Difference between pages "Disney's Animal Kingdom" and "The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror"

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{{Template:Infobox amusement park
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{{Template:Infobox Disney ride |
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| image=TreeOfLifeday.jpg
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| land=Sunset Boulevard
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| caption='''The Tree of Life is the icon of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.'''
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| image=Towerofterror.jpg
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| theme=Animals, nature, conservation
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| smaller=true
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| opening_date=April 22, 1998
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| caption='''The Hollywood Tower Hotel''  
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| icon=The Tree of Life
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| park=Hollywood Studios
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| opened=July 22, 1994
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| height_requirement=40
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| based_on=The Twilight Zone
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| host= Rod Serling
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| custom_label_1= FastPass +
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| custom_value_1= Yes (Group A)
 
}}
 
}}
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Disney's Animal Kingdom is a theme park located in Walt Disney World.
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The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is an attraction located on [[Sunset Boulevard]] in [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]].
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==Conception <ref name= "book"> Malmberg, Melody. The Making of Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. New York: Hyperion, 1998. Print. </ref>==
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==Attraction History==
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A theme park about animals was not high on Disney’s list of ideas, but surveys showed that Disney and animals tested well, and Disney had a lot of intellectual properties that showcased animals. Because of this, Michael Eisner sent the idea for an animal theme park to Imagineering. In 1990, Imagineer Joe Rohde met with Eisner to discuss the new park. Rohde’s vision for the park was threefold, it would feature traditional theme park components, an Epcot Center syle pavilion, and a nontraditional zoo.  
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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 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.  
  
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Eisner agreed to the basic premise of the park, commenting that like the Magic Kingdom, Disney should also have an Animal Kingdom. With this objective in mind, Rohde and his team of six Imagineers (Kevin Brown, Zofia Kostyrko, Kevin Brown, Christopher West, Tony Marando and Patsy Tillisch) set out to create a basic outline for the new park.  
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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"/>.
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[[Image:TOTCOncept.jpg|thumb|350px|Early Tower of Terror concept art]]
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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"/>.
  
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In July 1990, Joe Rohde and his team flew to Africa to get first hand experience of the type of environment that they wished to create. In total, during the development of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Rohde and his Imagineers visited Africa six times. Using these trips as inspiration, the team eventually used much of their experience when creating [[Kilimanjaro Safaris]].  
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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 the attraction as guests took a "ghost tour" <ref name= "TOT"/>. Another suggestion was to create a comedic version of the [[Haunted Mansion]] featuring Mel Brooks and Young Frankenstein <ref name= "studios"/>.  Finally, Imagineers Steve and Tim Kirk suggested a hotel/attraction hybrid that would have had guests being driven from the Orlando International Airport in a 1930s station wagon <ref name= "studios"/>. 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 the guests (who were playing extras) to try and figure out who committed the crime.
  
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As plans for the park continued to develop, Michael Eisner wondered if simply encountering animals would be a big enough draw for guests. To prove that this was not the case, Joe Rohde brought a 400 pound Bengal tiger into a meeting he was having with Eisner and Frank Wells. As Rohde gave his presentation, the tiger sauntered around the room. After feeling the effect of being so close to a tiger, Eisner and Wells relented and live animal encounters would be the focal point of Animal Kingdom.  
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Although the murder angle of the story was eventually dropped, Imagineers liked the idea of guests trying to solve a mystery within the haunted hotel <ref name= "TOT"> https://web.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 agreed on the idea of theming the attraction after the Twilight Zone. The initial concept of the attraction, called for cast members who would dress up like various employees of the hotel. Each employee would seem a little unstable, (such as a bell boy who walked through the line asking if guests wanted to check any luggage) <ref name= "terror"> https://web.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 hesitant to assign more cast members to the attraction then was absolutely necessary <ref name= "terror"/>.  
  
