Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! is an accelerated drop tower dark ride attraction at the Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort. Based on the namesake characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it depicts Rocket recruiting guests to attempt to free the remaining Guardians of the Galaxy from display within the Collector's fortress.[1]

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!
Attraction facade
Disney California Adventure
AreaHollywood Land (2017–2021)
Avengers Campus (2021–present)
StatusOperating
Soft opening dateMay 25, 2017
Opening dateMay 27, 2017[1][2]
ReplacedThe Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Ride statistics
Attraction typeDrop tower, dark ride
ManufacturerOtis Elevator Company
DesignerWalt Disney Imagineering
ThemeGuardians of the Galaxy films
MusicScore by Tyler Bates
Height183 ft (56 m)
Drop40 ft (12 m)
Speed39 mph (63 km/h)
Vehicle typeElevator
Riders per vehicle21
Rows3
Riders per row7
Duration2:10
Height restriction40 in (102 cm)
Pre-show hostRocket
Lightning Lane Available
Must transfer from wheelchair

The attraction uses the same infrastructure and ride system as the previous attraction, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.[3] It features several actors of the cast from the Marvel Studios film series reprising their characters.[4] While the attraction is inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is set in a separate shared universe along with the other Avengers Campus attractions.[5][6][7]

It opened on May 27, 2017, to coincide with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.[1][2]

Development

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Announced at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con, the attraction replaced The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which closed on January 3, 2017.[1][8][9][10] It is the first Disney attraction based on the Marvel Comics characters in the United States, and was incorporated into Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure in June 2021.[11][12][13][14] It was then surrounded by a layer of markings on the ground that imply a cosmic energy which resulted when the fortress was transported from across the galaxy to the campus. The markings are inspired by the Kirby Krackle, based on the artwork of Marvel Comics artist Jack Kirby.[15]

Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Benicio del Toro, and Bradley Cooper reprise their roles as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Taneleer Tivan/The Collector, and the voice of Rocket, respectively.[16][17] Vin Diesel did not reprise his role of Groot, and was replaced by voice actor Fred Tatasciore. Due to Marvel's 1994 contract with Universal Parks & Resorts (pre-dating Disney's 2009 purchase of Marvel Entertainment), the Marvel brand cannot be used as part of the ride's title or advertising.[18] James Gunn directed all of the scenes involving the cast.

Ride experience

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The attraction is themed to the Collector's fortress-esque collection called the Tivan Collection, as seen in the film Guardians of the Galaxy. The Collector (Taneleer Tivan) is showing off his latest acquisitions, the Guardians of the Galaxy, in customized display cases. However, Rocket has secretly escaped his case and asks the guests for help. Guests then board a gantry lift, where they help Rocket try to free the other Guardians.[1]

Queue and preshow

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Guests first pass through the entrance sign and begin in the outdoor queue area. There are extended queue areas on both sides of the path. After passing a gold statue of the Collector, guests enter the main floor of the Collector's archive.[19] The main floor houses a number of artifacts and creatures, including Cosmo the Spacedog. A video plays on loop of the Collector and his new assistant Apheta. The video shows off some of the artifacts and lifeforms in the collection, including Stan Lee. The video also reveals the newest addition to the Tivan Collection, the Guardians of the Galaxy. It is revealed through the Guardians' banter that they, specifically Peter Quill, were tricked into coming to visit as they thought they too were going to be given a tour of the facility. The Collector has their glass cases electrified and suspended over an abyss so that the team cannot escape, yet Rocket is still determined to get out. The Collector reveals to the guests that they can access the facility once their biological signs are scanned into the system and then all they have to do is raise their hands for clearance.

Afterwards, the guests are led into the Collector's office where another video of himself begins playing. Suddenly Rocket, who had escaped his case, enters the room (portrayed through an audio animatronic) through a vent and hijacks the video to explain his plan for rescuing his friends. (In the event that the animatronic is non-functional, a CGI version of Rocket will appear on the screen to hijack the Collector's spiel) The guests will use their access passes (their hand scan) for access in the lift while Rocket rides on top, taking control of it and taking them to the control room to blow up the generator and cut off all power in the facility, which will open all of the cages so that the Guardians can escape. The Guardians will then reunite with Mantis who will arrive with their ship so that they can make a quick getaway. On his way out of the Collector's office, Rocket grabs Quill's walkman.

Ride

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Mission Breakout has two "gantry lifts", two boarding levels and one shaftway, allowing guests to board one lift while the shaft is in use by the other. Both gantry lifts are pushed into and pulled out of the shaftway by a mechanical arm in front of the exit doors.[20]

After guests are seated in the gantry lift, the Collector tells the riders that "this is the moment you've been waiting for." However, Rocket unplugs the system and inserts Quill's walkman, cued up to one of six classic rock songs. The lift quickly rises up to the generator control room where Rocket blows it up, opening the cages and freeing the team, but also cutting the power to the gantry lift. Rocket tries to regain control as the lift accelerates up and down, and guests see the Guardians entangled in various situations, as well as getting a brief view of Disney California Adventure. As soon as the on-ride camera takes photos of the riders, the lift begins to drop once again. Rocket finally restores power and the lift drops down to show the Guardians with Cosmo as Rocket rejoins them and gives Quill his walkman back. They then reunite with Mantis who has arrived with their ship. Quill and Gamora thank the guests for their help, but as the lift resets itself, Drax is heard asking why they are thanking them as all the guests did was sit through the whole experience and did not actually do any fighting.

