Conference koolit::disney

    NUTS!  Looks like I'll miss the opening by a month!
    
    :(
    
    Kathy
    

    I'm still trying to talk myself into taking another trip to that
    "Laughing Place" and now this.
    
    Hmmm, I may be the first mod to try this attraction. Skip and Kathy
    may get a shot depending upon whether or not there are some soft
    openings planned during their visits.
    
    I'll be sure to visit this attraction on an empty stomach. Hope I can
    keep my eyes open like the courageous Greg Pappas.
    
    Mike

    
    this sounds an awful lot like an 'imagineered' version of the
    tower falling rides that are at six flags.....a real heart stopper.
    I love it !!!!  Only Disney could do it better by theming the ride
    to the top before they drop you.
    
    I suspect if you can't stand the six flags version forget about this
    one.
    
    --bert

    re: .1
    
    Kathy,
    
    Repeat after me... "Soft opening, soft opening, soft opening..."  :-)
    And think about WDW's Splash Mtn. opening about three months early.
    
    - Skip

    RIGHT - and I missed the opening by 1 DAY!  GRRRR......
    
    Hopefully my luck will be better this time!
    
    Kathy
    

    My Brother who works for Disney at the MGM Studios said that he should
    be able to go through around March 1994.
    
    Good Luck.
    
    
    Katie

    KAtie,
    
    Shhhhhh! Don't tell Skip and Kathy...let them sweat it out!
    
    Oops...too late! 

    In that case, I'll cross my fingers. We will be there March 19-26.
    
    Linda

    Ummm, errr, okay, Kathy, *don't* think about Splash Mtn's soft opening. 
    :-)
    
    And thanks, Mike, though I doubt we'll count on *you* to be the first
    Mod to ride this puppy....
    
    But I do like Disney's policy of using Cast Members like Katie's bother
    to be live guinea pigs.  
    
    "Okay, Earl, let 'em go!!"
    "Aaaaaaaaiiiiii.... *CRASH*"
    "Oops..."
    
    - Skip

    >>And thanks, Mike, though I doubt we'll count on *you* to be the first
    >>Mod to ride this puppy....
    
      I always have visions of USA Today front page headlines reading
    
            "Disney Conference Mod Perishes in Disney Mishap"
    
    Guess I gotta face my fears head on.
    
    First I need to talk to my fearless role model...
    
    .......Greg Pappas!

    
    Hmmm...  hate to be the poop here, but I agree with the note that said
    this looks like a gussied up version of the freefall ride you see in
    every other park in America.  
    
    An exciting ride, no doubt, but this doesn't strike me as having as much 
    "Disney value added" as other rides at the World.  With "Splash
    Mountain," I thought Disney really got back on track as far as making
    "Disney" rides (to me, the "feel" of the ride, not the thrill factor,
    made it a "Disney" ride).  From the description, I dunno about this
    one - almost sounds like Disney is trying to compete with the "thrill
    parks" now, something they used to distance themselves from.
    
    Good thing they got the Wilderness hotel to excite me I guess! :^)
    
    - Sean

    Sean,
    
    I think the jury is still out on this until we get some first-hand
    reports. Many of the thrill rides in existence need a "gimmick" or
    theme to set it apart from the rest.
    
    I agree that TZTOT sounds VERY familiar. Adding enough "extras" may
    help.
    
    Let's face it...Back to the Future is a simulation similar to Star
    Tours but the placement of the screen made a world of difference.
    
    The same can be said of the Bermuda Triangle ride in Sea World....there
    are some "touches" (I don't want to spoil it) in that attraction that
    sets it apart.
    
    Hopefully Skip and/or Kathy will be among the first in here to
    experience the ride and give us a full report in the Late Spring.
    
    Mike

    The main structural girders for the TZTOT appear finished, and this
    thing is TALL!!!  I'd guess that it looks about as far along as Splash
    Mountain did when it was 6 months prior to opening.  You can't miss the
    TZTOT when driving along the roads outside of MGM, let alone inside the
    park.
    
    Cheers,
    Ken
    

    Ken,
    
    About how far back from the original Theater of the Stars would you say 
    TZTOT stands?
    
    Mike

    Mike, It's at least a few hundred feet back, and appears to be at the
    end of the street, on the right side as you would walk from Hollywood
    Blvd.  Most of the Sunset Blvd. buildings are also quite far along in
    construction.
    
    Cheers,
    Ken
    

    
    
    
           We'll be there the end of June. Can't wait to try this one!
    
    
                                 Phil...

    I was looking around the  CompuServe graphics libraries the last time I
    was home, and downloaded a GIF photograph of the scale-model of Tower
    of Terror.  Looks BIG, alright, and somewhat reminiscent of the Haunted
    Mansion.
    
    
    If only we hadn't closed the training center in Maitland...
    
    tom

    It's cheaper and closer just to go to Rocky Point Park in Warwick, RI
    and ride their FREEFALL ride!  ;')

    Yeah, but do you get Mickey Mouse Ears?
    

From the internet...info on What the TZ Tower of Terror will be like.

If you don't want to be surprised...continue on...