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During another meeting with Eisner and other executives, the Disney CEO told Imagineers that he wanted a DinoLand. Other ideas stemming from these meetings included the Oasis (which would serve as the entryway) Safari Village (the parks hub) and Discovery River. By 1992, the basic layout of the park was in place. Guests would enter through the Oasis before arriving at Safari Village. From there, guests could explore the park’s other lands including DinoLand, Africa, Asia, and the land dedicated to imaginary animals.  
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[[Image:RodSerling.jpg|thumb|300px|Rod Serling, the host of the Twilight Zone.]]
  
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Finally, after years of development on June 21, 1995 Disney’s Wild Animal Kingdom was officially announced. When discussing the new park, Michael Eisner stated:
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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.
  
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{{Quotation|“This is to the traditional zoo as the motion picture was to the stage play. A leap forward that keeps the concept of combining education and entertainment alive and well. The need for awareness of endangered animals and their environments has never been greater. We are in a unique position to promote deeper understanding and love for all animals."|Michael Eisner}}
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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"/>.
  
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==Construction==
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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"/>.  
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Construction on Disney's Animal began in August of 1995. Like other Disney theme parks, Animal Kingdom was to be made up of various "lands". When designing the park, the lands in Disney's Animal Kingdom were going to be: The Oasis, Safari Village, Africa, Asia, Conservation Station, DinoLand USA and Beastly Kingdom. Through these lands Animal Kingdom was to represent three groups of animals: current living animals, extinct animals, and mythological animals.  
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Construction on Disney's Animal Kingdom began in August of 1995. Four million cubic yards of dirt were moved and nearly 40,000 plants were added during the parks construction <ref name= "trivia"/>. During this process it was decided that the plants in Animal Kingdom would need to be in the ground for two growing seasons before the animals arrived. This meant that the horticulture team led by Disney Legend Bill Evans had until the spring of 1996 to get all the plants in place <ref> http://allears.net/ae/issue863.htm </ref>. This deadline was met, and the fall of 1997 the animals were brought in to the park <ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2011/01/kilimanjaro_safaris_at_animal_1.html </ref>. They came from various zoo's or wildlife preserves around the world. A few animals were also from the wild, but were too injured to be re-released. In total Animal Kingdom is home to over 1,700 animals.  
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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 (as well as the rest of Sunset Boulevard) opened to guests <ref> http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/mgm/st-tower.htm </ref>.
  
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[[Image:AnimalKingdomSerfariElands.jpg|300px|thumb|Elands grazing on the Kilimanjaro Safari]]
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Since its 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 <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 <ref name= "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"/>.
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As construction continued, funds for the new park began to dwindle. Eventually it was decided that Animal Kingdom would have to open in three phases. The first phase would consist of The Oasis, Safari Village, Africa, Conservation Station, and an unfinished Asia. Also included in phase one would be either DinoLand USA or Beastly Kingdomme <ref name= "jim"> http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2001/01/01/309.aspx </ref>. Disney eventually decided to build DinoLand USA, possibly due to the new movie “Dinosaur” that was to be released in 2000 <ref name= "jim"/>.
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Phase II was planned to be the completion of Asia, along with the construction of Beastly Kingdom. Due to the park not being completed on opening day, Camp Minnie-Mickey, a place where guests could meet various Disney characters, was created as a temporary land. Camp Minnie-Mickey was to be essentially a place holder until Beastly Kingdom could be built <ref> http://www.yesterland.com/campmm.html </ref>.
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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"/>.
  
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Like the other Disney parks, Imagineers knew that Disney's Animal Kingdom would need a "weenie" or icon to draw guests into the park.The first icon considered for the park was the Animal Carousel <ref name= "book"/>. This three tiered structure would have featured birds, animals and fish that guests could ride on as they went around the carousel. Michael Eisner eventually rejected this idea because he though it was "too frivolous"<ref name= "book"/>., and Imagineers came up with a new icon- The Tree of Life.  
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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"/>.
  
