The new drop sequence is here, the new...

[larworth]

The latest upgrade of the fear level at Disney World's Twilight Tower of Terror is aimed at re-creating the ride with surprises that will encourage guests to line up repeatedly.

"We hope it will be another reason to return to Disney World," spokesman Craig Dezern said.

Called "Tower4," the new version of the ride will be unveiled for visiting international travel journalists on Tuesday night. The new ride will be ready for guests in January.

On the outside, nothing about the attraction will change. It will still be appear to be a once-grand hotel built in the revival style popular in Southern California in the early 20th century.

The ride opened in 1994 as a gut-grabbing plummet of more than 100 feet. That drop is nearly twice as long as the plunge at Splash Mountain.

But the original thrills haven't been enough for Disney World management over the years. The ride has had three versions. In the original sequence, riders were taken up to the top floor slowly in an elevator and dropped -- actually the elevator car is pushed down by a motor and doesn't fall -- to the lobby level.

In 1996 the Tower got a new sequence: Riders were "dropped" three times. The third version was installed in 1998, when the ride was changed to feature seven minor and major drops and add a few seconds in the drop chamber.

Before the new 1998 version, riders were given one scary look out the elevator through an open window to see how high above MGM Studios they really were, and how far down they would momentarily go. But the third version in 1998 gave them glimpses out the window before several drops to reinforce the fear.

"Tower4" will have "a number of new drop sequences and you won't ever know which one you're going to experience," Dezern said. There will also be some new special effects, but he wouldn't reveal them. He also would not elaborate on the new ride sequences, even how many there are, but he said that a Disney staff mathematician had planned the new versions.

"The idea is that the tower is taking control. And the ride you will get is entirely random," Dezern said.

Will be interesting to hear what the new special effects are. Glad this one finally is getting done.

 

[Testtrack321]

YEAH!!!!

Lets hope the effect that seems like the building is on fire happens!

 

[caseymaureen]

I am so jealous~ The visiting international tourism journalists got to ride the new version this week, not even us CMs will get to ride it until at least January!

 

[WDWHound]

Right at the end of our last trip in September, the drop sequence changed. It was the last 2 of our 12 rides that trip. We saw things that we had never seen previously. Some of the guests from the video, hallway scene and attic showed up in the elevator shaft and there seemed to be one more drop than usual. I wonder if they were testing some new effects that afternoon.

 

[larworth]

I've seen someone else refer to the images in the drop shaft. They claim there are a different pair of family members in each shaft. There was also some mention of air cannons and possibly something new in the fifth dimension room? The drop profiles are said to vary greatly not only in their length, but also in how the initial drop is staged. Cool.

 

[daannzzz]

Screramscape.com has a slight description of what is going on since he somehow slipped in with the press!

 

[ohanafamily]

What website?

 

[daannzzz]

www.screamscape.com. Click on the news & rumors spot and in the Latest headlines column then click on the WDW link.

 

[toefungus]

This is a lot better: http://www.wdwmagicmedia.com/tower.htm

It will be awsome being shot UP from the 5th dimension. I can't wait for this change!

 

[Bob O]

I wish i was going to MGM this January!!!! From what i have read disney is doing a great job improving what is already one of the best rides/attractions ever created!!!

 

[Testtrack321]

Not only that, but it seems like a new special effect or profile can be added, ON THE WHIM!!!

That means possible new speical effects durring New Years and Holloween!

And it also seems like they found out a use for those dolls at the end!

 

[lrodk]

Screamscape is reporting first-hand news of the new ride programs as well as what we can expect(without giving too much away). Here's their report:

Qoute:
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In addition to having spies across the globe, once in awhile I have to leap into action myself. Without going into details, I soon found myself standing on Sunset Blvd. looking to the maw of the Twilight Zone itself. Strange new sounds were echoing down the street from the beast and I blended in with the crowd of International Journalists that were being funneled down the street to feed the big angry machine. First off... let me say that Tower 4 rocks. I only had time to take two spins to get a taste of what we will all get to enjoy in January, but it was enough that I want more. The machine has taken over and you will no longer know what to expect, or even when to grasp for the lap bar. Even better... when they are finally done there wont be any more lap bar to grasp. Every row will be converted to feature only seat-belts... giving you nothing at all the hang on to other than the person next to you. And trust me... you will be wanting to hang on to something since this new version will feature four very different ride programs, each more powerful than anything we’ve experienced yet. The four different programs will play in a random order so you’ll never know which version of the ride you’ll get. The tamest one of all is said to be a slightly modified version of the current Tower 3 program they are running now. I rode this version myself on the second try, but the first run through the Tower was quite a different experience. I’m not going to spoil it for anyone right now other than to say that from start to finish, you won’t know if you are going to be shot up or down at any given moment. The ride has added all kinds of new special effects to the mix as well. New sounds, new lighting, new visual items, and even blasts of air and the smell of burning rubber. But you wont get every effect on every ride version... some things, such as the burning rubber smell, are exclusive to one of the ride programs only. Even better... it seems the possibilities are not over yet as they can apparently add new programs and effects to the ride at a whim.
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[Barb]

It sounds awesome! Thanks for the updates!

 

[Tartan Tigger]

It sounds brilliant roll on June 2003.

 

[lrodk]

WDWMagic is reporting even more specific details(with diagrams) about "Tower 4" in today's update.

http://www.wdwmagicmedia.com/tower.htm

 

[airlarry!]

Thanks for the updates....

Now this gets me excited about that Mardi Gras trip!!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Has anything noted when in January this starts, or have I just missed reading the date? January 1?
I am hoping for the version 4 upgrade while we are there mid January!