> >General Info:
> >	* 2 Drop Shafts
> >	* 4 Loading elevators
> >	* Each ride vehicle will carry 22 passengers w/
> >	  accomodations for handicapped guests.
> >	* Approx. capacity should be 1500 guests per hour.
> >	* Ride length from once your vehicle starts moving till
> >	  after the drop should be about 4-4.5 minutes...
> >	  Rather Short! But hey...this is no Haunted Mansion!
> >	* Height of Hotel: approx. 200 +/- 3 feet.
> > 
> >Background/Theme:
> > 
> >	  The TZ Tower of Terror takes place inside The Hollywood Tower
> >	Hotel. The hotel is circa 1930's and will blend in with the
> >	architecture of the soon to open Sunset Blvd.  The hotel will
> >	also appear very aged and damaged since it has not been in use
> >	since a strange/unexplained occurence happened long ago during
> >	its opening. The surrounding landscape is supposed to appear
> >	rather bad and unkept...but to what extenct I'm not sure.
> >	Probably just enough to make it fit in with the themeing.
> > 
> >Scheduled Opening Date:
> >	* Late May/Early June of '94
> >	* This date should be rather acurate since a major hurdle has
> >	  been passed as December '93(info below) and it was construction
> >	  was still on schedule as of January '94.
> >	* The major hurdle is refering to the test of Drop Tower #1. Since
> >	  nothing of this type has been done before, it had to be built
> >	  up more than rest of the building to make sure it worked. There
> >	  seemed to be now problems with it, so construction has been
> >	  going as planed.
> > 
> >Description:
> > 
> >	  Well, I'm not going to tell you too much about what goes on
> >	inside the hotel, and I'm sure you can guess what happens at
> >	the end! :) And yes, the end drop IS 13 stories...it was never
> >	cut down.  I will give you a brief description of what goes on
> >	upon entering the hotel though...
> >	  The queue will be in a simmilar fashion as the Haunted Mansion
> >	is. That is, there is a waiting area outside which leads to a
> >	small pre-show...after which, you are led into another queue line
> >	inside the attraction.
> >	  So, at the ToT once you make it to the entrance of the hotel,
> >	a host/hostess will gather a small 'tour group' to take inside.
> >	They will lead the group into a very decorated foyer of the hotel,
> >	then take you to a waiting room. Once inside the waiting room,
> >	which will have some seating/TV/bookshelves/etc , the TV will turn
> >	on with Rod Sterling on the screen. Mr. Sterling will then explain
> >	to the Hotel Visitors the past of the Hotel, and the fate of it's
> >	original guests. Apparently this closely follows an actual TZ
> >	episode, though I don't know which one. After the history, Mr.
> >	Sterling envites you to have a look around the hotel, but
> >	unfortunatly the main lobby elevators and broken, so you will have
> >	to use the maintenace ones located in the basement!
> >	  So in order to make it to the elevators, a secret door opens in
> >	your waiting room. Your group will then descend down the narrow
> >	staircase into a boiler room/LARGE queue. Down here you will wait
> >	in queue for your elevator trip and be entertained with the
> >	mechanical activities of this fully functional yet very old
> >	boiler room. There will be lots of smoke/steam effets, dripping
> >	water, etc. etc. But the guests should not be in danger of getting
> >	very wet...unless you stick your hand somewere it shouldn't be that
> >	it.
> >	  Once you make it to the load area, you will be seated. Once
> >	everyone else is on, you and your group will experience your own
> >	personal episode of the Twilight Zone!!
> > 
>	  A small note about the end of the attraction...there will be
> >	automatic cameras that will be taking your picture, simmilar to
> >	Splash Mountain. So as you leave you'll have an oportunity to
> >	purchase a picture of you and 21 others plummeting down a 13 story
> >	drop!
> > 
> >	  Any other info as to what happens inside the hotel I'm not going
> >	to give out yet. Why?? Well, I don't want to spoil the entire thing
> >	all at once.
> > 
> > 
> >Other Misc Stuff:
> > 
> >	  The rest of this file will be two hand-drawn ASCII pictures I
> >	did rather quickly. Their purpose is to just give you a basic
> >	picture of what the finished building will look like.
> > 
> >	  Also, check for two pictures that will be posted also, with
> >	short descriptions. They will be titled:
> > 
> >		TZTower1.jpg  &  TZTower2.jpg
> > 
> >	Eventually I will post a 3rd photo which will show the state
> >	of construction as of early Jan. '94. But that might be awile
> >	since I still have to get that roll of film developed. Anyone
> >	not familar with JPEG format, please check the
> >	alt.binaries.pictures groups... There you will find enough
> >	info on how to view the picture.
> > 
> >	* PLEASE do not send me mail requests asking for the picture if
> >	  you missed it. Eventually I'll repost them...so keep an eye
> >	  out!
> > 
> >           --------------------------------------------------------
> > 
> >Tower of Terror General Overview
> >Figure #1 - Side View                          /\
> >                                              |  |
> >NOTE: This is not to scale!                +-------+
> >                                           |       |
> >                                           |       |
> >                                           |   D   |
> >                                           |   R   |
> >                                           |   O   |         <- FRONT
> >                                           |   P   |             OF
> >                   /\                      |       |            HOTEL
> >                  /  \                     |   T   |
> >                 /    \                    |   O   |
> >                /      \___________________|   W   |
> >                |  L    :                      E   |
> >                |  O                       :   R   |
> >                |  A    :                      S   |
> >                |  D      TOUR THRU HOTEL  :       |
> >                |       : VIA ELEVATOR             |
> >                |  E      CARS IN THIS     :       |
> >                |  L    : AREA                     |    /\
> >                |  E                       :       |   /  \
> >                |  V    :                          |__/    \
> >                |  A                       :       |       |
> >                |  T    :                          |       |
> >                |  O                       :       |       |
> >                |  R    :                          |       |
> >                |  S                       :       |       |
> >                |       :                          |       |
> >                |                          :       |       |
> >             ---------------------------------------------------
> > 
> >                                SIDE OF HOTEL
> > 
> >           --------------------------------------------------------
> > 
> >Tower of Terror General Overview
> >Figure #2 - Front View           /\
> >                               |    |  <-------------Small 'cap' missing
> >NOTE: THIS IS NOT     +--------+----+--------+      from TZTower2.jpg
> >      TO SCALE. NOR   |                      |      picture.
> >      IS IT %100      |                      |
> >      ACCURATE!       +-   D   :    :   D   -+
> >                       |   R            R   |
> >                       |   O   :    :   O   |
> >                    ___|   P            P   |___  
> >                   /   |       :    :       |   \
> >                  /    |                    |    \ 
> >                 /     |   T   :    :   T   |     \
> >FIG.#1 SHOWS    /______|   O            O   |______\
> >THIS SIDE -->   |      :   W   :    :   W   :      |
> >                |          E            E          |
> >                |      :   R   :    :   R   :      |
> >                |                                  |
> >                |      :       :    :       :      |
> >                |        ________________          |
> >                |      :|      :    :    |  :      |
> >                |       |                |         |
> >                |      :|      :    :    |  :      |
> >                |       |                |_________|_________
> >                |      :|      :    :       :                |
> >                |       |  #            #                    |
> >                |      :|  1   :    :   2   : __________     |_
> >                |       |                    |          |    | |
> >                |      :|      :    :       :|          |    | | <--ENTRANCE
> >                |       |                    |          |    | |
> >             ------------------------------------------------------
> > 
> >			 FRONT OF HOTEL
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >Well, thats all for this info/FAQ or whatever you want to call it. Hope
> >it helps out for all those interested!
> > 
> > 
> >Jason Kitch
> >(jkitch@mcs.kent.edu)
> > 
> > 
> > 

    This is just a guess, but I'd say that they have modeled it on a
    particular episode of the old TZ series and have permission to use
    film of Rod Serling introducing the episode and saying the famous TZ
    lines.  Anyone know for sure?  --S

    The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is nearing completion! The sides
    facing the Swan and Dolphin have been covered with "brick" and the
    staging has been taken down. The other two sides are almost finished, 
    but they still have the staging in place. The side toward the two
    hotels has some kind of stain drips on it to make it look old and
    decrepit. And it is BIG! I think it is a combination between being just 
    plain big and the famous Disney forced perspective. 
    