As guests leave the gantry lift and exit down a corridor, the sounds of the escaping creatures can be heard. The Collector can be heard over the intercom, upset over the loss of the Guardians and his creatures. At one point, Stan Lee can be heard over the intercom asking if this is part of the tour. Howard the Duck can also occasionally be heard, mocking the Collector's situation and bidding guests farewell.

Music and drop sequences

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Tyler Bates, composer of the Guardians of the Galaxy films, wrote the incidental music for the attraction's queue.[21] There are six different drop sequences of the ride, each synced to its own visuals and songs,[22] some of which were suggested by James Gunn, director of the Guardians of the Galaxy films.[23][24]

  • "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5: The first scenario is of the Guardians jumping from their confinement, only for Drax to get captured by a tentacled monster. The second scenario shows Quill kicking an Orloni (a rat-like creature), into the cages before being attacked by a group of them.
  • "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" by Pat Benatar: The first scenario shows Peter Quill shooing away the tentacled monster, ending with the both of them and Gamora (who is in the same scenario) running from a fleet of security drones. The next scenario shows a giant, gargoyle-like creature jumping up and roaring at the guests. Drax jumps out of the creature's mouth, punches it on the nose and laughs. He then says to the guests, "You're welcome!"
  • "Give Up the Funk" by Parliament: The first scenario has Quill and Gamora in the tentacles of the tentacled monster, with Quill and Gamora asking Rocket for help. The following scenario shows Quill kicking an Orloni (a rat-like creature) into the cages before being attacked by a group of them.
  • "Free Ride" by The Edgar Winter Group: The first scenario is of the Guardians shooting at the oncoming attacks before Baby Groot pushes a red button that turns off the artificial gravity. The next scenario, respectively, shows everything floating while Quill tells Baby Groot to press the button that puts on the artificial gravity. He does, but everything in the collection falls, including the Gantry Lift.
  • "Burning Love" by Elvis Presley: The first scenario is of the Guardians jumping from their confinement, only for Drax to get captured by the tentacled monster. The second scenario shows the giant, gargoyle-like creature jumping up and roaring at the guests. Drax jumps out of the creature's mouth, punches it on the nose and laughs. He then says to the guests, "You're welcome!"
  • "Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf: The first scenario has Quill and Gamora in the tentacles of the tentacled monster, with Quill and Gamora shouting at Rocket for help. The following scene, respectively, shows Quill shooing away the monster, ending with the both of them and Gamora (who is in the same scenario) running from a fleet of security drones.

Cast

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Collector's archive

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Within the waiting area, guests are allowed to view the many items in the Collector's archive. The artifacts are expected to be in rotation.[29] Various items from Guardians of the Galaxy, the Marvel Universe, and inactive audio-animatronics from Disney attractions are present including:

More items are located in the Collector's office including:

In addition, in the video message from the Collector there is a maquette of a ghost dog from The Haunted Mansion on the table.

When guests enter the maintenance room before entering the gantry lift more items can be found such as:

Monsters After Dark

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In August 2017, it was announced that the attraction would receive a new experience during Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort called Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark. The experience is offered after sunset each night from early September through October 31. The storyline of Monsters After Dark takes place chronologically after the events of Mission Breakout!; the Guardians have just escaped but accidentally left Groot behind. Rocket returns and has guests distract all of the escaped creatures so he can find and rescue Groot. One of the creatures in Monsters After Dark is Surtur's Fire Dragon, which also appears in Thor: Ragnarok. The experience also features a new song titled "Monsters After Dark" written by Tyler Bates.[35][36] On October 31, the attraction operated as Monsters After Dark all day.[37] The song was released as a digital single on iTunes on November 2, 2017.[38] It returned for the Halloween season in 2018 and 2019 with no changes.

