Tower of Terror old ending?!

[msg7]

Hey All! I recently saw a video (linked below) of the Tower of Terror when it first opened and was surprised to see a different ending! Does anyone know this history of the "Serling ending?" How long was it used for? Why did they replace it?

Thanks a lot!

-msg7

 

[BraveGirl]

oh wow that just brought back memories! I'm assuming they scraped it once they added the additional drop(s)?

 

[JIMINYCR]

I remember the Rod Serling ending. It was a great way to finish the ride with Rods send off. For a while it started to run and then was cut short so you didnt get to hear the entire clip. When it disappeared I Ithought it was cut to streamline the end so guests would disembark quicker and hasten the guest flow and increase the rider numbers per hour??

 

[Tom Morrow]

It was used for at least a few months. I believe it was cut with the first modification to the drop sequence - a partial drop before rising up to the top for the original drop. The reasoning was that it looked cheesy and also efficiency was increased by having the vehicle leave the lift faster.

 

[ShoalFox]

I can safely say I've never seen that version of the ending before. Great find.

 

[The_Jobu]

Hey All! I recently saw a video (linked below) of the Tower of Terror when it first opened and was surprised to see a different ending! Does anyone know this history of the "Serling ending?" How long was it used for? Why did they replace it?

Thanks a lot!

-msg7

Neat!

I love that the guy's camera freaks out occaisionally, gives it a very spooky found-footage vibe.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Neat!

I love that the guy's camera freaks out occaisionally, gives it a very spooky found-footage vibe.

As far as we know, this is the only existing posted footage of the original drop and ending.

 

[marni1971]

Here’s a clearer (?) freeze frame

 

[Kram Sacul]

I can safely assume that's Mark Silverman (who does the voice impersonation) standing in for Serling. Very interesting to finally see.

Kind of sad to hear that even in 1994 people still talked throughout the ride.

 

[marni1971]

I can safely assume that's Mark Silverman (who does the voice impersonation) standing in for Serling.
.

it is.

 

[Rodj]

There was also a sound I never heard before that was only with Tower1 that you can hear at 2:12, 2:25, and 2:37 in this video:

 

[msg7]

There was also a sound I never heard before that was only with Tower1 that you can hear at 2:12, 2:25, and 2:37 in this video:

That sound is still in some of the drop profiles today. It may just be quieter. I believe they also use it in the boiler room as part of the fake motor sound.

 

[marni1971]

There was also a sound I never heard before that was only with Tower1 that you can hear at 2:12, 2:25, and 2:37 in this video:

The clunk? Yes, it’s still used today. More importantly at 2:19 you can hear the sparking sign sound file.

 

[Rodj]

That sound is still in some of the drop profiles today. It may just be quieter. I believe they also use it in the boiler room as part of the fake motor sound.

The clunk? Yes, it’s still used today.

I know of that one, though this version is a little different, the clunk plays at the beginning instead of the end of it, and it reverbs more.

 

[Simba's Mom]

No, we've never seen that either. And we rode TOT just 2 months after that video was taken-we were on it in late October of 1994 so they got rid of it pretty soon.. It was before the multiple drops, so that's not why-I wonder if maybe it just never worked right.

 

[Magenta Panther]

You know, I think I like the new ending better. Because...at ride's end, everyone's had a real fright. They have no idea what's next, and the elevator is still moving. So they're REAL quiet, and then they hear the ghostly voice of "Rod Serling" telling them that they've just experienced The Twilight Zone. Then the doors open and the bellhop welcomes you back to the real world.

Letter. Perfect.

 

[surfsupdon]

What a great ride! I remember our first time