CA Tower of Terror - Onride Video

Here is a link to an 8 minute Video of the "Regis and Kelly-Show". It features a test ride with the camera showing the riders reaction.

http://www.mouseinfo.com/video/tower/regis1.rm

The ride in itself seems to be incredibly short and I still can´t believe that they converted one of the most influential and original thrillrides to a themed freefall experience.

Did that video run a bit jerky for anyone else? I'm thinking it's something about the compression or something because just about every other video I've got on my computer runs with no worries.

The ride's no shorter than Florida's, and the actual ride sequence appears to be the same (as in the order the different parts of the ride come) - but I guess they could have done the specific scenes differently (not that they need to improve on WDW's, which was spot-on as is). I guess they'll be running the same random program that WDW introduced, because it really adds a heap to the ride, and my guess is they developed the technology for DCA's, but figured they might as well stick it on Disney-MGM's and get some marketing options.

California Adventure is still short of making Disneyland Resort worth anything more than about two or three days at the most, but whatever follows this in coming years will I'm sure be the end of most of the criticism. They've got the rides

Florida's ToT is a short ride- the "dark ride" portion is very short. It is, and always has been, a glorified free-fall ride, but a fantastic experience regardless.

I have to admit that I am extremely excited that DCA is getting this ride!

I rode MGM's for the first time in November and have to say it is by far the best ride/attraction I have ever been on.

Now personally, I think that the CA version is a bit inferior in looks to the Fl version, but I am sure that given time and tree growth, it will improve esthetically.

Obviously the CA version has been simplified in that the elevator does not traverse down the "hallway." Actually on the FL version that is what surprised me the most. I knew before going on the ride that you obviously raised to different floor levels and saw different visual effects prior to the "fall." However when the elevator reached the third stop and we began moving forward, I was blown away!

I think we rode around 10 times, and got to experience all 4 prorams a few times. We got off the ride and hopped right back in line.... over and over. It is EXTREMELY rare for me to do that, and says a lot about the attraction.

Overall, the ride is a home run. And although the CA version seems to be "simplified" quite a bit, it still manages to make me drool. I cannot wait to get over there and try it! It is, and will be, a signature attraction for a long time to come... as well as my favorite ride.

Good job Disney!

Shaggy

*** Edited 1/28/2004 7:16:29 PM UTC by Shaggy***

I'm sorry they toned it down a bunch in terms of dark ride qualities, but a toned down TOT is better than no TOT at all! Now....I'm REALLY excited about the $160 million Tokyo version. With how they've put our rides like Pooh to shame, I can't wait to see how they improve on TOT. (Pooh's Hunny Hunt is the best dark ride I've ever been on!)

Is there anything worse than enduring 8 minutes with Howie Mandell?

I'm with Shaggy. One of the coolest things about Florida's TOT is the trip down the hall. That's certainly much of the standout nature of the ride.

Cali's version looks great too, though. Howie was geting some nice air there.

Well it is infortunate that all of the dark ride components was toned down it looks like they have programed the ride to start the drop sequence at random times, something that couldnt happen at the MGM version (cause you arent in the drop shaft until after the moving room and everyone knows as soon as that baby stops moving horrizontally its happy time).

Yes TOT is a glorified drop ride but then Spiderman is a glorified sim and every roller coaster a glorified ice slide. The last time I was on TOT was in 99 when they were running the first version where they blasted you up too and the ride was amazing. To imagine the drop sequence imagine and S&S turbo drop in the dark, except you get acclereated to top drop/rise speed everytime (ie the gs dont get toned down after the first drop). The ride gives more air then a majority of the roller coasters out there.

Finally, Shaggy Im with you I could ride that ride all day long non stop. TOT is one of those rare rides where allmost all of the screams turn to laughter after the first drop and even the "slient riders" start laughing it is by far and away the best non roller coaster amusment ride I have ever ridden on.

The only dark ride element that has been toned down is the 5th Dimension room (horizontal motion). However, there is a new scene that sounds pretty intriguing is replacing it. So I would say that whether our ToT is better or worse than the original depends fairly heavily on the quality of that scene.

I like the 5th dimension room- it featured quite an impressive effect- but it didn't make or break the ride, as far as I'm concerned. I'm looking forward to riding the DCA version this summer, with or without that portion of the ride... if they manage to replace it with something else, even better.

As a memeber of MouseInfo.com, I'd like to point out that the website said not to directly link to the video or page. But rather to the main page, and I feel that it should be changed to what they want since they're nice enough to take the time to put the video up. Just thought I'd let ya know.

Tower being toned down? Tower will be anything but toned down. Heh, it might even be even better than Disney World's. Somethings I noticed watching the video...

First, it seems the dissapearing effect rumor is true when in the first scene Howie said, "Wave goodbye, to the real world." While it seemed soft and not all that scary, remember that the camera didn't pick up much of the sound effects or naration and that some lights were added for the camera. Don't believe me that it's going to be scary? Check out the video again and look at Howie before he says, "Goodbye to the real world." He jumps back in fight from the sounds and effects.

Also notice the new drop profile planned for openning day. Looks like a mix between Tower 2 and a new one. Notice the false ending. Also the ending will be different than Disney World's. Looks like instead of the TV screen showing all those wierd objects, we're going to have some star effect. Overall, I can't wait until Tower opens.... *** Edited 1/29/2004 12:29:33 AM UTC by Neiller919***

It looks pretty cool. I think this one will be more unpredictable than the one in FL because the ride is already in the drop shaft. I liked how it dropped right after the "ghost" scene!

I saw this on Regis and Kelly, and it looked almost like the Florida one, however the drop looked different. I prefer the old drop sequence on the Florida one, the one huge drop, shoot up to top, and drop again. The bounces just suck, sorry!