News Unplanned ride system maintenance at The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in Disney's Hollywood Studios

[wdwmagic]

What part of the building is this? At first glance I thought it was the top, which is where the motor rooms for the drop lifts are located, but this isn't the top.

have a look at https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...arge-section-of-the-exterior-is-opened-up.htm and you'l see a progression of closeups that show where it is

 

[Tom Morrow]

have a look at https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...arge-section-of-the-exterior-is-opened-up.htm and you'l see a progression of closeups that show where it is

Ah, ok. My bad. So it IS the motor room. I believe this is the first time it has had to be cut open? So this is probably an unprecedented event.

 

[wdwmagic]

Ah, ok. My bad. So it IS the motor room. I believe this is the first time it has had to be cut open?

I've got something similar from 13 years ago.

Tower of Terror refurbishment

Tower of Terror refurbishment

www.wdwmagic.com

 

[Squishy]

Whats the point in cutting it open? Do they not have access to that room from the inside? They have a crane hiding somewhere to remove things?

 

[wdwmagic]

Whats the point in cutting it open? Do they not have access to that room from the inside? They have a crane hiding somewhere to remove things?

I think it would be safe to say this is the only access point, otherwise they would not be going to the difficulties of doing it this way.

 

[Disstevefan1]

 

[Goofyernmost]

Just my opinion but the use of the words "Cut it open" seem to be erroneous. They opened up a spot that was designed to be opened up hence the neat square opening which tells me that it was designed that way. Why? Haven't a clue but I'm sure there are a lot of normally invisible access points through out the entire elevator shaft.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

Maybe one day they will figure out that scheduled maintenance is better than letting the ride run till unscheduled maintenance is nee

That could be why they shut the other side down…1 side reactive and 1 side proactive…just a thought

 

[celluloid]

Just my opinion but the use of the words "Cut it open" seem to be erroneous. They opened up a spot that was designed to be opened up hence the neat square opening which tells me that it was designed that way. Why? Haven't a clue but I'm sure there are a lot of normally invisible access points through out the entire elevator shaft.

I don't know about that. You could be right but it seemed the scaffolding was up a good while compared to an access point that would have needed less work to open, be it a rolling door, sliding hatch etc.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

They shut down because they found a human heart. I left mine somewhere around the 13th floor the last time I rode that God-awful thing

They shut down because they found a human heart. I left mine somewhere around the 13th floor the last time I rode that God-awful thing.

Really? Like Tony Bennett, I left mine in San Francisco…

 

[SourcererMark79]

Its already been fixed. Back in 1955. Uni ops don't mess around.

I hear this crew is going to fix the clock tower in Hill Valley next.

 

[G00fyDad]

Really? Like Tony Bennett, I left mine in San Francisco…

Not quite. I hate that ride! I have a serious problem with heights. I'm just glad I never have to ride it again.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I don't know about that. You could be right but it seemed the scaffolding was up a good while compared to an access point that would have needed less work to open, be it a rolling door, sliding hatch etc.

It seems doubtful that this area is an access panel, something designed to be easily removed. The photos show exposed materials and not some sort of frame that would protect the building envelope from water intrusion. Even with a deliberate opening like those in the drop shafts you want to protect your edges so water isn’t getting in between layers.

It is possible that the area is a knock-out panel. This is basically an area of wall that can easily be demolished (“cut open”) if the need arises.

The third option is just that it’s carefully done selective demolition. Demolition doesn’t have to be like on HGTV with people just wildly swinging sledge hammers, it can be neat and precise.

It’s hard to tell if it’s a knock-out panel or just careful demolition work. The photo posted by @wdwmagic from about 13 years ago seems to only show the arched area removed and not the entire rectangular recess. It’s possible that these areas being recessed just make them easier to demolish neatly and act as knock-out panels. It’s also possible they were recessed to make knocking them out easier.

 

[MatthewWho13]

I am going to go with the idea that this area has been accessed before over the years.
It isn't necessarily a "panel" But a section that is permanent but removable as needed. This older photo does have the same outline of the piece that was removed (and a paint touchup).

 

[SingleRider]

Disney’s app shows the ride is open now with a 60 minute wait.

 

[SingleRider]

Now up to 100 minutes - 10 minutes longer than ROTR!

 

[SplashJacket]

Showed the photos to my girl friend who couldn’t find the hole in the building after a quick glance. It’s funny that scaffolding on ToT doesn’t look out of place.

 

[JoeCamel]

I am going to go with the idea that this area has been accessed before over the years.
It isn't necessarily a "panel" But a section that is permanent but removable as needed. This older photo does have the same outline of the piece that was removed (and a paint touchup).View attachment 597931View attachment 597943

I can even see the dotted lines that say cut here

 

[Squishy]

Seems like the hotel reopened today? MDE is showing a check-in wait time of 80 minutes.

 

[Unbanshee]

Seems like the hotel reopened today? MDE is showing a check-in wait time of 80 minutes.

It reopened yesterday in the afternoon too