The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter (often abbreviated Alien Encounter) was a "theater-in-the-round" attraction located in the Tomorrowland section of the Magic Kingdom theme park at Walt Disney World Resort. The story involves alien scientists testing a new transporter device that accidentally transports a hostile alien creature Into the theater. The creature breaks out of its containment chamber and threatens the audience. A co-production between Walt Disney Imagineering and Lucasfilm, the attraction was a darkly humorous science-fiction experience that used binaural sound to achieve many of its effects. It closed permanently on October 12, 2003.
The attraction has its roots in being developed as an experience themed after Ridley Scott's sci-fi terror Alien (1979). At the time, the elder Imagineers, who had worked directly with Walt Disney, felt it out of tone with the rest of the park. Disney ended up purchasing the theme park rights to Alien anyway as a corridor scene for The Great Movie Ride. Decades later, Disney would eventually purchase 20th Century Fox and all its assets - including the Alien franchise.
Tyra Banks (well known as the host of America's Got Talent), played the female alien who greets guests in the first preshow video, although her lines were voiced by another actress. Tim Curry voiced the Audio-Animatronic robot S.I.R. (Simulated Intelligence Robotics) in the second preshow area. In the original version, the character was named T.O.M. 2000, was voiced by Phil Hartman, and had a much more humorous script. Chairman L.C. Clench was portrayed by actor Jeffrey Jones. Dr. Femus is portrayed by actress Kathy Najimy, with Kevin Pollak playing her partner, Spinlock.
The theme park attraction for which the movie was produced was eventually cancelled for being too scary. However the real reason why it was canceled was one the attraction's actors Jeffrey Jones got arrested for child pornography in 2002 the year before it closed on October 12, 2003 due to Disney not wanted to be associated with celebrities that got arrested.
It took a few hours to get Jeffrey Jones, Kevin Pollack and Kathy Najimy into their alien makeup.