ECZenith Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Tower Of Terror at Disney Studios (WDW) has always been my favorite non-coaster ride since the first time I rode it. It's great to see new versions popping up at other Disney parks, but I was curious to know some details. I was just checking out some photos of Tower Of Terror being constructed at Walt Disney Studios and noticed it doesn't really resemble either the WDW or DCA versions (at least not yet) Also, details are being put into Disney Sea's ToT and while I have read it will be the same ride system as DCA's, it doesn't look like a Hollywood Tower Hotel... Anyone know any details on if the TDS version will be a completely differently themed ride? And is there any concept art of either of these two new towers to show what they'll look like when finished? New TOT construction photos (WDS Paris) http://www.dlrp.fr/actularge.php?id=338 From Robb & Elissa's recent Japan trip. Ooooo... pretty... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DATman Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Both are supposed to have the crappy DCA ride inside them, with some different theming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollermonkey Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 The area of DisneySea this ride is going in is themed to NYC, so a Hollywood Hotel wouldn't make sense. Hence a different theme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maliboomer Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Both are supposed to have the crappy DCA ride inside them, with some different theming. I'm confused, just because the Florida TOT system is better, that makes DCA's crappy? Yes I generally prefer MGM, but DCA's and soon Paris and Tokyo's aren't in anyways crap. Have you even been on both... or one for that matter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 I dunno....while I too agree that DCA's version isn't "crap" I am certainly not as compelled to ride it as much as I am the MGM version. I will also totally admin that when I heard that the TDS version is basically the "DCA Show" inside the building, I was dissapointed. If there is one thing I find total "crap" about the DCA version is the way it loads/unloads. You just seem like you spend SO LONG in that damn boiler room! --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimace Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 I have a couple of questions about these too. First off, how tall are the Disneysea/Paris versions, they don't look as tall as good tower. Also, I know they use they use the one shaft system that DCA's version uses, but does the one shaft system use the random ride sequence that Tower of Terror 4 uses at MGM. The random ride sequence can give you some pretty insane rides, which is one of the many things that made me fall in love with ToT. The last time I rode ToT it felt like I was in the dark forever and the ride sequence was relentless with the airtime it dished out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECZenith Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 I see the new theming as a great thing, but is it still the Twilight Zone, or something entirely new? What is it exactly that no one likes about the DCA version? I know it doesn't have the hallway scene where the vehicles leave the elevator shaft, but I thought it had some different effects that made the ride unique... I'm riding it in May, I'm sure it will still be great fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DATman Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 ^^^^I have been on both. The problem with DCA's is that it tries so hard to be what Florida's is, and it fails miserably. It tries to include the elements that Florida's has, and it fails there too. Then, the drop sequence sucks because it can't drop to the bottom, due to the stations bleow it. It really is quite bad, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun, it just isn't what it wants to be. Also, I didn't like how the lights are on when you are dropping/shooting up. It would've been much cooler in the dark. Oh, and if you are waiting in the upstairs of the boiler room, it takes FOREVER. ^It will be fun, and you will like it, but The effects that make it "Unique" aren't very good. They're kind of cool, but they're nothing like the hallway, which was awesome. The only thing that this has that makes it good, that good tower does not have is when you are watching the elovator in one of the scenes, and as it starts dropping, you drop. Last thing: It will get a lot better, once they start introducing new programs to the ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maliboomer Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 ^ I think there is no Twilight Zone theme, reason being either copyright or something else... I never thought it was a big part of the ride apart from the narration and preshow anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollermonkey Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Twilight Zone is pretty unknown in Japan, I don't know about France. That was a factor here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maliboomer Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Sort of o/t, but does anyone know what happened to Kevin's (I think?) site www.tower-of-terror.com? It disappeared into the twilight zone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 ^ No idea, sorry. --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 The problem with DCA's is that it tries so