We’re sorry for the existential crisis you’re about to have after reading this post.
Hollywood Boulevard at Hollywood Studios
Because, when we tell you that July 22nd is the 30th anniversary of an iconic ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you just might start to feel about as old as we do right now. But, that just means there have been 30 years of memories for hundreds of thousands of people — which is pretty darn cool.
Happy 30th birthday to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror! This iconic ride has been thrilling visitors of Disney’s Hollywood Studios since 1994 — can you believe it?!
©Disney
Despite not being an opening day attraction (Hollywood Studios opened in 1989) this ride has become synonymous with this park and is often a must-do for people of all ages. The park map that debuted with the attraction promised, “Your next stop…a mysterious Hollywood hotel where the elevator takes a sudden detour into the fifth dimension and plummets straight down…from the thirteenth floor!”
Hollywood Studios
The story follows a “lost” episode of The Twilight Zone, hosted by Rod Serling, that ran from 1959 to 1964. A freak thunderstorm descends over the Hollywood Tower Hotel, shielding the important who’s who of Hollywood at the time. But, disaster strikes when lightning hits the hotel and causes the demise of elevator passengers and other guests.
Hollywood Tower Hotel
As riders, you enter a Fifth Dimension known as The Twilight Zone, and are forced to relive that fateful night — by dropping down an elevator shaft! Initially, the ride featured just one drop, and later a second and third were added. Then, the three drops were replaced with a randomized multi-drop sequence so you never know when you’ll be in free-fall!
©Disney
The spooky, haunted hotel vibes combined with the unique ride system and thrilling drop make the Tower of Terror a favorite ride for so many Disney fans. Not only that, but it’s so iconic that there are other versions of the ride at Tokyo Disney Resort and Disneyland Paris. The Disney California Adventure version of the ride was replaced with Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout!, but we still miss it!
So, if you’re in Disney’s Hollywood Studios today or anytime soon — make sure you go ride Tower of Terror to celebrate this historic milestone.
Creeeeeeepy!
In the meantime, we’ll be on the hunt for the latest updates, news, and more from Disney World, so stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog!
I Just Spent WAY Too Much Time Figuring Out How to Get Disney World’s Tower of Terror Cookie Sent to My House, But It Was Worth It
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I would like to say that I’m too young to remember when Tower first opened, but that’s not the case 😂 I was 14, right at the peak of my thrill ride era! I was super excited to ride it! Back then WDW was a little lacking in the thrills department and Tower hit the spot. Still one of my faves!