Farewell Tower of Terror, We Will Miss You!

      I remember the first time my family and I saw Tower of Terror. It was in the process of being completed in 2003. It was this beautiful building that loomed over the parks. We had never heard of the movie but after learning that there was an attraction in Disney's California Adventure Park based on the movie or was the movie based on the attraction at Disney World? I am not sure, I just know that we decided to watch the movie.

     The movie Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is great! It is one of my all time favorite movies and I think that is part of the reason I love the attraction so much. Granted the drops are a blast but the theme is what makes  more than just a ride, it is what makes it special.

     I must admit when we returned in 2004 and the attraction had opened we were chickens and would not try riding it. We watched from below thinking those on the elevator were crazy.  But the following year we mustered up our courage and decided to ride. It took a lot of nerve for us to get into that elevator but once on we found that we absolutely loved the theme. The way we were taken into the movie that we loved.

     For several years just getting on the Tower was difficult for us. We had to really talk ourselves into riding but the theme would entice us to ride again and then as we dropped we remembered how much we loved the ride which made us wonder why we were ever scared to begin with. However the next day we would feel that same sense of fear and still feel it every time we rode. I thought maybe that was part of the attraction.

     However a few years ago the fear of getting on Tower of Terror ended. We entered a place where we never felt afraid, we were just excited for the thrill of the experience. We still loved the theme, the part of the attraction where the guests are told "This time that door is opening for you." right before the first drop. We also simply love the drops!

     I am not sure we would have loved the attraction as much if it had not been for the story line theme of the Tower. That is what drew us in and helped us overcome our fears. We learned to love the Tower.

     The Tower is gone now, the tower we know and love. I hear that the drops will remain but the theme is changing. Some are excited, some are sad and some are mad. I am among the sad and the mad. I do not like the new theme, Guardians of the Galaxy does not entertain me at all. It is like changing the theme of the Haunted Mansion to Walking Dead in my eyes. The drops will remain but the experience will not be the same. We will still love the thrill but thrills are not all we seek at DCA. We go for the themes. That is what it is all about for us.

    So farewell Tower of Terror, your theme will be greatly missed!