This week’s Disney Almost or Wordless Wednesday theme is History. I really wanted to do something with American History or the Presidents. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any decent pictures. Instead, let’s talk about the Tower of Terror rides. I’m not a big fan of the ride or anything with sudden drops but I do admire the back story and fictional history the Imagineers gave these rides. Yes, I had to tie the theme in somehow.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror rides in Florida, California and Paris all take place in the haunted Hollywood Tower Hotel. The abandoned hotel’s tower was struck by lightning and 5 hotel patrons disappeared on the elevator in 1939. Touches from the show “The Twilight Zone” can be found throughout the ride.
California Adventure Tower of Terror lobby
The Tokyo DisneySea Tower of Terror version has no affiliations with Twilight Zone and is instead the Hightower Hotel, a New York landmark hotel rumored to be haunted.
The history dates back to Harrison Hightower, the hotel’s builder, who traveled the world and collected precious artifacts. One of those artifacts was an African idol, the Shiriki Utundu, he brought home from one of his expeditions.
On New Year’s Eve 1899, Mr. Hightower had a press conference and party to show off the stolen idol and denied it being cursed. He took the elevator to his penthouse around midnight where the idol came to life.
The idol’s rage caused the elevator to crash and Mr. Hightower was never seen from again.
The hotel was condemned but was reopened by a restoration company for its historical importance and started offering tours of the building and hear the mystery of Mr. Hightower’s disappearance.
*Have you ridden the Tower of Terror elevators?
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An island girl at heart who loves cruising, visiting National Parks & traveling the world with two kids in tow. 
Tower of Terror is my daughter’s favorite ride. We have to ride it over and over and over! Last time I even bought her a
shirt from the gift shop. I’ve never seen the one in Tokyo. I love the way it looks on the outside.
Sonja @ The {Happy} Travel Bug recently posted..Trump International Hotel: Chicago
Funny, we were just talking last night about adventure rides. I’m like you, I’m not a fan.
I had never heard about this one or the story of the Hightower Hotel. I’ll have to check it out.
InsideJOurneys recently posted..Finding Romance in Jamaica
Hate, hate, hate this ride! Scares me to death, but I still have to go on it every time my kids do. Oh the things we have to do!
Dena Barrie recently posted..Was this on the bucket list?
interesting history! I had no idea! I’ve only been on the FL and CA versions!
Beth Green recently posted..Dapper Day at WDW and DL Resorts
Great info here- you certainly brought in a sense of history. I look forward to your contribution to the hop each week!
KJay recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: History
Love the story of the Hightower Hotel and I hope I get to experience the Tokyo version some day! I’m always impressed at all the backstory and history that goes into each attraction – I think that would be one of my favorite Imagineering jobs!
Holly (DisFanInCO) recently posted..Almost Wordless Wednesday: Visiting Disney history in Marceline
Great shots! The Hightower hotel wasn’t open yet when I was at DisneySea in 2004, but I’ll be looking for it when I’m there later this year! It’s the only one I haven’t been on yet.
We just rode the Anaheim version and one of the cycles has a lot more air time than I remember! They time the slow down of the up to start floating you out of your seat before you even start dropping. It was great!
Average Traveller recently posted..Disneyland History: 1998 Tomorrowland Construction
Can’t wait to go to Tokyo and go on this one. I have been on the Tower in FL 2x and that is plenty.
Great history and pics, really enjoyed
Mouse Fan Diane recently posted..Wordless Wednesday ~ Disney History
So glad you did ALMOST wordless Wednesday because I never heard the back story of the Tokyo attraction. I love this ride, it’s my daughter that chickens out right before getting on. LOL Thanks for sharing your awesome photos!
Disney Gal Kelly recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – 2/20/2013
I’m with you, I love the theme and story but I’m not a fan of the drop.
Disney on Wheels recently posted..Wednesday in the World – Imagination
Fascinating history! Love your pictures and I too dread the drop! Thanks for sharing and for joining in the DWW Blog Hop fun.
Debs at Focused on the Magic recently posted..Wordless Wednesday ~ The American Adventure
A post after my own heart!! I love ToT on both American coasts and would LOVE to see the others in person some day. The shots of the Tokyo version are spectacular! It’s a gorgeous building!! Thanks so much for this post!
Jess @ Magic, Memories, Mayhem recently posted..Disney Wordless Wednesday: History
Interesting facts (and great pix) of the differently themed ToT. Thanks!
Mark recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – History
I really like the inside walls of the tower. Really interesting architecture indeed.
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