Tower of Terror "Late Checkout"

[alvernon90]

I have had a hard time finding a story that does not have confusing syntax about this "ride ToT in the dark" gimmick, which appears to be just the ride with all of the effects shut down. It supposedly happens once it gets dark outside.

Will they be ruining the ride in the evenings only during the Halloween period, or are they going to ruin it every night from now until they permanently ruin it on January 2?

 

[agamble]

I got the impression it was from the beginning of Halloween time until the ride closes permanently.

 

[figment_jii]

In the comments section of the Parks Blog Posting about the Late-Check Out, Erin Glover said this will be offered until the attraction closes at the end of the operating day on January 2, 2017.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...-california-adventure-park-on-january-2-2017/

 

[alvernon90]

Well, that sounds terrible. The only thing that makes the ride different from a carnival ride is the effects. Why in the world would they turn them off? Because the locals get bored? Whatever.

 

[dsny1mom]

I can assure the locals getting "bored" had nothing to do with this gimmick. If the locals were being catered to (or listened to) ToT would not be changing at all.

Went on it last night. One CM said he had gone on it and he was terrified. We were not terrified in the least. In fact we felt it was pretty lame. They took away the visual effects but the audio still plays, making it just seem like something was missing. I guess some might find it scary and maybe if was totally dark and totally silent I might have felt differently.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I can assure the locals getting "bored" had nothing to do with this gimmick. If the locals were being catered to (or listened to) ToT would not be changing at all.

Went on it last night. One CM said he had gone on it and he was terrified. We were not terrified in the least. In fact we felt it was pretty lame. They took away the visual effects but the audio still plays, making it just seem like something was missing. I guess some might find it scary and maybe if was totally dark and totally silent I might have felt differently.

That does sound lame. Did they tell the story, but not show the family? Was there any Twilight Zone stuff?

 

[SMD]

My friend reported that the audio stopped and restarted after the first drop so that they weren't sure when it was coming. He thought maybe that was a misfire because he thought it would either be no audio or all the audio, not just some.

 

[alvernon90]

Sounds like this means there will be long lines in the daytime and short lines at night.

I guess they thought they were doing so well by turning off half of the effects at Splash Mountain they might as well do the same thing here. "Guests love this attraction, but you know what they would love more? If we purposely set the ride like it was half-broken."

Seriously, if the effects were broken entirely they would close the ride for refurb instead of letting guests go on and experience half the ride. How stupid can they be????

 

[dsny1mom]

Yes story line was told with no visuals. The TV segment before you go into the boiler room is the same too, they did not change it to reflect the gimmick. Lots pf ToT merchandise there last night. They had a very nice AP Tee and a great reusable shopping bag that I picked up for my daughter. The merchandise line was crazy long.
A bit of info for those that plan out their days.... The original version runs until 7 pm. Then they empty the area and reopen it with the new version at 8 pm.

 

[JABRacingOne]

This thread made me laugh. If it is really that bad I might have to buy an "Late Checkout" T-shirt as a tribute to the lameness of it.

 

[dina444444]

My friend reported that the audio stopped and restarted after the first drop so that they weren't sure when it was coming. He thought maybe that was a misfire because he thought it would either be no audio or all the audio, not just some.

I rode last night there was no audio other than parts of the narrator's speech. The parts I heard were the first part after it backs into the elevator shaft and then the one stormy night line. The rest was not included. I was in the first batch of people to ride last night around 7:30.

 

[alvernon90]

I rode last night there was no audio other than parts of the narrator's speech. The parts I heard were the first part after it backs into the elevator shaft and then the one stormy night line. The rest was not included. I was in the first batch of people to ride last night around 7:30.

That is so lame. What makes it any different than an unthemed drop ride at Six Flags? Why in the world would they do this? What is wrong with these people???

 

[NewbieMouse]

This confuses me - most people who are disappointed about the change to GoG because they like the theming so much - why would they choose to turn it OFF when people are coming to ride it for the last time?!?