    Sunset Boulevard looks almost complete from the glimpses seen through
    the holes in the construction wall. Signs are up on the shops, are lit,
    and can be seen over the fence. The corner of Hollywood and Sunset now 
    has a permanent blackboard announcing shows, waiting times, etc. Next
    to it and Starring Rolls is a sales booth for the Vacation Club. 
    
    From Epcot you can sometimes see the Swan, the Dolphin, and TZTOT. 
    
    
    Linda

    So how long is Sunset Blvd?

    It takes a turn so it's hard to say. Probably about the same length as
    Hollywood Blvd. to the corner of Sunset. 
    
    Linda

    Did you guys know that the TZTOT was slated to be completed months ago
    but that the original schedule could not be met due to the Tower being
    built on a sinkhole? Yep. Eventually they fixed the problem.
    
    Got this from a secret informer inside WDW.
    
    Mike

re: .-1

The details of how they found and fixed this would make a fascinating
engineering story. I wonder if it will ever be published anywhere.

Is there a way to request such things?

-Jack

    Well gang I just learned that the TZTOT Imagineers tried their best but
    just couldn't design the ride without adding....
    
    ...restraining gear. That's right. It seems that all visitors who
    venture into the Tower and eventually get on one of the trams will be 
    wearing a harness type of restraining device. Lovely.
    
    Also, the Tower is ever so close to being finished and there may be
    some soft openings within a month or so.
    
    More on this in a few days.
    
    Mike

    We've mentioned earlier in this topic that your picture will be taken
    at some point in the attraction.
    
    I believe the picture is taken right after you notice the frayed cable
    and the flash of lightning.
    
    Oh yeah...you can have your picture placed on a T-Shirt.
    
    It should be an interesting attraction with a simulated lightning
    storm.
    
    Mike
    
    P.S. Hmmm, maybe if I do go to BG first and ride some roller coasters
    I'll be more than ready for TZTOT......NAWWWWW!

     How do you find out when a "soft opening" might occur.  My family and I
will be at Disneyworld May 17 - 26.  Will I have to find out by chance on the
day(s) that we go to MGM, or can I find out by announcements or cast members?


                                          Forrest...

    Well you can call general information (407) 824-4321 while you're down 
    there or strike up a conversation with an MGM castmember. My suggestion
    is to have a morning chat with the catmember who is standing next to
    the schedule board on Hollywood Blvd (if it's still there).
    
    Castmembers are usually the best source for info. They sometimes tell
    you things that WDW never officially would tell you. Who knows...you
    may end up talking to a castmember who may have already ridden the
    attraction.
    
    I'd say that chances for a soft opening increase dramatically after the
    middle of May.
    
    Mike

  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, May 13, at
Disney-MGM Studios, workers finishing construction on the forbidding, 13-
story "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror"(TM) attraction will be
circumnavigating their ladders and avoiding the 13th floor.
  It wouldn't surprise a University of Florida folklorist, in fact, if
Disney-MGM Studios guests secretly are relieved that the most terrifying
Disney thrill ride yet won't be ready for visitors until after the ominous
day has expired.
  "There are things out there that we don't fully understand, and we're not
willing to rule out all possibilities -- just in case,"  says Robert
Thomson, folklorist and associate professor of English at the University
of Florida in Gainesville.  For example:
  -- The number 13 has been perceived for centuries as "loaded with
misfortune," Thomson says.  In the Bible, Judas was the 13th member at
Jesus' last supper and the one whose betrayal led to his death, he adds.
  -- In France, it's "almost impossible" to find a house with the number 13
on its door, and for decades many hotels and other tall buildings have
been designed to skip the 13th floor -- at least in its formal designation
-- Thomson points out.
  -- Friday has been tagged the "least fortunate day of the week" from the
time of the Norse goddess Frigga, who was an early personification of the
witch figure, he says.
  It follows, Thomson says, that folks would be wary of a 13-story thrill
attraction like the "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror", designed to take
visitors on a spine-tingling plunge in an out-of-control elevator cage.
  Thomson will be talking the topic of superstition to television news
media around the country Friday from the site of the "Tower of Terror"
attraction, which is scheduled to open this July.
  Also on hand will be Michael Sprout, a show writer with Walt Disney
Imagineering, who helped create the "Tower of Terror" attraction.
  "It seemed obvious to us that the first stop on a journey into the
Twilight Zone would be the mysterious 13th floor," Sprout says.
  A superstition like the fear of Friday the 13th or the 13th floor of a
hotel is perfect material for a "Twilight Zone" episode, Sprout says,
because it's a completely unreasonable fear.  Persons who fear the number
13 are "triskaidekaphobics."
  "I'm sure that almost no one even knows why they should be fearful of the
number 13, nor do they rationally believe in such fears.  But in the realm
of 'The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror,' we face our fears head on -- and
suffer the consequences," Sprout adds.
  Although most people claim they're not superstitious, many will go out of
their way to avoid symbols of bad luck that have endured the centuries,
according to Thomson.
  In addition, people have believed for eons that it's best to avoid
meeting up with black cats, walking under ladders, stepping on sidewalk
cracks, spilling salt and breaking mirrors.
  Such lore, which arose from individual experiences and was passed along
through the generations, haunts even those who scoff at superstition.
  "We attach a false cause and effect" to unfortunate happenings, says
Thomson, and just to be on the safe side, many folks wear or carry amulets
or charms to ward off misfortune.
  For Disney to design a thrill attraction that features a plummet from the
13th floor is "just piling on the agony" for many of the superstitious, he
says.  But it will be a delicious agony for those, including Thomson, who
can't resist the challenge of conquering their fears.
  Though the professor admits he "would be crazy" to take the tower plunge
if he thought about it rationally, there's a good chance, he says, that
he'll "probably do it once."
  /NOTE TO EDITOR:  The "Twilight Zone" is a registered trademark of CBS
Inc. and is used pursuant to a license from CBS Inc./
    /CONTACT:  Jennie Hess of Disney-MGM Studios, 407-828-3877/
13:43 EDT

    I picked up a flyler on the commemorative ticket to the TZTT.  I called
    the number listed w/ tax it's $47.70, you can't use your MKC.  The
    woman I spoke with also said you could not use this until after the
    TZTT opens.  Your get a numbered print (I'm not sure it she was talking
    about the ticket itself)  You can also apply the ticket towards an
    Annual Pass (renewal), and it is valid indefinately.
    
    What is the flyer says:
    
    A keepsake so unique...This limited edition is a highly collectible
    Disney commemoemorative.
    
    A value so astounding...For just $45 plus tax, you receive a voucher
    valid for one 1-Day Disney-MGM Studios admission OR $50.00 credit
    toward the purchse of one Walt Disney World 4-Day or 5-Day pass.
    
    A momemt suspended in time...You also receive a voucher to be
    exchanged for a collectivel timepiece.  Is that your heart beating or
    is your new watch ticking away?
    