hard to be what Florida's is, and it fails miserably. It tries to include the elements that Florida's has, and it fails there too. Then, the drop sequence sucks because it can't drop to the bottom, due to the stations bleow it. It really is quite bad, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun, it just isn't what it wants to be. Also, I didn't like how the lights are on when you are dropping/shooting up. It would've been much cooler in the dark. Oh, and if you are waiting in the upstairs of the boiler room, it takes FOREVER. That's a pretty good description of what is difference is. You're right, it's not that the DCA version isn't "fun" and if it was the ONLY version of Tower, it would probably be "great" but the fact that there IS another version out there naturally brings out the comparisons. DCA's Tower tries to pack WDW's 2-3 minutes of "show" in about 30 seconds. And it just doesn't seem to work. At least not for me. The new "effects" are really just the Test Track Thermal Imaging effect with a mirror. Other than that, the "hallway" scene from MGM's version is the other effect. So really, IMO, DCA's Tower really only offers one "new" effect (and one that is found in another Disney ride) before the drop sequence...which is good, IMO, but not better than any of Tower 4's drop sequences. You'll have fun on it, I'm sure, Sean, no doubt about that! --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Twilight Zone is pretty unknown in Japan, I don't know about France. That was a factor here. The theming also clashes, since the Tokyo Tower is in an area themed to the late 1800's/early 1900's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECZenith Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 Interesting stuff, thanks to all who responded! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnome Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Both are supposed to have the crappy DCA ride inside them, with some different theming. From what my cousin has told me and from video's I've seen they don't look that much different. They both run on its own sequence thing, and I'm pretty sure that it could drop to the bottom if they wanted to as the station below it is like 20 feet forward. Also I've heard reports from many people who say its better, so obviously they must at least be on par with each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien666 Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Now DCA's tower is fun, but if you have been on MGM's. DCA's tower just does not match up to MGM's. Now I know DCA's tower cannot have a few things that make MGM's tower very good. Like the intimidation factor, you get a great view walking all the way to MGM's while with DCA's you can't really get a good look at it until your right there. Or the gardens, it gives MGM's tower a great setting. While DCA does not have it, they could have planted a few thing but it would take a while to grow. Now I have talked with a few people that been on both towers and it confuses me that some like DCA's tower more. I ask them why and they say that DCA's tower tells the story better.... Um...ok...it tells the story better even though the story is the same. To me, DCA's tower fails to immerse me. There are some things that could be changed to make it good, but for now, they are not right. The Boiler Room- Now a two story room is cool, but the lighting with the bright oranges and blues make no sense. It does not give a haunted feel to the room, more a bit on the cartoonish side, along with the "face". The main thing that ruins it for me is the plain hallway between the elevator doors and the car. WTF?! It makes no sense at all and they could have at least painted it the same color of the boiler room but they left it plain. The themeing went bye-bye in the hallway. Comparing the 5th Demention's MGM's is a solid winner. Having a elevator come to a room and move forwards with all the stranges things appering around you is a flat out great moment. It tells you that this elevator is very messed up. With DCA's mirror, all I can say is big whoop. It turns you into a ghost, but like Robb said. It's like another effect found on another attraction. If you have now been on MGM's tower, I know you will have fun on DCA's. But for the people that have, you will probably be comparing what is better. Let's just hope TDL does not screw up, they can make great attractions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Hi. I thought I read on Jim Hill's site that the Tokyo version would have a haunted hotel theme revolving around a story about the ocean liner "docked" nearby...something about the owner of the ship also owning the hotel and something about the ghosts of people that died on the ship haunting the hotel or something weird like that... -Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 Both are supposed to have the crappy DCA ride inside them, with some different theming. From what my cousin has told me and from video's I've seen they don't look that much different. They both run on its own sequence thing, and I'm pretty sure that it could drop to the bottom if they wanted to as the station below it is like 20 feet forward. Also I've heard reports from many people who say its better, so obviously they must at least be on par with each other. Obviously..... --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DATman Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 ^Link??