Tower of Terror effects status watch

[Animaniac93-98]

Out of curiosity, does the WDSP version of ToT have a similar list of effects issue, or did it always just have less to begin with?

 

[andre85]

Out of curiosity, does the WDSP version of ToT have a similar list of effects issue, or did it always just have less to begin with?

WDSP is (or was) just a clone of DCA, so it has far fewer effects given it was a much simpler/shorter ride (one shaft, no 5th dimension hallway, etc).

I haven't ridden the Paris one since the update from a few years ago, so not sure how much it may have added effects wise

 

[Rodj]

Out of curiosity, does the WDSP version of ToT have a similar list of effects issue, or did it always just have less to begin with?

WDSP does keep up with their effects more from a friend of mine who frequents that park.

 

[Rodj]

Since we're discussing missing effects, here's everything I can think of off the top of my head:

The big sign emitting actual sparks. This was later replaced with occasional strobes for safety reasons, but this doesn't seem to work anymore either.

Both the sparks and the strobes were on the sign since it opened, when it was enabled both operated in tandem. In this video, right when the doors open you can see a spark come off of the H:

The sound effect of the wall sliding open in the libraries. (Not sure if this is back as of recently)

I heard this sound in both libraries during my trip back in March 2024.

I don't recall ever seeing pipes shooting steam.

This wasn't something visible in the videos from 1994, but you can hear them turn on/off in multiple spots here:

Wind hitting you during the corridor scene (apparently finally being fixed?)

During my previous trips, this was only an issue with Delta.

Light from the lightning outside the window in the corridor scene shining onto the hallway floor.

This has been working in all shafts, for a while it was an issue with Bravo.

Under-carriage strobes at the end of the drop sequence. Used to be a really pronounced effect, now you're lucky to get one or two dim flashes.

Has been working in Echo for quite a bit, recently they got (some?) of the strobes replaced in Foxtrot.

 

[Rodj]

-The drop shaft audio has definitely been much more audible from outside the ride recently (as of my program in summer 2024) but it seems to vary in volume from sequence to sequence - for example I always seemed to specifically hear the final drop of the Ghost profile clearly while waiting in line. Definitely seemed louder in recent years.

This has actually been a technicality recently(since July 2024) as they got the speaker located on the sign on Foxtrot side working again, only issue is that due to the incorrect audio channel issues, it is playing the drop shaft audio track meant for the speaker inside the drop shaft at the top. It's supposed to be playing the spark SFX(which is playing from that drop shaft speaker).

-The air cannons are even more inconsistent. I've never felt the air blasts myself but they were supposedly fixed for a small period in around October. You still hear them fire, but nothing comes out.

Due to the delay in the drop sequence movement and the modified drop sequences, they fire when the VVC isn't at the right spot yet. The best way currently to judge if they are working is with profile 4.

 

[VicariousCorpse]

According to this post, it looks like it was the same person who fixed the color projector in one of the shafts and the dripping water effect. Hopefully there is more to come.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Thanks for the info. Good to see that some stuff has been addressed in recent years. There was a while where it seemed like almost nothing worked.

Still, considering the popularity and now historical significance of this ride, and the money Disney has a a mega entertainment corporation, things that work in some shafts but not others should never be an issue.

I would like to point out that, at Universal, even Fast & Furious - a ride most people dislike, has great audio and video quality. Fallon is even better.

But not every ride at Disney is bad. Some Disney E-tickets still look and sound great. It's just odd how neglected Tower was for years.