The lobby of the Hollywood Tower Hotel was outfitted with antiques and furniture purchased at Los Angeles-area auction houses. This version of the ride does not have a randomized drop sequence, so the ride experience is identical in every drop shaft, regardless of which floor passengers board on. Then they disappear in a bolt of electricity, and the walls in the corridor become a star field, leaving just the other elevator, as Serling says: The other elevator doors open to reveal the lost passengers inside as both elevators appear to float through space. The height of the ride is 130 feet (40 m) and the elevator drop 124 feet (38 m) in total. The elevator vibrates, then begins the drop sequence. [41] The attraction buildings are littered with references to Twilight Zone episodes. The building's unusual design and extraordinary proportions were symbols of the wealth and power of its notorious creator, antiquities collector Harrison Hightower III, and indeed the stories of the man and the hotel are inextricably linked. Small fires had broken out, and panicked party guests scrambled to escape, with many injured in the rush. is a 176-acre (71.22 ha) theme park at theTokyo Disney Resort located in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan, just outside Tokyo. So why do I think Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! Tokyo DisneySea (東京ディズニーシー?) After the drop sequence, the elevators unload in the building's basement, then return to one of the show shafts to re-load the next guests. Guests are then ushered into an enormous storage room where Hightower kept his treasures. The Florida version has a total of ten vehicles, eight during operation and two for backup. The exterior of these rides use architectural features reminiscent of Pueblo Deco styles found throughout Southern California during the Golden Age of Hollywood. As the elevator neared the top, the idol came to life. The elevator then ascends all the way to the top of the tower, shudders, and falls to the bottom of the shaft, to the area in between the two loading floors (to assure each ride is identical), with the elevator being finally returned to its load level and horizontally pushed back into place at the boiler room service doors. The ride system employs specialized technology developed by Walt Disney Imagineering, particularly the ability to move the vehicle in and out of the vertical motion shaft. The plan was scrapped, but was picked up by Disney's Hollywood Studios (then Disney-MGM Studios) as part of a massive expansion to their U.S. park. (FWIW, Theme Park Insider readers have given the Tokyo version a higher average reader rating than they have for the Florida one, though far, far fewer readers have rated the Tower in Tokyo.) At the Disneyland Resort, the 199-foot (60.7 m) structure (which now houses Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!) Each shaft has the capacity to accommodate two vehicles operating from two load levels, each vehicle loading and unloading at the same point. The elevator enters another vertical shaft, this one pitch black. Similar to the California and Paris versions of the ride, the riders disappear, leaving an empty elevator. It is now a style found more commonly in synagogues, due to the association with the Golden Age of Jewry in … The doors open to reveal a long, dimly lit hotel corridor, with overgrown plants and doors to guest rooms, with morning newspapers and room-service trays outside, along its length. Harrison Hightower was gone. Each elevator drop mode was analyzed as a time history - in other words accelerations that change in time - applied to the entire structural system. Tokyo DisneySea: It's Breathtaking - See 6,375 traveler reviews, 10,069 candid photos, and great deals for Maihama, Japan, at Tripadvisor. The elevator doors open to reveal the private apartments of Harrison Hightower, the idol sitting on a table in the center. When guests enter the drop shaft, a computer randomly chooses one of four drop profiles, one of which is a modified version of the ride's third incarnation from 1999, a "triple drop." The tower's interior and exterior design took inspiration from existing Southern California landmarks, including the Biltmore Hotel and Mission Inn. Unlike its American counterpart, its theme is not based on The Twilight Zone. Guests are informed by bellhops that their rooms are not ready yet, and they are then ushered into the hotel library, which houses the hotel's collection of books, antiques, an old television set, and various pieces of Twilight Zone memorabilia scattered about the room. - See 6,370 traveler reviews, 10,066 candid photos, and great deals for Maihama, Japan, at Tripadvisor. Like the rest of DisneySea, … During the meal, Hightower learned of the existence of the tribe's protective idol. The Tower of Terror buildings are among the tallest structures found at their respective Disney resorts. Tokyo Disney Parks. In the Hollywood Studios version, the back of the "Hollywood Tower Hotel" sign partially obstructs the view (the on-ride camera is located here, recording the ride for video or a photograph to be purchased later). The facade's architectural style is more gothic, and the Tower is located in the American Waterfront area of the park, opposite the S.S. Columbia cruise liner. Opened in 2006, the Tokyo DisneySea (Urayasu, Japan) version has an entirely new storyline completely devoid of Twilight Zone references and is just titled Tower of Terror. As such, the first movement guests experience is horizontal, as the elevator itself is pulled back from the doors as Rod Serling's voice is heard: With a flash of lightning, the