On the night of October 31, 1939, a freakish thunder-and-lightning storm descended on the Hollywood hills while the elite of the film community found sanctuary in the Hollywood Tower Hotel's elegant lobby. Among those checking in that night were a handsome young couple accompanied by an older, over-worked bellman; and a child actress in blond curls and frilly dress with her stern governess. They were all last seen heading for the elevator. They stepped in, the doors closed, and seconds later the elevator, its passengers, and several sections of the upper stories of the hotel vanished.
July 22 1994 saw the opening of one of the biggest and most thrilling rides ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering. The ride forever changed Disney-MGM Studios as the Tower of Terror became one of the most internationally recognized and loved attractions in all of Walt Disney World. The unbelievable popularity of the attraction saw it also open later in California, Paris and Tokyo.
The "Tower" has gone through a number of changes through the years, as WDI continues to create new drop profiles and new effects to keep anxious guests on their toes.
"The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" - July 22, 1994
"The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: Twice the Fright" - Mid 1996
"The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: Fear Every Drop!" - March 1 1999
"The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: Never the Same Fear Twice" - December 31 2002
"The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: Summer Nightastic" - June 6 2010 - August 14 2010
It's hard to believe, but today is the 16th anniversary of the grand opening of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Happy Birthday from all of your many fans, and thank you Eric Jacobson and everyone involved at Walt Disney Imagineering!!
Read more about the Tower of Terror.
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