Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for discussion of the April 16 article: A Sneak Peek at the Hollywood Tower Hotel at <a href="News-ID508160.asp" target="_blank">http://LaughingPlace.com/News-ID508160.asp</a>.
Originally Posted By dresswhites Wow what great pictures. I don't understand how people can complain about this attraction. It seems to me that this is definately the most detailed attraction since Indy. Lots of little things to see. I think also the animation building looks great.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt I agree. I haven't completely made up my mind but I see nothing here short of Disney's best efforts.
Originally Posted By Jim in Pasadena CA Must....not.....look....at..pictures. Must....remember...that....I'm...going.. to..the...AP...preview.....on..... April....28th...
Originally Posted By pheneix Wow, you can really tell that they put a lot of effort into the landscaping around the building. Too bad it has to be in DCA. <a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/ShowPic.asp?Filename=/files/TOTPreview2/big/P04-003.JPG&Caption=From+the+gate+may+be+seen+the+Hyperion+Theater..&ID=508160" target="_blank">http://www.laughingplace.com/S howPic.asp?Filename=/files/TOTPreview2/big/P04-003.JPG&Caption=From+the+gate+may+be+seen+the+Hyperion+Theater..&ID=508160</a> >>>I haven't completely made up my mind but I see nothing here short of Disney's best efforts.<<< It's definitely their best in California since Indy, but to be honest the exterior of Florida's TOT just smokes DCA's to no end. I mean, there's just no getting around it. A lot of people would argue that once you get inside of the show building it's not really gonna matter, and they would be correct. But Disney had to go and throw up a merticuously detailed show building, so asthetically no one really has a choice but to judge the exterior and surrounding area as a total package. Arstogas hit this so hard on the head it is not even funny. Tower of Terror really does show just how bad of a job Disney did on California Adventure.
Originally Posted By pheneix For what it's worth, don't take the above post as a slam on the attraction itself. From what I can see, they did a really good job on it. I'm gonna reserve the right to say that Mummy is gonna kick the living crap out of it when it opens, but hey, that's what Disney gets for relying on "safe" investments, no matter how prudent this one will probably turn out to be.
Originally Posted By Blacksheep Uncle wow...that didn't take long..."zero to DCA slamming" in less than 10 posts... anyway..I'm with Jim...I gunna try an avoid anymore preview stuff untill after the 26th at 3:00pm
Originally Posted By wilbear64 I'm one of the few people who like DCA, and I think it will only get better with time. I can't wait to compair TOTs! I like compairing the same attractions at different parks, and I'm glad they are not just a like. I'll be doing DCA's TOT on May 16th! Eeeeeee!
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "It's definitely their best in California since Indy, but to be honest the exterior of Florida's TOT just smokes DCA's to no end. I mean, there's just no getting around it." True, but what does it matter? DLP's Phantom Manor's exterior smokes DL's, does that diminish your DL experience? It seems like that is what you are suggesting.
Originally Posted By pheneix >>>DLP's Phantom Manor's exterior smokes DL's, does that diminish your DL experience?<<< That's not really a good example. Yes, DLP's Haunted Mansion is a couple of generations ahead of Disneyland's, but Disneyland's front entrance is landscaped well for it's theme and sits in perfect harmony with its surroundings*. Now look at Tower of Terror. Giant run-down old hotel, check. Sunset Blvd. to the left, check. Now, KA-BLAM!!! Old animation studio to your right. Then, KA-BLAM!!! Giant blue staircase behind you. It is just frighteningly tacky, and it really gives off the impression that Disney simply didn't care (which considering the adminstration that oversaw most of the construction of this attraction that assumption would most likely be true). However, on a lighter note I can say that I like the look of the interior of the ride a little bit better than the one in Florida. The lighting and decor just work better for me.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney Wow, thanks for those fantastic pictures. It makes me want to get there a little sooner now. Fortunately, I have a reservation for April 27th.....2005 that is . No, I might get there a little sooner (probably not by much though), but I guess I have to chime in with others have said: IF SOMEONE had the foresight to create on this level for DCA from DAY 1, there might not have been a need for a TOT.....or maybe it would have been there a few years now already. I guess that why us "bashers" are frustrated. There is NOTHING even close to that level of theming, creativity and pure detail in that park. They thought they could skimp and WOULD HAVE CONTINUED if people actually would have shown up. I'm glad they are getting their "stuff" together, but looking at these pics only proves how much they held back with the other 95% of the park and frankly it's embarrasing to go from something like TOT on one side of the park to end up at route 66 with a bunch of sterile, steele carnie rides. *SIGH* But, TOT looks GREAT!!! Let's HOPE the future of DCA continue on THIS level.