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimace Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 which is good, IMO, but not better than any of Tower 4's drop sequences. --Robb I don't think anything will ever compare to Tower 4's drop sequences. People can say what they will about the theming and story, but Tower 4's drop profiles are unbeatable. For once Disney made a ride better instead of taming it down! I have a question though, so maybe someone here can help me out with this. What are the changes that have taken place between the original ToT and Tower 4? I know Tower 4 has the (awsome) random ride sequences, but what were the original ride sequences? Were the drop profiles the only thing that changed or has some effects changed as well? My first time riding ToT at MGM was only a couple of weeks ago, the last time I went to MGM before that Tower was testing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenshinmac Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 which is good, IMO, but not better than any of Tower 4's drop sequences. --Robb I don't think anything will ever compare to Tower 4's drop sequences. People can say what they will about the theming and story, but Tower 4's drop profiles are unbeatable. For once Disney made a ride better instead of taming it down! I have a question though, so maybe someone here can help me out with this. What are the changes that have taken place between the original ToT and Tower 4? I know Tower 4 has the (awsome) random ride sequences, but what were the original ride sequences? Were the drop profiles the only thing that changed or has some effects changed as well? My first time riding ToT at MGM was only a couple of weeks ago, the last time I went to MGM before that Tower was testing. The only major changes from the original opening are the drop profiles. There have been other minor changes like the old lettering disappearing in the lobby... Otherwise it is just the drop profiles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECZenith Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 I posted some concept art... must've had an error uploading. here it is again... Tokyo Disney Sea's Towerr Of Teror will be based on the Hightower Estate rather than The Hollywood Tower hotel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 This was that article on Jim Hill's site I was referring to. I wonder if that is still the plan for the Tokyo version? http://www.jimhillmedia.com/article.php?id=222 "Speaking of "Tower of Terror," I've recently gotten a couple of notes from JHM readers. People who are wondering how -- given that Tokyo DisneySea doesn't feature a Hollywood themed section -- how is the "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" is supposed to fit into that theme park. Well, since TDS's "TOT" is set in that theme park's American Waterfront area (which is themed to 1910's era New York City), clearly a story that's built around events that occur in 1930s Hollywood isn't going to fly here. Which is why the Imagineers opted to cook up an entirely new storyline for Tokyo DisneySea's "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror." The TDS version of "TOT" actually keys off of another American Waterfront icon, the U.S.S. Teddy Roosevelt. You see, the millionaire industrialist who built the Roosevelt later built a larger, more impressive vessel. An ocean liner that -- just like the Titanic -- was said to be unsinkable. So, on the night before the initial sailing of this elegant new vessel, the millionaire staged a huge party for all those who were going on the maiden voyage. In a four star hotel in the heart of NYC. Which -- not-so-co-incidentally -- was also owned by this millionaire industrialist. So -- of course -- on the maiden voyage of this impressive new ocean liner, the vessel sank without a trace. All hands were lost. As for the hotel ... Almost from the night the ship sank, the staff of the hotel began reporting these odd occurrences. Mysterious sightings in the building's rooms, corridors and ballrooms. As if the spirits of all the folks who were killed in the sinking were returning to the last place they were happy. This enormous hotel towering over the American Waterfront. From there ... Well, I'm sure you can guess the rest of the story. That -- due to the death of the mysterious millionaire industrialist who built and owned the building -- the four star hotel was eventually forced to close. And that -- due to the property's increasingly bizarre reputation -- the hotel was never able to be sold. It just stood empty for decades. Until -- of course -- the folks who operate Tokyo DisneySea opted to throw open the hotel's doors once more. So that the theme park's more adventurous guests could tour this reportedly haunted high-rise ... If they dared. That's a pretty nifty variation of the whole "Tower of Terror" backstory, don't you think? One that creates a somewhat logical reason for this Disney-MGM favorite to rise up out of the American Waterfront area at Tokyo DisneySea. More importantly, it's a story that respects the Japanese culture's own unique take on the spirit world." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swimace Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 The only major changes from the original opening are the drop profiles. There have been other minor changes like the old lettering disappearing in the lobby... Otherwise it is just the drop profiles. Do you know specifically what changed about the drop profiles? Did the original include launches? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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