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Initially, Imagineers had a tough time figuring out how to create the massive icon <ref name= "tree"> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/06/tree_of_life_at_disneys_animal.html </ref>. The tree had to look authentic, while being able to withstand hurricane level winds<ref name= "tree"/> . On top of that, the tree would also have to house the attraction [[It's Tough to be a Bug!]] (the attraction was chosen over an earlier idea of having a restaurant inside the tree)<ref name= "tree"/> . Eventually however, Imagineers came up with a fairly simple solution.  
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On April 19, 2015 it was announced that Disney would be adding a lounge and bar to the Hollywood Tower Hotel near the attraction's exit<ref> http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/04/breaking-twilight-zone-tower-of-terror-at-hollywood-studios-to-add-themed-bar-inside/ </ref>.
  
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First, they took the structure of an oil rig for the base<ref name= "tree"/> . 45 secondary branches were then added to the tree, followed by 756 tertiary branches and finally 891 end branches. The Tree was then covered with 102,583 man-made leaves. After the structure was complete, 20 artisans carved over 300 animals into the tree<ref name= "tree"/> . When the Tree of Life was completed it stood 145 feet tall and looked as if the animals themselves were making up the tree's trunk<ref name= "tree"/> .
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==Attraction Plot==
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===Queue===
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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.  
  
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==Opening Day==
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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.
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Disney's Animal Kingdom opened on April 22, 1998 (Earth Day). At the opening of the park, the song “The Circle of Life” from Disney's The Lion King played as guests were showered with rose petals <ref> http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_opn.htm </ref>. A half hour after the park had opened; the parking lot was filled to capacity, while 45 minutes later the park itself was filled to capacity <ref name= "day"/>. The first official guests to Disney's Animal Kingdom were Brenda Herr, her husband Damon Chepren, and their son Devon <ref name= "day"> http://thisdayindisneyhistory.homestead.com/apr22.html </ref>. They were greeted by Roy E. Disney and given lifetime passes. Unlike previous theme park openings, the event was not a star studded one although Michael J. Fox, Drew Carey, Stevie Wonder and David Copperfield did appear <ref> http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1998-04-20/news/9804190408_1_walt-disney-animal-kingdom-disney-theme </ref>. Some 5,000 reporters were also on hand as Disney CEO Michael Eisner read the park’s dedication:
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{{Quotation|Welcome to a kingdom of animals… real, ancient and imagined: a kingdom ruled by lions, dinosaurs and dragons; a kingdom of balance, harmony and survival; a kingdom we enter to share in the wonder, gaze at the beauty, thrill at the drama, and learn.|
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===Preshow===
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Michael Eisner <br> April 22, 1998}}
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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.  
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===Actual Ride===
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Once inside the elevator, Rod Serling tells guests:
  
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==History After Opening Day==
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{{Quotation| "You are the passengers on a most uncommon elevator about to ascend into your very own episode of The Twilight Zone."}}
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Although relatively young compared to the other Disney Parks, Animal Kingdom has gone through several changes. The first major expansion of the park came in 1999 when Asia was finally completed <ref> http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_asia.htm </ref>.Added at this time were the popular attractions [[Maharajah Jungle Trek]] <ref> https://touringplans.com/animal-kingdom/attractions/maharajah-jungle-trek </ref> and the [[Kali River Rapids]]. The [[Discovery River Boats]] (which were located in Asia) closed with the opening of the new attractions <ref>http://waltdatedworld.com/id55.htm</ref>.  
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In 2000 and 2001 many of Animal Kingdom's lands were renamed. The former Safari Village became Discovery Island <ref> http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id131.htm </ref> and Conservation Station became Rafiki's Planet Watch <ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2009/07/rafikis_planet_watch_the_forgo.html </ref>. The change in name to Discovery Island coincided with the closing of the Discovery Island attraction on Bay Lake. Also changing its name at this time was the popular DinoLand USA attraction [[Countdown To Extinction]]. That ride was re-named after, and slightly altered to tie into the 2000 Disney movie [[Dinosaur]] <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/10881/Remembering_the_Magic_Countdown_To_Extinction__DINOSAUR </ref>.  
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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:
  
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2001 also saw another expansion in Disney's Animal Kingdom. At this time, Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama was added to DinoLand USA. This mini land housed Midway Games (later renamed [[Fossil Fun Games]]) and the [[TriceraTop Spin]] <ref name= "d23"> https://d23.com/a-to-z/chester-hesters/ </ref>. The following year on March 31, 2002, [[Primeval Whirl]] was added to the area <ref name= "d23"/>.
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[[Image:Towerghosts.jpg|330px|thumb|The ghosts of the doomed guests from 1939.]]
  
