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Ex-Imagineer Backs Grande on Tower of Terror
19 Aug
Summary
- Joe Rohde supports Ariana Grande's plea to preserve the ride.
- Rohde states he never heard of plans to revamp Florida's ride.
- The original Tower of Terror is considered a masterpiece of design.
Legendary former Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde has voiced his support for singer Ariana Grande's recent public appeal to protect and preserve the Tower of Terror attraction at Walt Disney World. Grande had expressed "real desperation" urging Disney to maintain the ride's original Twilight Zone theme.
Rohde, who spearheaded the 2017 transformation of Disneyland's Tower of Terror into the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! ride, stated that he agrees with Grande that the Florida version is a "masterpiece."
He explained that the Disneyland project was a specific response to unique circumstances at that resort. Rohde confirmed that he never encountered any internal discussions or plans indicating an interest in revamping the Orlando ride's theme during his time with Disney Imagineering before his retirement in 2021.
Rohde, who also contributed to the design of Animal Kingdom and Expedition Everest, lauded the Florida Tower of Terror as "the epitome of Towers of Terror," praising its design, technology, and storytelling. Several other versions of the Tower of Terror exist globally, with Paris and Tokyo currently operating and a Spider-Man themed version planned for Hong Kong.