Originally Posted By wilbear64 When Disneyland openned in 1955, it didn't have the level of detail it has now. Many things have changed and attractions added. This is also true of other Disney parks. They grow and change, and get better as the go along. I do think DCA's bar was set too low from the get go, but I still enjoyed it from day one.
Originally Posted By CTXRover Considering USH's Mummy is just a shortened version of the Florida version thats now being tested, its not going to smoke this version of Tower. Face it pheneix, Mummy in Orlando didn't come close to delivering what it (and even you) promised. I probably shouldn't say that because after the 3 week close down to put in those last few missing effects and animatronics (starting tomorrow, I believe) it could re-open as a completely new and mind-blowing, amazing ride it was hyped to be, but right now its just a very fun ride....far from the best and most I've talked to agree. I probably won't get out to see DCA's tower for a few years, but from pics and videos and reviews, it seems like its more than exceeding expectations. So many wrote it off as a cheap version, and now that can be seen as being farther from the truth. It is a shame that it doesn't have that outdoor queue that Florida's has. Its a shame that when they built the Hyperion they decided to do the outdoor stairwell, but now its too late to change that. Who knows though, perhaps they will do something with it in the future. Even the WDS facade on the corners of the animation building helped out that area. Unlike Florida, it seems you actually have to get inside the building to start to "feel" the eerieness of the tower. But once inside, WOW! That boiler room and its over-amazing details alone seem to make up for the outside. And I for one am glad they didn't just clone the outside look of the building either. They gave the whole thing, from inside to out, a different "pueblo-deco" design. Naturally, a gothic design is spookier than the lighter deco design, but it still is one amazing building.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice It looks absolutely awesome... Can't wait for May 18/19!! On a cast member 'show' note... Any female bellhops should be required to wear their hair 'up' ...The redhead with the bob and bangs stuck out like a sore thumb in the photo with the other bellhops. Yeah, yeah, maybe I'm being sexist, but we all know that there weren't any female bellhops in the '30s. There aren't even that many today at the resorts here in Las Vegas. Tuck the hair... keep the theme intact.
Originally Posted By pheneix >>>Face it pheneix, Mummy in Orlando didn't come close to delivering what it (and even you) promised.<<< That's because the hype really was greater than what reality could bring, and in hindsight a lot of that is really clear. That being said, Mummy still is hands-down the best attraction to open in many, many years (probably since the original Tower in Florida), and that fact will become very clear when the ride officially opens. That's the last that will be said on this topic about Mummy. >>>They gave the whole thing, from inside to out, a different "pueblo-deco" design.<<< Yes, and it really makes the building a lot easier on the eyes. I really don't think it will win any awards for creepiness, but on an artistic standpoint the building is just marvelous to look at, and for that it could win many awards.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "..but looking at these pics only proves how much they held back with the other 95% of the park and frankly it's embarrasing to go from something like TOT on one side of the park to end up at route 66 with a bunch of sterile, steele carnie rides." I get what you are trying to say but I don't really see how that is any different from Splash Mountain on one side of Disneyland and Dumbo, Teacups, Gadget's Go Coaster and Astro Orbiter on the other side. For me it wasn't so much what was available at DCA when it opened that was troubling, it was what wasn't there.
Originally Posted By CTXRover [Since Mummy was brought up in this thread a little earlier, I just have to quick reply to this, sorry to everyone for the thread drift.] <<<That being said, Mummy still is hands-down the best attraction to open in many, many years >>> That's definetely not what I or many others believe, but you can keep believing that. Its a great attraction, just not the best. But I'm still keeping my mind open that what is to be added still is impressive and my opinion could easily change. However, although different, the comparisons of Mummy to the much better Indy at DL are very apparent. It will be even more apparent out in California. Either way, with the exception of the lacking outdoor area leading to the tower, DCA's tower looks quite impressive. But as someone else said, I think the main problem with the Tower is that it will serve as a reflection of what DCA "could" have been. With Ouimet's push for another classic E and D-ticket ride for DCA though, I think Tower is only the beginning of the changing tides at DCA. Like MGM's Tower, it will serve as THE attraction to propel the park to new heights, literally and figuratively.
Originally Posted By socalguy Maybe some operations cast members know this, but how much queue is inside the building? Have there been tests with cast members to see just how long people can look forward to waiting inside? With the amount of theming and the escape from the southern California summer sun, I have a feeling that Tower's interior queue will be very popular. A great update overall. I'll have an chance to experience Tower on Wednesday after work. I can't wait!