    An experience so thrilling...Welcome to the Twilight Zone.
    
    Embark on your ticket journey soon - supply is limited.  Phone
    407-824-4321 to order.
    
    At the bottom show a pickture to The Hollywood Tower Hotel with an
    elevator being dropped with lightening in the background.
    
    Julie
    
                        

    I bought one of the commemorative TZTOT passes (they are also available
    at the Disney Store) strictly for a keepsake. It comes in a large white
    envelope with a serial number printed on it. Inside is a grey, heavy 
    slip-style envelope(I can't remember if the serial number is on it as 
    well) with the opening on a narrow end. Printed on it in gold on one side
    is "Picture if you will......". Inside is a heavy cardboard copy of 
    TZTOT with a double door that opens at the bottom. One side of the door 
    is redeemable for a commemorative watch (there is a time limit; I can't
    remember what it is). the other side is the part redeemable for a $50
    discount on passes. Both sides have the serial number imprinted on
    them. 
    
    When you buy this pass you get a registration card for the serial
    number. This is to be completed with name, address, etc. and mailed
    in to Disney. 
    
    Linda                                      

                          Tale of The Tower

             Installment #1: The Hollywood Tower Hotel

Even before entering the abandoned hotel, you'll know there's
impending danger! High on the side of the 199 foot tall building
is a sparkling electrical sign reading 
    
                  "Hollywood Tower Hotel"
    
dangling precariously above a gaping hole in the tower wall.
Legend has it that an entire guest wing was once attached to that
damaged wall. Its disappearance is still a mystery. And what
became of the guests there in that part of the tower?
    
     Some say they walk the eerie corridors of the hotel to this day. 
    
      
After winding through an external queue on the left side of the
building (as you face it from the street), around a gnarly dead
tree that-- oddly enough came from the Blizzard Beach site, you
enter the Hollywood Hotel at what would be like a terrace level.
So, it would be as if the WDW Pirates unload went straight out,
instead of using an escalator to return you to the load level.
When you enter the lobby of the hotel, you are moved to a sitting
room with a television. A sudden flash of lightning energizes the
TV set in the corner. Rod Serling appears on it and begins to set
up the mystery of this hotel...that a group of merry-making
guests were lost in a catastrophe there one night many years ago
-- October 31, 1939 to be exact --
    
     and they haven't been heard from since.
    
    A freakish lightning and thunder storm descended upon the Hollywood
    Hills that  night, and the elite of that town's film community took
    sanctuary in the hotel lobby.

          Next Installment - The Elevator

                   Tale of The Tower

             Installment #2: The Elevator

Among those checking in that night were a handsome young couple accompanied by
an older, over-worked bellman, a child actress in blond curls and a frilly
dress, and her stern butstately governess...and last seen heading
for the elevator.

They were last seen as the doors closed for, seconds later, the elevator,
its passengers and several sections of the upper stories of the hotel...
                           
    
                       ...vanished!

Service in all the main elevators of the building were lost that night, he
tells us, but there is one service elevator in the back that still works.
A wall of the sitting room moves away and you proceed to the basement
of the hotel where the boiler room is located.

Here you enter the second queue, winding around the furnaces and boiler
equipment, until it's your turn to board the service elevator, which is
themed to 1917-period caged service elevator. Since it's utilitarian rather
than luxurious, all that wire mesh just happens to add to the visibility
from inside!

               Next Installment - Going Up?

                     Tale of The Tower
    
                 Installment #3 - Going Up?
    
    Up goes your elevator and, as you get to each level of the hotel, a new
    scene unfolds before you. In one of the corridors, you'll catch a
    glimpse of the missing hotel guests. Ah! You must be on the right
    track! Or...are you heading for the same fate? 
    
    Many great illusions are in store for you as you go up the hotel...in one
    case, the entire -- seemingly solid -- corridor "set" vanishes and
    becomes a star field!
    
                  Next Installment - The Fifth Dimension

                      Tale of The Tower
    
             Installment #4 - The Fifth Dimension
    
    Soon, you arrive at the level called The Fifth Dimension. This room
    will be very disorienting to you, as you look OUT into a scene that
    appears to look UP an elevator shaft. You'll be moving horizontally,
    but part of you wants to believe you're going up.
    
    Here, also, you'll be surrounded by images,
    
    ..................some of them are even of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    And also, you'll see a huge eye looking back at you!
    
                Next Installment - Can I Get Off Now Please?

                       Tale of The Tower
    
            Installment #5 - Can I Get Off Now Please?
    
    Now you move into the drop VVC (Vertical Vehicle Conveyance). Your cab
    rises up more floors...you're in the part of the hotel that was damaged
    by the lightning bolt. At each floor you can look out the open elevator
    door to the theme park outside. When you reach the top, you can look
    out through the blast hole in the building, past the Hollywood Tower
    Hotel sign hanging on the side of it. You are surrounded by electrical
    motors and equipment that is sparking and flashing. This is clearly not
    good!
    
              Next Installment - YEEAAIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
    
                                       

                          Tale of The Tower
    
          Installment #6 - YEEAAIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
    
    Suddenly, the elevator cab you're in lurches and drops about a
    foot...but, you stop.
    
                               Whew!
                                          Momentary relief!
    
    But then the outer shaft doors close and the cab breaks loose, falling
    the rest of the way to the bottom! The fact that the cab has so much
    mesh, including the floor, allows the wind to move up through you,
    heightening the sensation of falling. Lighting effects in the shaft
    make the speed feel even faster! 
    
    When you reach the bottom (safely), Rod Serling reappears to wrap up
    the experience for you and you exit in to the unload area...which
    conveniently, has souvenir photos of each of you --- looking suitably
    terror stricken --- for sale should you be interested in purchasing
    one.
    
    When was the image taken? At the moment of the "false drop", when
    you first felt the sensation of falling.                           
    
                  Next Installment - So That's How They Do It!

                          Tale of The Tower
    
          Installment #7 - So That's How They Do it!
    
    During that fall, you traveled from 35-40 feet in free-fall, (the rest
    is controlled deceleration)...the free-fall period lasted 1.75 seconds,
    (the free-fall ride at Magic Mountain near LA provides 1.50 seconds of
    free-fall)...the extra .25 second is said to be VERY noticeable)...and
    in it you went from 0-35 mph in 1.0 second. 
    
    In fact, the ride vehicle is not just released for its fall...to
    heighten the sensation, the vehicle is actually PULLED down for a brief
    period! The motors that drive this lift are 3 TIMES larger than those
    used in the World trade Center in New York City!
    
    ............and now you know the rest of the story!

    I want to ride this, and I want to ride it RIGHT NOW!!!
    
    Whaaaah, no trip planned in the immediate future...
    
