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13 Amazing Facts About Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Tower of Terror

1. It Was Nearly an Abby Normal Attraction According to Imagineer C. McNair Wilson, Michael Eisner initially collaborated with Mel Brooks on the potential attraction which was to be called “Castle Young Frankenstein” after the 1974 Brooks film Young Frankenstein film.  It later became “Mel Brooks’ Hollywood Horror Hotel” before Eisner and Brooks parted ways and the idea was scrapped.  

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13 Amazing Facts About Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Tower of Terror

2. Heeere’s Stephen! Eisner apparently wanted to veer away from the more comedic path he had been on with Brooks toward an attraction that was legitimately scary.  As such, Disney considered a collaboration with horror writer Stephen King.  Rumor held that the infamous Stanley Hotel from King’s The Shining would have been the inspiration for the attraction.  Photo credit DailyMail.uk  

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13 Amazing Facts About Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Tower of Terror

3. You’ve Just Crossed Over Into… Twilight Zone was chosen to be the attraction’s theme due to it being an easy fit and the fact that Disney would not have to fight anyone over creative control, since Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling had died over 15 years earlier.  Imagineers watched all 156 episodes of the series for inspiration.  Photo credit www.thisdayinquotes.com  

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13 Amazing Facts About Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Tower of Terror

4. “…A Most Uncommon Elevator” The lift system that Disney built for the attraction allowed the elevators, or “automated guided vehicles”, to move horizontally to enter the ride’s vertical shaft.  Additionally, they could go up and down at any point during the ride, allowing for variety in the guest experience as well as fake endings that kept riders guessing.   Photo credit YouTube  

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13 Amazing Facts About Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Tower of Terror

5. A True Tower Reaching 199 feet high, Tower of Terror is the second tallest attraction at Walt Disney World Resort, behind only Animal Kingdom’s Expedition Everest which tops out half a foot higher at 199.5 feet.  Why not 200 feet?  Florida law would require a flashing red beacon for aircraft atop the attraction if it passed the two century mark.

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13 Amazing Facts About Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Tower of Terror

6. Gravity Falls? In order to give riders that free fall effect, the elevator is actually pulled down at a rate that is faster than the pull of gravity.  You may see riders around you holding coins to watch them float off their palms during the drop.  

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13 Amazing Facts About Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Tower of Terror

7. Submitted For Your Approval The video preshow and narration for the attraction include actual archive footage of Rod Serling from The Twilight Zone episode number 73, “It’s a Good Life”.  The narration begins with, “Tonight's story on the Twilight Zone is somewhat unique and calls for a different kind of introduction.”  New audio was created by voice actor Mark Silverman wherever necessar

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13 Amazing Facts About Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Tower of Terror

8. “If It’s Not Baroque…” The lobby of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, where the attraction is set, is full of actual antiques that were purchased instead of set pieces that were built.  It includes furniture that dates back to Renaissance times.  Photo credit www.flickr.com  

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13 Amazing Facts About Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Tower of Terror

9. “Ka-Chow!” The backstory for the Tower of Terror begins on Halloween night, October 31, 1939.  A newspaper in the lobby, as well as a menu outside the dining room, both display this date.  A bellman, a young couple, a child actress, and her nanny enter the elevator, only to have it struck by lightning and fall to the ground floor.  Their bodies however, are never found. Curiously, the attractio

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10 Magic Kingdom Entertainments You Simply Can’t Miss

5. Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial If pirates are your thing, be sure to check out Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial in Adventureland. Learn the art of being a pirate (and making a hasty retreat) from Captain Jack himself. Of course there’s plenty of hilarious pirate banter! A few kids will be chosen from the audience to participate, so if your child wants a chance, be sure to be early

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