Poll: Tower of Terror Changing to Guardians of the Galaxy-Good or Bad?

[ALA3Princesses]

I was a big fan of the show the Twilight Zone and I like the ride, but feel that it couldn't hurt to have a more modern component. The Haunted Mansion with Nightmare Before Christmas theming is probably my favorite part of Disneyland. I know that theme is more connected with Disney, but still feel that sometimes a change can be good. I haven't seen Guardians of the Galaxy, but will keep an open mind to see how/if this is pulled off.

 

[Dreamport]

From WDWNT last month:

....The Tower of Terror in California has never been as beloved or admired as much as the original attraction in Florida, and as long as an attraction of the same style existed, I find it hard to believe that any guests visiting the Disneyland Resort would actually care.

*raises hand* I'm one of those folks who just walked right by. DBFF told me it was "practically the same" which meant I was only mildly interested in seeing if I could spot any differences. There were enough other new things to experience on my (potentially) only trip to Disneyland to take up my time on something I could ride the next trip to the World.

There was also a Disney movie that came out in 1997 called "Tower of Terror". That's what I saw when I was a kid, not the old episodes.

And apparently another feature film based on the attraction is in the works

This is exactly what I was going to say. I knew OF the Twilight Zone, but trying to watch when I was little just freaked me out. ToT and the movie came out when I was 12 and my DBFF's family came with us so we all experienced the Tower together. We watched that movie every Halloween for years! Like you've been reiterating, with a remake in the works I have to hope the Old Hollywood and it's best ride will stay at HS, at least for a while longer. Now, if the remake tanks I'd be a little more concerned for the beloved WDW version.

 

[Ratpack]

I think they should and will leave the WDW version alone, it is just too popular. However, I also think that adding some Marvel rides would be a great boost to the parks. Marvel movies and TV shows are doing very well and not just with the young crowd. I am 48 years young and I watch every Marvel (and DC) show on TV right now and have seen almost every movie they have made, including GotG. IMO, I feel this is a fairly large draw to Universal, everyone wanting to ride the Marvel rides, so adding them at the Disney parks would be another attendance booster. But they should have their own rides and areas, don't take away the current ones, at least not at WDW.

 

[bwang123]

I think that most here are too young for Twilight Zone but many learn to appreciate it for the classic it is. My college age son understands and has for a while.

All of the Twilight Zone episodes are on Netflix.

Also, my wife had never seen an episode of the Twilight Zone before riding ToT and it is her favorite ride.

 

[gtpoohbear]

DD actually got into Twilight Zone FROM riding ToT, lol! It's been her very favorite ride for years, so I suggested that she download some episodes (we use iTunes) and she fell in love with them.

Really hoping the rumors are only for DL. We were just there in Feb, and I noticed the difference in the track. Caught me a little off guard actually, as I wasn't expecting to drop yet! But I doubt we'll be back there anytime soon, if ever. DD will be crushed if they change it at DHS.

 

[85glht]

From the pre-show to the attraction itself, it's flawless. I see something new every time I experience it. What idiot would want to mess with that?

Agreed! It is the one attraction where the Imagineers have hit it out of the park.....

 

[GillianP1301]

This change would not thrill me at all. I'm sure they would do a great job of the change, but I'm just not into Super Hero stuff at all and ToT is one of my very favourite Disney attractions.

 

[Ambear]

I think it was syfy that used to show a twilight zone marathon on some holiday, maybe new years... Anyway I loved watching that. Not sure if they still have it though cause sling doesn't get syfy. :/

 

[BrianL]

This rumor has been going around a while and I will reiterate my stance here. The ToT is a masterpiece and one of the best themed and beloved rides made in the past 30 years. Now, MAYBE the DCA one isn't as popular, though I've never noticed a short line for it. I also don't think that re-theming it will get anyone to come to the park who wouldn't have before. There is no benefit to doing this and I have no idea why they even want to.