 

[alvernon90]

This confuses me - most people who are disappointed about the change to GoG because they like the theming so much - why would they choose to turn it OFF when people are coming to ride it for the last time?!?

Presumably to make people think the ride sucks and make them glad that Disney is removing such a boring piece of crap from the parks.

Upcoming "special events" for other popular rides include:

1. Space Mountain Undark After Dark -- when the sun goes down, the lights go on inside Space Mountain and the music gets turned off. Enjoy your wild mouse!

2. Soarin' On The Ground After Dark -- when the sun goes down, all rides on Soarin' feature the movie, but the ride vehicles never leave the ground.

3. Toy Story Midway Mania After Dark -- when the sun goes down, everybody rides without 3D glasses

4. New Normal Splash Mountain -- ride scenes are permanently turned off or removed, ride stays that way for years (in place since 2014)

5. Indiana Jones After Dark -- all movement in the ride vehicles are turned off and move through the building in complete darkness and silence. "Why did it have to be whatever the hell that is?"

6. Star Tours After Dark -- the ride is completely shut down and all passengers are given a ViewMaster with scenes from various Star Wars movies

 

[mich311e]

This is so freaking sad. I love this ride as is and I'm hoping for multiple rides when I'm there next month.

So, are you saying it's normal before 7 and then after 7 it's "in the dark"?

 

[alvernon90]

This is so freaking sad. I love this ride as is and I'm hoping for multiple rides when I'm there next month.

So, are you saying it's normal before 7 and then after 7 it's "in the dark"?

That appears to be the case, yes. Pretty tragic, as it takes a huge chunk of potential ride times and throws them in the garbage. Presumably that also means you should pull FPs for the ride as early as possible, because if your return time is after 7:00 you will only be allowed to ride the broken ride.

 

[rowan1813]

Presumably to make people think the ride sucks and make them glad that Disney is removing such a boring piece of crap from the parks.

Upcoming "special events" for other popular rides include:

1. Space Mountain Undark After Dark -- when the sun goes down, the lights go on inside Space Mountain and the music gets turned off. Enjoy your wild mouse!

2. Soarin' On The Ground After Dark -- when the sun goes down, all rides on Soarin' feature the movie, but the ride vehicles never leave the ground.

3. Toy Story Midway Mania After Dark -- when the sun goes down, everybody rides without 3D glasses

4. New Normal Splash Mountain -- ride scenes are permanently turned off or removed, ride stays that way for years (in place since 2014)

5. Indiana Jones After Dark -- all movement in the ride vehicles are turned off and move through the building in complete darkness and silence. "Why did it have to be whatever the hell that is?"

6. Star Tours After Dark -- the ride is completely shut down and all passengers are given a ViewMaster with scenes from various Star Wars movies

This would actually be terrifying to me!!!! I have never watched videos of the ride going when the lights are on but I know how close the tracks are together. I would be seriously freaked out with this.

 

[SMD]

That appears to be the case, yes. Pretty tragic, as it takes a huge chunk of potential ride times and throws them in the garbage. Presumably that also means you should pull FPs for the ride as early as possible, because if your return time is after 7:00 you will only be allowed to ride the broken ride.

Not really. The park will close at 8pm most of the days between now and the last 2 weeks.

 

[choomTOP]

Reports indicate that they will shut down the queue by 6pm to allow time for the guests already in line a chance to ride the "regular" version. Guests interested in the "Late Check Out" version apparently can start queueing at that time for the 7pm opening, however it is stand-by only -- no FP. I'm assuming that means they'll have scheduled FP's to not be available after 6pm.

 

[mich311e]

That appears to be the case, yes. Pretty tragic, as it takes a huge chunk of potential ride times and throws them in the garbage. Presumably that also means you should pull FPs for the ride as early as possible, because if your return time is after 7:00 you will only be allowed to ride the broken ride.

Thanks for the reply! I'm heading there first on 10/14!