A Walt Disney World Resort guest recently shared their harrowing experience of being stuck on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror for over 30 minutes. The iconic attraction suddenly came to a halt halfway through the ride, with over a dozen Disney Park guests onboard.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 1994, marking a groundbreaking moment for Walt Disney Imagineering. Since then, versions have opened at Disneyland Resort’s Disney California Adventure Park, Tokyo Disney Resort’s Tokyo DisneySea, and Disneyland Paris Resort’s Walt Disney Studios Park. After Disneyland Resort’s 2017 reimagining of its version into Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, the Central Florida attraction remains the only Tower of Terror operating in the United States.
Despite being familiar to most Disney Park guests after three decades, this ride delivered an unexpected scare earlier this month. On May 7, TikTok user @sonotblazzed posted a video documenting the unsettling moment when the elevator vehicle locked into the drop shaft and suddenly stopped moving.
“It was truly the scariest Tower of Terror experience I’ve ever had,” the Walt Disney World Resort guest said. “Had us all shaking at the end.”
@sonotblazzed It was truly the scariest Tower of Terror experience Ive ever had. Had us all shaking at the end 🤣🤣 #disneyworld #hollywoodstudios #hollywoodtowerhotel #towerofterror #disneymagic #firsttime #disney #disneyadult #disneyadults #love #pov #stuck #ride #themepark #travel #happiestplaceonearth
Guests were confined to the elevator car for over half an hour, enduring rising heat and mounting anxiety. Some complained about the temperature, remarking that it was “so hot” inside. Eventually, overhead lights illuminated the shaft, and Disney cast members instructed riders to remain seated while they assessed the situation.
After the extended pause, a Disney cast member informed guests that the drop sequence would continue, allowing them to complete the ride as intended. Fortunately, no evacuations were necessary, and the Disney’s Hollywood Studios attraction reopened to guests soon after.
Walt Disney World Resort typically refrains from issuing formal statements regarding minor ride interruptions, and this instance was no exception. At the time of this article’s publication, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror had resumed regular operation.
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