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{{Template:Infobox Disney ride || land=[[Sunset Boulevard]]| image=Towerofterror.jpg| smaller=true| caption='''The Hollywood Tower Hotel''' | park=Hollywood Studios | opened=July 22, 1994| height_requirement=40| based_on=The Twilight Zone | host= Rod Serling| custom_label_1= Disney Genie +| custom_value_1= Yes}}The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is an attraction located on [[Sunset Boulevard]] in [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]].

The concept of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror actually began in While work on Euro Disneycontinued, Disney was also planning a massive expansion for Disney-MGM Studios. In the late 1980The 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'sCrime Stoppers and Toontown Trolley for Sunset Boulevard, none of the projects were green lit <ref name= "tower"/>. Then, in the fall of 1989, director and producer Mel Brooks met with Disney Imagineering. Disney CEO Michael Eisner wanted Mel to build produce his films at the Disney MGM Studios. Furthermore, creating a new attraction known as Geyser Mountainwith the producer was something that appealed to both Imagineers and Brooks <ref name= "studios"> http://www.studioscentral.com/early-development-tower-terror </ref>. The original idea that Imagineers came up with was called "Castle Young Frankenstein" <ref name= "studios"/>. The proposed attraction would end with have featured a jet village with winding streets, all of water pushing the ride vehicle up and down which led to a drop shaftcastle. Although As Imagineers continued to brainstorm however, the attraction was never built, the drop shaft changed to "Mel Brooks' Hollywood Hotel"<ref name= "studios"/>.[[Image:TOTCOncept.jpg|thumb|350px|Early Tower of Terror concept art]]The idea of a Hollywood hotel was one that stuck 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<ref name= "studios"/>. Imagineer C. McNair Wilson then suggested that the hotel be the scene of a murder mystery, which guests could solve by investigating clues hidden around the hotel<ref name= "studios"/>. The hotel cast members, would be able to give guests small hints that would lead them to clues. If guests solved the case, they would be given a certificate for their efforts<ref name= "studios"/>. Eventually, the idea of the murder mystery in the hotel led Imagineers mindto consider re-theming half of the hotel as the Hollywood Horror Hotel<ref name= "studios"/>.

While work on Euro Disney continuedAlthough these ideas proved to be the most influential, Disney was Imagineers also planning a massive expansion came up with other ideas for at the Disney-MGM StudiosHollywood Hotel. The new area One idea would be known have featured Vincent Price narrating the attraction as Sunset Boulevard, and it would feature new restaurants, stores and hopefully guests took a new "E Ticketghost tour" attraction<ref name= "TOT"/>. Although initially Disney Another suggestion was to create a comedic version of the [[Haunted Mansion]] featuring Mel Brooks and Young Frankenstein <ref name= "studios"/>. Finally, Imagineers pitched attractions such as Dick Tracy's Crime Stoppers Steve and Toontown Trolley for Sunset Boulevard, none of Tim Kirk suggested a hotel/attraction hybrid that would have had guests being driven from the projects were green litOrlando International Airport in a 1930s station wagon <ref name= "studios"/>. ThenEventually, In however Imagineers proposed working the fall theme of 1989, director and producer Mel Brooks met with Disney Imagineering. Disney CEO wanted Mel to produce his films at the Disney -MGM Studios, and creating a new into the attraction with the producer was something that appealed to both Imagineers and Brooks. The original idea that Imagineers They came up with was called "Castle Young Frankenstein". The proposed attraction a story that would have featured have featured feature a village with winding streets, all of which led to murder mystery and a castledead director. As Imagineers continued It would be up to brainstorm however, the attraction was changed guests (who were playing extras) to "Mel Brooks' Hollywood Hotel"try and figure out who committed the crime.

The idea Although the murder angle of a Hollywood hotel the story was one that had actually originated right around the time that eventually dropped, Imagineers liked the studios opened. Disney Imaginer Bob Weiss wanted idea of guests trying to create solve a resort mystery within the haunted hotel <ref name= "TOT"> https://web.archive.org/web/20120106171335/http://www.towerofterror.org/history/design </ref>. Disney decided that was based on to enhance the art deco Hollywood hotels attraction, it needed some kind of the 1930smovie tie-in. Imaginer C. McNair Wilson then suggested that the hotel be Imagineers eventually agreed on the scene idea of a murder mystery, which guests could solve by investigating clues hidden around theming the hotelattraction after the Twilight Zone. The hotel initial concept of the attraction, called for cast members, who would be able to give guests small hints that dress up like various employees of the hotel. Each employee would lead them seem a little unstable, (such as a bell boy who walked through the line asking if guests wanted to cluescheck any luggage) <ref name= "terror"> https://web. If guests solved archive.org/web/20120106172759/http://www.towerofterror.org/history/early-development </ref>. Other enhancements to the casequeue, they including an old man who would be given a certificate for their efforts"come to life" and interact with guests, and an Audio Animatronic elevator repair man were eventually discarded <ref name= "terror"/>. The idea of Disney decided that the murder mystery in cast members would slow down the hotelline too much, led Imagineers and park Operations was hesitant to assign more cast members to consider re-theming half of the hotel as the Hollywood Horror Hotelattraction then was absolutely necessary <ref name= "terror"/>.

