Lights! Camera! Attraction!
This was actually the first park I visited on both my vacations, due to my redeye flights to Orlando and the Early Entry schedule for resort guests. Since the Studios hosted several of the rides I anticipated seeing most, I took great advantage of the pre-opening access and minimal lines. Having lived near the real Hollywood all my life, I can honestly say this theme park is nothing like the actual town: it's clean, well-maintained and looks old only for theatrical effect.
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The reproductions of Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards date back to the 30s and 40s, when people actually liked hanging out in those neighborhoods, so it has that newsreel, moderne/deco look to it people cherish now that it's all been torn down. [Side bar: the city and people of Hollywood are going to some great lengths to revitalize and clean up the town, and they're making good headway - so please, no hate mail from Johnny Grant or any other Tinsel Town fans, my comments are all in good fun.] The skyline of the Studios is dominated by the intimidating edifice of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: this old school Hollyweird hotel is famous among thrillseekers for its elevator drop ride, but the entire show leading up to that climactic chill is very well designed and executed. Like its venerable spookfest progenitor, The Haunted Mansion, the Tower of Terror relies on skillful applications of ambiance, décor and anticipation to set the proper mood. Wandering through the eerie, abandoned lobby and hallways, one can almost smell the must in the air as vintage furniture and props sit silent, as if awaiting the return of the poor lost souls who disappeared in a flash decades ago. Further entangling oneself in this web of disaster, the cathode-ray specter of Rod Serling greets you and bids you to explore the mysteries towering above. The WDI gang really pulled off this effect well, rekindling that old feeling that where Rod skulks, the Twilight Zone truly cannot be far off. |
Time for a trip to the dank boiler room (another design triumph in mood management) and into one of the operational freight elevators for your ascent up the Tower . . . and beyond! I won't spoil the surprises, but suffice it to say that the effects are most impressive and really play with your mind and senses. Again, another show where it's as much fun wondering how they did it all as it is how they keep it all running flawlessly. I don't care how much of a chicken you are, don't miss this attraction -- hang onto your hat, your kid, your lunch… whatever it takes, just get your Fast Pass ticket and remember E is for Elevator, and E ticket ride too. One of the best!
Great Scott! My floating clock just shattered: time to see what else awaits us in the Studio wings…
© 2001-2002 scott weitz