Foto Face-off Friday – Tower of Terror v. Haunted Mansion

As you count down the hours until your weekend begins, here is a visual treat! In this week’s edition of Foto Face-off Friday, the weekly blog that features photographs from our TouringPlans Flickr Group that are an extension of the Disney Debates we’ve been holding on our Twitter Account, @TouringPlans, we will attempt to resolve one of Walt Disney World’s “biggest controversies,” Tower of Terror v. Haunted Mansion.

I tried to rustle some feathers with some folks on Twitter (I mean, Haunted Mansion doesn’t even have a post show!), so it really isn’t fair to post just a selection of the comments, but most people were firm in their positions that Haunted Mansion is better. I disagree. Head over there and search for “disneydebate” to see some of the bickering.

Below are the top results from the Flickr entries; each Flickr poster’s personal thoughts on the Face-off are provided below their photo-entry. To view more of their photography click on their respective submission, which will direct you to their Flickr photostream.

Haunted Mansion

Todd_H:

Tough, tough choice. I will have to first say that I think the Tower of Terror is the all around most well done attraction at WDW, both in ride design and decor/theming. However, my vote has to go to the Haunted Mansion for nostalgic reasons and the photographic challenge it poses. Plus Walt was personally involved in the creation of the Haunted Mansion.

Pigletfan:

Very tough choice, I love them both! But I gotta go with Haunted Mansion. It all goes back to remembering the first time I rode it when I was 8 years old. I was scared to death and then it turned out to be one of my all time favorite attractions. It is a must do for me every time I am in The Magic Kingdom.

Corsey21:

Another tough call but I would have to give the slight edge to the Haunted Mansion. Obviously there is no comparing the adrenaline rush of the TOT, but from the great theming, duration, and (like Todd_H said) for the great photographic challenges. I could ride it over and over again and always catch something new.

dd_indy:

As others have said before, these choices are getting harder to make. I rode the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror when it was new, then avoided it for years, but now it’s one of my favorite attractions. The queue is another one of those where you want the line to stand still so you can study all of the little details in the lobby and library. The props that recall episodes from the classic TV show are priceless, such as the fortune telling machine that taunted William Shatner in Nick of Time and a copy of the book To Serve Man. And the ride is just plain fun. (Note to the younger generation: Check out The Twilight Zone on SyFy; it’s quality TV.) My vote, however, goes to the Haunted Mansion. You can’t argue against a classic. Sure, some of the effects are cheesy and the epitaths on the tombstones are corny. But from “Welcome, foolish mortals” to “Hurry back,” it’s just a spooky good time. This attraction has one thing that Tower of Terror doesn’t: A catchy theme song. Everybody sing along: “Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize.”

Tower of Terror
Cory_Disbrow:

I’m gonna be the first person to vote for ToT. I love both of these attractions, and could ride both of them over and over again. But, ToT is simply put, my favorite attraction in Walt Disney World, and I’ve had many great memories there, including this time I recently got to go past the queue to do some shooting.

Ring of Fire Hot Sauce 1:

As iconic of an attraction that Haunted Mansion is, at this moment, I have to go with Tower of Terror.

wide world of hilary:

I debated with myself all week on which of these two amazingly, amazing attractions I could possibly call my favorite and finally by a slim margin I have come to the conclusion that Tower of Terror is mine. For me it came down to the details and TOT has endless possibilities that begin before you even make it to the end of Sunset Blvd and continue throughout the entire Hotel. Plus it’s just one thrilling ride that I could ride all day, every day.

Next week’s Disney Debate subject of the Foto Face-off Friday is one people often find challenging: fireworks. Illuminations versus Magic Kingdom shows (so any special event shows are included). As always please help us settle the debate on Twitter by voicing your thoughts to @TouringPlans and entering your submissions in the TouringPlans Flickr Group discussion entitled “TouringPlans’ Foto Face-off Friday Blog – Illuminations v. Magic Kingdom fireworks!” You could have your comments and picture chosen to be featured in next week’s blog!