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[[Image:ExpeditionEverestAtday.jpg|300px|thumb|Expedition Everest opened in 2006.]]
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{{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."}}
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The next set of majorchanges came to Animal Kingdom in 2006. In DinoLand USA, Finding Nemo- the Musical replaced Tarzan Rocks, which had been there since 1999 <ref> http://allears.net/tp/ak/nemo.htm </ref>. Also in 2006, the “E-Ticket” roller coaster [[Expedition Everest]] was built in Asia. The attraction is a roller coaster set in the Himalayas, and it includes a close encounter with the fabled Yeti. By including the Yeti in the attraction, Disney's Animal Kingdom finally featured a mythical creature (which had been promised since the park’s dedication).
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In 2014 Camp Minnie-Mickey was closed in order to make way for a new area of the park based on James Cameron's 2009 film “Avatar” <ref name= "attractions"> https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=Festival+of+Lion+King+closed+Avatar </ref>. Following the land's closure the [[Festival of the Lion King]] attraction was relocated to a new section of Africa called “New Harambe” <ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/07/a-new-home-for-festival-of-the-lion-king-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/ </ref>. In 2015 the Harambe Marketplace opened to guests. The new area was themed around a “Colonial-era train depot design complete with a 1960s water tower”. Inside the Harambe Marketplace guests can visit various food vendors who sell African inspired quinine <ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/04/fun-new-tastes-at-harambe-market-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/ </ref>.
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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:
  
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2016 saw several new experiences come to Animal Kingdom. The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic stage show opened as a temporary offering based on the Disney live-action film The Jungle Book. Also debuting at this time was the [[Kilimanjaro Night Safaris]] and the Tree of Life Awakens, a nighttime event where magical fireflies make animal spirits come alive on the Tree of Life. Although delayed, a new nighttime show called Rivers of Light is expected to debut later in 2016 <ref> https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/04/update-on-nighttime-experiences-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/ </ref>.  
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{{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."}}
  
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===Beastly Kingdomme===
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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.
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One change that has yet to (and may never) come to Animal Kingdom is the addition of Beastly Kingdomme. Despite a dragon being featured on the park's logo, there are currently no plans to build the land. Camp Minnie-Mickey proved to be popular with guests, and thus the land set aside for Beastly Kingdom remained in use. With the announcement of a land based on Avatar it looks unlikely that Beastly Kingdomme will be built. Despite this, remnants of the planned Beastly Kingdom can still be found including:
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*The parking lot contains a section named "Unicorn" <ref> http://www.yesterland.com/avatarkingdom.html </ref>.
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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:
  
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*A detailed dragonhead statue sits atop one of the ticket booths at the park's entrance <ref> http://www.wdwinfo.com/columns/walt-disney-world-never-built.cfm </ref>.
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{{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."}}
  
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*In the first couple years of the parks existence, blasts of fire would be spewed from a cave at the edge of the water near Camp Minnie-Mickey <ref name= "hill"> http://jimhillmedia.com/editor_in_chief1/b/jim_hill/archive/2004/10/19/479.aspx </ref>. Also debuting at this time
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===Exit Path and Gift Shop===
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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.
  
