WDW to alter Tower of Terror drop sequence

**mickey** · 11-05-2002

WDW is about to alter the drop sequence for Tower of Terror for the fourth time in the last eight years. The new sequence will be actually a set of random drops, so each time you enter the ride, you won't know which sequence you will get. There will also be new special effects installed, though it is not clear whether that will be in the drop portion or before you reach that point. It looks like a great addition to an already great ride!

Orlando Sentinel Article

What lurks inside Tower's pink walls?
By Robert Johnson

The latest upgrade of the fear level at Disney World's Twilight Tower of Terror is aimed at re-creating the ride with surprises that will encourage guests to line up repeatedly.

"We hope it will be another reason to return to Disney World," spokesman Craig Dezern said.

Called "Tower4," the new version of the ride will be unveiled for visiting international travel journalists on Tuesday night. The new ride will be ready for guests in January.

On the outside, nothing about the attraction will change. It will still be appear to be a once-grand hotel built in the revival style popular in Southern California in the early 20th century.

The ride opened in 1994 as a gut-grabbing plummet of more than 100 feet. That drop is nearly twice as long as the plunge at Splash Mountain.

But the original thrills haven't been enough for Disney World management over the years. The ride has had three versions. In the original sequence, riders were taken up to the top floor slowly in an elevator and dropped -- actually the elevator car is pushed down by a motor and doesn't fall -- to the lobby level.

In 1996 the Tower got a new sequence: Riders were "dropped" three times. The third version was installed in 1998, when the ride was changed to feature seven minor and major drops and add a few seconds in the drop chamber.

Before the new 1998 version, riders were given one scary look out the elevator through an open window to see how high above MGM Studios they really were, and how far down they would momentarily go. But the third version in 1998 gave them glimpses out the window before several drops to reinforce the fear.

"Tower4" will have "a number of new drop sequences and you won't ever know which one you're going to experience," Dezern said. There will also be some new special effects, but he wouldn't reveal them. He also would not elaborate on the new ride sequences, even how many there are, but he said that a Disney staff mathematician had planned the new versions.

"The idea is that the tower is taking control. And the ride you will get is entirely random," Dezern said.

LuvWDW · 11-05-2002

Sounds GREAT!!! This is my favorite ride...

AWWHHHH... wait a minute.. I'm going in 30 some days ... and they are not changing it until January... maybe I should wait...

NAHHHH... just means I'll have to go back

:)

Goofy1 · 11-05-2002

If it is to be opperating under the new format in January, will it be closed for renovations in December?

Hope to go on the Tower when we arrive Dec 20th

Goofy1

geeman · 11-05-2002

Guess what I saw them constructing at California Adventure- adjacent to a Bug's Land? While still only in skeletal form, we noticed a long elevator like contraption being tested inside a familiar shaped structure as we arrived --- it appears the Hollywood Tower of Terror is getting a western cousin!
I've attached a picture of it below. Looks like TOT to me!

**mickey** · 11-08-2002

As an update, wdwmagic has some great information concerning the changes, from the four fall sequences to the new effects that will be added. Just one hint, the smell of burning rubber will soon become very familiar to all who ride.

With some of these changes, it looks like at least portions of the ride will be closed for some time. I will let you know when I find out more on rehab.

PVHNat · 11-12-2002

I heard about the changes to TOT when I worked down there last fall....and it's taken this long to get the plan in motion??? That's ok, I love that ride! :) And I heard about the one at California Adventure and I heard there was supposed to be one at the Walt Disney Studios in France...anyone else hear that? or is that just speculation?

Willbegone · 12-06-2002

I CAN"T WAIT TO RIDE TOT IN MARCH!!!! :D My hubby and I loved it in 1999 and this should be even better! :love:

