A whole new dimension of chills has dropped into The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror this fall at Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris. Tom Fitzgerald, senior creative director at Walt Disney Imagineering, shared with us a first-hand account of the three new storyline he and his team brought to this iconic attraction.
How has the storytelling of Twilight Zone Tower of Terror been central to making this attraction a Disney Park special?
From the start, storytelling has been central to the success of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The whole idea of the attraction was to place guests into the storyline of an episode of the series. In the library scene, guests would learn the backstory of what happened so many years ago, then be invited to board those same service elevators to cross over into the Twilight Zone themselves. Now, Imagineers have expanded the storyline, with a new story thread and ride sequences that offer more chills and thrills for this classic attraction. And this ‘special edition’ of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is unique to Disneyland Paris.
Why reimagine the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror experience now?
The behind-the-scenes story of this new edition actually began years ago at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, when Imagineers created new ride profiles for the existing attraction. For Disneyland Paris, the Imagineering team took it one step further, by not only adding new, more thrilling ride profiles, but adding new story sequences that extend the original story.
What enhancements to the storyline can guests expect in this new experience?
The television sequence in the Library scene of the attraction features a cast of characters that includes a rather precocious young girl. In this new version of the show, the girl becomes a starring character on the ride, warning us not to cross over into the Twilight Zone. When we fail to heed her warning, thrills follow! The Imagineering team also added new illusions, media sequences, and audio soundtracks to create not one, but three different show and ride sequences for the attraction.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in creating new storylines?
It’s always a challenge to go back into a classic attraction and make changes. But advances in technology and storytelling made it hard to resist revisiting, and building on the original storyline and show.
What are you most excited for guests to experience?
We’re excited that fans and first-time visitors to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will now have three times the fun in answering the question, “Are You Brave Enough!” Early reactions from guests have been incredible! Already, lines from the new storyline are becoming iconic with fans – which is great fun.
The Twilight Zone is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. and used with permission pursuant to a license with CBS, Inc.
Comments
We all have preferences. While some like MARVEL, I prefer the Tower of Terror with the Twilight Zone theme! Glad Disney is making the correct decision to keep the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in Paris!! The Twilight Zone is such a timeless classic, that any MARVEL movie based ride is not.
Please oh please tell me they’re updating/enhancing (as in adding to not taking away!) the background area music– the BAM is second to none!!! Plays a crucial part in setting the mood of the ride.
Sounds fun – it looks like they’re kind of using the ideas with the revamp of DCA’s Tower into Guardians of the Galaxy to change things up a bit in Paris. That was one of the biggest knocks on the DCA/WDS version of the ride – the same experience each time, vs the randomness of DHS’s version. Having the different sountracks and ride experiences will kind of give it the more unique feeling you get at Hollywood Studio’s Tower.
I know at DSL you now have a Galaxy ride or something to that effect in place of HTH, my question is, why didn’t they get to keep HTH? It is supremely one of the most iconic Disney rides other than maybe Haunted Mansion? Seems odd – I hope for Disneyland they get it back.
These updates look exciting!
I have a few questions regarding them,
1. Are you planning to bring this to the Orlando HTH?
2. I can’t seem to find footage of the ride online, which is strange because a ton of footage was uploaded when Phantom Manor reopened.
3. Is it possible for you to provide English translations of Sally Shine’s lines also release translations for Phantom Manor? Because some of us don’t understand French.
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