Is The Tower of Terror Scary?

Tower of Terror includes sudden, fast drops in a dark, enclosed space which may be frightening to some guests. Also, if you bring any bags or backpacks with you, keep them closed and tucked securely between your feet. The drop sequences will cause them to shift around or fly up.



Fear is subjective, but The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is widely considered one of the most intense "psychological" thrill rides at Disney. The "scare factor" comes from two distinct elements: the haunted atmosphere and the physical sensation of weightlessness. The pre-show and queue use eerie lighting and a creepy storyline to build high levels of anticipation. Physically, the ride does not just "drop" you; the elevator car is actually pulled down faster than the force of gravity, creating a "stomach-flipping" sensation as you lift off your seat. However, unlike outdoor drop towers where you can see the height, being enclosed in an elevator makes it feel less "vertigo-inducing" for those afraid of heights. If you enjoy the feeling of "airtime" on roller coasters, you will likely find it thrilling rather than terrifying, but for those who hate the sensation of falling, it is undeniably intense.

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On August 18, 2010, a 20-year-old man was hospitalized after falling 25 feet (7.6 m) from the platform of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. He was waiting in line to ride the attraction and climbed over a barrier before losing his balance.

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Fun Facts. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Attraction is 199 feet tall, making it the highest attraction at Walt Disney World® Resort. Imagineers say the attraction contains only 13 floors because the tower is full of so many 'tall stories. '

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When it first opened, the ride only dropped once from the top of the tower, but less than two years later, a second drop was added. The ride got a third drop in 1999, along with new features like rumbling and more time in the elevator shaft.

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It was one of Disney's few thrill rides, with a hair-raising drop meant to mimic the plummeting of an elevator as the culmination. Despite being a fan favorite, Disneyland's Tower of Terror was closed to be rethemed around the blockbuster "Guardians of the Galaxy" Marvel film and had its last ride on January 2, 2017.

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Those screams are meant to entice Guests to go ride Tower of Terror. However, those screams are totally fake! The screams you'll hear along Sunset Boulevard are actually a recording from speakers strategically placed on the walkways near the ride.

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Perhaps the most famous drop tower ride is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Walt Disney World, which has been wracking the nerves of visitors since 1994. Its faster-than-freefall drop, which, according to Disney lore, plunges 13 stories in its 199-foot tower, is plenty thrilling.

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Photo Credit: Walt Disney World. One of the most popular thrill rides in Disney World history is The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. It's an incredibly intense drop tower attraction that is perfect for those who love experiencing an adrenaline rush but don't necessarily like the feeling of riding a rollercoaster.

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Age Rating: What Ages of Kids Can Ride Tower Of Terror? As always, you know your kids best. But this is one of those instances where being tall enough (40 inches) isn't always the same as being ready for an attraction. A tall 3-year-old should also be a fairly mature and brave 3-year-old to enjoy this ride.

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Some little known fact about the tower is that Florida state law requires that a building that reaches or surpasses 200 ft must have an aircraft beacon be placed on top. The imagineers built the building at 199 ft to avoid putting a beacon on, which they felt would detach guests from the illusion of the Orlando hotel.

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Between the two elevators sits the directory. Here you can see many of the main floors, and entertainment venues. You'll notice letters are missing; at one time, on the bottom of the directory, the fallen letters spelled out 'evil Tower U R doomed'.

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The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror dares you to enter a rickety service elevator to the hotel's 13th floor and propels you up and down—then back up again—for a truly hair-raising experience.

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