11-05-2002	#1 (permalink)
mickey Administrator Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 6,232	WDW to alter Tower of Terror drop sequence WDW is about to alter the drop sequence for Tower of Terror for the fourth time in the last eight years. The new sequence will be actually a set of random drops, so each time you enter the ride, you won't know which sequence you will get. There will also be new special effects installed, though it is not clear whether that will be in the drop portion or before you reach that point. It looks like a great addition to an already great ride! Orlando Sentinel Article What lurks inside Tower's pink walls? By Robert Johnson The latest upgrade of the fear level at Disney World's Twilight Tower of Terror is aimed at re-creating the ride with surprises that will encourage guests to line up repeatedly. "We hope it will be another reason to return to Disney World," spokesman Craig Dezern said. Called "Tower4," the new version of the ride will be unveiled for visiting international travel journalists on Tuesday night. The new ride will be ready for guests in January. On the outside, nothing about the attraction will change. It will still be appear to be a once-grand hotel built in the revival style popular in Southern California in the early 20th century. The ride opened in 1994 as a gut-grabbing plummet of more than 100 feet. That drop is nearly twice as long as the plunge at Splash Mountain. But the original thrills haven't been enough for Disney World management over the years. The ride has had three versions. In the original sequence, riders were taken up to the top floor slowly in an elevator and dropped -- actually the elevator car is pushed down by a motor and doesn't fall -- to the lobby level. In 1996 the Tower got a new sequence: Riders were "dropped" three times. The third version was installed in 1998, when the ride was changed to feature seven minor and major drops and add a few seconds in the drop chamber. Before the new 1998 version, riders were given one scary look out the elevator through an open window to see how high above MGM Studios they really were, and how far down they would momentarily go. But the third version in 1998 gave them glimpses out the window before several drops to reinforce the fear. "Tower4" will have "a number of new drop sequences and you won't ever know which one you're going to experience," Dezern said. There will also be some new special effects, but he wouldn't reveal them. He also would not elaborate on the new ride sequences, even how many there are, but he said that a Disney staff mathematician had planned the new versions. "The idea is that the tower is taking control. And the ride you will get is entirely random," Dezern said.

11-05-2002	#4 (permalink)
geeman Big Cheese Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Somewhere in NYC Posts: 953	Guess what I saw them constructing at California Adventure- adjacent to a Bug's Land? While still only in skeletal form, we noticed a long elevator like contraption being tested inside a familiar shaped structure as we arrived --- it appears the Hollywood Tower of Terror is getting a western cousin! I've attached a picture of it below. Looks like TOT to me! Attached Images __________________ Geeman ****************************** YBC10/95, CS 8/00 AKL 5/02,DL Hotel 10/02, ASMusic 5/03,CBR 10/03,Disney Cruiseline 10/03, DD Hilton,CR, ASMusic 4/04; AKL 5/04;Pop Century 10/04,CBR 10/04,CR 10/04;DGC 10/04;SOG & PC 12/04;CBR 8/05, SOG 4-5/06 Geeman on the Web

11-08-2002	#5 (permalink)
mickey Administrator Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 6,232	As an update, wdwmagic has some great information concerning the changes, from the four fall sequences to the new effects that will be added. Just one hint, the smell of burning rubber will soon become very familiar to all who ride. With some of these changes, it looks like at least portions of the ride will be closed for some time. I will let you know when I find out more on rehab. __________________ Frank Costanza: You can drop a grand in Disney World, like that.

12-06-2002	#7 (permalink)
Willbegone Southern Princess Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Too far from WDW! Posts: 2,658	WHOOHOO!! I CAN"T WAIT TO RIDE TOT IN MARCH!!!! :D My hubby and I loved it in 1999 and this should be even better! :love:

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		MouseBuzz.com > MouseBuzz.com > Front Page News
WDW to alter Tower of Terror drop sequence

11-05-2002	#2 (permalink)
LuvWDW Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 1 hour away from WDW!! Posts: 179	Sounds GREAT!!! This is my favorite ride... AWWHHHH... wait a minute.. I'm going in 30 some days ... and they are not changing it until January... maybe I should wait... NAHHHH... just means I'll have to go back :)

11-05-2002	#3 (permalink)
Goofy1 Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minden, Ont. Can. Posts: 53	If it is to be opperating under the new format in January, will it be closed for renovations in December? Hope to go on the Tower when we arrive Dec 20th Goofy1

11-12-2002	#6 (permalink)
PVHNat Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 323	I heard about the changes to TOT when I worked down there last fall....and it's taken this long to get the plan in motion??? That's ok, I love that ride! :) And I heard about the one at California Adventure and I heard there was supposed to be one at the Walt Disney Studios in France...anyone else hear that? or is that just speculation?

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