Disney World Encloses Tower of Terror Entrance Following Permit Filing

One of the most famous views at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is getting increasingly crowded with construction equipment.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is in the middle of an ongoing refurbishment, and scaffolding has continued expanding around the Hollywood Tower Hotel. The work has gradually become more visible from Sunset Boulevard as crews move farther across the attraction’s right side.

The latest development follows months of smaller construction changes around the attraction, along with a permit Disney filed earlier this year.

Now, guests don’t have to look very hard to realize something is happening at the 32-year-old Disney World classic.

Scaffolding Moves Toward the Front

Tower of Terror’s construction footprint has grown considerably since work first became noticeable earlier this year.

Scaffolding previously concentrated around the far-right side of the facade has expanded toward the front of the Hollywood Tower Hotel. New sections have also appeared across the upper center of the right side.

The scaffolding now covers the middle portion of that side above the balcony walkway.

That puts considerably more construction equipment around the attraction’s entrance-facing exterior than guests saw during earlier stages of the project.

Despite its increased visibility, the scaffolding remains separated from normal guest areas.

Disney also hasn’t revealed exactly what crews are doing behind it.

So far, there have been no obvious signs of major alterations to the building itself. Instead, guests are seeing the construction infrastructure continue to grow while the work remains largely concealed.

Disney Filed a Tower of Terror Permit in March

The expanding scaffolding follows a construction permit Disney filed for work at Tower of Terror in March.

The first noticeable phase arrived a few months later.

A queue refurbishment began in early May, bringing construction activity closer to areas guests encounter before boarding the attraction.

Additional exterior changes soon followed.

Flags near the attraction’s gift shop exit came down later in May, and scrim covered some architectural details around the facade. Scaffolding then appeared on the far-right portion of the Hollywood Tower Hotel above the shop.

Rather than remaining limited to that location, the scaffolding has continued spreading.

That gradual expansion is now changing the appearance of the attraction from farther away.

Sunset Boulevard Has a Different View

Tower of Terror isn’t simply another ride tucked into a corner of Hollywood Studios.

Its location is an important part of its design.

Guests entering Sunset Boulevard can see the Hollywood Tower Hotel rising at the end of the street. Disney uses the building almost like a visual destination, drawing visitors toward the attraction as they move deeper into the park.

Construction on its facade therefore stands out.

The attraction has dominated that section of Hollywood Studios since opening in July 1994. Its intentionally deteriorated exterior helps sell the idea that guests have stumbled upon an abandoned Hollywood hotel with a disturbing history.

Once visitors enter, the story continues through an abandoned lobby and other unsettling spaces before they board the attraction’s elevators.

The giant hotel facade establishes all of that before the ride even begins.

For the moment, scaffolding has become an unavoidable new part of that scenery.

Disney Hasn’t Announced a Major Tower of Terror Change

The growing construction could naturally raise questions about the attraction’s future, especially as Disney continues investing in projects across Walt Disney World.

Nothing currently points to a major thematic overhaul of Tower of Terror.

Disney hasn’t announced plans to remove its Twilight Zone theme, substantially redesign the attraction, or replace the ride. The information available instead points toward refurbishment work affecting areas around the queue and exterior.

The precise nature of the work behind the newest scaffolding remains unknown.

That could become clearer as crews progress or portions of the construction equipment eventually come down.

Until then, guests will continue seeing a Hollywood Tower Hotel that looks a little different from the one they’ve known for decades.

Construction Keeps Expanding at Tower of Terror

The project has come a long way since Disney filed its permit in March.

Queue refurbishment began in May. Flags disappeared near the gift shop exit. Scrim covered facade elements. Scaffolding appeared above the shop.

Now, that scaffolding has moved farther across the right side and toward the front of Tower of Terror, making the refurbishment considerably more apparent from Sunset Boulevard.

After 32 years, some exterior attention isn’t necessarily surprising for an attraction of this scale.

The bigger question is how much farther the construction will spread before Disney finishes the project.

For now, Tower of Terror remains one of Hollywood Studios‘ defining sights—just with quite a bit more scaffolding surrounding the Hollywood Tower Hotel than guests are used to seeing.