The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ — Attraction in Bay Lake

Title: An Eerie Elevator Adventure: The Unparalleled Thrill of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror!

Review:

Last week, I had the chance to step into a timeless world and embark on a ride that defies reality, plunging me straight into the heart of the uncanny: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida.

This attraction is not just a ride; it's an experience. As soon as you set foot on the cobblestone path leading to the iconic yet eerily decrepit Hollywood Tower Hotel, you are transported to 1939. Every corner of the lobby, untouched by time, brims with stories waiting to be discovered, with the mystery of the guests who vanished on that fateful stormy night hanging in the air.

Securing a spot on this attraction was no small feat. On my visiting day, the wait in the standby lane surpassed 90 minutes, a testament to its immense popularity. Luckily, my Lightning Lane pass became my golden ticket to bypass the wait and jump straight into the spine-tingling adventure.

The main event is, of course, the elevator ride. With heart-pounding drops that come out of nowhere and keep you gripping the edge of your seat, this is not your regular elevator journey. Each free fall made my heart skip a beat, and my palms sweat, sending a delightful shiver down my spine. It was an exhilarating experience I would relive in a heartbeat.

But the drops are just half the story. The impeccable theming, inspired by The Twilight Zone series, is immersive and captures the essence of old Hollywood with a twist of the supernatural. As Rod Serling's voice echoed around me, guiding the narrative, I genuinely felt like I had been transported into a classic episode filled with suspense and thrill.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror has a near-perfect rating on Google, with over 7,200 reviews as of this writing. Many Google reviewers have sung praises about this ride, and their feedback echoes my sentiments:

"This is the best ride in Disney World! The theming is incredible, and the drops are so much fun."

"I'm not usually a fan of roller coasters, but I loved this ride! It's not too scary, but it's still exciting."

"The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a must-do for any Disney fan."

In conclusion, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is more than just an attraction – it's a portal into another dimension, one of sight, sound, and mind. For any thrill-seeker or Disney enthusiast, this is an absolute must-do. My recommendation? Dive headfirst into the mystery, and prepare to scream...

This ride was on the top of our list at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Resort guests can now make their 3 Lightning Lane selections through Multi Pass a week in advance. What does that mean? Not a whole heck of a lot if you're visiting more than one park during your stay. You still need 2 people in the family to select rides for each park at the same time, or you may not get the perfect time slot on your schedule. Lol! We started with Animal Kingdom and received early time slots. Those early time slots were gone by the time we got to Hollywood Studios, and that was 7 days in advance. It ended up working well because we had the entire morning to use our rope drop strategy for other rides. It also gave us enough time to walk around and enjoy the park with less people.

We arrived at Tower of Terror a little before our 1pm time slot. We found a nice little quiet area with concrete bench seating behind a coffee stand. It was a perfect place to chill and contemplate the terror we were about to endure.

The LL takes you to the hotel lobby rather quickly. Perhaps people were still eating lunch at this time. It's a very creepy hotel. The imagineers did a great job putting all of this together. We were very impressed with the whole storyline and theming. They even brought Rod Serling back. We're big fans of the original Twilight Zone series, and binge watch it almost every year. This ride was totally on point. I really hope that they don't reimagine it to another theme. The Twilight Zone is way too iconic.

Yes, you definitely do plummet down that elevator shaft a couple of times. Some are shorter drops, but mostly longer ones. I did get lifted out of my seat at least once. Don't worry, because the seat belt catches you. I was totally shocked by that. I think that's when they captured my picture. I have the biggest smile on my face (resembling the Joker on Batman). You get a picture and a video automatically sent to your My Experience photo gallery with your MagicBand+. There was no need to tap the picture when exiting the ride. It was great seeing our reaction to the elevator drop.

I have to say that this was our favorite ride of the day. We can totally relate to the whole Twilight Zone theme. We felt like we were in a new episode. I can't wait to visit this hotel again. Haha! Hopefully there will be...

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is an iconic attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and for good reason. From the moment you approach the towering, ominous structure, you’re transported into a world of eerie anticipation and excitement.

Atmosphere & Theme: The theming is impeccable, capturing the essence of a once-glamorous Hollywood hotel that has fallen into disrepair after a mysterious incident. The attention to detail is astonishing, from the overgrown gardens and cracked facade outside to the dusty, cobweb-covered lobby and eerie music playing in the background. It feels like you’ve stepped onto the set of a classic horror film.

Queue Experience: The wait for the ride is an experience in itself. As you make your way through the abandoned hotel’s lobby and library, you’re treated to a chilling pre-show video hosted by Rod Serling, which sets the stage for the supernatural events about to unfold. The anticipation builds perfectly, keeping you on edge.

The Ride: The ride experience is nothing short of thrilling. After boarding the service elevator, you’re taken on a journey through the fifth dimension, experiencing a mix of haunting visual effects and sudden drops that leave your heart pounding. The unpredictability of the drops is a highlight, as each ride can vary slightly, ensuring a unique experience every time. The combination of story, special effects, and adrenaline-pumping thrills creates an unforgettable adventure.

Overall Experience: The Tower of Terror is a must-do attraction for thrill-seekers and fans of immersive storytelling. It perfectly blends the suspense and excitement of a haunted house with the physical thrills of a drop ride. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Disney-goer, the Tower of Terror continues to stand out as one of the most captivating and exhilarating experiences at Disney’s...