The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios has a unique backstory. On a stormy Halloween night in 1939, five unlucky people disappeared from the Hollywood Tower Hotel’s elevator without a trace. The hotel closed down that night and has remained abandoned every since. Years have past and you are now invited to take a tour of the abandoned Hollywood Tower Hotel and ride in one of the only remaining working elevators. But beware, a storm is brewing and you might just be a repeat of what happened in 1939!

Length of Ride: 3:30
Height Requirement: 40 inches
Scare Factor: Yes! I am so scared of this ride I’ll never get on it.
Rider Switch (for small kids): Yes
Weather Procedure: Open in rain
Ride Photo: Yes
Flash Photography: Haha
Queue: Amazing!
Extra Magic Hours: Open for morning and evening Magic Hours.
Fastpass: Yes
When to Ride: First thing in the morning or with Fastpass
Our Touring Strategy: My hubby has ridden it a couple times with Fastpass.

Secrets/Tips and Tricks: 

• Almost every ride is different and you don’t know how many times you will be dropped (the average is 3-4). I know someone who dropped 11 times!
• There is a chicken exit if you decide when you get to the elevator that you don’t want to ride.
• Tower of Terror is painted that color because it can be seen from Morocco in the World Showcase.
• The building is 199 feet tall. If it had been one foot taller, it would have needed a red blinking light on the top.
• When the building was under construction, it was actually struck by lightening!
• If you are a fan of Twilight Zone, see how many references to the episodes you can spot. The Walt Disney Imagineers viewed all 156 episodes of “The Twilight Zone” when designing this attraction.
• The lobby is full of replicas of 1930’s furniture and luggage abandoned by Guests who were in a hurry to leave the haunted hotel.
• There are also authentic antiques in the lobby including bronze statues carved by Moreau.
• Notice the little girl holding the Mickey doll in the pre-show.
• Check out the sheet music in the lobby.
• Look for the inspection certificate inside the elevator.
• See if you can spot the unfinished game of Mahjong.
• Near the concierge desk in the lobby is a sign that awards the Hollywood Tower Hotel with 13 diamonds for AAA. The actual reward is up to 5 diamonds.
• Up to eight ride vehicles can be moving through the hotel at any given time.
• See if you can spot the window with a light on at night.
• The music playing in the waiting area is from the 1930s (when the hotel ceased to operate). It includes the songs “Inside” by Fats Waller and “Mood Indigo” by Duke Ellington.
• When you are falling, you top out at 39 miles per hour.
• You aren’t falling by the rate of gravity but rather being pulled down quickly by a platform the elevator shaft has fastened to.
• As you leave, look for the Sunset Room and see if you can spot the menu dated October 31, 1939.

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Learn more about the Walt Disney World Parks including attractions, secrets, tips and more. Plus my friends at Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect Walt Disney World vacation.