When it comes to thrills and chills, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror offers a spine-tingling adventure that can’t be beat. This ride can be found at several Disney parks around the world, but did you know that each ride has unique differences? Journey with us to Walt Disney Studios in Paris, DisneySea in Tokyo, and Disney Hollywood Studios in Florida as we compare these iconic attractions and find out what makes each version a can’t-miss experience!
The History of the Hollywood Tower Hotel
The first Tower of Terror debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (then known as Disney-MGM Studios) in Florida on July 22, 1994. The attraction instantly became a favorite, immersing guests into the chilling storyline and thrilling ride experience set in the abandoned Hollywood Tower Hotel.
Tokyo DisneySea welcomed its Tower of Terror on September 22, 2006. This version took the concept further by incorporating elements of Japanese folklore and cultural aesthetics within an elaborate coastal setting (to learn more about DisneySea click here).
Disneyland Paris introduced its own Tower of Terror on April 22, 2008. The Paris version adapted the concept to fit the European setting, offering an experience within an opulent and mysterious hotel that blends French architecture with an ominous ambiance.
It’s worth mentioning that California Adventure at Disneyland also had a Tower of Terror which debuted on May 5, 2004. Like the Florida and Paris versions, the California ride was set within “The Twilight Zone” universe. However, the Disneyland California Tower of Terror underwent a significant retheme in 2017, and transformed into “Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!” The rebranded ride still utilizes the drop tower technology, but now features a new storyline and setting centered around the characters and world of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” film franchise.
Traveling Through Another Dimension
The narrative for the original Tower of Terror at Disney Hollywood Studios offers a chilling story that transports guests into the supernatural world of the Twilight Zone. Set in 1939, the attraction centers around the fictional Hollywood Tower Hotel located in Hollywood, California.
On a gloomy and stormy night, five guests board the hotel’s maintenance service elevator – an aging and ornate lift used by the hotel staff. As the guests enter the elevator, a severe thunderstorm rages with lightning striking the hotel. This unexpected and catastrophic lightning strike causes the elevator and its occupants to vanish into another dimension. A dimensions known as… the Twilight Zone.
The story, conveyed during the queue experience and pre-show, highlights the supernatural events of that night and the unexplained disappearance of the elevator and its passengers. As present-day visitors, enter the abandoned Hollywood Tower Hotel, they become part of a guided tour that aims to explore the mysteries surrounding the vanished elevator. Their first steps into the dilapidated and haunted hotel lobby sets the stage for the paranormal experience about to unfold.
Courageous guests are then given the opportunity to board the service elevators and experience first-hand the same ill-fated journey that lead to the elevator’s tragic disappearance all those years ago. The elevators move erratically, with each sudden drop ushering riders into a deeper dimension of the Twilight Zone.
Throughout the ride experience, visitors encounter ghostly apparitions, eerie scenes, and supernatural phenomena. The visual effects and storytelling elements convey a sense of being transported into a realm where reality and the supernatural intertwine, evoking a thrilling and spine-tingling experience.
Same Spookiness with a Narrative Twist
The narrative and theming of the original Tower of Terror at Disney Hollywood Studios remains to this day. However, when journeying to parks in Tokyo or Paris, you may find some unique and interesting differences.
Tower of Terror – Walt Disney Studios, Paris
Compared to the original version in Florida, the Paris version of Tower of Terror shares many similarities. First and foremost, the setting of the Paris attraction also immerses visitors in the grandeur of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. It also tells the story of a stormy and ominous night in 1939 when five individuals – a hotel maid, a young girl, a young couple, a bellhop, and a Hollywood star – mysteriously disappear after their elevator was struck by lighting.
Once on board the service elevators, guests experience a similar thrilling journey through the hotel complete with multiple drops and ascents. However, a unique feature of the Paris version occurs right at the beginning of the ride as guests are treated to an extra creepy encounter with the ghost of the missing young girl. Her playful warnings not to ride the elevator set a foreboding tone for what will undoubtedly be a terrifying descent into the supernatural. It’s a nice touch and one that raised the hairs on the back of our neck!
Tower of Terror – Tokyo DisneySea
The narrative for the Tower of Terror at Tokyo DisneySea takes a substantial departure from the original Twilight Zone storyline and incorporates a unique, captivating tale that blends elements of Japanese folklore with a supernatural twist.
The story revolves around a wealthy and eccentric explorer, Harrison Hightower III, who, during his travels around the world, acquires a peculiar idol known as Shiriki Utundu. This idol is said to be cursed, possessing dark and mystical powers. As the centerpiece of Hightower’s collection, Shiriki Utundu becomes a significant and foreboding element within the Tower of Terror’s narrative.
The adventure unfolds on New Year’s Eve in 1899, as Hightower hosts a grand celebration at the Hotel Hightower, a magnificent hotel which serves as his home and a place to exhibit his unique treasures. As the night progresses, guests become aware of the curse linked to Shiriki Utundu and its unsettling powers.
In a series of events shrouded in mystery, Harrison Hightower challenges the supposed curse, mocking the idol and showing disregard for the warnings associated with it. As the clock strikes midnight, an unexplained incident occurs within the hotel involving the cursed idol, leading to Hightower’s sudden and inexplicable disappearance.
Visitors to the attraction are invited to experience the aftermath of the fateful New Year’s Eve as they enter the abandoned and eerie Hotel Hightower. The premise is that guests are taking a tour of the hotel while being warned about the potential dangers by the caretaker and various artifacts left behind from that night.
The storyline escalates as guests board the “fright elevator,” (i.e. the freight elevator…get it?) as part of the exploration of the hotel. Shiriki Utundu plays a pivotal role in the supernatural journey, becoming an ominous presence throughout the ride experience. The elevator ascends and descends unexpectedly, with sudden drops and eerie occurrences, each directly linked to the malevolent powers of the idol.
This unique narrative at Tokyo DisneySea’s Tower of Terror fuses elements of Japanese mysticism, cultural folklore, and the supernatural. This makes the attraction a thrilling and immersive experience that stands apart from other Tower of Terror renditions in other Disney parks.
It’s also worth noting that the entire preshow is in Japanese. English speaking guests will be able to pick up enough of the story based on visuals and music cues. However, knowing a little bit about Harrison Hightower and his haunted hotel before joining the queue might help!
The Final Drop
The Tower of Terror stands as a testament to Disney’s unparalleled ability to craft immersive experiences and each version offers its own distinctive allure. From the cultural fusion in Tokyo DisneySea to the iconic Hollywood charm in Disney Hollywood Studios, it’s clear that the magic of the Tower of Terror resides not only in the heart-pounding plunge but also in the meticulous details and storytelling that Disney excels at delivering. We hope the Tower of Terror will continue to captivate guests all over the world for decades to come. So, fasten your seatbelt, tug on the yellow strap, and get ready to drop into the Twilight Zone.