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*Burnt suits of armor were located just outside the cave entrance and when the Discovery Boats passed this scene, guests were told by the boat's captain that the fire was created by a fire-breathing dragon inside the cave <ref name= "hill"/>.
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==References to the Twilight Zone==
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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:
  
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==Backstory==
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http://www.towerofterror.org/secrets/twilight-zone-references
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According to The World According to Jack the backstory for Disney's Animal Kingdom states
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{{Quotation|'Once upon a time, no vegetation would grow on Discovery Island. There were no trees, no shrubs, no flowers, nothing. It was a barren piece of land. Then, one day, a tiny ant planted a seed and made a wish. He asked for a tree to grow – a tree large enough to provide shelter for all the animals. Magically, the ant’s wish came true and a tree began to grow -- and it kept growing until there was room beneath its limbs for all the animals from A (ants) to Z (zebras). And as the tree continued to reach for the heavens, the images of all the animals that took shelter beneath its shade appeared on its trunk, roots, and branches.<ref> http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2012/06/tree_of_life_at_disneys_animal.html </ref>}}
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==Current Lands==
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==Cast==
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To see the current Animal Kingdom map [https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/media/wdpro-assets/parks-and-tickets/destinations/animal-kingdom/Disneys_Animal_Kingdom.pdf '''Click Here'''.]
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'''Rod Serling'''- Himself (Mark Silverman impersonated him for additional dialogue.) <ref name= "pal"/>
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===Oasis===
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Located at the front of the park, the Oasis is the first land that guests encounter. Guest services and the Rain Forest Cafe are located here. The Oasis leads to the park's hub, “Discovery Island”.
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'''[[Oasis Exhibits]]'''- This walking trail allows guests to see many animals including: the giant anteater, wallabies, exotic boar and more.
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'''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>
  
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===Discovery Island===
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'''Child Star'''- Lindsay Ridgeway <ref> http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0725864/bio?ref_=nm_dyk_trv_sm#trivia </ref>
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Originally called Safari Village, Discovery Island is the hub of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. From Discovery Island guests can get to all the park’s other lands except for Rafiki's Planet Watch. Animal Kingdom's icon “The Tree of Life” can be found in Discovery Island.
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'''[[It's Tough to be a Bug!]]'''- On this 4D attraction, guests enter the world of the Disney-Pixar movie ''A Bugs Life''. Here they meet Flick, Dot, and even Hopper as they learn some of the challenges of being a bug.
+
'''Nanny'''- Charlotte Helms  <ref name= "pal"/>
  
−
'''[[Discovery Island Trails]]'''- On this short walking trail, guests can find Galapagos tortoises, lemurs, kangaroos and other exotic animals.
+
==Watch the Preshow==
−
===Africa===
+
To see the short film shown before guests enter the service elevator, click play below.
−
Home to the popular Kilimanjaro Safaris, the Africa section of the park takes place in the fictional village of Harambe. According to the land's backstory, Harambe was once a colony before gaining its freedom in 1961 after a peaceful revolution. Harambe is currently home to a wildlife reserve, where tourists can see some of Africa's most interesting animals. In 2014 the Africa section of the park was expanded to house the relocated Festival of the Lion King.
+
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[[Image:AnimalKingdomGuideMap2016.jpg|thumb|350px|The 2016 Animal Kingdom map (click to enlarge)]]
+
  
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'''[[Kilimanjaro Safaris]]'''- On this 22 minute safari, guests ride through the Savannah Desert in East Africa. Along the way, the trams come face to face with elephants, lions, cheetahs, rhinos and much more. The safari is usually operational from park opening until sundown. In 2016 Disney began featuring "night safaris" that take place after dusk.
+
{{#ev:youtube|c2gufzmIPrg|420}}
  
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'''[[Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail]]'''- On this 3/8 of a mile walking trail, guests can observe some of Africa's most exotic animals. Okapis, meerkat, hippos, and Western Lowland Gorillas can all be seen here.
+
==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>.
  
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'''[[Wildlife Express Train]]'''- This seven minute train ride transports guests from the African village of Harambe to Rafiki's Planet Watch and vice versa.
+
* The corridor where guests see the 1938 ghosts holds rooms 414-426 <ref> http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/WDW/Studios/Secrets/TowerTerror.html </ref>.
  
