Will ToT change at WDW?

[DisneyMama811]

It's one of the four park icons. Moreso even than the Chinese Theater. If they rethemed ToT, then why not Spaceship Earth? The Tree of Life? Cinderella's Castle? Yes, Splash Mountain is popular and it's being rethemed, but the reason their retheming it is because they know it'll be even more popular as Princess and the Frog. You can't turn it into Mission: Breakout, because it'll lessen the impact of Cosmic Rewind, resulting in not only a less popular ride, but two less popular rides.

One day? Maybe. Now? It's far too profitable to keep it in the same lane.

Side note: They've canonized the Hollywood Tower Hotel as the hotel owned by Harrison Hightower in the Society of Explorers and Adventurers. Remove the theme, and you rip open a gaping plot hole in Disney's attempt at a shared universe.

ahh I forgot about the S.E.A connection

 

[1lilspark]

It's highly unlikely they'll retheme ToT. It's one of the most popular rides in all four parks.

California TOT became mission breakout & Paris TOT got a new storyline dropping the twilight zone theme

It all depends on when Disneys license of the twilight zone ip runs out

 

[Dis Dragon]

You really think a little backstory is going to stop them from re-theming? Only hardcore Disney fans even know what SEA is, the average park goer could care less.

 

[DisneyMama811]

You really think a little backstory is going to stop them from re-theming? Only hardcore Disney fans even know what SEA is, the average park goer could care less.

it's funny, I'm not a frequent park go-er (mainly because I live in Canada and the cost $$$$) but I'm made for Disney History, can't get enough of it. Offhand Disney has some great videos about SEA

 

[middlechild]

Question to ask yourself is how many park goers today even know what the Twilight Zone was? If you randomly pick 50 guests at the exit, would 10 know of the TV show? 4? As the number becomes smaller, regardless of how I think of it, the likelihood becomes greater of a re-theme. Twilight Zone as a cultural phenomenon is long past, as a memorable cutting edge story even dimmer. If only the building was round, like a space rocket, then you could be on an escape pod, evading galactic warriors.

 

[BrianL]

Side note: They've canonized the Hollywood Tower Hotel as the hotel owned by Harrison Hightower in the Society of Explorers and Adventurers. Remove the theme, and you rip open a gaping plot hole in Disney's attempt at a shared universe.

Isn't that tied to the Tokyo DisneySea version, THe Hotel Hightower, not the Hollywood Tower Hotel? The theme is similar, but there is no Twilight Zone story in the Tokyo version. Honestly, I don't think they will ever really re-theme Tower of Terror, but I could see them removing the Twilight Zone aspects and leaning more into an original story like the Harrison Hightower thing. They don't own Twilight Zone, so that day could come.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Question to ask yourself is how many park goers today even know what the Twilight Zone was? If you randomly pick 50 guests at the exit, would 10 know of the TV show? 4? As the number becomes smaller, regardless of how I think of it, the likelihood becomes greater of a re-theme. Twilight Zone as a cultural phenomenon is long past, as a memorable cutting edge story even dimmer. If only the building was round, like a space rocket, then you could be on an escape pod, evading galactic warriors.

This is the reason why the version in Tokyo doesn't have the Twilight Zone theming. At the time the ride was being built, the IP was not known to Japanese audiences at all so they gave it an original story instead.

 

[BrianL]

This is the reason why the version in Tokyo doesn't have the Twilight Zone theming. At the time the ride was being built, the IP was not known to Japanese audiences at all so they gave it an original story instead.

And that preshow is soooooo cool!

 

[OppR2nist]

Isn't that tied to the Tokyo DisneySea version, THe Hotel Hightower, not the Hollywood Tower Hotel? The theme is similar, but there is no Twilight Zone story in the Tokyo version. Honestly, I don't think they will ever really re-theme Tower of Terror, but I could see them removing the Twilight Zone aspects and leaning more into an original story like the Harrison Hightower thing. They don't own Twilight Zone, so that day could come.

You know, you're right, that is a Tokyo thing. The Twilight Zone stuff is iconic, and even if for no other reason, it will keep people going back to the original show. What I'd like to see is Disney keep the license going, and make a Disney+ show using the old Rod Serling framing with remade episodes. That's how you use the IP to generate money. And then you tie the ride back to the SEA while keeping the show theming.

 

[Scalemaster34]

Well what has Disney bought lately? Been a few years now since they bought FOX, why not Paramount Global?

