Rumor Tower of Terror to gain new theme?

[No Name]

Me too. The "backlot" area of WDS seems like prime real estate and the perfect area to put Marvel.

The Tower of Terror is one of the first and biggest things you see right when you enter. It's also one of the most popular attractions of the few the park has. They need to be spending money improving the layout and expanding the park, not converting one of their most popular attractions and hurting sightlines even further. That being said I can imagine it happening.

 

[mickEblu]

That is shocking to me, if true.........You'd think they'd throw that cheap overlay on.

Cheap overlay as in Mission Breakout? I’m definitely not a fan of what they did to DCA’s tower but isn’t removing the TZ theme a lot cheaper?

EDIT: upon re reading your post I realize there is no way you are talking about MB. What cheap overlay exists at TOT @ DHS?

 

[Haymarket2008]

Cheap overlay as in Mission Breakout? I’m definitely not a fan of what they did to DCA’s tower but isn’t removing the TZ theme a lot cheaper?

EDIT: upon re reading your post I realize there is no way you are talking about MB. What cheap overlay exists at TOT @ DHS?

Cheap overlay as in Mission Breakout. I'm referring to them changing it out at the Studios in Paris.

 

[mickEblu]

Cheap overlay as in Mission Breakout. I'm referring to them changing it out at the Studios in Paris.

Oh so my initial reaction was right. I second guessed myself when I saw you said “turn on.” Yeah I hate what they did to TOT but it would definitely be cheaper for them to remove the TZ theme. What would you rather them do in Florida if those were the two options?

 

[Haymarket2008]

Oh so my initial reaction was right. I second guessed myself when I saw you said “turn on.” Yeah I hate what they did to TOT but it would definitely be cheaper for them to remove the TZ theme. What would you rather them do in Florida if those were the two options?

I would definitely prefer them to go the TZ-less route and make it something like Tokyo. IMHO, Mission: Breakout is terrible. Honestly, one of the worst large scale attractions Disney has ever put out. Dramatic, but true haha.

 

[mickEblu]

I would definitely prefer them to go the TZ-less route and make it something like Tokyo. IMHO, Mission: Breakout is terrible. Honestly, one of the worst large scale attractions Disney has ever put out. Dramatic, but true haha.

Had TOT never existed and they just erected the monstrosity known as GOTG:MB I don’t think i would judge it as harshly. But when you consider the placemaking they nailed with TOT and the great build up and suspense, it’s hard not to. They took away those beautiful 3D environments and replaced them with screens. I can’t imagine anyone actually feels like the Guardians are in front of them during the show scenes. You re just watching a GOTG movie clip as you free fall. They also blew the beginning of the Q as they reveal the Guardians way too soon on that screen in the museum. That comedic energy should have been saved for the ride. Anyway dropping to the uppity sound of oldies doesn’t work to me. I enjoyed MOnsters After Dark, the Halloween overlay, much more as the soundtrack was a heavy metal song which Elicits much more of a fear response. It also uses the more thrilling profile of the 6 created for MB. Still no TOT, but much better than MB.

 

[Cal1997]

I would like to report that echo was back to the random profiles today and some of the effects were working in the shaft and the sound was enhanced

 

[RobotWolf]

I like the idea of the Twilight Zone IP. I don't think it is used particularly well in this implementation.

A lot of the popular Twilight Zone episodes dealt with a surprise, twist or other inverted expectation. That was really the show's "gimmick."

Far from being a twist, the elevator drop is something they start exposing you to even before you enter the queue.

It's a bit of a twist that the EV moves forward into and out of the fifth dimension scene. But that's not really tied into the backstory in any way.

While retaining the IP and ride system, I think the entire experience should be re-written from the library doors forward.

 

[WDWTrojan]

I like the idea of the Twilight Zone IP. I don't think it is used particularly well in this implementation.

A lot of the popular Twilight Zone episodes dealt with a surprise, twist or other inverted expectation. That was really the show's "gimmick."

Far from being a twist, the elevator drop is something they start exposing you to even before you enter the queue.

It's a bit of a twist that the EV moves forward into and out of the fifth dimension scene. But that's not really tied into the backstory in any way.