    Mike, if it is HALF as good as your build-up, it will be a great
    attraction.
    
    Cheers,
    Ken
    

    On the other hand, I tried FreeFall in Magic Mountain ONCE, and had
    no interest in ever being that sick again.
    
    By the way, October 31, 1939?  Wasn't there something on the radio that
    day about a town called Grover's Mill?  Can't remember completely...
    
    tom

    re .44
    
    	Grover's Mills - World of the Worlds, courtesey of Orson Welles 
    ( well, actually courtesey of H.G. Wells, but... )
    
    	The big radio scare.  See _Buckaroo Banzai_ for more details :-)
    
    re - Mike S.
    
    	Wow.  Definitely sounds like my kinda ride :-)  Might have to go
    back this winter sometime, just for that :-) . . .
    
    					- Jim

    I keep hearing little tidbits regarding this attraction. I heard that a
    top WDW exec rode the attraction and was blown away by the special
    effects and had to keep asking "how'd we do that?"
    
    Here are some other bits of info:
    
      - The tower itself is 199 feet high.
     
      - The attraction actually starts when you see a bolt of lightning
        energizes a tv in the corner of the darkened hotel library.
    
      - Rod Serling says, "We invite you, if you dare, to step aboard.
        Because in tonight's episode, YOU are the star. And this elevator
        travels directly to...the Twilight Zone."
    
      - En route to the final journey guests will travel through hallways
        filled with spectral apparitions that appear and disappear in a
        storm of cosmic light.
    
    I have a feeling that this attraction will have a warning sign outside
    that discusses the intensity of the attraction and how small children
    may not be suitable as guests.
    
    Mike

    Latest from Orlando is that there are some problems with the
    elevators. I guess the problem is...
    
    ........they may be running too fast for sfaety guidelines.
    
    Mike

    Hmmm, my wife just gave me an assignment. She wants me to find out
    if visitors can bypass the elevators.
    
    If anyone finds this out please post it here. I'll check this out
    over the weekend.
    
    Mike

  I'd be real surprised if they didn't let you do so.  The handicapped
always are able to skip certain parts so others should be able to do so also.

    Well I found out last night that the official opening of this
    attraction is now slated for July 22nd. This is the date given to
    the Press and the Media.
    
    Castmembers working the attraction who stand outside the attraction
    and field questions from visitors have been told to say that the 
    attraction will open in Mid-Summer.
    
    July 22 is my last day there.....arrrrrgh!
    
    Mike

   ... that a worker died (recently) during construction.

   I told my friend that was pure fabrication, but he swears it's
   true. He "read it someplace."

   I told him I would ask here. Can anyone confirm or deny this
   rumor?
							- Jeff

    There was an NBC "travel consultant" or something on the Today show
    this morning, and he was very excited about TZTOT.  He said it was the
    best ride of its kind in the country.  He evidently was the first
    non-cast member to ride it.

    
    
    	Has anyone been to the Tower of Terror yet and do you think
    	it would be suitable for a 6 yr-old?
    
    
    						thanks
    

    
    
    In a word... no.
    
    think about it 13 floors going  d 
                                      o
                                       w
                                        n
                                          directly.
    
    
    They'll probably also add height/age limits to the thing, but I don't
    know about those....
    
    
    John
    

    
    
    	Are you seated for the elevator drop and/or strapped in? How many
    	people ride in the elevator at once?
    
    
    	We'll be down there there July 30 and hope the ride willl be
    	fully operational by then.
    
    
    						Kathleen
    

    From the pictures shown on the Today show, there are several rows of seats 
    in the elevator, but I didn't get a feel for how many people are seated
    per car. For this demo there were only two people in camera range: the
    guy from the Today show and a Disney person. The seatbelts/straps were 
    not obvious, either, although they must be there. 
    
    Let's hope Mike can give us a first-hand description when he gets back
    August 1. 
    
    Linda

    
    Last night I talked to a buddy who spent this past weekend at WDW... On
    Friday when they got there they went to MGM (7/22) as they made their
    way by TZTT they found a line (1 hour) and sure enough got into it and
    through talking found out that this was the first full day of operation
    (a partial on the previous day) for the general public... Anyways, his
    explanation of the ride won't be done any justice by me, BUT as others
    have said the whole ride is a set up to the top of the 13th floor -with
    stories about past 'guests' et al .. as you get to the top, they open
    the door and your basically looking out through the sign at the top
    of the building and then d
    
                              o
    
                               w
                                
                                n  you go...   Needless to say he loved
    the ride... when they got out (8:30P) there was a line 2 1/2 hrs long!
    Even though the park was closing, people were told, anyone in line
    now will get on... I guess others were being turned away...
    
    So, for anyone going (or since been from 7/22), we expect to hear *real
    details*!  Don't say the line was too long either ;-)
    
    
    
    John
    

    Is there any height or age requirement for this attraction? Will it
    scare the #@$% out of my 8 and 5 year old girls? I know my wife will
    not go on it, and most likely the girls won't either, but sometimes
    they are daring and they might suprise me.
    
    Thanks
    
    Mark K.

    I'm back...loads of info...rode the tower BEFORE it officially opened.
    
    Working on "The Grandmother..."
    
    If anyone tells you TZTOT is a freefall tell 'em "Mike Scopa told me
    it's not!"
    
    Mike

    I just returned from WDW today and it is obvious that I didn't miss the
    opportunitty to experience the TZTOT.
    
    I went there last monday (july 25) at 9:00 pm and the line was
    aproximatelly 35 minutes.
    
    I went with my husband and my 6 years old litle girl.
    
    We loved it. 
    
    It is really fun!!!! (The details on the construction of the old hotel
    impressed me very much). 
    
    My daughter wanted to run it again, but it was late and I had my 69
    years old mother-in-low with us, and we didn't think it was fare to let
    her waiting for more 40 minutes again.
                             
    If your litle girls enjoy are like mine and are taller than 42", they will
    like it.
    
    Next time in MGM studios I won't miss the TZTOT again.
      

    
    
    	I was on the ride twice in my trip the last week of July. Like
    	the preivous note, I was very impressed by the hotel detail,
    	which you get to look at due to the long lines. I was also
    	impressed by the "ride" surprised. Also, when you go into
    	the 1st waiting room, where Rod Serling is on the TV, look
    	up at the tall shelf of the room and you will see an
    	item from a TZ episode. Read on if you don't want to
    	find it your self....
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    	It was the "Devil" fortune teller's box from the episode
    	with William Shatner, where they got addicted to the
    	fortunes written on paper that the box spit out.
    
    	In summary - great ride - but I did get "terrorized", even
    	on the 2nd time from the drop, but it was more emmotionally
    	discomforting than physcially.
    
