Scaffolding has come down from the southeast side of the Hollywood Tower Hotel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, giving us our first look at the refreshed exterior of Tower of Terror. This is the section where scaffolding first appeared earlier this summer, and it has since enveloped the entire top of the building as crews refresh the exterior paint. Here’s the latest.
Tower of Terror Exterior Refresh Reveal at Hollywood Studios
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Scaffolding has been removed from the southeast side of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, where it first appeared this summer
- Newly visible areas show refreshed paint, aged finishes, and ornate stone details
- Scaffolding still wraps the top of the building, and the attraction remains open
On a recent visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we noticed that crews had removed the scaffolding from the southeast side of Tower of Terror. The scaffolding first appeared here earlier this summer, anchored around a balustrade, arched windows, and decorative tile work. Those areas have now been uncovered as work continues at a rather impressive pace. The upper tower remains wrapped as the paint refresh continues.
We took photos of the building from several angles, including the guest parking lot, and the uncovered sections appear to be finished. The facade appears to be freshly painted when zooming in, but from a distance, it may look dirty. Dormers along the roofline keep their weathered green spires, twisted columns, and arched windows. Wood corbels run beneath the carved stone panels, and dark stains streak down the pink stucco below them.
The lower hotel structure offers the best look at the refreshed detail. An ornate carved archway sits above a set of twisted columns. Tan protective wrap still covers a few of the ornamental elements. Nearby, parts of the walls and the balustrade have what appears to be a lavender-ish base coat. That color suggests painters have not yet applied the final layer of weathering in those spots.
Scenic Painters Age the Building on Purpose
The building looks old and worn, and talented scenic painters create that look by hand. They apply techniques that make the hotel appear abandoned since 1939, which serves the attraction’s storyline. Every stain, crack, and patch of rust has a purpose.
The photos show that work in detail. Painted cracks run across the stucco, teal verdigris coats the shutters and downspouts, and rust-colored streaks run down the chimneys and window glass. Paint can tell a story just as much as the written word can in some cases. When we visited in 2024, we saw restored lightning scorch marks at the lobby elevators, proof that painted details on this building can change how guests experience the story.
Scaffolding Still Surrounds the Top of the Tower
The refresh is far from finished. Scaffolding still wraps the upper levels around the Hollywood Tower Hotel sign, and crews in yellow safety vests are visible working on the platforms. Black plastic and red tape cover several window openings, which suggests masking for painting.
This work has spread since July. In August, scaffolding began climbing the front of the building, and we spotted repainting on the right side. Disney has not confirmed a completion date. Tower of Terror has stayed open through all of it, with no change to attraction operations that we have seen.
Story So Far
- Earlier this spring, flags came down near the Tower Hotel Gifts shop, and scrim appeared over part of the facade, and scaffolding later followed above the shop.
- On July 9, scaffolding expanded along the southeast side of the Hollywood Tower Hotel, anchored around a balustrade, arched windows, and decorative tile work.
- On August 4, scaffolding began climbing the front of the building, and repainting appeared on the right side.
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