While retaining the IP and ride system, I think the entire experience should be re-written from the library doors forward.

Having worked at Tower of Terror, I LOVE the old Hollywood theme and even the inclusion of Twilight Zone. However, I always thought the actual story and how it translates to your experience is a bit clunky. These people "fell" in an elevator after the building was struck by lightning, then rather than dying on impact they went to the Twilight Zone? It doesn't make a lot of sense to begin with. Then, rather than boarding the same elevator that these people rode so many years ago, you're now boarding a totally different elevator - a service elevator - since the other ones are still out of operation. Yet the same thing happens to you on this new elevator, that happened in the guest elevators. It just doesn't make a lot of sense if you think about it too much. Would have made more sense if you were invited to retrace the same very steps those hotel guests took so many years ago, instead of this weird transition to the service elevator. It just wouldn't have been hard to create a slightly better story.

The Tokyo storyline makes much more sense to me, as it's a simpler story.

 

[Bocabear]

you know, that storyline has worked and no one has really questioned it...it is one of the best thematic attractions ever produced. Everywhere you turn it is beautifully fleshed out. I think your questioning of the storyline and plot are nitpicking what is a near flawless production.

 

[Bairstow]

Welp, the Paris version of Rock n Rollercoaster has just been confirmed for an Avengers overlay. I would assume this means that their Tower is safe from Guardian-ization at least for another 3 years until that ride is back up.

 

[No Name]

Welp, the Paris version of Rock n Rollercoaster has just been confirmed for an Avengers overlay. I would assume this means that their Tower is safe from Guardian-ization at least for another 3 years until that ride is back up.

Did they give a timeline for the Avengers reimagining? It could take 3 years or 3 months.

 

[Tom Morrow]

I would definitely prefer them to go the TZ-less route and make it something like Tokyo. IMHO, Mission: Breakout is terrible. Honestly, one of the worst large scale attractions Disney has ever put out. Dramatic, but true haha.

Removing the Twilight Zone references doesn't mean they have to alter the story completely. It pretty much works just fine on it's own.

Also, you're entitled to your opinion, but Mission: Breakout is one of the best received rides in recent times.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Having worked at Tower of Terror, I LOVE the old Hollywood theme and even the inclusion of Twilight Zone. However, I always thought the actual story and how it translates to your experience is a bit clunky. These people "fell" in an elevator after the building was struck by lightning, then rather than dying on impact they went to the Twilight Zone? It doesn't make a lot of sense to begin with. Then, rather than boarding the same elevator that these people rode so many years ago, you're now boarding a totally different elevator - a service elevator - since the other ones are still out of operation. Yet the same thing happens to you on this new elevator, that happened in the guest elevators. It just doesn't make a lot of sense if you think about it too much. Would have made more sense if you were invited to retrace the same very steps those hotel guests took so many years ago, instead of this weird transition to the service elevator. It just wouldn't have been hard to create a slightly better story.

The Tokyo storyline makes much more sense to me, as it's a simpler story.

I agree. I think it's the Twilight Zone music that really makes it. That iconic, unsettling part that really makes an appearance throughout the attraction. Much like Grim Grinning Ghosts at Haunted Mansion (though obviously not as present as in that classic).

In my eternal quest for something I enjoy in recent Disney news, I wonder if this spells some hope for WDW's Tower. I know the mandate is to pull out all non-Disney IPs. And, we all know TDO's penchant for saving development costs. I wonder if we'll see a new story being co-developed for both WDS and Hollywood Studios.

(While I love TZ, I'd be up for a film noir/horror noir style character, follow a similar story (albeit with a curse or the like), etc. The key would be a new soundtrack to evoke that eerie feeling. And, Disney's soundtrack work remains pretty solid IMHO.)

 

[smile]

Also, you're entitled to your opinion, but Mission: Breakout is one of the best received rides in recent times.

granted, certainly lemonade from lemons there -
but the lcd, as any child with a shiny new toy, are always easily amused... for a time

 

[Tom Morrow]

granted, certainly lemonade from lemons there -
but the lcd, as any child with a shiny new toy, are always easily amused... for a time

Yes, you're so much more enlightened than those plebs that enjoy a ride that your fanboyism tells you to hate.

