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| land=[[Sunset Boulevard]]| image=FestivalofthelionTowerofterror.jpg| smaller=true| caption='''The entrance sign for the Festival of the Lion King.Hollywood Tower Hotel'''| landpark=AfricaHollywood Studios | opened= April July 22, 19981994| capacityheight_requirement= 1,37540| typebased_on= Stage ShowThe Twilight Zone | parkhost= Disney's Animal Kingdom| duration= 28Rod Serling| custom_label_1= Based on| custom_value_1= The Lion King| custom_label_1= FastPass Disney Genie +| custom_value_1= Yes}}The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is an attraction located on [[Sunset Boulevard]] in [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]].

Although currently The concept of the longest running show 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 Animal Kingdom (, Disney wanted to build a distinction it shares new attraction known as Geyser Mountain <ref name= "tower"/>. The attraction would have ended with [[It's Tough to be a Bug]]), Festival jet of water pushing the Lion King was originally planned as ride vehicle up and down a temporary drop shaft <ref name= "tower"/>. Although the attraction. When Imagineers designed Animal Kingdomwas never built, the plan called for Beastly Kingdomme to be drop shaft concept was one of the park’s main lands. Due to budget constraints however, Beastly Kingdom was pushed back to a later time and a temporary land called Camp Minnie-Mickey was created that stuck in order to draw guests to this new landImagineers mind.

At the same time Imagineers were working While work on Camp Minnie-MickeyEuro Disney continued, Disneyland’s "Lion King Celebration" parade Disney was ending its three year runalso planning a massive expansion for Disney-MGM Studios. EventuallyThe new area would be known as [[Sunset Boulevard]], and it was decided that would feature new restaurants, stores and hopefully a new "E Ticket" attraction. Although initially Disney Imagineers could rescue many pitched attractions such as Dick Tracy's Crime Stoppers and Toontown Trolley for Sunset Boulevard, none of the puppets and floats from projects were green lit <ref name= "tower"/>. Then, in the paradefall of 1989, director and create 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 stage show for Animal Kingdomattraction 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 show original idea that they created Imagineers came up with was housed in called "Castle Young Frankenstein" <ref name= "studios"/>. The proposed attraction would have featured a temporary theater village with winding streets, all of which led to a castle. As Imagineers continued to brainstorm however, the attraction was not enclosedchanged to "Mel Brooks' Hollywood Hotel"<ref name= "studios"/>. [[Image:TOTCOncept.jpg|thumb|350px|Early Tower of Terror concept art]]The show was called Festival idea of the Lion King and a Hollywood hotel was ready in 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 Animal Kingdom's opening daytheir 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"/>.

Festival of the Lion King, as well as the rest of Camp Minnie Mickey, Although these ideas proved to be so successful that it eventually became one of the parks most popular attractions. The show's theater was finally enclosed in 2003influential, along Imagineers also came up with air conditioning being addedother ideas for the Hollywood Hotel. One idea would have featured Vincent Price narrating the attraction as guests took a "ghost tour" <ref name= "TOT"/>. Outside of changes Another suggestion was to the show's theater, Festival create a comedic version of the Lion King has not seen any major changes[[Haunted Mansion]] featuring Mel Brooks and Young Frankenstein <ref name= "studios"/>. Finally, although Imagineers Steve and Tim Kirk suggested a new Timon costume hotel/attraction hybrid that allowed would have had guests being driven from the meerkat to move his mouth and blink his eyes was added to the show Orlando International Airport in 2009a 1930s station wagon <ref name= "studios"/>.On January 5Eventually, 2014 Festival however Imagineers proposed working the theme of the Lion King along with the rest of Camp MinnieDisney-Mickey was closed in order make way for construction on Avatar Land (a new area of MGM Studios into the park based on James Cameron’s film Avatar)attraction. Despite the closure of the land Disney announced They came up with a story that Festival of the Lion King would be moving into feature a new theater called Harambe Theater located in murder mystery and a new expansion of dead director. It would be up to the Africa section of the park. The theater was completed in May of 2014, guests (who were playing extras) to try and figure out who committed the Festival of the Lion King attraction reopened in its new home on June 1, 2014crime.

