BY MATTHEW KRUL
When it comes to thrill rides at Walt Disney World , The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror , which opened on July 22 , 1994 , is perhaps the most frightening . The backstory written by Walt Disney Imagineering is enough to give you goosebumps , drawing so much inspiration from The Twilight Zone ( 1959 ) anthology that it feels like a real episode of the classic TV series ; however , the ride system is truly what sets this attraction apart from other thrill rides .
As one Disney commercial describes it , “ when the doors open , you ’ re in for the elevator ride of your life .”
On Imagineer Podcast , I had the pleasure of interviewing Craig McNair Wilson ( McNair for short ), who was one of the early concept designers for the attraction . Speaking with
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ON IMAGINEER PODCAST www . imagineerpodcast . com
McNair about his years of Imagineering during the early days of EPCOT and Disney ’ s Hollywood Studios ( back when it was still called Disney-MGM Studios ), I was captivated by his exuberant theatricality in describing the origins of Disney attractions .
With Tower of Terror , the earliest concepts involved Mel Brooks : McNair worked with Mel and a team of Imagineers
ABOVE : That door is opening once again , and this time , it ' s opening for you . PHOTO BY LAURIE SAPP PREVIOUS PAGE : The Hollywood Tower Hotel was a star in its own right . PHOTO BY ERNIE CARR