Frommer's Review
This is a truly stomach-lifting (and dropping) ride, and Disney continues to fine-tune it to make it even better. The legend says that during a violent storm on Halloween night 1939, lightning struck the Hollywood Tower Hotel, causing an entire wing and an elevator full of people to disappear. And you're about to meet them as you become the star in a special episode of . . . The Twilight Zone. En route to this formerly grand hotel, guests walk past overgrown landscaping and faded signs that once pointed the way to stables and tennis courts; the vines over the entrance trellis are dead; and the hotel is a crumbling ruin. Eerie corridors lead to a dimly lit library, where you can hear a storm raging outside. After various spooky adventures, the ride ends in a dramatic climax: a 13-story free-fall in stages. The ride features random drop sequences, allowing for a real sense of unknown (and a different experience every time you ride), and visual, audio, and olfactory effects make the experience even more frightening. Because it's a different experience every time you dare to ride, it's far better than any other ride of its kind. Some believe this rivals (even exceeds) Rock 'n' Roller Coaster in the thrill department (one of the Imagineers who designed the tower admitted that he's too scared to ride his own creation). At 199 feet, it's the tallest ride in WDW, and it's a grade above Dr. Doom's Fearfall at Islands of Adventure (and has far better atmosphere -- it's one of Walt Disney World's best attractions in the theme department). Note: You must be at least 40 inches tall to ride, and expectant moms and people prone to motion sickness or those with heart, neck, or back problems shouldn't try to tackle it. Your stomach may need a few minutes to find its way back to where it belongs after it's all over.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