==Show Plot==The festival Although the murder angle of the Lion King begins with story was eventually dropped, Imagineers liked the shows four hosts singing "Welcome idea of guests trying to Our Worldsolve a mystery within the haunted hotel <ref name= ". The four hosts are Kiume (meaning TOT"masculine and strong" in Swahili)> https://web.archive.org/web/20120106171335/http://www.towerofterror.org/history/design </ref>. Disney decided that to enhance the attraction, Nakawa (meaning "goodit needed some kind of movie tie-looking"), Kibibi (meaning "princess"), and Zawadi (meaning "the gift")in. After Imagineers eventually agreed on the four hosts introduce themselves, they tell idea of theming the audience that Simba and his guests will be there any minute, but first the hosts need attraction after the audiences' helpTwilight Zone. In order to greet Simba and his friends, The initial concept of the hosts decide to divide the audience into four groupsattraction, called for cast members who will greet would dress up like various employees of the animals by making animal noiseshotel. The first sound guests make is that of Each employee would seem a warthog. To do thislittle unstable, one guest is chosen to lead the audience (such as they make tusks with their fingers and make a snorting noise. Next up is bell boy who walked through the lionsline asking if guests wanted to check any luggage) <ref name= "terror"> https://web. Another guest is chosen to imitate a lion by putting their paws up and roaringarchive. After org/web/20120106172759/http://www.towerofterror.org/history/early-development </ref>. Other enhancements to the lions are donequeue, including an old man who would "come to life" and interact with guests, it's time for the elephants. The section that is assigned elephants put their hands up and trumpet like an elephantAudio Animatronic elevator repair man were eventually discarded <ref name= "terror"/>. Finally Disney decided that the last group who are cast members would slow down the giraffesline too much, make a noise that sounds like a sheepand park Operations was hesitant to assign more cast members to the attraction then was absolutely necessary <ref name= "terror"/>.

After everyone knows their roles, they all make their animal noises together[[Image:RodSerling. At this pointjpg|thumb|300px|Rod Serling, the lights in the room dim and everyone is told to listen. As wind begins to howl, various animals begin to dance on stage. After their ceremony, the Circle host of Life begins to play. Simba, the Lion King, then addresses guests, telling them that it is time for the big celebration. At the beginning of the celebration, the song I Just Can't Wait to be King plays as a parade begins. Timon, Pumbaa, the Tumble Monkeys, various animals and other dancers then parade through the stage on floats. Finally, Simba appears atop a rock, watching over the proceedingsTwilight Zone. ]]

Following "I Just Can't Wait to be King", Timon takes center stage to perform Hakuna Matata. He is joined by Pumbaa, who is located After deciding on the side basic concept of the theater in “the warthog section”. As Timon tries to perform his songattraction, Imagineers began working on the Tumble Monkeys initially cause havocplot. After getting the monkeys In order to tie in order Timon and Pumbaa finish the song. After Hakuna Matata has ended, the Tumble Monkeys perform an acrobatic act as attraction with the rest of the animals look on. The dance is performed to studios, it was decided that guests would be filming a medley "lost episode" of songs including: “Sing, Sing, Sing”, ”Playmates”, ”Snake Charmer”, ”Caravan”, ”Hakuna Matata”, ”Yes! We Have No Bananas” and the Twilight Zone <ref name= "Hawaiian War ChantTOT"/>. As Although Rod Serling (the monkies begin packing up host of the stageTwilight Zone) had passed away in 1975, the song "Be Prepared" begins Disney Imagineer's still wanted to play. As various dancers appear include him in dark clothing, Kiume takes center stage to sing the songattraction. While he is singingTo do this, Mark Silverman recorded an impersonation of Rod, which was synced with the introduction of a fire dancer begins dancing 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 a flaming torchimages of the Tower of Terror, thus giving the attraction an "authentic" Twilight Zone introduction.

