Disney World Reveals a Glimpse of What It Has Planned for the Tower of Terror
Fresh scaffolding removal at the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is giving guests their clearest look yet at what Walt Disney World Resort has planned for the attraction‘s exterior, as a construction project that began back in the spring continues moving toward completion.
How the Project Has Unfolded
Signs of construction first appeared in early spring, when Walt Disney World Resort filed a construction permit tied to the attraction. The visible work began in May, starting with updates to portions of the outdoor queue. Once that phase ended, protective scrim fabric was installed over decorative elements on the Hollywood Tower Hotel facade, specifically above the gift shop near the ride’s exit.
Scaffolding entered the picture in July, first appearing on the right side of the building in that same section. Over the months that followed, the scaffolding gradually spread around the front of the structure and rose, tracing the path of the elevator shafts until it reached the top of the nearly 200-foot-tall building.
As construction progressed, it became evident that Walt Disney World Resort was repainting the entire facade. Fresh patches of bright pink paint began to appear across the building, awaiting the intentional aging treatment responsible for the attraction’s signature haunted, decaying appearance.
Earlier this month, the first section of scaffolding came down, revealing the same spot above the gift shop where construction had first begun. The freshly painted section closely resembled how the building has looked for decades, hinting that Disney’s plans center on restoration rather than reinvention, addressing years of weathering rather than introducing a new look.
What’s Visible Now
According to a WDWNT report from September 29, additional scaffolding has since been removed from the right side of the Hollywood Tower Hotel facade, once again in the area above the gift shop and ride exit. Bright yellow squares that had been visible in that section earlier this month are now fully painted over, blending seamlessly into the surrounding weathered-pink finish.
As the project continues, guests can expect to see more scaffolding removed gradually over time, though Walt Disney World Resort has not confirmed a specific completion date.
The Ride Remains Fully Operational
Despite the ongoing exterior work, both the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction and its adjacent gift shop remain open to guests. Walt Disney World Resort’s official operational calendar currently shows no planned closures tied to this refurbishment.
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