The ghost of Yondu Udonta (Michael Rooker) briefly appears wandering the hallways of the archive in the pre-show.[39]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Rohde, Joe. "Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Coming to Disney California Adventure Park Summer 2017". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Glover, Erin (February 15, 2017). "Step into Blockbuster Super Hero Stories at Disney California Adventure Park! Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Opens May 27 with Summer of Heroes and All-New Epic Experiences". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  3. ^ Martin, Hugo (July 24, 2016). "Tower of Terror to get superhero makeover at Disney California Adventure Park". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 24, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  4. ^ Gunn, James. "James Gunn – Timeline". Facebook. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  5. ^ Lussier, Germain (May 25, 2017). "The New Guardians of the Galaxy Ride Exists in Its Own Unique Marvel Universe". io9. Archived from the original on May 28, 2017.
  6. ^ Stefansky, Emma (May 25, 2017). "'Guardians of the Galaxy' Ride Takes Place in Own Universe". ScreenCrush. Archived from the original on May 29, 2017.
  7. ^ Frye, Jim (May 25, 2017). "Awesome! We Rode Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!". D23.
  8. ^ Pimentel, Joseph; Eades, Mark. "Disneyland Resort ditching Twilight Zone for Marvel superhero ride". Orange County Register. Archived from the original on July 25, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  9. ^ Martin, Garrett. "Disney Replacing The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror with a Guardians of the Galaxy Ride in Disney California Adventure". Archived from the original on July 25, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  10. ^ Dix, Jeff (January 3, 2017). "Disneyland fans say good-bye to Tower of Terror at its final check-out". themeparkinsider. Archived from the original on March 27, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  11. ^ "Guardians of the Galaxy ride coming to California Adventure". Attractions Magazine. July 23, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  12. ^ MacDonald, Brady (July 24, 2016). "Will Disney's 'Guardians of the Galaxy' ride anchor a Marvel themed land?". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 25, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  13. ^ Glover, Erin (March 20, 2018). "Avengers and Other Super Heroes to Assemble in New Themed Areas at Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on March 21, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  14. ^ Abell, Bailee (December 31, 2020). "Disney Confirms What's Coming to Parks in 2021". insidethemagic.net. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  15. ^ Mack, Mike (May 5, 2021). "Countdown to Avengers Campus: The Kirby Krackle". laughingplace.com. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  16. ^ Ching, Albert (July 23, 2016). "SDCC: Marvel Studios Reveals Latest Phase 3 Secrets". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on July 25, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  17. ^ Marston, George (July 23, 2016). "Star-Lord's Father Revealed ... James Gunn Explains in Detail". Newsarama. Archived from the original on July 24, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
  18. ^ "Marvel Agreement between MCA Inc. and Marvel Entertainment Group". sec.gov. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Archived from the original on March 23, 2016.
  19. ^ "1st Look – Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!".
  20. ^ Mandi (October 16, 2013). "Inside the Tower of Terror Construction: Motors, Brakes, and More!". TowerSecrets. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  21. ^ a b Coggan, Devan (April 21, 2017). "Go behind the scenes of Disney's new Guardians of the Galaxy ride". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 22, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  22. ^ Winston, Kevin (May 28, 2017). "10 Things You'll Love about the new Guardians of the Galaxy Attraction". Digital LA.[permanent dead link]
  23. ^ Eades, Mark (April 25, 2017). "New Guardians of the Galaxy ride at Disneyland will feature music from the movies". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on April 26, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  24. ^ Roberts, Zach (May 11, 2017). "A Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2. Song Ended Up On The Disneyland Ride Instead". ComicBook.com. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  25. ^ attractionsmagazine (July 17, 2017). "Full Voices of the Disney Parks panel from D23 Expo 2017" – via YouTube.
  26. ^ "James Gunn confirms all the "Guardians of the Galaxy" stars – including Mantis – will appear in new Disneyland ride | Inside the Magic". Inside the Magic. May 5, 2017.
  27. ^ Pimintel, Joseph (May 25, 2017). "Here's a sneak peek at the Guardians of the Galaxy ride, which opens Saturday at Disney California Adventure". The Orange County Register. Archived from the original on May 25, 2017.
  28. ^ Bionic Buzz (May 27, 2017). "The Making of GOTG Mission Break Out Panel Video 2" (YouTube). YouTube.
  29. ^ Martens, Todd (May 25, 2017). "Behold animatronic Cosmo (and Rocket) inside Disneyland's 'Guardians of the Galaxy' ride". LA Times. Archived from the original on May 25, 2017. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Ratcliffe, Amy (June 2, 2017). "36 Easter Eggs in the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Ride Queue". nerdist.com. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  31. ^ Glover, Erin (January 22, 2018). "New Specimens Join the Collection at Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! at Disney California Adventure Park". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on January 22, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Fujikawa, Jenn (June 22, 2017). "Hidden Treasures on Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!". marvel.com. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  33. ^ a b Inside the Magic (May 26, 2017). "Figment, Matterhorn Yeti appear in Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! ride at Disneyland" (YouTube). YouTube.
  34. ^ mouseinfo (June 3, 2017). "Easter Eggs and more in Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT #HeroUp #SummerofHeroes" (YouTube). YouTube.
  35. ^ Glover, Erin (August 24, 2017). "Help #SaveGroot at Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark During Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  36. ^ Glover, Erin (September 14, 2017). "Take a Look Inside Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, Opening Soon During Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on September 15, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  37. ^ Glover, Erin (October 23, 2017). "Experience Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark All Day on October 31 at Disney California Adventure Park". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on December 23, 2017. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
  38. ^ "Tyler Bates' 'Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark' Music to Be Released | Film Music Reporter". filmmusicreporter.com.
  39. ^ Anderton, Ethan (February 23, 2018). "'Thor: Ragnarok' Deleted Scene Features a Cameo from Beyond the Grave". /Film. Archived from the original on February 23, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
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