Following Be Prepared, two ballet dancers dance As far as two cast members sing, "Can you Feel the Love Tonight". During layout of the songattraction was concerned, it was decided that guests would enter the female dancer is raised into the sky, and she flies above the stageattraction on foot. As the song finishes Kiume appears againHere, telling everyone that they are all connected through would discover an abandoned hotel lobby, setting the circle mystery into motion <ref name= "Martin"> http://www.martinsvids.net/?s=Tower+of life+Terror </ref>. At this point in the show, the dancers (including Timon and the Tumble Monkeys) all create Guests would then watch a circle around the stagepreshow video, as a female singer sings “The Circle of Life”. Following which would tell them the song, Simba tells the audience that itattraction's time to for them to help in the celebration finale “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”backstory <ref name= "Martin"/>. The different groups attraction would then are divided back up and given different parts to sing, conclude with guests going into the giraffes haunted elevator (the drop shaft) and discovering what really happened in the elephants singing the hotel<ref name= "wing a wayMartin" and lions and the warthogs singing the high part. Timon then decides that he will sing the melody. The whole cast and audience then performs The Lion Sleeps Tonight together/>.

After One problem that Imagineers had to overcome when designing the song has finishedTower of Terror was the fact that most drop rides usually involved guests laying on their backs. Disney felt that this was not family friendly, Timon tells and they attempted to find a new ride method<ref name= "Martin"/>. Partially based on the cast ride mechanism that it's time was designed for Geyser Mountain, Disney developed a way to take use multiple ride vehicles that would be able to both travel horizontally, and then drop vertically<ref name= "Martin"/>. The addition of multiple shafts also let Imagineers increase the capacity of the attraction<ref name= "Martin"/>.  With both the attraction plot and the ride mechanisms complete, construction on the Tower of Terror began in 1992<ref name= "Martin"/>. Imagineers soon ran into trouble however, when it homewas discovered that the initial site of the Tower actually sat on sinkhole<ref name= "Martin"/>. They then perform This setback required Disney to move the location of the attraction, albeit slightly. Finally, on July 22, 1994 the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opened to guests <ref> http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/mgm/st-tower.htm </ref>. Since its opening in 1994, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror has seen a medley significant amount of changes. In May of 1996, a second drop was added to the Lion King songs attraction <ref name= "Martin"/>. Besides the original thirteen-story drop, guests now also fell eight stories. During this refurbishment, the first photo that had previously been featured was taken of guests was also removed <ref name= "Martin"/>. The photo was originally taken early on in the show (Hakuna Matataattraction, Can You Feel and then later used in the Love Tonight5th 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, Be Prepared the process was unreliable and I Just Canin 1996 the effect was removed <ref name= "Martin"/>. Further additions came to the Tower in 1999, when a third drop was added to the attraction <ref name= "wdwmagic"> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/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't Wait 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 Be Kingthe stables, tennis courts and swimming pools), concluding 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 reprise copy of the Circle Los Angeles Examiner (dated October 31, 1939), abandoned suitcases near the front desk, and an unfinished game of Lifemahjong. 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 medleyLibrary, lightning strikes the actors take hotel, shutting off all of the power except for a bow as Simba roarstelevision set which seems to be working by itself. Timon then As the TV turns on, the opening for the Twilight Zone begins to play. Rod Serling tells guests that in Hollywood 1939, the audience 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 best audience ever preshow) appear, inviting guests to come and join them, before pointing 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 towards (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}}

* The Simba puppet in According to a plaque on the Festival outside of the Lion King is 12 feet tallhotel, 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>.

* 136 African inspired costumes are used in The corridor where guests see the show1938 ghosts holds rooms 414-426 <ref> http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/WDW/Studios/Secrets/TowerTerror.html </ref>.

* 50 cast members perform daily in The music played throughout the Festival 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 Lion Kingelevator.]]* 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>.

* 7 shows of The elevator's certificate number is 10259 which is a reference to October 2, 1959 (the Festival of date that the Lion King are performed every dayTwilight Zone premiered) <ref name= "trivia"/>.

* By the concierge desk, there is a thirteen diamond award from AAA <ref name==References==http://www.disneybythenumbers.com/wdw"Jack"/CampMinnieMIckey>.html

http://jimhillmedia.com/contributors1/b/leslie_navarro/archive/2011/02/10/quot-festival-* Imagineers set up the mahjong game in the lobby, in a way that allowed players of-the-lion-king-quot-show-at-disney-s-animal-kingdom-proves-game to see that-recycling-can-be-funit was authentic <ref name= "Jack"/>.aspx

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