A Look Back: Grand Opening of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure Park

George Savvas

by , Director, Public Relations, Disneyland Resort

“Tonight’s story on ‘The Twilight Zone’ is somewhat unique and calls for a different kind of introduction … ”

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Ten years ago today, Disney California Adventure park guests were invited to fall into the fifth dimension aboard one of the only remaining working elevators in the Hollywood Tower Hotel – a onetime “star in its own right, and a beacon for the show business elite.”

Inspired by the genius of Rod Serling and the creators of the iconic anthology series “The Twilight Zone,” The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror recalls the disappearance of five unlucky souls on a gloomy Halloween night in 1939 Hollywood “amid the glitz and glamour of a bustling young movie town at the height of its golden age.”

The night before the attraction’s official opening, we hosted a red carpet premiere in Hollywood Land to celebrate.

A Look Back: Grand Opening of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure Park A Look Back: Grand Opening of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure Park

Several Hollywood Tower Hotel bellhops were on-hand to escort celebrity guests down the red carpet.

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Actress and filmmaker Nia Vardalos was one of the celebrities who “dropped in” for some fun that night.

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Of course, Mickey and Minnie were also there to help celebrate the opening.

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The opening ceremony was hosted by the Hollywood Tower Hotel bellhop (nicknamed “Buddy”) you may remember from many of the television commercials created for the attraction in 2004. He was joined during the ceremony by Rod Serling’s wife, Carol Serling, who told the audience how thrilled her late husband would be with the attraction. She then invited everyone to “step into a ‘lost episode’ of ‘The Twilight Zone.’”

A Look Back: Grand Opening of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure Park A Look Back: Grand Opening of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure Park

Looking back, “the time is (still) now, on an evening very much like the one we’ve just witnessed. We invite you, if you dare, to step aboard. This elevator travels directly to … ”

The Twilight Zone® is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. and used with permission pursuant to a license with CBS, Inc.

Comments

  • Brian– The DCA version does not have the random drop sequences.

  • I love the differences between the Towers in the Disney Parks, makes for a unique experience! We get to experience the Tower at Tokyo DisneySea for the first time next month! The WDW has the eerie horizontal movement to the “drop” shaft, but I thought the DCA version had random drop sequences just like the WDW version…am I mistaken?

  • Supremely awesome attraction. Although the WDW version is preferable due to its random drop sequences, the DLR version is great in its own right– the perfect juxtaposition to the nicer, more tame attractions found throughout DCA. Don’t forget to smile for the camera at the top just before the drop!

  • Great attraction! I love the mirror effect.

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