Free Falling drops with entertaining build up as you cross over into The Twilight Zone!
Written: Jul 09 '02 (Updated Jul 09 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Twilight Zone AND a Great Ride!
Cons: You'll want to do it again and again
The Bottom Line: We invite you if you dare to step aboard because in tonight's episode you are the star and this elevator travels directly to... the Twilight Zone.
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| 2buzy's Full Review: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror |
You unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is another dimension. A dimension of sound. A dimension of sight. A dimension of Mind. You are moving into a land of both shadow and substance: of things and ideas. You've just crossed over into...... The Twilight Zone.
I admit it, I LOVE the original Twilight Zone television series. In fact, the Twilight Zone connection is my favorite part of the Tower of Terror ride! Many of the items placed around the queue and throughout the attraction are from actual episodes of the series.
WHAT EXACTLY IS THIS RIDE?
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror features high speed free falling drops in elevator-type vehicles.
The ride recreates a story from 1939. One night, during a party, the Hollywood Tower Hotel was suddenly struck by lightning. At that very moment, there were five people riding in the elevator. Instead of getting off at their floor, the elevator passengers were transported to the Twilight Zone.
While you are waiting to get on, you move through the lobby of the old Hollywood Tower Hotel where you hear music from the 1930s playing. Like "In the Mood" one of my Dad's favorites, I might add.
A bellhop directs you into the Library to watch a short video hosted by no other than Rod Serling himself! This starts like the old TV series and do do do do do do do you learn about what happened in 1939. Suddenly it is pitch dark until they open the door and guide you to the Hotel's boiler room to await your "elevator" to the 13th floor. Note: This area was somewhat smokey and it seemed to get more so during the late afternoon.
Another bellhop gives you instructions for riding the elevator doing it in a candid way ~ "no flash photography allowed because the movie stars staying at the hotel want their privacy. Also hang onto loose items you wish to keep like hats, glasses and small children."
As soon as the elevator arrives, the bellhop gets you on and the lap bars and seat belts are double checked. Note: YOU ARE SEATED even though most of the pictures we had seen made it look as if you were standing.
The bellboy asks if there are any questions and before anyone has a chance to answer he says "No? Good, if you need anything to just scream!" The doors close, the lights go low and good old Rod Sterling is telling you how many years ago those five people stepped onto this same elevator and got off into a nightmare and this time it is your turn! The Twilight Zone music fills the elevator.
I won't spoil all of it for you but suffice to say you see the images of the five elevator passengers, they beckon you, the Twilight Zone distorted images fill the elevator, Rod Sterling talks more, the elevator opens only to close before letting anyone off, lightning flashes, thunder booms ... now to me, this is all the VERY best part of the ride! We all know the drop is coming but it is just built up so well! The way the stage is set up, the suspense, the story, Rod Sterling ~ I just loved all that!!
Oh almost forgot ~~ the elevator drops a few floors, goes back up to the top, drops close to 13 floors, heads back up once again only to make it about half way before it is squarely hit by the lightning causing it to speedily shoot up to the top and then without stopping, quickly back down about 1/4 of the floors. It then starts shaking more as you quickly dropped down to the bottom.
When the elevator stops, (in the Hotel basement) you hear the Twilight Zone music and see (and hear) Rod Sterling for the last time. He welcomes you back and then warns you to be careful ~ the next time you check into an old deserted Hotel, you may be checking into the Twilight Zone.
As you make your way to the exit, you will see the photograph taken during one of the drops. They some in 5x7 and 8x10 sizes with the smaller size costing just under $10. There is also a lot of Tower of Terror-specific merchandise available which ranged from T-shirts to Hotel keys to postcards to picture frames.
WHAT DID MY FAMILY THINK?
We went on this ride many times over two different days and while my husband and I thought of it as a good ride, our children were split on it. My oldest found it "boring," my son thought it was the "most awesome ride ever" his twin went once and she was through, another daughter didn't even like to go into the waiting area and my youngest loved it!
It all worked out though since the ones that LOVED the Tower of Terror did NOT like the Rock'n'Roller Coaster and visa versa. Since they were close to each other, half went on one while the rest on the other.
As they walked off the ride, they would get another fastpass to go again! These would be valid anywhere from 1 to 3 hours later, giving us time to do other things in between.
THIS AND THAT
** You must be 40 inches tall to ride. This ride is NOT for those who have a fear of heights, the dark or closed areas.
** Right before you board the elevator there is a last minute exit for those who change their minds.
** At 199 feet tall, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is the highest attraction at Walt Disney World. If it was one foot taller, it would be required to have airplane warning lights on the top.
FUN TWILIGHT ZONE/TOWER OF TERROR CONNECTIONS
** The elevator inspection certificate number is 10259, standing for the Twilight Zone's first episode premier on October 2, 1959. The episode was called Where Is Everybody
** Part of the Rod Serling dialogs are taken from actual Twilight Zone episodes. The rest was filled in by a sound-alike who was chosen by Rod Serling's widow who made her choice after listening to audio recordings of all the finalist.
** Check out the directory in the Hotel lobby. On the bottom there is an anagram that spells, "Evil Tower U R Doomed." LOL
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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2buzy
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