I know many die-hard Tower of Terror fans that were sure they would hate it until they actually rode it and ended up loving it.

 

[Magenta Panther]

I would like to report that echo was back to the random profiles today and some of the effects were working in the shaft and the sound was enhanced

Good. Let's hope that for god's sake TDO will fix the hallway effect too.

 

[Magenta Panther]

Having worked at Tower of Terror, I LOVE the old Hollywood theme and even the inclusion of Twilight Zone. However, I always thought the actual story and how it translates to your experience is a bit clunky. These people "fell" in an elevator after the building was struck by lightning, then rather than dying on impact they went to the Twilight Zone? It doesn't make a lot of sense to begin with. Then, rather than boarding the same elevator that these people rode so many years ago, you're now boarding a totally different elevator - a service elevator - since the other ones are still out of operation. Yet the same thing happens to you on this new elevator, that happened in the guest elevators. It just doesn't make a lot of sense if you think about it too much. Would have made more sense if you were invited to retrace the same very steps those hotel guests took so many years ago, instead of this weird transition to the service elevator. It just wouldn't have been hard to create a slightly better story.

The Tokyo storyline makes much more sense to me, as it's a simpler story.

I don't see a problem with the story behind TOT. The building was struck by lightning, which connected it to the Fifth Dimension. The entire building is cursed. You ride any elevator in it, and you're likely to get the same fate as the folks on the guest elevator. What's not to understand?

 

[Tom Morrow]

Having worked at Tower of Terror, I LOVE the old Hollywood theme and even the inclusion of Twilight Zone. However, I always thought the actual story and how it translates to your experience is a bit clunky. These people "fell" in an elevator after the building was struck by lightning, then rather than dying on impact they went to the Twilight Zone? It doesn't make a lot of sense to begin with. Then, rather than boarding the same elevator that these people rode so many years ago, you're now boarding a totally different elevator - a service elevator - since the other ones are still out of operation. Yet the same thing happens to you on this new elevator, that happened in the guest elevators. It just doesn't make a lot of sense if you think about it too much. Would have made more sense if you were invited to retrace the same very steps those hotel guests took so many years ago, instead of this weird transition to the service elevator. It just wouldn't have been hard to create a slightly better story.

The Tokyo storyline makes much more sense to me, as it's a simpler story.

The only thing that doesn't make sense about the Florida Tower and the story is the physical layout and dimensions of the building itself (for example, the neon sign placement, as discussed).

It actually makes total sense but is explained in a vague, abstract way, probably intentionally. Many people assume that the hotel is haunted, but it is not. The entire building contains rifts in time and space that open or break apart when conditions are right. You are there on a night "very much like" the night of the incident. This is why you don't have to retrace their exact steps and board the same elevator. While on board the service elevator, your elevator is transported, both from a story standpoint and from the ride system standpoint, through the fifth dimension into the guest elevator shaft and the same thing happens to you. There is evidence to support this because both the load doors and unload doors are labeled with a "B", despite you exiting in a different part of the hotel.

 

[Bairstow]

Removing the Twilight Zone references doesn't mean they have to alter the story completely. It pretty much works just fine on it's own.

Absoutely.
Most of the story elements that make the ride memorable (the half-disappearing building, the lightning, the ghosts, the golden age of Hollywood backdrop, etc.) are unique to the ride and owe nothing to the television show.

I could totally see their removing the Twighlight Zone elements in a way that preserves, or even strengthens the rest of the attention. Replace the current TV preshow in the library with a newsreel on a small projector about the lightning incident, maybe have it end with a simulated film burn-through and a small smoke effect. Replace the Twilight Zone theme with more ghostly, re-echoing 1930s music, maybe Vera Lynn's "We'll Meet Again"? A generic starfield could work for the current Fifth Dimension, or maybe something a little different using mapped projection showing the bricks of the building coming apart right in front of the guests' eyes.

With a bit of care, a non-IP version of the ride could be superior to the original.