Scaffolding has expanded along the southeast side of the Hollywood Tower Hotel facade at Tower of Terror. New sections are now anchored directly into the building around a balustrade, arched windows, and decorative tile work. The scaffolding is very likely in support of an exterior refresh, the extent of which we’re still not sure. Here’s the latest.
Scaffolding Climbs Tower of Terror for Exterior Refresh
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Scaffolding now covers a large section of the southeast facade, including balustrades, arched windows, and tile details
- Scrim and fabric coverings are wrapped around several architectural elements
- Some cracking and staining is visible on the building itself, separate from the attraction’s intentionally weathered theming
On a visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this afternoon, we snapped some photos of the work. The photos show the refurbishment has moved well beyond the limited scope it had been contained to recently. Scaffolding now climbs multiple stories. It wraps around a stone balustrade lined with dozens of individual balusters, several arched windows with green-painted frames, and a checkerboard pattern of tan and yellow tile.
In multiple spots, the scaffolding appears bolted directly into the facade rather than simply standing alongside it. Sections of tan fabric or scrim are wrapped around capitals, balusters, and other decorative elements. This suggests either protection during work or masking of areas still to be addressed.
A few details stand out as possible real wear rather than intentional theming. That said, it’s often difficult to differentiate between the two. Tower of Terror is designed to look like a grand hotel frozen in decay since a fateful night in 1939, so some of what appears weathered is themed deterioration by design.
The attraction and its gift shop have continued operating normally throughout the work, and there’s still no word from Disney on the full scope of the project or an expected completion date.
Story So Far
Tower of Terror’s exterior refurbishment has been building for months. A refurbishment in the ride’s exterior queue began earlier this Spring. Decorative flags came down from the Tower Hotel Gifts were removed, and scrim went up over portions of the facade near the shop. Scaffolding then appeared on the far right side of the facade above the gift shop, and it later expanded to cover the top center of that section as well.
Now, scaffolding climbs the exterior fo the iconic structure for what could be shaping up to be an extensive refresh.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!