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Suffocation Reported on Tower of Terror at Disney World, Guests Rescued

Dozens of Walt Disney World Resort guests dealt with suffocating heat when The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror broke down mid-ride. One unlucky visitor shared their experience on social media.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios in July 1994. The drop ride has withstood countless changes at the third Central Florida Disney park, from the closure of the Studio Backlot Tour and Streets of America for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Toy Story Land to the transformation of The Great Movie Ride into Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway.

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
Credit: Disney

More change is coming. Later this year, Muppet*Vision 3D and the Muppets Courtyard will close to make way for a Monsters, Inc. (2001) land and roller coaster. The Muppets will move to the other side of the park, replacing Aerosmith as the theme for Rock ‘n' Roller Coaster. Next door, the Disney Villains will debut a new show in the Sunset Showcase Theater.

Rumors have swirled for years about a potential Tower of Terror retheme, especially after Disneyland Resort reimagined its version into Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!. But despite the change at Disney California Adventure Park, Walt Disney World Resort hasn't announced plans to retheme The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Disneyland Paris Resort also still operates its original version of the drop ride.

Tower of Terror against a stormy sky
Credit: Disney

With 30 years under its belt, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror has entertained thousands of Disney Park guests. One Disney Parks fan recently shared their most memorable experience from the attraction on Reddit, recalling the time they got stuck in suffocating heat.

u/holylolzbatman and their group finished almost the entire ride sequence, making it to the bottom of the elevator shaft after the final drop. That's when the attraction broke down, leaving them stranded for over 30 minutes.

Tower of Terror lobby at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Credit: Hamilton!, Flickr

Once, the car I was in got stuck at the end, halfway through turning toward the exit,” the Disney Park guest recalled. “It was incredibly hot in the elevator shaft.” 

Disney cast members had to restart the ride system to rescue the guests.

tower terror disneyland paris closing
Credit: Disney

“It was about half an hour before they were able to reboot the entire ride (had to shut off the power to both sides) and get the car to turn,” the guest concluded. 

Occasional ride breakdowns are normal, even at The Most Magical Place on Earth. Guests stuck on Walt Disney World Resort attractions should remain seated, leave safety restraints locked, and await instructions from Disney cast members.  

Have you ever been trapped on a broken ride at Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort? In the comments, share your experience with Disney Fanatic. 

Jess Colopy

Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

2 Comments

  1. I love reading things about Walt Disney World, but there are so many ads popping up that I honestly can’t scroll down to read the storys anymore.

  2. I understand the continual changes in order to get guests to return (and not the same old rides and park) but the tower of terror is one icon like the matterhorn at disneyland that should remain the same

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