The Real Genius of Tower of Terror

[JIMINYCR]

ToT is always a multiple, multiple ride through for us on every trip. I probably have taken more photos of the building and ride inside and out than any other attraction in the 4 parks. From the beginning gates at the outside walkway to the gift shop I'm always amazed at every detail and nuance of the attraction.

 

[dmw]

Was thinking about this last night...
[major snippage...]
Unfortunately for DCA, Guardians of the Galaxy erases all of this. ... you need to be familiar with the characters of GotG to really appreciate the ride.

I agree with everything you wrote, except this line. I know very little about GoTG (started watching it once on TV, stopped because I lost interest). Although I prefer TOT theming, I still enjoyed the ride at DCA, and would repeat ride it as often as I ride TOT. I don't even know that I could confirm there were GOTG characters in the ride at DCA. I love the drops! Perhaps I did not fully appreciate the ride as much as GOTG fans... or maybe I just did not appreciate it in the same way.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

ToT at DCA was obviously inferior compared the original. Not just the ride experience itself, but the building being a less imaginative and embellished beige box simply stuck in a corner of the park without the supported world building of Sunset Blvd. (I also love the approach of ToT when you're taking the boat from Swan/Dolphin. How it looms in the distance and builds excitement for visiting the park)

But it did share all the same core concepts and still provided appropriate atmosphere once you got inside

At Disney Studios Paris, despite other efforts to plus that park, it's still the best ride for that reason.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Mission: Breakout isn't a bad ride, I just think it lacks the deeper themes and broader appeal of ToT

It benefited from replacing the lesser version. I doubt a retheme in DHS would be as well received or possible.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

It’s really the subtle build up on the slope leading up to it…the pathways…the “condemned”
Structure and abandoned gardens.

It’s what WDI at it absolute top game
Was…they didn’t have to go to such lengths to build the thing…they did it cause it “looked really cool”.

And it got done with urgency.

But Eisner was evil. Always remember that

 

[surfsupdon]

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror was also celebrated by runDisney for her 13th birthday with a brand new nighttime race, that still lives on in the running lore decades later. No other attraction could garner such an amazing theme outside of the boundaries of the attraction itself!

 

[The Empress Lilly]

It’s really the subtle build up on the slope leading up to it…the pathways…the “condemned”
Structure and abandoned gardens.

It’s what WDI at it absolute top game
Was…they didn’t have to go to such lengths to build the thing…they did it cause it “looked really cool”.

And it got done with urgency.

But Eisner was evil. Always remember that

The most common verdict about Eisner is, very succinctly, positive until 1994, negative afterwards.

Even with ToT the difference is clear. DHS ToT is a product of the first decade. DCA/WDSP of the second.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The most common verdict about Eisner is, very succinctly, positive until 1994, negative afterwards.

Even with ToT the difference is clear. DHS ToT is a product of the first decade. DCA/WDSP of the second.

I’m not a fan of that narrative

Huge size constraints made Anaheim difficult. Contractually they had to build the “second gate” in France even though they had zero need for it.

He clearly struggled towards the end of his run…which was too long…
But as stated in the NYT article that was floated around here yesterday…there were lines they didn’t cross and didn’t sell the soul of what made parks the way they were meant to be. Many flaws aside

 

[easyrowrdw]

I’d argue even the attempt at an epic attraction in Rise of the Resistance fell flat. You can’t even really tell what building houses the attraction, so there is nothing imposing or cool about it.

Disney would say they folded it into the landscape, but it was probably cheaper to get 2 for 1 by cheating out on a show building and doing some scenery.

I don’t think they were trying to do that with Rise, rather the opposite. It’s a secret base so you’re moving through caves. And when you come out to discover that there’s an x-wing and spaceship hiding it’s a great surprise. You feel like you were just a few feet away when you entered the ride and all this incredible stuff is hidden just out of view.

The ending has a similar effect. It’s not like Space Mountain where you walk forever to leave the ride. You just go around the corner and you’re back out front. But you’d never know what all is there from the outside.