One does have to wonder if that enticing promotional sign of was designed to last this long to begin with? While Tower has seen some renewed popularity, it's still a long way from being the "new" star attraction.

But Disney just seems to be cleaning this up on their roadways... also a report of the DVC Goofy Van being taken down.

 

[BrianL]

Well what has Disney bought lately? Been a few years now since they bought FOX, why not Paramount Global?

One does have to wonder if that enticing promotional sign of was designed to last this long to begin with? While Tower has seen some renewed popularity, it's still a long way from being the "new" star attraction.

But Disney just seems to be cleaning this up on their roadways... also a report of the DVC Goofy Van being taken down.

Yeah, honestly while I know that sign is a "classic" it's also pretty dated. I do wish something new would go up in it's place though.

 

[New Mouse]

I wouldn't mind a retheme IF it is done right, but to be fair Disney needs to add attractions to all of its parks, not replace. 3 of 4 parks are still extremely lacking when it comes to experiences.

I will say Disney fans tend to want Disney to be a museum. Look across the road to Universal where they have replaced all but 2 original attractions and that's what Disney should be doing to keep it fresh.

 

[CarolynFH]

also a report of the DVC Goofy Van being taken down.

It was being repainted/refurbished, not taken down.

 

[KYMickey]

Yeah, honestly while I knwo that sign si a "classic" it's also pretty dated. I do wish something new would go up in it's place though.

My feelings are just the opposite, I wish he would quit getting rid of classics! Future generations will never know what Disney really was when it was really a great place! With every classic they replace or change Disney keeps going downhill.

 

[BrianL]

My feelings are just the opposite, I wish he would quit getting rid of classics! Future generations will never know what Disney really was when it was really a great place! With every classic they replace or change Disney keeps going downhill.

Well, I feel that way about stuff that is actually IN the parks, but this was just a billboard after all.

 

[ChristmasJay83]

with the demolition of the ToT sign outside of WDW having recently taken place, do you guys think it means anything for the future of the attraction? I will SOB if they re theme it to Mission Breakout like at Disneyland. Of course it could mean absolutely nothing... it's just weird they decided to take it down

I hightly doubt they retheme it to Mission Breakout since they JUST built a Guardians ride at EPCOT.
I actually think Disney dropped the ball here. I know this is sacrilegious, but given what they did in California, it would have made sense to retheme TOT to Mission Breakout at DHS and make that whole are a Superhero land (yes, i know, they cant use Avengers related IP east fo the Mississippi) But, they could take what they CAN use in FL and remake that whole area.

 

[UofMGuy423]

The California ToT wasn't as good as WDW's and had lower attendance. Coupled with Bug's Land next to it, I think California's was redone to bring more locals and excitement to that area of California Adventure and to bring in Marvel.

 

[RamblinWreck]

My feelings are just the opposite, I wish he would quit getting rid of classics! Future generations will never know what Disney really was when it was really a great place! With every classic they replace or change Disney keeps going downhill.

It keeps going downhill in the minds of us old crotchety adults who only really liked those things in the first place because we were kids when we first saw them.

My little ones, when they get to Disney World, the first thing they ask to do is Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

 

[KYMickey]

It keeps going downhill in the minds of us old crotchety adults who only really liked those things in the first place because we were kids when we first saw them.

My little ones, when they get to Disney World, the first thing they ask to do is Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

But, that while not a classic is along the same theme as many of the classics. It's certainly not off-the-wall like many of the new attractions are and is based on Mickey and Minnie!

 

[set88]

I wouldn't mind a retheme IF it is done right, but to be fair Disney needs to add attractions to all of its parks, not replace. 3 of 4 parks are still extremely lacking when it comes to experiences.

I will say Disney fans tend to want Disney to be a museum. Look across the road to Universal where they have replaced all but 2 original attractions and that's what Disney should be doing to keep it fresh.

Oh my, but Universal Studios would be so much better off with more of their original attractions than their recent replacements which bombed. I'm thinking of the fast & furious ride and the Jimmy Fallon one. They're both terrible. And I think they are both going to feel dated very quickly (if they don't already) whereas attractions based on older iconic movies would always age better. I'm hoping Universal can see the error of their ways and replace those new attractions before they mess with any of the older stuff.

I think it would be a big mistake for Disney to get rid of too many attractions based on the timeless classics for "popular IP of the moment" stuff the way Universal has done. Nostalgia will always sell, but "new and shiny" IPs wear off. I think Universal is setting themselves up to get bitten by this. Of course, it does help to actually build high quality fun attractions that are fun even if you don't care about the IP.