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/* Attraction History */
{{Template:Infobox Disney ride |
| land=[[Sunset Boulevard]]
| image=Towerofterror.jpg
| smaller=true
| caption='''The Hollywood Tower of TerrorHotel'''
| 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]].
==Attraction History==
The concept of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror actually began in Euro Disney<ref name= "tower"> https://web.archive.org/web/20120106171353/http://www.towerofterror.org/history/origin </ref>. In the late 1980's, Disney wanted to build a new attraction known as Geyser Mountain<ref name= "tower"/>. The attraction would end have ended with a jet of water pushing the ride vehicle up and down a drop shaft<ref name= "tower"/>. Although the attraction was never built, the drop shaft concept was one that stuck in Imagineers mind.
While work on Euro Disney continued, Disney was also planning a massive expansion for at the 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 projects were green lit<ref name= "tower"/>. Then, In in the fall of 1989, 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, and creating a new attraction with 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 have featured have featured a village with winding streets, all of which led to a castle. As Imagineers continued to brainstorm however, the attraction was 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 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 to consider re-theming half of the hotel as the Hollywood Horror Hotel<ref name= "studios"/>.
Although these ideas proved to be the most influentialmurder angle of the story was eventually dropped, Imagineers also came up with other ideas for liked the Hollywood Hotel. One idea would have featured Vincent Price narrating to of guests as they took trying to solve a mystery within the haunted hotel <ref name= "ghost tourTOT"> https://web. Another suggestion was archive.org/web/20120106171335/http://www.towerofterror.org/history/design </ref>. Disney decided that to create a comedic version of enhance the [[Haunted Mansion]]attraction, featuring Mel Brooks and Young Frankensteinit needed some kind of movie tie-in. Eventually, however Imagineers proposed working eventually agreed on the theme idea of the Disney-MGM Studios into theming the attractionafter the Twilight Zone. They came The initial concept of the attraction, called for cast members who would dress up with a story that like various employees of the hotel. Each employee would feature seem a murder mystery and little unstable, (such as a dead directorbell boy who walked through the line asking if guests wanted to check any luggage) <ref name= "terror"> https://web. It would be up archive.org/web/20120106172759/http://www.towerofterror.org/history/early-development </ref>. Other enhancements to the guests (queue, including an old man who were playing extras) would "come to try life" and figure out who committed interact with guests, and an Audio Animatronic elevator repair man were eventually discarded <ref name= "terror"/>. Disney decided that the crimecast members would slow down the line too much, and park Operations was hesitant to assign more cast members to the attraction then was absolutely necessary <ref name= "terror"/>.
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 Hotelhotel'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 tea ware and tableware, food, a copy of the Los Angeles Examiner (dated October 31, 1939), abandoned suitcases near the front desk , and an unfinished game of Mahjongmahjong. 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 which 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 television show begins to play. Rod Serling tells guests that in Hollywood 1939, the Hollywood Tour 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 tells informs guests that in tonight’s episode they are the stars in of the Twilight Zone. Before 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 1938 1939 guests (who were shown in the preshow) appear, telling 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 shows 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 Sterling Serling and the 1939 elevator passengers from 1939 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 along a long hallway, to 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 enter pass by a decrepit fountain and also 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 then enter the a gift shop which sells Twilight Z one 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 The Twilight Zone. For the best 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==
==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 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 inspection elevator's certificate inside the elevator number is dated 10259 which is a reference to October 312, 1939 and signed by Cadwallader. Cadwallader is a character from 1959 (the date that the Twilight Zone television show who ended up being the devilpremiered) <ref name= "trivia"/>.
* The elevator's certificate number is 10259 which By the concierge desk, there is a reference to October 2, 1959 (the date that the Twilight Zone premieredthirteen diamond award from AAA <ref name= "Jack"/>.)
* By Imagineers set up the concierge deskmahjong game in the lobby, there is in a thirteen diamond award from way that allowed players of the AAAgame to see that it was authentic <ref name= "Jack"/>.
* Imaginners set up While Imagineers were looking through a furniture catalog from the mahjongg game in the lobby1930's, in a way that allowed players of they decided to contact the game company to see that it if they were still in business. The company was authentic, and Disney used some of their furniture in the hotel <ref name= "Jack"/>.
* While Imagineers were looking through a furniture catlouge from The landscaping in the 1930hotel's, they decided to contact garden was influenced by the comapny to see if they were still in busniuess. The company was, hills of Griffith and Disney used some of their funiture Elysian Parks in the hotelLos Angeles <ref name= "Jack"/>.
* The landscaping Disney Imagineers watched every episode of the Twilight Zone at least twice in order to capture its essence for the hotel's garden was influenced by the hills of Griffith and Elysian parks in Los Angelesattraction <ref name= "Jack"/>.
* Disney Imagineers watched every The clip of Rod Serling shown in the preshow was taken from an episode of the Twilight Zone at least twice in order to capture itseries titled "It's essence for the attractiona Good Life" <ref name= "trivia"/>.
* The clip of Rod Serling shown in In the preshow, was taken from an episode of the series titled Serling says, "ItTonight's story on The Twilight Zone is somewhat unique and calls for a Good Lifedifferent 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"/>.
* In the episode Serling says, "Tonight's story on The Twilight Zone is somewhat unique and calls for a different kind Tower of introduction. This, as you may recognize, Terror is 199 ft tall due to the fact that FCC regulations require a map of the United States. Imagineers used the beginning of this phrase in the preshowred flashing light to be placed on buildings that are at least 200 ft tall <ref name= "Jack"/>.
==References==