Changes

While work on Euro Disney continued, 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 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 produce his films at the Disney MGM Studios. Furthermore, 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 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"/>.

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"/>.