POLL: Disney to Open Full Service Bar Inside Hollywood Tower of Terror

Do you want to see a bar inside of Hollywood Tower of Terror?

  • Yes. I will gladly purchase a drink or three at this bar -- one drunkytown is not enough.

    Votes: 113 48.3%
  • Sure. I don't mind but I will not visit or buy a drink at this bar.

    Votes: 45 19.2%
  • No. Walt would not approve. A bar has no business inside of a theme park ride.

    Votes: 58 24.8%
  • Other.

    Votes: 18 7.7%

  • Total voters
    234

MarkTwain

Well-Known Member
I'll go against the grain and say that conceptually, I think it's a great idea. Tower of Terror is an environment that lends itself very well to a bar — the real Hollywood has a long history of bars, and even today is a major center for nightlife. Famous, historic bars like Musso and Frank (left) and the Pig'N'Whistle (right) have been operating on Hollywood Boulevard since the 1920s or earlier:

musso-n-frank-bar-10_zpstdaqvevp.jpg
G5Y5574-682x1024_zps6uxk0gkk.jpg


Musso and Frank welcomed an illustrious clientele with the likes of Humphrey Bogart and Charlie Chaplin, and the Pig'n'Whistle was a favorite stop for celebrities attending premieres at Grauman's Egyptian Theater next door. Perhaps the closest direct inspiration for the Tower of Terror, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on western Hollywood Boulevard, was well-known for its bars and nightlife activity, and was a place you could often see Marilyn Monroe performing.

This is a very real side of Hollywood history, and a side that's underrepresented at DHS, in my opinion. For a park known for its more "adult" focus and drawing its inspiration from a sophisticated American city, I've always been surprised the park's food and beverage offerings paled so heavily compared to Epcot. Tower of Terror in particular seems like a great place to change this, with its rich, historic feel and almost film noir atmosphere. Plus it's not a part of the park known for drawing very young kids anyway.

Add some jazz music, some spooky, bellhop-ish bartenders, and a few Twilight Zone-inspired drink names, and you could have one of the best-themed drinking environments this side of the Cava de Tequila.

The real challenge would be execution, and it's this that makes me nervous. Ideally I'd like to see Disney create a space that truly feels like part of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, and feels authentic to the old Hollywood theme. It also needs to be out of the way of guest traffic leaving the attraction, and not allow too much intermingling between the bar clientele and families just wanting to leave the ride. My worry is that Disney will just plunk some beer taps behind a counter near the gift shop and call it a day.

But conceptually, the pitch "Tower of Terror-themed bar" is one of the most intriguing ideas for an adult venue I've heard since Trader Sam's.

EDIT: All that said, I didn't vote because I'm not sure adding a themed environment for drinks equates to creating "drunkytown;" the poll question feels just a little bit loaded.
 

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Matt_Black

Well-Known Member
I'll go against the grain and say that conceptually, I think it's a great idea. Tower of Terror is an environment that lends itself very well to a bar — the real Hollywood has a long history of bars, and even today is a major center for nightlife. Famous, historic bars like Musso and Frank (left) and the Pig'N'Whistle (right) have been operating on Hollywood Boulevard since the 1920s or earlier:

musso-n-frank-bar-10_zpstdaqvevp.jpg
G5Y5574-682x1024_zps6uxk0gkk.jpg


Musso and Frank welcomed an illustrious clientele with the likes of Humphrey Bogart and Charlie Chaplin, and the Pig'n'Whistle was a favorite stop for celebrities attending premieres at Grauman's Egyptian Theater next door. Perhaps the closest direct inspiration for the Tower of Terror, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on western Hollywood Boulevard, was well-known for its bars and nightlife activity, and was a place you could often see Marilyn Monroe performing.

This is a very real side of Hollywood history, and a side that's underrepresented at DHS, in my opinion. For a park known for its more "adult" focus and drawing its inspiration from a sophisticated American city, I've always been surprised the park's food and beverage offerings paled so heavily compared to Epcot. Tower of Terror in particular seems like a great place to change this, with its rich, historic feel and almost film noir atmosphere. Plus it's not a part of the park known for drawing very young kids anyway.

Add some jazz music, some spooky, bellhop-ish bartenders, and a few Twilight Zone-inspired drink names, and you could have one of the best-themed drinking environments this side of the Cava de Tequila.

The real challenge would be execution, and it's this that makes me nervous. Ideally I'd like to see Disney create a space that truly feels like part of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, and feels authentic to the old Hollywood theme. It also needs to be out of the way of guest traffic leaving the attraction, and not allow too much intermingling between the bar clientele and families just wanting to leave the ride. My worry is that Disney will just plunk some beer taps behind a counter near the gift shop and call it a day.

