Disney Demolishes Original Tower of Terror Structure After Decades of Thrills

A longtime fixture of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is officially gone at Disneyland Paris Resort, as Disney quietly tears down part of the ride’s original exterior.

This week, guests visiting Walt Disney Studios Park were met with construction walls around a familiar structure near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The former FastPass+ distribution kiosk—once part of the ride’s operational footprint—has been partially demolished as Disney begins repurposing the space for a new gift shop.

The Tower of Terror has been thrilling guests since 1994, when it first debuted at Walt Disney World Resort’s Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney’s Hollywood Studios). In the decades that followed, the attraction expanded to Disney California Adventure Park (2004), Tokyo DisneySea (2006), and Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris (2007). While California’s version was rethemed in 2017 to Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, the Paris iteration retains its original Twilight Zone-inspired atmosphere—at least for now.

Disneyland Paris has steadily modernized the ride over the years. In 2019, the park introduced The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – A New Dimension of Chills, featuring three eerie new storylines: The Malevolent Machine, The Shaft Creatures, and The 5th Dimension. But it’s not just what happens inside the building that’s changed.

Earlier this year, the European Disney Resort swapped out the library’s curved vintage TV screen—used during the Rod Serling pre-show—for a flat panel. Though the move may have simplified maintenance, it drew criticism from fans who felt that some of the Tower of Terror’s retro charm had been erased.

Now, the removal of the outdoor FastPass+ structure has stirred up more debate. X (formerly Twitter) user @DLPReport shared a photo of the demolition in progress, writing:

🔧 At Tower of Terror, the top of the former FastPass distribution kiosk has been shaved off as it gets modified to become a shop. What is it with slicing off buildings?

🔧 At Tower of Terror, the top of the former FastPass distribution kiosk has been shaved off as it gets modified to become a shop. What is it with slicing off buildings? pic.twitter.com/L2vRoWrNkG

— DLP Report (@DLPReport) May 27, 2025

The new retail location is expected to open later this year, although Disneyland Paris Resort has not announced a specific date. The European Disney park has also not commented on whether the demolition might signal more changes to the attraction’s overall look or experience.

Should Disney change old attractions like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, or leave them alone? Share your opinion with Disney Tips in the comments!