Credit: Haydn Blackey, FlickrThe Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is looking very different at Disney’s Hollywood Studios right now.
The attraction has loomed over Sunset Boulevard since July 1994, when it opened at what was then Disney MGM Studios. Standing 199 feet tall, the Hollywood Tower Hotel is one of the park’s defining landmarks – especially since the removal of the Earffel Tower.
Tower of Terror sends guests inside an abandoned 1930s hotel before dropping them into the Twilight Zone aboard a service elevator. Its randomized drop sequence has been in place since 2002, while the attraction still retains its original Twilight Zone theme more than three decades after opening.
Sitting at the end of Sunset Boulevard, its faded pink exterior, exposed brickwork, and deliberately damaged details make the Hollywood Tower Hotel one of the park’s most recognizable sights. Right now, however, most of those details are difficult to see.
Tower of Terror Is Almost Completely Covered
As of September 11, the Hollywood Tower Hotel is almost completely covered in scaffolding as Disney continues a major exterior refurbishment.
The latest pictures from Disney’s Hollywood Studios show scaffolding stretching across virtually the entire front of Tower of Terror, reaching from the lower portions of the building to its highest sections.
Tower of Terror is now nearly completely covered in scaffolding:
Tower of Terror is now nearly completely covered in scaffolding: pic.twitter.com/OqQBjV5ZB3
— Mattlegostar (@Mattlegostar2) September 11, 2026
Work actually began around the attraction’s outdoor queue in early May. Later that month, flags were removed near the gift shop exit, and scrims appeared over parts of the facade. Scaffolding then began appearing above the gift shop in July.
By early August, that scaffolding had started spreading across the front of the building. Crews were also spotted priming sections of the facade, including decorative friezes, railings, balconies, and portions of the roof.
The project continued growing throughout August. By late August, scaffolding had reached above the enormous Hollywood Tower Hotel sign and stretched to the top of the front facade.
More changes were visible by early September. Scaffolding had begun wrapping around the right side of the tower shaft, while fresh gray paint was visible around a balcony and chimney stack. Other areas have already received refreshed pink paint.
Tower of Terror scaffolding has grown immensely, covering much of the front. Both sides of shaft doors still open and close
Tower of Terror scaffolding has grown immensely, covering much of the front. Both sides of shaft doors still open and close pic.twitter.com/yFYMGB7Rkp
— RockNstardust🎸✨ (@CoasterK24) August 9, 2026
Protective coverings have also appeared across windows and other architectural details, suggesting crews are primarily repainting and refreshing the building’s heavily themed exterior rather than making major structural changes.
Despite the scale of the work, Tower of Terror remains open. Disney has left gaps around the attraction’s elevator windows, allowing riders to experience the attraction normally without scaffolding blocking the most important views from inside.
Disney has not publicly announced a completion date for the exterior project. That becomes particularly interesting as Hollywood Studios approaches one of the most important times of year for Tower of Terror.
Tower of Terror Has a Major Role at Christmas
Every holiday season, the Hollywood Tower Hotel plays an important role at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Sunset Seasons Greetings transforms the building after dark using colorful holiday projections. Disney currently lists the experience as returning during the 2026 holiday season, with the Hollywood Tower Hotel transformed nightly.
Tower of Terror is the canvas for Sunset Seasons Greetings, meaning the enormous amount of scaffolding currently covering its facade would interfere with one of Hollywood Studios’ signature Christmas visuals if it remained in place.
The attraction will also play a role during Disney Jollywood Nights. The separately ticketed Christmas event returns on select evenings from November 7, 2026, through January 5, 2027, with Tower of Terror included among the attractions scheduled to operate.
Disney has not said that the refurbishment needs to be completed before the holiday festivities begin.
Still, with less than two months until Jollywood Nights returns, the amount of scaffolding currently surrounding the hotel makes the project worth watching closely.
Do you think Disney will have Tower of Terror fully uncovered before the Christmas season begins?