But conceptually, the pitch "Tower of Terror-themed bar" is one of the most intriguing ideas for an adult venue I've heard since Trader Sam's.

EDIT: All that said, I didn't vote because I'm not sure adding a themed environment for drinks equates to creating "drunkytown;" the poll question feels just a little bit loaded.

And let's not forget- The Shining had a haunted hotel complete with a haunted bar too.
 

Chef Mickey

Well-Known Member
People wanting to relax and enjoy an adult beverage on their vacation... WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO?!?
Disney isn't a typical "relax and enjoy an adult beverage" destination. There are a lot of people, a lot of kids, and all of them are crowded into confined spaces. Most people can handle adults beverages, but some "adults" aren't equipped to behave like adults and can ruin it for everyone.
 

Pumbas Nakasak

Heading for the great escape.
Disney isn't a typical "relax and enjoy an adult beverage" destination. There are a lot of people, a lot of kids, and all of them are crowded into confined spaces. Most people can handle adults beverages, but some "adults" aren't equipped to behave like adults and can ruin it for everyone.

I feel that way about self righteous digheads.
 

Princess_AmyK

Well-Known Member
I think it ultimately comes down to asking why those who do get drunk at Disney do, and why those who don't get drunk don't. I don't think it has anything to do with the amount of bars and more to do with the people themselves. If someone is going to get inappropriately drunk at Disney, they will do it whether this bar is made or not. There are other options and they WILL find them. This bar being built or not being built will not affect that. The only thing this affects is me not getting to have a glass of wine in a sweet ToT Hotel bar ;) (<-- disclaimer: that was a joke)

The way people are talking it sounds like Disney is like Bourbon Street. Disney has made it clear that they do not tolerate people being out of control and drunk in their parks. If you feel someone is out of hand, notify a cast member and I can guarantee the situation will be handled.

I have never been on a trip where I saw drunks creating chaos. Maybe I am lucky? But I don't think I am. I think that people who are spending the money to be at Disney generally know time and place, and while Disney is a great place to enjoy a couple drinks, it isn't the place to get sloshed. Those who take it too far are given a good talking to or are removed. It has never been an issue to me. Ever.
 

MichWolv

Born Modest. Wore Off.
Premium Member
I think a bar in a Hollywood Hotel is perfect theming, and can't believe it took so long to do it. Alcohol is already available in DHS, and I remember the days of the Catwalk Bar when I could sit and have a drink in an air conditioned location with a bit of atmosphere quite fondly.

I don't drink now for medical reasons, but as far as I'm concerned, a bar in the Hollywood Tower Hotel is a great idea.
 

Wikkler

Well-Known Member
I'm gonna get soooooo tanked at this bar people! then as everyone is leaving the ride, I will give them all hugs, slobber all over them, and throw up everywhere! Thank you Disney for giving me more booze!

Other areas at Disney parks where we need booze:
1. Inside every bathroom
2. Next to every stroller parking area
3. Inside Hall of Presidents (need to be drunk to tolerate politics)
4. Entrance of Tea Cups, Mission Space, Primeval Whirl, and Tomorrowland Speedway
5. Mini-bar on every resort bus.
6. Beers vendors working in the crowds at every parade, fireworks, and dance show.
7. Bar car on the Disney Railroad.
8. Fairytale Hall. Have a drink with a princess
9. Memory maker photographers should also serve booze.
10. New evening hours: Kilimanjaro Safaris one huge drunkin dance party with the animals! ($79/person)
Nice attempt.
That is not at all why Pleasure Island closed. It closed because it became unpopular, and wasn't making any money.
Please direct me to a source for this, then I'll believe you.
 

Noellikechristmas

Active Member
meh....I don't really care that a bar is going in. People can grab a drink at other locations in HS, so I don't think this one specific bar is going to be the straw that breaks the camels back. I may indulge in a drink or 2, but I usually save my drinking for evenings at EPCOT. I'm strictly business in HS. If I drank at all the parks, I don't think I get all the rides in and stay on track haha...I'm paying good money to go to Disney and don't want to waste it being drunk the whole time.
 

Pumbas Nakasak

Heading for the great escape.
While I can't show you proof, I can point you to an interesting article that defends my position -

http://www.disunplugged.com/2012/07/17/pleasure-island-dispelling-the-myths/

And if that's not credible to you, I can easily find many more reports online that indicate that the closing was due to loss of revenue.
Except that says it was making money. Just they wanted more, is that a marker of popularity. , cause the Adventurers club was popular and profitable, but im sure some er with excell showed they could get more by outsourcing to Frys T Us or Beer N Bites. that worked out well.
 

danyoung56

Well-Known Member
That's entirely possible, Pumbas. It still supports my statement that the place was closed down for financial reasons, NOT because of alcohol abuse.
 

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