    
    						Kathleen
    

    
Type EXT TT

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(B)B
Written by Rudy T. Borkowski

Last week while we were there (although we weren't at MGM that day), there
was a mishap with the TZTOT.  Apparently one of the internal wall sections
blew out from the force of the air pressure when the elevator "dropped". 
No one was hurt and that side of the tower was closed.  We heard about it 
on the news that night.  From what they said, it appears that one of the 
internal wall sections fell back into the external wall.  I'm not sure how 
long the repairs will take.  I didn't see the newscast and my husband and 
mother-in-law got two different impressions.  My husband thought that the 
repairs would only take a day while my mother-in-law thought she heard it 
would be a while before that side was reopened.  They weren't paying much 
attention to the news and just caught the story so they didn't get all the 
details.  My mother-in-law did see them "interview" six people (who didn't 
want their identity known, so they had their backs to the camera) who were 
on the ride at the time.  I think it was the left side.
    

    Just some advice for those of you who will be riding The Tower in the
    near future. You may want to refrain from eating at least one hour
    before riding and also be sure and visit the nearest rest room
    facilities before getting into line.
    
    This is sound advice.
    
    Mike

    Ok, I can't leave without throwing in my two cents on the TLZTOT...
    
    A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to ride the TLZTOT (and
    not enough time for much else) after presenting at a conference in
    Orlando, prior to catching my flight back to Boston.
    
    As mentioned by everyone so far, it's great.
    
    The attention to detail is amazing.  In one of the cabinets opposite
    what are supposed to be the non-functioning regular hotel elevators
    are numerous art deco pieces and jewelery that look very authentic.
    
    The library reminded me of the Treasure Room at the Adventurer's Club,
    (off of the main parlor, between the Adventurer's Club Library and the
    Mask Room) with all of the unusual items and clutter.  
    
    After Rod Serling's introduction in the Library, I've never seen so
    many guests chicken out and leave the ride prior to boarding.
    
    I was in the back row of the elevator, one seat in from the end.  Mike 
    Scopa's description of the first scene from the "Grandmother of all 
    Trip Reports" is very accurate.  Incredible effects.
    
    In the second scene, it is very difficult to become oriented.  I think
    that I saw images of some of the statues from the garden that you pass 
    when in the outside queue prior to entering the hotel.  The TLZ pocket 
    watch appears, then disappears.  In one big circle that had something 
    else that I couldn't remember in it, suddenly a moving image of all of 
    the guests on the elevator flashes through.  The effect at the end of
    this scene was so engrossing that I didn't know WHAT I was looking at,
    until after it goes dark and then you realize that you've moved
    completely from the rear of the hotel to the front, and are now in the
    drop shaft.  And then you go up, much more so than the two previous
    climbs.
    
    When the doors open just before the drop, it looks like you are higher
    up from the inside than it did when watching the doors open from the
    outside while in the queue.  
    
    OK, I knew what was to come, and expected it to be intense.
    
    It was GREAT, but definitely NOT intense.  It felt like free fall, but
    definitely NOT faster than free fall.  I thought to myself that my kids
    could easily handle this, and that all in all, it was much less intense
    than space mountain (another great ride).
    
    So, I had to ride again just to be sure, and got right back in line.
    
    While in line, I overheard a conversation from a family behind me, that
    while I can not vouch for its accuracy, seems VERY plausible given the 
    comments from people that rode this attraction right after it had
    opened in July, and what I had just experienced.  They said that a
    castmember had told them that the TLZTOT has been DETUNED and SLOWED
    DOWN several times since it originally opened, based upon guest
    feedback that it HAD BEEN too intense.  
    
    So, possibly those first few visitors got to experience a real thrill
    ride that the rest of us will not.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVED this
    attraction, but I could have endured a much faster drop than what the
    current state of the TLZTOT presents.
    
    Can anyone verify this change???????
    
    Cheers,
    Ken
    
    

    Ken,
    
    I will check with a CM friend tonight on whether or not TZTOT has been 
    slowed down since it opened. I may not get an answer tonight but I'll
    post ASAP.
    
    Mike

We just got back from WDW.  (Trip report in progress.)

I found the TZTOT drop to be very similar to the drop on Splash Mountain.
The difference is that you get pleasant music and a story with fuzzy
animals on one, and a scary tense buildup for the other...  But even my
wife survived the drop and went on a *SECOND* time!

And she won't touch Space Mountain.

Bill A.

	I have just returned from WDW and thouroughly enjoyed the Tower of
	Terror, although I feel it is over-hyped.

	One of the best pieces is when the doors open and you are looking
	down an apparently real hallway. The `family' appear with lightening
	`auras' and beckon to you to go down the hall. They then disappear
	in a lightning flash then the hall disappears, to be replace by a
	starfield, except the window at the far end. This rotates in three
	dimensions then shatters with the sound of splintering glass.
	This gives the thrill ride the Disney touch

	I felt they should have paused a moment longer at the top with the door
	 open before the drop open to build the pre-drop tension and a longer
	pause after the first slight drop so you have a moment to think you
	are safe before the big plunge. The anticipation is better than the
	drop.

    The Disney Channel will be showing, "The Making of The Twilight Zone
    Tower of Terror" this week.
    
    Mike

    Well if you watched the show and have already been on the attraction
    I'm sure you saw some omissions.
    
    Also, once more, you DO NOT STAND in the elevator.
    
    Mike

Here's the chunk of Mike Scopa's trip report that describes this attraction.
I hope it's okay to have re-posted it here.  It's a great description but I
can never find it when I want it. :-)  I thought it would be a good addition
to this note.
                                                Tracy
*****************************************************************************

Turn back if you don't want to see the gorey details!


As you walk up the front walkway you pass a sign that reads
"The Hollywood Hotel." But don't look away. The sign changes
ever so strangely to say "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror."

As you walk up towards the porch you pass by an unkept
garden filled with weeds and overgrown bushes...hasn't been touched
in decades.

As you pass one statue you feel a bit uneasy. Check out the
eyes...brrrr. I pull out my notebook and start jotting down notes.

We entered the Hotel and saw a musty old lobby. We pass an unfinished
chess game in the corner, an old desk (the dust won't wipe
off...try it yourself), some chairs, a sofa with an overcoat draped across
it, some old pictures, the front desk with some unsorted mail, and
a potted plant that has lost some leaves...hmmm they have fallen on
the floor and seemed to have formed a symbol or message...can't figure it out.

We go pass the "turnstile" which is an electronic eye that counts the
visitors. About 20 of us congregate in front of two large doors with the sign
"Library" above them.

The doors open and we walk into this very well stocked library. The room
is similar in size to the stretching elevator in the Haunted Mansion...maybe
it's a bit smaller. Books are everywhere as are knickknacks, a desk,
paintings, a window, and a TV mounted high up on one corner.

