Former Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde has responded to Ariana Grande’s request that Disney preserve the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Walt Disney World.
Rohde discussed the attraction in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly at D23. He spoke with the publication while discussing his new book, Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible. “I think Ariana is right. It is a masterpiece,” Rohde told Entertainment Weekly. He also called the attraction “a classic” and described it as an excellent example of Imagineering.
The comments follow Grande’s public appeal in 2024. She asked Disney not to make changes to the Florida Tower of Terror similar to those made at Disney California Adventure.
What Joe Rohde Said About Tower of Terror
Rohde’s strongest message concerned the quality of the Florida attraction itself. He praised the way its design, technology and storytelling work together, an example of the type of detailed integration that Imagineering can achieve.
Looking up at The Hollywood Tower Hotel (The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror) at Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World, December 2004. Photo Credit: The original uploader was Techclub at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons
Rohde also said he had never heard Disney discuss plans to change the Walt Disney World Tower of Terror while he worked for the company until his retirement in 2021. He also acknowledged that he does not know what Disney might decide about the attraction now.
Why Rohde Says California Was Different
Disney California Adventure opened its Twilight Zone Tower of Terror on May 5, 2004. The attraction closed on January 2, 2016, before Disney converted it into Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!.
The Guardians attraction opened on May 27, 2017. Disney retained the existing tower and free-fall ride system while creating a new story based on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.
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Rohde explained that the California project arose from circumstances specific to Disneyland Resort. He cited operational considerations involving timing and attendance.
Why Ariana Grande Asked Disney to Preserve Tower of Terror
Grande discussed the attraction during a 2024 episode of Las Culturistas, hosted by Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers.
During the conversation, Grande expressed concern about the possibility of Disney changing the Walt Disney World attraction. She referred to the transformation of the California version into Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! in 2017.
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In her interview, Grande read her open letter to Disney saying:
I want to speak on the Tower of Terror because I love and respect the Guardians of the Galaxy, of course I do. I think it’s a beautiful thing, it’s great, it’s impressive, it’s amazing. …
It’s real desperation to protect and preserve what is the Tower of Terror …
Please allow the iconic and tremendous Tower of Terror to stand tall, permanently in the name of historical preservation, spooky honor, and good, old-fashioned fun. I hope that you’ll consider this humble plea from a passionate fan.
Fate of the Tower of Terror
Over the last few years, Disney has changed or removed many of its classic rides, trying to make sure the parks appeal to modern audiences.
Rohde’s comments join Ariana Grande’s and many fans who hope to see the iconic Hollywood Studios ride preserved to commemorate old-school Hollywood storytelling.
Although Rohde no longer works for the Disney company, his comments seem to imply that perhaps the Tower of Terror is safe to keep scaring. At least for now.
Are you hoping, like Ariana Grande, that Disney keeps Tower of Terror as is? Sound off and let us know your thoughts.
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