It’s rare to celebrate Friday the 13th during Halloween at Walt Disney World. It only happens every 11 years! To mark this eerie occasion, Disney shared 13 fascinating facts about The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Next time you “drop in,” here’s what you need to know.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ Backstory
The story begins on Halloween night—October 31, 1939. Hollywood is consumed by a fierce thunderstorm, and the elite are gathered at The Hollywood Tower Hotel for the Tip Top Club’s exclusive Halloween Ball. Among the guests are actor Gilbert London, starlet Carolyn Crosson, child prodigy Sally Shine, her nanny Emeline Partridge, and bellman Dewey Todd.
At 8:05 p.m., the elevator carrying these five guests is struck by lightning and vanishes, leaving behind an abandoned hotel frozen in time. Recently, the hotel has mysteriously reopened, with whispers of its lost guests haunting the halls. Enter if you dare—you may cross into the 5th Dimension yourself.
Your Visit to The Hollywood Tower Hotel
Darkness awaits on Sunset Boulevard. Upon entering, the lobby is eerily untouched since 1939. Dust and cobwebs cover everything, and luggage and table settings remain abandoned. Pay close attention to the lobby’s directory board—fallen letters spell out a chilling warning: “TAKE THE STAIRS.”
As you venture into the library and boiler room, strange forces seem to guide you toward the service elevator. If you dare step inside, be ready for a ride unlike any other. The drop sequence is random, pulling you 199 feet down—faster than gravity itself!
Hidden Details in The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
The attraction is full of hidden secrets for keen-eyed visitors:
- Library Sheet Music: Look under the trumpet for sheet music titled “What! No Mickey Mouse? What Kind of Party Is This?” from 1932.
- Clocks Stopped at 8:05: Every clock and watch in the hotel is stopped at the exact moment the elevator disappeared.
- Tip Top Club Poster: Near the concierge desk, see the poster announcing Anthony Fremont and his orchestra were performing that fateful night.
- Caesar the Ventriloquist Doll: Before you leave, visit Caesar in the basement—if you’re brave enough!
Are You Ready for the 5th Dimension?
Step into The Twilight Zone™ and experience one of Disney’s most thrilling attractions. Happy Friday the 13th! If you want to uncover even more spooky facts, watch the Ride & Learn video below.