A big lightning bolt is seen through the window and the
lights go out and the TV goes on.

We see a young Rod Serling and he tells us what is about to happen. He
relates the story of the Hollywood Hotel and tells the story of what
happened on that fateful night (Oct. 31, 1931).

On the TV we see the hotel from the outside during a rainstorm (the angle
shown is the angle from the base of the hotel...very familiar) and we then
see five people walking through a hustling hotel lobby (the same one
we just walked through) and these five people get on an elevator.

We are then shown lightning hitting the hotel and the elevator shafts.
The picture then switches to these five people in the elevator.
They glow and begin to fade. We then see the elevator shafts fade.

Rod is back and is standing in front of an elevator. He tells us
that tonight we are part of the episode and that we will venture
into the Twilight Zone and witness the terror.

Thanks Rod.

The lights come back on and we walk into the boiler room. All the
while Holly is saying, "Dad I don't think I can do this."

We walk through an old boilerroom. It's musty, it's old.
There's junk all over the place. It's dirty. It's noisy. We make our
way towards one of the elevators. Along the way we see at least
a dozen signs warning about the ride. You can exit just before
the elevators if you chicken....erh prefer to bypass the actual ride.

We get up to the elevator and we are directed to stand on certain
spots just outside the elevator. This is done for loading purposes.

The elevator comes and we file in. The elevator contains benches.
We sit in the front row and a lap bar is pulled down. Note that
the middle seat in the rear row does not have a bar but a
seat belt (lap...not shoulder).

If you look down at the seating arrangement it looks like
this (door at bottom):

                    o o o o o o o
                    o o o   o o o
                    o o o   o o o

I checked my watch. It took but 20 minutes to get to this
point. I couldn't help but notice how many cast members were staffing
this attraction. They were all over the place.

Just before we got on a small boy (barely made the 42"
requirement) asked about the drop.

"What drop?" asked the CM, "We have good elevators here at
the Hollywood Hotel." Good job.

The cast member tells us there is to be no photography of
any kind. This is for the safety of everyone in the elevator.
She then SLAMS THE GATE. This was done for effect. Holly started
praying.

Just before the CM closed the doors she says, "See you at
the bottom."

The doors close and we hear Rod Serling's voice and the
elevator shoots....that's right SHOOTS UP about 20 feet.

The door opens and we are looking out into a hotel hallway.
It's about 80 feet long. There are tables, mirrors, doors, paintings,
plants, intersecting hallways, and a window at the the far end.

I don't recall what good old Rod was saying but as he said
it the five poor souls who were in that elevator that fateful night
walked into the hallway and beckoned for us to follow them.
They were ghostly apparitions.

As they beckoned us they, and the hallway, began to
fade...no it's not fading it's changing. Woa! Now I'm looking into deep
space, a starfield. How the heck did they...wait..the window
is still there...it's on..wait..it's floating towards us...CRASH!!!!!

It falls and the doors slam shut.

Too cool.

We shoot up another 50 feet and Rod says something about the Twilight Zone.
The doors open. The elevator moves forward on a track of some sort
and we pass by images of TV's Twilight Zone.

I won't go into the details because I'm still not sure what I
saw. Blue...I remember the color blue.

Think of the opening of The Twlight Zone Television show
and you can get an idea of what you'll see.  As we move
forward through "The Zone" I'm thinking, "Hey that's a screen
coming up. We're gonna hit it...HEY WE"RE GONNA..."

A big white line or lightnong bolt or laser light or something
like that comes down in front of us, crackles and splits this wall.
This part is kinda fuzzy to me. This part of the attraction blows you away.

Okay we are at the end of the track now wha.........THE
DOORS SLAM SHUT!

I'm thinking, "Some day I just gotta get my will in order."

We SHOOT UP ANOTHER 50 feet and hear Rod mumble something...we
hear one word loud and clear.....TERROR!

The doors open up and we are under the O in the word Hollywood.
The O is sparking and we can see just beyond the soundstages towards
Catastrophe Canyon. "Oh my god," yelps Holly.

We drop a foot. I had forgotten about that....for the photo.

I think, "Oh-Oh!"

Then it happened.

Let me make it clear to everyone in here that I worked on this
part of the trip report for hours trying as best I can to accurately describe
what happened.

The elevator TOOK OFF. It didn't fall. It didn't drop. Don't let
anyone tell you it's a free-fall. Someone stepped on the gas and
we were PULLED DOWN at a tremendous force.

Have you ever watched a cartoon where a character runs off a cliff and
suddenly realizes he's not on solid ground? The bottom part of his body
drops but his neck and shoulders stay up for a second...then they
follow the rest of his body.

That's what it felt like. The only part of the body (I thought) that feels
distressed is the chest and above. I thought I was going to split
in two. I actually felt that my head and shoulders were going to
remain up there...or my innards were going to escape through my mouth.

But! But! But! But....before you get turned off from what I've
just said listen to this.

This PULL happens so fast that you cannot even complete a single thought.
Just as you START to feel the uneasiness I just described...IT'S
OVER! I mean ZIP! IT'S OVER!

Be aware that even though the lower half of your body appears to
have gone through the ride without any ill effects it ain't so.

Your knees and legs will shake as you get up and leave the
elevator. Your body is in shock for a minute after the ride.

My body was pretty upset because I didn't tell it what was going
to happen. My brain was still puzzled by the special effects. My
chest was trying to fall back into place, and my legs were
warning me to keep moving or they were going on strike.

Let me make this interesting observation. Thank goodness the drop
is in darkness. I would think that if we could see outside as we
dropped we'd be in serious trouble at the bottom. I know there
are coaster people out there who are saying, "C'mon Mike! It
sounds like a coaster!"

Nope. Coasters are always moving. This vehicle TOOK OFF FROM A
STANDING POSITION. I wish I had looked up as we plummeted.

Carol was there waiting for us....along  with a dozen CMs and several
EMT's standing by to assist any visitors having problems. Needless to
say, what other Disney attraction needs EMT's standing by? That says it right
there that this attraction is major league.

We walked out past the unloading portion of the Tower Basement
and turned a corner to see a large waiting area and a long
counter. Behind the counter the wall contained a message reading:

       Picture if you will.....

              ...the expression of horror on your face as...

or something like that. This is to be the area where you can
purchase the photo of yourself as you are frightened to death
from that little 1 foot drop before THE BIG ONE.

This area was incomplete so no photo for us.

We went into the gift shop. We all deserved a shirt after
that. The shirts were selling like hotcakes. Of course they were
out of my size for the one I wanted so I settled for my second choice.

My shirt is black with the outline of The Hollywood Hotel. The
front of the shirt contains green and purple letters that spell out "Hollywood
Tower of Terror." The back says, "You can check in........but you can't check
out!"