−
'''[[Festival of the Lion King]]'''- This Broadway style show uses puppetry, song, dance and special effects to tell the story of Disney's The Lion King.
+
* 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>.
  
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'''Wild Africa Trek'''- This three hour tour allows guests to trek through the African wilderness and the Savannah Desert where they can get an up close look at various African animals. The tour requires guests to pay an additional cost.
+
* 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"/>.
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+
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===Rafiki's Planet Watch===
+
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Rafkik's Planet Watch was originally called Conservation Station and it is the only land not accessible from Discovery Island. In order to get to Rafiki's Planet Watch guests must board the Wildlife Express Train which travels between Africa and the Planet Watch.
+
−
 
+
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'''[[Wildlife Express Train]]'''- This seven minute train ride transports guests from the African village of Harambe to Rafiki's Planet Watch and vice versa.
+
−
 
+
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'''[[Habitat Habit!]]'''- This short walking trail features various exhibits that teach guests how they can help conserve the environment. The trail is also home to a small group of Cotton-top Tamarin monkeys.
+
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+
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'''[[Conservation Station]]'''- At Conservation Station, guests can get an in-depth look at how Disney takes care of the animals located within Disney's Animal Kingdom. Interactive exhibits and live animals also help guests learn about various animal habitats.
+
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+
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'''[[Affection Section]]'''- This small petting zoo features domesticated animals from all over the world.
+
−
 
+
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===Asia===
+
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Perhaps the most popular land in Disney's Animal Kingdom, Asia was not complete until 1999. The land is home to [[Expedition Everest]].
+
−
 
+
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'''Flight of Wonders'''- In this show, guests can see various tricks performed by all kinds of exotic birds.
+
−
 
+
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'''[[Maharajah Jungle Trek]]'''- This walking trail takes guests through the ruins of an ancient palace. Here, guests encounter giant fruit bats, Komodo dragons and even tigers!
+
−
 
+
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'''[[Kali River Rapids]]'''- This raft ride takes guests down the Chakranadi River in true whitewater fashion. The Kali River Rapids also shows guests the danger of illegal logging and habitat destruction.
+
−
 
+
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'''[[Expedition Everest]]'''- This high speed roller coaster takes guests on a frantic journey through the Forbidden Mountain as they search for the mythical Yeti.
+
−
 
+
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===DinoLand USA===
+
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DinoLand USA is home to the [[Dino Institute]], which allows guests to travel back in time and come face to face with dinosaurs. In 2001 the land was expanded to include Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama. This new area is themed like a roadside attraction which was built to capitalize on the success of the nearby institute.
+
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+
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'''[[DINOSAUR]]'''- Housed inside the Dinosaur Institute, this dark ride allows guests to board Time Rovers and travel back to the Cretaceous period, where they come face to face with various dinosaurs. The attraction was known as Countdown to Extinction from 1998-2000.
+
−
 
+
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'''[[Finding Nemo- The Musical]]'''- This Broadway style show is a musical retelling of the Disney-Pixar film "Finding Nemo".  The show runs for approximately 35 minutes.
+
−
 
+
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'''[[Fossil Fun Games]]'''- The Fossil Fun Games are a group of dinosaur themed carnival-style games found in Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama.
+
−
 
+
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'''[[Primeval Whirl]]'''- This mild roller coaster takes guests back to the time of the dinosaurs.
+
−
 
+
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'''[[TriceraTop Spin]]'''- This hub and spoke attraction allows guests to climb aboard a dinosaur and take a spin above DinoLand USA.
+
−
 
+
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'''[[The Boneyard Playground]]'''- This kid friendly playground features not only slides and water guns, but also a large sand pit where young guests can dig up dinosaur bones.
+
−
 