Although these ideas proved to be the most influential, Imagineers also came up with other ideas for the Hollywood Hotel. One idea would have featured Vincent Price narrating to guests as they took a "ghost tour". Another suggestion was to create a comedic version of the [[Haunted Mansion]], featuring Mel Brooks and Young FrankensteinImage:RodSerling. Eventuallyjpg|thumb|300px|Rod Serling, however Imagineers proposed working the theme host 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 the guests (who were playing extras) to try and figure out who committed the crimeTwilight Zone. ]]

Although After deciding on the murder angle basic concept of the story was eventually droppedattraction, Imagineers liked began working on the idea of guests trying to solve a mystery within the haunted hotelplot. Disney decided that In order to enhance the attraction, it needed some kind of movie tie-in. Imagineers eventually agreed on the idea of theming the attraction after with the Twilight Zone. The initial concept rest of the attractionstudios, called for various cast members, who it was decided that guests would dress up like various employees be filming a "lost episode" of the hotelTwilight Zone <ref name= "TOT"/>. Each employee would seem a little unstable, Although Rod Serling (such as a bell boy who walked through the line asking if guests host of the Twilight Zone) had passed away in 1975, Disney Imagineer's still wanted to check any luggage). Other enhancements to include him in the queueattraction. To do this, including Mark Silverman recorded an impersonation of Rod, which was synced with the introduction of a old man who would 1961 episode titled "come to life" and interact with guests, and It's a audio Animatronic elevator repair man were eventually discardedGood Life" <ref name= "secret"> http://towersecrets. Disney decided that com/tower-of-terror-rod-serling-intro-video/ </ref>. The background image was then replaced with images of the cast members would slow down the line too muchTower of Terror, and park Operations was hesitant to assign more cast members to thus giving the attraction then was absolutely necessaryan "authentic" Twilight Zone introduction.

After deciding on As far as the basic concept layout of the attraction, Imagineers began working on the plot. In order to tie in the attraction with the rest of the studioswas concerned, it was decided that guests would be filming a "lost episode" of enter the Twilight Zoneattraction on foot. Although Rod SterlingHere, the host of the Twilight Zone had passed away in 1975they would discover an abandoned hotel lobby, Disney Imagineer's still wanted to include him in setting the attractionmystery into motion <ref name= "Martin"> http://www. To do this, Mark Silverman recorded an impersonation martinsvids.net/?s=Tower+of Rod+Terror </ref>. Guests would then watch a preshow video, which was synced with would tell them the introduction of a 1961 episode titled "Itattraction's a Good Lifebackstory <ref name= "Martin"/>. The background image was attraction would then replaced conclude with images of guests going into the Tower of Terror, thus giving haunted elevator (the attraction an drop shaft) and discovering what really happened in the hotel<ref name= "authenticMartin" Twilight Zone introduction/>.

As far as One problem that Imagineers had to overcome when designing the layout Tower of Terror was the attraction was concerned, tt was decided fact that most drop rides usually involved guests would enter the attraction laying on foottheir backs. Disney felt that this was not family friendly, here; 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 discover an abandoned hotel lobbybe able to both travel horizontally, setting the mystery into motion. Guests would and then watch a preshow video, which would tell guests the attraction's back-storydrop vertically<ref name= "Martin"/>. The attraction would then conclude with guests going into addition of multiple shafts also let Imagineers increase the haunted elevator (capacity of the drop shaft) and discovering what really happened in the hotelattraction<ref name= "Martin"/>.

One problem that With both the attraction plot and the ride mechanisms complete, construction on the Tower of Terror began in 1992<ref name= "Martin"/>. Imagineers had to overcome soon ran into trouble however, when designing the attraction it was discovered that most drop rides usually involved guests laying the initial site of the Tower actually sat on their backssinkhole<ref name= "Martin"/>. This setback required Disney felt that this may not be to move the most family friendly optionlocation of the attraction, and they attempted to find a new ride methodalbeit slightly. Partially based Finally, on July 22, 1994 the ride mechanism that was designed for Geyser Mountain, Disney developed a way Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opened to use multiple ride vehicles that would be able to both travel horizontally, and then drop verticallyguests <ref> http://www. The addition of multiple shafts also let Imagineers increase the capacity of the attractionwdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/mgm/st-tower.htm </ref>.