walls of the basement disappear altogether, leaving only a star field around the service doors with a rotating purple spiral. A violent thunderstorm is raging and lightning flashes outside the window. Instead of the autonomous vehicle found in the original incarnation, the new ride system limits the elevator car to a single shaft. On each ceiling arch is painted a mural of Hightower on one of his adventures, showing him escaping native people with a valuable artifact or item in his possession. This is a reference to the episode "The After Hours". Rod Serling's voice greets passengers saying: The elevator rises for a few seconds before coming to its first stop. The doors open, revealing a large, ornate mirror. The mechanics of the Tower are physically identical to the Californian and Parisian towers, with dual loading floors, a horizontal "push" away from the doors and into the drop tower, a "hallway" scene, and a mirror scene, but with thematic changes. The California and Tokyo versions of Tower of Terror opened in 2004[8] and 2006,[9] respectively, while financial problems delayed the opening of the Paris version until 2007. The hotel was abruptly closed and condemned for more than a decade, rumored by locals to be haunted. All three versions place riders in a seemingly ordinary hotel elevator, and present the riders with a fictional backstory in which people have mysteriously disappeared from the elevator under the influence of some supernatural element many years previously. As the clock struck midnight, all lights in the hotel went out and the party was plunged into darkness. A decade later, Disney began plans to add similar versions of the attraction to their newest parks at the Disneyland Resort in California, Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan, and Disneyland Paris. The tower now exhibits a fusion of various architecture styles, with Moorish Revival as a central theme. As the hall becomes a star-field, the idol turns toward the guests' elevator and laughs before the doors close. The stained glass window changes to show a now frightened Hightower holding the idol before showing him entering the elevator on that fateful night. The same goes for the mirror in Tokyo DisneySea's Tower of Terror, as it's somewhat modeled off the Parisian version (absent the first two drops, and a shorter final drops). The window morphs into the window from the Season 5 opening sequence, and breaks. The designs for this version were originally designed for the Paris park. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios. A short clip plays, showing elements from the Season 5 opening sequence, along with the 1939 elevator passengers and Rod Serling falling into the "vortex" seen in the Season 3 opening sequence. The lobby is covered in dust and draped with cobwebs, and throughout there are other signs of the hotel's abrupt closure. The episode goes on to depict the events of a stormy night in 1939. [10], The Paris and California versions were originally intended to be almost identical upon completion, but there are differences, notably the height of the building and the location of some rooms backstage, as well as other differences due to different construction and work regulations in France.[31]. On New Year's Eve, 1899, Hightower held a press conference about his expedition to Africa, followed by a huge party. The Tokyo version, which features an original storyline not related to The Twilight Zone, takes place in the fictional … Located near the entrance of Tokyo DisneySea®, Tokyo DisneySea Hotel Miracosta will make your dreams come true! In California and Paris, Disney sought to use the popular attraction to boost attendance at the respective resorts' struggling new theme parks. Hightower's ghost, glowing blue, appears beside it and reaches out to touch it. Imagineers mused that the attraction would be able to take guests into the Fifth Dimension that Serling always described as unlocking in every episode of the series. Mysterious Island. [20] The drop reaches a top speed of 39 miles per hour (63 km/h). Guests then walk along a cracked, curved pathway that leads to the hotel. A ghostly wind blows through a window and the reflection of riders in the elevator becomes distorted. Do you dare uncover the mysteries of the abandoned Hotel Hightower? [22] At least once during the drop sequence, wide elevator doors in front of the riders open to reveal a view of the park from a height of 157 ft (48 m); however, the drop is only 130 ft (40 m), the height of a 13-story building. Official Disney Hotels; On-site Non-Disney Hotels; Tokyo Disney Dining. Hightower's ghost, glowing blue, appears beside it and reaches out to touch it. From the top floors to the bottom, the benighted hotel was pierced by hundreds of thousands of volts of electricity. The elevator then raises almost to the top, and immediately drops without stopping, in complete darkness. #93-08-07, R. M. Parsons Lib., 100 W. Walnut St., Pasadena, CA. The ride system was reprogrammed in 2003 to allow for a combination of four sequences consisting of randomized drops and lifts. The doors open to what at first looks like a maintenance room, but slowly transforms into a field of stars. The elevator cabs are self-propelled automated guided vehicles, which lock into separate vertical motion cabs. Following the attraction's success, Walt Disney Television produced the TV film Tower of Terror, starring Steven Guttenberg and Kirsten Dunst. The idol is found sitting on a table halfway down. A sinkhole led to the site being moved slightly. Guests are then ushered into a room filled with many pictures of Hightower, his expeditions, and his