A dimension of sound, a dimension of sight

Yesterday, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror opened at Disneyland Resort Paris in an elaborate ceremony. For more information on the sounds and sights of the event be sure to read Alain Littaye's wonderful article at Disney and More.

While music, pre-show, and the story all line-up with what guests have to come to expect, there are some subtle differences. For one, the abandoned hotel uses the architectural style of Pueblo Deco. This style, which was popular in the 1920s, is noted for using Art Deco's geometric shapes, but adds elements common to Native America forms, such as radial sunbursts, arrowhead shapes , and simplified thunderbird motifs. As well, while the landscape is reminiscent of Southern California, there are no palm trees to be seen anywhere on property. This is due to the fact that they could not survive France's harsh winter climate.

Like the Tower of Terror's counterparts across the world, the attention to detail in Paris is also second to none. Imagineers searched for props throughout France, Holland, and the United Kingdom. Many of the disnctly American props, including embossed road signs, travel posters, and mannequins with sculpted hair (can anyone say, The After Hours?), came from a single collector in Holland. Vintage clothing for hotel shop windows came from shops in Paris, and 4,000 books were collected; decks of cards, tea cups, and even a cribbage board were all left to age in the abandoned hotel. Theron Skees, a Walt Disney Imagineering show producer said, "We thought it would be interesting for Europeans to see collectibles that are distinctly American, so guests will spot drums, arrows and tomahawks on the library shelves."


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