Guardians of the Galaxy theme to replace Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure

I agree with the people who don't think that the theming should be changed. I also agree that the Tower or Terror is my favorite ride on Disney Orlando property. That being said I can see why they'd want to transform the ride into that if that area of the park is going to be the Marvel Universe. I haven't been Disneyland or DCA(Will within the next year or two,) so I am not familiar with the layout of either parks.

In the same vein as Gonchar's post above, I think that the Twilight Zone IP works perfectly just because you don't even need it. I love the theme of an old decrepit, abandoned hotel. They could drop the tie-in altogether and it'd still work, but I think it also throws a bone to the older generation going to the parks with grandkids that it's something from their time.

Also, I don't know what the hell Guardians of the Galaxy is, and I'm quite hip. Ask anyone.

My comments are going to likely repeat those of many others. I'm hopeful that Disney's (somewhat) neglect of WDW means that the Orlando version of this ride won't get touched (much in the way that the treehouse got rethemed to Tarzan in CA but the FL version sticks with the outdated Swiss Family Robinson theme). Tower of Terror (or, more specifically, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror) is perfect as it is- a rare case of something working flawlessly from beginning to end. At the end when Rod Serling says: "Next time you check into an abandoned hotel, make sure you know what kind of vacancy you're filling"?... it gives me chills, all these years later. It's one of those examples of Disney really creating something magical. I'd hate to lose that.

I haven't been on the Japanese version of the ride but I've ridden the other three- Orlando definitely has the best and most iconic version, so I guess part of me doesn't mind one of the others going away (at least thematically).

I'm assuming that Universal's contract with Marvel would prevent Disney from doing a Guardians overlay to the Orlando Tower of Terror. The Orlando version, of course, is practically perfect in every way.

That's very Poppins of you.

I would have gone with supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, but that's very hard to spell.

Meh. This sounds like something quite atrocious.

Eff this crap...

Let's go fly a kite!

Lord Gonchar said:

The very fact that not a single person in this thread has referred to the ride by it's actual name - "The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" and simply call it "Tower of Terror" shows how little the IP means to the experience.

That's exactly why it's timeless...the story, the vibe, the experience. It has almost nothing to do with the tie-in.

You're not going to match that with a cartoon raccoon and mumbling tree. Ugh.

The very fact almost everyone, even including us coaster enthusiasts, is unfamiliar with what it's supposed to be themed to means it's high time to ditch that crap.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is one of, if not the, most popular and profitable film franchises to ever exist. It's why Disney bought it. You can go on with your sentimentality for black and white tv shows from the frickin 50s, but Disney is a business and knows what they need to do.

I always enjoyed the Twilight Zone, it's a great show. But it's old and not many young people apart from me appreciate it.

In any case, the ride will be the same. The show that plays during the ride is what is changing.

I think you're missing the point. The ride doesn't need a theme. It's irrelevant to the experience, and judging from the nearly unanimous praise I constantly hear about it (haven't ridden it myself), it doesn't need Marvel or any other IP to be good...least of all Guardians. And I have a great affinity for Marvel; they've paid my father's paycheck since 1968.

bjames said:

The very fact almost everyone, even including us coaster enthusiasts, is unfamiliar with what it's supposed to be themed to means it's high time to ditch that crap.

I think you're speaking for yourself here.

Twilight Zone still airs on TV (METV and SyFy), there is currently more than 120 episodes available on Netflix, the series has been rebooted twice (in the 80's and the 00's) and the classic "do do do do" theme is a cultural touchpoint and is recognizable to almost anyone as the soundtrack of weirdness. We're talking about the age of the IP, but in all seriousness, while people might not be totally familiar with individual episodes, you'd be hard pressed to find someone that doesn't know what it is or signifies...and if you don't, the ride still works.

Regardless, it's exactly what Vader was getting at. The ride doesn't need an IP tie in. It's a timeless story as it stands. Remove the vague Twilight Zone reference and it still holds up...forever. It's ambiguous and doesn't rely on one's appreciation for source material beyond a fan of family friendly "scary" stories.

GotG? Yeah, not so much...on any of those levels.

Vater knows 'vators.

Ele yes I do.

Rob Ascough said:
I'm hopeful that Disney's (somewhat) neglect of WDW

Do what?

Yes, I love the people who insist that the resort is being neglected. Tell me more!