With both the attraction plot and the ride mechanisms completeSince its opening in 1994, construction on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror began in 1992has seen a significant amount of changes. Imagineers soon ran into troubleIn May of 1996, when it a second drop was discovered that added to the initial site of attraction <ref name= "Martin"/>. Besides the Tower of Terror actually sat on sinkholeoriginal thirteen-story drop, guests now also fell eight stories. During this refurbishment, which required Disney to move the location first photo that was taken of guests was also removed <ref name= "Martin"/>. The photo was originally taken early on in the attraction, albeit slightly. Although initially scheduled for a July 4, 1994 opening, and then later used in the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (as well 5th Dimension scene <ref name= "Martin"/>. The idea was that guests would be able to see themselves in their ride vehicle as they entered the rest of Sunset Boulevard) opened on July 225th Dimension <ref name= "Martin"/>. Unfortunately, 1994the process was unreliable and in 1996 the effect was removed <ref name= "Martin"/>.

Since it's opening in 1994, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror has seen a significant amount of changes. In May of 1996, a second drop was added to the attraction. Besides the original thirteen-story drop, guests also fell eight stories. During this refurbishment, the first photo that was taken of guests was also removed. The photo was originally taken early on in the attraction, and then used later in the 5th Dimension scene. The idea was that guests would be able to seem themselves in their ride vehicle as they entered the 5th Dimension. Unfortunately, the process was unreliable and in 1996 the effect was removed. 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/the-twilight-zone-tower-of-terror/news/25feb1999-tower-of-terror-fear-every-drop-profile-announced.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"/>. ==Attraction Plot=====Queue===The queue for the Tower of Terror begins as guests enter the hotel's gate. Inside the grounds, guests wind through the overgrown gardens of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Along the way, they pass by signs (which point to the stables, tennis courts and swimming pools), crumbling statues, and overgrown shrubbery.  After reaching the entrance to the hotel, guests enter a decaying lobby. The lobby is seemingly preserved, as guests can see a table set with tableware, food, a copy of the Los Angeles Examiner (dated October 31, 1939), abandoned suitcases near the front desk, and an unfinished game of mahjong. The centerpiece of the lobby is an owl sculpture which is surrounded by a circle of dead flowers. Behind the front desk in the lobby, guests can see an elevator with broken doors that is out of order. After being informed that their rooms are not ready yet, guests are ushered into the library.  ===Preshow===Inside the Library, lightning strikes the hotel, shutting off all of the power except for a television set which seems to be working by itself. As the TV turns on, the opening for the Twilight Zone begins to play. Rod Serling tells guests that in Hollywood 1939, the Hollywood Tower Hotel was a star in its own right. As glamorous people enter the elevator, the tower is struck by lightning, causing the guests to vanish. Rod Serling then shows guests the maintenance service elevator which is still working, and "waiting for you". He then informs guests that in tonight’s episode they are the stars of the Twilight Zone. Finally, the television turns off and guests are ushered into the boiler room, where they enter the service elevator. ===Actual Ride===Once inside the elevator, Rod Serling tells guests: {{Quotation| "You are the passengers on a most uncommon elevator about to ascend into your very own episode of The Twilight Zone."}} The elevator then begins rising for a moment before coming to a stop. Here, the doors open revealing a long corridor. At first, the only recognizable object in the corridor is a single window directly across from guests. Then, as a 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: [[Image:Towerghosts.jpg|330px|thumb|The ghosts of the doomed guests from 1939.]] {{Quotation| "One stormy night long ago, five people stepped through the door of an elevator and into a nightmare. That door is opening once again, and this time, it's opening for you."}} As his narration ends, the elevator moves horizontally into the Fifth Dimension. Here, odd sights and sounds from the television show's opening can be seen. As guests travel through the Fifth Dimension, the Twilight Zone theme song plays. After guests reach the back of the scene, a star field opens in front of them (like an elevator door) as Serling warns guests: {{Quotation| "You are about to discover what lies beyond the Fifth Dimension, beyond the deepest, darkest corner of the imagination, in the 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=='''Rod Serling'''- Himself (Mark 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}} ==Fun Facts and Trivia==* According to a plaque on the outside 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>. * The corridor where guests see the 1938 ghosts holds rooms 414-426 <ref> http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/WDW/Studios/Secrets/TowerTerror.html </ref>. * The music played throughout the 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 elevator.]]* The inspection certificate inside the elevator is dated 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>. * The elevator's certificate number is 10259 which is a reference to October 2, 1959 (the date that the Twilight Zone premiered) <ref name= "trivia"/>. * By the concierge desk, there is a thirteen diamond award from AAA <ref name= "Jack"/>.  * Imagineers set up the mahjong game in the lobby, in a way that allowed players of the game to see that it was authentic <ref name= "Jack"/>.  * While Imagineers were looking through a furniture catalog from the 1930's, they 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"/>. * The landscaping in the hotel's garden 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= "Jack"/>.  * 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"/>.  * 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"/>. * 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"/>. ==References==