+
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==Former Lands==
+
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===Camp Minnie-Mickey===
+
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Initially intended to be a temporary land, Camp Minnie-Mickey was located where Beastly Kingdom was originally supposed to be built. Here, guests could meet their favorite Disney characters including Mickey, Minnie, and Donald. The main attraction located in Camp Minnie-Mickey was the Broadway style show [[Festival of the Lion King]]. In 2014 Camp Minnie-Mickey closed in order to make room for a new land based on James Cameron's Avatar. Following Camp Minnie-Mickey's closure, Festival of the Lion King was relocated to the Africa section of the park.
+
−
 
+
−
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
+
−
*Straws, balloons and cup lids are not used inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom to protect the animals from potential choking hazards <ref name= "guide"> http://www.guidetothemagic.com/animalkingdom/animalkingdom5.htm </ref>.
+
  
−
* Animal Kingdom features 250 species and 1,0000 different animals <ref name= "trivia"/>
+
* By the concierge desk, there is a thirteen diamond award from AAA <ref name= "Jack"/>.
  
−
*Two Micronesian Kingfisher chicks were hatched at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, raising the world population of these birds by 3 percent <ref name= "trivia"> http://allears.net/tp/ak/ak_fact.htm </ref>.
+
* 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"/>.  
  
−
*Disney’s Animal Kingdom contains live plants from every continent on Earth except Antarctica <ref name= "trivia"/>.
+
* 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"/>.
  
−
*There are over 61,000 costume pieces worn by Animal Kingdom cast members.  
+
* The landscaping in the hotel's garden was influenced by the hills of Griffith and Elysian Parks in Los Angeles <ref name= "Jack"/>.  
  
−
*At over 500 acres, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is large enough to fit the [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Epcot]], and [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]] inside of it <ref name= "guide"/>.
+
* Disney Imagineers watched every episode of the Twilight Zone at least twice in order to capture its essence for the attraction <ref name= "Jack"/>.  
  
−
*In the early 2000s Disney promoted Animal Kingdom with the phrase NăHTăZū!(pronounced "not a zoo") <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/10581/Its_Nahtazu </ref>.
+
* 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"/>.  
  
−
*Disney’s Animal Kingdom features the largest groups of Nile hippos and African elephants in North America <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"/>.
  
−
* There are 27 million gallons of water in Discovery River <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==
 
==References==

Revision as of 18:37, 18 December 2016

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Towerofterror.jpg
'The Hollywood Tower Hotel
Hollywood Studios
Land Sunset Boulevard
Opening date July 22, 1994
Hosted by Rod Serling
Height requirements 40" (102 cm)
FastPass + Yes (Group A)
Based on The Twilight Zone

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 [1]. In the late 1980's, Disney wanted to build a new attraction known as Geyser Mountain [1]. The attraction would have ended with a jet of water pushing the ride vehicle up and down a drop shaft [1]. 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 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 [1]. 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 [2]. The original idea that Imagineers came up with was called "Castle Young Frankenstein" [2]. 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"[2].

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 [2]. Disney Imagineer Bob Weiss wanted to create a resort hotel that was based on the art deco Hollywood hotels of the 1930s[2]. 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[2]. 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[2]. 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[2].

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 the attraction as guests took a "ghost tour" [3]. Another suggestion was to create a comedic version of the Haunted Mansion featuring Mel Brooks and Young Frankenstein [2]. Finally, Imagineers Steve and Tim Kirk suggested a hotel/attraction hybrid that would have had guests being driven from the Orlando International Airport in a 1930s station wagon [2]. 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 the guests (who were playing extras) to try and figure out who committed the crime.

Although the murder angle of the story was eventually dropped, Imagineers liked the idea of guests trying to solve a mystery within the haunted hotel [3]. Disney decided that to enhance the attraction, it needed some kind of movie tie-in. Imagineers eventually agreed on the idea of theming the attraction after the Twilight Zone. The initial concept of the attraction, called for cast members who would dress up like various employees of the hotel. Each employee would seem a little unstable, (such as a bell boy who walked through the line asking if guests wanted to check any luggage) [4]. 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 [4]. Disney decided that the cast 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 [4].