Even if they want to build a Marvel Land behind it at DCA, they could do so without touching the tower, plus Guardians is not the right property to do this with, especially since in LA they can use any Marvel character. Guardians seems to be chosen because they could use it in FL too...but they should not change the DHS Tower under any circumstances.

This is a stupid idea.

 

[ariane37]

ToT is my favorite ride in all of WDW and I'm glad it's only a rumor for DL. I'm 45, my kids have seen GOTG but I haven't. They've also seen many episodes of (the original) Twilight Zone series because I've been watching it since I was a teenager (reruns, of course!) as well as the Disney movie. Just want to say for those of you who love the ride but have never seen any TZ episodes, watch some! It's a great series

I think it was syfy that used to show a twilight zone marathon on some holiday, maybe new years... Anyway I loved watching that. Not sure if they still have it though cause sling doesn't get syfy. :/

They still do! I watch parts of it every year. I believe it's the July 4th weekend also.

 

[North of Mouse]

NO, NO, NO!!!!!!!!!

 

[maryj11]

Just to remind everyone...ToT at Disney World isn't even rumored to get a Guardians of the Galaxy overmake. It's rumored but not confirmed for Disney Land to coincide with the marvel stuff their doing.

Rest assure Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios is remaining untouched anytime soon

 

[monorailrabbit]

Ugh I would not be a fan! I don't like Marvel but even if I did I still wouldn't like this - I just can't see anything else working for a theme. Even if they picked one of my favorite movies I would still not be ok with retheming it. The Imagineers hit it out of the park with this ride. Down to the last detail. Please don't.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

Universal doesn't have all Marvel,
It's closer to "just" the comic book Avengers at the time of the agreement...or something like that.

In terms of movies, here is a good graphic:

In terms of Parks, it's a bit more.... complicated.
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1262449/000119312510008732/dex1057.htm

The short answer: In Japan and the United States east of the Mississippi: Universal has the rights. Elsewhere in the world: Disney.

The long answer however is that Universal has to upkeep and maintain certain levels to retain those rights or they revert to Disney. As long as Universal maintains it's part of the bargain, there is strict language against Disney (or Marvel) opening any rides, simulators or other attractions within a certain radius of any Universal park.

There is some language that gives some outs:

Each THE MARVEL UNIVERSE shall be operated and maintained in a first class manner consistent with the highest standards of the theme park industry and shall be deemed “open” only when operated in such manner (subject to temporary closures for force majeure events as described in the prior paragraph).

At such time as any THE MARVEL UNIVERSE is no longer open at a particular Universal Theme Park, all exclusivity and marketing rights acquired by MCA as a result of the opening of such THE MARVEL UNIVERSE at such Universal Theme Park, as set forth in Section IV below, shall terminate and this Agreement shall thereafter be construed as if the notice of intent to open THE MARVEL UNIVERSE had not been given by MCA.

In other words, If Disney can prove that Universal has let the quality slip below "first class", they can deem the ride as not "open" and can terminate the agreement.

Regarding what characters they have, that's where it gets interesting:
Universal Theme Park (Orlando) and an exclusive world-wide option to utilize the Marvel characters in additional THE MARVEL UNIVERSES in any other Universal Theme Parks, which initial option must be exercised during the two year period beginning on the date of the opening of THE MARVEL UNIVERSE in the Universal Theme Park (Orlando). The present inventory of the Marvel characters is set forth in the schedule to be attached or provided by Marvel promptly after execution hereof, plus any characters developed or acquired or licensed in the future by Marvel which (x) are marketed under the Marvel “Banner” or (y) were previously marketed under the Marvel “Banner” during the term hereof and are subsequently marketed under the “Banner” of a Marvel Related Company (defined below). Any characters which are licensed to Marvel by third parties subject to terms which require Marvel to pay a license fee based on revenues or which do not permit sublicensing may be excluded, at Marvel’s option, in the foregoing grant.

