The Mystery Person at the Tower of Terror Part 2
The Tower of Terror is one of the most iconic attractions at Walt Disney World, located in the Hollywood Studios theme park. The ride is based on the Twilight Zone television series and takes riders on a thrilling journey through a haunted hotel. Despite being a popular attraction for over 25 years, the Tower of Terror remains shrouded in mystery and intrigue. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the mysteries surrounding this iconic Disney attraction.
The Story Behind the Hotel
The story behind the Tower of Terror is one of the biggest mysteries surrounding the attraction. According to the official Disney story, the hotel was known as the Hollywood Tower Hotel and was opened in 1917. The hotel was a popular destination for the rich and famous, until one fateful night in 1939 when a storm struck the hotel and caused an elevator to plummet, killing five guests. The hotel was closed and abandoned soon after, with rumors swirling about what really happened that night.
Many fans of the attraction believe that the story behind the hotel is much darker than Disney lets on. Some theories suggest that the hotel was the site of a brutal murder, or that the elevator accident was caused by supernatural forces. Whatever the truth may be, the mystery surrounding the hotel’s history only adds to the attraction’s eerie atmosphere.
The Mysterious Fifth Dimension
One of the most memorable parts of the Tower of Terror ride is the sequence where riders enter the “Fifth Dimension”. This trippy sequence features strange visuals and a haunting soundtrack and has puzzled riders for years. Many fans have speculated about the meaning behind the Fifth Dimension, with some theories suggesting that it represents a portal to another dimension or a glimpse into the afterlife.
Disney has never revealed the true meaning behind the Fifth Dimension sequence, preferring to let fans come up with their own interpretations. Whatever the true meaning may be, there’s no denying that the Fifth Dimension is one of the most unique and mysterious parts of the Tower of Terror experience.
The Ghostly Sightings
While the Tower of Terror is just a ride, some people claim to have experienced real-life hauntings at the attraction. Cast members have reported seeing ghostly apparitions and hearing strange noises, and some guests have claimed to have felt a ghostly presence on the ride. There are even rumors that the Tower of Terror was built on top of an actual haunted hotel and that the spirits of the former guests still haunt the area. Of course, it’s impossible to verify these claims, and it’s likely that many of the sightings are just rumors or tall tales. However, the fact that so many people have reported strange occurrences at the Tower of Terror only adds to the attraction’s mysterious reputation.
The Secrets of the Ride System
Despite being a popular attraction for over 25 years, the Tower of Terror still contains some secrets and mysteries that are known only to Disney insiders. For example, the ride system itself is incredibly complex, featuring a series of drop shafts that move up and down independently. The ride also uses a unique “tilt drop” system that tilts the elevator forward before dropping it, adding to the sensation of freefall.
While some details of the ride system have been revealed over the years, there are likely still many secrets and tricks that Disney has yet to reveal. These secrets only add to the allure of the Tower of Terror, and keep fans coming back year after year to experience the thrills and chills of this iconic attraction.
Another Mystery to Solve
The one mystery we have not heard about and is still very much unsolved is the mystery of the Silouhette on the upper floor, Tower window. Here was our first try at figuring this mystery out in a blog post from 4 years ago: The Mystery Person at the Tower of Terror. Since I posted that I have come across a lot of stories about this but not a definitive answer. Here are some of the stories I’ve found.
Sally Shine
The silhouette in the window at Walt Disney World’s Tower of Terror represents a fictional character named “Sally Shine.” According to the backstory of the attraction, Sally was a young Hollywood starlet who disappeared in 1939 while riding in the hotel’s elevator during a violent storm. It is said that her ghost haunts the hotel to this day, along with the spirits of other guests and staff who perished in the elevator on that fateful night. The silhouette of Sally Shine can be seen in one of the windows of the hotel’s facade, which is intended to give guests a chilling glimpse of the hotel’s haunted history before they enter the attraction.
Rod Serling
The silhouette in the window at Walt Disney World’s Tower of Terror represents the character of “Rod Serling,” the creator and host of the popular television series “The Twilight Zone.” The Tower of Terror is themed after the show, and Rod Serling’s voice is heard throughout the attraction.
Abigail Gregory
The dark silhouette in the window at Walt Disney World’s Tower of Terror attraction is meant to represent the ghostly presence of a character named “Abigail Gregory”. According to the backstory of the attraction, Abigail was a wealthy socialite who disappeared on October 31, 1939, along with four other hotel guests, after they entered the elevator of the Hollywood Tower Hotel and were transported to another dimension. Legend has it that Abigail’s ghost now haunts the hotel, and her figure can be seen in the window of the abandoned guest room on the attraction’s facade.
Generic
The dark silhouette in the window at Walt Disney World’s Tower of Terror is actually an intentional part of the attraction’s theming. It is meant to represent the ghostly presence of one of the former guests who was staying at the fictional Hollywood Tower Hotel and disappeared during a mysterious event that occurred on October 31, 1939. The silhouette is just one of the many eerie and spooky details that are designed to create a creepy atmosphere and immerse guests in the story of the haunted hotel.
It looks like this is still going to be a mystery but you can be sure we are on it and will keep digging until we find THE answer. What do you think? Please leave your thoughts in the comments and let’s solve this mystery!
A big thanks go out to fellow Disney Nerd Nancy Grajeda for her help with this post. Nancy is a member of the Disney Nerds Facebook group and jumped right in when we were asking for help with this topic. THANKS, Nancy!!!
