Disney Parks fans have been revisiting the fascinating lore behind the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror after a recent online discussion highlighted how the iconic attraction is still part of Disneyland Resort—at least in spirit.
The History of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opened at Disney California Adventure in 2004, a decade after its debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort. Inspired by classic episodes of The Twilight Zone, the attraction quickly became a fan favorite, with similar versions eventually opening at Disneyland Paris Resort and Tokyo Disney Resort.
However, the Anaheim version of the Disney Park ride closed in 2017 to make way for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!. This reimagined attraction sparked an initial backlash from die-hard Tower of Terror fans, but it quickly won over guests with its thrilling drop sequences and energetic soundtrack. Today, it’s one of the most popular attractions in Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park.
Disney Park Lore Lives On
Even though Tower of Terror has been gone from Disney California Adventure Park for years, Disney Parks fans recently spotted evidence of its continued presence—at least in the park’s storyline. Redditor u/rosariobono shared a photo of a poster inside the Starbucks on Buena Vista Street. The poster includes a subtle nod to the Hollywood Tower Hotel, leading fans to speculate about how the infamous “haunted” hotel still fits into the park’s lore.
Does the Hollywood Tower Hotel still exist in regards to Buena Vista Street lore?”
Does the Hollywood Tower Hotel still exist in regards to Buena Vista Street lore?
byu/rosariobono inDisneyland
One commenter, u/Red-Fire19, provided a fascinating explanation tied to the park’s official storyline: “I know the current DCA park lore is that The Hollywood Tower is still there, it’s just that The Collector put his Tower over it, which sunk the Hollywood Tower into the ground.”
This in-universe explanation, crafted by Walt Disney Imagineering, suggests that the Hollywood Tower Hotel hasn’t truly disappeared. Instead, it lies beneath the current Tivan Collection, home to Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!.
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