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 [3]. 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" [5]. 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 [6]. Guests would then watch a preshow video, which would tell them the attraction's backstory [6]. The attraction would then conclude with guests going into the haunted elevator (the drop shaft) and discovering what really happened in the hotel[6].

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[6]. 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[6]. The addition of multiple shafts also let Imagineers increase the capacity of the attraction[6].

With both the attraction plot and the ride mechanisms complete, construction on the Tower of Terror began in 1992[6]. Imagineers soon ran into trouble however, when it was discovered that the initial site of the Tower actually sat on sinkhole[6]. This setback required Disney to move the location of the attraction, albeit slightly. Finally, on July 22, 1994 the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (as well as the rest of Sunset Boulevard) opened to guests [7].

Since its 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 [6]. 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 [6]. The photo was originally taken early on in the attraction, and then later used in the 5th Dimension scene [6]. The idea was that guests would be able to see themselves in their ride vehicle as they entered the 5th Dimension [6]. Unfortunately, the process was unreliable and in 1996 the effect was removed [6].

Further additions came to the Tower in 1999, when a third drop was added to the attraction [8]. 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 [8].

The most recent change to the Tower of Terror came in 2002, when the drop sequences became randomized by a computer [6]. 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[6].

On April 19, 2015 it was announced that Disney would be adding a lounge and bar to the Hollywood Tower Hotel near the attraction's exit[9].

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:

"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:

The ghosts of the doomed guests from 1939.
"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:

"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:

"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.) [10]

Bellhop Parviz Perry Vessali [10]

Child Star- Lindsay Ridgeway [11]

Nanny- Charlotte Helms [10]

Watch the Preshow

To see the short film shown before guests enter the service elevator, click play below.

Fun Facts and Trivia

  • According to a plaque on the outside of the hotel, the Hollywood Tour Hotel was founded in 1917 [12].
  • The corridor where guests see the 1938 ghosts holds rooms 414-426 [13].
  • The music played throughout the ride is taken from various episodes of The Twilight Zone TV show. The score was arranged by Richard Bellis [14].
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 [15].
  • The elevator's certificate number is 10259 which is a reference to October 2, 1959 (the date that the Twilight Zone premiered) [15].
  • By the concierge desk, there is a thirteen diamond award from AAA [12].
  • Imagineers set up the mahjong game in the lobby, in a way that allowed players of the game to see that it was authentic [12].
  • 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 [12].
  • The landscaping in the hotel's garden was influenced by the hills of Griffith and Elysian Parks in Los Angeles [12].
  • Disney Imagineers watched every episode of the Twilight Zone at least twice in order to capture its essence for the attraction [12].
  • The clip of Rod Serling shown in the preshow was taken from an episode of the series titled "It's a Good Life" [15].
  • 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 [15].
  • 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 [12].

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 https://web.archive.org/web/20120106171353/http://www.towerofterror.org/history/origin
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 http://www.studioscentral.com/early-development-tower-terror
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 https://web.archive.org/web/20120106171335/http://www.towerofterror.org/history/design
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 https://web.archive.org/web/20120106172759/http://www.towerofterror.org/history/early-development
  5. ↑ http://towersecrets.com/tower-of-terror-rod-serling-intro-video/
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 http://www.martinsvids.net/?s=Tower+of+Terror
  7. ↑ http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/mgm/st-tower.htm
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/the-twilight-zone-tower-of-terror/news/25feb1999-tower-of-terror-fear-every-drop-profile-announced.htm
  9. ↑ http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/04/breaking-twilight-zone-tower-of-terror-at-hollywood-studios-to-add-themed-bar-inside/
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 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
  11. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0725864/bio?ref_=nm_dyk_trv_sm#trivia
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/02/twilight_zone_tower_of_terror.html
  13. ↑ http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/WDW/Studios/Secrets/TowerTerror.html
  14. ↑ http://www.richardbellis.com/filmography.html
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 http://towersecrets.com/twilight-zone-references-in-the-tower-of-terror/
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