After such 2 year period, MCA’s exclusive rights will be subject to “shrinkage” or “expansion” as follows:


1. If no action is taken by MCA, such exclusivity shall be limited as follows:


i. East of The Mississippi - any other theme park is limited to using characters not currently being used by MCA at the time such other license is granted. [For purpose of this subsection and subsection iv, a character is “being used by MCA” if (x) it or another character of the same “family” (e.g., any member of THE FANTASTIC FOUR, THE AVENGERS or villains associated with a hero being used) is more than an incidental element of an attraction, is presented as a costumed character, or is more than an incidental element of the theming of a retail store or food facility; and, (y) in addition, if such character or another character from the same “family” is an element in any MCA marketing during the previous year. Any character who is only used as a costume character will not be considered to be “being used by MCA” unless it appears as more than an incidental element in MCA’s marketing.]

So any character or character family that was not represented at Universal is open to Disney east of the Mississippi (i.E. Guardians). Any new characters acquired or created are open to Disney. Any character that was only represented as a costume is open.

It goes into more detail, but you get the gist of it.

 

[Epcot242]

It seems like DHS is turning into less of a showcase for Hollywood and movies/film making in general and more of a showcase of various franchises. Don't get me wrong, I love SW and will be so happy to see SW land whenever it's finished. But I think creative rides dreamed up purely for the park (like ToT) are a dwindling breed across all parks. It's a neat idea but GotG doesn't need a ride, it's a great fun movie, but give us a character meet and greet with some cool animatronic Rocket and Groot or something. Don't take away a unique, wonderfully themed ride.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

I get that kids are creeped out by the theme of ToT...correct me if I am wrong, but isn't that the point??

Kinda sorta, but the point of rides to me is rides. If this opens the ride up to allow more children between 4 and whatever age they can distinguish real from fiction and not be creeped to the point of nightmares, then in my opinion that's overall a good thing for families.

 

[nilla]

Im 49, married and my kids are 18 and 22 and I work and I dont live in a closet. I live in New York. I have no clue what Guardians of the Galaxy even is?? I guess Disney needs to appeal to a younger crowd but I wish they wouldnt change all the classics.

I'm 35 have preschoolers and have never heard of guardians of the galaxy.

GoG is a film based on lesser-known Marvel comics characters. It was the top-grossing film of 2014, raking in over $333 million.

 

[CandleontheWater]

The words I would use to describe my true feelings about this rumor would get me booted off these boards, so I will just keep my mouth shut.

That being said, when I first heard this rumor I heard that it *might* come to WDW because of cost sharing. It would be cheaper to do the overlay if they could share the coasts between coasts, and we all know how Disney loves to save a buck in this day and age, so I am worried.

I know that it is being called an "overlay" or "seasonal" or whatever, but let us not forget that Disney has a very bad habit of letting limited time offerings become semi-permanent. Let us not forget that MSEP was supposed to be a "limited summer return" and Spectro was supposed to return in the Fall, where is Spectro now, in a landfill in central Florida somewhere. Also don't forget the DHS hat and Epcot wand, which overstayed their welcome for a decade+

Let me also respond to this...

Kinda sorta, but the point of rides to me is rides. If this opens the ride up to allow more children between 4 and whatever age they can distinguish real from fiction and not be creeped to the point of nightmares, then in my opinion that's overall a good thing for families.

I don't think the fact that some children might be scared is a good reason to ruin an imagineering masterpiece. Disney World caters to many demographics, not just young kids, and it is fine to have a ride that older kids/adults might enjoy without them. There are also smaller kids who enjoy the ride, like my oldest DS, who rode it for the first time at 3 years old and just LOVED it. There are lots of small kids who are afraid of the characters, that doesn't mean we should eliminate them from the park. Not every ride/experience is for everyone, and that is perfectly fine.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Disneyland does a lot of "holiday overlays" that are never done at WDW (likely because WDW doesn't want to close attractions for four weeks to install and remove them). Just because Disneyland does it is no reason to think that WDW will.

 

[Yahweh]

I'm so done with Super Hero Movies etc.. I would hate to see something as iconic as ToT theming turned into this fad. Plus it's the theming that makes the ride, similar to how splash mountain theming is more important than the flume drop.