Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Review

Ominously overlooking Sunset Boulevard is a 13-story structure that was once the Hollywood Tower Hotel, now deserted. You stroll through an overrun, mist-enshrouded garden and then into the dimly lighted lobby. In the dust-covered library, a lightning bolt zaps a TV to life. Rod Serling recounts the story of the hotel's demise and invites you to enter the Twilight Zone. Then, it's on to the boiler room, where you board the hotel's giant elevator ride.

As you head upward past seemingly empty hallways, ghostly former residents appear. The Fifth Dimension awaits, where you travel forward past recognizable scenes from the popular TV series. Faster than you can say "Where's Rod Serling?" the creaking vehicle plunges into a terrifying, 130-foot free-fall and then, before you can catch your breath, shoots quickly up, down, up, and down all over again. No use trying to guess how many stomach-churning ups and downs you'll experience—Disney's ride engineers have programmed random drop variations into the attraction. It's a different thrill every time. After your final plunge, Serling warns, "The next time you check into a deserted hotel on the dark side of Hollywood, make sure you know what vacancy you'll be filling, or you'll be a permanent member of—the Twilight Zone!"

The ride-height minimum is 40 inches. Those who are pregnant or have heart, back, or neck problems shouldn't ride. For people with disabilities: You must have full upper-body strength and be able to transfer to a ride seat. Service animals can't ride. Get a Fastpass reserved-time ticket. Otherwise, come early or wait until evening, when crowds thin.