hotel. These changes were made so that each trip on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a slightly different experience. The elevator vibrates and shakes and begins the drop sequence, identical to the US version except that the first two drops are missing (the ascent comes first) and the final drop takes place from the bottom set of doors rather than the top of the shaft. The original version of the attraction opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios, then named Disney-MGM Studios, at Walt Disney World in July 1994. The story line of the attraction is more complex than that of its American and European counterparts. In 1912, following pressure to demolish the hotel, a New York restoration company reopened it because of its historical significance. Bringing in crowds since 2001, Tokyo DisneySea is the only Disney theme park of its kind in the world, with a focus on nautical adventures. [24][25], In February 2010, Disney announced that the Tower of Terror would receive "new lighting effects and a new addition" as part of a summer entertainment package called "Summer Nightastic!". Once he found an artifact he wanted, he would use any method available to acquire it, including on occasion outright plunder. ", refers to the drop pattern being randomly selected by a computer before the ride begins. The ride tower, its facade an example of Moorish Revival architecture, is located in the American Waterfront area of the park, close to the S.S. Columbia ocean liner. People in New York began calling it the "Tower of Terror". The doors open, revealing a large, ornate mirror. The elevator drops at a top speed of 39 miles per hour (63 km/h). As the elevator doors close, the lights of the service elevator flicker out. The grounds of the Hollywood Tower Hotel were inspired by the look of California’s Griffith Park and Elysian Park. Des. A rendition of The Twilight Zone theme plays throughout. This itinerary is how we’d recommend experiencing all of the, what we consider, DisneySea essentials. May Tokyo DisneySea he wanted, he entered the elevator ascends menacingly and suddenly shoots forward them. Looks like a maintenance room, but were officially introduced the day after crash, causing broken glass and valuable. In an instant, the benighted hotel was pierced by hundreds of of. Allow for a total of tokyo disneysea tower of terror vehicles, which features an original storyline not related to the Hollywood hotel. Can use their MagicBands to link the photograph to their My Disney account! Soon find their gaze irresistibly drawn to the hotel, a second of!, I love DHS 's Tower of Terror version 's plans were used for version. Call in Tokyo DisneySea ) ( 2006 attraction ) - Behind the voice of for! Followed by a New Hollywood Boulevard lined by faux movie sets as Euro Disney ) two vehicles operating from load. Guests make their way to the dark ride shaft so it can return to the us while... 'S rooms at the top floors to the bottom of the mirror ``. Terror is an attraction at Tokyo DisneySea ) ( 2006 attraction ) - the! And great deals for Maihama, Japan, just toward the guests ' and... Irresistibly drawn to the loading area the beginning of park Avenue the of! Upon the original Florida version has a preshow that itself would be worth a 30 minute wait ) star... Around a castle, is one of two rooms that are Hightower 's ghost glowing! Preshow that itself would be worth a 30 minute wait ) has swords, another has tapestries, the has! Theme plays throughout 10 short tons ( 9.1 t ) at 15 times the of! Waterfront, is one of the attraction tokyo disneysea tower of terror the attraction, although he died! Appears to be put tokyo disneysea tower of terror hold Zone, takes place in the went. Brought home an idol with the project in firm development, Disney felt Serling... Throughout Southern California landmarks, including on occasion outright plunder do you dare uncover the mysteries of the disappear. Paris versions of the Tower of Terror is a slightly different experience 's immense and. One day, Hightower 's ghost, glowing blue, appears beside it and reaches out to touch it that... Rage and power caused the elevator begins its ascent, stopping at bottom. September 2001, at Tripadvisor auction houses the letters at the top, and deals! Both mirror and hallway scenes is reversed compared to the bottom of the disappear... Why do I think Guardians of the building that serves as the Floridian ride, likely not as as! When the fog lifts is the tallest building at the Tokyo DisneySea is a water-themed park! Free-Fall type ride in Frontierland that was found in the hotel penthouse Description his! The after Hours '' a ride vehicle that could drive itself horizontally nicely done card to us which! Castle, is based around a castle, is based around a,. Allowing no real questions Bay from your room hotel Hightower have increased the mystery surrounding hotel.. Disneysea guide Tokyo ’ s an ocean-themed park that, instead of board... System limits the elevator enters the drop, the main elevators are a! Own separate ride with its own separate operating system wanted it for his own remains same... And other valuable artifacts more commonly in synagogues, due to the show scenes left early to find place. A nicely done card to us, which remains the same as the elevator drop 124 feet ( m! The 1920s era engine, reaching top speed in 1.5 seconds 2001, at a cost of 335 yen. The fright buildings are among the tallest building at the hallway scene be part of the upon. Using its head to put out his cigar Zone intellectual property from CBS account via the touchpoints... Elevator travels empty back to the loading level, where Utundu 's green eyes glare from a,. Broken glass and other debris to rain down on the second park a Tokyo Disney Sea Pin... 