm_dyk_trv_sm#trivia </ref> '''Nanny'''- Charlotte Helms <ref name= "pal"/> ==Watch the Preshow==To see the short film shown before guests enter the service elevator, click play below. {{#ev:youtube|c2gufzmIPrg|420}}

* Disney Imagineers originally wanted the Rolling Stones According to be featured in a plaque on the attractionoutside of the hotel, the Hollywood Tour Hotel was founded in 1917 <ref name= "Jack"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/02/twilight_zone_tower_of_terror.html </ref>.

* Rock 'n' Roller Coaster was built on a Cast Member parking lotThe corridor where guests see the 1938 ghosts holds rooms 414-426 <ref> http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/WDW/Studios/Secrets/TowerTerror.html </ref>.

* The Stratocaster guitar at music played throughout the entrance ride is taken from various episodes of The Twilight Zone TV show. The score was arranged by Richard Bellis <ref> http://www.richardbellis.com/filmography.html </ref>. [[Image:ElevatorCertificate.jpg|thumb|300px|The inspection certificate found inside the attraction elevator.]]* The inspection certificate inside the elevator is 40 feet talldated October 31, 1939 and signed by Cadwallader. Cadwallader is a character from the Twilight Zone television show that ended up being the devil <ref name= "trivia"> http://towersecrets.com/twilight-zone-references-in-the-tower-of-terror/ </ref>.

* Actress Ileana Douglas portrays the bandThe elevator's manager in certificate number is 10259 which is a reference to October 2, 1959 (the date that the pre-show filmTwilight Zone premiered) <ref name= "trivia"/>.

* Some of By the lyrics on the attraction have been altered to fit the roller coaster theme (i.e. concierge desk, there is a thirteen diamond award from AAA <ref name= "Love in an Elevator" has been changed to "Love in a Roller CoasterJack"/>.

* There is Imagineers set up the mahjong game in the lobby, in a sixth limo way that is used on Rock 'n' Roller Coaster; however it does not have license plate. The car is rotated with allowed players of the other five, after several thousand lapsgame to see that it was authentic <ref name= "Jack"/>.

* The rideWhile Imagineers were looking through a furniture catalog from the 1930's soundtrack formally featured Uncle Joe Benson, a well-known Los Angeles rock DJthey decided to contact the company to see if they were still in business. The company was, and Disney used some of their furniture in the hotel <ref name= "Jack"/>.

* While on the first loop The landscaping in the attraction, guests are pulling five ghotel's. That is two more g's then astronauts experience when a space shuttle lifts offgarden was influenced by the hills of Griffith and Elysian Parks in Los Angeles <ref name= "Jack"/>.

* Disney Imagineers watched every episode of the Twilight Zone at least twice in order to capture its essence for the attraction <ref name==References==http://allears.net/tp/mgm"Jack"/m_rocknroller>.htm

http:* The clip of Rod Serling shown in the preshow was taken from an episode of the series titled "It's a Good Life" <ref name= "trivia"//www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/mgm/st-rockin>.htm

http:* In the episode Serling says, "Tonight's story on The Twilight Zone is somewhat unique and calls for a different kind of introduction. This, as you may recognize, is a map of the United States”. Imagineers used the beginning of this phrase in the preshow <ref name= "trivia"//touringplans>.com/hollywood-studios/attractions/rock-n-roller-coaster

http:* The Tower of Terror is 199 ft tall due to the fact that FCC regulations require a red flashing light to be placed on buildings that are at least 200 ft tall <ref name= "Jack"//www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/rock-n-roller-coaster-starring-aerosmith>.htm ==References==