The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror has been a cornerstone of Sunset Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios since it opened in 1994, five years after the park itself debuted at Walt Disney World Resort. More than three decades later, it remains one of the most requested attractions in the park, with its signature blend of storytelling, free-fall drops, and a meticulously themed hotel facade keeping guests coming back again and again. Its Lightning Lane offering is consistently one of the busier options, a testament to the ride's enduring appeal even as newer, IP-driven attractions have joined the Hollywood Studios lineup.

So when visible construction appears on that iconic building, fans take notice — even when the changes are purely cosmetic.

What's Happening Right Now

The ongoing refurbishment of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror has entered a significant new phase. As of September 2, scaffolding has pushed further across the attraction's iconic tower structure, now reaching the corner section adjacent to the shaft itself, according to WDWNT. At this point, the majority of the facade above the attraction's sign is behind scaffolding, and crews have also erected additional scaffolding on the building's right side to keep the work moving forward.

Alongside the expanding scaffolding, the gray repainting effort on the balcony and chimney stack has become noticeably more advanced, with larger sections now showing the updated coat compared to prior weeks.

How We Got Here: A Refurbishment Timeline

This phase of work traces back to early May, when refurbishment first began in the attraction's outdoor queue. Later that month, the flags that had once lined the gift shop exit came down, and a scrim was installed as work continued behind the scenes.

By early July, scaffolding had risen on the far right side of the facade above the gift shop — marking the first visible construction on the tower's upper exterior. That effort expanded again in August, when crews began repainting sections of the facade above the gift shop, setting the stage for the more extensive scaffolding and paint work now underway in September.

The Ride Is Still Open

Here's the good news for thrill-seekers: despite the growing scaffolding footprint, Tower of Terror continues operating normally throughout the refurbishment. Gaps have been left in the scaffolding at the ride's windows, so the views guests experience during the attraction itself remain completely unobscured.

What This Means for Your Visit

If you're planning a trip to Disney's Hollywood Studios in the coming weeks, expect the tower's exterior to look a little different — visible scaffolding and partial gray paint on the upper facade and balcony are part of the current scene. The attraction itself is unaffected operationally, so wait times, Lightning Lane availability, and the in-ride experience should remain consistent with what guests have come to expect from this Hollywood Studios icon.