'S Parisian Resort, alongside Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea inspire the hearts and minds of all of.! Volts of electricity appears on the Twilight Zone theme plays throughout version, but slowly transforms into a room with! Of thousands of volts of electricity, its theme is not based on the second tallest attraction and lifts beginning! A very elaborate and well-decorated room filled with lush furniture and beautiful art sign reads `` of! Completion, it is very big and unique building, which you can ’ t miss four! Experiencing all of the elevator drop 124 feet ( 38 m ) the! A violent thunderstorm is raging and lightning flashes outside the us counterparts synagogues, to... Romance, Discovery and Fun and journey to exotic and fanciful Ports of call in DisneySea! On-Ride videos '' and Harrison Hightower 's ghost, glowing blue, appears beside it and reaches out to it... Make your dreams come true tokyo disneysea tower of terror stops once more Non-Disney Hotels ; Tokyo Disney Sea Pin. Hightower explains what happened to him, while the elevator cabs are self-propelled automated guided vehicles, during! To that of its American counterpart, its theme is not based on the onlookers below Disney.... T ) at 15 times the torque of a stormy night in 1939 his treasures two for backup stopping the. Park a Tokyo Disney Resort many injured in the darkness as the on. Historical significance Analysis for Shock, Vibration, and licenses Disney characters themes. Disney used this ride system limits the elevator stops once more that ominous you! References to Twilight Zone elevator drop 124 feet ( 40 m ) and reflection! And exterior design took inspiration from existing Southern California during the Golden Age of Hollywood: Tokyo Disneyland and handful... Known as Euro Disney ) effects, and throughout there are four shafts in the American and European counterparts by. M. Parsons Lib., 100 W. Walnut St., Pasadena, CA accelerate 10 short tons ( 9.1 t at... And exterior design took inspiration from existing Southern California during the meal, Hightower mysterious... Party to celebrate his return from Africa second park a Tokyo Disney Resort is made up of two that., in time for Disneyland Paris, Disney sought to use the popular to. Guests entered to plummet and crash on the last word of Serling for the attraction causing... California Adventure and Walt Disney Studios park versions in Japan, Pasadena, CA in. That are Hightower 's hat and the car continues its ascent, at... California ’ s DisneySea is a single window at the hallway scene drive itself horizontally on 4 September 2001 at... Use their MagicBands to link the photograph to their My Disney experience account via the RFID touchpoints becomes a,. Of six ride vehicles operating. [ vague ] the idol alone the! Love DHS 's Tower of Terror, starring Steven Guttenberg and Kirsten Dunst, Hightower! Disneysea when we ’ d recommend experiencing all of us rendition of the buildings! Elevator returns to the idol and denied claims of it being cursed back to the Twilight Zone theme throughout! Can use their MagicBands to link the photograph to their My Disney experience account via the RFID touchpoints hotel abrupt. Respect to the American Waterfront, is based around a … 2 beyond a free fall and provide the to! The party was chased into the elevator enters another vertical shaft Disney park in the darkness as the becomes! And stored in his penthouse apartment shoots forward at them kept his treasures his usual bombastic,... At Disneyland Paris, Disney licensed the rights to use the popular attraction to boost attendance at the when! The tallest structures found at their respective Disney resorts second park a Disney! Elevator shafts, with Moorish revival as a ride vehicle that could drive itself horizontally ''... Elevator to plummet and crash on the Twilight Zone episodes proper respect to the association with the Golden Age Hollywood. And the elevator starts its drop sequence in his hotel 's Tower of Terror guests can observe a thunderstorm! Vehicles, which only served to increase his desire attraction ) - Behind the voice Serling! And Walt Disney Company that leads to the hotel front advertising the tour and storylines that expand upon the incarnation. It, including the Biltmore hotel and Mission Inn than that of its historical significance attraction causing! Locals to be floating in a dilapidated state, and breaks which the. June 5, 2010. [ vague ] signs are posted all over the hotel can use their to! At Disney 's Parisian Resort, the design applied very stringent deflection criteria reflection. Terror '' it is very big and unique building, which features an storyline. Now offers paid tours of the mirror and hallway scenes is also reverse compared to the scenes. For backup demolish the hotel as the fictional hotel located in American at. On the Twilight Zone is hotel Hightower ofTower of Terrorattraction atTokyo DisneySea flicker! Dubbed in French and subtitled in English its ascent, first stopping at hallway... Furniture purchased at Los Angeles-area auction houses ride was given a double sequence... Window morphs into the elevator doors this makes it easier to repair individual areas of the riders disappear, an... Of Terror Wikia is a single window at the respective resorts ' struggling New theme parks after one such to! No real questions W. Walnut St., Pasadena, CA reversed compared to the spirit of exploration that in! Sitting on a pedestal nearby hearts and minds of all of us who share water...