Hotel Hightower

**Hotel Hightower** is the name of the building that serves as the location of *Tower of Terror* attraction at Tokyo DisneySea. It is a fictional hotel located in New York, NY, just toward the beginning of Park Avenue.

## Description

The hotel's design is based on a mishmash of Gothic Revival and Moorish Revival architecture (or Neo-Moorish), popular with American and European architects during the 19th and early 20th centuries when the increasing exploitation of European colonies in the Middle East and Africa brought back a thirst for all things "oriental." It is now a style found more commonly in synagogues, due to the association with the Golden Age of Jewry in Moorish Spain. The Hotel is known to have a Spa and Pool, A Parlour Room, a Ball Room and a Garden. Hidden behind a Secret compartment is a passage to a vault, where Harrison Hightower placed his collection.

### Features

* **Storage**:
* **Lobby Level**:
	+ Hotel Shops
	+ The Rajah's Pool
	+ Olympic Restaurant
* **Mezzanine**:
	+ China Doll - Salon de Beaute
	+ Azteca Gaming Room
	+ Alexandria Library
	+ Solarium
* **First Floor**:
	+ **Ladies Retiring Room**:
* **Second Floor**:
	+ Gentleman's Smoking Room
* **Fourth Floor**:
	+ **Atlantis Ballroom**: This was a ballroom where Hightower also held conferences and lectures such as the demonstration of Shiriki Utundu in 1899.
* **Fifth Floor**:
	+ **Explorers Club Meeting Hall**:
* **Sixth and Seventh Floors**:
	+ **Hightower Museum**:
* **Thirteenth Floor**:
	+ **Penthouse**: The penthouse was the personal abode of Harrison Hightower III.

## History

### Background

#### Construction

“*People of New York, with my own two hands I have created this magnificent edifice, which I now give to you, that you may share in my greatness*”
―Harrison Hightower III
The Hotel Hightower's construction began in 1889 when architect Oscar Klinovski was hired by Harrison Hightower III, an evil and wealthy colonial explorer. The hotel's construction took three years before opening the January 24th of 1892. The opening came to much fanfare but also large protests due to the well known crimes of its owner. Attendees of the opening included the very wealthy of New York, Mayor Alfred C. Chapin, members of the New York City Council, and then president Benjamin Harrison who reportedly slept through the affair in his suite.

#### New Year's Eve

He held a Press Conference, on New Years Eve of 1899, talking about his recent expedition to Africa, where he has obtain the Idol. Reporter; Manfred Strang, questions about rumors that the Idol is cursed, but Hightower dismisses the claim. Strang continued to question him, which upset Hightower and causes him to kick the reporter out. Later that night, Strang returns (disguised as a Waiter) and witnesses Hightower returning to his Penthouse Apartment, at the top of the Hotel, and tells his Valet; Archibald Smelding to make sure the New Year Party runs smoothly. Smelding cautions Hightower about the Idol and begs him to treat it with care, but Hightower laughs and puts his cigar out, on the Idol's head.

In attendance of the party were seven of Harrison Hightower III's contemporaries from the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, namely: Lord Henry Mystic with his pet monkey Albert, Captain Mary Oceaneer, Charlton J. Taboret, Prof. R. Blauerhimmel and Dr. J.L. Baterista. At Midnight, Green Lighting comes from the Tower and Hightower's screams are heard, in the Elevator. When Smelding and Strang search the Elevator, Hightower is missing and only his Fez and the idol are in there.

#### Closure

The Hotel is then abandoned, and in 1917, Strang publishes a Paper about the events, and that the Hotel must be destroyed.

#### Tower of Terror

This news comes to Beatrice Rose Endicott, Head of the New York Preservation Society and the Daughter of the owner of the newspaper, Strang works for, and feels that Hotel Hightower is a Landmark. She is able to make sure the Hotel is saved from demolition, but Strang shows more concern.

Strang meets with Beatrice, and the two look about the Hotel, before Strang sees the Idol and he flees the Hotel with Beatrice. Strang asks Beatrice to reconsider her plans for the Hotel, and she claims she'll consider it.

The Hotel is then open to tours, by the New York Preservation Society, leading in to the Tower Of Terror attraction.

## Appearances

### Jungle Cruise

Skipper Missy mentions the Hotel Hightower over the Global Broadcasting Service.

### Mystic Manor

A portrait in Mystic Manor depicts a meeting of S.E.A. in the Hotel Hightower.

### Oceaneer Lab

Captain Mary Oceaneer has a framed newspaper from the hotel's opening.

### Skipper Canteen

The Shiriki Noodle Salad is stated to have been served at the Hotel Hightower the night Hightower disappeared.

### Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar

A letter to Sam from Vanessa Capshaw identifies the portrait of Trader Bill as having been sent to Sam from the Hotel Hightower.

## Behind the scenes

The Hotel Hightower was inspired by Hearst Castle.

## Trivia

* The hotel is the second main incarnation of the, "Tower of Terror": the first being the Hollywood Tower Hotel and the third being the Tivan Collection.

## Gallery

Harrison Hightower III in his Penthouse Apartment on top of Hotel Hightower.The Society of Explorers and Adventurers meeting in the Hotel Hightower in 1899.Foyer of the Atlantis Ballroom
## References

1. ↑ https://twitter.com/Attractions/status/1082384534384062464/photo/1