What is the best time to ride Tower of Terror?

At Hollywood Studios, Tower of Terror typically has its shortest waits around 8 AM and its longest around 11 AM. Riding right at rope drop is your best bet.

How long is the wait for Tower of Terror?

The standby wait for Tower of Terror runs about 39 minutes on a typical day and climbs near 120 minutes at its busiest.

Does Tower of Terror break down a lot?

Tower of Terror is currently graded Mostly reliable for reliability. Running about 99 percent of the day over the last 90 days, with most outages lasting about 42 minutes.

How many drops does Tower of Terror have?

It changes every time. A computer randomly selects one of several pre-set drop sequences when your elevator enters the shaft, so the number of drops and their timing vary from ride to ride. You are always guaranteed at least one full plunge from the top of the tower.

Is the Tower of Terror drop sequence really random?

Yes, within limits. The ride picks at random from a handful of tested, pre-programmed drop profiles rather than improvising, which is how it keeps its promise of never the same fear twice while staying safe and consistent.

How scary is Tower of Terror?

It is the most intense ride at Hollywood Studios, and the drops are the reason. You free-fall from near the top of a thirteen-story tower at around thirty nine miles per hour, more than once, with that classic stomach-lifting sensation. There are no inversions, though, and the restraint holds you securely the whole time.

How tall is the Tower of Terror drop?

The tower stands about thirteen stories, and at least one drop sends you from near the very top all the way down. The exact pattern depends on which random drop sequence the ride selects for your trip.

Is Tower of Terror okay for kids?

Riders need to be at least forty inches tall, and beyond the height rule it comes down to whether a child enjoys the feeling of falling. There are no spins or flips, just the drops, so kids who like that sensation tend to love it, while those who dislike stomach-drops will want to sit this one out.

Is there a height requirement for Tower of Terror?

Yes. Riders must be at least 40 in (102 cm) tall to ride Tower of Terror.

Does Tower of Terror have Lightning Lane?

Yes. Tower of Terror offers Lightning Lane, so you can pay to skip the standby line if you would rather not wait.

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The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios — Photo: Rhys A. · CC BY 2.0

Hollywood Studios · Sunset Boulevard

Tower of Terror Wait Time, Drops & Best Time to Ride

At Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios, Tower of Terror is the biggest thrill in the park. This guide shows the current wait, typical wait, best time to ride, ride length, drop and intensity, Lightning Lane, and whether it is worth rope dropping.

Updated July 30, 2026. Live waits refresh throughout the day.

Right now Park closed

Typical wait 39 min

Peak seen 120 min

Quietest hour 8 AM

Quick facts

Land: Sunset Boulevard
Height: 40 in (102 cm)
Lightning Lane: Yes
Opened: 1994
Ride length: About 5 minutes
Thrill: Big thrill

Best Time to Ride Tower of Terror

Typical standby wait by hour. The quietest hour is marked in gold (8 AM); the wait usually peaks around 11 AM.

19 8AM

25 9AM

35 10AM

43 11AM

40 12PM

43 1PM

41 2PM

40 3PM

37 4PM

40 5PM

43 6PM

42 7PM

39 8PM

31 9PM

Pro tip: ride Tower of Terror in the first hour after rope drop or in the last hour before Hollywood Studios closes. If you would rather not wait at all, Lightning Lane lets you skip the standby line.

What to Expect on Tower of Terror

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a drop ride set in the ruined Hollywood Tower Hotel, and it is the biggest thrill at Hollywood Studios. After a beautifully themed build-up through the lobby and boiler room, your service elevator rises through the haunted hotel and then plunges down a thirteen-story shaft. Top speed on the fall is around thirty nine miles per hour.

The clever part is that no two rides feel the same. When your elevator reaches the drop shaft, a computer picks one of several pre-set drop sequences at random, so the number and timing of the drops change from ride to ride. You always get at least one full fall from the top, usually a fake-out drop meant to catch you off guard, and a mix of quick ups and downs in between.

Riders must be at least forty inches tall. The drops are the whole point, so this is the one ride on this list that genuinely earns its big-thrill label, but there are no inversions and the restraint holds you firmly in your seat. If you can handle the feeling of your stomach dropping, the theming makes it one of the most loved rides in the park.

Is Tower of Terror Reliable?

Mostly reliable Running about 99 percent of the day over the last 90 days, with most outages lasting about 42 minutes.

Should You Rope Drop Tower of Terror?

Tower of Terror rarely draws a long line right at rope drop, so the first hour is a great time to ride. The wait builds through the afternoon, so if you miss the morning, aim for the last hour before the park closes.

The Hollywood Studios rope drop plan Best times at Hollywood Studios Plan your Disney day

Tower of Terror FAQ

What is the best time to ride Tower of Terror?: At Hollywood Studios, Tower of Terror typically has its shortest waits around 8 AM and its longest around 11 AM. Riding right at rope drop is your best bet.
How long is the wait for Tower of Terror?: The standby wait for Tower of Terror runs about 39 minutes on a typical day and climbs near 120 minutes at its busiest.
Does Tower of Terror break down a lot?: Tower of Terror is currently graded Mostly reliable for reliability. Running about 99 percent of the day over the last 90 days, with most outages lasting about 42 minutes.
How many drops does Tower of Terror have?: It changes every time. A computer randomly selects one of several pre-set drop sequences when your elevator enters the shaft, so the number of drops and their timing vary from ride to ride. You are always guaranteed at least one full plunge from the top of the tower.
Is the Tower of Terror drop sequence really random?: Yes, within limits. The ride picks at random from a handful of tested, pre-programmed drop profiles rather than improvising, which is how it keeps its promise of never the same fear twice while staying safe and consistent.
How scary is Tower of Terror?: It is the most intense ride at Hollywood Studios, and the drops are the reason. You free-fall from near the top of a thirteen-story tower at around thirty nine miles per hour, more than once, with that classic stomach-lifting sensation. There are no inversions, though, and the restraint holds you securely the whole time.
How tall is the Tower of Terror drop?: The tower stands about thirteen stories, and at least one drop sends you from near the very top all the way down. The exact pattern depends on which random drop sequence the ride selects for your trip.
Is Tower of Terror okay for kids?: Riders need to be at least forty inches tall, and beyond the height rule it comes down to whether a child enjoys the feeling of falling. There are no spins or flips, just the drops, so kids who like that sensation tend to love it, while those who dislike stomach-drops will want to sit this one out.
Is there a height requirement for Tower of Terror?: Yes. Riders must be at least 40 in (102 cm) tall to ride Tower of Terror.
Does Tower of Terror have Lightning Lane?: Yes. Tower of Terror offers Lightning Lane, so you can pay to skip the standby line if you would rather not wait.

More at Hollywood Studios

Live wait board All rides ranked Best times to ride Crowd calendar Rope drop plan Ride reliability Lightning Lane prices Ride height guide Is Tower of Terror scary? Plan your day Which ride are you?

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