The CMs in the gift shop were dressed like morticians. One asked
me if I looked up while on the elevator. "Why?" I asked. He smiled.

We left the gift shop and walked into the courtyard. I saw some
people sitting down and trying to catch their composure. Some
people had a tough time with this ride.

Here are a couple of updates and observations about the Tower of Terror...

 o The minimum height requirement is only 40 inches -- not very tall!  I
   saw people bringing pretty little kids onto this attraction.  I wouldn't
   recommend it!  My 8 year old nephew loved it and even rode twice in a row
   during the child swap.  The almost 5 year old would have been terrified!

 o The elevator has room for 22 people.  It's set up like this:
          o o o o o o o o
          o o o o   o o o
          o o o o   o o o
   I never got to ride in that exposed seat in the back row.  I think
   it must be an incredible feeling to have nothing at all front of
   you, and only a little seat belt to hold you in!

 o You might need to ride more than once.  I didn't see half the stuff in the
   hallways until my third time through!

 o One of the most striking parts of this attraction to me was the absolute
   pitch darkness of the place.  I couldn't see my hand an inch in front of
   my face.

 o There has been a pretty significant change...



  An extra drop has been added!  After you look down the second hallway and
  move forward into the drop shaft, you drop down before going up to the
  top.  I'm guessing that this first drop is about 4 stories or so -- enough
  to give you a good scare and let you know what's to come!  Then
  you stop, then drop a little more.  Next you shoot up to the top very 
  quickly.  The doors open, you drop a little for the picture, then finally
  plunge all the way down.

  When we started rising to the top after the first drop, my sister said
  something like "You mean we didn't even do it yet?!"

> o The elevator has room for 22 people.  It's set up like this:
>          o o o o o o o o
>          o o o o   o o o
>          o o o o   o o o
>   I never got to ride in that exposed seat in the back row.  I think
>   it must be an incredible feeling to have nothing at all front of
>   you, and only a little seat belt to hold you in!

I manipulated the seating of my family so I got the middle seat.  It 
isn't really that much of a big deal since I'm not one to 'hold on' 
anyways.  If you happen to be a person that holds on tight on a roller 
coaster you might get an extra rush out of this seat.

> o You might need to ride more than once.  I didn't see half the stuff in the
>   hallways until my third time through!


I agree...What I like about the ride is that I rode it maybe 6 times 
and enjoyed it every time.  What I found interesting is that it's 
reputation is such that many kids don't want to go on it and a lot of 
adults don't want to go on it.  Although the parks were fairly 
crowded I didn't think the wait here was that bad at all.  There was 
[constantly] quite a crowd at the exit.  I assume these were groups of 
people who decided to not go in the hotel, waiting for the 'other half' of
their group that went on the ride...
.
.
.

    For those of you lucky enough to be in MGM on Friday, October 13th
    
    "SHRIEK OUT FRIDAY THE 13TH- October 13  -  Disney-MGM Studios presents
    chills and thrills from the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, entended hours
    and an all out dance party with the hottest music.  A 'terror-ific' mix
    of dismay and play, plus Sorcery in the Sky fireworks."

    Recently it was revealed that the TZTOT has Randomizer software that 
    will randomly choose from 6 different "drop programs", To date only 
    two programs have been used.
    
    Mike

>    Recently it was revealed that the TZTOT has Randomizer software that 
>    will randomly choose from 6 different "drop programs", To date only 
>    two programs have been used.

When I went on TZToT (twice! :-) ) last October, it was the same type of
drop sequence as noted in .72.  FWIW.

-- Nina

    The different drop programs were designed so that guests would not
    always know when the BIG drop would occur. The programs may involve 
    several FALSE drops and shifting upwards towards the top of the tower
    before you go down....some people prefer to know when they will drop
    while others prefer to be surprised.
    
    Mike

    The writeup in .71 is excellent and very accurately describes the
    feelings during the entire ride, especially the fall!  Of course,
    now you get *two* falls.  After the first fall they haul you back
    up to the top *really* fast!  That may have been the scariest part
    of all... they left my stomach at the bottom, and knowing that
    you're about to go through that fall again in a few seconds is
    chilling!
    
    I don't remember seeing the scene described in .39 (you look out
    into a scene that seems to be looking *up* an elevator shaft, and
    you see other images, including the people in your own elevator car),
    but I may have just been too rattled to have it register (and I was
    busy checking on the state of terror in my oldest son who was with
    me; his face in the "postflight photo" confirms that! :-)).
    
    As for me, the signature on my "deliver the souvenir photo to the
    room" form after the ride was pretty shaky!
    
    This is definitely a "don't-miss" attraction!  I wanted to do it again
    but the line had gotten too long by the time our ride was over.  It'll
    be something to look forward to next time.
    
    My son picked up a cool maroon T-shirt; on the front is a multicolored
    view of the back of Mickey peering into the empty space beyond an open
    elevator door with suitable Twilight-Zonish and other indicators that
    something is veddy wrong.  On the back it says something like "I
    suggest you take the stairs".
    
    In the basement, while in line my youngest son chicke... I mean, decided
    to avoid the ride, and my wife went off with him.  It was hilariously
    ironic that if you want to avoid the fast way down, to get back you must
    use... an elevator!  Of course, it's a somewhat normal-looking elevator,
    once beyond the grungy doors.  Still, he was scared even to get on the
    "safe" elevator!
    
    The cast members on this attraction are great.  In the line next to
    us, where they were loading groups of twenty-two or so into the waiting
    area, there was a small group of people carrying a large stuffed Mickey
    in front of them.  The CM stopped the group, and she would talk only to
    Mickey, in a gloom-and-doom voice:  "Please wait, Mickey.  Your VIP
    status unfortunately doesn't give you any special privileges in the
    Hollywood Hotel.  Your elevator will be ready soon enough..." and so on.
    I laughed, and she looked over at me with an ominous flat stare.  Gnah!
    Another cast member put us into the elevator; when I realized where we
    were being put, I said, "Oh-oh, we're in the front row."  He gave me
    one of those deadpan flat stares and said, "Don't be concerned, sir.
    We haven't lost anyone in the front row.  (A beat)  Today.  (Another
    beat)  We've only lost people in the *second* row today."  Standard
    patter, no doubt, but when you're a first-timer with a knot in your
    gut, gallows humor works pretty well!
    
    I just wish that the TV promos for this ride would employ a bit of
    truth-in-advertising, and not show people standing up in the elevator
    car (an obviously different one than what's used in the actual ride),
    screaming and flailing around as the elevator falls.  At least that's
    what was on the various Disney promo channels on the TV in the onsite
    resort rooms.  There were other promos that were less-than-accurate in
    this manner as well.  Oh well...
    
    Chris