A look at the Tower of Terror refurbishment

Rob562

Rob562

Well-Known Member
redshoesrock said:
Isn't that the whole point though? I mean from a story perspective? You know?
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Well, there's a difference between being looking dillapidated and looking faded... The exterior of the building is painted, whereas what it's trying to depict is concrete of that color. I don't think actual colored concrete would fade like that, so they need to refresh it to look like it should.

And as someone else mentioned, windows and balcony railings are getting treatment. Those are things where if they were really rusted, weather-beaten windows and railings they'd be fine. But as they're fake, painted adornments they need touching up now and then.

-Rob
 
SDav10495

SDav10495

Member
redshoesrock said:
Isn't that the whole point though? I mean from a story perspective? You know?
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I understand the thinking there, but at a certain point the difference between intentional "neglect" and actual neglect becomes visible, even to the casual viewer. The colors chosen to make the building look damaged and the weathering designed to make it look old were all chosen very specifically and for the greatest possible effect, and that effect can all be ruined when the guest starts to suspect that Disney's just let maintenance slide. A paint job that once looked menacing eventually looks faded and harmless; sculpted cracks that once aged the hotel are eventually joined by real ones that show the bare concrete underneath and destroy the illusion. It's an interesting fact about the Disney parks, but even as we praise WDI's "realistic" approach to themed areas like ToT or DAK's Harambe Village, no one who visits really wants to see something real--we want to see something perfect.

I'm personally a little annoyed by the timing of the scaffolding, since I'll be going back in early January with a WDW first-timer--but I'd rather they do it now than never. It's nice to see Disney restoring show buildings to tip-top shape...even if the point is for them to look crappy. ;)
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
The last several times I have ridden, the disappearing hallway scene was broken in some way, or the starfield in the 5th dimension was not working, section's of the ride's audio was out of sync and/or could barely be heard.
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Tower has a lot of issues with visuals, and especially audio. Credit to the Bellhops, they do call them in and a lot of the time visuals are mostly fixed. I notified the unload CM this year that Bravos corridor wall projector was out and they took the whole shaft 101 and called in maintainence there and then. At first he was surprised, and admitted Charlie had been having `issues` for the past few days. Audio however is something that could and should be perfect. It seems it is being mostly left as a `make do`, both level and sync wise.

But back to the OP. Nice to see the TLC.
 
rodserling27

rodserling27

Well-Known Member
marni1971 said:
Tower has a lot of issues with visuals, and especially audio. Credit to the Bellhops, they do call them in and a lot of the time visuals are mostly fixed. I notified the unload CM this year that Bravos corridor wall projector was out and they took the whole shaft 101 and called in maintainence there and then. At first he was surprised, and admitted Charlie had been having `issues` for the past few days. Audio however is something that could and should be perfect. It seems it is being mostly left as a `make do`, both level and sync wise.
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Roger that on the audio. Almost everytime I'm on the thing, the audio is out of sync with the hallway scene. As the five ghosts disappear, the orchestra is still playing a jarring chord that SHOULD play AS they disappear. It seemed to be a little better this summer on hmm...was it Charlie and Delta? I dont' remember.

but I agree that it's better now than never to see some work on tower. I will be there in early January, just like SDav10495 will be, but I've seen the building enough to be OK with a little scaffolding ;) (I also won't be there with a first-timer!)
 
ToTBellHop

ToTBellHop

Well-Known Member
rodserling27 said:
Roger that on the audio. Almost everytime I'm on the thing, the audio is out of sync with the hallway scene. As the five ghosts disappear, the orchestra is still playing a jarring chord that SHOULD play AS they disappear. It seemed to be a little better this summer on hmm...was it Charlie and Delta? I dont' remember.

but I agree that it's better now than never to see some work on tower. I will be there in early January, just like SDav10495 will be, but I've seen the building enough to be OK with a little scaffolding ;) (I also won't be there with a first-timer!)
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I can deal with a little scaffolding as long as the ride is still open...

The comparison b/t 2001 and now is striking. Florida sun does a number on paint...
 
L

LordHelmut

New Member
Skipper03 said:
:eek: No interactive queue?! But that's the future of Disney!! How else can we wait in line? It's not like talking to our family, or looking at the details of the building, or enjoying a walking break in the shade is good enough... :ROFLOL:

Seriously though, I think neat little details are always a bonus, so add away Disney.
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You'd say that now, but (que spooky music) how you would you feel if the que was 'enhanced' with STITCH ! (thunderclap) :eek:

Admittedly it's not likely, but it is possible..... (follow with twilight zone theme)
 
Fable McCloud

Fable McCloud

Well-Known Member
I admit that I'm excited for the refurb, but I also admit to being disappointed with the scaffolding. Hopefully it will be gone when we go at the end of February, since my BF has never been to DHS. I also have a much better camera and wanted to get some coll and spooky Tower at twilight kinda pics. We'll see.
 
csm

csm

Well-Known Member
Honestly, is it entirely lost on everyone here that this is the only case in theme park history where the scaffolding ENHANCES the show?!

I remember 8 or so years ago when the building was last refurbished that scaffolding was not used. Instead, massive cranes were parked backstage and hidden away in the mornings. Sounds good on paper, right? Now realize that with the crane down, you can see all the blatently unfinished work. Bright sections next to faded sections - windows missing while others are freshly replaced, etc. It looked absolutely awful. When the building was primed, it was a more disgusting pink than the Castle Cake!

Not only does the scaffolding enhance the perception that this hotel is falling apart but the hotel management is trying to hide it since "reopening after the incident" but it also acts as a sensible, appropriate curtain of sorts to draw your attention away from the MID-PROGRESS "half done half missing" impression a lengthly refurbishment would give in any other situation.

Not to mention the fact that half the building was blown away leaving a charred, ugly mess of gaping holes and burns. I think that's much more a concern than a little scaffolding!


I have it on good authority that it might be into May or June before the exterior work is complete.
 
WDITrent

WDITrent

Active Member
It is certainly not bad show to see an attraction being cared for. Furthermore, I think scaffolding on an old, abandoned, and recently re-opened hotel is thematically appropriate, don't you? :)
 
thelookingglass

thelookingglass

Well-Known Member
Well technically, when you enter the hotel it is still abandoned and not actually "re-opened for business." You're just a tourist that ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
 
jjharvpro

jjharvpro

Active Member
WDITrent said:
It is certainly not bad show to see an attraction being cared for. Furthermore, I think scaffolding on an old, abandoned, and recently re-opened hotel is thematically appropriate, don't you? :)
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Of course, the scaffolding isn't permanent, but I do agree that it looks and goes with the theme fine a little bit now
 

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