Tower of Terror Comparison

Because I was not a fan of drop rides, I avoided the Tower of Terror attraction like the plague. The first time I saw it was in 2002 when I was “backstage” at Walt Disney World in Orlando; it had opened July 22, 1994.



When three-year-old Disney California Adventure in Anaheim was struggling, the Tower of Terror attraction was viewed as the Park’s savior when it opened May 5, 2004. It was truly the first “wow” ride that Anaheim’s second gate could boast about. Still, it lacked the attention to detail and lavish opulence of its east coast counterpart. The exterior bore little resemblance to the Southern California landmarks that Orlandp’s version was based on (The Los Angeles Biltmore, The Chateau Marmont, and The Mission Inn). Compare the center balcony detail from Orlando:



…inspired by the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood:



Not so distinctive was Anaheim; just plain with purple paint representing the lightning damage:



According to Wikipedia, Anaheim’s architectural style was “Pueblo Deco,” but that was truly stretching it. The windows looked too modern and the odd large box-like shape on top seemed like a poorly planned addition. This place would look more at home in Vegas. Orlando definitely was superior at evoking an old Hollywood hotel. Orlando also had a more extensive outdoor queue, with a winding path and overgrown gardens that give guests time to build anticipation and suspense before entering the lobby area.







In Anaheim, you had a short queue area to the right:



…and to the left. And that was it.



What about the interior? Orlando:





…which was inspired by the Los Angeles Biltmore:



The Anaheim version:





At first glance, both seem ornate, but the Orlando version looks more authentic and less like a movie set. It has been years since I’ve been on either attraction (Anaheim’s closed for retheming in January 2017), but I do recall that the Orlando version’s “elevator” went  horizontal (taking you through the hotel) before it rose to the top for the big drop. That was a nice touch. I guess if the U.S. had to sacrifice one of these, it’s a good thing it was the Anaheim version. Here are the ghosts from Orlando beckoning me to return. It’s only been… thirteen years!



See more WDW Tower of Terror photos at my main website.

Tower of Terror: Gala or Bash?

Picture this: September 22, 2007, at The Hollywood Tower Hotel (aka HTH, aka Disney California Adventure’s Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction).



Decorated for Halloween, there is a spooky assortment of cobwebs and bats adorning this haunted landmark in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot section of DCA.



Inside, the lobby decor also reflects Halloween. A vintage masks hangs from a chair:



Miniature pumpkins are strewn across the garland that hangs from the ceiling:



A banner over the check-in desk does a semi-decent job of evoking 1939:



An empty jar of “Fresh Treats” sits on the lobby counter:



A poster announces the impending Halloween Gala at the Tip-Top C.L.U.B. with Anthony Fremont and his Orchestra (a nod to the November 3, 1961 episode of “The Twilight Zone”):



The same poster as it looked a year before, October 2006:



Now take a look at this miniature version that was displayed in the shop window, circa September 2008. Notice anything different?



First, the party is now being referred to as a “Bash” instead of a “Gala.” The Disney employee that printed out the large poster forgot to load the appropriate font for “and his orchestra.” A non-Art Deco font was substituted as a result. Here’s my cleaned-up version using “Gala” (definitely more appropriate for 1939): 



The poster has more of a 1990s look than one from 1939. The overuse of blends and more than 10 fonts gives this piece a somewhat computerized look. I wonder where this piece ended up once the Anaheim version was removed?

See more photos at my main website.

Monorailpalooza

A celebration of photos of the long-lasting Disneyland transportation staple, the Monorail. First we begin with a trio of images from year one, 1959. The outfits people wear are just as fun as seeing the Park itself.



The Red Monorail peaks into view in this October 1959 image:



Too far away?



Let's zoom in for a better look in this image that also hails from October 1959.



Another October 1959 gem:



The closeup would make a great photo all on its own.



Moving into the swinging sixties, we have one of the Blue Monorail from July 1961:



And a Yellow Monorail shot from May 1963:



Is it still in operation today? You betcha'!



Craving more Monorail shots? Ride on over to my main website and see more photos of the Monorail at Disneyland.

Less Than Marvel-ous News

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror holds a very important place in Disney California Adventure history as its first real "A-List" attraction for guests of the Disneyland Resort. Previously, the entire DCA Park was a snoozer that generated very little (positive) buzz. Even though my stomach does not usually do well with drop rides, this is one that I made an exception for. The thematic detailing of the queue rivals that of Disneyland's Indiana Jones Adventure. With the recent announcement that the Tower would be completely redone as a Marvel attraction (no comment other than the title of the post), I decided to make today's post a virtual ride-through.

The lobby has always been my favorite part; so much to see, and so little time to observe it. I could happily saunter through this part of the queue for a few hours noticing all of the little details.



Where you would have checked-in if it were 1929.











A personal favorite: the vintage Shirley Temple doll and Oz book.



The elevator directory:



Off to the library; will it be the one on the left...



or the right?



Either way, you get to see Rod Serling on the television:





It doesn't look good for this group of 1929 Hollywood elite.



The boiler room is another personal favorite, with its eerie lighting and abundance of props:







Before you know it, your elevator is ready:



The unsuspecting group:



Hard to tell which one is me, right?



Whoa...where'd we go?



You shouldn't get off the elevator just yet:



A closer view of what's outside the hotel room doors:



The Hollywood elite have returned in a ghostly form:





And now it's time to say goodbye...



A comparative view from the top; September 2006:



How it looks now; be sure to click on this wide panorama shot:



And finally, you get to exit the attraction.



Ever notice this under the stairs?



If you want to check-in to the Hollywood Tower Hotel one more time, you have until early 2017. The "new" Guardians of the Galaxy version will be opening Summer 2017.

See more classic Tower of Terror photos at my main website.