Ariana Grande Joins The Fight To Save This Iconic Disney World Ride

Ariana Grande is joining the Disney community in wanting to save one specific attraction located at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

As many Disney fans know, the Tower of Terror has been a Hollywood Studios staple for decades, drawing visitors into the eerie world of "The Twilight Zone." But with Disney’s Disneyland version of the ride having undergone a re-theme to “Guardians of the Galaxy” in California, rumors have periodically swirled about whether the Orlando version might face a similar fate.

For Ariana Grande, the idea of changing the Tower of Terror’s unique horror-inspired storyline is unthinkable.

During her recent podcast appearance, Grande didn’t hold back, calling on Disney to “protect and preserve” the attraction’s classic theme.

"I want to speak on the Tower of Terror because I love and respect the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’ of course I do. I think it's a beautiful thing, it's great, it's impressive, it's amazing. I'm a big Baby Groot person,” she said. “I don't remember much about her, but I love her," Grande said, referencing Disneyland's 2017 transformation of the classic drop tower attraction, where Disney replaced the original ride’s vintage Hollywood vibe with the Marvel-themed Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!

Grande’s admiration for the Tower of Terror isn’t surprising, as she’s long been vocal about her love for Disney magic. She sees the Tower as more than just a ride—it’s an experience, a piece of nostalgia that taps into the park’s original spirit and thrills.

Grande clarified that her desire to preserve the Florida ride’s original theme is driven by "dire desperation, not angst" — a sentiment echoed by Mariah Carey during her appearance on "Las Culturistas" in October.

"It's real desperation to protect and preserve what is the Tower of Terror," she stressed, moments before Yang recalled a moment that he and Rogers had to be evacuated from the ride after it broke down mid-cycle, leading the comedic duo to be escorted out of the attraction while they were both "stoned out of [their] gourd."

Later in the episode, Grande read an open letter she wrote to Disney, urging them to preserve the Tower of Terror in its original form, which she described in the letter as an "absolute masterpiece."

"Perhaps this message comes prematurely, but I would be remiss if I did not reach out with a potential matter of grave concern. In the wake of the most recent alterations that have befallen your historic park in California — yes, I'm referring to the calamitous loss/makeover of the Tower of Terror ride here — I humbly implore you to not follow suit," she read.

"Please allow the iconic and tremendous Tower of Terror to stand tall, permanently in the name of historical preservation, spooky honor, and good, old-fashioned fun,” the singer continued. “I hope that you'll consider this humble plea from a passionate fan."

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which marked its 30th anniversary in July 2024, has been a beloved fixture at Disney’s Hollywood Studios since opening in 1994. Based on the eerie ambiance of “The Twilight Zone,” the attraction quickly became a favorite, inspiring similar versions at other Disney parks worldwide.

Subsequent versions with similar Twilight Zone themes opened at Disneyland's California Adventure Park and France's Walt Disney Studios park a few years later.

Disneyland's California Adventure introduced its own Tower of Terror in 2004, followed by a version at France’s Walt Disney Studios Park in 2007, both continuing the Twilight Zone theme.

However, in 2017, Disneyland’s version was reimagined as Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!, trading the vintage Hollywood vibe for a Marvel-inspired storyline—a change that sparked discussions among fans over preserving classic attractions versus introducing new themes.

Tokyo DisneySea hosts a unique version of the attraction, simply titled Tower of Terror, which doesn’t feature The Twilight Zone theme. Instead, it tells the haunted tale of the fictional Hotel Hightower, weaving connections to other Disney favorites like the Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise.

In addition, Disney recently revealed plans for a new version of the ride system at Hong Kong Disneyland. Announced at the 2024 D23 convention, this upcoming attraction will center on Marvel’s Spider-Man, promising a thrilling, web-slinging adventure that continues Disney’s tradition of innovative reimaginings while honoring the legacy of the original ride.