The Twilight Zone! *Dramatic music plays*
This year, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror marked its 30th anniversary as a beloved attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests are whisked up in a haunted elevator, only to experience a heart-pounding drop that keeps them coming back for more.
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In 1997, just three years after the Tower of Terror opened its doors, Disney introduced a chilling film during its Wonderful World of Disney movie night. That film was The Tower of Terror, starring Kirsten Dunst and Steve Guttenberg.
Interestingly, it has become one of Disney’s rarest films. It’s nearly impossible to stream on any platform, including Disney+, and challenging to find for purchase to complete your DVD collection.
In this eerie tale, Guttenberg plays Buzzy Crocker, a struggling reporter who finds himself jobless after publishing a fabricated story. Alongside his niece Anna (Kirsten Dunst), they contribute articles to a supermarket tabloid.
Related: The Eerie Details of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Their lives take a turn when an elderly woman approaches them with an intriguing story. Abigail Gregory, portrayed by Amzie Strickland, recounts her visit to the Hollywood Tower Hotel on Halloween night in 1939.
On that fateful evening, five individuals boarded the elevator: singer Carolyn Crosson (Melora Hardin), her boyfriend Gilbert London (Alastair Duncan), child actress Sally Shine (Lindsay Ridgeway), her nanny Emeline Partridge (Wendy Worthington), and bellhop Dewey Todd (John Franklin).
Tragedy struck during their ascent to the Tip Top Club, resulting in the deaths of all five. Abigail believes that Emeline cast a curse in response to Sally’s spoiled behavior, but something went wrong, leaving their spirits trapped in the hotel, where guests have reported sightings.
Related: Guests On Tower of Terror Got a Rare Look at the Ride (and More than they Bargained For)
Abigail tells Buzzy and Anna that the only way to break the curse and free the spirits is to repair the elevator and recover the belongings of the deceased. This quest requires them to reenact the events of that tragic night, so they enlist the help of Chris “Q” Todd (Michael McShane), Dewey’s grandson.
The restless ghosts, fearing the repercussions of Buzzy and Anna’s interference, try to thwart their efforts. A dramatic confrontation unfolds when Anna accuses Emeline of being responsible for the deaths. Shocked, Emeline, along with Carolyn, Gilbert, Sally, and Dewey, strives to prove her innocence—and eventually succeeds.
But this revelation raises a crucial question: if Emeline didn’t cast the curse, then who did?
The answer — and the motive behind it — will leave you stunned, but we won’t spoil it for you!
Originally, the curse was meant to cause the elevator to crash, and if the culprit has their way, the curse could finally be executed, sealing the five souls’ fate forever. As Anna races against time to save the spirits, she puts her own life on the line.
However, this is a Disney movie, so a happy ending is on the horizon!
While I mentioned that Tower of Terror is tricky to find on most streaming platforms, there’s some good news: you can actually watch it on YouTube!
Nearly thirty years have passed since Disney released this haunting tale, but the story of the Tip Top Club and its tragic elevator ride is far from over.
In 2021, Disney announced a collaboration with Marvel star Scarlett Johansson on a new Tower of Terror film. Though the project faced uncertainty amid Johansson’s lawsuit against Disney for breach of contract, a settlement has paved the way for its revival.
Sadly, details about this upcoming movie remain under wraps—we don’t know the cast, the plot, or its release date. But one thing’s for sure: we can look forward to a fresh Tower of Terror adventure that promises to create lasting memories!
Have you ever seen Disney’s Tower of Terror movie? Do you love it as much as we do? Let us know in the comments!