There was a funeral “party” for the Tower of Terror — and the pics are breaking our Disney-loving hearts
As you probably already know, Disneyland’s iconic thrill ride Tower of Terror closed forever earlier this week, to soon be replaced by a new attraction themed to Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.
You almost definitely also know that fans have been in mourning since news of this change was announced last summer; news that was met with outrage and online petitions. But unless you live close to Disneyland’s home in Anaheim, California, you probably didn’t know that several lucky, Disney-loving guests were able to attend a freaking gala — called the “13th Hour Party” — to say goodbye to the ride that captivated (and terrified) so many Disneyland guests for more than a decade.
According to Los Angeles Times, guests at the final event were treated to “a red carpet, mock paparazzi, desserts, mixed drinks and the opportunity to purchase a $37 paperweight in the form of an enlarged hotel key.”
So of course, said fans showed up in style … to pose with a Tower step and repeat.
Seriously, they looked AMAZING.
Disney fans are THE BEST at cosplay.
These bellhop-themed looks are breaking our hearts. Can this ride come back already?!
There were old Hollywood-themed singers called the Silverlake Sisters present to provide some thematic entertainment for partygoers.
And guests were able to feel like stars thanks to the red carpet … and old-timey paparazzi, of course.
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There was dancing … so, so much dancing.
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And delicious, Disney-themed desserts.
Some celebrity guests attended, dressed in their bellhop finest.
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And the keys available for purchase are the perfect collector’s item.
Goodbye, Tower of Terror.
… Thank you for all the screams.
Of course, the Times also reports that guests at the party expressed dissatisfaction and bewilderment at the park’s — a park which is literally an ode to California — decision to scrap one of its few ties to Hollywood’s Golden Age and replace it with a new Marvel property. While Guardians is awesome, Tower of Terror has long been a favorite attraction for fans worldwide since it first opened at Walt Disney World in Florida in 1994, and it undoubtedly fits the park’s old-backlot feel more than the Guardians ride, which has been described as a “warehouse, fortress power plant,” will when it finally opens.
And if it ain’t broke, why fix it?
“It’s rare that they get rid of a ride that already is great,” partygoer Timothy Dowling said. “It had a great theme and great atmosphere. I think this was why it had a cult around it. And you saw this at the goodbye party with so many people dressing up like they were in a Hollywood of the past. The hotel represented a bygone era of Hollywood. Like Main Street U.S.A., it takes us back to a time that we weren’t part of and lets us live in it for a few minutes.”
Unfortunately, much like Old Hollywood itself, the Tower of Terror — the Disneyland version, anyway — is now a relic of the past. You’ve got a lot to live up to, Chris Pratt.
