Birt Family Focus

Disney MGM Studios - The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror -- 11/26/02
Photos by Carol and Binnie

Today we enter another dimension...a dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind...a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination...there's a signpost up ahead...you've entered- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror!

The Twilight Zone Tower Of Teror

OK- the opening monologue isn't exact, but it's the best I can remember. ;-) In any case, today we get a big thrill at the Hollywood Tower Hotel. This attraction is the tallest one in the WDW complex-13 stories. It's also one of the scariest. In fact, even jaded old me got a bit of a fright the first time I rode this. That is the part I like best, though, and I ride this again and again- as often as possible. I love this ride!

The Tower is a fastpass ride so get one- you'll need it on all but the slowest of days or late at night while Fantasmic is showing. I have actually gone in the early morning and ridden this 2 or 3 times in a row, though,so you can get lucky.

Based on a little story in the best Twilight Zone tradition, The Hollywood Tower Hotel is reportedly haunted ever since a freak lightening accident struck the elevator and took the lives of a little girl actress and her entourage. Since then, the Hotel is run down and semi-closed, but they'll let YOU in- if you are over 40 inches tall.

The themeing here is fantastic. Looking up, one will see the scorch marks on the tower and the place where the elevator disappeared. Note that the ride doors open up way up there and you can see folks on the ride, screaming there brains out! Yes- the door actually opens from way up there and you can see the whole MGM parking lot- if you open your eyes.

The preshow leads you through the hotel lobby- once quite elegant but now run down and dusty. Curiously, you may notice that everything, including the staff, is the same as the day the lightening struck....BTW- look here for hidden mickeys and other cute little inside jokes. Once in the library- decorated with many props from the original show- one is treated to a sojourn in the dark, followed by a little television speech, setting up the story behind the ride, by Rod Serling himself!

After this, you are taken into the boiler room to board one of the rickety freight elevators. Look for more hidden mickey's in here. Contrary to the advertising art, you do NOT stand on this ride. Everyone sits on benches with a long lap bar across the whole row. Now the last time I rode this, I was close to 400 pounds and EVERYONE wanted to sit next to me. Why? Air time. The bar only goes down as far as the largest person's lap. ;-) Just an FYI there for those of you who want to make an interesting ride even more interesting. This year I am some 130 pounds less- I may need to search for a fluffy friend- or I may find my own natural air time is much improved this year. LOL- We'll certainly see!

When this ride opened, there was one drop. Now, it is immensely improved by the addition of variable drop sequence programming. That means that each time you ride, it will be different. Maybe you'll drop 2 times, maybe 5, maybe a couple of half drops with a huge full drop- who knows? I love the thrill factor that adds. To me (and the fam) this is THE coolest ride in WDW. An absolute MUST for the thrill ride set.

Now- if you are a fan of the Twilight Zone but don't want to rattle your teeth on the ride, there is a chicken exit available. This ride also has baby swap for those who have littles that won't go or are too small. Be aware that to use baby swap, you still have to do the very dark preshow, which may still (probably will) scare your smaller kiddies. Once in the boiler room, just tell your CM that you are doing the baby swap or need the chicken exit and they will (morosely if they are in character) escort you to the appropriate area. The baby swap area is NOT in the plush shop to keep the ambiance of the ride going for the waiting parent, which I think is very cool.

Front L to R: Binnie's Family (the only ones with arms up): daughter, granddaughter, neice, and Binnie.

As on most of the thrill rides these days, they take a picture of you on the first plunge. The looks on the faces of the riders are priceless. I have one from 2 years ago when I brought the teenaged daughter of a friend who had never been to WDW. She is buried in my chest and holding on for dear life while her legs fly up towards the ceiling behind her. Too funny! The picture is (was the last time I bought one) $9.95 and comes with a coupon to get a discount on a similar pic at Rock-n-Roller Coaster. It makes a very nice souvenir.

Just FYI- this ride is absolutely NOT safe for pregnant women or those with back problems, and those with wheelchairs must be able to exit those chairs to ride.

That's all until next week when we will ROCK OUT with Aerosmith on the Rock-n-Roller Coaster!

Sla`inte~