“The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror” is one of my favourite rides in Walt Disney World’s MGM Studios.  It is a superb thrill ride, with a simulated freefall, and what makes it extra special is that it is never the same ride twice.

The storyline of the ride is that in 1939 the fictional Hollywood Tower Hotel was struck by lightening and an elevator car full of passengers was transported into the Twilight Zone. If you look up at the hotel, before entering the building, you will notice a black scorch mark across the front.  This is where the lightening damaged part of the hotel.  Look out for the cast members in The Tower of Terror; they are all dressed in 1930s bellhop costumes, each one costing over $1000!

The excitement begins as soon as you enter the lobby of the Hollywood Tower Hotel and are directed into the library for a short film.  This film sets the scene for the thrills to come and don’t forget to look out for the hidden Mickey (watch for the little girl in the elevator, she has a small Mickey Mouse in her hand).  As the film ends the lights go out for a split second and you are then sent into the hotel’s boiler room where you wait for your elevator to arrive.  Each large elevator has six rows of seats accommodating twenty-one passengers. 

The elevator ascends for a couple of seconds before stopping.  The doors open onto a corridor, look for the ghostly apparitions from the 1939 hotel’s elevator. The door closes and the elevator rises once more.  When you reach the top of the lift shaft, the doors open again, only this time the car moves forward and your elevator glides along the corridors of the hotel until it reaches a second lift shaft, which is in total darkness.  The elevator shoots guests upwards at great speed and then just as suddenly it drops as the cable snaps, all 13 storeys!!

The elevator rises again, the doors open and before you know it, down you go for a second time.  There are instances when you do not know if you are going up or going down but the sensation is fabulous.  Be sure to take off any glasses or caps before the ride begins.  I left my cap on and as we descended it flew off and ended up in the lap of a rider on the back row!

Be aware that a lot of the ride is in darkness and may be too intense for some children.  You must be at least forty inches tall to experience The Tower of Terror and pregnant ladies or guests with some medical conditions are advised not to ride.  

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