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Mickey Checks Into The Hollywood Hotel: There
are several "Hidden Mickeys" tucked away in the deserted
hotel. During the opening scene in the library, look for the little
girl getting on the elevator -- she's holding a vintage Mickey Mouse
doll. Also, quick-eyed thrill seekers will spot a Mickey Mouse head
that is formed by the swirling stars as the elevator car reaches
the "fifth dimension."
Hidden Messages: On the glass-encased hotel "directory"
in the lobby, some of the letters have fallen to the bottom of the
case. The fallen letters create an ominous warning that reads "evil
tower u r doomed."
'The Good Life' Comes to Life: Rod Serling's opening
scene in the hotel library was taken in part from a 1961 episode
of The Twilight Zone series entitled "The Good Life."
The episode told the story of a little boy who could use his mind
to change things.
Garage Sale, Anyone? Walt Disney Imagineers searched
Hollywood auction houses for the hotel furnishings. French bronzes
by the 19th century artist Moreau are found in the attraction, as
well as furniture pieces that graced Hollywood clubs and hotels
throughout the 1920s.
Who Has the Remote Control? Walt Disney Imagineers
spent countless hours screening all 156 episodes of The Twilight
Zone to capture the overall mood and feel of the series. All of
the episodes were screened at least twice, and some were screened
three or four times to carefully study the props, furnishings, music
and settings.
No Vacancy: A closer look at the upper floors
of the Hollywood Tower Hotel reveals "guest room" lights
and lamps that are illuminated. The lights are meant to resemble
hotel guests who have been lucky enough to avoid the "fifth
dimension" fright of their fellow visitors.
That Sinking (Fast) Feeling: Guests aboard Tower
of Terror fall faster than gravity. That is because the elevator
car doesn't "free fall" -- the ride's mechanics actually
"push" and "pull" it up and down.
Play It Again...: Attention to detail extends
all throughout the ride, and even outside in the queue area. Walt
Disney Imagineers built the landscape to resemble the chaparral-covered
hills of the Elysian and Griffith Parks in Los Angeles. Background
music from the era is played in the queue area, including Glenn
Miller's "Sleepy Time Gal" and "Mood Indigo"
by Duke Ellington.
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